Changes in Used-Vehicle Demand, Buyer Segments and Sales Channels

「In January 2026, the Clean Car Standard (CCS), previously considered one of the factors suppressing demand for used vehicles, was finally relaxed and revised, and accumulated latent demand began to be rapidly met.」

「Against this backdrop, the used-vehicle import market in that country remained at approximately the level of the second half of the previous fiscal year and has not recovered to normal levels.」

「In New Zealand's used-vehicle market, imports of relatively low-priced used vehicles, which differed from consumer preferences, temporarily increased following the new government's deregulation of environmental regulations enacted last October. Together with rising prices for used vehicles from Japan, the main source of shipments, this led local dealers to take a wait-and-see approach to vehicle purchases and reduce local inventories. As a result, import volumes in the first half declined year on year.」

「Imports of used vehicles remained above the year-earlier level, partly due to a rebound from the inventory adjustment phase caused by intermittent policy-rate increases in the previous fiscal year and increased immigration following the COVID-19 pandemic.」

「Meanwhile, in that country's used-vehicle market, imports during the period were above the year-earlier level, partly due to a rebound from the inventory adjustment phase caused by intermittent policy-rate increases in the year-earlier period and increased immigration following the reopening of the borders.」

「In that country's used-vehicle market, imports during the period were slightly above the year-earlier level, partly due to a rebound from the impact of environmental regulations newly introduced in the year-earlier period and increased immigration following the reopening of the borders.」

「In addition, in that country's used-vehicle market, the inventory adjustment phase for inventories built up before the environmental regulations introduced at the beginning of the period (the Clean Car Discount) continued from the second through the third quarter, triggered by intermittent interest-rate hikes. As a result, the number of imported used vehicles in the current consolidated fiscal year was below the year-earlier level.」

「In addition to this economic environment, the used-vehicle market in that country entered an inventory adjustment phase after inventories in the market had been built up to accommodate the environmental regulations introduced at the beginning of the period (the Clean Car Discount). Used-vehicle imports during the cumulative third-quarter period were therefore below the year-earlier level.」

「In the second quarter, consumption cooled rapidly as the central bank continued raising interest rates to address rising prices. In the used-vehicle import market, environmental regulations introduced in April (the Clean Car Discount) and soaring gasoline prices also contributed, and imports fell below the year-earlier level, particularly in the latter half of the cumulative second-quarter period.」

「Although the total volume of imported used vehicles in that country's market has not returned to pre-regulation levels since ESC (electronic stability control) regulations were fully implemented in the fiscal year ended March 2021, demand for personal vehicles as a means of transportation has remained high, and the total volume of imported used vehicles in the current consolidated fiscal year is believed to have turned to an increase of more than 10% year on year (according to that country's customs statistics).」

「The number of imported used vehicles in that country declined in the previous fiscal year following the full implementation of ESC (electronic stability control) regulations. In the current fiscal year, however, demand for used vehicles is considered firm, supported by persistently high demand for personal vehicles as a means of transportation, despite lockdowns lasting nearly one month in some cities following COVID-19 cases in late August 2021.」

「The number of imported used vehicles in that country declined in the previous fiscal year following the full implementation of ESC (electronic stability control) regulations. In the current fiscal year, however, demand for used vehicles is considered firm, supported by persistently high demand for personal vehicles as a means of transportation, despite lockdowns lasting nearly one month in some cities following COVID-19 cases in late August 2021.」

「Although the number of imported used vehicles in that country's market declined last fiscal year following the full implementation of ESC (electronic stability control) regulations, market buying appetite has turned upward, supported by persistently high demand for personal vehicles as a means of transportation.」

「Although the total volume of imported used vehicles in that country's market has contracted year on year following the full implementation of ESC (electronic stability control) regulations last year, market buying appetite has remained strong, supported by persistently high demand for personal vehicles as a means of transportation.」

「Although the total volume of imported used vehicles in that country's market has contracted year on year following the full implementation of ESC (electronic stability control) regulations last year, market buying appetite has remained strong, supported by persistently high demand for personal vehicles as a means of transportation.」

「The number of vehicles owned may decline as users keep vehicles for longer due to improved vehicle performance and changes in lifestyles and social practices, while infrastructure that allows people to conveniently use only as much mobility as they need when they need it becomes more widely available through car sharing, taxi services and other means.」