Volkswagen of South Africa leads tough passenger car market in 2009 - outlook for 2010 more positive
8th January 2010“Volkswagen of South Africa lead the passenger market in 2009 with total sales of 49 902 units, thereby securing 19.3% of the total passenger market,” said Mike Glendinning, VW of SA Director of Sales and Marketing.
“The Polo range proved to be South Africa’s favourite passenger Brand with sales of 18 288 units in 2009”.
“The Audi Brand recorded sales of 9 234 units in the premium segment, securing a very satisfactory 3.6% share of the total 2009 passenger market. Audi sales in December exceeded 1 000 units for the first time in 2009 which was a very positive end to 2009 for the Brand”.
During December 2009 a total of 19 161 new passenger cars were sold in South Africa.
Total new passenger car sales in December, including sales not reported in detail to NAAMSA, decreased by -16.4 percent when compared to November 2009, and by -8.8 percent when compared to December 2008.
The full year 2009 new passenger car market recorded sales of -21.6 percent below the market achieved in 2008.
“The weaker market performance during the month of December is a regular seasonal occurrence as customers delay purchases of new cars into the new year. Importantly, despite lower sales during December, the underlying trend in new car sales continued reflecting slow growth through the month which, given the expected carry over of sales into January, should continue into the new year,” said Mike Glendinning.
“It therefore appears that the new car sales cycle has bottomed out and tentatively turned”.
“Growth in demand for new passenger cars during 2010 is likely to be single digit, supported by steadily improving economic circumstances during the course of the year. Low levels of inflation and interest rates, the impact of which are still filtering through to the economy, will assist in supporting improved levels of demand for new cars during the year. Furthermore both business and consumer confidence grew during the fourth quarter of 2009, a trend that is likely to continue into 2010”.
“With the bottom of a three year decline in new vehicle sales having been reached in 2009, the outlook for 2010 is for slow improvement in vehicle demand as the economy steadily recovers from the recession,” concluded Glendinning.
