January car sales beat the gloom
2012-02-02 12:55
INDICATORS: January's strong vehicle sales figures are a positive sign for continued growth in 2012.
New car sales in January were the best in five years due to strong demand from car rental companies which absorbed about 17% of new car sales.
Naamsa data reports that aggregate industry new car sales in January improved by 2465 (7.5%) over the 32 963 new cars sold in January 2011. This included figures from Mercedes-Benz SA which is prohibited by Global HQ from publishing anything except total car and commercial sales figures.
Overall new vehicle sales in January improved by seven percent over a year earlier to 7% 48 251.
EXPORT GETTING BETTER?
Total commercial vehicle sales improved by 250 from 12 144 to 12 394 and total vehicle exports of South African-produced vehicles (excluding MBSA) improved by 260 units to 10 445 over January 2011 – but production only resumed in the middle of January after the year-end shutdown.
Export sales were expected to improve from February with more emphasis on sales into Africa rather than cash-strapped Europe and to exceed the 271 763 of 2011.