November : Truck sales head for positive ending to 2013
previous pageTruck sales head for positive ending to 2013
Truck sales have continued its steady growth,
albeit at a slower rate. Year-on-year
sales statistics showed that during October, the South African truck industry
increased sales by 9.47% to 25 701 units.
"The initial signs of a correction are
becoming less dramatic, as the industry's growth rate is slowly coming down
from a high of 10.3% in August, to 9.9% in September and now 9.4% in October,"
said Jacques Carelse, managing director of UD Trucks Southern Africa. "This is a remarkable performance in the
light of the recent spate of industrial action experienced by the
industry. It begs the question if fleet
operators' replacement policies have a greater impact on truck sales than that
of other economic factors.
All the market segments, excluding Buses, are
continuing to show growth. Comparative
year-to-date sales in the Medium Commercial Vehicle (MCV) segment were 13.1% up
on the same period in 2013, to 9 563 units.
Heavy Commercial Vehicles (HCV) showed a 4.3% increase to 4 400
units, while sales in the Extra Heavy Commercial Vehicle (EHCV) segment
increased by 10.2% to 10 860 units.
Bus sales were 6.9% down to 878 units.
"At UD Trucks we also believe that the slight
decline in sales shows that the labour disputes had only a minimum impact on sales
in the industry," said Carelse.
The other factors to consider are that the
drop in bus sales alone could be the main contributor in the marginal downturn
in overall commercial vehicle sales, which points to the previously mentioned
replacement of fleet vehicles.
"This is a positive spin-off as new vehicles
tend to be safer and it could in a small way contribute to the improvement of
overall road safety. As the festive
season draws near, we urge all involved in the transport industry to take
special care on the roads," concluded Carelse.
Contac: UD TRUCKS SOUTHERN AFRICA