The National Association of Automobile Manufacturers of South Africa (Naamsa) recently reported that despite indications of slowed economic growth, the automotive industry continued to perform in line with expectations for the month of May continuing the sector’s relatively strong performance on a year to year basis.
Aggregate industry sales of 53 997 units for May, 2013 reflected an increase of 7,5 per cent or 3 750 vehicles from the 50 247 units sold in May last year. On a daily selling rate basis, new vehicle sales for May 2013 had remained stable – registering modest growth. As expected, export sales had registered another strong performance reflecting an improvement of 16,5 per cent in volume terms.
Overall, out of the total reported Industry sales of 53 997 vehicles, 49 113 units or 91,0 per cent represented dealer sales, 4,0 per cent represented sales to the vehicle rental industry, 4,0 per cent to industry corporate fleets and 1,0 per cent to government.
During May, 2013 a total of 37 019 new cars were sold which represents an improvement of 2 192 units or a gain of 6,3 per cent compared to the 34 827 new cars sold in May last year. The daily selling rate in respect of new cars in May, 2013 was 6,25 per cent higher than during the corresponding month last year.
Sales of industry new light commercial vehicles, bakkies and mini buses at 14 301 units during May, 2013 reflected an increase of 1 425 units or 11,1 per cent compared to the 12 876 light commercial vehicles sold during the corresponding month last year.
Sales of vehicles in the medium and heavy truck segments of the Industry at 961 units and 1 716 units, respectively, had recorded a decline of three units or 0,3 per cent, in the case of medium commercial vehicles, and an increase of 136 units or 8,6 per cent in the case of heavy trucks and buses, compared to the corresponding month last year.
Industry new vehicle exports during May, 2013 at 26 325 vehicles had registered further substantial gains rising by 3 728 units or 16,5 per cent compared to the 22 597 vehicles exported in May last year. Over the balance of the year, the momentum of vehicle exports was expected to continue improving and particularly exports of light commercial vehicles should increase substantially during 2013.
You can read the full sales report by downloading the attached PDF at the top of the article or by clicking here.
