VW maintains top position

Volkswagen Group South Africa has maintained its top position in the new passenger car market for 2012. The group reported total sales of 8689 units in July.
During July, 37,844 new passenger cars were sold in southern Africa. The market increased by 5.4% compared to the June 2012 market. It grew by 18.2% when compared to July 2011, bringing the January to July 2012 market to a level 9.7% above the same period for 2011.
“In July, the new car market performed in line with our expectation with continued buoyancy in sales characterising the performance of the market. This was supported by demand from rental car companies, which accounted for around 16% of the new car market in July. The selling rate of new cars per day during the month increased to the second highest level for 2012,” said Mike Glendinning, Director: Sales and Marketing, Volkswagen Group South Africa.
Polo Vivo continues to be the group’s  top perfomer and in July it was once again the best-selling brand with 3449 units. Polo was the second best-seller in the passenger car market with 2459 units. Both brands have been market leaders in the A0 segment for past seven months in spite of the introduction of new models in the most competitive segment in the country.
The Audi Brand sold 1433 units, its highest sales ever recorded in July and increased its share of the premium market to 21.6%. The top seller was the A4 Sedan/Avant which sold 429 units.
Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles sold 720 units and 477 of these units were Amarok single and double cab models.
“The continued strength in demand for new cars is interesting given that most indicators are reflecting a slowdown in economic activity with almost all analysts and institutions having reduced their forecasts of economic growth for the year.,” added Glendinning.