November sales reflected a year-on-year improvement of 11 per cent compared to the same period last year, thanks to continued strong light and heavy commercial vehicle sales, the National Association of Automobile Manufacturers of South Africa (Naamsa) said on Tuesday.
November sales reflected a year-on-year improvement of 11 per cent compared to the same period last year, thanks to continued strong light and heavy commercial vehicle sales, the National Association of Automobile Manufacturers of South Africa (Naamsa) said on Tuesday.
A total of 32 006 units were sold last month, compared to the total of 28 813 vehicles sold in November last year. Assisted by pre-emptive purchases to avoid the generally anticipated sharp new vehicle price increases early in 2002, last month’s new passenger car sales totalled 19 865 units, an improvement of 1102 units or 5,9 per cent compared to the 18 763 unit sales recorded during the corresponding month of November in 2000. However, compared to the previous month of October – which had been exceptionally strong in terms of new car sales – last month’s sales reflected a fall of 1 860 units or 8,5 per cent.
Sales of new light commercial vehicles, bakkies and minibuses maintained strong upward momentum. The total oft 10 938 units reflected an improvement of 2 034 units or 22,8 per cent compared to the 8 904 unit sales of the corresponding month last year.
Sales of vehicles in the medium and heavy truck segments of the industry during November turned in a mixed performance. At 478 units, medium commercials recorded a decline of 34 units or 6,6 per cent, while the 725 heavy truck units sold was a sharp improvement of 91 units or 14,3 per cent on the corresponding month last year.
Aggregate combined commercial vehicle sales in recent months were at the top end of industry expectations, and suggested an improvement in fixed investment sentiment in the South African economy, Naamsa said.
As expected, industry vehicle exports for the latest available month of October showed a strong recovery. The numbers rose by 36,3 per cent compared to total exports the previous month (September).
Aggregate new vehicle exports, on a year to date basis, also remained well ahead of the corresponding 10 months of last year, reflecting an overall gain of 57,8 per cent.
:: More on November’s vehicle sales figures.
