Our take on the latest Commercial registrations and activity (Thu 10 Mar 2022)
New light commercials up 28%pa in February
New medium commercials up 42%pa
New very heavy commercials up 38%pa
The key numbers...
- Total new commercial registrations grew 29%pa in February, as all weight classes saw large growth in registration numbers.
- New light commercials were up 28%, new mediums were up 42%, and new very heavy commercials were up 38%pa.
- Total road user chargers edged down 0.1%pa in February and have now plateaued around pre-pandemic levels.
Total road user charges
Annual running total, millions of kms
...and our reaction
- February was a strong month for commercial registrations. With the introduction of fees on high emission vehicles from 1 April, there will be some registrations brought forward into the preceding months.
- Hard-hitting sanctions imposed by numerous governments on Russian oil and gas will raise fuel prices even more and mean they remain extortionately high for the foreseeable future. This increase might put off some private ute buyers and will shift the market towards fuel efficiency.
- The tight labour market and strength in the construction and primary industries are leading causes of high commercial registrations at the moment. However, rising inflation, higher interest rates, and outward migration pose threats to commercial vehicle activity over the next couple of years.
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