Johannesburg - Things are going from bad to worse in South Africa's new vehicle industry, with overall sales in September plunging 14.3 percent compared to the same month last year, to 47 399 units.
There were double-digit declines across almost all segments. Passenger car sales fell by 14.4 percent despite the rental car industry taking a sizeable 19.9 percent chunk, according to Naamsa. Light commercial vehicles registered a 14.8 percent year-on-year decline while medium and heavy trucks were down 9.0 and 10.8 percent respectively.
Naamsa expects the negative sales trend to continue over the medium term, given the current economic climate. The association did however see a ray of light in September's Purchasing Manager's Index, which rose 3.2 points to 49.5, a touch below the benchmark of 50.
Car prices largely to blame
WesBank attributes the fall in sales to soaring car prices (along with consumer debt levels), something IOL highlighted in a recent feature on the subject, which you can read HERE . According to the bank, the average new car that it financed in September cost R293 343, 18 percent more than in the same year. Furthermore, WesBank recorded an 18 percent drop in demand for new vehicles, something that is driving consumers to the used market.
Exports also took a year-on-year knock in September, falling by 6.5 percent (albeit off the high base of a record month), although it is believed that export sales will still move in a positive direction for the remainder of the year.
THE NUMBERS: SEPTEMBER 2016
Sales Channels
Dealerships: 80.9 percent
Rental industry: 14.3 percent
Corporate clients: 3.4 percent
Government sales: 1.4 percent
Top companies
1. Toyota - 10 837
2. Volkswagen - 8000
3. Ford - 5707
4. AMH/AAD - 4749
5. GM/Isuzu - 3443
6. Nissan - 2909
7. Mercedes-Benz - 2566
8. BMW - 1901
9. Renault - 1775
10. Mazda - 1076
Top 100 Reported Sales*
1. Toyota Hilux - 3063
2. Volkswagen Polo Vivo - 2822
3. Ford Ranger - 2437
4. Volkswagen Polo - 2426
5. Toyota Corolla/Quest/Auris - 2061
6. Toyota Quantum - 1329
7. Ford Fiesta - 1190
8. Toyota Fortuner - 1180
9. Chevrolet Utility - 1126
10. Nissan NP200 - 1020
11. Isuzu KB - 988
12. Ford EcoSport - 987
13. Toyota Etios - 947
14. Nissan NP300 Hardbody - 659
15. Renault Sandero - 625
16. Toyota Avanza - 572
17. BMW 3 Series - 487
18. Chevrolet Spark - 424
19. Volkswagen Up - 418
20. Renault Captur - 403
21. Renault Clio - 382
22. Volkswagen Golf - 367
23. Ford Focus - 356
24. Toyota Rav4 - 345
25. Mazda CX-5 - 342
26. Datsun Go - 318
27. Toyota Land Cruiser PU - 280
28. BMW 1 Series - 275
29. Mazda3 - 271
30. Volkswagen Jetta - 266
31. Nissan X-Trail - 238
32. Mazda CX-3 - 228
33. Audi A3 - 225
34. Volkswagen Amarok - 223
35. Audi A4 - 221
36. Renault Duster - 218
37. Ford Figo - 217
38. BMW X1 - 216
39. Toyota Aygo - 195
40. Nissan NV350 Taxi - 194
41. Toyota Yaris - 180
42. BMW 2 Series - 176
42. Mazda2 - 176
44. Suzuki Swift - 173
45. Nissan Qashqai - 169
46. Honda Jazz - 162
47. Volkswagen Caddy -156
48. BMW 4 Series - 155
49. Ford Kuga - 154
50. Mahindra KUV100 - 130
51. Audi Q3 - 128
52. Datsun Go+ - 126
53. Volkswagen Tiguan - 112
54. Toyota Land Cruiser 200 - 111
55. BMW X5 - 110
56. BMW X3 - 106
57. Ford Transit - 105
58. Ford Everest - 103
59. Opel Mokka - 100
59. Toyota Prado - 100
61. Honda CR-V - 98
62. Honda HR-V - 97
63. Honda Brio - 90
64. Opel Astra - 89
64. Range Rover Sport - 89
66. Renault Megane (new) - 87
66. Suzuki Jimny - 87
66. Tata Bolt - 87
69. Mahindra Scorpio Pik-Up - 85
70. Jeep Renegade - 84
71. Chevrolet Cruze - 82
72. Tata Super Ace - 80
73. Land Rover Disco Sport - 79
73. Mahindra Bolero - 79
75. BMW X4 - 78
76. Honda Ballade - 77
77. Range Rover Evoque - 75
78. Mitsubishi ASX - 73
79. Audi A1 - 71
80. Volvo V40 - 65
81. Ford Mustang - 63
82. Mini Hatch 3dr - 62
82. Volkswagen Kombi - 62
82. Volvo XC60 - 62
85. Opel Corsa - 60
86. Land Rover Discovery - 59
87. Fiat 500 - 58
87. Mini Hatch 5dr - 58
89. Chevrolet Captiva - 54
89. Peugeot - 208 - 54
91. Jeep Grand Cherokee - 52
91. Mazda BT-50 - 52
93. Volkswagen Polo Vivo PV - 50
94. Renault Kadjar - 49
95. Jaguar F-Pace - 46
95. Jeep Wrangler - 46
97. Porsche Cayenne - 45
97. Suzuki Celerio - 45
99. Audi Q5 - 44
99. Subaru Forester - 44
*List excludes non-reporters such as Mercedes-Benz, Hyundai, Kia and GWM.