New Zealand October 2018: Rentals push market to all-time high volume, Toyota at 30%

Deep discounts on the outgoing generation push Toyota RAV4 sales up 108% in October.

* See the Top 70 All-brands and Top 30 models by clicking on the title *

The New Zealand new vehicle market reaches a new all-time high monthly volume in October at 16.670 units, smashing the previous all-time best of 15.985 established in June 2017 and up 7.6% year-on-year, leading to a YTD volume also at a record high 136.063, up 1.7% on the previous record established over the same period in 2017. Toyota (+12%) outpaces the market to reach a gargantuan 30% share vs. 19.3% YTD, posting its largest monthly volume ever in New Zealand at 4.998 units. The Japanese manufacturer was helped by its domination of the rental market, always bustling during these pre-Summer months: 88% of Corollas registered in October were to rental companies, 82% of RAV4, 79% of Highlander, 75% of Prado and 61% of Yaris.

Holden (+7%) posts a performance in total contrast with its dismal figures in neighbouring Australia, even climbing up 3 spots on September to #2 overall. It distances Ford (-16%), Mazda (+14%) and Mitsubishi (+19%) with Volkswagen (+25%) and Nissan (+14%) also standing out in the Top 10. Haval (+200%), Bentley (+167%), Citroen (+158%), Alfa Romeo (+150%), Renault (+137%), Great Wall (+133%), Jeep (+106%), Skoda (+92%), LDV (+62%), Volvo (+46%) and Honda (+24%) also make waves. The Toyota Corolla (-2%) tops the models ranking with an ultra-dominant 10.5% share but is stuck at #3 YTD for now. At #2, the Toyota RAV4 (+108%) more than doubles its sales year-on-year thanks to rental and is now up to #4 YTD. The Ford Ranger (+3%) and Toyota Hilux (+6%) have timid months but remains in the YTD lead in this order, with the Mazda CX-5 (+40%), Holden Colorado (+29%) and Mitsubishi Triton (+23%) also in great shape in the Top 10.

Previous month: New Zealand September 2018: Pre-summer rentals lift Toyota Corolla to #1

One year ago: New Zealand October 2017: Rentals boost Toyota sales up 36% to 28.7% share

Full October 2018 Top 70 All-brands and Top 30 models below.