Although new vehicle sales for May 2020 still reflects a substantial decline of 27 496 units or 68,0% from the 40 428 vehicles sold in May last year compared to the aggregate domestic sales of 12 932 units in May 2020, this was a noteworthy improvement from the April 2020 performance.
Similarly, although export sales, at 10 819 units, also registered a big fall of 19 333 units or a decline of 64,1% compared to the 30 152 vehicles exported in May last year, this was an improvement on April 2020 considering that many of the vehicle manufacturers will only commence production in June 2020.
Overall, out of the total reported industry sales of 12 932 vehicles, an estimated 11 289 units or 87,3% represented dealer sales, 7,9% sales to government, 2,9% to industry corporate fleets, and an estimated 1,9% represented sales to the vehicle rental industry.
The May 2020 new passenger car market had registered a substantial decline of 17 083 cars or a fall of 65,4% to 9 019 units compared to the 26 102 new cars sold in May last year.
Domestic sales of new light commercial vehicles, bakkies and mini-buses at 3 073 units during May 2020 had recorded a huge decline of 9 128 units or a fall of 74,8% from the 12 201 light commercial vehicles sold during the corresponding month last year.
Sales for medium and heavy truck segments of the industry also remained weak and at 304 units and 536 units, respectively, reflected a substantial decline of 379 vehicles or a fall of 55,5% in the case of medium commercial vehicles, and, in the case of heavy trucks and buses a huge decline of 906 vehicles or a fall of 62,8% compared to the corresponding month last year.
The performance of vehicle exports over the course of 2020 remains linked to the duration of the Covid-19 pandemic and its impact on the global economy. With all the OEMs gearing up for full production from 1 June 2020 onwards and with the domestic automotive industry’s major export destinations starting to ease their lockdown restrictions, vehicle export numbers are anticipated to start gaining momentum again.
New vehicle sales for May 2020 continue to reflect persistent demand weakness due to the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic as consumer and business sentiment remain severely depressed. The motor industry is currently experiencing unchartered conditions given the current unpredictability in these uncertain times.
New vehicle sales are generally linked to the strength of the economy and the anticipated extent of the negative annualised GDP growth in the country therefore does not bode well for the industry over the medium term. Under normal market circumstances positive indicators such as sharp petrol price decreases, substantial interest rate drops, below-inflation vehicle price increases, dealer incentives and low inflation would support the new vehicle market.
However, how far these dynamics will move consumers and businesses into new vehicle purchases over the balance of the year remains unclear. Suffice to say, the impact of COVID-19 on the new vehicle market and when the level of factory output will return to where it was before the lockdown will only become clearer once the entire motor industry becomes fully operational and prepares itself for the “new normal”.
The performance of exports remains reliant on the performance and direction of global markets. The industry’s export sales for the year will most likely be affected by the projected fall in global vehicle demand as a result of the impact of COVID-19.
