Motor vehicle wholesaling shifts into a higher gear

Wholesale trade sales increased in March 2012 for a second consecutive quarter, Statistics New Zealand said today.

Wholesale trade sales, after adjusting for seasonal effects, rose 2.4 percent ($496 million) in the March 2012 quarter. This follows a rise of 2.6 percent ($527 million) in the December 2011 quarter.

"Most industries had higher sales. Motor vehicles and parts accounted for over a third of the overall increase," industry and labour statistics manager Blair Cardno said.

"This increase coincided with changes in the rules for emission standards for imported cars."
Motor vehicles and motor-vehicle parts wholesaling sales rose 13.1 percent ($193 million) from the December 2011 quarter.

The only industry to have lower sales in the latest quarter was machinery and equipment wholesaling, with a 2.4 percent ($100 million) fall.

The trend for total wholesale sales has generally been rising since mid 2009.

The seasonally adjusted value of stocks was $8.6 billion at 31 March 2012, down 3.4 percent ($301 million) from 31 December 2011.

See also:
Wholesale Trade Survey: March 2012 quarter  –  Information release