New-vehicle sales were up in July and expected to improve to a level last seen in 1983, the National Association of Automobile Manufacturers of South Africa (Naamsa) said on Tuesday.
”Current indications are that the new-vehicle market for the full year 2004 could exceed 410 000, resulting in the highest level since 1983, and the third highest [to date],” Naamsa said in a statement.
The association said new vehicle sales for July had ”continued to show improvement in all areas”.
Average vehicle sales, at 39 206 units, were 15% better than the 34 095 units sold in July 2003.
”Year-to-date aggregate new vehicle sales were 18,9% ahead of the overall sales levels for the same period last year.”
Naamsa said the improvement can be attributed to various factors.
”The continuing positive economic environment, consumer and business sentiment, improved new-vehicle affordability, attractive incentives and new product offerings had continued to provide support to the new car market.”
In the new-car category, sales were up 15,9% from last year and increased 2,8% compared with June 2004.
”On a year-to-date basis, car sales were 19,4% ahead of 2003.”
New light commercial vehicles, bakkies and minibuses sold 10 680 units, which was a 9,8% increase over the 9 728 units sold in July 2003.
This was 3,4% better than June’s sales, and 16,4% ahead of sales in the same period in 2003.
”The truck and bus market for the year to July 2004 was up 36,5% in the case of medium commercial vehicles and 22,1% in the case of heavy trucks and buses,” Naamsa said, comparing it with last year’s figures.
Vehicle exports for June showed some improvement.
”The total vehicle exports during June 2004 had reached 10 691 vehicles, the highest monthly figure since November 2003.”
However, year-to-date figures showed new vehicle exports were about 10 000 units lower than last year.
Naamsa said vehicle export figures are expected to continue improving in the coming months. — Sapa