New Zealand September 2012: Toyota Corolla #1 thanks to rentals

Toyota Corolla

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

The new car market in New Zealand is definitely on fire this year, with sales up 14% year-on-year in September to 8,690 units, bringing the year-to-date total to 75,085 registrations, up a whopping 20% on 2011… For the first time since last January, the Toyota Corolla manages to rank #1 overall with 453 sales and 5.2%. It is #2 year-to-date at 2,891 units and 3.9%. September marks the start of the high season in New Zealand and rentals will now take a growing share of the market up until the end of the year. In September 41% of all Corollas sold in the country are rentals. The Suzuki Swift is up 5 spots on August and 74% year-on-year to climb to 2nd place with 346 sales and 4%, 29% of which are rentals. It is #3 ytd at 3.3%.

Holden Commodore

#1 in August and year-to-date, the Toyota Hilux is down to #3 this month at 335 units and 3.9%. If large cars are taking a beating in Australia, they are faring very well in September in New Zealand thanks to strong sales to rental companies. The Holden Commodore is up an outstanding 114% year-on-year to #4 with 287 sales and 3.3% and is now back to #1 Holden year-to-date at #6 (vs. #7 for the Captiva), while the Ford Falcon is up 64% to #17 and 139 units. Over half of these numbers are delivered by rentals though: 51% for the Commodore and 57% for the Falcon, with only the Focus doing better with rental companies at 65%.

Kia Sportage

Other great performers this month in New Zealand include the Toyota Yaris up 10 spots on August to #5, the Mazda3 up 5 to #7, the Holden Colorado solid again at #8 vs. #18 year-to-date, the Toyota Highlander up 11 ranks to #11, the Mitsubishi Outlander in run-out model up to #13, the Kia Sportage breaking into the NZ Top 25 for the first time at #25, the Holden Barina at #27 and the Nissan Qashqai at #28.

Previous month: New Zealand August 2012: Ford Focus #1 Passenger Car, up 210%

One year ago: New Zealand September 2011: Toyota Corolla in pole position

Full September 2012 Top 25 and Rentals Top 10 Ranking Tables below.