New Zealand July 2021: Ford Ranger hits record share, MG ZS breaks into Top 10, sales up 22.9%

The MG ZS is inside the NZ Top 10 in July. Picture autocar.co.nz

New vehicle sales in New Zealand are on a roll: up another 22.9% year-on-year in July to 15.053 units, leading to a year-to-date tally up 51.4% to 99.613. Note the YTD 2021 tally is well above 2019 pre-pandemic levels at +13.9% vs. 87.468. For once Passenger Cars outpace the market this month at +36.5% to 2.460 and 16.3% share vs. 14.7% a year ago, SUVs are up 21.8% to 7.745 and 51.4% share vs. 51.9% and Light Commercials up 27.4% to 4.552 and 30.2% share vs. 29.2% in July 2020. Year-to-date, Passenger Cars are up 30.5% to 15.823 and 15.9% share vs. 18.4% over the same period in 2020, SUVs are up 62.1% to 51.497 and 51.7% share vs. 48.3% a year ago and Light Commercials up 50.5% to 28.489 and 28.6% share vs 28.8%.

In the brands ranking, Toyota (+9.8%) remains the best-seller with 16.2% share, in line with its YTD level. Mitsubishi (+88.1%) surges at #2 and 13% vs. 12.2% with Ford (+38.7%) also strong in third place at 11.5% share vs. 9.5% so far this year. Suzuki (+50.1%) and Hyundai (+29.2%) also beat the market in the remainder of the Top 10 but the best performer is MG (+241.5%) breaking into the NZ Top 10 for the second time after last December. Tesla (+1131.3%), Great Wall (+288.6%), Haval (+175%), Renault (+152.4%), Skoda (+114.2%) and LDV (+90.5%) also impress below.

Model-wise, the Ford Ranger (+81.6%) sails off to a fantastic 9.4% share, a new record eclipsing its previous best of 9.1% from last August. The Toyota Hilux (+29%) reclaims the 2nd spot it holds year-to-date, with the Mitsubishi ASX (+178.1%) in tow and now #4 year-to-date. 47% of ASX sold in New Zealand this month are to rental companies. The Toyota RAV4 (-30.5%) is up one spot on June to #4, while Mitsubishi manages to place three nameplates in the Top 6 with the Triton (+27.7%) and Outlander (+65.9%). The Mazda CX-5 (+37.4%) and Nissan Qashqai (+86.6%) also outpace the market below. In sync with neighbouring Australia, the MG ZS breaks into the NZ Top 10 for the very first time in July at #10. The Tesla Model 3 is down two spots on last month to #18 and the Great Wall GWM Cannon is up to #23.

Previous month: New Zealand June 2021: Mitsubishi teases Toyota for #1 brand in market up 31.6%

One year ago: New Zealand July 2020: Toyota RAV4 tops market back in positive (+3.3%)

Full July 2021 Top 72 All-brands and Top 25 models below.