New Zealand May 2020: Toyota RAV4 scores first ever win, volumes up 8-fold on April, off -32.1% year-on-year

The Toyota RAV4 is the best-selling vehicle in New Zealand for the first time.

As one of the only countries in the world to have truly defeated the coronavirus with no active infections, no new daily infections since May 21 and businesses reopening, New Zealand new car sales see their losses thaw to -32.1% year-on-year in May to 8.313 units which an 8-fold leap over April. The year-to-date tally down -31.7% to 42.103. SUVs drop -26.3% to 3.815, improving their market share from 42.3% in May 2019 to 45.9% today. Light commercials are off -39% to 2.438 and 29.3% share vs. 32.6% a year ago and passenger cars sink -34.9% to 1.566 and 18.8% share vs. 19.7%. Year-to-date, SUVs are down -24.2% to 20.061 and 47.6% vs. 42.9% over the same period a year ago, light commercials drop -36.9% to 11.745 and 27.9% share vs. 30.2% and passenger cars are off -38.1% to 8.328 and 19.8% share vs. 21.8% in 2019. With international borders remaining closed, there were only 23 rental sales for the month (vs. 1 in April), 61% of which are commercial vehicles including 7 Toyota Hiace.

After a freak interruption by Kia last month, Toyota (-14.9%) easily reclaims the brands pole position thanks to the smallest year-on-year dip in the Top 5, reaching 19.4% share vs. 16.8% so far this year. Holden (-23.4%) is pushed up to #2 overall by heavy discounting ahead of its discontinuation, with Ford (-47.5%) back up to #3 but struggling, Mitsubishi (-35.6%) matching the market at #4 and Mazda (-41.9%) edging up one spot on April to #5. After scoring its first ever monthly win in New Zealand in April, Kia (+14.5%) continues to impress, posting the only year-on-year gain in the Top 18 and the largest uptick in the Top 25 at #6. Porsche (+53.1%), Ram (+38.9%), Tesla (+37.5%), MG (+14%) and Fiat (+6%) are among the other gainers while Great Wall (-2.5%), Suzuki (-3.2%), Lexus (-4.3%) and Audi (-14.4%) contain their losses.

The Toyota RAV4 (+8.3%) rallies back up 11 spots on April to snap its very first New Zealand monthly pole position thanks to lodging the only year-on-year gain in the Top 5. It is followed by four pickup trucks: the Ford Ranger (-43.3%), Toyota Hilux (-20.3%), Holden Colorado (-30.3%) and Mitsubishi Triton (-37.5%). The Suzuki Swift (+7.7%) is down two spots on last month to #6 is up year-on-year, while the Kia Seltos drops 6 to #7 but remains a force to be reckoned with, ranking #2 non-commercial vehicle for the month and #6 overall YTD. The Toyota C-HR surges to #14, its third ever Top 20 appearance in New Zealand and new record eclipsing the #15 it hit last March. Holden also places the Acadia at #19 and the Commodore at #22.

Previous month: New Zealand April 2020: Kia and Seltos score first wins in market down -90.2%

One year ago: New Zealand May 2019: Toyota RAV4 (+25.8%), Mitsubishi Triton (+17.6%) resist in market down -13.5%

Full May 2020 Top 65 All-brands and Top 25 models below.