New Zealand September 2020: Kia (+33.1%), Suzuki (+12.5%) smile, Toyota (-46%) cries in market cut short (-24.9%) by near-absence of rental sales

Kia sales soar 33.1% in a market down -24.9%.

New Zealand new vehicle sales remain in doldrums in September at -24.9% year-on-year to just 10.902 units, leading to a year-to-date volume off -23.8% to 87.301. SUV sales edge down -8.1% to 5.491 and 50.4% share vs. 41.2% a year ago, Light Commercials drop -26.2% to 2.631 and 24.1% share vs. 24.6% and Passenger Cars sink -48.8% to 2.206 and 20.2% share vs. 29.7%. Year-to-date, SUV sales are off -13.9% to 42.501 and 48.7% share vs. 43.1% over the same period in 2019, Light Commercials are down -27.2% to 24.626 and 28.2% share vs. 29.5% and Passenger Cars dive -38.1% to 16.147 and 18.5% vs. 22.8%.

Greatly responsible for the market freefall are brand leaders Toyota (-46%) and Ford (-23%), with Toyota suffering greatly from the near-absence of rental sales in the wake of the Summer holiday season when the large majority of such sales occur. Mitsubishi (-10.4%) and Mazda (-8.4%) resist somewhat better below, but once again it’s Kia (+33.1%) that manages the best performance near the top (and among the Top 17 brands), scoring a 5th consecutive double-digit year-on-year gain, an almost incredible feat in such challenging market conditions. Suzuki (+12.5%) joins in the fun and secures the only additional gain in the Top 13.

Model-wise the Ford Ranger (-18.6%) easily tops the charts with 6.1% share, distancing a surging Toyota RAV4 (+48.7%) that also snaps the 2nd spot YTD off the Toyota Hilux (-56.1%) in total freefall this month as the facelifted model hits dealerships. The Mitsubishi Triton (-6.7%) steps onto the podium above the Suzuki Swift (+15.1%), Kia Sportage (-6.9%) and a Toyota Corolla (-72%) devastated by no rentals. The Ford Transit (+81.8%), Nissan Navara (+23.4%), X-Trail (+21.1%), Suzuki Vitara (+20.2%), Mazda BT-50 (+19.1%) and Hyundai Tucson (+13.7%) also shine.

Previous month: New Zealand August 2020: Kia (+43.8%), Ford (+24.4%) ignore market back in negative (-15.8%), Toyota C-HR scores first Top 10

One year ago: New Zealand September 2019: Holden up 46%, Tesla Model 3 #1 private car in record market (+4.5%)

Full September 2020 Top 70 All-brands and Top 25 models below.