Best Selling Cars – Matt's blog

The Ford Focus left the Holden Cruze and Toyota Corolla in its wake this month

* See the Top 25 best-selling models by clicking on the title! *

New Zealand car sales are up a very healthy 10% year-on-year in August to 8,185 registrations, bringing the year-to-date total to 66,395 units, up a massive 18% on 2011. This is split between 5,969 new passenger cars, the best August score since 2007, and 2,216 new commercial vehicles, the strongest August since 2005! After being passed by the Ford Ranger for 2 units last month, the Toyota Hilux reclaims the overall market pole position with 341 sales and 4.2% share, its 4th time at #1 in 2012 so far, reinforcing its 2012 year-to-date leadership at 2,843 units and 4.3%.

Ford Ranger

The Ford Ranger is still extremely strong at #2 with 283 sales and 3.5%, now catching up on the Suzuki Swift for the 3rd place year-to-date in 2012 at 2,053 units and 3.1% vs. 2,162 and 3.3% for the Swift. Outstanding month for the Ford Focus: up 10 spots on July and a huge 210% on August 2011 to land in third place and #1 passenger car with 282 sales and 3.4%. It is #12 year-to-date at 1.8%. The Toyota Corolla follows at #4 while the Holden Captiva continues to dominate the SUV market and lodges another very impressive month at #5 with 238 units and 2.9%.

Hyundai Accent

Notice also the Holden Colorado up 5 spots on July to #7 with 229 units and 2.8%, the Holden Commodore down to a paltry #9 and 2.2%, the Mazda BT-50 up 9 ranks to #13 and the new generation Hyundai Accent making its very first appearance in the New Zealand Top 25 models ranking at #20 with 105 units and 1.3% share.

Previous month: New Zealand July 2012: Ford Ranger and Holden Captiva shine

One year ago: New Zealand August 2011: Mazda3 leads passenger cars

Full August 2012 Top 25 Ranking Table below.

Read more…

Ford Ranger

* See the Top 25 best-selling models by clicking on the title! *

The New Zealand new car market continues on its exceptional run in July, up 25% year-on-year to 8,361 registrations and bringing the year-to-date total to 58,210 units, up 17% on 2011. For the second time this year after April, the Ford Ranger brilliantly leads the overall models ranking with 330 sales and 3.9% share and is now up to #4 year-to-date at 1,770 units and 3%. The Toyota Hilux is only 2 units behind at 328 and keeps the lead in the 2012 ranking with 2,502 sales and 4.3%.

Holden Captiva

The Holden Captiva leads all passenger cars this month for what should be the very first time in the country, up 4 spots to a shiny third place with 261 units and 3.1% and is #6 year-to-date at 2.5%. The Suzuki Swift (2.9%) and Toyota Corolla (2.8%) follow, at levels way below their year-to-date scores of #3 (3.4%) and #2 (3.7%) respectively. Notice also the Hyundai Santa Fe up 8 spots to #9, the Toyota Camry up to #11, the Honda CR-V up 9 to #19 and the Holden Barina and Honda Civic back in the Top 25.

Previous month: New Zealand June 2012: Toyota Highlander #4 in market up 33%

One year ago: New Zealand July 2011: Suzuki Swift leads, now #2 year-to-date

Full July 2012 Top 25 Ranking Table below.

Read more…

Toyota Highlander (Russian version)

* NOW UPDATED with the Top 25 best-selling models! Click on title to see *

Now that the stock situation has returned to normal after the Thailand floods, the New Zealand car market is on a roll: up no less than 33% year-on-year in June to 10,101 registrations, the second strongest month of June in 23 years after 1989 and 2005! Halfway through the year New Zealand car sales are up 19% on 2011 to 49,849 units. Like last month, the podium is monopolised by commercial vehicles. The Toyota Hilux is in pole position for the third time in the last 4 months with an excellent 676 sales and 6.7% share. The Hilux now leads the 2012 year-to-date ranking with 2,174 units and 4.4%.

Ford Ranger

The Ford Ranger stays #2 at a very solid 440 sales and 4.4% and is now #5 year-to-date. It is followed by the Nissan Navara at 370 units and 3.7%. The performance of the month is delivered by the Toyota Highlander up 16 spots on May and now leading the passenger car segment at #4 with 358 sales and 3.6%, helped by 274 rental vehicles sales. The Ford Focus is up 11 ranks to #5 while the Holden Captiva now takes the lead over the Commodore year-to-date to become the brand’s best -seller for the first time ever in New Zealand in a cumulative ranking.

Previous month: New Zealand May 2012: Toyota Hilux and Mazda CX-5 triumph

One year ago: New Zealand June 2011: Toyota Hilux and Nissan Navara dominate

Full June 2012 Top 25 Ranking Table below.

