The registrations of new light commercial vehicles were again a highlight of the New Zealand auto industry sales tally in November and volume is on course to set a full year record.

LCV sales reached 2,935, the highest November total since the Motor Industry Association (MIA) began collecting data in 1981. It was also the third consecutive month in a row that sales have been the highest since records began, CEO David Crawford said.

A total of 10,388 new cars and LCVs were sold last month compared to 8,581 units in November 2012. November LCV sales were up 40% and passenger car sales up 15% year on year, a combined increase of 21%. Last year's full year new vehicle total was passed in November (104,408 units year to date 2013 compared to 100,795 units for full year 2012).

Toyota remained the market leader last month with a 24.4% share (2,535 units) with Ford second (11%; 1,146) and General Motor's Holden third with (9.2%; 952 units).

Passenger car sales year to date (YTD) were up 7.5% to 7,453 units in November, the highest November monthly registrations since 1984. Toyota retained the largest market share 23.4% (1,746 units), followed by Holden (9.2%; 685 units) and Ford (8.3%; 618 units).

Toyota's Corolla [Auris in Europe] remained the top selling passenger model with 8% share (626), followed by the Toyota RAV4 (4%) and Holden Commodore (3%). The Mazda CX5 and Toyota Yaris followed, each also with 3% share.

Commercial registrations year to end November were 28% ahead year on year.

Toyota led with 789 sales (26.9%). Its Hilux truck line was also the top selling commercial model with 585 units sold and 20% share. It was followed by the Ford Ranger (16%; 482 units) and Holden Colorado (9%; 255 units).

Year to date the Hilux remained the top selling LCV with 4,583 unit registrations (16%) market share, followed closely by the Ranger (4,352 units; 15%). Sports utility vehicles accounted for 26% of all Kiwi vehicle sales in November, followed by pick-ups/chassis-cabs (19%) and small passenger cars (18%).

Crawford said if current strong sales of commercial vehicles continue through December, automakers likely would see the best ever total annual sales since records began in 1981.