The National Association of Automobile Manufacturers of South Africa (Naamsa) said that the April new vehicle sales figures were not a surprise and were expected.
“The 98.4% drop in new vehicle sales is a true reflection of the South Africa economy at the back of a 35-day hard lockdown where economic activity was not possible because the country prudently elected to support the imperative to contain the Covid-19 virus and save lives”, said Michael Mabasa, Naamsa CEO.
Vehicle and automotive component production, as the bedrock of the country’s manufacturing sector, will gradually ease back into production because vehicle production will resume under strict risk-adjusted measures, hygiene and social distancing requirements stipulated in the regulations to ensure the safety of all employees, customers, suppliers and of everyone who access the sector.
New vehicle sales statistics for April 2020 reflect the expected decline of 98.4% (36 213 units) from the 36 787 vehicles sold in April last year to the aggregate domestic sales of 574 units in April 2020.
Equally, export sales at 901 units also registered a huge fall of 31 928 units or a decline of 97.3% compared to the 32 829 vehicles exported in April last year.
Overall, of the total reported industry sales of 574 vehicles, an estimated 275 units or 47.9% represented dealer sales, 37.8% sales to government, an estimated 12.4% represented sales to the vehicle rental industry and 1.9% to industry corporate fleets.
The April 2020 the new passenger car market registered a decline of 24 877 cars or a fall of 99.6% to 105 units compared to the 24 982 new cars sold in April last year. Domestic sales of new light commercial vehicles, bakkies and mini-buses at 318 units during April 2020 recorded a significant decline of 9 494 units or a fall of 96.8% from the 9 812 light commercial vehicles sold during the corresponding month last year
