Ford Motor Company of Southern Africa’s response
JOHANNESBURG – 04 October 2010 – South Africa’s new car market consolidated its position during September according to figures released by the National Association of Automobile Manufacturers of SA (Naamsa).
September sales were 16,6% ahead year on year, but 9,5% slower than the booming August numbers. August sales were the best they had been since July 2008.
“The slowdown in sales month on month in September indicates that the acceleration of purchase decisions made during August ahead of the Emissions Tax was a real factor,” says Vice President Marketing, Sales and Service, Dean Stoneley. “The decision by the Reserve Bank to cut interest rates another 0.5% during September will have gone some way to countering the increases in prices necessitated by the CO2 tax, and hopefully this will continue to stimulate the market during the last quarter.” Interest rates are at their lowest level since August 1979.
Although passenger car sales slowed 10.5% on August, September sales for the segment were up 26% on the same month last year. Light Commercial Vehicles were harder hit, however, slowing 5,8% year on year.
Medium, Heavy and Extra Heavy Commercial Vehicles, as well as Buses, recorded double digit growth year on year, only Heavy Commercials sales decreasing over the previous month.
Ford Motor Company of Southern Africa (FMCSA) out performed the market trend with passenger car sales being up by 37,7% on September 2009 versus the market increase of 26%. Sales were driven by a strong sales month for both Fiesta (607 units) and Figo (798) maintaining their positions in the Top 10 selling passenger cars.
“The stronger than expected August sales created pressure on stock volumes for the industry during September,” says Stoneley. “Combined with the significant knock-on effects of the industrial action experienced during the month, these factors certainly affected September sales and will continue to be felt in October’s numbers.”
TOP PERFORMING NEW PASSENGER VEHICLES September 2010
-
TOYOTA Corolla 1 455
-
CHEV Spark 1 390
-
VW POLO Vivo 1 255
-
MERCEDES C-Class 1 214
-
FORD Figo 798
-
BMW 3-Series 735
-
VW Polo Vivo Sedan 684
-
TOYOTA Fortuner 677
-
CHEV Aveo 631
-
FORD Fiesta 607
TOP PERFORMING NEW LIGHT COMMERCIAL VEHICLES September 2010
-
TOYOTA Hilux 2 033
-
CHEV Corsa Utility 1 177
-
TOYOTA Quantum 967
-
ISUZU KB 904
-
NISSAN NP300 Hardbody 816
-
NISSAN NP200 684
-
FORD Ranger 547
-
FORD Bantam 501
-
NISSAN Navara 437
-
TOYOTA Landcruiser PU 243
Source: Naamsa
