The National Association of Automobile Manufacturers of South Africa (Naamsa) has released new vehicle sales figures for October 2020, with aggregate sales marginally higher than in the previous month.

According to the Naamsa, 38 752 new vehicles were sold in Mzansi last month, which represents the 4thconsecutive month of sales growth by volume since the easing of the nationallockdown in response to the Covid-19 pandemic, albeit that it is 25.4% lower than October last year.

Although market volume increased by 1 516 units over September, sales were relatively worse off in October year-on-year. September sales were down 23.9% by comparison. Segment performance faired more evenly, however.

Passenger car sales were 25.4% down on October 2019 to 26 793 units, a relatively better performance than in September. Light Commercial Vehicle (LCV) sales were down 27.8% to 9 644 units compared to October 2019, and a September performance that was only down 8.2%.

Passenger-car market rebounds

Retailers of passenger cars will have welcomed the consumer demand lifting their market performance to a 7.3% decrease year-on-year. However, LCV sales tumbled 30.7% in the same channel during October.

The October sales results pushed the market through the 300 000-vehicle markto 303 997 units year-to-date. Soberingly, this is almost 150 000 units less than the same period last year (32.5% down).

“Combined with low interest rates, banks’ lending appetites have supported this market growth. However, levels of sales and levels of demand seemingly don’t correlate,” says Lebogang Gaoaketse, head of marketing and communication at WesBank Vehicle and Asset Finance. “Market activity as measured by finance applications indicate a demand for vehicle finance at levels only marginally lower than October last year.”

This demand is also not unduly different year-on-year in terms of demand for finance for either new or used vehicles, WesBank noted.

Top-Selling Vehicles in SA:October 2020

VW Polo Vivo –2259units

Ford Ranger – 2 203units

VW Polo–2195units

Toyota Hilux– 1 390units

Toyota Fortuner– 1 349units

Top-Selling Brands (Passenger Vehicles) in SA:October2020

Volkswagen – 6063units

Toyota–5755units

Hyundai– 2479units

Suzuki – 1963units

Renault– 1671units

Top-Selling Brands(Overall) in SA:October 2020

Toyota –8859units

Volkswagen –5771units

Ford – 3 738units

Hyundai – 2 781units

Nissan – 2 365units

Outlook for November 2020

“We expect interest rates to remain low for quite some time as Government continues to make every attempt to stimulate the economy,” says Gaoaketse. “This continues to provide a good opportunity to purchase a vehicle at some of the most affordable lending rates.”

However, WesBank warned that demand in the new vehicle market may be waning off the back of Covid-19 as consumers simply have less need for mobility, never mind the affordability implications.

“With fuel sales down between 20% and 25% and public transport demand around 30% lower, consumers are simply moving around less,” says Gaoaketse. He went on to say that the mobility element of household budgets may be shifting more towards property investment as the housing market picks up, thanks to low interest rates and the rising need to work from home.