Fresh out of the COVID-19 Level 4 lockdown, New Zealand’s new truck market regained some normality in May – albeit still 28% down on the same month last year.

The 372 registrations in the overall market (all trucks with a GVM of 4.5 tonnes or more) were at least a big jump-up from the coronavirus-savaged April low….which saw just 89 registrations.

May’s activity brought the year-to-date truck sales tally to 1506 – a whopping 32% and 712 trucks down on the 2218 sold in the first five months of 2019.

The trailer market also bounced back, with 115 trailers registered in May – a spectacular improvement from the mere eight in April…but still 26% down on the same month in 2019. The trailer market’s YTD total stood at 434 – 219 (and 34%) down on the first five months of last year. 

In the overall truck market (4.5t-maximum GVM), No. 1 Isuzu (338/68) led the way in May with 68 registrations – although it was run close by YTD third-ranked Hino (196/65). FUSO (227/46) however, still held onto second place for the year.

Volvo (140/31) remained fourth, ahead of Scania (109/27), Iveco (100/29), Mercedes-Benz (77/23) and Kenworth (65/15). The only movement in the top 10 was UD (43/2) moving into ninth at the expense of DAF (31/2).

In the 3.5-4.5t GVM crossover segment, Fiat (95/32) further extended its lead, while Mercedes-Benz (38/8) held onto second, ahead of Ford (12/1), Renault (12/3) and Chevrolet (12/5) – all tied in third. 

In the 4.5-7.5t GVM division, FUSO (102/28) held onto its lead – just! Isuzu (101/28) also sold 28 for the month, to remain just one registration behind YTD. Third-placed Iveco (52/16) held its spot, as did Hino (36/14), in fourth position. Mercedes-Benz (17/3) was joined in fifth-equal by Foton (17/4). 

In the 7.5-15t GVM class, Isuzu (147/24) edged further ahead with the substantial lead it had already created in the first four months of the year. Hino (57/22) overtook FUSO (52/10) for second. Next came Iveco (16/4), UD (6/2), Foton (5/3), MAN (3/1) and Mercedes-Benz (3/1) – all holding their places.

In the 15-20.5t GVM category, Hino (37/13) stretched its lead, while second-placed UD (16/4) edged clear of FUSO (14/1). Scania (9/2) held fourth – but only by one from Mercedes-Benz (8/2).

In the tiny 20.5-23t GVM division Hino (11/3) increased its lead on FUSO (4/0) and Freightliner (1/0). Scania (1/0) joined the category. 

In the premium 23t to max GVM division, Volvo (140/31) went further ahead of second-placed Scania (99/24). Isuzu (85/16) was third, ahead of Kenworth (65/15). Hino (55/13) caught FUSO (55/7), leaving the two fifth-equal. 

Mercedes-Benz (49/17), UD (39/12) and DAF (37/10) each held their places, while Sinotruk (28/12) moved up to 10th, past Iveco (27/7) and MAN (22/1).

In the trailer market, Fruehauf (42/11) and MTE (41/13) closed in on 2020 market leader Patchell (44/6).

Still, the YTD positions were unchanged throughout the top 10, with Roadmaster (33/6) holding onto fourth, ahead of Domett (30/8), TMC (25/5) and Freighter (23/9). TES (20/9) was eighth, while Transport Trailers (16/4) and Transfleet (16/5) were ninth-equal.