May new vehicle registrations signal another strong month for New Zealand heavy truck sales with year-to-date figures still running just ahead of previous records.

With 511 new registrations in May, the overall truck market (4.5 tonnes to maximum GVM), is 1.4% down on the best May result achieved in 2019.

But YTD registrations (January-May) of 2224 units remain fractionally ahead (+0.3%) of the pre-Covid record of 2218 units achieved in 2019. Notably the market is 16.74% ahead of the same period last year (1905 registrations).

The 114 trailer registrations for the month is down on 2018’s best-ever May performance of 172. And the 563 YTD total for the trailer market is also 19.8% behind the 2018 record volume of 702 new units.

Truck market leader FUSO enjoyed another bumper month with 109 May registrations, taking its YTD total to 461 and increasing the separation over second-placed Hino (390 YTD/101 for the month).

Isuzu (361/89) and Scania (160/37) retained third and fourth respectively while Iveco (127/29) continued to perform strongly by moving ahead of Kenworth (114/16). UD (107/25) also edged ahead of Mercedes-Benz (106/14) while Foton (106/31) and DAF (69/13) complete the top-10.

In the crossover 3.5-4.5t GVM segment the Fiat steamroller continues to crush the opposition, the Italian marque registering 111 YTD and 13 for May. Volkswagen (44/4) and Mercedes-Benz (41/10) hold second and third respectively, ahead of Chevrolet in fourth (24/5). 

The 4.5-7.5t GVM category sees FUSO (222/58) continue to extend its YTD lead over Isuzu (109/22). Hino (80/25) is third YTD, ahead of Hino (80/25), Iveco (75/17), Foton (68/25) and Mercedes-Benz (64/7). 

Isuzu (152/45) continued to build its lead in the 7.5-15t GVM division ahead of Hino (119/27) and FUSO (89/18). Foton (38/6) and Iveco (16/4) are a long way back in fourth and fifth ranking positions.

In the small 15-20.5t GVM class, Hino (50/5) retained the YTD lead, but it was beaten for the month by second-ranked FUSO (27/9). UD (22/5) retains third place and Isuzu (12/1), Scania (12/3) and Iveco (12/3) are now tied in fourth. 

Hino (9/3) continued its dominance in the tiny 20.5-23t segment, followed by Sinotruk (2/0). FUSO (1/1) and Iveco (1/1) both sold their first vehicles for the year in this segment during May. 

In the premium 23t to maximum GVM market, Scania (148/34) retains its leadership position for the year in spite of ranking second in May registrations.

Hino (132/41) notched up the most May registrations and moves up two places at the expense of FUSO (122/23) and Kenworth (114/16). Isuzu (88/21), UD (80/18), DAF (67/12), Volvo (56/18), Mercedes-Benz (37/6) and MAN (34/5) all retain their positions. 

Patchell (53/12) once again led the monthly trailer registrations in May – just as it has every month this year. 

With 11 May registrations and 48 YTD M.T.E. moves ahead of Fruehauf (46/9) into second position. The rest of the top 10 is holding position with the latest rankings being Roadmaster (42/11), Transport Trailers (35/7), Domett (34/7), TMC (31/9), Transfleet (21/3), Freighter (17/0) and Fairfax (16/2).