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Ford Motor Company of Southern Africa (FMCSA) continued with a positive sales momentum in June, recording the fourth highest June sales in Ford’s history and third-highest dealer sales.
These were achieved despite the squeeze of the current economic downturn, which is also affecting the new vehicle market.
Most notably, Ford achieved its highest-ever sales through the dealer network, with 4 998 vehicles retailed for the month. June’s total 2 848 Ranger sales is the second-highest figure for the year, around 2% up on May 2016. Ranger is also the best-selling name-plate through the dealer channel.
Ending June with total domestic sales of 5 305 vehicles, this contributed to Ford achieving its fourth-best sales volumes in history since reporting commenced in 1994, along with the third-highest dealer sales on record and market share of 13%.
As Ford’s evergreen top contender in the compact SUV segment, the EcoSport retained its unbroken domination of this popular category with 805 units sold. The Fiesta was close behind on 716, a noteworthy 9.3% month-on-month increase.
Demand also continues unabated for the Ford Mustang, with another 77 customers receiving their iconic, thoroughbred muscle cars in June to join the growing family of Ford Performance vehicle owners. This exciting range, which includes the Fiesta ST and Focus ST, will be further bolstered with the official launch last week of the highly anticipated and very exclusive All-Wheel-Drive Ford Focus RS.
“The combined pressures of the current exchange rates, high levels of inflation and the resulting impact on new vehicle price increases are having a significant impact on new vehicle sales,” says Neale Hill, Director of Marketing, Sales and Service for Ford Sub Saharan Africa Region. “However, we are buoyed by Ford’s continued strong performance in the South African market despite the negative trends.
“More than ever, customers are placing their trust, and their hard-earned cash, in a brand like Ford that stands out by offering exceptional value for money, a high level of standard comfort and safety features, superb fuel economy with low running costs from our EcoBoost and Duratorq TDCi engines, allied to great after-sales service.
“We expect this positive momentum to continue for Ford as we introduce a range of nine Ranger 2.2 Automatic models in July, offering an unrivalled combination of comfort and driving convenience matched to the outstanding performance and fuel economy of the renowned 2.2-litre Duratorq TDCi engine,” Hill added.
The Ranger 2.2 Auto is the only single-cab pick-up available in South Africa with an automatic transmission, and is expected to be an extremely popular choice in the light commercial vehicle sector.
*According to the National Association of Automobile Manufacturers of South Africa (NAAMSA), June 2016 aggregate new vehicle sales at 44 939 units had registered a decline of 5 311 vehicles or a fall of 10.6% compared to the 50 250 vehicles sold in June last year.
Overall, out of the total reported Industry sales of 44 939 vehicles, an estimated 37 575 units or 83.6% represented dealer sales, 11.9% represented sales to the vehicle rental industry, 3.2% represented industry corporate fleet sales and 1.3% sales to government.
The new car market, at 29 070 units, reflected a decline of 3 850 cars or a fall of 11.7% compared to the 32 920 new cars sold in June last year. This was despite a strong contribution by the car rental industry which had accounted for 16.8% of new cars sold during the month.
Domestic sales of industry new light commercial vehicles, bakkies and mini buses at 13 398 units during June, 2016 reflected a decline of 1 433 units or a fall of 9.7% compared to the 14 831 light commercial vehicles sold during the corresponding month last year.
