The registrations of new heavy buses are buffeting the overall fall of the heavy truck registrations in New Zealand this year.
Year to date combined registrations of heavy trucks and bus are 3839 at September 2016 up from 3726 in the previous corresponding period.
New Zealand’s top performing truck brand, Isuzu Trucks continues to buck the truck market decline as it heads towards not only retaining the number one crown for the 17th consecutive year but also breaking last year’s registration record figure of 1120 units.
While Isuzu Trucks saw fewer registrations of 105 units in September 2016 as opposed to 128 in the previous corresponding period, year to date the New Zealand distributor has taken 898 registrations of trucks and buses up from 838 at the same time in 2015.
Mercedes-Benz was second overall in the heavy truck and bus registrations with 93 units up from 70 in the previous corresponding period.
Year to date, Mercedes-Benz has seen an increase in registrations from 283 in September 2015 to 332 last month.
Third-placed Hino saw 61 units registered, one up from the previous corresponding period, and year to date has also seen the Japanese truck and bus distributor improve from 439 in September 2015 to 513 last month.
Fourth-placed Fuso New Zealand saw its year on year tally for September fall from 83 to 58 units, year to date the brand has 401 units registered, some 80 units less than the previous corresponding period.
Chinese bus brand BCI, saw 30 units registered in September 2016, bringing its year to date total to 52.
MAN had a positive result in September 2016 with 26 units registered of which 18 units were buses and eight trucks.
National sales manager for trucks at Penske Commercial Vehicles Dean Hoverd says the deferring of bus tenders for the last few years means with new contracts now coming through, there will be an increased population of new buses registering for the foreseeable future.
Isuzu New Zealand general manager Colin Muir says the market appetite is not diminishing for the companies products; dealer’s are reporting substantial inquiry, and he says September also saw a significant number of vehicles wholesaling to the network.
“I would say given the figures, and the consistent performance we are enjoying, that Isuzu Trucks will surpass last year’s record again this year,” says Muir.
September 2016 saw more than 105 Isuzu Truck registrations according to MIA figures, which Muir says was broken down into roughly one-third for light-duty trucks, one-third for medium-duty trucks, and one-third for heavy-duty trucks.
“It will be interesting to see the final wash up for the month; I predict the overall truck market numbers might be down by a double figure percentage,” says Muir.
“Thankfully, we are bucking the trend and enjoying a consistent performance,” he says.
