CAR SALES ON THE UP IN MAY

Mzansi buyers continue to slurp up new cars like they were being offered on a 2-for-one special. Why, just last month (May 2012) sales of new motor vehicles went up by 20.7% compared to May 2011, and 17.8% over April. Granted April traditionally sees fewer buyers’ feet in showrooms because of the public holidays, but still, the figures are encouraging. At least for those of us who detest public transport.

If you are just interested in the figures, skip to the last phase. Otherwise, here’s some notes from the car manufacturers themselves.

Dr Johan van Zyl, President and CEO of Toyota SA said : “The budget sector of the motor industry has grown significantly over the past few years. It remains fuelled by increasing pressure on living costs and lingering economic uncertainty. We believe that the market will remain the main driver for passenger vehicle sales going forward and we look forward to participate in that market with the new Etios.”

“The passenger car market in May 2012 performed above expectation. From the perspective of the seasonal pattern of demand for new passenger cars in South Africa, May is usually relatively quite. The month recorded the highest selling rate of new cars per day since June 2007. It continued a slow but steady improvement in the underlying momentum in demand that has been evident in the first months of 2012,” said Mike Glendinning, Director: Sales and Marketing, Volkswagen Group South Africa.

“Consumer confidence appears to be good,” Ford General Manager: Sales, Rob Crouse said. “The volatile petrol price will fall in the consumer’s favour again this month, which should translate into consistent new vehicle demand in a generally-improving economy.”

The cars which were mostly favoured by the buying public are:

Best-selling passenger cars

Model                                                      Sales
1.    Volkswagen Polo Vivo hatch         2 187
2.    Volkswagen Polo                            1 943
3.    Toyota Etios                                    1 315
4.    Ford Figo                                         1 107
5.    Toyota Fortuner                               1 021
6.    BMW 3 Series                                   859
7.    Toyota Corolla                                   697
8.    Volkswagen Golf                               624
9.    Toyota Yaris                                       618
10.  Volkswagen Polo Vivo sedan          602

Best-selling light commercial vehicles

Model                                                  Sales
1. Toyota Hilux                                     2 613
2. Chevrolet Utility                               1 891
3. Nissan NP200                                 1 852
4. Ford Ranger                                    1 593
5. Isuzu KB                                           1 128
6. Toyota Quantum                              1 102
7. Nissan NP300 Hardbody                  553
8. Volkswagen Amarok                         249
9. Toyota Land Cruiser Pick Up           217
10. Volkswagen Caddy                         183