Sustained Improvement in Light Vehicle Sales

A strong result for new light passenger vehicle sales during September has seen a 28 percent increase on the previous month’s total.

New car and SUV registrations for the month totaled 10,364, compared with 8,090 sales in August.

The category was effectively responsible for the overall increase in total sales for all new vehicle types, which came to 14,000, compared with 11,731 in August. That compares with 11,758 sales in September 2024.

Numbers of new vehicle sales are compiled each month by the Motor Industry Association, which represents the country’s new vehicle manufacturers and suppliers.

MIA chief executive Aimee Wiley says given the continuing tight economic conditions in the country, the September sales figure is cause for encouragement.

“After a tough 18 months through 2024 and into the middle of this year, we have seen a sustained improvement in sales since June, so there are cautious hopes building among our members for better times ahead.”

The top selling model for light passenger vehicles continued to be the Toyota Rav4 registering 1,281 sales, with the Mitsubishi Outlander second on 810 registrations, followed by another Mitsubishi model, the ASX, in third place with 805 sales.

Sales of light commercial vehicles remained steady for the month at 3,078 registrations, compared with 3,043 in August, and 2,586 in September 2024.

As per usual the two top models were the Ford Ranger and the Toyota Hilux, with the Ranger achieving 827 sales and the Hilux 769. The Mitsubishi Triton was third with 342 sales.

Heavy vehicle sales were slightly down for the month at 558 sales, compared with 606 for August, and 601 in September 2024.

There was a muted revival in sales of battery electric vehicles, with 608 registrations during September compared with 385 in August, but well down on the 868 sales in September 2024.

Similarly plug-in hybrids recorded 389 sales in September compared with 408 in August but up from 417 in September last year.

Sales of hybrids remained steady on 3,922 compared with 3,091 in August and 3,300 in September 2025