New Zealand January-February 2016: Ranger and Sportage stun

The Ranger single-handedly takes Ford above archenemy Holden in New Zealand.

* See the Top 15 best-selling brands and Top 20 models by clicking on the title *

Building on an all-time record year in 2015, the New Zealand new car market continues its forward march with a 2% gain in January to 11.893 registrations supplemented by a 4% increase in February at 10.313 units, lifting the year-to-date total to an all-time high 22.199 after two months, up 3% on the same period in 2015. The main event so far this year in New Zealand is the exceptional strength of Ford: up 44% in January and 30% in February for a 37% gain so far in 2016 at 2.710 sales and 12.2% share, clearly outpacing its archenemy Holden down 14% to 2.138 deliveries and 9.6%. This surge has everything to do with the outstanding success of the Ford Ranger, up 59% in January to 661 sales – beating its main competitor the Toyota Hilux (300) two-to-one – and up 53% to 582 to hold onto its newfound title of best-selling vehicle in New Zealand so far this year with 1.243 units (+56%) vs. just 949 (-13%) for the #2, the Toyota Corolla.

The Kia Sportage surges to 4th place overall in February. 

Toyota remains the brand leader by far with 17.1% share despite sales down 4%. Notice also Kia up 48% to #9 and Subaru up 60% to #12. In other models news, the podium is 100% pickup in February with the Ranger, Hilux and Mitsubishi Triton dominating just as the Kia Sportage leaps from outside the Top 30 in January to 4th place overall thanks to the new generation. The Hyundai Tucson is up 10 spots on January to #12 and the Mazda CX-3 is up to a best-ever 17th spot thanks to 150 units sold.

Previous post: New Zealand Full Year 2015: First #1 title for Ranger, record market

One year ago (Jan): New Zealand January 2015: Rental-boosted Corolla and Commodore lead

One year ago (Feb): New Zealand February 2015: Toyota Hilux reclaims lead

Full January and February 2016 Top 15 brands and Top 20 models below.