Tesla Model Y top seller in NZ for March

The Tesla Model Y had 761 units registered last month. Photo: Liz Dobson

While the commercial vehicle sector is still feeling the effects of the Clean Car fees in March, for electric vehicles it was a solid month with Tesla Model Y the top seller.

Motor Industry Association (MIA) figures for March 2023 saw registrations down 23.8% (5007 units) in March 2022. But according to MIA’s Principal Technical Adviser Mark Stockdale, March 2022 registrations were the highest on record due to the pending Clean Car Discount fees for light commercial vehicles.

Registrations of 11,626 passenger and SUVs were up 4% (444 units) in March 2022, registrations of 4,371 commercial vehicles were down 55.5% (5,451 units) last March. 

“Year-on-year comparisons illustrate the effect government policy can have in changing purchaser behaviour. March 2022 light commercial vehicles sales were the strongest ever, but have since struggled to regain strong performance with the impact of the CCD fees most of these vehicles now attract,” said Stockdale.

Registrations of new battery electric vehicles were strongly led by the Model Y (761 units) followed by BYD Atto3  (617 units) and the MG ZS (307 units). Registrations of non-plug-in hybrids remain strong.  

The Model Y was also the top-selling passenger vehicle overall for March, followed by Hyundai Tucson (648 units) and the Atto 3.

The top commercial models for March were the Ford Ranger (1,333 units), followed by the Toyota Hilux (834 units) and the Mitsubishi Triton (304 units). 

Toyota retained the overall market lead for March with 17% market share (2,650 units), followed by Ford with 11% (1,714) units and Hyundai with an 8% market share (1,256 units). Kia came in one unit behind Hyundai. 

The top segments were medium SUVs with 31% share followed by SUV compact vehicles with 18% then the Pick Up/Chassis 4x4 segment with 13% market share. 

The small to medium segments comprised 60% of the total market.