New vehicle sales poised to tumble further

JOHANNESBURG – New vehicle sales are set to tumble further in April after recording a dramatic 29.7percent year-on-year fall in March – ahead of more lockdown days that had confined consumers to their homes and dealerships closed as the government battles to limit the spread of coronavirus (Covid-19) in the country.

Figures from the National Association of Automobile Manufacturers of South Africa (Naamsa) yesterday showed that manufacturers only sold 33545 units in March compared to 47695 during the corresponding period last year.

WesBank marketing head Lebogang Gaoaketse said yesterday that April sales were likely to worsen as consumers continued to stay home and only essential services were delivered from dealer workshops.

“The emergence of the pandemic around the world had already impacted consumer sentiment earlier in the month, contributing also to the significant fall off in sales already experienced in March,” Gaoaketse said.

The entire domestic motor industry, in line with many global counterparts, has suspended vehicle production in view of the nationwide lockdown since March 27.