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Naamsa: SA vehicle sales to bounce back?

JOHANNESBURG - South Africa’s vehicle sales showed reliance despite ongoing economic pressure as vehicle sales dropped by 891 to 57 670 units compared to the same period in 2013, reports the National Association of Automobile Manufacturers of SA.

Naamsa reports that domestic new vehicle sales showed continued resilience for the second month in a row, despite "indications of slower economic growth, high levels of industrial action, rising inflationary pressures and a further increase in interest rates".

New vehicle sales in July 2014 dropped by 891 (1.5%) to 57 670 vehicles units compared to the 58 561 vehicles sold during the same period in 2013. Vehicle exports were negatively affected by the steel industry strike for a total of 22 773 units, of 4364 or 16.1% compared to the 27 137 vehicles exported in July 2013.

VEHICLE EXPORTS TO RECOVER

Overall, of the 57 670 vehicles sold, 78.8% represented dealer sales, 14.2% the vehicle rental industry, 3.7% corporate fleets and 3.3% government.

Naamsa said: “Barring further industrial relations instability and assuming the resumption of normal production levels, the expected improvement in global economic conditions should benefit SA vehicle exports during the balance of 2014 and in 2015."

Assisted by a strong contribution by the car rental industry, the new car market during July, 2014 had performed relatively well and at 39 945 units, a decline of 418 units (1%) compared to 40 363 new cars sold in July 2013.

Domestic sales of new light commercial vehicles, bakkies and mini buses at 15 081 units during July 2014, reflected a decline of 312 units (2%) compared to the 15 393 light commercial vehicles sold during the corresponding month in 2013.

Compared to the same period in 2013, sales of vehicles in the medium and heavy truck segments were recorded at 856 units and 1788 units respectively. Medium commercial vehicle sales showed a decline of 128 units (13.0%), whilst heavy trucks and buses registered a more modest decline of 33 units or 1.8%.

INDUSTRIAL TURMOIL

New vehicle exports during July 2014 were 22 773 vehicles, a substantial decline of 4364 (16.1%) compared to 27 137 vehicles exported in July 2013.

The high incidence of industrial action turmoil in South Africa proved severely damaging to the SA economy at a time when the country urgently required stronger growth, job creation and reduced fiscal deficits.

The domestic market was expected to register a decline, in terms of volume, of around 5% compared to 2013 though vehicle exports are expected to recover by the end of 2014.

Click here to download full SA vehicle sales results for July 2014

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