South Africa’s Vehicle Sales Climb 7%

Motor vehicle sales in South Africa rose to 53,100 units last month from 49,500 units in November 2011, according to the National Assn. of Automobile Manufacturers of South Africa.

Passenger car sales jumped 11% year on year to 36,700 units in November. Sales of light commercial vehicles dipped 1% to 13,900 units. Demand for medium- and heavy-duty trucks increased 7% to 900 units and 10% to 1,600 units, respectively.

The country's top-selling companies were Toyota (11,200 vehicles), Volkswagen (9,100 units), General Motors (6,000 units), Ford (4,800 units) and Nissan (4,600 units).

NAMSA expects full-year motor vehicle volume of 629,500 vehicles, up 10% from 2011. But the group predicts sales will grow only 6% to 8% next year because of South Africa's slowing economic growth, the weak rand and rising inflation.