South Africa's new vehicle market continued its steady decline in May, with yet another double-digit decline recorded.
According to Naamsa, overall vehicle sales amounted to a mere 42 907 units, down 10.3 percent on the 47 832 units sold in the same month last year. Not so catastrophic? Consider that May 2015 saw a 3.2 percent decline from the 49 465 vehicles sold in May 2014, which it self was down 9.2 percent on the 53 997 units that found homes in May 2013.
Essentially, vehicle sales have fallen 20.5 percent in just three years then, if we look at the month of May specifically.
The first five months of this year alone have seen a 9.8 percent decline over the same period last year, and 15 percent compared to the first five months of 2013. Expect that deficit to grow if we have more months like May.
Also read: 10 cars that South Africans underrate
Passenger cars fared worse last month, down 12.9 percent year-on-year, while light commercials fell by just 5.3 percent, although these figures are likely skewed by the popularity of the new Toyota Hilux, which many do use as a passenger vehicle anyway. A more alarming scenario is unfolding in the medium truck market, which was down 13.1 percent year-on-year, although the heavy commercial vehicles fared better with a 3.0 percent drop.
As usual, exports provided a glimmer of hope, up 2.5 percent from April, and 0.8 percent year-on-year, to 33 676 units. Naamsa expects the momentum to continue into the future as Toyota ramps up its Hilux exports to Europe.
WHAT THE EXPERTS SAID
More pressure ahead:
"The balance of 2016 industry sales numbers were expected to remain under pressure as a result of subdued economic growth, double digit new vehicle price increases, the possibility of further interest rate hikes and ongoing challenges confronting consumers and businesses. In particular, above inflation new vehicle price rises, estimated in the range of 10% to 15% plus for the year, would put further downward pressure on sales of new motor vehicles." - Naamsa
A shift to used cars:
"The weaker Rand has resulted in continued new car price inflation and this has caused consumers to shift to the used car market. Consequently, demand for used cars - as measured by application volumes - grew 9.5% in May. These supply demand dynamics have subsequently seen used car prices increase and in May the average transaction value for a used car financed through WesBank grew by 7%." - WesBank
"What is interesting is that we are beginning to see a shift in consumer buying behaviour with more traffic heading towards our G2 certified pre-owned dealer network, as consumers look for an affordable alternative to new vehicles. Our new car applications are down 18% versus last year while used applications are up 19%." Brian Olson, General Motors
THE NUMBERS: MAY 2016
Sales Channels
Dealerships: 90.5%
Corporate: 3.3%
Rental: 5.2%
Government: 1.0%
Top Companies
1. Toyota - 9642
2. Volkswagen - 6678
3. Ford - 5732
4. AMH/AAD - 4176
5. GM/Isuzu - 3290
6. Nissan - 2876
7. Mercedes-Benz - 2375
8. BMW - 1739
9. Renault - 1451
10. Mazda - 1102
Top 100 reported sales*
1. Toyota Hilux - 3185
2. Ford Ranger - 2797
3. Volkswagen Polo Vivo - 2131
4. Volkswagen Polo - 1713
5. Toyota Fortuner - 1333
6. Toyota Quantum - 1325
7. Ford EcoSport - 1169
8. Toyota Corolla/Quest/Auris - 1126
9. Isuzu KB - 1029
10. Chevrolet Utility - 988
11. Nissan NP200 - 952
12. Toyota Etios - 731
13. Nissan NP300 Hardbody - 716
14. Renault Sandero - 632
15. Ford Fiesta - 563
16. BMW 3 Series - 476
17. Volkswagen Golf - 417
18. Ford Focus - 383
19. Renault Clio - 379
20. Toyota Avanza - 374
21. Audi A3 - 368
22. Mazda CX-5 - 346
23. Toyota Rav4 - 323
24. Toyota Land Cruiser PU - 316
25. Datsun Go - 310
26. Volkswagen Amarok - 289
27. Mazda3 - 269
28. Mazda CX-3 - 248
29. Renault Duster - 227
30. Ford Figo - 223
31. Volkswagen Up - 208
32. Volkswagen Caddy - 205
33. BMW 1 Series - 204
34. Volkswagen Jetta - 187
35. BMW X1 - 185
36. Chevrolet Spark - 184
36. Opel Corsa - 184
38. Mazda2 - 183
39. Ford Kuga - 181
40. Nissan X-Trail - 176
41. Audi A4 - 174
42. Renault Captur - 168
43. Nissan NV350 Taxi - 155
43. Toyota Aygo - 155
45. Nissan Qashqai - 150
46. Ford Everest - 149
47. Suzuki Swift - 148
48. BMW X5 - 146
48. Volkswagen Tiguan - 146
50. Toyota Yaris - 143
51. Honda Brio - 141
52. BMW 2 Series - 138
53. Audi A1 - 135
54. BMW 4 Series - 125
55. Toyota Prado - 116
56. Chevrolet Cruze - 110
57. Audi Q3 - 105
58. Land Rover Disco Sport - 104
59. Jeep Renegade - 102
60. Nissan Navara - 100
60. Opel Astra - 100
62. Honda HR-V - 96
63. Ford Mustang - 95
64. BMW X3 - 94
65. Honda Ballade - 89
66. Suzuki Jimny - 87
66. Tata Super Ace - 87
68. Mahindra Bolero - 83
69. Nissan Almera - 79
70. Audi Q5 - 75
71. Range Rover Sport - 74
72. Mini Hatch 3dr - 72
72. Opel Mokka - 72
74. Mahindra Scorpio Pik-Up - 71
74. Mini Hatch 5dr - 71
76. Chevrolet Captiva - 68
76. Toyota Land Cruiser 200 - 68
78. Jeep Grand Cherokee - 59
78. Mitsubishi ASX - 59
80. Mitsubishi Pajero - 58
80. Range Rover Evoque - 58
82. Volkswagen Kombi - 57
83. Audi Q7 - 55
83. Ford Transit - 55
85. BMW X4 - 53
85. Land Rover Discovery - 53
87. Opel Adam - 52
87. Suzuki Celerio - 52
89. Nissan Micra - 49
89. Volvo XC90 - 49
91. Chevrolet Trailblazer - 47
92. Peugeot 208 - 46
92. Suzuki Vitara - 46
94. Chevrolet Sonic - 45
94. Mahindra XUV - 45
96. Audi A5 - 44
96. Nissan NV200 - 44
96. Tata Indica Vista - 44
96. Volvo XC60 - 44
100. Jeep Wrangler - 43
100. Mazda BT-50 - 43
100. Tata Bolt - 43
*List excludes non-reporters such as Mercedes-Benz, Hyundai, Kia and GWM. They should be ashamed.
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