Johannesburg - South Africa's new vehicle market continued to show surprising strength in October.
While labour stability and international demand saw a record 32 165 vehicle exports, it was the local number of 59 262 units that will raise eyebrows as it's 4.7 percent up on October last year, bucking downward trend that we've seen for most of this year.
Once again there was a strong showing from the rental industry, accounting for 14.3 percent of total sales and 19.9 percent of the passenger vehicle market.
Light commercial vehicles proved to be the real star in October's sales game, with a year-on-year gain of 14.0 percent, while the passenger car market grew by just 1.6 percent.
Nonetheless, Naamsa warns against being too optimistic as slow economic growth and continued vehicle inflation could keep the domestic market under pressure in the coming year. Exports look set to go from strength to strength though.
Source: Lightstone Auto (www.lightstoneauto.co.za)
TOP COMPANIES - OCTOBER 2014
1. Toyota - 12 049
2. Volkswagen - 9057
3. Ford - 6674
4. AMH/AAD - 6116
5. General Motors - 5238
6. Nissan - 5047
7. Mercedes-Benz - 3964
8. BMW - 2563
9. Renault - 1838
10. Honda - 1001
TOP SELLING VEHICLES - OCTOBER 2014
1. Volkswagen Polo Vivo - 3491
2. Toyota Hilux - 3421
3. Ford Ranger - 3045
4. Toyota Corolla/Auris/Quest - 2398
5. Volkswagen Polo - 2333
6. Mercedes C-Class - 1789
7. Nissan NP200 - 1675
8. Toyota Etios - 1671
9. Chevrolet Utility - 1445
10. Toyota Quantum - 1264
11. Isuzu KB - 1181
12. BMW 3 Series - 1099
13. Ford Figo - 1017
14. Toyota Fortuner - 881
15. Ford Ecosport - 834
16. Nissan NP300 - 771
17. Chevrolet Spark - 674
18. Ford Fiesta - 640
18. Toyota Avanza - 640
20. Datsun Go - 583
21. Ford Ikon - 539
22. Volkswagen Golf - 503
23. Renault Sandero II - 501
24. Toyota Rav4 - 485
25. Renault Clio - 483
26. Audi A4 - 437
27. Mercedes A-Class - 423
28. Audi A3 - 417
29. BMW 1 Series - 402
30. Chevrolet Sonic - 389
31. Renault Sandero I - 388
32. Renault Duster - 371
33. Honda Brio - 353
34. Chevrolet Aveo - 337
35. Nissan Livina - 328
36. Nissan Almera - 317
37. Nissan Qashqai - 315
38. Volkswagen Amarok - 311
39. Toyota Land Cruiser PU - 306
40. Mercedes CLA - 298
41. Volkswagen Tiguan - 286
42. Ford Kuga - 266
43. Toyota Yaris - 260
44. Suzuki Swift - 250
45. Honda Ballade - 240
45. Nissan X-Trail - 240
47. Ford Focus - 234
48. BMW 4 Series - 226
49. Chevrolet Cruze - 210
50. Jeep Compass - 193
TOP EXPORTS - OCTOBER 2014
1. Ford Ranger - 7072
2. Mercedes C-Class - 6524
3. Volkswagen Polo - 5972
4. Toyota Hilux - 5361
5. BMW 3 Series - 4825
6. Nissan Hardbody - 771
7. Nissan NP300 Hardbody - 652
8. Toyota Corolla/Quest - 261
9. Isuzu KB - 178
10. Nissan NP200 - 155