According to Naamsa, the South African automotive industry’s April 2019 export sales registered another “admirable performance”, reflecting a substantial year-on-year improvement of 53,8 percent, with 33 090 units shipped off during the month.
So, let’s take a look at which automakers were the biggest exporters from South Africa for the month.
In April, the Volkswagen Group returned to the top spot, exporting 9 272 examples (down 299 units) of its Polo hatchback from Uitenhage. Mercedes-Benz thus fell one place to second, with 8 558 units of the C-Class exported from its East London plant. This represents a fall of 3 279 units, month on month.
The BMW Group held steady in third, with its Rosslyn plant churning out 5 729 examples of the X3 for foreign markets, representing an increase of 453 units compared with the preceding month.
Toyota, meanwhile, remained in fourth, with an export figure of 4 819 units, including 4 417 examples of its Hilux, 259 units of the Fortuner, 135 Corolla sedan (all built at its Prospecton factory) and eight vehicles from its Hino trucks division. This total is down 401 units on the Japanese firm’s effort in March.
Ford dropped three places to fifth, shipping off 4 030 units (comprising 4 028 units of the Ranger and two of the Everest) from its Silverton facility in the month. This represents a fall of 163 units over March.
Nissan remained in sixth, with its exports dropping 540 units to 324 (made up of 305 Hardbody units and 19 units of the NP200), while seventh-place Isuzu fell by 15 units to total 231 (including 230 units wearing the D-Max badge and one with the KB badge).
For reference, see March 2019’s list here…
Biggest exporters for April 2019:
1. Volkswagen Group: 9 272
2. Mercedes-Benz: 8 558
3. BMW Group: 5 729
4. Toyota: 4 819
5. Ford Motor Company: 4 030
6. Nissan: 324
7. Isuzu: 231
