The South African new vehicle market continues to suffer the effects of the recent industry strike action and general price increases.
According to independent data specialist RGT Smart, 56 927 vehicles found new homes during October, which is 2.9 percent down on the same month last year, although looking at the year-to-date picture for the first ten months of 2013, the industry is still 3.9 percent better off than it was during the same period in 2012.
Above-average new vehicle price increases on the back of a weaker rand are likely to see the industry continue to struggle for the time being, although the record-low interest rates will continue to provide a silver lining of sorts.
Naturally the recent strike's biggest impact was felt in the export figures, which are at least on the road to recovery. Last month's export tally was 15.1 percent down on the same month in 2012, compared to the 75.1 percent decline seen in September.
Looking at the local sales figures, Toyota enjoyed a heady lead in October, with 10 698 vehicles sold, followed by Volkswagen with 8748 and AMH/AAD with 7078.
Speaking of the latter, the individual Kia and Hyundai sales figures for October are unlikely to be released anytime soon, but you can view the Jan-April figures by clicking here .
TOP 50 - OCTOBER 2013
1. Toyota Hilux - 2894
2. VW Polo Vivo - 2616
3. Toyota Etios - 2392
4. VW Polo - 1920
5. Toyota Quantum - 1540
6. Ford Ranger - 1516
7. Ford Figo - 1404
8. Nissan NP200 - 1284
9. Isuzu KB - 1232
10. Chevrolet Utility - 1214
11. BMW 3 Series - 1066
12. Toyota Corolla/Auris - 956
13. Mercedes C-Class - 923
14. Nissan NP300 - 794
15. Chevrolet Spark - 778
16. Toyota Fortuner - 710
17. Ford Fiesta - 671
18. Renault Sandero - 651
19. Chevrolet Cruze - 608
20. VW Golf - 577
21. Ford Ecosport - 548
22. Toyota Avanza - 497
23. BMW 1 Series - 496
24. Ford Focus - 485
25. Nissan Almera - 481
26. VW Jetta - 463
27. Renault Duster - 442
28. Audi A4 - 437
29. Mercedes CLA - 413
30. VW Amarok - 395
31. Toyota RAV4 - 385
32. Chevrolet Trailblazer - 383
33. Renault Clio IV - 377
34. VW Tiguan - 375
35. Fiat 500 - 364
36. Nissan Juke - 349
37. Audi A3 - 328
37. Honda Brio - 328
39. Toyota Yaris - 319
40. Honda Ballade - 315
41. Tata Indica/Indigo - 300
42. Chevrolet Sonic - 292
43. Nissan Micra - 272
44. Chevrolet Aveo - 269
45. Honda CR-V - 256
46. Chevrolet Captiva - 253
47. VW Caddy - 250
48. Jeep Grand Cherokee - 248
48. Nissan X-Trail - 248
48. Toyota Land Cruiser PU - 248
51. Ford Kuga - 240
52. Mazda BT-50 - 231
53. Audi Q3 - 222
54. Ford Everest - 215
55. Mercedes A-Class - 213
SA’S TOP 10 EXPORTS - OCTOBER
VW Polo - 6727
BMW 3 Series - 4832
Toyota Hilux - 4457
Mercedes C-Class - 2849
Nissan Hardbody/NP300 - 695
Ford Ranger - 588
Toyota Corolla - 317
Toyota Fortuner - 155
Isuzu KB - 144
Nissan NP200 - 47