A scarcity of good-value used car imports and a fierce new car market have pushed second-hand imports for February down 15 per cent on the same period last year.
Figures issued by Land Transport New Zealand show that the monthly imports of used cars have dropped nearly 25 per cent since 2004, with last year's comparison the most stark.
Year-to-date used imports decreased by 3469 vehicles between 2006 and 2007, a bigger drop than the previous two years combined.
New cars continue to attract buyers as distributors sharpen their marketing.
New car imports for January and February were up 2.6 per cent on 2006 and 15 per cent on 2004. Motor Industry Association chief executive Perry Kerr said February sales of new cars had been the second-highest in a month since 1990.
