New Zealand August 2021: Tesla Model 3, MG ZS and Haval H6 shine in market sinking -35.6%

The Haval H6 breaks into the New Zealand Top 20 for the first time in August.

New vehicle sales in New Zealand hit the brakes in August at a ghastly -35.6% year-on-year to just 6.817 units, keeping in mind August 2020 volumes were already off -15.8% on the year prior which means August 2021 sinks -45.8% on August 2019. This is potentially linked to the Covid lockdowns in place in some parts of the country. However the year-to-date tally is up 39.3% year-on-year to 106.401 units, and up 6.3% over the same period in pre-pandemic 2019. This month, for once Passenger Cars resist better than the market at -21% year-on-year to 1.443 units and 21.2% share vs. 17.2% a year ago, whereas SUVs are off -39.1% to 3.176 and 46.6% share vs. 49.2% in August 2020 and Light Commercials dive -40.2% to 1.834 and 26.9% share vs. 28.9% last year. Year-to-date, Passenger Cars gain 23.3% year-on-year to 17.195 and 16.2% share vs. 18.3% over the same period in 2020, SUVs surge 47.9% to 54.721 and 51.4% share vs. 48.4% last year and Light Commercials are up 37.8% to 30.319 and 28.5% share vs. 28.8% a year ago.

In the brands ranking, Toyota (-22.3%) improves its market share to 23.4% vs. 16.5% so far this year, whereas Ford (-38.8%) and Mazda (-40.8%) struggle. Mitsubishi (-16.3%) resists relatively well but drops one spot on July to #3. Two Top 10 carmakers post surreal gains this month: MG (+97.9%) signs a third Top 10 finish at #9 and Tesla (+416.2%) breaks into the Top 10 for the first time at #10. Suzuki (-25.1%) also outpace the market but Hyundai (-51%), Volkswagen (-42.4%) and Nissan (-39.4%) freefall. Haval (+155.7%) surges ahead to end the month just 12 sales off a historic first Top 10, with Great Wall (+124.1%) also very impressive further down.

Model-wise, the Ford Ranger (-30.4%) breaks its market share record for the second month in a row at 9.8%, selling over twice as much as its archenemy the Toyota Hilux (-43.1%) down to #4 for the month. The Toyota Corolla (+130.4%) rallies back 14 spots on July to #2 overall, with 60% of its August volume going to rental companies. Toyota places three nameplates in the Top 4 with the RAV4 (-52.7%) up one rank on last month to #3. The Mitsubishi ASX (+69%) posts a stellar gain in 5th place while the Tesla Model 3 is up 12 spots on July to a record 6th place, its previous best being #7 in September 2019. The MG ZS repeats at #10 for a second ever Top 10 finish and the Haval H6 breaks into the New Zealand Top 20 for the first time at #13.

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

One year ago: New Zealand August 2020: Kia, Ford ignore market back in negative (-15.8%), Toyota C-HR scores first Top 10

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