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SA new passenger car sales show strongest growth yet
5th June, 2006
SOUTH Africa‘s May aggregate new vehicle sales rose by 14,5% on last year to 52 534 units, with passenger cars still leading the pack, the National Association of Automobile Manufacturers of South Africa has said.
With sales at 52 534, all the segments had recorded good gains compared with the same month last year, Naamsa said.
Despite stock shortages experienced by some motor vehicle manufacturers, new passenger car sales represented the strongest performance yet and reflected an improvement of 4 986 new cars or 16,6% compared with the 30 085 new cars sold during May last year.
“Taking account of the 4 472 new cars retailed, but not reported in detail through Naamsa, the May 2006 new-car market reached a total sales figure of 39 543 units,” Naamsa said.
Sales of new light commercial vehicles, bakkies and mini-buses recorded an improvement of 1 334 vehicles (10%) compared with the 13 307 unit sales during May last year.
In the medium truck segment, an improvement of 135 units (11,5%) was registered, while heavy trucks and buses rose 216 units (16,7%) compared with May last year.
The medium and heavy segments would continue to benefit from strong fixed investment and infrastructure development, Naamsa said.
Volkswagen SA had improved its year-on-year performance by 18,4%, said sales and marketing director Mike Glendinning.
“With sales of 7 281 units in May, the Volkswagen brand surpassed its year-on-year performance by 20,3% and improved on its April result by 12,1%,” he said.
General Motors SA sold 7 233 units during May and in the process recorded its best-ever sales of light commercials of 4 145 units.
GMSA sales and marketing director Malcolm Gauld attributed the strong sales performance primarily to sales of the Isuzu KB and Opel Corsa utility.
“The 17,2% growth in the light commercial vehicle market this year is evidence of strong economic activity in the commercial sector and reflects high levels of business confidence.”
Url:
http://www.theherald.co.za/herald/biz/02_05062006.htm
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