Johannesburg - While the economic storm clouds continue to hover ominously over South Africa, the country's new vehicle sales numbers for September were a certain silver lining, with above-expected increases in both domestic and export numbers.
In fact, exports jumped by a whopping 258 percent to 30 778 units, although that number is skewed by last year's strikes and a general increase, this year, in production and international demand.
Local sales surged 11.5 percent over September 2013, with a total of 60 854 new vehicles finding homes. 74.5 percent took place through the dealers while 17.3 percent were gobbled up by rental companies, 4.1 percent by corporate fleets and 4.1 percent by government. The rental market made a near record contribution, accounting for 23.5 percent of all passenger cars sold.
In fact September was the first month this year in which passenger car sales actually increased year-on-year.
Besides the rental contribution, Naamsa attributes the increase to attractive incentive packages, replacement demand and general pre-emptive buying ahead of further anticipated rand-induced price increases.
However that, along with lower economic growth and the likelihood of higher interest rates coming soon, would likely keep the market under strain for the rest of 2014, Naamsa warned.
TOP COMPANIES - SEPTEMBER 2014
1. Toyota - 12 363
2. Volkswagen - 9967
3. Ford - 7640
4. AMH/AAD - 6537
5. GMSA - 5513
6. Nissan - 4155
7. Mercedes-Benz - 3874
8. BMW - 2487
9. Renault - 1627
10. Honda - 1216
TOP 50 SELLERS - SEPTEMBER 2014
1. VW Polo Vivo - 4263
2. Toyota Hilux - 3907
3. Ford Ranger - 2629
4. Toyota Corolla/Auris/Quest - 2320
5. VW Polo - 2152
6. Toyota Etios - 1705
7. Nissan NP200 - 1595
8. Mercedes C-Class - 1535
9. Ford Figo - 1511
10. Chevrolet Utility - 1334
11. Ford Fiesta - 1238
12. Toyota Fortuner - 1234
13. Isuzu KB - 1221
14. Toyota Quantum - 1131
15. BMW 3 Series - 1066
16. Chevrolet Spark - 848
17. Ford EcoSport - 788
18. Renault Sandero II - 629
19. Chevrolet Aveo - 557
20. Audi A3 - 542
21. VW Golf - 529
22. Nissan NP300 Hardbody - 504
23. Honda Brio - 490
24. Renault Clio - 489
25. Toyota Rav4 - 486
26. Toyota Avanza - 464
27. Audi A4 - 450
28. Mercedes A-Class - 436
29. Opel Corsa - 432
30. Ford Ikon - 396
31. Nissan X-Trail - 350
31. Nissan Qashqai - 350
33. BMW 1 Series - 347
34. VW Tiguan - 341
35. VW Jetta - 321
36. Ford Kuga - 312
37. Suzuki Swift - 307
38. Ford Focus - 281
39. Renault Duster - 267
40. VW Amarok - 259
41. Nissan Micra - 256
42. Mazda BT-50 - 248
43. Chevrolet Cruze - 247
44. Honda Jazz - 246
45. Mercedes GLA - 236
46. Mercedes CLA - 230
47. Nissan Almera - 217
48. BMW 4 Series - 212
48. Mercedes B-Class - 212
50. Jeep Compass - 207
*Hyundai/Kia supply aggregate figures only and thus could not be included in this list.
TOP EXPORTS - SEPTEMBER 2014
1. BMW 3 Series - 7167
2. Toyota Hilux - 5917
3. VW Polo - 5726
4. Mercedes C-Class - 5375
5. Ford Ranger - 3826
6. Nissan NP300 Hardbody - 885
7. Nissan Hardbody - 777
8. Toyota Corolla/Quest - 377
9. Toyota Fortuner - 164
10. Isuzu KB - 106