Ford enjoyed a year to date sales rise of 33% to 36 584 units in August 2013. Strong performances came from the rugged Ford Ranger and the all-new EcoSport urban SUV with 522 sales in its first month selling in South Africa. Continuing Fords successful SUV-themed month, was the Kuga with a total of 445 sales which was also voted Womans Car of the Year and continues to be the segment leader for the third month in a row.
Here is a breakdown of Ford sales summary for August 2013, including the top 5 model sales and top 5 used cars.
Ford new car sales summary August 2013
Total new car sales: 5893 units
Total market share: 10.5%
Total passenger vehicle sales: 3891 units
Total Light Commercial Vehicle (LCV) sales: 2002 units
Top 5 Ford new car sales for August 2013 (compared to July 2013)
Ford Ranger 1695 units (1876)
Ford Figo 1200 units (1313)
Ford Fiesta 824 units (885)
Ford EcoSport 522 units
Ford Focus 448 units (391)
Top 5 used Ford cars in South Africa for August 2013
Toyota recorded sales of 10 398 units and was the only manufacturer to break through the 10 000 sales mark in August 2013. Sales for the Light Commercial Vehicle segment were spearheaded by the market leading 3339 sales of the brands Hilux bakkie.
According to Calvyn Hamman, Senior Vice President for Sales and Marketing at Toyota, sales momentum is starting to slow, having dropped to below 6% for the year to date.
He added that dealer sales remained strong in August despite the strike in the automotive industry which is currently in its third week. This is because there is normally 6 weeks of stock in the network between the manufacturer, the vehicle delivery network and the dealer network. With this is mind we will only see the effect of the strike in coming months sales.
Despite this Toyota doubled their efforts and exported 7 253 locally manufactured vehicles.
Here is a breakdown of Toyota sales summary for August 2013 including Top 5 model sales, and the brands top 5 used cars according to views on cars.co.za.
Toyota new car sales summary for August 2013
Total new car sales: 10 398 units
Total market share: 18.5%
Total passenger vehicle sales: 5114 units
Total Light Commercial Vehicle (LCV) sales: 4973 units
Top 5 Toyota new car sales August 2013 (compared to July 2013)
Toyota Hilux 3339 units (3159)
Toyota Etios 1852 units (2122)
Toyota Quantum 1122 units (1351)
Toyota Fortuner 945 units (943)
Toyota Corolla/Auris 821 units (2014)
Top 5 used Toyota cars in South Africa for August 2013
Volkswagen reported total sales of 8910 for August, and although the brand didn’t surpass the 10 000 sales mark, it is still the second most popular brand in South Africa. The positive impact on new vehicle affordability of low interest rates and low growth in new vehicle prices continued to further enhance Volkswagen sales in positively. The Audi brand contributed 1662 units sold, the top seller being the A4 sedan which sold 628 units.
Here is a breakdown of Volkswagen sales summary for August 2013 including top 5 model sales and the top 5 used cars.
Volkswagen new car sales summary for August 2013
Total new car sales: 8910 units
Total market share: 15.8%
Total passenger vehicle sales: 8250 units
Total Light Commercial Vehicle (LCV) sales: 569 units
Top 5 Volkswagen new passenger car sales for August 2013 (compared to July 2013)
VW Polo 2625 units (2618)
VW Polo Vivo 2324 units (3574)
Audi A4 628 units (653)
VW Golf 7 587 units (908)
VW Amarok 365 units (412)
Top 5 used Volkswagen cars in South Africa for August 2013
Nissan reported a total 4248 sales in August, with best results in the passenger car segment. In its first full month of sales the Almera sold well as a B-segment contender with total sales of 439 – an improvement from July.
Nissan says severe stock shortages of the locally-manufactured light commercial vehicles the NP200 and NP300 affected deliveries in the second half of August, costing an estimated 750 sales and causing huge frustration for dealers and potential customers alike. However, in the first eight months of the year Nissan has increased sales by 2.1% compared to the same period last year, and remains on track to have a full-year market share of just over nine percent.
Here is a breakdown of Nissan sales summary for August 2013 which includes key sales figures for both the passenger and LCV segments, top 5 model sales and the brands top 5 used cars.
