October new-vehicle domestic sales and exports were heavily impacted on by the three-week strike in the steel and engineering sector, as well as the return of load-shedding, which affects the local automotive industry’s ability to plan and grow, says Naamsa | The Automotive Business Council.
This was in addition to Covid-19 supply chain disruptions resulting in vessel and container shortages, which, in turn, leads to higher logistics costs, notes the council.
Naamsa reported earlier this month that domestic new-vehicle sales in October increased by 6.1%, to 41 035 units, compared with the same month last year.
Of the total industry sales, an estimated 82.5% represented dealer sales, with 14% of new vehicles entering rental fleets. About 1.4% of new vehicles were sold to industry corporate fleets, with the remaining 2.1% procured by government.
The new-passenger-car market reached 27 496 units in October, which is a 3.1% gain on the same month last year.
Sales of new bakkies, vans and taxis increased by 15.9%, to 11 188 units.
Medium-truck sales declined by 14.4%, reaching 576 units, while heavy-truck and bus sales jumped by 5.2%, to 1 775 units.
October new-vehicle exports from South Africa declined by 30%, to 23 685 units.
This is the fourth month of declining export numbers. However, for the year-to-date, vehicle exports are still 12% ahead of the same period last year.