Ed Richardson
EXPORTS OF South African produced motor vehicles increased by 16,3% in January 2001 compared with January 2000.
This strong growth is likely to have a positive effect on the South African gross domestic product (GDP). Statistics South Africa reports that the benefits of motor vehicle exports and stronger local sales were felt in 2000, when real GDP rose by 3,1%.
A total of 68 031 vehicles was exported during the year.
The annual real value added by the manufacturing industry for 2000 increased by 3,6% compared with 1999.
This is the ninth consecutive positive quarterly annualised growth rate recorded in the manufacturing industry.
It is also the largest quarterly annualised growth rate since the fourth quarter of 1999.
The National Association of Automobile Manufacturers of South Africa (Naamsa) reports that car exports were up in January to 3 183 units compared to 2494 in the same month of 2000. These reflect the supply by Volkswagen South Africa, BMW and DaimlerChrysler to markets in Europe, Australia and the east.
However light commercial exports which are focused mainly on the rest of Africa, dropped from 663 to 491. Those of medium commercials and heavy trucks and buses rose marginally, from 19 to 20.
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