South African new vehicle sales fell by 4.1 percent in 2015, according to figures released by Naamsa, and 2016 is looking to be just as bleak for the struggling industry.
A total of 617 927 vehicles were sold in SA last year, down from 644 259 in 2014 and 649 216 in 2013 - the latter being the best sales year since the recession of 2008. Vehicle sales had been on an upward curve until 2013, with 630 619 sales recorded in 2012, 572 249 in 2011, 492 907 in 2010 and 395 222 in 2009.
Naamsa anticipates a further decline of between three and five percent this year, and has predicted a total sales figure of 598 200 units for the year.
This should come as no surprise given the expectation of sluggish economic growth at around one percent as well as surging vehicle prices on the back of a sharply weaker rand. The upward cycle in interest rates is sure to add insult to injury too.
However it's not all bleak news for the motor industry itself as key export markets are looking positive and Naamsa expects South Africa's vehicle exports to show further growth this year. Last year saw exports rise 20.5 percent to a record of 333 748 units. Naamsa predicts that number will grow by at least 12.5 percent in 2016, with overall vehicle production increasing from 615 000 to almost 660 000.
DECEMBER DOWN
The year ended off on a sour note with December vehicle sales (49 250) down 4.1 percent year-on-year. Passenger cars were the big loser here, falling by 7.6 percent, while light commercial vehicles were actually up 4.6 percent.
On that note, the Ford Ranger took the top sales spot from its long-time rival the Toyota Hilux, with 2914 units sold versus 2729, but the fight is far from over as the Hilux is going into run-out phase ahead of the all-new version being launched in February, whereas the Ranger has just had its mid-life refresh.
Let the bakkie wars begin!
THE NUMBERS: DECEMBER 2015
TOP COMPANIES
1. Toyota - 9117
2. Volkswagen - 8869
3. Ford - 6345
4. General Motors - 5231
5. AMH/AAD - 4077
6. Nissan - 3035
7. Renault - 2258
8. Mercedes-Benz - 2239
9. BMW - 1693
10. Mazda - 1058
TOP 100 REPORTED SALES*
1. Ford Ranger - 2914
2. Toyota Hilux - 2729
3. Volkswagen Polo - 2588
4. Volkswagen Polo Vivo - 2534
5. Isuzu KB - 2054
6. Toyota Corolla/Quest/Auris - 1715
7. Chevrolet Utility - 982
8. Nissan NP200 - 944
9. Toyota Etios - 941
10. Ford EcoSport - 940
11. Toyota Quantum - 836
12. Ford Fiesta - 718
13. Renault Captur - 683
14. Volkswagen Golf - 656
15. Renault Clio - 614
16. Ford Figo - 596
17. Renault Sandero - 535
18. Nissan Hardbody NP300 - 519
19. Toyota Rav4 - 507
20. Volkswagen Amarok - 493
21. BMW 3 Series - 482
22. Toyota Fortuner - 473
23. Datsun Go - 453
24. Ford Focus - 443
25. Renault Duster - 413
26. Toyota Avanza - 381
27. Toyota Aygo - 379
28. Chevrolet Spark - 349
29. Audi A3 - 330
30. Ford Kuga - 326
31. Mazda CX-5 - 292
32. Nissan NV350 Taxi - 290
32. Toyota Land Cruiser PU - 290
34. Mazda3 - 285
35. Nissan Qashqai - 278
36. Volkswagen Caddy - 277
37. Opel Corsa - 267
38. Volkswagen Jetta - 248
39. Volkswagen Tiguan - 236
40. Honda Brio - 235
41. Chevrolet Aveo - 224
42. Nissan X-Trail - 223
43. Volkswagen Kombi - 222
44. BMW 1 Series - 219
45. Jeep Grand Cherokee - 213
46. Ford Everest - 212
47. Mazda2 - 209
48. Jeep Renegade - 204
49. Toyota Yaris - 197
50. BMW 2 Series - 189
51. Suzuki Swift - 188
52. Mazda CX-3 - 183
53. Toyota Prado - 170
54. Land Rover Disco Sport - 169
55. Chevrolet Cruze - 168
56. Audi A4 - 161
56. Land Rover Discovery - 161
58. Opel Mokka - 153
59. Volkswagen Up - 150
60. Suzuki Jimny - 148
61. Honda CR-V - 144
62. Honda Jazz - 139
63. BMW 4 Series - 128
63. Range Rover Sport - 128
65. BMW X3 - 119
66. BMW X5 - 116
67. Honda Ballade - 115
68. Honda HR-V - 113
69. Audi Q5 - 111
70. Toyota Land Cruiser 200 - 108
71. Fiat 500X - 107
72. Peugeot 208 - 104
73. Jeep Wrangler - 93
73. Opel Adam - 93
75. Mitsubishi ASX - 90
76. Audi A1 - 85
77. Audi Q3 - 80
78. Audi A5 - 76
79. BMW X1 - 75
79. Volvo V40 - 75
81. Mitsubishi Pajero - 74
82. Mahindra Scorpio Pik-up - 73
83. Chevrolet Captiva - 72
84. Nissan Almera - 70
85. Range Rover Evoque - 69
86. BMW X6 - 66
86. Mini Hatch 3dr - 66
86. Opel Astra - 66
86. Volkswagen Passat - 66
90. Mahindra Bolero - 64
90. Mini Hatch 5dr - 64
90. Nissan Navara - 64
93. Honda Mobilio - 63
93. Mazda BT-50 - 63
95. Mahindra XUV - 61
95. Volkswagen Polo Vivo van - 61
97. Tata Super Ace - 60
98. Porsche Cayenne - 59
98. Suzuki Splash - 59
100. Chevrolet Trailblazer - 58
*List excludes non-reporters such as Mercedes-Benz, Hyundai, Kia and GWM. They should be ashamed.
Source: Lightstone Auto