Nissan new car sales summary for August 2013
Total new car sales: 4248 units
Total market share: 7.5%
Total passenger vehicle sales: 1892 units
Total Light Commercial Vehicle (LCV) sales: 2356 units
Top 5 Nissan new car sales for August 2013 (compared to July 2013)
Nissan NP200 1089 units (1663)
Nissan NP300 Hardbody 883 units (916)
Nissan Almera 439 units (367)
Nissan Micra 391 units (312)
Nissan Juke 323 units (364)
Top 5 used Nissan cars in South Africa for August 2013 (in terms of views on cars.co.za)
John Beale spent some time in the baby Land Rover with the latest 4-cyl engine. Photos and pricing included at the end of his Freelander Si4 review.
The Freelander received an update towards the end of last year: a slight update to the exterior bringing eye catching new LED headlamps, a new grille and bumper, as well as revised tail-lights. A new Dynamic model has been added to the line-up and adds new colours and interior identity. It has definitely helped spruce up the Freelander, seeing as most of the competition is fairly new in design.
Updated Freelander engine
Most important to the update is the addition of the 2litre turbocharged engine (that does justice elsewhere in the Jaguar-Land Rover stable) has made it to the Freelander. The Si4 turbo charged 4-cylinder petrol now replaces the i6 V6 fuel hog.
With 177kW and 340NM the new unit offers better fuel consumption and smart regenerative technology too. Theres enough power and torque on offer, but the 6-speed automatic gearbox struggles to get the most out of it with slow shifts and what seems to be a love affair with 5th gear. No matter how fast or slow, it kicks into 5th, and then to accelerate you have to jam the accelerator down causing numerous shifts and much noise. Not ideal, for fuel consumption or driving style.
Once youre into the turbo band the 4cylinder moves the all wheel drive Freelander along nicely. Its a great unit, and a huge improvement on the V6. Unfortunately I couldnt get anywhere close to claimed figures, with over 20l/100km on solely town driving, which is um, fairly high.
Interior Updates
The interior also received an update, with revised dash, new colour instrument binnacle digital screen, keyless start, a larger 7-inch touch screen for navigation and multimedia as well as an optional high performance Meridian Sound System (standard sound is excellent enough!).
It does however have the smallest boot out of the BMW X3 and Q5, but its boxy and high so is practical to fill. Rear seats are bench like but offer good legroom. The front captains chairs with armrests are a little oldschool and offer very little lateral support. Otherwise the cabin now follows even more closely to the Discovery, and new centre console with improved hidey spaces works well. Besides the slow 7inch screen, there is little to fault.
Off-road ability
The familiar Terrain response system, which sets the Freelander apart in between the competition as the most competent off-road, has moved to button style operation. With class leading ground clearance, articulation and brakeover and departure angles comes less dynamic on-road prowess.
Where its the most competent of all small SUVs off-road, it pitches, wallows and rolls on road. It makes for a comfortable ride, but not one thats made for speed.
Brakes are squishy but work well, albeit pitching the nose of the Freelander into the tar when breaking hard. That said, the familiar Terrain Response system is unique in this category, and makes soft-roading a terribly easy operation. There is no low-range but rather brakes which arrest the wheel spinning when theres no traction. Also included is hill-descent and hill-start assist.
No more mechanical handbrake
The update also now features an electronic handbrake, which might deter some buyers, as now theres very little mechanical actuation left on the vehicle, so technically just more to break without the ability to fix it in the bush, which might concern some buyers. It is however intelligent in that it actuates force based on incline and temperature of the brakes.
Freelander safety features
A host of standard safety systems include ABS, EBD, BAS, ETC, DSC, RMC and received a 5star euro NCAP rating with its new Knee-Bag.
Overall, the updated Freelander is an excellent buy for those wanting a bit more confidence off the tar, and a bit more power in town. With updated looks it now fits with the familiar Range/Land Rover face, while we wait for the new model. That said, you do pay a premium for the quality interior and features, and when looking at the competition, its a tough choice.
Of the total 56 112 industry sales reported in South Africa, 6029 were GMSA vehicles. The brand has improved demand across its Chevrolet Spark range which achieved record sales of 1086 units, and is number six on the top 10 best sellers for August.
According to GMSAs Vice President for vehicle sales, marketing and service, Vehicle sales reported for August reflect a softening of the market that has been expected and built into forecasting models for growth for the full year.
