McCarthy Limited chief executive Brand Pretorius says South Africa’s new vehicle sales figures for July offer evidence that the downward trend in new vehicle sales has been arrested. We bring you a round-up of industry reaction to the latest figures as supplied by Naamsa. Total new vehicle sales of 34 503 units reported to the National Association of Automobile Manufacturers of South Africa (Naa
msa) and Associated Motor Holdings (AMH) showed an encouraging 4,3 per cent increase on sales recorded during June 2009. Pretorius said feedback from the retail group’s dealer network indicated that some companies in the fleet sector of the market had lifted the ban on capital expenditure, with the result that a number of vehicle fleets were in the process of being renewed. In fact, passenger car sales were being underpinned by demand from car rental companies that were fleeting up. Compared with the year-to-date decline in total new vehicle sales of 32,7 per cent, sales during the month of July showed a lower decline of 25,9 per cent on figures from the corresponding month last year. It was estimated that sales to car rental companies accounted for almost 15 per cent of all the reported passenger vehicle sales last month. “Unfortunately demand from private individuals remains subdued, as potential customers remain cautious with regard to taking on new debt.” Pretorius added. Light Commercial Vehicle sales declined by 23 per cent compared with the same month last year - but combined commercial vehicle sales in July improved by 5,7 per cent over June, providing further evidence of the increase in fleet buying.
msa) and Associated Motor Holdings (AMH) showed an encouraging 4,3 per cent increase on sales recorded during June 2009. Pretorius said feedback from the retail group’s dealer network indicated that some companies in the fleet sector of the market had lifted the ban on capital expenditure, with the result that a number of vehicle fleets were in the process of being renewed. In fact, passenger car sales were being underpinned by demand from car rental companies that were fleeting up. Compared with the year-to-date decline in total new vehicle sales of 32,7 per cent, sales during the month of July showed a lower decline of 25,9 per cent on figures from the corresponding month last year. It was estimated that sales to car rental companies accounted for almost 15 per cent of all the reported passenger vehicle sales last month. “Unfortunately demand from private individuals remains subdued, as potential customers remain cautious with regard to taking on new debt.” Pretorius added. Light Commercial Vehicle sales declined by 23 per cent compared with the same month last year - but combined commercial vehicle sales in July improved by 5,7 per cent over June, providing further evidence of the increase in fleet buying.For further details visit as : http://www.cartoday.com/content/news/singlepage.asp?in=9781
