Our take on the latest Commercial registrations and activity (Mon 10 Jan 2022)
New light commercials up 59%pa in December
New medium commercials up 101%pa
New very heavy commercials up 85%pa
The key numbers...
- Total new commercial registrations were up 63%pa in December, leaving commercial registrations in the 2021 year sitting 39% higher than 2020.
- There were nearly 51,000 new commercial vehicle registrations in 2021, the most we have on record.
- Total used commercial vehicle registrations fell 31%pa in 2021 as supply, mainly for used light commercials, has been disrupted.
- New light commercials grew 59%, new medium commercials grew 101%, and new very heavy commercials grew 85%pa in December.
- Total heavy (medium and very heavy vehicles) road user charges were 3.8% higher in 2021 compared with 2020 and may have been double that rate if it wasn’t for the Delta lockdown.
Total new commercial registrations
Annual running total, source: NZTA
...and our reaction
- December was a solid end to a year of staggering recovery in new commercial vehicle registrations during 2021.
- The bounce-back has been reflective of the boom in construction, high commodity prices, but also making up for the lack of activity in 2020.
- Early 2022 is expected to see this pickup in activity continue, particularly ahead of Clean Car Standard fees for higher-emitting vehicles (like some utes) entering in April 2022
- Looking further out over 2022, the peak in the number of sales is nearing, and we expect regulatory changes and rising interest rates will slow the commercial vehicle market from mid-2022.
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