New Zealand June 2016: Toyota Hilux catches up on Ford Ranger

Toyota Hilux sales are up 69% year-on-year in New Zealand in June.

* See the Top 30 best-selling models and Top 60 All-brands by clicking on the title *

The New Zealand new vehicle market continues to gallop at record levels with June volumes up another 5% year-on-year to 13.699 units, the best June score since 1982 and the second highest monthly total ever registered in the history of automobile in the country. Year-to-date sales are up 5% to a record-breaking 69.057 units. 4.513 commercial vehicles found a new office, the highest sales figure ever for this type of vehicles in New Zealand and only the third 4.000+ month in history after June 2014 (4.002) and 2015 (4.009). SUV sales account for a whopping 36% of the market in June, with pickups the next-biggest segment at 25% share. Toyota remains the most popular brand despite sales down 9% to 2.666 and 19.5% share ahead of Ford at 10.8% (+16%), Holden at 9.3% (-7%), Mazda at 7.5% (+13%) and Hyundai at 6.8% (+13%). Kia shoots up 87% to 8th place overall, Suzuki (+20%), Honda (+47%), Isuzu (+25%) and Mercedes (+30%) also impress.

The Sportage (+185%) helps Kia up 87% in June.

The seven best-selling vehicles in New Zealand in June are either pickups or SUVs, perfectly illustrating the consumer trend at play here as in most of the world. The Ford Ranger holds onto the top spot but at just +15% to 836 sales it is now threatened by the Toyota Hilux, up 69% to 811 units. The Toyota Highlander is up 22 spots on May but down 15% year-on-year to #3 overall, boosted by rental sales for the winter skiing season accounting for 81% of its total this month. It distances the Holden Colorado (-15%), Toyota RAV4 (-35%), Mitsubishi Triton (+40%) and Kia Sportage shooting up 185% to #7 overall thanks to the new model.

Previous month: New Zealand May 2016: Ford Ranger leads, Mustang in Top 25

One year ago: New Zealand June 2015: Toyota RAV4 and Highlander on podium

Full June 2016 Top 30 models and Top 60 All-brands below.