The Chevrolet Trailblazer drew a high level of interest in the SUV market with 271 sales for the month, while the new Isuzu KB continued to grow its presence in the market with 1439 sales.
Here is a breakdown of GMSA sales summary for August 2013, including key sales figures, Top 5 model sales and the most popular GMSA used cars according to views on cars.co.za.
GMSA new car sales summary for August 2013
Total new car sales: 6029
Total market share: 10.7%
Total passenger vehicle sales: 2701 units
Total Light Commercial Vehicle (LCV) sales: 2999 units
Top 5 GMSA new passenger car sales August 2013 (compared to July 2013)
Chevrolet Utility 1485 units (1587)
Isuzu KB units 1439 (1379)
Chevrolet Spark 1086 units (737)
Chevrolet Cruze 401 units (356)
Chevrolet Sonic 309 units (167)
Top 5 used GMSA cars in South Africa for August 2013 (in terms of views on Cars.co.za)
Audi has gone back to the future with this, the Quattro Concept, which looks even closer to a possible future production version. While the concept drawings showed an angry, aggressive look, the “in-the-metal’ version is understandably toned down, yet still looks squat and purposeful.
Famed for dominating the World Rally stages, Audi will be hoping to trade on some of that nostalgia with this new model, most likely reaching showroom floors in late 2015.
New Audi Quattro Engine Specs
And it will be quite the performer. A plug in hybrid, the Quattro will feature a 411kw twinturbo petrol V8, coupled to a 110kW electric motor for a combined output of 521kW and 800Nm of torque. To put that in perspective, the most powerful R8 in the current line up, which uses a larger V10 motor, offers 404kW and 540Nm.
New Audi Quattro Performance Figures
Audi is claiming acceleration of 0 – 100km/h in 3.7 seconds and a top speed of 302km/h. However the plug-in hybrid set up gives the car astonishing fuel consumption; Audi claims 2.4litres/100km and CO2 emissions of just 59g/km.
Those figures are curiously close to the figures claimed by BMW’s i8 which we featured yesterday; a new future rivalry is certainly on the cards, but for the moment, the Audi trumps the i8 on power and performance, while the BMW will most likely get closer to it’s stated efficiency claims.
Although extensive aluminium and carbon fibre reinforced plastic (CFRP) have been used throughout, the Quattro Concept still tips the scales at 1850kg, including the battery pack. That’s a fair bit of weight to carry around, and gives a clue as to why the car has so much power.
Audi Quattro Concept Video
We’ll certainly be keeping an eye on this new supercar from Audi, and bring you the latest details as they become available.
Audi Quattro Concept Latest Images Gallery
The BMW Vision Concept Gallery
BMW is rumoured to be working with Toyota on a faster, more muscular version of the Z4 sports car named the BMW Vision Concept.
At the beginning of the year both brands announced a collaboration to work on “a new sports car”. Now it seems the concept will be co-developed by the two companies, with BMW working on both the interior and exterior features, while Toyota will supply the optional hybrid technology. The sportscar is also said to take design cues from the BMW Vision ConnectedDrive Concept. Here is the complete gallery of the BMW Vision Concept, including speculative interior renderings.
BMW Vision Concept Gallery
South African New Car Sales Summary For August 2013
August 2013 saw about 30 000 workers in the South African vehicle manufacturing industry down tools, but according to the National Association of Automobile Manufacturers of South Africa (NAAMSA), the impact on domestic sales of the current industrial action at the seven major vehicle manufacturing plants had to date been muted.
The association added that the main impact of the strike action to date had been on the industrys export performance and particularly the export operations of BMW and Ford Motor Company which had been negatively affected due to other industrial action which preceded the current industry strike now in its third week.
Although a prolonged strike threatens the industrys latest gains and reputation towards the rand and investment flows, year to date sales still showed an improvement of 5.9% compared to the corresponding months of 2012, with the aggregate industry sales of 56 115 units for August 2013 reporting a 0.3% decline from the 56 270 units sold during August last year.
Out of the total reported industry sales of 56 112 vehicles, 46 442 units represented dealer sales, 11.4% represented sales to the vehicle rental industry, 3.3% to Industry corporate fleets and 2.5% to government.
However, despite a less promising outlook for the automotive sector for the balance of the year, the year as a whole would still represent the second or third best year on record in terms of domestic sales. With a continuous low interest rate environment, a highly competitive trading segment, ongoing attractive incentives and high technology new model introductions, annual projected industry sales can be expected to show significant improvement and growth.
