According to Naamsa, the South African automotive industry’s July 2019 export sales registered a “substantial gain” year-on-year, reflecting a climb of 22,1 percent, with 34 297 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 July, Mercedes-Benz held onto the top spot with 9 495 units of its C-Class exported from the East London plant. This represents an increase of 1 352 units, month on month.
Ford, meanwhile, climbed three places to second, shipping off 9 253 units (comprising 9 247 units of the Ranger and six of the Everest) from its Silverton facility in the month. This represents a massive increase of 5 894 units over June’s effort.
The BMW Group moved up one spot to third, with its Rosslyn plant churning out 6 788 examples of the X3 for foreign markets, representing an increase of 903 units compared with the preceding month. Toyota, meanwhile, fell one place to fourth, with an export figure of 4 689 units, including 4 494 examples of its Hilux, 148 units of the Fortuner and 47 of the Corolla sedan (all built at its Prospecton factory). This total is down 1 444 units on the Japanese firm’s effort in June.
The Volkswagen Group dropped three places to fifth, exporting 2 927 examples (down a whopping 3 366 units) of its Polo hatchback from Uitenhage. From what we understand, this decrease is largely thanks to a strike at the Port of Ngqura preventing the factory from receiving certain parts.
Nissan remained in sixth, with its exports climbing 280 units to 716 (made up of 710 Hardbody units and six units of the NP200), while seventh-place Isuzu improved by 82 units to total 281 (including 276 units wearing the D-Max badge plus two MU-X units and three vehicles from its truck division).
For reference, see June 2019’s list here…
Biggest exporters for July 2019:
1. Mercedes-Benz: 9 495
2. Ford Motor Company: 9 253
3. BMW Group: 6 788
4. Toyota: 4 689
5. Volkswagen Group: 2 927
6. Nissan: 716
7. Isuzu: 281
