New Zealand May 2013: Ranger #1 in strongest market in 23 years

The Ford Ranger is now only 4 units below the Toyota Hilux year-to-date…

* NOW UPDATED with the Top 30 models and Top 56 All-brands! Click on title to see *

Kiwi consumers are definitely in the mood for a new car this year. May sales figures are the highest for this month since 1990 both for Passenger Cars at 6,347 registrations and Light Commercial Vehicles at 2,577 units, meaning the total market is up 7% year-on-year at 8,924 units. Year-to-date, the total stands at 43,812 sales, up 10% on 2012. For the 2nd month in a row, the Ford Ranger is the most popular vehicle in the country, improving to 5.4% market share thanks to 483 sales. It is the 4th time in the last 14 months (after April, July 2012 and last month) that the Ranger tops the NZ ranking.

With this performance, the Ranger is now only 4 units below the Hilux year-to-date at 1,781 units vs. 1,785. However the Toyota Corolla, down to #5 this month, remains the best-seller over the 5 first months of 2013. The Holden Captiva is up 9 spots to a brilliant third place with 304 sales and 3.4% while the Hyundai Santa Fe is up 4 ranks to #4 at 270 units and 3% and the Ford Kuga makes its very first appearance in the New Zealand Top 20 at #12 with 153 sales and 1.7%. Notice also the Nissan Puslar at #28.

Previous month: New Zealand April 2013: Ford Ranger ends Toyota Corolla reign

One year ago: New Zealand May 2012: Toyota Hilux and Mazda CX-5 triumph

Full May 2013 Top 30 models and Top 56 All-brands Ranking Tables below.