The SA Vehicle Industry Thread

[kombi-man]

The biggest problem however, in this Industry, is how the top manufacturers rip off the un-knowing public with their parts pricing, and yet they still justify this as entirely acceptable, or, "Industry-related".
I used to be a fan of VW, from way back int he day with my first Baja Bug in the early 80's. Through the years we've gone through various brands, and recently bought a 2015 Polo 1.2. I mean, it's the 'golf" today of what the old Golf Mk 1 used to be in my opinion. One would expect a reasonable service price, but no, VW charged me something like R 5 800-00 for a BASIC service, Parts at R 1 800, and Labour of R 3 000-00! WTF, are these guys heart surgeons!

Now deciding to replace the discs and pads myself, they quote just under R 6000-00 for all 4 discs and pads. The VW part number equates to Bosch replacement parts, and the total comes to R 2800-00 for everything. I'm massively disappointed in how these guys have changed from the "reliable, cost-effective" brand they used to be.

Sad times we live in.

 

[FiestaST]

South Africa’s 10 best-selling car and LCV brands for July 2020

Naamsa has released its industry report for July 2020 but has again opted not to show South Africa’s individual model sales figures, instead putting out only brand aggregate sales and export numbers.

Unfortunately, that means we’re not able to bring you our usual lists of SA’s best- and worst-selling vehicles. So, we’ll again have to settle for a list of the 10 best-selling passenger car and light-commercial vehicle brands instead.

For the record, Naamsa said new-vehicle sales in July 2020 showed a 29,6 percent fall compared with the same month last year, ending up on 32 396 units. It was a trend mirrored by export sales, which likewise fell 29,6 percent year-on-year, to 24 706 units.

South Africa’s 10 best-selling brands for July 2020:

1. Toyota: 7 464 units (with 3 110 exports)
2. Volkswagen Group: 5 075 units (with 8 690 exports)
3. Ford: 3 194 units (with 3 989 exports)
4. Hyundai: 2 520 units
5. Nissan: 2 132 units (with 92 exports)
6. Isuzu: 1 671 units (with 290 exports)
7. Mercedes-Benz SA: 1 367 units, estimated (with 4 405 exports)
8. Renault: 1 333
9. Suzuki: 1 213 units
10. Kia: 905

South Africa’s 10 best-selling car and LCV brands for July 2020…

Naamsa has released its industry report for July 2020. So, here are South Africa's 10 best-selling passenger and light commercial vehicle brands...

www.carmag.co.za

 

[FiestaST]

Another year-on-year plunge for South African vehicle sales

South African vehicle sales last month saw a very modest improvement over June’s numbers, with overall volumes rising from 31 867 units to 32 396, according to Naamsa.

However, overall sales figures are still 29.6 percent down on the same month last year, which is also a very modest improvement over June’s year-on-year comparison.

The passenger car market was by far the most severely hit in July 2020, registering a 35.8 percent year-on-year decline, and something that could be partly attributed to the steep decline in demand for rental cars as the tourism industry reels from the Covid-19 pandemic and its associated travel restrictions. The rental industry accounted for just 1.4 percent of car sales last month.

Light commercial vehicles were down by 19.7 percent versus July last year, while medium and heavy commercial vehicles registered respective declines of 12.9 percent and 13.3 percent.

Mirroring the domestic market situation, South Africa’s vehicle exports also declined by just under 30 percent, although this was a welcome improvement over the previous month.

Another year-on-year plunge for South African vehicle sales

Passenger cars took the biggest knock in July as the car rental industry remains practically dormant amid the pandemic.

www.iol.co.za

 

[LaraC]

/Snip
Furthermore, the average selling price of a used car in the last year was R289 312, an increase of R9 003 over the previous year.

The average price is high enough to buy a new car.

 

[TheChamp]

The average price is high enough to buy a new car.

That's because the leaders in the most selling cars on the used market are the same as in the new car market, Hilux, Ranger and the Polo. No room for cheap mediocrity as you can see hence the average price goes up.

