New Zealand’s new truck market had a weak start to 2021 – not unexpectedly in the ongoing COVID climate of uncertainty….

But FUSO, on the other hand, had a very strong January – edging out Isuzu, the longtime New Zealand No. 1 in the overall market (trucks with a 4.5 tonnes-plus GVM), to top the registration statistics for the month.

Official NZ Transport Agency data shows that there were 295 trucks registered for the month – 23.1% down on the 384 sales in January last year.

FUSO, which was second to Isuzu in the overall market last year (but well behind – 622 sales to 978), notched up 60 registrations in January.

That was four more than it sold in the same month last year – and just five more than Isuzu’s 2021 start….with 2020’s third-placed Hino holding its rank, on 36 sales. 

Kenworth had 25 registrations for fourth, ahead of Mercedes-Benz (18), followed by Volvo (14) and Foton (13). DAF, Iveco and Scania tied for eighth-equal, with 12 registrations apiece.

Trailer registrations were also down year on year – January’s 101 sales lagging 12.9% behind the 116 registered in the same month last year. Patchell continued where it left off in 2020 – still out in front. 

In the 3.5-4.5t GVM crossover segment, Fiat (28) easily led Mercedes-Benz and Volkswagen (6 each), who tied for second, with Renault (3) and Peugeot (2) the only other brands to feature in this segment. 

In the 4.5-7.5t GVM division FUSO (30) improved significantly year-on-year to clearly lead from Isuzu (23), Mercedes-Benz (11), Foton (8) and Hino and Hyundai (7 each). Completing the top 10 were Iveco (5), Fiat (3) and Volkswagen (1).

In the 7.5-15t GVM segment Isuzu registered 21 trucks in January, ahead of Hino (15), and FUSO (14)…who were well up on Foton (5), Iveco (3), UD (2) and Hyundai (1).

The small 15-20.5t category was led by Hino (5), ahead of FUSO (4), Mercedes-Benz (2), MAN (2) and DAF, Iveco and Scania, each with one. 

In the tiny 20.5-23t segment, there was just one registration – from FUSO.

All of Kenworth’s 25 trucks registered in January were in the premium 23t to maximum GVM category – making it the clear leader in that top end of the market.

The January performances scrambled the order from last year – when Kenworth was fourth for the 12 months, behind Scania, Volvo and Isuzu, in that order.

In January, Volvo (14) was second – while DAF, FUSO, Isuzu and Scania all made 11 sales to tie for third position. Hino and UD (both 9) also tied (in seventh), while Mercedes-Benz (5) and International (4) rounded out the top 10. 

Patchell’s quest to be market leader for the 12th consecutive year got off to a good start, with 16 sales – comfortably ahead of Fruehauf (10), Domett (9), Roadmaster (8) and Freighter, MTE and TMC (with 6 sales apiece). 

Following them, each with three registrations, were Cowan, newcomer Lilley, Transfleet and Transport Trailers.