New vehicle sales have continued their strong run, with sales last month making it the strongest August since 2007.

The Motor Trade Association said new vehicle sales totalled 8175 last month, up by 9 per cent or 710 on August last year.

Sales for the year to date were up by 10,203 units or 18 per cent.

MTA spokesman Ian Stronach said last month had continued the trend of positive sales for the year.

"It's always pleasing to see both passenger and commercial vehicle sales strengthening in tandem. That's a sign that there is real growth in both confidence and sales."

Used import car sales fared worse last month - down 1 per cent or 97 units on August 2011 to 6621.

Used car dealers have reported a rise in prices this year, after new exhaust emissions standards introduced in January meant they could not bring in cars manufactured before 2005. Later models are more expensive and so have pushed the average price for an imported used car up.

Stronach said that for the year to date, sales of used imported cars were down by 5 per cent or 2833 units.

 New car sales at 5969 units last month were up 192 units or 3 per cent on August 2011, making it the strongest August in five years.

Toyota remained the most popular passenger car brand with 15 per cent of the new car sales market last month, followed by Ford at 12 per cent and Holden close behind on 11 per cent. 

The Ford Focus was the most popular passenger car model, selling 282 units.

For the year to date new car sales were up by 8375 units or 20 per cent on the same period in 2011.

Commercial vehicle sales last month reached 2216 units, 518 units or 30 per cent ahead of August last year. That made it the strongest August for commercial vehicle sales in seven years.

Toyota was also top dog in commercial vehicle sales, snaring 22 per cent of the market, with Ford and Holden again in second and third place respectively.

The most popular commercial model was the Toyota Hilux.

For the year to date new commercial vehicle sales are up 1828 units or 13 per cent on 2011. 

Stronach said the warmer weather seemed to have injected some life into the on-road motorcyle market, with sales of 401 units last month being the best since May.

Last month's sales were 4 per cent ahead of August 2011, but for the year to date, motorcycle sales were still down by 683 units or 16 per cent on last year.

- © Fairfax NZ News