Pictured: Managing director of UD Trucks southern Africa, Jacques Carelse

Year-on-year truck sales grew during March despite a string of public holidays and subsequent fewer selling days, albeit with only five units.  The industry sold a total of 2 556 units during March, a very slight 0.19% growth when compared to the same month last year.

This is according to the latest combined results released by the National Association of Automobile Manufacturers of South Africa (Naamsa), Associated Motor Holdings (AMH) and Amalgamated Automobile Distributors (AAD).

Says Jacques Carelse, managing director of UD Trucks southern Africa,“Lower interest rates and a competitive trading environment that resulted in a range of incentives by truck manufacturers, are stimulating fleet owners’ propensity to buy.”

Sales in the Medium Commercial Vehicle (MCV) segment led the way with a 3.3% increase over March 2012’s results, totaling 1 015 units.  Another segment that completed March in the black was the Extra Heavy Commercial Vehicle (EHCV) segment, recording a 2.5% increase in sales to 1 036 units.  The so-called bread-and-butter Heavy Commercial Vehicle (HCV) segment was down by 7.7% to 393 units, while Bus sales slumped by 14.5% to 112 units.

Looking at the year-on-year figures up until the end of March, sales are continuing to grow, albeit at a low rate of 1.18% to 6 813 units.

Adds Carelse, “Although we expect sales to continue to grow in April, some external factors could impact the industry in the year ahead.  These include rising inflation and a volatile rand that could impact fleet owner’s replacement schedules as it directly affects the affordability of trucks.”

“We do, however, remain hopeful that the positive performance during the first three months of the year will continue throughout the remainder of 2013, enabling the market to reach a forecasted total of around 28 000 units.”

UD Trucks Southern Africa is also supportive of the newly-announced Industrial Policy Action Plan (IPAP) as it aims to build a more competitive local manufacturing industry with strong growth and employment.

Concludes Carelse, “As a local truck manufacturer with a plant in Rosslyn, we are pleased to see that the plan, announced by Trade and Industry Minister Rob Davies, aims to strengthen the government’s support of the South African automotive industry.”