March sales figures across the commercial range were according to NAAMSA in line with expectations.

Sales of new light commercial vehicles, bakkies and mini buses at 14794 units during March, 2013 showed an increase of 189 units or 1,3% compared to the 14605 light commercial vehicles sold during the corresponding month last year.

Sales of vehicles in the medium and heavy truck segments of the Industry at 1015 units and 1541 units, respectively, had recorded an increase of 32 units or 3,3% in the case of medium commercial vehicles, and a decline of 27 units or 1,7% in the case of heavy trucks and buses, compared to the corresponding month last year.

The total export market showed an increase of 18.2% or 4370 units compared to the same time in 2012 and this is expected to improve during 2013 as the exporting of commercial vehicles are expected to increase substantially.

NAAMSA states there are a number of factors that should assist with future sales of vehicles including the low interest rate environment, continued strong replacement demand, a highly competitive trading environment with attractive incentives, low debt servicing costs and high tech new model introductions.

In future, South African automotive industry new vehicle sales and export sales data will be compiled, verified and administered by RGT SMART and, after publication of the data on the website of the Department of Trade & Industry, the sales information will be released for public consumption without any embargo.  This arrangement has enabled Mercedes-Benz SA (Pty) Ltd to resume full sales reporting and the industry’s automotive sales data base has been updated with Mercedes-Benz sales figures retrospective to December, 2011.