The National Association of Automobile Manufacturers of SA (NAAMSA) have said following the August sales figures that new vehicle sales were largely in line with industry expectations.

Sales of industry new light commercial vehicles, bakkies and mini buses at 14 376 units during August, 2013 reflected an increase of 726 units or 5,3% compared to the 13 650 light commercial vehicles sold during the corresponding month last year.

Sales of vehicles in the medium and heavy truck segments of the Industry at 1 038 units and 1 809  units, respectively, had recorded an increase of 201  units or 24,0% in the case of medium commercial vehicles, and an increase of 405 units or 28,8% in the case of heavy trucks and buses – compared to the corresponding month last year.

Stated NAAMSA, “The excellent performance in sales of light, medium and heavy trucks suggested higher levels of investment spending in the economy and was in part related to infrastructural development projects. “

Commenting on the current strike NAAMSA stated that the full negative impact would be reflected in the September domestic sales and particularly on industry export numbers.