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The recent strikes in the automotive and component sectors continues to have an impact on the industry.
The National Association of Automobile Manufacturers of South Africa says the impact was felt the most in vehicle exports.
"After four years of growth in the domestic market, aggregate new vehicle sales had continued to show lower growth momentum in recent months. In the event, year to date domestic sales showed an improvement of 3.9% compared to the corresponding ten months of 2012. Aggregate Industry sales of 56 927 units for October, 2013 reflected a decline of 2.9% or 1 704 vehicles from the 58 631 units sold in October last year," Naamsa said.
It says overall, out of the total reported Industry sales of 56 927 vehicles, about 45 692 units or 80.1% represented dealer sales, 12.9% represented sales to the vehicle rental Industry, 3.8% to Industry corporate fleets and 3.2% to government.
"During October, 2013 a total of 40 102 new cars were sold which represented a decline of 1 860 units or fall of 4.4% compared to the 41 962 new cars sold in October last year. The car rental industry had contributed positively to the October sales numbers and accounted for 17.4% of new cars sold during the month."
"Domestic sales of industry new light commercial vehicles, bakkies and mini buses at 14 125 units during October, 2013 reflected a marginal improvement of 24 units or 0.2% compared to the 14 101 light commercial vehicles sold during the corresponding month last year."
"Sales of vehicles in the medium and heavy truck segments of the Industry at 996 units and 1 704 units, respectively, had recorded an increase of 95 units or 10.5% in the case of medium commercial vehicles, and an increase of 37 units or 2.2% in the case of heavy trucks and buses - compared to the corresponding month last year."
