New car sales continue to improve as Toyota outsells competitors two to one

NEW CAR SALES CONTINUE TO IMPROVE AS TOYOTA

OUTSELLS COMPETITORS TWO TO ONE

New car sales in March continued to improve over last year with Toyota again out-performing the new vehicle market.

Toyota New Zealand reported a strong performance for the first quarter with year to date sales exceeding those of nearest competitors Holden & Ford combined.

In the first quarter of the year Toyota secured almost 4,000 sales and were up 20% on the similar period for last year while preliminary sales numbers indicate the total market is only up 8%. In March Toyota sales topped 1,400 for a preliminary market share of over 20% - consistent with that achieved in the first quarter.

The two top selling models for the month were the Toyota Hilux and Toyota Corolla, well ahead of rivals Suzuki Swift, Holden Commodore & Mazda 3.

Toyota's General Manager of Sales and Operations, Steve Prangnell, says the positive customer response in the first quarter during well publicised recalls, pre-dominantly in the US, reflects continuing strong customer sentiment for Toyota in New Zealand.

"Our customers have remained loyal to Toyota, with our dealer network reporting strong local support and increased sales. We are grateful to both new and existing customers for choosing to purchase at a Toyota dealer. We don't take our customers for granted and will continue to put our customer first in 2010.

"Corolla again is in the running to be New Zealand's favourite car while the iconic Hilux, which has dominated the light truck segment for the past 28 years, has sold well in the run up to Fieldays in May."

Ends

Further information

Toyota New Zealand General Manager of Sales and Operations, Steve Prangnell is available for comment.

Please contact (06) 350 3460, 029 287 8866 or email: steve.prangnell@toyota.co.nz