Funny how no one seems to be interested in used Kwids and Datsuns, it is such a waste to buy new if you can get a low km uses one for half the price.

 

[FiestaST]

Toyota Hilux: strong sales in July 2020 despite SA market slump

Toyota South Africa Motors says it registered 3 575 units of its Hilux in July 2020, despite new-vehicle industry sales falling nearly 30 percent year-on-year.

That again makes the Japanese bakkie the best-selling vehicle in South Africa for the month. Toyota was also the top-selling brand for July 2020, with a total of 7 464 units sold.

While Naamsa is no longer reporting individual model sales figures, data shared by WesBank suggests the Ford Ranger was next in line on 1 987 units (the Isuzu D-Max was the third-placed light-commercial vehicle, on 1 340 units). Toyota’s Hiace, meanwhile, posted 989 sales.

Toyota Hilux: strong sales in July 2020 despite SA market slump…

Toyota South Africa says it registered 3 575 units of the Hilux in July 2020, despite new-vehicle industry sales falling nearly 30 percent year-on-year.

www.carmag.co.za

 

[FiestaST]

Best Used Cars in SA for Under R100k

If you're in the market for a vehicle, but shopping with a tight budget (as so many car-buyers are), the quest for good value for money has never been more paramount. The car you purchase also needs to be reliable, modern and have decent backup in SA. Here are our picks.

Pressure on household budgets is at an all-time high, but that doesn't mean that you have no choice but to drive around in a barely reliable scorro-corro or something that's so obsolete and stripped-out that it doesn't even have a radio. If you shop smartly, you will eventually find good value. We have set a very tight budget of just R100 000 and dug around the 2nd-hand car market to see what the best options are. If you want something new, perhaps look at our article on the cheapest cars under R3000 per month.

Our options are by no means foolproof; buying used has its risks. We don't know how each of these cars has been treated during its prior ownership and whether the servicing was done properly; be sure to do your own research and be as thorough as possible. You can read up on what to look out for and tips on buying a used or new car here.

Some of our choices here may seem bland, but it’s for a good reason. You may be tempted by that hot European hatchback that’s seemingly in budget with its 100-plus-kilowatts and rorty turbocharged engine, but spending lots of extra cash to fix failures that come part and parcel with a 250 000-km (starship) mileage isn’t a smart choice if you’re a first-time buyer or looking for something to get you from A to B cheaply, efficiently and not cost a fortune to repair. Be smart in your decision making.

Suzuki Swift

Kia Picanto

Honda Brio

Volkswagen Up!

Toyota Aygo

Best Used Cars in SA for Under R100k

If you're in the market for a vehicle, but shopping with a tight budget (as so many car-buyers are), the quest for good value for money has never been more paramount. The car you purchase also needs to be reliable, modern and have decent backup in SA. Here are our picks. Pressure on household...

www.cars.co.za

 

[FiestaST]

This is the best-selling used vehicle in South Africa

• The second-hand vehicle market accounts for around 65% of all cars sold locally.

• Data from the Autotrader report shows the Ford Ranger generated 8.3-million searches over a 12-month period.

• The Ranger is the best-selling used vehicle in the country with the brand's EcoSport and Fiesta also in the top 10.

We know South Africans love bakkies, that's clear from the new car sales data where the Ford Ranger and Toyota Hilux consistently rank in the top five vehicles sold.

However the lockdown has negatively affected consumers and many people are searching for a car in the used car market.

A recent annual car industry report conducted by AutoTrader shows that the Ford Range is the top-selling used vehicle model overall - and the fifth most searched vehicle for the period July 2019 to June 2020.

The Ranger's dominance is clear to see from the data and Silverton-made bakkie contributed 4.7% of all used cars sold and generated 8.3-million searches over the 12-month period.

This is the best-selling used vehicle in South Africa | Life

A recent annual car industry report conducted by AutoTrader shows that the Ford Range is the top-selling used vehicle model overall - and the fifth most searched vehicle for the period July 2019 to June 2020.

www.wheels24.co.za

 

[FiestaST]

WATCH | These are the most popular car colours in SA and the UK

• Black has been announced as the UK's most popular car colour.

