March new vehicle sales down 0.2% to 55‚363 units
New vehicle sales in South Africa dropped by 0.2% to 55‚363 units in March compared with the same period a year earlier.
New car sales continued to decline in March although there were some gains in the commercial vehicle markets. Image: Ratch0013 Free Digital Photos
The National Association of Automobile Manufacturers of South Africa (Naamsa) said the consumer new car segment had recorded a year-on-year decline of 2.2% while the commercial vehicle segments had registered gains.
Light commercial vehicle sales were up 3.7%‚ heavy commercial vehicles gained 7.6% and extra heavy trucks added 20.8%.
"The March 2014 export sales at 24‚660 units reflected a decline of 3‚122 vehicles or a fall of 11.2% compared with the 27‚782 vehicles exported in March last year.
Naamsa said domestic sales volumes grew by 3.2% in 2013‚ well below original Naamsa expectations of about 7.3%. This compares with an annual growth in total sales of 24.7% in 2010‚ 16.1% in 2011 and 9.0% in 2012.