THE net profit of the motor trade sector last year was 20,6% lower than the previous year, Statistics South Africa announced on Monday. Dividends paid in the sector were down 75,1% while interest paid increased by 8,5% over the same period. Capital spending on new assets in 1998 was 16,8% lower than in the previous year. The profitability ratio (net profit after tax/turnover) of the sector for the final quarter of last year remained unchanged compared to the same period of 1997, but it was down marginally on the third quarter of 1998.