As of November 20, 2022, new vehicle sales at the National Association of Automobile Manufacturers of South Africa (Naamsa) increased 18.2% year-over-year despite a number of negative economic pressures, including the drastic increase in load shedding and the prolonged Covid lockdown in China.
Having contributed 4.3% to South Africa’s gross domestic product, the automotive industry exported 34,310 vehicles and automotive components in November 2022, an increase of 64.6% over the 20,831 cars exported in November 2021.
Naamsa said vehicle exports have exceeded the 300,000 target level for 2022 by 17.9% this year, reaching 326,516 units sold.
A relatively significant increase of 20.8% in year-on-year sales of new light commercial vehicles, bakkies and mini-buses was recorded by the association, which reported an increase of 2,323 units on November 20, 2021 to November 2022.
A solid performance was also demonstrated by the medium and heavy truck segments, with 900 and 2,177 units sold, respectively, during the month.
There were 134 more medium commercial vehicles sold, compared with 402 more heavy trucks and buses, representing a 17.5% and 22.6% growth, respectively.
49,413 vehicles were sold by the industry as a whole, including those sold by dealers, by rental companies, and by government and industry corporate fleets.