One of the first tangible signs of the impact of Covid-19 on South Africa’s economy has been revealed through March\u2019s new vehicle sales – announced by the National Association of Automobile Manufacturers of South Africa (Naamsa).<\/p>\n
With the country impacted by social distancing measures and remote working from the middle of the month, and lockdown from 27 March, the month\u2019s sales were only partially impacted in terms of selling days.<\/p>\n
The real impact will be experienced during April as lockdown extends until at least 16 April and a large number of dealer floors remain closed.<\/p>\n
The emergence of the pandemic around the world will have impacted consumer sentiment earlier in the month, contributing to the significant fall off in sales already experienced in March. New vehicle sales were down 29.7% to 33,545.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe market was looking to establish some form of stability judging from February\u2019s performance, only to be undone by the Covid-19 global pandemic,\u201d said Lebogang Gaoaketse, head of marketing and communication at WesBank.<\/p>\n
\u201cLooking at international markets already under lockdown, we can expect April to look even worse as consumers stay home and only essential services are delivered from dealer workshops.\u201d<\/p>\n
The Chinese car market dropped a staggering 80% in February. By contrast, Italian sales in February were down 8.8% ahead of their major lockdown, Wesbank said.<\/p>\n
The US was reporting sales down approximately 36% by mid-March as the virus started taking its toll on a market that sells over 17 million new vehicles a year. That market is expected to lose up to 3.1 million new vehicle sales over the next five months.<\/p>\n
\u201cWhile we are in full support of government\u2019s decisive leadership measures to combat the spread of COVID-19, there is no denying the impacts it will have on the economy and certainly the country\u2019s motor industry,\u201d said Gaoaketse.<\/p>\n
\u201cWith plant shutdowns already in place and dealers closed, the industry\u2019s main concern will be the protection of jobs in this important employer base.\u201d<\/p>\n
Providing some perspective, Gaoaketse said the market had sold 14,150 fewer units than in March last year and 9,727 units less than last month.<\/p>\n
\u201cThese are major volumes removed from the market and the fear will be the uncertainty of when the recovery will happen as the virus timeline evolves,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
Passenger cars lost 26.8% year-on-year to sell 22,200 units in March.<\/p>\n
\u201cFor the first time in a long time, the dealer channel performed worse than the overall market, showing the very tangible impact that footfall has on dealer business,\u201d said Gaoaketse.<\/p>\n
Dealer channel sales were 28.9% down in the passenger car segment, accounting for 18,308 units. Government sales had increased 14.7% and rental sales had declined 31.8%.<\/p>\n
The March impacts have resulted in a year-to-date market decline of 12.8% to 117,230 sales. This compares to a market volume of 134,456 units by this time last year.<\/p>\n
There are also positive factors that present themselves to consumers during this difficult time, however.<\/p>\n
\u201cGovernment\u2019s drastic cut of the interest rate by 100 basis points will not only assist indebted consumers in the short-term, but will provide huge assistance to re-starting industry sales once the country resumes.<\/p>\n
“Although cars are currently parked in garages and driveways, the reduction in fuel prices will also contribute. Household budgets unaffected by the current circumstances will now enjoy some savings from their mobility budgets without a daily commute,\u201d said Gaoaketse.<\/p>\n