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Johannesburg - Growth in new vehicle sales slowed to 8% year on year in April to 38 566 from 35 707 in a similar period in April last year, according to the National Association of Automobile Manufacturers of SA (Naamsa).
In March, new vehicle sales surged 22.8% y/y.
The association said the industry's sales performance was affected by the high number and configuration of public holidays in April.
Over the same period, new passenger car sales rose 11.7% to 26 347 from 23 578, Naamsa said.
Concerns about future availability of Japanese products, which have been affected by the natural disasters in Japan, might also have contributed to some pre-emptive buying in the month, Naamsa said.
New light commercial vehicles, bakkies and minibuses fell 2.5% year on year in April to 10 294 from 10 557.
Sales of vehicles in the medium and heavy truck segments of the industry, with the exception of the low volume bus segment, had shown further improvement during April.
Sales of medium commercial vehicles rose 8.2% to 565, while heavy trucks and buses grew 29.5% to 1 360.
"The relatively strong performance in medium and heavy truck sales suggested further improvement in fixed investment in the economy," Naamsa said.
Exports of South African-produced motor vehicles jumped 12.7% to 19 826 from 17 587.
With further recovery in the global economy expected during the course of 2011, exports could reach 300 000 units.
"Continued growth in consumer expenditure and public sector infrastructural investment would also support domestic new vehicle sales," Naamsa said.
However, the inflation outlook had deteriorated as a result of administered price and taxation increases, the association said.
This could put upward pressure on interest rates towards the end of 2011 and into 2012.
Naamsa also said that, over the medium term, component and vehicle stock shortages, as a result of the Japanese earthquake and tsunami, could also have a negative effect on domestic sales and exports.
"Vehicle manufacturers worldwide could be expected to review their respective supply chain strategies to reduce the risks associated with unforeseen events and disruptions," it added.
In March, new vehicle sales surged 22.8% y/y.
The association said the industry's sales performance was affected by the high number and configuration of public holidays in April.
Over the same period, new passenger car sales rose 11.7% to 26 347 from 23 578, Naamsa said.
Concerns about future availability of Japanese products, which have been affected by the natural disasters in Japan, might also have contributed to some pre-emptive buying in the month, Naamsa said.
New light commercial vehicles, bakkies and minibuses fell 2.5% year on year in April to 10 294 from 10 557.
Sales of vehicles in the medium and heavy truck segments of the industry, with the exception of the low volume bus segment, had shown further improvement during April.
Sales of medium commercial vehicles rose 8.2% to 565, while heavy trucks and buses grew 29.5% to 1 360.
"The relatively strong performance in medium and heavy truck sales suggested further improvement in fixed investment in the economy," Naamsa said.
Exports of South African-produced motor vehicles jumped 12.7% to 19 826 from 17 587.
With further recovery in the global economy expected during the course of 2011, exports could reach 300 000 units.
"Continued growth in consumer expenditure and public sector infrastructural investment would also support domestic new vehicle sales," Naamsa said.
However, the inflation outlook had deteriorated as a result of administered price and taxation increases, the association said.
This could put upward pressure on interest rates towards the end of 2011 and into 2012.
Naamsa also said that, over the medium term, component and vehicle stock shortages, as a result of the Japanese earthquake and tsunami, could also have a negative effect on domestic sales and exports.
"Vehicle manufacturers worldwide could be expected to review their respective supply chain strategies to reduce the risks associated with unforeseen events and disruptions," it added.
