GMSA Motor industry Commentary – JANUARY 2010
• Total vehicle market up 15,5 % compared to January 2009
• GMSA records sales of 4 022 units, to maintain third position in overall vehicle market
• GMSA is second largest seller of light commercial vehicles as Corsa Ute retains its grip on sub-1 Ton pick-up sector with 1 180 sales
GMSA retails 4 022 units in January
With Passenger vehicle sales of 1 904, together with light commercial vehicle sales of 1 995 and 123 deliveries of heavy trucks, GMSA maintained its position as the third largest vehicle manufacturer in South Africa in January. The company’s market share for the month at NAAMSA was 11,8 %.
GMSA is second largest seller on light commercial vehicles
The Corsa Utility maintained its grip on the sub-1 Ton pick-up market with sales of 1 180 units. The Corsa Utility has now dominated its sector for 58 straight months.
This phenomenal sales record was supported by the popular Isuzu KB range, providing the GMSA company’s total LCV sales for the month of 1 995 units.
The Vehicle Market in January
“The new year started on a positive note for the Motor Industry with January sales, including the non reporters of 38 075 units, up 15,5% on the same month last year,” says Malcolm Gauld, GMSA’s Vice President: Sales and Marketing. “One must consider that variances in close-off dates amongst manufacturers in December, can impact on reporting in January, but the picture remains positive when this is completed”
“The global economic situation continues to improve as the world drags itself out of recession with some very positive economic data being recorded, especially in the United States, towards year end. This will have a knock on effect globally and support South Africa’s recovery from the recession that clouded 2009. In fact, the last quarter of 2009 followed by this strong performance in January shows that we are on the road to recovery !”
“The passenger sector provided growth of 20% in January, over the same month in 2009 which would indicate a reasonable level of activity by private buyers in the market. Light commercial sales were only one per cent down over the same period, thus reiterating this positive sentiment. The truck market in contrast, was down on the January 2009 figures”
“We expect a positive trend to continue through 2010, but would caution that the private sector in particular, will remain under pressure in terms of disposable income for the greater part of the year. We will be looking for growth in the order of 6% in vehicle sales over the year with a total market including non reporters of 412 000 possible for the year.”
Specific highlights from the GMSA stable
• GMSA sold 4,022 units for January 2010, with a share achievement of 11.8% at NAAMSA – Thus maintaining 3rd position in the SA Motor industry
• The total Passenger market increased by 20 % over January 2009 to 23 768 units. GMSA achieved 8% share of the passenger market. Significant GMSA Passenger volume contributors for January 2010 : Chevrolet Cruze 345, Chevrolet Aveo 290, Chevrolet Spark 358, Chevrolet Captiva 100, Opel Corsa 650 units, jumping into 7th position on the top ten passenger sales list
• Sales of the total industry (including non reporters) new light commercial vehicles, bakkies and minibuses at 9 805 units during January, 2010 reflected an improvement of 864 units or 9,7% compared to the 8 941 units of the corresponding month last year. GMSA was the Second highest seller of light commercial vehicles during January 2010 with 22% share. Significant GMSA LCV volume contributors for January 2010 : Corsa Utility 1,180 and Isuzu 778 units. GMSA continues to retain its leadership of the sub one ton LCV segment for the 58th consecutive month and new continuous sales record for GMSA
• GMSA sold 46 N-series and 75 F-series and 2 Gigimax trucks
About General Motors:
General Motors, one of the world’s largest automakers, traces its roots back to 1908. With its global headquarters in Detroit, GM employs 204,000 people in every major region of the world and does business in some 140 countries. GM and its strategic partners produce cars and trucks in 34 countries, and sell and service these vehicles through the following brands: Buick, Cadillac, Chevrolet, GMC, GM Daewoo, Holden, Opel, Vauxhall and Wuling. GM’s largest national market is the United States, followed by China, Brazil, Germany, the United Kingdom, Canada, and Italy. GM’s OnStar subsidiary is the industry leader in vehicle safety, security and information services. General Motors acquired operations from General Motors Corporation on July 10, 2009, and references to prior periods in this and other press materials refer to operations of the old General Motors Corporation.
