August auto sales hit a high

August new vehicle sales rallied 36,9% year on year to 46 377 units, 12.2% up on the already good sales results for last month.

"The impending CO2 emissions tax levied by Government from September appears to have had at least one positive result: SA consumers have bought more new cars during August than any other month in the past two years," says vice president marketing, sales and service, Dean Stoneley. "We anticipate continued growth through the remainder of the year."

Positive growth

Passenger car sales rose 49,7% on August 2009 to 33 541 cars, 14,8% more than last month. Even Light Commercial Vehicles (LCV) sales returned to positive growth despite not being affected immediately by emissions tax. LCV sales ended 4,7% better than July and 8,9% improved over the same time last year.

Heavy commercial vehicles virtually doubled sales during August (up 92,9% on August 2009), while medium (up 8,7%) and extra heavy commercial vehicles (up 44,3%) continued their strong performances. Bus sales declined 38% over the same month last year in the wake of the Soccer World Cup.

Ford Motor Company of Southern Africa (FMCSA) in August increased sales 53,1% on July. In its first full month of sales, the new Ford Figo moved 1142 units to make the newcomer the fourth best selling passenger car in South Africa. The company's Fiesta also surged to over 1000 units to secure sixth spot in the country's Top 10 best selling passenger cars.

"The importance of the sub-B segment is critically evident as consumers assert the importance of affordability in SA's new vehicle market," continues Stoneley. "All but one Figo was sold through the dealer network, clear indication that consumers have embraced the value proposition offered by Figo and the buoyant activity in this segment."

"Based on the good performance of the Ford Figo and Ford Fiesta, FMCSA achieved its highest market share amongst Naamsa reporters for the year with 12.1% for August," concluded Stoneley.

Notes:

Sales figures quoted from the National Association of Automobile Manufacturers of South Africa (Naamsa) include overall sales figures reported by Associated Motor Holdings. These figures are also included in the numbers quoted for the corresponding month in the previous year.

TOP PERFORMING NEW PASSENGER VEHICLES August 2010

TOP PERFORMING NEW LIGHT COMMERCIAL VEHICLES August 2010

Source: Naamsa