Naamsa has released the sales figures for November 2020

It reported that despite a slight growth in sales, the year-on-year numbers are still down by 12% compared with November 2019. This decline is mirrored in export sales recording a 7,7% lower rate. “Overall, out of the total reported industry sales of 39 315 vehicles, an estimated 33 547 units, or 85,3%, represented dealer sales, an estimated 8,0% represented sales to the vehicle rental industry, 3,9% sales to government, and 2,8% to industry corporate fleets,” it indicated. Passenger car sales, 25 707 units, declined by 5 696 cars, or 18,1%, compared to November 2019. “The car rental industry accounted for a sound 11,6% of car sales in November 2020. “Domestic sales of new light commercial vehicles, bakkies, and mini-buses, at 11 243 units during November had recorded a welcomed increase of 567 units, or a gain of 5,3%, from the 10 676 light commercial vehicles sold during the corresponding month last year.” The medium and heavy truck segments registered a decline of 9,5% for medium commercial vehicles and 8,4% in the case of heavy vehicles and buses. Export sales for November 2020 declined 7,6%. The year to date reflects a decline of 32,9% compared to 2019. Naamsa noted the small but steady recovery as a positive. “With low inflation, marketing incentives available on new vehicles as well as interest rates expected to remain low for quite some time, it is actually a good time to purchase a new vehicle.”