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In amplification of the new vehicle sales statistics for the month of October, 2012 – released today by NAAMSA’s independent statistical service provider, Messrs RGT SMART – the Association commented that overall new car and commercial sales for October reflected another encouraging performance compared to the corresponding month last year.
Disruption at various Industrial manufacturing plants caused by the transport sector strike, in particular during October, 2012 affected vehicle production and exports. In the event, October, 2012 aggregate Industry domestic sales had improved by 5 519 units or 10,5 per cent to 57 845 from 52 326 units in October last year. Total domestic sales for the ten months of calendar 2012 remained 10,1 per cent ahead of the corresponding ten months in 2011. October, 2012 export sales at 24 904 vehicles had registered a decline of 859 units or 3,3 per cent.
Mercedes-Benz South Africa (MBSA) provides a single total sales number for passenger cars, commercial vehicles and export sales. Based on historical sales trends and forecasting techniques, Messrs RGT SMART had compiled estimates for MBSA commercial vehicle sales by segment.
Overall, out of the total detailed (disaggregated) reported Industry sales of 55 351 vehicles (excluding MBSA), 77,9 per cent or 43 091 units represented dealer sales, 13,6 per cent represented sales to the vehicle rental industry, 4,9 per cent to government and 3,6% to industry corporate fleets.
Aggregate industry new car sales during October, 2012 had maintained upward momentum and at 41 621 units (including MBSA) reflected an improvement of 4 795 units or 13 per cent compared to the 36 826 new cars sold during October 2011. Year to date new car sales remained 11,7 per cent ahead of the corresponding ten months of 2011. The October 2012 new car market, for the fourth month in succession, had been supported by strong demand on the part of car rental companies with the car rental Industry accounting for 18,4 per cent of total sales.
Including estimates for MBSA commercial vehicle sales by segment – sales of Industry new light commercial vehicles, bakkies and mini buses at 13 682 units during October, 2012 reflected an increase of 697 units or 5,4 per cent compared to the 12 985 light commercial vehicle sales during the corresponding month last year.
Sales of vehicles in the medium and heavy truck segments of the Industry at an estimated 913 and 1 629 units, respectively, had recorded an increase of 81 units or 9,7 per cent, in the case of medium commercial vehicles, and a decline of 54 units or 3,2 per cent, in the case of heavy trucks and buses, compared to the corresponding month last year.
Exports of South African produced motor vehicles, including MBSA export sales data, during October 2012 at 24 904 vehicles had registered a decline of 859 units or 3,3 per cent compared to the 25 763 vehicles exported in October last year. Year-to-date export sales remained 2,0 per cent below the corresponding ten months of 2011, mainly due to the softening of demand from Europe resulting from the recession in the Eurozone. The momentum of vehicle exports was, however, expected to improve over the balance of the year and particularly in 2013 as various export programmes were ramped up and with exports of light commercial vehicles expected to increase substantially in 2013.
Against the backdrop of weak momentum in the overall economy, the performance of the South African automotive sector continued to surprise on the upside. There were a number of factors that would continue to support domestic sales. These included the historically low interest rate environment, replacement demand (which remains a solid driving force), the highly competitive trading environment, attractive incentives, the variety of choice and ongoing new model introductions. In terms of domestic sales, the Industry remained on track during 2012 for growth of around 10 per cent. Negative factors that could influence the new vehicle market over the balance of the year and in 2013 include rising inflationary pressures despite subdued economic growth as well as the impact of Rand weakness on modest vehicle price increases experienced for the year to date, which may not be sustainable going forward.