New sales likely to top 150,000

The New Zealand motor industry continues to enjoy one of its most robust periods of growth, as car buyers enjoy the benefits of intense competition and bewildering choice.

This week alone, two new brands entered the market, and Infiniti and Tesla will be joined later in the year by the Spanish brand Seat.

New vehicle sales reached almost 147,000 last year, and industry players are predicting this year’s figure will top 150,000.

Already buyers will have noticed the benefits of the tough competition with new vehicles being priced so competitively that it makes more sense to buy new than used.

Many who bought vehicles a few years ago will be surprised to find, through a combination of factors, that a new replacement could not only be better- equipped and safer, but also relatively cheap to buy.

The arrival of Tesla in this market helps bring focus to the increasing momentum of EVs and hybrids. Sure the numbers are still small TONY VERDON ( there were around 2400 EVs on our roads last year versus a total fleet of almost 4 million vehicles) but even without direct Government financial incentives, the range of models available increases by the month. Eight new all- electric Teslas hit the road after Thursday night’s hand- over ceremonies, and the new Infiniti line- up includes one hybrid model.

Tesla remains coy about when the more affordable Model 3 sedan will be available here, with some in the industry predicting righthand- drive models could be here some time next year. That model has the potential to broaden the general appeal of EVs even further.

The two Tesla models on sale here are impressive performers, in terms of acceleration and economy, and buyers have the bonus of contributing to a cleaner atmosphere. ABOUT US