New vehicle sales continue to shrink
While some growth is seen within the commercial vehicle segment, sales of passenger cars continue to decline.
June 2019 saw the sale of 45 939 units of which 36Â 992 units are dealer sales within the domestic market, this though is still 1.6 per cent less than in the same month last year. Export sales did increase by 14.3 per cent compared to June 2018. Of the total vehicle sales, the rental industry represents an estimated 12.5 per cent while the government contributed to 3.7 per cent and corporate fleets 3.4 per cent.
While the new passenger car market recorded a decline of 3.2 per cent, light commercial vehicles, bakkies and mini-buses sales saw a modest gain of 173 units or 1.2 per cent compared to June 2018. The medium truck segment added 115 units or an improvement of 16 per cent to the corresponding month in last year although the heavy trucks market recorded a 2.9 per cent decline.
For the year to date, the export market sees an increase of 19.3 per cent in the same period last year with 29Â 459 units going to international markets. In June alone export sales increase by 3Â 819 vehicles in comparison to last year. While a better second half of the year is expected for 2019, new vehicle sales remain weak because of the tough economic climate which is caused by low business and consumer confidence.
