South African new vehicle sales hit another record last month with a 31% increase on the figures of June last year.
A total of 50 044 vehicles were sold — 11 858 more than in June last year, the National Association of Automobile Manufacturers of SA (Naamsa) said on Monday.
”On an aggregate year to date basis, at the half-year mark, new vehicle sales remained 27,9% ahead of the corresponding first half of 2005,” the car makers said in a statement.
In June 2005, new car sales at 32 123 units represented the second strongest June month sales performance on record and reflected a gain of 24% compared to the 25 902 new cars sold during June last year.
Naamsa said the June 2005 new car market had also registered an improvement of 2 038 vehicles or 6,8% compared to the 30 085 new cars sold during May 2005.
”At the mid year stage, year to date sales volumes remained 28,1% ahead of last year’s corresponding sales,” Naamsa said.
Enhanced stock availability had boosted sales of new light commercial vehicles, bakkies and minibuses to an all time record at 15 292 units during June 2005. This reflected an improvement of 4 963 vehicles or 48% compared to last year.
June 2005 sales had also registered an improvement of 14,9% compared to May 2005.
”With half of calendar 2005 accounted for, sales of light commercials were some 26.3 percent ahead of last year’s sales volumes.”
Sales of vehicles in the medium and heavy trucks had also continued to register gains. June 2005 sales stood at 1 218 units and 1 411 units respectively — a gain of 55,9% in medium commercials, and 20,1% in heavy commercial vehicles and buses.
”These figures confirmed continued strong positive fixed investment in the transport sector and the broader economy,” Naamsa said.
At the half year stage, medium commercial vehicle sales were 54,2% ahead and heavy truck and bus sales 22% ahead of the corresponding six months in 2004.
Latest available statistics showed that export sales of South African produced vehicles during the first five months of 2005 at 39 407 units remained below the 40 423 vehicles exported during the first five months of 2005.
Naamsa said the industry’s outlook for the second half of this year remained positive.
New record vehicle sales for the rest of the year were expected due to a number of reasons including the low interest rates, significantly improved new vehicle affordability, and ongoing attractive sales incentives.
The introduction of technologically advanced models with additional features generally at no extra cost, and strong consumer and business sentiment would also ensure record sales for the second year in succession.
Most vehicles sold last month were Toyotas with 11 248 sales.
A total of 22 Porsches were sold. – Sapa