GMSA ranked third amongst local OEMs with 6 133 sales for 11% market share
- Chevrolet Aveo ranked 8th in passenger vehicle sales with 800 units for month
- Expanded Chevrolet Sonic range grows sales in small car segment
- High demand for Chevrolet Utility translates into 1 708 sales
- Isuzu KB continues to re-establish share growth following production disruptions
- GMSA ranked number two in light commercial vehicle sales
General Motors South Africa recorded total sales of 6 133 vehicles for its Chevrolet, Opel and Isuzu ranges for the month of March. This gives the company a market share of just on 11% for the month with total vehicle sales recorded by NAAMSA of 56 110 units.
The Chevrolet Aveo, GMSA’s budget offering in the ‘B’ segment of the market achieved sales of 800 units in eighth position on the top ten passenger vehicle sales log. The Sonic, Chevrolet’s latest generation hatch and sedan model in the ‘B’ segment achieved sales of 455 units in the first month of full range availability. In the light commercial sector high demand for the new Chevrolet Utility resulted in sales of 1 708 units.
“March vehicle sales reported by NAAMSA show welcome continued growth in the industry, albeit at a slightly restrained pace than in recent months,” says Malcolm Gauld, GMSA’s Vice President of Sales and Marketing. “The total of 56 110 deliveries for the month was up by 2 552 units or 4,8% compared to March 2011, marginally below industry growth forecasts for the year but still very in positive territory with year on year growth up 6% for the first quarter of 2012.
“We had 21 selling days in March compared to 22 in the same month last year with an increase in the daily sales rate from 2 574 to 2 671 an important indicator of support from the private sector. Conversely sales in the Rental and Government channels were lower than in March 2011.
“Demand for passenger vehicles remained strong through March, supported by new model activity and promotional campaigns at dealer level. Light commercial vehicle sales were however 7,5% lower than the same month last year. This is a sector that should be closely monitored over the coming months to ascertain whether this is as a result of sales being brought forward in March last year in the wake of Japanese tsunami related supply concerns.
“Going forward government’s increased focus on infrastructure development is likely, over a more long-term period, to have a positive influence on the light commercial vehicle and truck segments of the market.”
“The continued stability in the interest rate and a relatively low cost of finance are positives for the industry as is the continued stability of the rand. On the negative side are continued cost pressures on fuel and the inevitable introduction of road tolls on the Gauteng highway system.”
