JOHANNEBURG, Gauteng - Sales of new vehicles in South Africa increased by 4.7% in October over the same month in 2013 but exports set a record.
The National Association of Automobile Manufacturers of SA (Naamsa) reported: "Domestic sales were 59 262, an improvement of 2654, despite subdued economic growth and pressure on people’s income.
“Of the total reported 59 262 sales,
77.2% were through dealers, 14.3% to the rental industry, 4.3% to the state and
4.2% to corporate fleets.”
'STAR PERFORMERS'
Export sales reached a record 32 165, 7973 (33%) more than the strike-affected export total of October 2013.
Naamsa said October 2014 was the second month of the year in which monthly new car sales registered year-on-year growth and the "star performance" was by domestic sales of new light commercials, bakkies and minibuses - up 14% (15 827) over the previous October.
Medium and heavy trucks, at 889 and 1880 units respectively, showed a mixed performance. Medium commercials declined by 110 units (11%), heavy trucks and buses improved by 177 units (10.4%).
Naamsa commented: "The improvement in domestic new vehicle and export sales was most encouraging but it’s advisable to retain a cautious outlook about the performance of the automotive sector for the balance of 2014 and into 2015.”