South Africa total industry new vehicle sales declined by 23,2% year-on-year to 33 867 units in August, the National Association of Automobile Manufacturers (Naamsa) said on Wednesday.
When stripping out sales from Associated Motor Holdings and Amalgamated Automobile Distributors — which report separately — sales fell by 26,2% to 29 667 units compared with August last year, Naamsa aid.
Vehicle sales remain weak, having been in decline for more than two years, knocked by soft domestic demand, while a global downturn has slashed exports.
Exports were down 66,7% in August at 9 030 vehicles.
”This was an improved performance in relation to previous months,” Naamsa said, noting that August 2009 contained one less working day than August 2008.
Naamsa said the operating environment during August 2009 had remained extremely difficult with all sectors of the South African automotive industry continuing to experience sustainability difficulties. – Reuters, I-Net Bridge