A total of 45 135 new vehicles were sold in January according to figures released today by the National Association of Automobile Manufacturers of South Africa (NAAMSA).
NAAMSA substantial gains were made in medium and heavy commercial vehicle sales.
Sales to dealers represented 81% of sales while 9.8% went to the car rental industry, 5,8% to government and 3,4% to corporate fleets.
New car sales of 32 977 units reflected an improvement of 5973 units or 22,1% compared to the 27 004 new cars sold during January 2010. The daily new car sales rate during January had remained at a three year high.
Exports of South African produced motor vehicles were also up by 11,5% and NAAMSA says it expected total exports for this year to exceed 300 000 units which represents an increase of 25% over last year's total of 239 456 vehicles.
The domestic production of motor vehicles in South Africa during 2011 was expected to rise from the approximately 472 000 vehicles produced in 2010 to about 555 000 units in 2011 - an increase in vehicle production of about 17,5%.
As Ford Motor Company of Southern Africa (FMCSA) opened its Production Simulator Facility at its assembly plant in Silverton, Pretoria yesterday, January sales for the company closed 32,4% up year on year.
The new facility is part of FMCSA's R3,4 billion investment to manufacturer its All-new Ford Ranger pick-up truck in South Africa, a factor that will contribute to FMCSA's forecast growth for 2011.
"Ford ended 2010 in a strong position with increased market share, and that momentum will continue in 2011," says vice president marketing, sales and service, Dean Stoneley. "January was a strong start to what we expect to be an impressive sales year for the South African new vehicle market".
He said Ford passenger car sales out-performed the market growth, 48,9% ahead of January last year and 33,7% up on December," says Stoneley.
The Ford Figo sold 1682 units to claim its Top Three spot in the passenger car rankings.
