November marked another massive month for truck registrations, up nearly a fifth year-on-year.
Registrations gained 19.4% to 541 units, up from 453 units a year ago. Year-to-date the market has hit 5795 units from 4753 in 2016.
Isuzu was the clear market leader, with 113 registrations, down 16.3% for a 20.9% market share.
Fuso was second on 61, up 35.6% for an 11.3% stake, followed by Hino on 56 units, up 51.4% for a 10.4% share.
Fiat was next on 51 units, mostly motorhomes, up 121.7% for a 9.4% share, while heavy truck specials Volvo was fifth, up 112.5% to 34 units.
Volvo national sales manager for MTD Trucks NZ, Clive Jones says the Kiwi market has shown “exceptional demand” and the country’s heavy truck market is well up on last year.
“To some extent, we forecast that demand but the level of growth has remained exceptionally strong and that continues to be the case as we head into the tail end of the year when demand traditionally softens,” Jones explains.
“It’s always difficult to let sales go when we’re unable to deliver and we’ve certainly faced that situation a few times this year.”
“On the upside though, we are grateful to the significant number of our customers who are pre planning and making orders in advance as well as the large number of new fleets who have joined the brand this year despite some long lead times”.
“We have seen the growth right across the range,” says Jones.
“However, our high horsepower offering has seen the strongest increase with 700 and 750hp leading the charge as more and more high productivity vehicles enter the national fleet. Trip times, fuel efficiency, driver comfort and safety have all contributed to the demand”.
While still up, the used import market was not as impressive in comparison. A volume gain of 9.7% saw 214 vehicles registered.
The market for the year now sits at 2063, ahead of 1631 in 2016.
Isuzu was the most popular import brand on 62 vehicles, up 34.8% for a 29% share.
Toyota was second on 35 trucks, followed by Hino on 32, Fuso on 29 and Nissan on 14.
