Reflecting on the new vehicle sales statistics for the month of November 2020 naamsa said that, although the gradual monthly gains in sales growth by volume in the new vehicle market continued during the month, the year-to-date situation remained depressed. Aggregate domestic sales at 39 315 units reflected a decline of 5 355 units, or 12,0%, from the 44 670 vehicles sold in November last year.
The trend was mirrored by export sales at 31 966 units which also declined by 2 622 units, or 7,6%, compared to the 34 588 vehicles exported in November 2019. The performance for the year to date now reflected a fall of 122 987 vehicles, or 32,9% compared to the level of the same period last year.
Notwithstanding a solid monthly performance, exports of South African manufactured vehicles remained in arrears as a second-wave lockdown in major markets impact on consumer behaviour and demand. Vehicle exports are important to the viability of the domestic automotive industry.
In 2019, the record 387 125 left and right-hand drive vehicles exported supported record vehicle production of 631 983 vehicles as well as employment gains in the vehicle manufacturing side of the industry. For the year to date, vehicle exports, however, are still 32,9% below the level of the same period last year.
Download the full NAAMSA media release below as well as the November 2020 Industry New Vehicle Sales.
IMPORTANT ANNOUNCEMENT
The implementation date of the Automotive Production Development Programme (APDP2) Phase 2 will officially start on 1 July 2021 and the draft documents that give effect to this change will be published before the end of this year.