Commercial registrations and activity
Post-lockdown spike gives way to pessimism for commercial regos
12 Oct 2020
Our take on the latest Commercial registrations and activity (Mon 12 Oct 2020)
New light commercials fell 25%pa in September
New medium commercials fell 23%pa
New very heavy commercials fell 8.7%pa
The key numbers...
- Total new commercial registrations slumped 24%pa in September, leaving new commercial registrations 11%pa lower for the September quarter.
- New light commercials saw the largest decline, down 25%, and have deteriorated significantly since the post-lockdown surge of 5.6%pa growth in July.
- Total used commercial registrations grew 5.5% in September, led by strong growth of 31%pa for medium commercials.
- Total road user charges saw a small recovery, growing 2.7%pa in September, although total RUC purchases since April are still down 8.8% from the same period in 2019.
New light commercial registrations
Annual running total
...and our reaction
- The number of new commercial vehicle registrations has continued to deteriorate, particularly for light commercials.
- Light commercial registrations are swayed by both the household and business outlook because of their multipurpose nature. The resurgence in July, driven by households spending their lockdown savings, has wavered, and the bleak business outlook has also caused light commercial sales to slow.
- Facing uncertain times businesses are looking to cut costs where possible. Growth in used commercials while new commercials tumbled could be an example of this caution.
Latest updates
Premium
Commercial registrations and activity
Commercial registrations pull back following fuel price uncertainty
Mon 13 Jul 2026
Quarterly
1.2%pa Light commercial registrations fall in the June 2026 quarter
19%pa Medium commercial registration fall in the June 2026 quarter
10%pa Very heavy comm. registrations rise in the June 2026 quarterPremium
Commercial registrations and activity
High diesel costs support lift in EV light commercials
Mon 13 Apr 2026
Quarterly
48%pa Light commercial registrations jump in the March 2026 month-17%pa Medium commercial registration fall in the March 2026 quarter
-4.2%pa Very heavy comm. registrations fall in the March 2026 quarterCommercial registrations and activity
Medium and very heavy commercial registrations still falling
Tue 13 Jan 2026
Quarterly
Quarterly very heavy registrations down 26%pa in Dec 2025Quarterly medium registrations down 18%pa in Dec 2025Quarterly light commercial registrations up 9.5%pa in Dec 2025Commercial registrations and activity
Light vehicle demand leaves heavy commercials behind
Fri 10 Oct 2025
Quarterly
Very heavy registrations down 38%pa in Sep 2025 quarterMedium registrations down 14%pa in Sep 2025 quarterLight commercial registrations up 25%pa in Sep 2025 quarter