New Zealand March 2026: Toyota Hilux leads the way, Dongfeng Box lands at #12

The Dongfeng Box has a great start in New Zealand.

New light vehicle sales in New Zealand soar 25.1% year-on-year in March to 14,910 units, leading to a Q1 volume up 12.5% to 36,910. In the detail, passenger cars gain 19.4% to 10,063 sales while light commercials shoot up 38.9% to 4,847. Toyota (+8.6%) can’t match the flying market and holds 18.7% share vs. 18% so far this year. Ford (+31.3%) manages an excellent score at #2 unlike Mitsubishi (-14.1%) at #3. BYD (+221.9%) is up 3-fold year-on-year to #4 and 5.8% share, that’s a new ranking record eclipsing its previous best of #5 reached in December 2023 and June 2025. Tesla is up 271% to #8 and Dongfeng ranks #14 with 2.3% share.

Over in the models charts, the Toyota Hilux (+76.7%) gets a big new generation boost and claims the top spot for the first time since last July. The Ford Ranger (+46.1%) is relegated to 2nd place but holds onto the #1 ranking YTD. The Tesla Model Y surges to third place with 3.2% share, its best ranking since topping the charts outright in September 2023. The Mitsubishi Triton (-15.2%) and Nissan Navara (+6.5%) ensure there are four pickup trucks inside the March Top 5. The Toyota Hiace (+115.3%), Hyundai Tucson (#7), Toyota Corolla Cross (+65.9%) and MG ZS (+50.8%) also shine below. Finally the Dongfeng Box makes a splash at #12 and 1.7% for its first full month of sales.

Previous month: New Zealand February 2026: Hyundai Tucson and Nissan Navara impress

One year ago: New Zealand March 2025: Ford Ranger claws back on top, BYD Shark 6 at #13

Full March 2026 Top 25 brands and Top 25 models below.