Read more…

Toyota Hilux

* See the Top 25 best-selling models by clicking on the title! *

Another outstanding month for new car sales in New Zealand: the market is up 21% year-on-year to 8,306 registrations, bringing the year-to-date total to 39,748 units, up a very healthy 16% on 2011. Like in neighbouring Australia, the Toyota Hilux takes advantage of the new model and a backlog of orders being honoured to take a marked lead of the models ranking with 600 sales and a massive 7.2% market share, potentially its best month ever in the country. It is now up to #2 year-to-date with 1,498 units and 3.8% below the Toyota Corolla (down to #8 this month) at 1,698 sales and 4.3%.

Mazda CX-5

At nearly half the sales of the Hilux, the Ford Ranger holds extremely well in 2nd place with 307 units and 3.7%, ahead of the Nissan Navara with 284 sales and 3.4%, the Suzuki Swift – best-selling passenger car again – at 277 units and 3.3% and the Hyundai i30 up 8 spots on April to #5 with 207 sales and 2.5%. Holden’s best-selling model is not the Commodore (#10) but the Captiva at #6. The all-new Mazda CX-5 manages to rank within the NZ Top 10 for the 2nd month in a row at #9 with 186 units and 2.2%. New Zealand is still the only country in the world where the CX-5 has broken into the monthly Top 10, Australia being the closest: #11 in April and #12 in May.

Previous month: New Zealand April 2012: Ford Ranger new leader, Mazda CX-5 up to #6!

One year ago: New Zealand May 2011: Toyota Hilux leads the way

Full May 2012 Top 25 Ranking Table below.

Read more…

Ford Ranger

* NOW UPDATED with the Top 25 best-selling models! Click on title to see *

Euphoric month for new car sales in New Zealand, up 26% year-on-year to 7,048 registrations, bringing the year-to-date total to 31,442 units, up 13% on 2011. For the first time ever in the country, the Ford Ranger becomes the best-selling vehicle overall, but only just: with 279 sales and 4% market share it is only 1 unit above the Toyota Hilux this month! The Suzuki Swift is up one spot on March to round up the podium at #3.

Mazda CX-5

Up 5 ranks to 4th place this month with 218 sales and 3.1%, the Toyota Corolla is still in pole position in the 2012 year-to-date ranking with 1,506 units and 4.8% ahead of the Suzuki Swift at 1,169 units and 3.7% and the Toyota Hilux with 898 sales and 2.9%. Extremely impressive showing of the Mazda CX-5 which turns out to be even more successful in New Zealand than it is in Australia, selling 179 units in April for a formidable 6th place overall for its very first month. This is the highest ranking the CX-5 has reached so far anywhere in the world for the CX-5!

Further down, notice the Holden Commodore up from a hellish 12th place last month to #7, the Honda Civic back in shape at #10, the Hyundai Santa Fe up 5 spots on March to #11, the Ford Territory up 9 to #15, the Toyota RAV4 up 7 to #20 and the Hyundai i20 re-entering the Top 25 at #21.

Previous month: New Zealand March 2012: Holden Cruze leads passenger cars

One year ago: New Zealand April 2011: Suzuki Swift reclaims pole position

Full April 2012 Top 25 Ranking Table below.

Read more…

Holden Cruze

* NOW UPDATED with the Top 25 best-selling models! Click on title to see *

New Zealand car sales continue to hold very well in this start of year, up 3% year-on-year in March to 8,528 registrations, bringing the year-to-date total to 24,394 units, up 10% on 2011. After a few months of disruption due to the floods in Thailand, the Toyota Hilux is the best-selling vehicle in the country for the first time since last August with 280 sales and 3.3% share, ahead of the Nissan Navara at 242 units and 2.8%.

Rounding up the overall podium but leading all passenger cars is the Holden Cruze with 229 sales, just above last month’s leader the Suzuki Swift at 227 units. Excellent month for the Toyota Hiace, up 5 spots on last month to #5, while the Toyota Yaris is back in shape at #7 and the Ford Ranger is up 5 ranks to #8. #2 last month, the Toyota Corolla is down to #9 as the Holden Commodore is down to a devastating 12th position. Other good performers include the Toyota Camry at #11 and Mitsubishi Lancer at #13.

Previous month: New Zealand February 2012: Suzuki Swift climbs on top

One year ago: New Zealand March 2011: Toyota Hilux and Corolla on top

Full March 2012 Top 25 Ranking Table below.

Read more…

Suzuki Swift

* NOW UPDATED with the Top 13 best-selling models! Click on title to see *

Very healthy numbers again for the New Zealand car market, up 12% year-on-year to 7,185 registrations. For the first time since last July, the Suzuki Swift is in pole position of the overall models ranking with 332 sales and 4.6%, putting an end to 5 consecutive months of Toyota Corolla domination.

February is becoming the Swift’s ‘good luck month’ as it was #1 in February 2011 as well. The Corolla is down to #2 this month at 272 units and 3.8%, followed by the Toyota Hilux back in shape at 3.5% and the Hyundai i30 at 2.9%. Excellent performance of the Nissan Navara, up 9 spots on January to #5 with 189 sales, ahead of the Holden Captiva up 4 ranks to #6. The Ford Territory and Ranger also shine at +8 to #12 and +9 to #13 respectively.

