New Zealand’s vehicle import market showed mixed results in November, with used and new sectors moving in opposite directions, according to the latest Customs NZ figures.
A total of 5,693 used passenger vehicles were imported in November, down 18.9 per cent compared with 7,024 units in November 2024. However, imports were up 4.2 per cent from October’s 5,462 units. Year-to-date, 70,719 used vehicles have entered the country, 13.3 per cent fewer than the same period last year.
Japan remained the primary source, supplying 5,395 units or 94.8 per cent of the market. Australia contributed 138 units, followed by the UK with 104, the US with 23, and Singapore with 20. Used light commercial imports totalled 248 units, bringing the year-to-date figure to 2,429. This was 19 per cent lower than October but 8.3 per cent higher than November 2024.
New vehicle imports rise; light commercial sector declines
New passenger vehicle imports increased to 8,480 units in November, up 25.2 per cent from 6,771 a year ago, though 9.3 per cent below October’s 9,352. Year-to-date totals reached 85,650 units, 5.8 per cent higher than 2024. Japan led exports with 4,202 vehicles, followed by China with 1,772, Thailand with 802, India with 436, and South Korea with 345.
In contrast, new light commercial vehicle imports fell to 1,013 units, 29.7 per cent lower than the same month last year and 52.2 per cent below October’s 2,118.
Combined, overall new vehicle and light commercial imports was 9,493 units, contributing to an overall total of 15,818 vehicles, including trucks and buses, crossing New Zealand’s borders in November, down from 17,619 in October.
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