Bellow is a summary of new vehicle sales in South Africa for the month of August 2013 including top 5 Passenger and Light Commercial Vehicles and export figures.
South African new car sales summary For August 2013
Total new vehicle sales: Industry sales of 56 112 reflected a decline of 0.3% or 155 vehicles from the 56 270 units sold in August last year.
Total export sales: Export sales registered a decline falling by 22.9% in volume terms in August 2013, compared to the 25 024 vehicles exported in August last year.
A total of 38 892 new cars were sold in August 2013, which represented a decline of 1 487 units compared to the 40 379 new cars sold in August last year.
Light Commercial Vehicle (LCV) including bakkies, and mini busses at 14 376 units during August 2013 reflected an increase of 726 units compared to the 13 650 light commercial vehicles sold during the corresponding month last year.
Best-selling car brands August 2013
Car Brand
Volume RSA
Volume Export
Toyota
10 389
7253
Volkswagen Group SA
8910
1902
GMSA
6029
196
Ford Motor Company
5893
1903
Nissan
4248
822
Top 5 Selling Passenger Vehicles
Model
Volume RSA
Volume Export
Volkswagen Polo
2625
1902
Volkswagen Polo Vivo
2324
0
Toyota Etios
1852
0
Ford Figo
1200
0
Mercedes-Benz C Class
1119
5415
Top 5 Selling Light Commercial Vehicles
Model
Volume RSA
Volume Export
Toyota Hilux
3339
6647
Ford Ranger
1695
1849
Chevrolet Utility
1485
2
Isuzu KB
1439
133
Toyota Quantum
1122
0
Most Popular Car Brands In South Africa for August 2013
Although there was a severe impact on production due to the strike, sales figures for the most popular car brands in South Africa for August 2013 show that the new vehicle sales were largely in line with industry expectations. The strike is said to have cost the motoring industry which contributes 6% to countrys Gross Domestic Product (GDP), a maximum of R600-million a day.
Regardless of that upset, the South African motoring industry reported total industry sales of 56 112 vehicles, which represents a 0.3% decline from the 56 270 units sold in the same month last year. However year to date domestic sales showed an improvement of 5.9% compared to the corresponding eight months of 2012.
According to the National Association of Automobile Manufacturers of South Africa, the excellent performance in sales of light, medium and heavy trucks, suggested higher levels of investment spending in the economy and was in part related to infrastructural development projects.
Here is a breakdown of the popular car brands in South Africa for August 2013 in comparison with July 2013 sales figures, as well as each brands top 5 selling vehicles.
Toyota continued to power ahead in August with a market share of 18.5%, however figures were lower than last Augusts sales of 12 220 units, indicating that the strike had a major impact on the brand’s productivity. However, demand for South Africa’s most popular bakkie improved from last month by 180 vehicles, and even though Etios sales dropped by 270 units, it is still a contender as South Africas best seller.
Volkswagen retained its leadership position in the passenger market in August with total sales of 8250 units. Due to the strike action, the brand reported total sales of 8910 which is significant decline from Julys sales of 10 613. The recently expanded A4 model range continues to power VW Group sales, while the Polo and Polo Vivo are both in South Africas top 5 selling vehicles.
General Motors South Africa improved demand for vehicles across its range with the Chevrolet Utility remaining the brand’s best selling car, and most popular seller in the sub-1ton segment with 1485 units. A new contender in the passenger car market is the Chevrolet Sonic which contributed 309 sales to the brands total of 6029 units, combining to make GM the third most popular brand in South Africa.
Strong sales of the Ranger and the all-new EcoSport urban SUV pushed Fords sales up by 67% from a year earlier to 5433 units. This is the brand’s second highest retail sales month since it started reporting to NAAMSA. The EcoSport generated sales of 522 in its first month on sale in South Africa, while Ranger sales totaled 1695 units, up 36.8% from a year earlier.
Nissan accounted for 4248 units of the total industry volume of 56112, which is a 414 decrease in volume from July. Passenger cars accounted for the brands growth and strong performances recorded by the introduction of the new Almera which increased sales from 367 to 439 units, while both the half-tonne NP200 and NP300 remain in line with annual targets, regardless of the challenges facing the motoring industry.
