Vehicle sales for January have improved significantly compared with the same month last year, the National Association of Automobile Manufacturers of South Africa (Naamsa) said on Friday.
”New-vehicle sales have started the year on a positive note with … sales at 52 213, registering an improvement of 6,9% compared with last year’s 48 821.”
Naamsa said from a seasonal perspective, January represents an increasingly strong sales month.
”Sales in all major segments have registered gains compared with the same month last year.”
Aggregate new-vehicle exports last month also improved, rising by 7,9% to 8 556 vehicles from 7 927 for the same month last year.
Supported by continued high levels of economic activity, sales of new light-commercial vehicles, bakkies and minibuses were at 14 246 for January.
”This is an improvement of 1 617 vehicles, or 12,8%, compared with last year.”
Sales of vehicles in the medium and heavy truck segments of the industry also started the year on a strong note.
”They improved by 4,2 percent.”
In the heavy and extra-heavy commercial-vehicle segments of the industry, sales continued in a strong upward phase, said Naamsa.
”Industry production for 2007 is projected to reach 662 000 vehicles.” — Sapa