Record car sales
2006-01-19
THE South African motor industry can reflect on a job well done for 2005 with all time record sales for the year.
NAAMSA reported sales, those reported by major vehicle manufacturers in South Africa, are up 25,7% over 2004, a year that many considered a bumper year just twelve months ago.
December sales of 45 814 units were 28,2% up on the same month in 2004 indicating the vibrant state of the economy at year end.
“Vehicle sales are a prime indicator of economic activity and the 26% growth in the market achieved in 2005 is a function of a stable economy that is conducive to expansion in consumer spending patterns,” says Johan van Zyl, President and CEO of Toyota South Africa.
“Pricing stability, added value, and aggressive marketing with numerous new models announced during the course of the year are features of an extremely competitive new vehicle sales environment that has benefited vehicle buyers with real price (value) deflation evident in the market.
“Total NAAMSA reported sales of 565 018 units represent a stunning achievement by the local industry to cope with a dramatic increase in demand without sacrificing service levels.
“This performance has lifted the industry to a new level 25% ahead of the previous best annual sales of 453 541 units achieved in 1981. If one takes into account second tier sales, those of importers that do not provide detailed reporting through NAAMSA then the total number of new vehicles delivered in the past year is over 617 000.
“Confidence in the economy and the impact of cheaper vehicle finance has brought both corporate and private buyers into the market.
“Sales of light and medium commercial vehicles indicate strong expansion in the small and medium business sectors. Light commercial sales are up 26% for the year while medium truck sales grew by just short of 42%. Heavy truck sales are up by 39% for the year.
“Looking ahead through 2006 there is continued potential for growth in the vehicle market, but at a slower pace than experienced in 2005.
"Growth of between 5 and 10% over 2005 should be achievable taking NAAMSA reported sales into the range of 600 000 to 620 000 for the year.
"Factors that will support this growth are continuing strong economic fundamentals and a high level of marketing activity with a flood of new vehicles expected.”
Toyota’s position of enduring overall market leadership remained unchallenged in 2005. The company recorded its best ever single month sales performance of 12 167 units in August on its way to a new record for single year sales of 125 695.
A new single year production record was set as well with 125 000 new Toyotas produced at the Prospecton factory during the year.
Some 21 000 of these were export units, mostly the new Hilux light commercial with export production coming fully on stream in September ahead of the European launch of this product in October.
A highlight for the company was the launch of the Yaris in November.
This exciting new small car expanded Toyota’s product representation into a new area and was met with enthusiasm.
Just short of 4 500 of these newcomers were delivered in November and December to set new records for deliveries of any new model nameplate in South Africa.
The Corolla continued to lead the way in passenger vehicle sales with 39 284 sales for the year. The Hilux proved just as popular to head sales in the light commercial market with 27 675 sales for the year, sufficient to rank it as the fourth most popular vehicle in South Africa for the year.
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