Previous month: New Zealand January 2012: Toyota Corolla leads strong market

One year ago: New Zealand February 2011: Suzuki Swift takes the lead

Full February 2012 Top 13 Ranking Table below.

Read more…

The Toyota Auris is sold as a Corolla in Australia and New Zealand

* NOW UPDATED with the Top 24 best-selling models! Click on title to see *

Excellent month for new car sales in New Zealand with 8,681 registrations, up a very healthy 15% on January 2011. 7,499 new passenger cars were sold, the highest monthly figure since 2008 and the second highest ever since records began in 1975! The Toyota Corolla leads the way for the 5th consecutive month with 828 sales and a huge 9.5% market share, followed by the Suzuki Swift up 5 spots on December to 4.4% and the Hyundai i30 up 14 ranks to 3.6%.

Nissan Navara

The Mazda3 is also in great shape, up 11 spots to #4, as is the Holden Cruze coming from outside the Top 25 in December to a brilliant 5th place this month thanks to 268 units sold. Excellent hold of the Toyota RAV4 at #6 ahead of the Holden Commodore (-1) and Ford Focus, up an outstanding 15 ranks. Other great performers include the Mitsubishi Lancer at #13 (+9), Nissan Navara at #14 and best-selling commercial vehicle (+6) and Hyundai ix35 at #21.

Previous post: New Zealand December 2011: 5 Toyotas in Top 5!

One year ago: New Zealand January 2011: Toyota Corolla at 12%!

Full January 2012 Top 3 Ranking Table below.

Read more…

Toyota Highlander (Russian version)

* NOW UPDATED with the Top 25 best-selling models: click on the title to see *

In spite of natural disasters locally (Christchurch earthquakes) and overseas (Japan, Thailand) and the Rugby World Cup disrupting stock and sales, the New Zealand car market is up a very healthy 5% this year at 84,640 registrations, with December up 9% at 6,476 units.

December is owned by Toyota this year: it takes no less than 39% of the passenger car market, leaving Holden (11%) and Ford (8%) in the dust. The 5 best-selling vehicles this month are all Toyotas: the Corolla leads with a mammoth 11.5% share thanks to 743 sales, ahead of Yaris up 8 spots at 4.9%, the RAV4 up 2 ranks at 4.2%, the Highlander up 18 spots (!) and Camry up 9 ranks both at 4.1% of the market.

Toyota Corolla

Over the full year, the Toyota Corolla is the best-selling vehicle in New Zealand for the 4th year in a row with 4,166 sales and 4.9% share, down 15%, followed by the Toyota Hilux down 9% to 3,129 units and 3.7%, the Suzuki Swift up 6% to 2,892 sales and 3.4% and the Holden Commodore down 7% to 2,381 units and 2.8%.

However Suzuki claims it has the most popular vehicle with private buyers in 2011, with the Suzuki Swift clocking up 1,546 private sales vs. 814 for the Toyota Corolla, 743 for the Honda Jazz and 707 for the Toyota Hilux. Notice also the Chinese brands starting to make their mark: Great Wall is up 76% on 2010 at 538 sales and 0.6% and Geely sold 56 units for its first year in market.

Previous month: New Zealand November 2011: Ford Ranger up to #2

Previous year: New Zealand Full Year 2010: Toyota Corolla and Hilux dominate

Full Year 2011 Top 4, Top 10 private sales and December 2011 Top 25 Ranking Tables below.

Read more…

2012 Ford Ranger

* NOW UPDATED with the Top 25 best-selling models! Click on the title to see *

The New Zealand car market is down just one percent at 7,328 registrations in November, bringing the year-to-date total to 78,164 units, up 5%. The Toyota Corolla remains the best-selling vehicle in the country with a robust 439 sales and 6% share.

This month the #2 is not the Hyundai i30 anymore (it is now #4) but the Ford Ranger, possibly helped by the arrival of the new generation in dealerships, selling 264 units for an impressive 3.6% share and therefore leading the commercial category ahead of the Toyota Hilux at #3 overall with 259 sales and 3.5%. The Toyota RAV4 is up to a brilliant 5th place at 3% share, making it 3 Toyotas in the Top 5, while the Holden Commodore, Holden Captiva and Ford Territory are all up 4 spots to #6, 7, and 8 respectively.

Holden Epica

Outside the Top 10, notice the Ford Focus up 11 spots on October to #11, the Ford Falcon up 9 ranks to #13, the Toyota Camry back in the Top 25 to #14, the Holden Colorado up 5 spots to #20 and a rare appearance of the Holden Epica in the Top 25 at #24 with 84 sales and 1.1% market share.

Previous month: New Zealand October 2011 Toyota Yaris up to #3

Full November 2011 Top 25 Ranking Table below.

Read more…