New vehicle sales surge 6.2% in July in ‘encouraging turnaround’
The industry sold 30,826 cars last month, with vehicle exports leaping 22.2% compared to the same period in 2016
Local and export sales of new vehicles surged in July, bringing respite to motor companies for which 2017 has mostly been a difficult year. A 6.2% increase in new car sales in July was an "encouraging turnaround", the National Association of Automobile Manufacturers (Naamsa) said on Tuesday. The motor industry sold 30,826 cars last month, compared to 29,035 in the same month a year earlier. As a result, sales for the first seven months of 2017 narrowed the deficit on the corresponding 2016 period to 1%, from 207,601 compared to 209,673. There’s even less of a gap to bridge in the overall new vehicle market, which includes trucks and buses. Figures from the department of trade and industry show that total sales last month grew 4.1%, from 44,870 to 46,719. Consequently, aggregate sales for the first seven months are only 0.3% behind 2016 at 316,386 compared to 317,234.a Cars, however, must take most of the credit. Light commmercials, mainly bakkies, improved 1.7% in July but heavier t...
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