Vehicle export volumes expected to accelerate

Vehicle exports ED RICHARDSON VEHICLE EXPORTS from South Africa managed to hold their own against a strong rand and global recession in the auto industry during 2003. According to the National Association of Automobile Manufacturers of South Africa (Naamsa), exports are expected to have grown by just over one per cent - from 108 293 in 2001, 125 306 in 2002 to 127050 in 2003. Volumes are expected to accelerate this year. “Whilst the strength of the rand impacted negatively on SA auto industry vehicle exports in 2003, the recovery in the global economy is expected to support vehicle export business in 2004 with aggregate industry exports projected to rise to about 138000 units for the year,” says Naamsa in its comment on vehicle sales for 2003. A further boost to the local industry should come from demand at home.