New Zealand March 2022: Mitsubishi (+104.5%) back on top in euphoric market (+36%)

First Top 20 finish in New Zealand for the Mitsubishi Pajero Sport.

New vehicle sales in New Zealand shoot up 36% year-on-year in March to 21,044 units, leading to a Q1 2022 tally up 12.5% to 47,059. Even Passenger Cars are up this month at +17.3% to 2,786, with SUVs up 8.3% to 8,310 and Light Commercials surging 94.9% to 9,212. Year-to-date, Passenger Cars are now up 4.9% to 6,878, SUVs drop -4.8% to 20,761 and Light Commercials soar 48.3% too 17,575 units.

In the brands ranking, Mitsubishi (+104.5%) surges ahead to claim the overall top spot for the second time in the past three months with 16.9% share. Mitsubishi breaks its monthly volume record it hit last January to lift it to 3,565. Toyota (+17.6%) is bumped down to #2 and grows at half the rate of the market. Ford (+72.5%) for its part doubles the market growth to cement its third place overall. Mazda (-0.6%) is up two spots on February to #4 despite losing ground year-on-year, it distances Hyundai (+44.6%). Tesla (+250.2%) scores the largest gain in the Top 10 at #6 ahead of LDV (+196%) breaking into the New Zealand Top 10 for the first time at #8 and smashing its volume (823) and share (3.9%) records. Haval (+264.5%) and Land Rover (+163.7%) also shine further down.

Model-wise, the Mitsubishi Triton (+227.9%) soars to the pole position and breaks its volume (2,266) and share (10.8%) records, while also snapping the YTD top spot. The Ford Ranger (+133.5%) is toppled to #2 both in March and YTD despite a fantastic year-on-year lift. The Toyota Hilux (+55.1%) is also in good shape at #3. The Tesla Model 3 (+251.5%) edges up one spot on February to #4 – its record NZ ranking it also hit last December – and #1 Passenger Car. The Isuzu D-Max is up 132.2% year-on-year and 7 spots on last month to land at #5, making it four pickups in the Top 5. The Toyota RAV4 (+52.1%) and MG ZS (+54.7%) also beat the market below just as the Haval Jolion breaks into the NZ Top 10 for the first time at #10. The Mitsubishi Pajero Sport makes its first appearance in the NZ Top 20 at #15.

Previous month: New Zealand February 2022: Ford Ranger reclaims top spot in market edging up 0.7%

One year ago: New Zealand March 2021: Kia, Mitsubishi stand out in market rallying back up 87.6%

Full March 2022 Top 72 All-brands and Top 25 models below.