The Automotive Business Council (Naamsa) expects the South African automotive industry’s business conditions to improve over the next six months, especially in the new vehicles market.
South Africa’s domestic car sales increased by 197.8pc in May to 38,337 units compared to 12,874 units in the same month last year, Naamsa indicated. The country’s export sales also grew by 196.8pc to 35,326 units last month from 11,901 units in May 2020. In the first five months of the year, the country’s vehicle exports rose by 67.2pc compared to January-May 2020.
New passenger car sales increased by 169pc to 24,122 units in May compared to 8,966 units on an annual basis and light commercial vehicle sales grew by 288.5pc to 11,930 units from 3,071 units in the same timeframe.
Sales of medium commercial vehicles grew by 84.5pc to 559 units last month compared to May 2020 while heavy truck sales surged by 223.2pc to 1,726 units over the same period, Naamsa reported.