New Zealand July 2015: Ford Ranger and Toyota Hilux fight for #1

Both the Toyota Hilux and the Ford Ranger (above) will be renewed by end 2015.

* NOW UPDATED with the Top 60 brands and Top 25 models *

If the New Zealand new car market is only up by a shy 0.6% year-on-year in July to 10.366 registrations, it still delivers the best July score in 30 years, lifting the year-to-date total up 5% to 75.528 units. The detail by segment shows the storm under the calm increase: passenger cars are down 13%, SUVs up a whopping 25% and light commercials down 5%. The Ford Ranger keeps the lead of the models ranking albeit with only a 12-unit advantage over its archenemy the Toyota Hilux at 460 vs. 447. The Toyota Corolla climbs back onto the podium at #3, followed by the Toyota Corolla (+3), Holden Colorado (0) and Toyota RAV4 (-3). The Mazda CX-5 leaps 9 spots on June to rank 6th like in neighbouring Australia, the Honda Jazz is up 12 to #11 and the Holden Commodore is back up 9 ranks to a still very paltry #12.

Previous month: New Zealand June 2015: Toyota RAV4 and Highlander on podium

One year ago: New Zealand July 2014: Honda Jazz up to #7, best July since 1985

Full July 2015 Top 25 models and Top 60 brands below.