New Zealand February 2024: Nissan, GWM shine in market up 1.5%

GWM ranks #11 brand in New Zealand in February.

Like in January, new vehicle sales in New Zealand edge up 1.5% to reach 9,663 units. This is a poor result given February 2023 was down -24% on the year prior. The year-to-date tally is also up 1.5% To 22,295. Passenger Cars have a horrible month at -66.7% year-on-year to just 1,091 sales, while SUVs are up 5.2% to 4,842 and Light Commercials up 14.7% to 3,060. Light Passenger Cars (PC+SUV) are at their lowest February in 11 years. Year-to-date, Passenger Cars are off -33.9% to 2,451, SUVs down -1.6% to 11,557 and Light Commercials up 27.6% to 6,856.

The top 3 brands all vastly beat the market with double-digit year-on-year gains. Toyota (+19.8%) leads the way with 20.9% share above Ford (+23.7%) at 15.2% and Mitsubishi (+43.6%) at 10.5%. Suzuki (-37.5%) is in a rut at #4 unlike Nissan (+78.5%) and Kia (+6.8%). Volkswagen (+14.8%) also shines at #9 but Hyundai (-62.6%), Mazda (-8.4%) and Honda (-4.3%) are in reverse. Outstanding performance of GWM (+845.8%) at #11 vs. #25 over the Full Year 2023. 

Over in the models lane, the Ford Ranger (+11.3%) stays on top with 9.9% share above the Toyota Hilux (-18.5%) and RAV4 (+132.3%) in an unchanged podium. The Mitsubishi Triton (+90%) makes it three pickup trucks in the Top 4 while the Suzuki Swift (-53.4%) rallies back five spots on last month to #5 but flounders year-on-year. The Ford Everest (+98.2%) lodges another excellent month at #6 and #7 year-to-date vs. #19 over the Full Year 2023. The Nissan Navara (+100.9%) doubles its sales year-on-year to land at #7. The Kia Sportage (+60.8%) climbs back up to #11 and the Tesla Model Y to #13.

Previous month: New Zealand January 2024: Ford at highest in over a decade, Ranger up to record share

One year ago: New Zealand February 2023: Suzuki (+42%) stuns in worst February in 9 years (-24%)

Full February 2024 Top 75 All brands and Top 28 models below.