• White still remains the most popular car colour in South Africa.

• Around 6.5-million cars in the UK are black

Ever wondered why Ferrari and the colour red are synonymous? Turns out the world motorsport body, the FIA, informed all Italian manufacturers to paint their racing cars red.

Enzo Ferrari named the colour Rosso Scuderia, and every race car and new car was covered in that hue. It has remained a popular colour for the brand, and data shows that 45% of all Ferraris sold sport the red hue.

Another favourite car colour is the Tornado Red that Volkswagen dons their Golf GTI with. I first saw it used in a magazine advertisement of the MkV version of the GTI and I've loved it ever since.

Even in the latest iterations of the famous hot hatch, Tornado Red is used to promote the GTI. It's a colour that compliments other design elements of the car and contrasts well with the honeycomb grille and black air vents.

Motoring | News24 Life

Motoring is packed with new car news, reviews, videos, new models and bikes, and motorsport. Find complete road tests, tools, and new and used vehicle listings.

www.wheels24.co.za

 

[FiestaST]

South Africa's double-cab bakkie sales race: the stats after July 2020

We’ve managed to get our hands on double-cab bakkie sales statistics for July 2020, which allows us to see which model is winning the sales race in South Africa after the first seven months of the year.

While Naamsa no longer releases individual model sales figures (though the organisation didn’t provide a breakdown of the various bakkie body styles, anyway), a record is indeed kept. Thanks to our studious friends over at Lightstone Auto, we’re able to shed some light on the matter.

According to Lightstone Auto, the Toyota Hilux is still leading the double-cab pack in 2020 (a year admittedly ravaged by the COVID-19 pandemic) so far, with 7 818 units registered.

Ford’s Ranger is next with 6 583 double-cab units, while Isuzu’s D-Max (including a handful of KB-badged examples sold before the switch to the aforementioned moniker) completes the podium after seven months with 2 810 units.

South Africa's double-cab bakkie sales race: the stats after July 2020

We share on double-cab bakkie sales statistics for July 2020, showing which model is winning South Africa's sales race after seven months of 2020...

www.carmag.co.za

 

[FiestaST]

Toyota SA boss says new locally built model won’t be ‘delayed at all’

The head of Toyota South Africa Motors says the company is still on track to start production of its new passenger model in the final quarter of 2021.

Andrew Kirby, Toyota South Africa Motors president and CEO, said despite the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, the new model would not be delayed "at all".

"We're investing over R2,5-billion in adding another passenger car model to our line and so far I'm very pleased that we’re not delaying the start of production at all,” Kirby said, speaking during a media session after the firm announced a new R15-million COVID-19 support package.

In February 2020, the company confirmed it would produce a new "passenger-car model” at Prospecton. In July 2020, Kirby suggested the new model would not be a sedan, which suggests it will be either a hatchback or (more likely) a crossover.

Toyota SA boss says new locally built model won’t be ‘delayed at all’ - CAR Magazine

The head of Toyota South Africa Motors says the company is still on track to start production of its new passenger model in the final... Read more →

www.carmag.co.za

 

[FiestaST]

Bridgestone SA set to shut Port Elizabeth plant after 84 years

Bridgestone Southern Africa has announced a proposal to close its 84-year-old bias tyre manufacturing plant in Port Elizabeth.

The factory opened (under the Firestone banner) as long ago as 1936.

The company says the move is “fully in line with the recently announced mid-long-term business strategy laid out by Bridgestone Corporation which plans to strengthen its core tyre business through focus on premium profitable growth segments”.

On Friday, Bridgestone Southern Africa initiated a Section 189 notice and a consultative process in compliance with the South African Labour Relations Act. Some 252 employees are set to be affected.

The company says it has “in recent years seen its financial performance come under pressure due to a variety of economic conditions and industry factors”.

