New Zealand January 2021: Mitsubishi (+50.4%), Kia (+40.2%) help drive positive market (+6.4%)

Mitsubishi ASX sales are up 88.4% in January in New Zealand.

New vehicle sales in New Zealand start the year on a positive note at +6.4% to 13.893 units. SUV sales soar 15% to 7490 and 53.9% share vs. 49.9% in January 2020, Light Commercial Vehicles are up 8.8% to 3.776 and 27.2% share vs. 26.6% a year ago while Passenger Cars continue to crumble at -15.3% to 2.177 and 15.7% share vs. 19.7% in January 2020.

In the brands ranking, Toyota (+24.4%) and Mitsubishi (+50.4%) vastly outpace the market to keep the Top 2 spots they already held last month with 17% and 10.3% share respectively. In contrast, Ford (-9.4%) struggles in third place. Kia (+40.2%) is up to a fantastic 9.7% share, with Mazda (+21%) and Suzuki (+20.4%) also in outstanding shape. Notice MG (+296.9%) at #13 after cracking the New Zealand Top 10 last month. Further down the charts, LDV (+113.9%), Great Wall (+95.7%), Lexus (+73.7%), Volvo (+71.9%), Fiat (+54.4%) and Haval (+25.6%) also impress.

Model-wise, the Ford Ranger (+6.8%) remains by far the most popular vehicle in the country followed by the Toyota Hilux (+58.6%). In fact the Top 4 is unchanged on the FY2020 order with the Toyota RAV4 (-17.2%) and Mitsubishi Triton (+13.1%) in tow. The Mitsubishi ASX (+88.4%), Outlander (+67.7%), Kia Sportage (+33.6%) and Mazda CX-5 (+18.9%) also shine in a Top 10 entirely composed of pickup trucks and SUVs: the Toyota Corolla (+3.3%) is the best-selling Passenger Car at #11. The Isuzu D-Max (+108.5%) takes full advantage of its new generation at #13 while the Kia Sorento scores its first ever Top 20 finish at #18.

Previous post: New Zealand Full Year 2020: Kia (+12.7%) island of growth in market down -22.6%, Ford Ranger signs 6th straight win

One year ago: New Zealand January 2020: Toyota RAV4 (+137.1%), Kia Seltos (#4) stun in market down -6%

Full January 2021 Top 65 All-brands and Top 20 models below.