How South Africa's new vehicle market fared in October 2021

3 Nov 2021

The new vehicle market in South Africa was partially undeterred in October despite adverse events occurring such as loadshedding and a three-week strike in the steel and engineering sector. New vehicle sales reached 41,035 units for the month, reflecting an increase of 2,341 units, or 6,1% from the 38,694 vehicles sold in October last year. This is according to the National Association of Automobile Manufacturers of South Africa (Naamsa), the Automotive Business Council.

Newly announced Toyota Rumion | Source: Motorpress

Export sales recorded a decline of 10,159 units, or 30,0% to 23,685 units last month compared to the 33,844 vehicles exported in October 2020.

Overall, out of the total reported industry sales of 41,035 vehicles, an estimated 33,842 units, or 82,5%, represented dealer sales, an estimated 14% represented sales to the vehicle rental industry, 2,1% sales to government, and 1,4% to industry corporate fleets.

The October 2021 new passenger car market at 27,496 units had registered an increase of 815 cars, or a gain of 3,1%, compared to the 26,681 new cars sold in October 2020. The car rental industry supported the new passenger car market during the month and accounted for a sound 18,2% of car sales in October 2021.

Domestic sales of new light commercial vehicles, bakkies and mini-buses at 11,188 units during October 2021 had recorded an increase of 1,535 units, or a gain of 15,9%, from the 9,653 light commercial vehicles sold during October 2020.

Sales for medium and heavy truck segments of the industry reflected a mixed performance and at 576 units and 1,775 units, respectively, showed a decline of 97 units, or 14,4% in the case of medium commercial vehicles, and, in the case of heavy trucks and buses an increase of 88 vehicles, or a gain of 5,2%, compared to the corresponding month last year.

The October 2021 exports sales number at 23,685 units reflected a fall of 10,159 vehicles, or 30,0%, compared to the 33,844 vehicles exported in October 2020. However, for the year-to-date, vehicle exports were still 12,0% ahead of the same period last year.

"Vehicle exports continued their four-month downward trajectory during the month which could be linked to the three-week strike in the steel and engineering sector impacting on vehicle production as well as new model introductions normally taking time to ramp up to full production. On the upside, the domestic automotive industry will continue to benefit from the strong rebound in global economic activity and the favourable conditions abroad," Naamsa said.