NOVEMBER 2011 CAR SALES: TOYOTA AND VW RULE

The South African car industry looks poised to hit close to the 600 000 mark by the end of the year, if indications from November sales are anything to test the air by. A total of 526 223 cars have been sold this year so far, while last month 49 499 units went off the sales floors.

There has been a flurry of activity in new cars launched this year, a lot of which were small, some being very fuel efficient. This has become quite a consideration in the current climate (so to speak) of high fuel prices, and of course C02 emissions. This is what some of the leading players had to say:

Malcolm Gauld, GM’s Vice President, Sales and Marketing: “We go into December with year-to-date industry sales volume of 526 223 vehicles representing growth of 16% over the same period last year. The optimistic number of 570 000 units in total for the year may still be achievable if the sales momentum of the past three months is carried through into December.” 

Volkswagen SA Sales and Marketing Director, Mike Glendinning: “As 2011 draws to a close, the new passenger car market continues to be supported by declining real new car prices (falling by a significant 4.6% in October), low interest rates and low debt servicing costs, a highly competitive trading environment and ongoing new model introductions.”

Ford Motor Company SA’s Vice President Marketing, Sales and Service, Dean Stoneley: “FMCSA results showed resilience and our planning has weathered all. Our systems and processes have stood up to the test, our team has toiled to our benefit, and our sales have remained strong as a result.”

Here’s a list of the Top Selling Passenger Cars of November 2011

1.      Volkswagen Polo Vivo (1 757)

2.      Toyota Corolla (1 623)

3.      Volkswagen Polo (1 577)

4.      Toyota Fortuner (1 222)

5.      Chevrolet Aveo (992)

6.      Ford Figo (965)

7.      BMW 3 Series (825)

8.      Mercedes-Benz C-Class (825)

9.      Toyota Yaris (789)

10.   Nissan Micra (658)

Here’s a list of the Top Selling Commercial Vehicles of November 2011

1.      Toyota Hilux (4 335)

2.      Chevrolet Corsa Utility (1 528)

3.      Toyota Quantum (1 210)

4.      Isuzu KB (1 099)

5.      Nissan NP 200 (1 096)

6.      Nissan NP 300 (814)

7.      Ford Bantam (760)

8.      Volkswagen Amarok (555)

9.      Ford Ranger (372)

10.   Mazda BT-50 (352)