Total new vehicle sales for June fell by 13,3 percent from the figure for the same month last year — or from 32 379 to 28 374 units — the National Association of Automobile Manufacturers of SA said on Tuesday.
The figure for May was 29 469, compared to 28 895 a year ago, and total January/June vehicle sales were 174 056, compared to 182 061 for the first half of 2001.
Commenting on the figures, Naamsa said new vehicle sales for June had been ”slow and difficult” for most manufacturers, particularly following the mid-June hike in interest rates. The new car and light commercial vehicle trading environment was expected to remain difficult in coming months.
Compared to the relatively high base of the corresponding month last year when 20 972 sales had been recorded, June 2002 saw new passenger car sales at 189 98 units, or a decline of 1 974 units or 9,4%. Compared to May, sales were down a mere 77 units or 0,4%.
Sales of new light commercial vehicles, bakkies and minibuses registered a sharp decline of 22,7%.
Sales of medium and heavy trucks during June, 2002 had however continued to show above average strength reflecting further improvement in investment sentiment in the economy, Naamsa said.
Medium and heavy commercial vehicle sales at 435 and 658 units respectively reflected a no change position.
With half of calendar 2002 accounted for, sales of new cars reflected a fall of 3,7%, light commercial vehicles a decline of 7,3%, medium commercial vehicle sales a fall of two percent and heavy trucks and buses a significant increase of 18,6%, all compared to the first six months of 2001.
While the momentum of exports of South African-produced motor vehicles has slowed, for the first five months of 2002 aggregate industry exports continue well ahead (44,5%) of export sales for the corresponding period last year. – Sapa