Export sales set a record but new-car sales decline at home
LOCAL NEWS
Contrary to optimism by the National Association of Automobile Manufacturers of SA (Naamsa) that domestic new-vehicle sales would improve in the second half of this year, the latest report reflects a continued decline.
Aggregate domestic sales at 45,537 units reflect a decline of 2,440 units, or 5.1%, from the 47,977 vehicles sold in August last year.
Passenger cars fell by 2,381 units, or a drop of 7.6%, to 29,075 units compared with the 31,456 new cars sold in August 2018.
New sales in the light commercial vehicles, bakkies and minibus sector were 14,041 units during August 2019, an increase of 71 units, or a modest gain of 0.5%, from the 13,970 vehicles sold during the corresponding month in 2018.
Sales in the medium and heavy truck segments reflected a mixed performance, with medium trucks selling 740 units (up 6.6%) and heavy trucks selling 1,681 units (down 9.5%).
Overall, out of the total reported industry sales of 45,537 vehicles, 37,154 units, or 81.6%, represented dealer sales, 12.6% represented sales to the vehicle rental industry, industry corporate fleets purchased 3.9% and 1.9% went to the government.
The August 2019 export sales represented a new monthly record of 44,566 vehicles, reflecting a significant increase of 12,225 vehicles, or 37.8%, compared with the 32,341 vehicles exported in the same month last year. Exports for the year to date are 48,753 vehicles higher than at the same time in 2018 an increase of 22.9%. Toyota Hilux 3,565 Nissan NP200 2,301 Ford Ranger 2,295 VW Polo Vivo 2,252 VW Polo 2,124 Toyota Hi-Ace 1,578 Isuzu D-Max 1,133 Renault Kwid 1,098 Toyota Fortuner 811 Ford Figo 758 Hyundai Grand i10 715 Nissan NP300 708 Datsun Go 678 Kia Picanto 665 Suzuki Swift 663 Ford EcoSport 658 Hyundai i20 658 Toyota Etios 623 Toyota Rav4 586 Toyota Corolla Quest VW Tiguan 574 VW Polo Sedan 540 Hyundai Tucson 425 BMW 3-Series 381 Mazda CX-5 349 Toyota Avanza 348 Mazda CX-3 333 VW Golf 322 Kia Rio 308 Toyota Yaris 302 Renault Duster 288 Mahindra Scorpio Pik-Up 281 Kia Sportage 277 Nissan Almera 276 Renault Clio 263 Hyundai Creta 244 Ford Everest 240 Toyota Landcruiser PU Mahindra KUV 218 579 235