Market remains under pressure in July

Vehicle sales performed to the adjusted expectation in July this year, recording an industry total of 32 396 units for the month.

Avaf Infographic Naamsa July 2020

The total sales figure represents a drop of 13 646 units (-29.6%) compared to the same month last year, but is up by 754 units from June 2020.

Of the total sales figure, 30 325 units or 93.6% of the vehicles were sold by dealers. This means that fewer than 2 000 units were sold to the government and manufacturers and only 135 units were delivered to vehicle rental buyers. With seven months recorded, the total vehicle market is 38.5% or 108 925 units behind 2019.

The passenger vehicle market appears to be the hardest hit. In July, the industry sold 18 905 passenger vehicles, which is 35.8% lower than for the same period last year. Light commercials dropped by 19.7% to 11 123 units, when compared to the same month last year.

On the commercial vehicle side, sales dropped to 698 (-12.9%) for medium commercial vehicles, to 458 units (-13.1%) and to 1 165 (-10.2%) for extra heavy commercial vehicles. A total of 47 buses were sold.

Toyota remains the market leader with 7 464 units sold, followed by Volkswagen (5 075 units), Ford (3 194 units), Hyundai (2 510 units) and Nissan, which slipped to fifth with 2 132 units sold in July.

The remaining top 10 members are made up of Isuzu (1 671 units), Mercedes-Benz (an estimated 1 367 units), Renault (1 333), Suzuki (1 213) and KIA (905 units).

Naamsa notes in its commentary that there are some green shoots. The Absa Purchasing Managers’ Index measured at 52.1 index points, the first time that this is in positive territory since December 2018, which points to some expansion in the economy.

At the same time, the additional 25 basis points cut and low fuel prices have provided some additional relief to motorists and should filter through to new vehicle sales.

Click here to see the full report: AVAF Infographic NAAMSA July2020

More Industry News stories

Renault protects share price in light of Nissan woes

Renault protects share price in light of Nissan woes

Renault Group says it will change the way it accounts for its stake in its alliance partner for 20 years, Nissan, after earlier reports that the French automaker’s share price could take a hit.

  • 4 July 2025
Absa, NADA sign formal partnership agreement

Absa, NADA sign formal partnership agreement

Absa has taken another step towards becoming the bank of the auto industry by signing a formal collaboration agreement with the National Automobile Dealers’ Association (NADA).

  • 4 July 2025