“In addition, Bridgestone’s Port Elizabeth plant is specifically geared towards the production of older bias tyres, which are globally in decline and being phased out in South Africa as it is an unprofitable market. The effects of a shrinking economy and an influx of cheap imports compounded by rapid changes in the tyre industry has prompted BSAF to restructure its operations,” the company said in a statement.

Bridgestone SA set to shut Port Elizabeth plant after 84 years... - CAR Magazine

Bridgestone Southern Africa has announced a proposal to close its 84-year-old bias tyre manufacturing plant in Port Elizabeth. The factory opened (under the Firestone banner)... Read more →

www.carmag.co.za

 

[FiestaST]

@Rhein and/or @stroller

Success brings about change: Suzuki SA packing up and moving house to new premises

• Suzuki SA will complete a move to its new premises on 1 September 2020.

• The move follows an increase in demand for vehicles and car parts.

• Suzuki first broke the 1000 sales barrier in August 2017.

On 1 September 2020, Suzuki South Africa will have completed its move to a new head office just down the road from the current one. The move was inspired by increased sales figures and demand for parts to be made available at a faster rate.

André Venter, divisional manager for sales and marketing at Suzuki Auto South Africa, says: "We are moving to a new facility to better service our fast-growing South African customer base.

"Since breaking the 1000 units a month barrier in August 2017, we have broken our own sales record multiple times, necessitating the move to a larger facility that can hold more parts and more efficiently support the larger car parc."

In July 2020, Suzuki again surpassed the 1000-mark when 1213 new vehicles were sold - 1200 of which were via the dealer network. Suzuki says its newly introduced S-Presso accounted for 325 units, and the Swift and Jimny for 323 and 150 units, respectively. In total, Suzuki South Africa has 11 vehicles in its local portfolio.

Motoring | Life | News24

Motoring is packed with new car news, reviews, videos, new models and bikes.

www.wheels24.co.za

 

[FiestaST]

Now is a good time to buy a 'nearly new' car

Used car inventories – especially when it comes to "nearly new" cars (2019 year model) – increased by a startling 32% in July 2020 compared to the previous month, placing buyers firmly in the pound seats. Buyers of older used cars are also scoring; total inventory listings have increased by nearly 20% month-on-month (June to July 2020).

These statistics are courtesy of AutoTrader. As the largest digital automotive marketplace in South Africa, data extrapolated from AutoTrader provides unparalleled insight into car demand, supply and pricing patterns in the country.

According to George Mienie, CEO of AutoTrader, statistics such as these mean we are experiencing a buyer's market in South Africa right now. "Simply put, buyers are spoilt for a choice – especially if they're looking for a car with a registration year listing of 2019 (we refer to these as 'nearly new')," he explains.

Motoring | Life | News24

Motoring is packed with new car news, reviews, videos, new models and bikes.

www.wheels24.co.za

 

[FiestaST]

BMW is the most searched for used car in SA

• BMW accounts for 12.2% of all automaker searches.

• German brands are the top three most-searched for used car brands in SA.

• The 3 Series remains the most popular used BMW model.

While South Africans are besotted with German brands, the number one searched for brand in the used car market continues to be BMW.

According to the 2020 AutoTrader Car Industry Report, BMW accounts for a whopping 50 million annual used car searches – or 12.2% of all brand searches.

The 2020 AutoTrader Car Industry Report details trends and insights into the South African used car market. As the largest digital automotive marketplace in South Africa, AutoTrader provides unparalleled insight into car-buying patterns in the country.

Motoring | Life | News24

Motoring is packed with new car news, reviews, videos, new models and bikes.

www.wheels24.co.za

 

[Rhein]

Guys, I'm worried about Honda, only 258 units!
Surely this brand deseveres better
Honda was always regarded as a solid buy
Haval are now selling 724 units

 

[Gtx Gaming]

Guys, I'm worried about Honda, only 258 units!
Surely this brand deseveres better
Honda was always regarded as a solid buy
Haval are now selling 724 units

Honda parts and service prices are heavy let down.

Vtec also lost it sales apeal, every car sold these days have some sort of Vtec.

The car's are pretty good through.

