New vehicle sales again increased in November, compared to the same month last year, the National Association of Automobile Manufacturers of SA (Naamsa) said on Tuesday.
Naamsa said vehicle sales had shown a robust growth over the past six months, and although the November sales were down compared to October’s figure, the trend was still upwards.
”Aggregate new vehicle sales for 2003 were expected to exceed last year’s performance by over five percent in volume terms,” the association said in a statement.
”The new car market for 2003 was likely to end up about 6,5% above last year’s market.”
New vehicle sales in November were up by 11% compared to the same month last year. Passenger car sales were up by 9,8% compared to November last year, while light commercial vehicles, bakkies and minibuses sold 11,6% more units. Medium vehicles sold 13% more than last year, while sales of heavy trucks and buses were up with 36,2%.
The export of new vehicles peaked in October with 12,342 units.
”Year to date aggregate exports of vehicles over the past ten months are now ahead by 1 604 units or 1,5% compared to the corresponding ten months of 2002.”
Naamsa said the current figures augured well for the automobile manufacturing sector for next year.
”At this stage, double-digit growth in industry sales volumes for 2004 appeared a distinct possibility.” – Sapa