Pretoria - The South African Department of Trade & Industry reports that current conditions in the automotive industry reflected sharp falls in domestic new vehicle sales.
The recession in the domestic new vehicle market accelerated significantly during September, with all major segments reflecting double digit or near double digit declines.
"Given the present difficult economic environment in South Africa, the negative trend was expected to continue over the medium term," reports the department.
Concerning decline
The National Association of Automobile Manufacturers of SA (Naamsa), reports 47 399 new vehicles sales for September 2016, a substantial decline of 7904 vehicles (or 14.3%) compared to the 55 303 vehicles sold in the corresponding period in 2015.
Overall, out of the total reported Industry sales of 47 399 vehicles, an estimated 38 342 units or 80.9% represented dealer sales, 14.3% represented sales to the vehicle rental industry, 3.4% represented industry corporate fleet sales and 1.4% sales to government.
Best-selling passenger cars: September 2016
Naamsa sales report: September 2016
Best-selling bakkies: September 2016
Best-selling locally built cars, bakkies: September 2016
Best-selling sports cars in SA: September 2016
The consumer dependent new car market remained under severe pressure during September 2016 and at 31 957 units reflected a decline of 5368 cars or a fall of 14.4% compared to the 37 325 new cars sold in September last year.
Domestic sales of industry new light commercial vehicles, bakkies and mini buses at 12 879 units during September 2016 had also turned sharply weaker reflecting a decline of 2243 units or a fall of 14.8% compared to the 15 122 light commercial vehicles sold during the same period in 2015.
Naamsa commented: "Domestically, the short to medium term outlook remained unfavorable. Double digit new vehicle price increases, low levels of consumer and business confidence and relatively high interest rates would continue to pressurize sales of new motor vehicles, particularly new cars."
SA's top 10 selling vehicles
1 Toyota Hilux - 3063 units
2 Volkswagen Polo Vivo - 2822
3 Volkswagen Polo - 2466
4 Ford Ranger - 2436
5 Toyota Corolla/Auris/Quest - 2061
6 Ford Fiesta - 1190
7 Toyota Fortuner - 1180
8 Chevrolet Ute
9 Nissan NP200 - 1020
10 Isuzu KB - 988