Johannesburg - April saw South African vehicle sales plummet by 10.7 percent compared to the same month last year and while gloomy economic conditions certainly had a part to play here, the main aggravator appears to be the reduced selling days due to the fact that more public holidays fell in April this year.
According to figures released by RGT Smart, 46 013 vehicles were sold during the month, with 88 percent taking place through dealer channels while 4.8 percent went to corporate fleets, 4.2 percent to the rental industry and 2.2 percent to government.
According to Naamsa, prospects for the balance of the year would be affected by "subdued economic growth, exchange rate induced above inflation new vehicle price increases and further upward pressure on interest rates."
Furthermore, consumers would continue to feel the heat due to high levels of debt along with increasing energy and transport costs.
Toyota continued its market dominance in April, with 8828 sales, while Volkswagen trailed with 8075. AMH/AAD (Kia/Hyundai) followed in third place with 5337 sales, with Ford fourth (5127) and GM fifth (4812).
50 TOP SELLERS - APRIL 2014
1. Toyota Hilux - 2457
2. VW Polo Vivo - 2281
3. VW Polo - 2142
4. Ford Ranger - 1804
5. Chevrolet Utility - 1367
6. Isuzu KB - 1325
7. Toyota Etios - 1296
8. Nissan NP200 - 1223
9. Toyota Corolla/Auris - 1193
10. Toyota Quantum - 1154
11. Ford Figo - 1050
12. BMW 3 Series - 742
13. Toyota Fortuner - 684
14. VW Golf 7 - 655
15. Mercedes C-Class - 635
16. Ford EcoSport - 559
17. Ford Fiesta - 549
17. Renault Clio - 549
19. Audi A4 - 455
20. Chevrolet Spark - 442
21. Toyota RAV4 - 422
22. Nissan NP300 - 407
23. Renault Duster - 382
24. Toyota Avanza - 381
25. Ford Kuga - 380
26. Toyota Land Cruiser PU - 359
27. Audi A3 - 348
27. VW Jetta 6 - 348
29. VW Tiguan - 332
30. BMW 1 Series - 329
31. VW Amarok - 282
32. Mercedes A-Class - 274
33. Nissan Juke - 256
34. Chevrolet Cruze - 241
35. Honda Brio - 238
36. Mazda BT-50 - 237
37. Ford Focus - 225
37. Nissan Qashqai - 225
39. Suzuki Swift - 219
40. Renault Sandero II - 212
41. Renault Sandero - 204
42. VW Caddy - 198
43. Toyota Yaris - 194
44. Jeep Compass - 192
45. Chevrolet Trailblazer - 178
46. Mercedes E-Class - 173
47. BMW X5 - 172
48. Toyota Prado - 171
49. Chevrolet Aveo - 169
50. Chevrolet Sonic - 168
*Hyundai/Kia supply delayed quarterly figures and thus could not be included in this list.