The New Zealand new truck market slowed slightly in May, but heavy commercial vehicle sales are faring much better than the passenger vehicle market.

NZ Transport Agency data shows 459 new trucks were registered for the month in the overall market (trucks with a GVM of 4.5 tonnes or more), taking the total sales for the first five months of the year to 2399.

The total for the same January-May period last year was 2452 registrations, but for context the latest result is still the second-highest January-May registration total on record. In contrast the light passenger segment (cars and SUVs) for May is down 33.4% compared to May 2023 and 22% down year-to-date.

The trailer market remains strong with 151 May registrations – which is 21 shy of 2018’s record May performance of 172 registrations. The YTD total at the end of May stands at 674, also behind 2018’s previous best of 702 however well ahead of the 541 registrations for the same period last year.

In the overall 4.5t to maximum GVM new truck market, Fuso was the leader for the month with 96 registrations (20.9% share) to bring its YTD total to 430. However, Isuzu with 85 registrations in May still leads YTD with 501 registrations.

Meanwhile third-placed Scania achieved 48 registrations for May and 274 YTD, an impressive market share increase from 9.7% last year to 11.4% this year.

Hino (YTD 233/May 48) remains in fourth position ahead of DAF (149/33) in fifth, moving ahead of Volvo (142/20). Kenworth (132/27), Iveco (106/16), UD (104/15) and Mercedes-Benz (97/17) all retain position to round out the top-10.

There were no surprises in the crossover 3.5-4.5t GVM segment, with Fiat (126/40) continuing to lead ahead of LDV (110/35) and Ford (89/18).

In the 4.5-7.5t GVM class, Isuzu (167/29) continues to lead from second-placed Fuso (154/42), however Fuso did take out top position for the month with 42 registrations. Both brands are well clear of third place Iveco (59/8) and the other brands in this class.

In the 7.5-15t GVM category, Isuzu (197/32) is building its lead over Fuso (146/20) and Hino (71/12). Foton (23/4) is fourth ahead of Iveco (9/1).

Isuzu (45/6) retains the number one spot in the 15-20.5t GVM division, however second-placed Hino (36/11) topped the monthly registrations. Fuso (26/9) holds third, ahead of UD (17/4) in fourth ahead of Mercedes-Benz (6/2), Scania (4/0) and Iveco (4/0).

In the tiny 20.5-23t segment, Scania (3/1) continues to hold the top spot with three registrations. Fuso (2/1) and Isuzu (2/1) were the only other registrations for the month.

Registrations in the premium 23t to maximum GVM segment confirm the continuation of Scania’s leadership with 47 registrations in May – boosting its YTD total to 267 units and a market share of 22.3%. DAF (147/32) moves into second place at the expense of Volvo (140/20) and Kenworth (132/27) ranks fourth. 

Fuso (102/24) remains fifth while Isuzu (90/17) managed to move ahead of UD (82/9) into sixth. Hino (78/21), Mercedes-Benz (53/10) and Iveco (33/7) all retain their top-10 positions.

The trailer market sees Fruehauf (90/21) steadily building its lead on second-placed Domett (73/16). Roadmaster (60/8) remains in third while Transport Trailers (47/10) edges ahead of Patchell (44/6) into fourth. MTE (34/8) and TMC (34/10) are now tied in sixth, while Fairfax (26/7), Transfleet (23/5) and Freighter (19/4) retain their positions to round out the top-10.