The Toyota RAV4 was New Zealand’s best-selling new vehicle in November where registrations of passenger vehicles continued on a positive note.
However commercial registrations continued in an artificially-generated slump as buyers wait for the incoming National-led Government to repeal the Clean Car Discount scheme on December 31 as it promised to do so in the election.
Passenger vehicle registration were up 2.8% year-on-year for the month to 11,491 units from 11,176 this time a year ago – with brands heavy on hybrids and electric doing particularly well.
In commercials, registrations were down 32% to 3022 units from 4445 a year ago.
That so many units are still selling this close to the end of the Clean Car Discount is surprising, considering for the market-leading Ford Ranger lone, the fees add up to approximately NZ$4.5 million for the month.
In passenger, Toyota was market leader with 3019 units registered, an 82.5% gain for a 26.3% market share.
In second, Mitsubishi recorded 1068 registrations, down 18.2% for a 9.3% market share, followed in third by MG – in one of its best performances ever – up 90.7% to 898 units or a 7.8% market share.
Ford took fourth on 758 units, up 95.4% for a 6.6% share of the trade, followed by Hyundai on 663, up 16.5% for a 5.8% share.
The Toyota RAV4 was the top selling model for the month with 1419 units.
Second was the Mitsubishi Outlander on 557, followed by the Tesla Model Y on 544, the Toyota Corolla on 486 and the MG4 on 468.
In commercials, Ford was segment leader on 1135 units, down 27.8% for a 37.6% share.
Toyota took second on 597, down 43.4% for a 19.8% share, and Isuzu in third on 138, down 28.9% for a 4.6% share.
The Ford Ranger was the top commercial model for the month on 1086 units – with Ford quoted recently that around a third of actual sales being deferred until the new year.
The Toyota Hilux was second on 420, followed by the Toyota Hiace on 169.
NZ Government repealing Clean Car Discount scheme
Repealing the Clean Car Discount scheme by December 31 has been confirmed by the National-led Government as part of its promised 100-day plan.
Confirmation came as Prime Minister Christopher Luxon gave his first post-Cabinet press conference.
It was among National’s pre-election proposals as part of legislation it would introduce to Parliament over the next 100 days if elected.
It will also begin work on a refreshed GPS reflecting the new Roads of National Significance and new public transport priorities.
And it confirmed it will stop blanket speed limit reductions and start work on replacing the Land Transport Rule: Setting of Speed Limits 2022.
“New Zealanders voted not only for a change of government, but for a change of policies and a change of approach – and our Coalition Government is ready to deliver that change,” Luxon says.
“We will be a government that gets things done for New Zealand and we will start straight away, with a 100-day plan that includes a range of actions we will take to improve the lives of New Zealanders.
“Our Government is starting the way we mean to go on – ambitious for New Zealand. With 49 actions to deliver in the next 100 days, this plan is hugely ambitious but we will be working as hard as we can.
“Our 100-day plan is focused on rebuilding the economy, easing the cost of living, restoring law and order and delivering better public services. These are things that New Zealanders voted for and expect us to deliver,” Luxon says.
Motor Industry Association chief executive Aimee Wiley says confirmation that the Clean Car Discount scheme would end was expected.
“Today’s announcement is aligned to prior communication from National.
“The MIA, our members and the entire industry are eagerly awaiting further details, specifics and next steps surrounding the cessation of CCD,” Wiley says.
