New car sales turn corner

Toyota sold 651 new Corollas last month, about double that of the second most popular car. Photo / Supplied

The Toyota Corolla was the best-selling car in New Zealand last month, in a new-vehicle market showing the first real signs of buoyancy after 18 months in the doldrums.

Transport Agency data shows the 5601 new-car registrations in January were up nearly 6 per cent on the 5296 units recorded in the same month last year.

But sales of 1102 commercial vehicles were down 9 per cent on 2009. Toyota led the field, followed by Nissan and Ford.

Motor Industry Association chief executive Perry Kerr said he was confident the new vehicle industry had "turned the corner".

"Industry forecasts show that we will now see slow but modest growth from here on out," he said.

Motor Trade Association spokesman Ian Stronach said it was "terrific" to see that the year has started on a such positive note.

"While it's early days, there has been a strengthening trend in many overseas markets, so it's good to see our market showing a lift, and without the external stimulus that many of these other markets have relied on," he said. "Buyers seem to be returning to the market. In some cases they have simply had to replace vehicles that were well past their economic life, and there's a limit to how long this can be deferred.

"A good start to the year may well be the impetus the market needs to return to its more traditional level of sales."

The industry is forecasting around 75,000 sales of new cars and commercials this year, up from just over 70,000 in 2009, but down on the 97,000 units in 2008 and 103,000 in 2007.

After the first month of 2010, Toyota (1490 sales) holds on to its top spot in New Zealand with an overall market share of 22.2 per cent.

Holden (805) was second and Ford (610) third. Mazda (579) finished fourth with a market share of 8.6 per cent, its best January.

"We couldn't have asked for a better start to the year," said Mazda NZ managing director Andrew Clearwater, "We are cautiously optimistic about the new vehicle industry in 2010 and our focus is now on maintaining momentum over the coming months."

In fifth place was Suzuki (441) followed by Nissan (351), Hyundai (346), Mitsubishi (313), Kia (253) and Volkswagen (236).

The Corolla gained 651 new owners while 316 versions of Holden's Cruze went to new homes. The Suzuki Swift finished third among passenger cars followed by Mazda3 and Holden Commodore.

The MTA said used import sales of 6828 units were up 26 per cent on the same period last year, continuing a trend which started in the last quarter of 2009.

"Overall activity in the existing used car market, as measured through change of ownership activity, shows the market holding steady and showing no change," Stronach said. Sales of motorcycles and scooters were down 32 per cent compared with January 2009, but up 15 per cent on December numbers. The largest fall came in the sub-60cc or moped class, down by 41 per cent. Motorcycles over 600cc were down 28 per cent.

Suzuki remained motorcycle market leader ahead of Harley Davidson, Honda, Yamaha and Triumph.

The only vehicle in New Zealand affected by Toyota's recall is the British-built Avensis. Australian- and Japanese-built Toyotas for New Zealand are unaffected.

Toyota's recall to fix sticking accelerator pedals in millions of its cars has extended from the US to Europe and China.

The sticking throttle could cause the accelerator pedal to stick in a partially depressed position or return slowly to idle.

At least one consumer organisation in the US has recommended that people do not buy Toyotas that are subject to the pedal recall.

A number of rival manufacturers in the US, including General Motors, Chrysler, Ford and Hyundai, have begun offering incentives to Toyota owners in an effort to capitalise on the situation.