 

[FiestaST]

New Car Sales in SA: August 2020

The National Association of Automobile Manufacturers of South Africa (NAAMSA) has released new vehicle sales figures for August 2020.

The SA vehicle market remains under pressure with only a minor increase in sales over the previous month.

Compared with July 2020, 1 119 more vehicles were sold in August 2020. A total of 33 515 vehicles were sold in stark contrast to August 2019 where 45 484 vehicles were sold. The market appears to be showing serious strain as a result of Covid19. The expected rebound seen in Europe, where sales in July 2020 were the best of the entire year, has not manifested in our local market. Here are the headline sales numbers courtesy of NAAMSA.

Top-Selling Car Brands in South Africa for August 2020

1. Toyota - 7 743 units

2. Volkswagen - 5 181 units

3. Ford - 2 810 units

4. Hyundai - 2 460 units

5. Nissan - 2 198 units

New Car Sales in SA: August 2020

The National Association of Automobile Manufacturers of South Africa (NAAMSA) has released new vehicle sales figures for August 2020. The SA vehicle market remains under pressure with only a minor increase in sales over the previous month. Compared with July 2020, 1 119 more vehicles were sold...

www.cars.co.za

 

[FiestaST]

SA’s new-vehicle sales fall 26,3 percent year-on-year in August 2020

Naamsa says South Africa’s new vehicle sales dropped 26,3 percent to 33 515 units (slightly above July 2020's effort) in August 2020.

Export sales at 23 337 units, meanwhile, registered a “huge fall” of 46,9 percent compared with the same month in 2019.

Overall, out of the total reported industry sales of 33 515 vehicles, Naamsa says an estimated 30 875 units or 92,1 percent represented dealer sales, 4,2 percent sales to government, 2,9 percent to industry corporate fleets and an estimated 0,8 percent represented sales to the vehicle rental industry.

In addition, Naamsa said the August 2020 new passenger car market at 19 545 units had registered a year-on-year fall of 32,6 percent. The contribution by the car rental industry remained “negligible” and comprised a mere eight units over the month.

Domestic sales of new light commercial vehicles, bakkies and mini-buses at 11 336 units during August represented a decline of 19,4 percent. Interestingly, however, sales for medium and heavy truck segments of the industry reflected a “welcomed uptick”, and at 799 units and 1 835 units, respectively, showed an increase of 7,7 percent and 9,0 percent.

SA’s new-vehicle sales fall 26,3 percent year-on-year in August 2020…

Naamsa says South Africa’s new vehicle sales dropped 26,3 percent to 33 515 units in August 2020, with exports registering a “huge fall”.

www.carmag.co.za

 

[FiestaST]

South Africa’s 10 best-selling car and LCV brands for August 2020

Naamsa has released its publicly available industry report for August 2020 (which no longer includes South Africa’s individual model sales figures), sharing brand aggregate sales and export numbers.

Unfortunately, that means we’re again going to have to settle for a list of the 10 best-selling passenger car and light-commercial vehicle brands (rather than lists showing the country’s best-selling models).

For the record, Naamsa said new-vehicle sales in August showed a 26,3 percent fall compared with the same month in 2019, ending up on 33 515 units. Things were even worse on the export side of the industry, with a 46,9 percent year-on-year fall to 23 337 units.

South Africa’s 10 best-selling brands for August 2020

1. Toyota: 7 743 units (with 2 813 exports)
2. Volkswagen Group: 5 181 units (with 6 208 exports)
3. Ford: 2 810 units (with 6 025 exports)
4. Hyundai: 2 460 units
5. Nissan: 2 198 units (with 202 exports)
6. Isuzu: 1 974 units (with 262 exports)
7. Mercedes-Benz SA: 1 540 units, estimated (with 4 405 exports)
8. Renault: 1 463
9. Suzuki: 1 350 units
10. Kia: 980

South Africa’s 10 best-selling car and LCV brands for August 2020…

Naamsa has released its industry report for August 2020, allowing us to pick out the 10 best-selling passenger car and light-commercial vehicle brands.

www.carmag.co.za