Johannesburg - Despite the presence of a few green shoots, South Africa’s new vehicle market is still in the midst of a dry spell, and September’s sales figures did little to uplift industry sentiments.
According to Naamsa, the month saw 49 630 new vehicles being sold, which was 0.9 percent less than the same month last year, despite an uptick in passenger car sales due to rental fleets being replenished. In fact, more than a quarter of all new passenger cars sold in September went to the rental industry.
Year-on-year, the passenger cars saw a sales increase of 1.1 percent, while commercial vehicle sales declined by 6.2 percent, versus September last year. Medium commercial vehicle sales, meanwhile, were up 14 percent year-on-year, while the heavies remained flat.
South African vehicle exports, at 35 657 units, were down three percent, but this comes on the back of a strong year so far, with the first nine months of 2019 up 18.8 percent on the corresponding period last year.
According to Naamsa, private buyers and businesses are likely to continue delaying the purchases of bigger items like vehicles until there was greater economic stability all around.
“Although the economy grew in the second quarter of the year off the first quarter’s very low base, the underlying pace of activity remains weak,” Naamsa said.
“The second consecutive large fall in the ABSA Purchasing Managers’ Index (PMI), from 45.7 index points in August 2019 to 41.6 index points in September 2019, reiterated the weak underlying demand conditions.”
WesBank’s Executive Head of Motor Ghana Msibi said that although year-to-date sales were down 3.5 percent on 2018, there was reason to be optimistic.
“There are definitely more positive economic indicators that will hopefully stimulate improved consumer and business confidence,” Msibi said.
“If the country can sustain these conditions, the motor industry should enjoy some relief to the end of the year, while South Africans might be able to reap some reward.”
50 TOP SELLING VEHICLES: SEPTEMBER 2019
1Toyota Hilux34102Volkswagen Polo Vivo25403Volkswagen Polo 23264Ford Ranger23215Nissan NP20022506Toyota Hi-Ace14827Toyota Corolla Quest13538Isuzu D-Max11979Ford Figo112810Renault Kwid95611Toyota Yaris92512Toyota Fortuner91813Volkswagen T-Cross81014Kia Picanto77515Nissan Sandero72116Hyundai Grand i1071017Ford EcoSport69318Datsun Go64219Volkswagen Tiguan63220Toyota Rav460821Nissan NP300 Hardbody60522Toyota Etios60223Hyundai i2059524Suzuki Swift57925Toyota Avanza57426Volkswagen Polo Sedan54627Renault Clio53628Toyota Corolla49229Hyundai Tucson44030Hyundai Creta34631Mazda CX-333432Mazda CX-533033Nissan X-Trail30934BMW 3 Series30735Nissan Almera29536Kia Rio29037Kia Sportage29038Renault Duster28739Nissan Qashqai28540BMW X328441Volkswagen Golf28042Mahindra Scorpio Pik-Up26243Toyota Land Cruiser PU24744Hyundai H100 Bakkie22345Mahindra KUV21446Mazda2 20747Ford Everest19948Suzuki Vitara19949Ford Fiesta18150Hyundai Accent180