Johannesburg - South African new-vehicle sales continued their weaker trend, with last month’s sales down 3.8 percent compared to February last year.
Overall, the 46 347 cars, light commercial vehicles and trucks sold declined by 1 854 vehicles versus February 2017. Export sales also dropped from 29 154 to 27 437 vehicles – a 5.8 percent decline compared with the same month last year.
Light commercials were affected the worst, with the 13 212 units sold last month down 9.6 percent from the 14 622 of February 2017. Car sales were only 0.4 percent down, registering 31 200 sales compared to 31 323 in the same month last year.
Sales in the low-volume medium and heavy truck segments remained under pressure and at 574 units and 1 361 units respectively, recorded a respective falls of 13.4 percent and 14.6 percent.
Most sales (84 percent) were through dealers, with 9.7 percent going to the rental industry, 3.7 percent to industry corporate fleets and 2.6 percent to government.
Commenting on the sales, the National Association of Automobile Manufacturers of SA (Naamsa) said the recent improvement in the Reserve Bank’s leading indicator and further recent increases in the Purchasing Manager’s Index anticipated an improved outlook for the economy over the medium term.
It said that replacement demand and reduced vehicle price inflation, as a result of the stronger rand, should support new vehicle sales in the months ahead.
The association also expects the recent positive political developments and improved business confidence to lead to higher economic growth in 2018.
However, the increase in Value Added Tax, vehicle emissions taxes, the substantially higher ad valorem duty for premium luxury vehicles priced above R900 000, as well as the substantial increase in the fuel levy would impact on consumers’ disposable income and could impact new vehicle sales from April, 2018 onwards.
30 TOP SELLING VEHICLES FEBRUARY 2018
1. Toyota Hilux 33692. VW Polo 28473. Ford Ranger 22534. VW Polo Vivo 20445. Nissan NP200 16906. Toyota Quantum 13617. Toyota Corolla/Auris/Quest 13028. Isuzu KB 12169. Hyundai Grand i10 100810. Toyota Fortuner 100611. Toyota Etios 99012. Nissan NP300 88613. Ford Ecosport 81414. Ford Figo 77515. Kia Picanto 68616. Datsun Go 59117. Renault Kwid 58218. Ford Fiesta 57219. Toyota Yaris 55720. Ford Focus 55321. BMW 3 Series50622. VW Tiguan 49823. Hyundai i20 49324. Renault Clio 48225. VW Golf 45126. Hyundai Tucson 45027. Hyundai Creta 44328. Kia Rio 43829. Ford Everest 39330. Mazda CX-5 363
Figures don’t include BMW and GWM, who don’t reveal their monthly sales