Compiled by RGT Smart for the National Association of Automobile Manufacturers of South Africa, the South African automotive industry new vehicle sales and export data for the month of March had largely met the expected decline in sales compared with the same period last year – due to the concentration of public holidays and the Easter weekend, which fell during April 2012.
March 2013 therefore lost two selling days to March 2012, which contributed to the dip in aggregate industry sales by 1 206 (2,1 percent) units to 54 956 vehicles from the 56 152 units sold in the same month last year. Despite the aggregate sales decline, the aggregate daily selling rate improved by 7 per cent and export sales once again registered a strong improvement, 18,2 per cent.
Out of the total detailed reported sales, 48 101 units (87,5 per cent) represented dealer sales, while 4,4 per cent represented rental industry sales, 4,2 per cent went to government and 3,9 per cent to Industry corporate fleets.
The passenger car sales figure of 37 596 new vehicles sold during March shows a decline of 1 400 units (3,6 per cent) compared to the 38 996 new cars sold during the same period last year. Light commercial vehicle sales, which includes the likes of bakkie and minibuses, at 14 794, reflected the slightest of increases with 189 more units sold than during March last year. An increase of 1,3 per cent.
Sales of vehicles in the medium and heavy truck segments of the Industry at 1015 units and 1541 units, respectively, recorded an increase of 32 units (3,3 per cent) in the case of medium commercial vehicles, and a decline of 27 units (1,7 per cent) in the case of heavy trucks and buses, compared to the corresponding month last year.
Exports sales during March, at 28338 vehicles sold, registered an improvement of 4370 units or 18,2 per cent compared to the 23968 vehicles exported in March last year.
Factors that could hamper the automotive sector’s progress during the rest of 2013 include an increase in vehicle prices due the to weakened exchange rate as well as the increase in CO2 emissions tax during April. Despite this, factors supporting the industry are the low interest rate, strong replacement demand, competitive trading environments that include attractive incentives and high-tech new model introductions.
