Although South Africa’s new vehicle market was up over last year in the month of September, the month’s sales marked a reversal of a recent uptick and reflected the impact of recent strikes.

September vehicle sales were 16.6% ahead of last year, but 9.5% below booming August numbers. August vehicle sales were the best South Africa has had since July 2008, boosted by sales brought forward ahead of a new carbon tax.

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The National Association of Automobile Manufacturers of South Africa (NAAMSA) said that new vehicle sales had ‘lost considerable momentum’ during the month due to strike action in the motor industry which had negatively affected the production of locally manufactured cars and light commercial vehicles.

Vehicle sales in September reached 41,875 units, 16.6% ahead of the same month last year. In August a year-on-year increase of almost 37% was recorded.

New car sales reached 29,993 units in September, 26% ahead of September 2009 (but 10.5% below August sales). The car market was impacted by growing stock shortages as a result of industrial action. The dampened the expected surge in sales through the availability of dealer inventory which is not yet liable for the upcoming carbon emissions tax – which will raise new car prices by 2.5% on average.

South Africa’s vehicle exports were also hit in September by the strikes. Exports at 12,530 vehicles were 10.3% off of last year. However, NAAMSA said that the resumption of production in the component and vehicle manufacturing sectors should enable manufacturers to boost output for export markets over the balance of the year.

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