SECOND-BEST FOR GENERAL MOTORS SOUTH AFRICA

Of the NAAMSA reporters General Motors South Africa was ranked second overall with sales of 5 693 units, a 16.2% share of the NAAMSA reporters’ sales.
“There is little doubt that strike action within the motor industry will have inhibited sales of vehicles manufactured locally by the NAAMSA reporters,” says Malcolm Gauld, General Motors South Africa’s Vice President Sales and Marketing.

“This action, together with a degree of pre-emptive purchasing ahead of the introduction of the emissions tax on the 1st of September placed pressure on the inventory mix available to vehicle buyers and will have resulted in sales being held over.

“Despite the less than ideal stock position in the industry, buyer interest within the dealer channel remains high, supported by continued and intense new model activity. There was also ongoing support from the rental sector with some 4 500 units supplied to rental fleets during the month. This resulted in September being the ninth consecutive month of sales recovery in the industry.


“The further reduction in the interest rate is a positive for consumers but on its own might not provide the market boost that many expect.  There remains concern that the recovery in vehicle sales is still not entrenched and retains a degree of fragility. Consumers remain debt strapped and continue to look for support in the form of further interest rate relief.


“Year on year total vehicle sales of 365 155 for 2010 vs 2009 (including non-reporters) are up by 24% as at the end of September. It is expected that while growth over 2009 will be sustained there may be a tailing off in demand through the fourth quarter with 2010 ending up in the projected 18 to 20% growth range.”


September saw the Chevrolet Spark place its stamp on the small car sector with sales of 1 390 units for the month, a volume that saw this model range ranked third overall in the passenger vehicle market. Strong support for the Chevrolet Aveo continued with this model also ranking within the top ten for the month. The Cruze enjoyed another strong month with 530 sales.


In the light commercial vehicle sector GMSA was again ranked number two in the market with 2 135 sales. The star performer for GMSA was once again the Corsa Utility with 1 191 sales for its 66th month of sub 1-ton market leadership.  The Corsa Utility was South Africa’s second most popular light commercial vehicle overall in September.

STORY BY GM