New vehicle registrations in New Zealand rose 22% in September to 16,374, the strongest month of 2026, as rental companies stocked up for summer and Chinese brands gained further ground.
New Zealand’s new vehicle market just had its best month of the year. However, private buyers weren’t the main reason. According to the Motor Industry Association (MTA), rental companies stocking up for summer drove much of September’s surge.
The country recorded 16,374 new vehicle registrations in September, up 22% on the same month last year. Used imports also climbed, rising 14.5% to 8,407 units.
Fleet Buyers Do the Heavy Lifting
Company and rental buyers together accounted for 68% of all new registrations. That leaves private buyers with roughly a third of the market, which says a lot about who is really shaping local sales.
Larry Fallowfield, MTA Sector Manager for Dealer and Specialist Services, said rental operators usually buy in large volumes before the peak tourism season. With overseas visitor numbers close to pre-Covid levels, he said operators clearly expect a busy summer.
Government figures back up that expectation. New Zealand welcomed 3.67 million overseas visitors in the year to June 2026, up 9% (or 299,300) on the previous year. June alone brought in more than 201,900 international arrivals, reaching 95% of June 2019 levels.
Passenger Cars Lead, With a New Number One
Passenger vehicles were the standout segment, with registrations up 27.9% to 13,244. Toyota stayed at the top of the brand table, while Mitsubishi and Kia continued their strong runs.
The model rankings brought something new. According to the MTA, the Toyota Corolla Cross was September’s best-selling passenger vehicle, which the association believes is a first. The Mitsubishi Outlander came second. Both are hybrid SUVs, matching what Fallowfield described as heavily concentrated demand.
Utes Hold Steady
The light commercial market grew more modestly, rising 2.9% to 3,130 registrations. Toyota and Ford together took nearly two-thirds of the segment, and the Hilux and Ranger remained the top choices.
The notable newcomer is BYD. The MTA says it became the first Chinese brand to record more than 1,000 registrations in a single month. Its Shark 6 ute is finding favour with business and fleet buyers.
China’s Share Keeps Climbing
Chinese manufacturers took 22.6% of all new vehicle registrations in September. That share has more than tripled since early 2024. BYD, MG and Geely all posted substantial passenger-car gains, while GWM and Chery are also challenging the established brands across both segments.
Powertrain choice tells a similar story. Hybrids remain the preferred option for most buyer groups, especially fleet and rental operators. Fallowfield linked this to a trend that began with the start of the Iran war, as buyers look for lower-emission vehicles that save fuel.
Put together, September shows a market where fleets set the pace and practical hybrids win the volume. Chinese brands are no longer just making up the numbers. With a Chinese ute brand now topping 1,000 registrations in a month, the Hilux and Ranger duopoly has a new rival to watch.
