New vehicle sales in July 2013 have continued to perform in line with industry expectations, says the National Association of Automobile Manufacturers of South Africa (Naamsa).
New vehicle sales in July 2013 have continued to perform in line with industry expectations, says the National Association of Automobile Manufacturers of South Africa (Naamsa).
After four years of growth in the domestic market, aggregate sales continued to register further growth on a year-to-date basis.
Aggregate industry sales of 58 140 units for July 2013 reflected an increase of 7.5% or 4 065 vehicles more than in July last year.
Export sales had registered a modest decline falling by 3.6% in volume terms.
Overall, out of the total reported industry sales of 5 8140 vehicles, 47665 units or 82% represented dealer sales, 11.4% represented sales to the vehicle rental industry and 4.6% to industry corporate fleets. Two per cent went to government.
A total of 40274 new cars were sold this July, representing an improvement of 2 430 units or a gain of 6.4% compared to the 37 844 new cars sold the previous July. A strong contribution by the car rental industry helped July sales totals. This trend is expected to continue over the next two months.
Sales of industry new light commercial vehicles, bakkies and mini buses at 1 5047 units reflected an increase of 1 266 units or 9.2% compared to the 1 3781 light commercial vehicles sold in July 2012.
Sales of vehicles in the medium and heavy truck sectors at 990 units and 1 829 units respectively recorded an increase of 158 units or 19% in the case of medium commercial vehicles. Heavy trucks and bus sales increased by 211 units or 13%.
The excellent sales performance of light, medium and heavy trucks was indicative of higher levels of investment spending and was in part related to infrastructural development projects.
Last month's industry new vehicle exports at 26 608 vehicles registered a modest decline of 994 units or 3.6% compared to the 27 602 vehicles exported in July last year. The industry remained on target for new vehicle export growth of around 18%, in volume terms, for 2013.
