South Africa Auto Sales Jump 11%

Demand for cars in South Africa rose to 57,800 passenger and commercial vehicles in October compared with 52,300 units in the same period of 2011, according to the National Assn. of Automobile Manufacturers of South Africa.

NAAMSA says strong demand from rental-car companies more than offset the negative impact of strikes at some of the country's auto plants.

October sales of passenger cars and light commercial vehicles climbed 13% to 41,600 units and 5% to 13,700 units, respectively. Demand for buses and medium- and heavy-trucks edged up 2% to nearly 2,600 units.

South Africa's export volume fell 3% to 24,000 vehicles last month, chiefly because of weak demand in Europe, NAAMSA says.