FORD MOTOR COMPANY OF SOUTHERN AFRICA’S RESPONSE
According to the National Association of Automobile Manufacturers of SA (NAAMSA) new vehicles sales are continuing to struggle as economic pressures persist. NAAMSA reported that 46 677 units were sold in April this year. This represents a 10.5% decrease on March’s sales and a drop of 4% when compared to sales in April ‘07.
“April is traditionally a slow selling month thanks to the various public holidays and school holidays which fall in this period. However, this year we are also faced with continually increasing interest rates and mounting fuel costs,” explains Jacques Brent, Vice President Sales and Marketing, Ford Motor Company of Southern Africa.
Passenger vehicles accounted for 27 353 units while the remaining 19 324 vehicles sold were light, medium and heavy commercial vehicles.
Ford Motor Company of Southern Africa retailed 4 913 units slightly up on April 2007 figures. Passenger vehicles accounted for 2 623 sales while 2 289 commercial vehicle units were sold. The Mazda2 remains the companies top selling passenger model with 633 units sold while the Ford Focus was the top selling Ford passenger vehicle at 309 units. Once again the Bantam topped Ford’s commercial vehicle sales charts with 1 021 units sold.
“It was a tough first quarter for the motor industry, with April continuing this trend,” continues Brent. “Thanks to rising interest rates and escalating fuel costs many consumers are exercising caution. It is likely that the declining trend in vehicle sales will continue for the remainder of the year.”