Our take on the latest Commercial registrations and activity (Wed 10 Mar 2021)
New light commercials grew 8.3%pa in February
New medium commercials grew 18%pa
New very heavy commercials down 11%pa
The key numbers...
- There were 3,605 new commercial registrations in February 2021, 7.8% more than in February last year.
- Used commercials on the other hand are down 47%pa in the year so far, driven by a 59%pa fall (754 fewer registrations) for used light commercials across January and February.
- New light commercials grew for a second month in a row, up 8.3%pa, and new medium commercials grew 18%pa, but new very heavy commercials fell 11%pa.
- Total road user charges fell 3.2%pa in February.
Continued decline for used light commercials
Monthly new and used light commercial registrations
...and our reaction
- The considerable fall in used light commercials compared with the steady rise in new light commercials in the year so far suggests supply issues are limiting used light commercial sales. This shortage of used vehicles looks to be temporarily benefiting new light commercial sales.
- Very heavy commercials have not been able to recover registration numbers, in contrast to trends in light and medium commercials. Hesitancy for large investments due to ongoing uncertainty and disruptions to production and supply chains are likely to be slowing very heavy registrations.
Latest updates
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1.2%pa Light commercial registrations fall in the June 2026 quarter
19%pa Medium commercial registration fall in the June 2026 quarter
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Tue 13 Jan 2026
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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