A REPORT by national automobile group Naamsa, says that the sales of passenger cars in South Africa increased by 27,1% to 55385 units in first quarter of this year. Commercial vehicle sales for the same period increased by 10,2% to 27894 units over the first quarter of 1999. Heavy commercials were six percent down on the fourth quarter of 1999. It said exports over that period were adversely affected by strikes at Volkswagen South Africa’s Uitenhage plant. 11633 units were exported, compared to 59583 in 1999. Naamsa said an increase of 15% in new vehicle sales for the year as a whole is expected.