January vehicle sales up 14.1%

The new passenger car market improved by 12.3% or 39‚738 units‚ supported by strong demand from the car rental industry‚ which accounted for 22.5% of the total sales.

Recent rand weaknesses would have contributed to pre-emptive buying by consumers to avoid higher new vehicle prices‚ the association said.

Sales of new light commercial vehicles‚ bakkies and mini buses rose by 20% to 13‚346 from 11‚120 a year ago.

Sales of medium commercial vehicles rose 10.6% to 700 units‚ while heavy trucks and buses were up 15.5% to 1‚223 units compared with the previous year.

Exports of South African-produced motor vehicles were up 49.9% to 17‚399 units compared with 11‚605 vehicles in January last year. Naamsa said the momentum of vehicle exports was expected to improve this year and particularly for light commercial vehicles.

"Despite indications of slower growth in the economy‚ the performance of the South African automotive sector continued to grow. The overall near term outlook for the automotive sector remained reasonably positive‚" it said.