August new-vehicle sales declined by 1.4%, to 55 722 units, compared with the same month last year.

Assisted by the car rental market, the South African new passenger car market, at 37 953 units, contracted by 1 047 units, or 2.7%, compared with August last year.

Domestic sales of new light commercial vehicles (LCVs), bakkies and minibuses, at 14 942 units, improved by 2.1%, compared with July last year, while sales of medium trucks, at 1 006 units, dropped by 3.5%.

New heavy truck and bus sales posted a 0.1% improvement, to 1 821 units.

August new-vehicle export sales from South Africa jumped by 18.5%, compared with the same month last year, to 25 027 units.

The outlook for the South African automotive sector for the balance of 2014 will remain challenging, notes the National Association of Automobile Manufacturers of South Africa (Naamsa).

Relatively low economic growth, recent increases in interest rates and above inflation new-vehicle price increases will combine to dampen market momentum.

The domestic market is expected to decline by 4% to 5%, compared with 2013.

“South Africa requires stronger growth, faster employment creation and a narrowing of the country’s current account and fiscal deficits,” says Naamsa.

“An improvement in domestic and foreign investor confidence is imperative in this regard. Steadfast focus on the implementation of the National Development Plan will assist in boosting business sentiment.

“Against the background of more normalised industry vehicle production volumes, a further improvement in export numbers is anticipated over the remainder of 2014.”

Top Sellers in August:
Cars and Bakkies:
1. Toyota Hilux3 238
2. Volkswagen Polo Vivo2 756
3. Ford Ranger2 312
4. Volkswagen Polo2 267
5. Toyota Corolla/Auris/Quest1 928
6. Nissan NP2001 553
7. Toyota Etios1 502
8. Chevrolet Utility1 368
9. Toyota Quantum1 272
10. BMW 3-Series1 212

Medium Trucks and Vans:
1. Hino 300 Series236
2. Isuzu N-Series203
3. Mercedes-Benz Sprinter171

Heavy Trucks:
1. UD Trucks UD-H130
2. Hino 500 Series128
3. Isuzu F-Series116

Extra-Heavy Trucks:
1. Volvo FH127
2. Mercedes-Benz Axor2126
3. UD Trucks UD-X120

Buses:
1. MAN Bus33