S. Africa Sales Drop for First Time in Three Years

Sales of new cars, trucks and buses in South Africa slipped to 54,900 units last month from 56,200 units a year earlier, the country's Dept. of Trade and Industry reports.

March marked the first year-on-year decline in the country's auto volume since December 2009.

Last month had two fewer selling days that did March 2012, notes the National Assn. of Automobile Manufacturers of South Africa. The daily sales rate climbed 7% from a year earlier.

Deliveries of passenger vehicles fell 4% to 37,600 units last month. NAMSA says the weak rand, rising inflation and higher emissions taxes on cars are dampening consumer spending. The group predicts such factors will slow auto sales growth through the rest of the year.

Demand for light- and medium-duty commercial vehicles rose 1% to 14,800 units and 3% to 1,000 units, respectively. Heavy-duty truck volume dipped 2% to 1,500 units.