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New vehicle sales registered substantial gains in the first month of the year, growing by 14.1% compared to the 48 202 vehicles sold in January last year, said the National Association of Automobile Manufacturers of South Africa (NAAMSA).<\/p>\n
This followed on the positive sales performance seen throughout 2012.<\/p>\n
On Monday, Naamsa said that all major segments recorded double digit year-on-year growth, with new cars growing by 12.3%; light commercials by 20%; medium commercials by 10.6; heavy trucks by 30% and extra heavy trucks growing by 16.6%.<\/p>\n
Export sales in January (at 17 399 vehicles) reflected an improvement of 5 794 vehicles or a gain of 49.9% compared to the 11 605 vehicles exported in January 2012.<\/p>\n
The association noted that continued strong demand by the car rental industry accounted for 22.5% of total new car sales during the month. This supported the market in January 2013.<\/p>\n
\u201cRecent exchange rate weakness would have contributed to pre-emptive buying by consumers to avoid higher than expected new vehicle prices,\u201d it said.<\/p>\n
\u201cFactors that would continue to support domestic sales included the low interest rate environment, replacement demand, the highly competitive trading environment with attractive incentives, low debt servicing costs, high technology new model introductions and strong demand by car rental companies,\u201d Naamsa said.<\/p>\n
However, on the negative side, rising inflationary pressures would limit growth in real disposable income which, together with generally anticipated rising new vehicle prices as a result of the weaker exchange rate, could result in some moderation in the rate of growth in sales over the balance of the year.<\/p>\n
\u201cIndustry production, largely as a result of higher new vehicle exports, should however register encouraging growth in 2013,\u201d said Naamsa.<\/p>\n
Uitenhage based VWSA celebrated \u201cA positive start to 2013 for the Volkswagen Group<\/a> South Africa\u201d:<\/strong><\/p>\n Volkswagen Group<\/a> South Africa recorded a positive start to 2013 with sales of 10\u00a0511 units (Volkswagen Passenger \u2013 8\u00a0226; Audi \u2013 1\u00a0555 and Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles \u2013 730) in the total vehicle market in South Africa. The achievement gave Volkswagen Group South Africa market leadership in both the total and passenger car markets in January 2013 and market share of 19.1%.<\/p>\n \u201cThe new passenger car market in January performed in line with expectations. The selling rate of new cars per day in January grew by 2.3% over the December selling rate per day continuing the underlying robust performance of the new car market,\u201d said Mike Glendinning, Director: Sales and Marketing at Volkswagen Group South Africa.<\/p>\n \u201cGiven the subdued economic outlook for 2013, it is likely that the rate of growth in demand for new passenger cars may also moderate during the course of the year. While the market will continue to be supported by declining real new car prices, a highly competitive trading environment with significant sales incentives further boosting affordability, low debt servicing costs, steady replacement demand and ongoing exciting new model introductions. It is probable that the market may slow down during the year possibly registering low single digit rates of growth,\u201d added Glendinning.<\/p>\n Port Elizabeth based GMSA<\/a> expressed joy at their; \u201cMotor Vehicle Sales Surprise in January\u201d:<\/strong><\/p>\n