Low-emission cars dominated 2023 NZ new vehicle sales

Leading both the LEV and light passenger segments was MG 4 with 623 registrations. Photo: MG

While December New Zealand's new vehicle sales were 17.5% lower than December 2022, there was no surprise that it was a record month for low-emission cars.

The Motor Industry Association (MIA) has just released figures for last month, and total numbers for 2023.

MIA Chief Executive Aimee Wiley says that a total of 9,768 new vehicles were registered in December.

Overall, December registrations were 17.5% lower than December 2022 (11,835 units) and 19.3%  lower than December 2021 (12,097 units).

On a full-year basis, 2023 ended 9.5% lower than 2022 (15,704 units) and 9.8% lower than 2021 (16,199 units).  

With the end of the Clean Car Discount, it was unsurprising that December was a record month and  2023 a record year for low-emission vehicle (LEV) registrations. 

LEV comprised a 72.5% share of total industry in December (7,077 units) and on an annual basis, LEV registrations were up 45% in 2023  compared to 2022.  

Leading both the LEV and light passenger segments was MG 4 with 623 registrations. 

The total industry figures by motive power for December were: 3,469 BEVs (35.5% share), 987  

PHEVs (10.1% share), 2,621 Hybrids (26.8% share) and 2,691 ICE vehicles (27.5% share).  

While the total industry by motive power for 2023: 21,621 BEVs (14.5% share), 8,988 PHEVs (6.0%  share), 29,343 Hybrids (19.7% share) and 89,054 ICE vehicles (59.8% share).  

The top three overall market leaders in December 2023 were: Toyota with 19.4% market share (1,892  units), followed by Ford with 9.0% (882 units) and MG with 8.2% (804 units).  

The top three 2023 market leaders were: Toyota 21.7% (32,359 units), followed by Ford with 10.9% (16,178 units) and Mitsubishi with 9.0% (13,401 units).