November new-vehicle sales ticked up 0.9%, to 51 098 units, compared with the same month last year.
New-vehicle export sales, at 28 021 units, were much stronger, gaining 9.9% compared with November last year.
The eleventh month of the year also delivered a surprise in the decision by Mercedes-Benz South Africa to no longer supply model-specific sales data to the Department of Trade and Industry, as is the case with a host of imported vehicle brands.
This means that all segmental analysis done by the National Association of Automobile Manufacturers of South Africa (Naamsa) in the foreseeable future will be based on estimated, historical numbers for the German brand, the industry body notes.
November new-car market data suggests ongoing pressure at retail dealer level. New passenger car sales, at 33 278 units, declined by 2.5%, compared with the 34 123 new cars sold in November last year.
“Some consolidation in the new-car market was expected following the exceptionally strong sales recorded during the month of October, when 40 663 new cars were sold,” says Naamsa.
Sales of new light commercial vehicles, bakkies and minibuses, at 15 076 units, were up 10.8%, compared with November last year.
Estimated sales of medium trucks, at 1 061 units, declined by 0.9%. Estimated heavy truck and bus sales, at 1 683 units, were down 7.9%.
Naamsa says it remains conservative in its sales outlook for the balance of 2014 and into 2015.
“Subdued economic growth, past increases in interest rates and above-inflation new- vehicle price rises result in a difficult trading environment, particularly at franchise dealer level.”
However, the association expects a further improvement in export numbers over the remainder of 2014, as well as in the new year.