Car sales on the up after riots

New vehicle sales also rebounded following July’s shock, according to figures released by the Automotive Business Council this week. But, the council noted, the knock-on effects of the disruptions caused by July’s unrest, as well as the cyberattack on Transnet, were still visible on vehicle exports during August. According to the council, in August aggregate domestic new vehicle sales were 41 425 units — an increase of 8 166 units compared to the number of vehicles sold in August 2020. The motor industry exported 19 446 vehicles in August. While better than July’s 16 252 units, export sales declined by 15.6% compared to the same time last year. However, for the year to date, vehicle exports were still 37.7% ahead of the same period last year. The council said in a statement that the return of the adjusted lockdown level three and improved civil stability supported the new vehicle market’s gradual recovery during the month. “However, business and consumer confidence will continue to challenge the industry’s recovery over the short to medium term … Although the knock-on effects of the economic disruptions caused by the civil unrest in July 2021 and the cyberattack on Transnet operations negatively impacted on the industry’s export performance during the month, the domestic automotive industry will continue to benefit from the strong rebound in global economic activity in 2021 and the favourable conditions abroad.”