New Zealand September 2025: Mitsubishi (+51.6%) at highest in over three years, sales up 19.1%

74% of all Mitsubishi Outlander sold in September were to rental companies.

New vehicle sales in New Zealand soar 19.1% year-on-year in September to a round 14,000 units, leading to a year-to-date tally up 7.4% to 100,795. Passenger cars (cars and SUVs) are up 20.8% to 10,364 while Light Commercials gain 19.3% to 3,078. Year-to-date, passenger cars are up 14.3% to 70,643 and light commercials are down -1% to 26,010.

Toyota (+20%) matches the market to a splendid 25.7% share, to be compared with 23.2% year-to-date. Mitsubishi surges 51.6% to 2nd place, reaching 15% share which is its best result since June 2022 (16.6%). Ford (-17.7%) struggles and falls to #3 and 9.8% share vs. 11% so far this year. Kia (+23.1%) and Mazda (+53.8%) outrun the overall growth rate to round out the Top 5 ahead of Hyundai (+16.9%), Suzuki (+14.5%) and MG (+11.3%) a little shyer. GWM (+58.4%) posts the largest gain in the Top 10 at #9 with Honda (+36%) also very strong at #10. Tesla is up 128% to #12 and newcomer Chery is up 8 spots on August to a record #13.

Model-wise, the Toyota RAV4 (+9.3%) cements its newfound YTD dominance with 9.2% share for the month, however 53% of it September volume comes from rentals. The Ford Ranger (-10.9%) is stuck in 2nd place with a disappointing result. In contrast the Mitsubishi Outlander is up 123.8% to #3 and 5.8% share, almost double the 3% it commands year-to-date. 74% of Outlander sold in September were to rental companies. Similarly the Mitsubishi ASX is up 112.4% to 5.8% share also, with 54% coming from rentals. The Toyota Hilux (+23.2%) is down two spots on last month to #5 ahead of the Toyota Corolla (+63.2%) and Ford Everest (+71.2%) both very dynamic. The new Chery Tiggo 4 Pro breaks into the Top 20 for the first time at #17.

Previous month: New Zealand August 2025: Rentals push Toyota RAV4 to first place YTD

One year ago: New Zealand September 2024: Rentals push Toyota up to 25.5% share

Full September 2025 Top 77 All brands and Top 20 models below.