South African new-vehicle sales took a minor dip last month, but export sales took a much bigger knock due to prolonged industrial action.
Due to existing inventory levels and the fact that about two thirds of new cars sold in South Africa were imported, overall new-vehicle sales in September were down only 1.5% compared to September last year, according to the National Association of Automobile Manufacturers of South Africa (Naamsa). Hardest hit was the Light Commercial Vehicle sector, down 9.6% on the same month last year, while the passenger car market, with 39 792 units sold last month, was 0.8% up on September 2012.
Year-on-year the vehicle market is running 5% ahead of 2012, and if that growth level is maintained it could see 2013 end up as the third best year on record for the South African automotive industry.
However, export sales last month took a massive 75% dive as a result of the three week strike action at the seven major vehicle manufacturing plants followed by industrial action in the automotive component Industry.
SA's strike-prone workforce has damaged the country's status as a reliable supplier to international export markets and could negatively affect future contracts being awarded to local automotive manufacturers.
"Labour stability is one of the most important considerations in the decisions by multinational corporations to allocate vehicles for production in South Africa," says a Naamsa spokesman.
"Frequent and prolonged industrial action portrayed South Africa as an unreliable base for manufacturing of vehicles and components for the world market."
TOP 50 - SEPTEMBER 2013
1 - Toyota Hilux - 2739
2 - VW Polo - 2634
3 - VW Polo Vivo - 2435
4 - Toyota Etios - 2358
5 - Ford Figo - 1690
6 - Ford Ranger - 1435
7 - Chev Utility - 1329
8 - Isuzu KB - 1049
9 - Toyota Corolla/Auris - 1005
10 - Mercedes C Class - 859
11 - Ford Fiesta - 836
11 - Nissan NP300 Hardbody - 836
13 - Ford EcoSport - 827
14 - Toyota Fortuner - 821
15 - BMW 3 Series - 783
16 - Nissan NP200 - 726
17 - Chev Spark - 718
18 - Renault Clio - 684
19 - Toyota Quantum - 676
20 - Chev Cruze - 592
21 - Audi A4 - 577
22 - BMW 1 Series - 527
23 - VW Golf - 525
24 - Nissan Micra - 495
25 - Nissan Almera - 460
26 - VW Amarok - 389
27 - Nissan Juke - 356
28 - Ford Focus - 350
29 - Audi A3 - 335
30 - Renault Sandero - 327
30 - Honda Brio - 327
32 - Toyota Yaris - 323
33 - Toyota RAV4 - 318
34 - Tata Indica/Indigo - 317
35 - VW Jetta - 315
35 - Honda CR-V - 315
37 - Honda Jazz - 312
38 - VW Tiguan - 311
39 - Toyota Land Cruiser PU - 303
40 - Ford Kuga - 299
41 - Jeep Grand Cherokee - 295
42 - Chev Trailblazer - 283
43 - Nissan Qashqai - 277
44 - Nissan Navara - 261
45 - Nissan Sentra - 259
46 - Chev Aveo - 250
47 - Mercedes B Class - 235
48 - Mercedes E Class - 233
49 - BMW 5 Series - 227
50 - Land Rover Discovery - 226
* Certain brands, including Hyundai, Kia and Daihatsu, do not release their sales figures