South African new vehicle sales declined by 30.3% to 40,395 units in August compared to the same month last year, the National Association of Automobile Manufacturers (NAAMSA) has said.

Discover B2B Marketing That Performs

Combine business intelligence and editorial excellence to reach engaged professionals across 36 leading media platforms.

Find out more


New car sales in August reached 25,304 units, a decline of 32.9% on the same month last year.


NAAMSA said in a statement that for the rest of the year new vehicle sales were likely to remain under pressure as a result of the cumulative impact of interest rate rises, inflationary pressures, high levels of personal debt and lower economic activity levels.


However, it also said that existing vehicle export contracts would continue to lend support to domestic vehicle and component manufacturing activities.


During August the industry’s new vehicle exports maintained strong momentum with some 27,078 new vehicles exported – a gain of 73.8% on last year.

GlobalData Strategic Intelligence

US Tariffs are shifting - will you react or anticipate?

Don’t let policy changes catch you off guard. Stay proactive with real-time data and expert analysis.

By GlobalData

Vehicle exports for 2008 as a whole are projected by NAAMSA to reach 285 000 units.

Just Auto Excellence Awards - The Benefits of Entering

Gain the recognition you deserve! The Just Auto Excellence Awards celebrate innovation, leadership, and impact. By entering, you showcase your achievements, elevate your industry profile, and position yourself among top leaders driving automotive industry advancements. Don’t miss your chance to stand out—submit your entry today!

Nominate Now