NAAMSA released statistics on new vehicle sales for May 2007 on the 4th June 2007.  A detailed PDF document can be downloaded by clicking this link: NEW_VEHICLE_SALES_MAY_2007.

NAAMSA press release: 

In amplification of the new vehicle sales statistics for the month of May, 2007 - released today by the National Association of Automobile Manufacturers of South Africa (NAAMSA) - the Association commented that the May, 2007 new vehicle sales had improved substantially, in all four sectors compared to the previous month of April, 2007.  On a year on year basis, the trend of the past four months had continued during May, 2007 with the new car market showing further consolidation and new commercial vehicle sales, as expected, gaining further strong growth. An improvement in the functionality of the e-NaTIS new vehicle registration system, towards the end of May, 2007 had also had a positive influence.  In the event, aggregate new vehicle sales at 51 683 units had registered a decline of 891 vehicles or 1,7% compared to the 52 574 new vehicle sales of the corresponding month last year.  

On the back of continued high levels of economic activity, sales of new light commercial vehicles, bakkies and minibuses at 16 904 units during May, 2007 reflected an improvement of 2 278 units or 15,6% compared to the 14 626 unit sales of the corresponding month last year. 

Supported by strong private and public investment and infrastructural spending, sales of vehicles in the medium and heavy truck segments of the industry had continued to reflect strong upward momentum and the May, 2007 sales at 1 391 units and 1 898 units, respectively, had recorded an improvement of 84    units or 6,4% in the case of medium commercials, and a substantial 302 units or 18,9%, in the case of heavy trucks and buses - compared to the corresponding month last year. 

May, 2007 aggregate new vehicle export sales at 14 787 units had shown an improvement of 688    vehicles or 4,9% from the 14 099 vehicles exported during the corresponding month last year.  Export sales for the first five months of 2007 showed moderate improvement.

Whilst the general economic outlook remains largely positive - a number of recent negative economic developments clouded the short term outlook for the new vehicle market.  Higher than projected inflation data (both consumer price and production price above average increases), rapid growth in M3 and credit extension to the private sector and a deteriorating trade deficit - were likely to lead to further interest rate increases.  This would further moderate consumer demand and lead to further consolidations specifically in new car sales.  New commercial vehicle sales were however expected to remain strong.

NAAMSA OFFICES : PRETORIA                                                            4^th June, 2007