Share

Vehicle sales growth slows

Johannesburg - New vehicle sales grew in the first quarter of 2012, but at a slower rate than the same period last year, the National Association of Automobile Manufacturers of SA (Naamsa) said on Tuesday.

"All sectors registered significantly slower growth during the first quarter of 2012 compared to the corresponding quarter in 2011," Naamsa said.

The sectors include passenger cars as well as and light, medium and heavy commercial vehicles, according to Naamsa's quarterly review of business conditions submitted to the department of trade and industry.

In the first quarter of 2012, some 110 719 new cars were sold -- an improvement of 10% on the first quarter of 2011.

Over the same period, commercial vehicle sales increased by 0.8% to 46 024 units sold.

Naamsa expected domestic vehicle sales to continue to grow in 2012, but at a more subdued rate compared to the past two years.

"Export sales are likely to remain under pressure in the short term and over the long term will remain a function of the performance and direction of global markets."

Naamsa estimated that the automotive industry contributed 6.8% to South Africa's gross domestic product (GDP) in 2011, although this figure still needed to be verified. The industry's contribution to GDP peaked in 2006 at 7.35%.

Global new motor vehicle production reached a record of 80 million units in 2011. This was a 3.2% increase from 77.6 million units the previous year.

South Africa's vehicle production was above this trend, increasing 12.8% to 532 545 vehicles in 2011 from 472 049 units in 2010.

South Africa exported 272 457 vehicles to 80 countries in 2011, mainly to Europe and Africa.

Thirty-six percent of exported vehicles went to the Eurozone and 25% to Africa.

The number of vehicles exported to Africa grew by 56% from 2010 to 2011, and Naamsa expected the figure to grow more in future.

"Despite intense competition in African markets from Chinese and Indian vehicle exporters, as well as second-hand vehicles supplied from Japan - the anticipated relatively high economic growth projections for Africa should support further growth in SA vehicle exports to African countries."

The recession in Europe was likely to impact negatively on export sales into that region, Naamsa said.

Depending on how the South Africa economy performed, domestic vehicle sales could grow by about 7.5% in 2012, Naamsa predicted.

We live in a world where facts and fiction get blurred
Who we choose to trust can have a profound impact on our lives. Join thousands of devoted South Africans who look to News24 to bring them news they can trust every day. As we celebrate 25 years, become a News24 subscriber as we strive to keep you informed, inspired and empowered.
Join News24 today
heading
description
username
Show Comments ()
Rand - Dollar
18.99
-0.3%
Rand - Pound
24.07
+0.2%
Rand - Euro
20.58
+0.0%
Rand - Aus dollar
12.36
+0.5%
Rand - Yen
0.13
+0.7%
Platinum
902.95
+0.1%
Palladium
998.75
-0.7%
Gold
2,153.42
-0.3%
Silver
24.92
-0.5%
Brent Crude
86.89
+1.8%
Top 40
65,837
-0.6%
All Share
72,075
-0.5%
Resource 10
53,082
-0.4%
Industrial 25
99,417
-1.1%
Financial 15
16,638
+0.1%
All JSE data delayed by at least 15 minutes Iress logo
Company Snapshot
Editorial feedback and complaints

Contact the public editor with feedback for our journalists, complaints, queries or suggestions about articles on News24.

LEARN MORE
Government tenders

Find public sector tender opportunities in South Africa here.

Government tenders
This portal provides access to information on all tenders made by all public sector organisations in all spheres of government.
Browse tenders