January’s vehicle registration data confirms a roaring start to 2024 for both the new trucks and new trailers.

According to NZ Transport Agency registration data there were 462 trucks (with a GVM of 4.5 tonnes-plus) registered in the first month of the new year. It’s not only a solid 15.5% increase on the 400 sales in January 2023, but a new record for January truck registrations.

Isuzu is maintaining the momentum from its strong finish to 2023 to lead the truck market with 84 registrations in January, a significant 18 units up on January 2023. Scania also started the new year very strongly, climbing from fourth in the full-year 2023 market rankings to claim second place in January 2024 with 65 registrations, ahead of Fuso on 49.

The January registration data also shows a big lift in the new trailer segment. It’s well up year-on-year with 148 sales being an impressive 54.2% ahead of the January 2023 total of 96 units.

Fruehauf is continuing its success from 2023 in the trailer market, claiming the top spot with 20 registrations for January (up from 12 in 2023). 

In the 4.5t-maximum GVM truck market the leading trio is Isuzu, Scania and Fuso.

Fourth ranked Hino are next with 47 registrations ahead of Volvo (42), DAF (38), Kenworth (37), UD (33), Mercedes-Benz (21) and Iveco (10) rounding out the top-10.

In the 3.5-4.5t crossover segment, LDV (22) is the convincing leader ahead of Mercedes-Benz (11), Ram (4), Iveco (3), Ford (2) and Volkswagen (1). Notably Fiat, market leader from 2023, is yet to register any units.

In the 4.5-7.5t market segment Isuzu (29) leads ahead of Fuso (15) and Hino (15) tied in second. Chevrolet (9), Mercedes-Benz (9), Foton (6), Hyundai (5) Iveco (2) and Ram (1) are next.

The 7.5-15t segment is led by Isuzu registering 39 trucks in January, ahead of Fuso (19), Hino (14), Foton (4) and UD (3).

The small 15-20.5t category was led by Hino (7), ahead of UD (3), Fuso (2), Mercedes-Benz (2), Scania (2) and DAF (2) and the 20.5-23t segment is off to a  quiet start with Scania registering just one unit.

Scania continues as its finished in 2023, leading the 23t-max GVM category with 62 registrations for January 2024, an impressive 63.1% increase from January 2023 (38 registrations).

Volvo (42) is another fast starter taking second position, up from 29 registrations last year. DAF (37) moves into third position with a strong month (up from just 18 last January) and tied with Paccar sister brand Kenworth with 37 registrations.

The rest of the top-10 brands is completed by UD (27, up from 12), Isuzu (16), Fuso (13), Hino (11), Mercedes-Benz (9), and Iveco (8) rounding out the top-10.

Fruehauf (20) continues to lead the trailer market ahead of Roadmaster (14), Transport Trailers (10), Patchell (9), Domett (9), TMC (8), MTE (7), Freighter (7), Transfleet (6), and Jackson (5) to round out the top-10 for January 2024.