Industry new vehicle retail sales in South Africa for the month of December, as reported by the National Association of Automobile Manufacturers of South Africa (NAAMSA), came in at 45,814 units.
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Total South African new vehicle retail sales rose more than 25% in 2005, ending at 565,018 units, an all-time record for the South African motor industry.
Ford posted its best December result in the past 24 years, with sales of 4,818 units, its highest figure since 1981, when sales reached 5,631.
Ford brand sales for 2005 increased 31.8% over 2004, with 51,517 units sold compared to 39,087 in 2004.
“We are delighted with Ford’s success in 2005,” said Nigel Harris, Ford’s local head of marketing and sales. “Although the industry as a whole is growing, trading conditions are still extremely competitive with a greater variety of models now on offer.”
Ford’s established Fiesta, Bantam, Ranger and Focus all enjoyed “record beating success” during the year while the arrival of the Ka late in the year boosted numbers.
“Thanks in large part to the expansion of small and medium business sectors the light commercial vehicle segment showed sales improvements of 26% in 2005,” noted Harris.
“Overall, 2006 should be another very strong year for the South African automotive industry and similarly for Ford. The positive growth trend in South African new vehicle sales that we have been experiencing over recent years is set to continue in 2006, albeit at a more subdued pace,” he added.
