The recently revised VW Polo Vivo surged to the top of the sales charts in September, with 4263 sold. Johannesburg – While the economic storm clouds continue to hover ominously over South Africa, the country’s new vehicle sales numbers for September were a
certain silver lining, with above-expected increases in both domestic and export numbers. In fact, exports jumped by a whopping 258 percent to 30 778 units, although that number is skewed by last year’s strikes and a general increase, this year, in production and international demand.
Local sales surged 11 . 5 p e r c e n t o v e r September 2013, with a total of 60 854 new vehicles finding homes. 74.5 percent took place through the dealers while 17.3 percent were gobbled up by rental companies, 4.1 percent by corporate fleets and 4.1 percent by government. The rental market made a near record contribution, accounting for 23.5 percent of all passenger cars sold. In fact September was the first month this year
in which passenger car sales actually increased year-on-year. Besides the rental contribution, Naamsa attributes the increase to attractive incentive packages, replacement demand and general pre-emptive buying ahead of further anticipated randinduced price increases.
Howev e r t h a t , along with lower economic growth and the likelihood of higher interest rates coming soon, would likely keep the market under strain for the rest of 2014, Naamsa warned. (IOLMotoring)
TOP 10 SELLERS – SEPTEMBER 2014
1. VW Polo Vivo
– 4263
2. Toyota Hilux –
3907
3. Ford Ranger –
2629
4. Toyota Corolla/
Auris/Quest – 2320
5. VW Polo – 2152
6. Toyota Etios –
1705
7. Nissan NP200
– 1595
8 . M e r c e d e s
C-Class – 1535
9. Ford Figo – 1511
1 0 . C h e v r o l e t
Utility – 1334