The official local body representing new vehicle manufacturers, Naamsa (National Association of Automobile Manufacturers of South Africa), has released its latest vehicle sales figures. These figures reveal which were the best selling cars in South Africa during June 2013.

According to Naamsa, the local automotive sector had managed to register modest growth on a year-on-year basis, thanks to aggregate industry sales of 53 562 units for June. This resulted in an increase of 3.3%, or 1690 vehicles, from the 51 872 units sold during June last year.

Surprisingly, vehicle export sales dipped by a significant 10.6% (or 2864 units) in terms of volume. The automotive body did point out that the industry remains on target for new vehicle export growth of approximately 15% in volume terms for this year.

A closer look at the new vehicle sales

At 45 467 units, dealer sales came to nearly 85% of the total number of industry sales, whilst sales to the car rental industry amounted to 8% of the overall industry sales figure. The rest of the total industry car sales were to government (2.6%) and industry corporate fleets (4.5%).

Top performing: New passenger vehicles - June 2013

Model                                            Volume

1. VW Polo Vivo                            2 685

2. VW Polo                                     2 293

3. Toyota Etios                              1 644

4. Toyota Corolla                          1 554

5. Mercedes-Benz C-Class        1 274

6. BMW 3-Series                          1 194

7. Ford Figo                                   1 184

8. VW Polo Vivo Sedan                996

9. Toyota Fortuner                         915

10. Ford Fiesta                              685

Top performing: New light commercial vehicles - June 2013

Model                                                 Volume

1. Toyota Hilux                                    3 070

2. Nissan NP200                               1 682

3. Chevrolet Utility                              1 671

4. Ford Ranger                                   1 627

5. Isuzu KB                                          1 012

6. Toyota Quantum                             903

7. Nissan NP300 Hardbody             600

8. VW Amarok                                      430

9. VW Caddy                                        268    

10. Landcruiser PU                            191

Calvyn Hamman, senior VP of Sales and Marketing at Toyota South Africa Motors stated: “The level of competition in the South African market is extremely fierce. Some vehicle manufacturers purchased a great number of their own vehicles for their staff and marketing purposes, thereby artificially stimulating sales.”

Hamman added, “Economic growth, the household debt-to-income ratio and general debt levels all point to a slowdown in the market with limited momentum available to push further growth. We will see an increase in purchases by government institutions and vehicle rental groups towards the end of the third quarter, but that will not be enough to push monthly sales back into double digit growth.”

In other motoring related news, Renault South Africa recently expanded its 2013 Fluence range with the introduction of the new Fluence Dynamique 2.0 litre sedan, which boasts a continuously variable transmission (CVT).