In amplification of the new vehicle sales statistics for the month of May, 2011 – released today by the National Association of Automobile Manufacturers of South Africa (NAAMSA) – the Association commented that the year on year growth in total industry new vehicle sales during the month had declined substantially compared with earlier months. In the event, May, 2011 aggregate industry domestic sales had improved by 2 389 units or 6,1% to 41 555 vehicles from 39 166 vehicles sold during May last year. Total domestic sales for the first five months of 2011 remained 16,4% ahead of the corresponding five months in 2010. May, 2011 export sales also reflected a more subdued performance and at 22 063 vehicles had shown a decline of 8,8% compared to the corresponding month last year.
The May 2011 NAAMSA figures show Port Elizabeth and Nelson Mandela Bay Manufactured Vehicles representing 29.83% (12 397) of the total 41 555 sold in South Africa by all manufacturers. We have excluded exports.
See how our local Motor Manufacturers (Volkswagen and GMSA) are faring against each other and in comparison to the total vehicles sold in South Africa below:
See how our local Motor Manufacturers (Volkswagen and GMSA) are faring against each other in comparison with domestic sales and exports against the total vehicle exports from South Africa below:
Total Vehicles sold by Manufacturer for May 2011:
- VOLKSWAGEN GROUP SA – 7 711
- TOYOTA – 6 999
- GMSA – 4 686
- FMC – 3 639
- NISSAN – 2 888
- MERCEDES-BENZ SA – 2 739
- BMW GROUP – 2 201
- RENAULT – 731
- CHRYSLER SA – 541
- JAGUAR LAND ROVER – 540
- HONDA – 478
- SUZUKI AUTO – 444
- PCSA – 401
- FIAT GROUP – 358
- TATA – 358
- VOLVO CARS – 327
- UD TRUCKS – 305
- MAN – 157
- VOLVO TRUCKS – 157
- MAHINDRA – 135
- SUBARU – 110
- SCANIA – 104
- PORSCHE – 76
- NAVISTAR INTERNATIONAL – 62
- CHANA – 24
- RENAULT TRUCKS – 19
- POWERSTAR – 13
- MASERATI – 7
- VDL BUS & COACH SA – 1
- SUB TOTAL – 36 211
- Associated Motor Holdings and Amalgamated Automobile Distributors – 5 344
- INDUSTRY TOTAL – 41 555
Overall, out of total May, 2011 industry reported sales of 41 555 vehicles, 82,6% or 34 329 units represented dealer sales, 10,4% represented sales to the car rental industry, 5,1% represented sales to industry corporate fleet sales and 1,9% sales to government.
New car sales – despite one less sales day in May this year compared to the corresponding month a year ago – had held up relatively well and at 28 830 units reflected an improvement of 3 106 new cars or 12,1% compared to the 25 724 new cars sold during May, 2010. The higher sales of new cars over the past 17 months reflected continued recovery on the consumption side of the economy largely driven by the six and a half percent decline in interest rates since end 2008 and which had contributed to an improvement in the financial position of consumers and businesses through reduced debt servicing costs on the part of households and companies.
Sales of industry new light commercial vehicles, bakkies and minibuses at 10 609 units during May, 2011 reflected a reduction of 907 units or a fall of 7,9% compared to the 11 516 units sold in the corresponding month last year.
Sales of vehicles in the medium and heavy truck segments of the industry had turned in a mixed performance and at 703 units and 1413 units, respectively, had recorded a decline of 37 units or 5 %, in the case of medium commercials, and a gain of 227 units or 19,1%, in the case of heavy trucks and buses – compared to the corresponding month last year. New bus sales had however, as expected, been particularly weak and reflected a fall of just under 57% compared to May last year when bus sales had been boosted in the run up to World Cup soccer event.
Exports of South African produced motor vehicles during May, 2011 at 22 063 units reflected a decline of 2 117 vehicles or a fall of 8,8% compared to the 24 180 vehicles exported during May last year. With all the major factories back in normal production following the high number of public holidays in April and the beginning of May, it was anticipated that the momentum of new vehicle export sales would pick up during the months ahead.
During May, 2011 – constraints on the availability of components from Japan impacted on the production of certain product lines in South Africa and, together with shortages of various models sourced from Japan, this would have contributed to the slow down in the rate of growth in the new car and light commercial vehicle sales cycle for the month. These factors would also have contributed to lower aggregate industry exports. It was anticipated that the supply position would normalize over the medium term.
Indications of higher growth in the global economy as well as for the South African economy in 2011 should lend support to domestic and export sales of new motor vehicles. Continued growth in consumer expenditure and public sector infrastructural investment would also support domestic new vehicle sales.
Despite current instances of limited supply and availability shortages, the industry remained on target to register overall growth in domestic sales of around 15% for 2011, whilst export sales were projected to increase over 25% year on year.
Alan Straton
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