EASTERN CAPE vehicle manufacturers supplied nearly one in every two new vehicles sold in South Africa during January 2002, with East London-based DaimlerChrysler leading the market in three of the four categories. According to the official National Association of Automobile Manufacturers of South Africa (Naamsa) sales figures, DaimlerChrysler led the market in new car, medium and heavy commercial sectors. The three Eastern Cape manufacturers – DaimlerChrysler and Nelson Mandela Metro – based Volkswagen South Africa (VWSA) and the Delta Motor Corporation – accounted for 46 per cent of the total new vehicle market of 32 140 units. The three supplied 48 per cent of the new car market, 39 per cent of light commercials, 48 per cent of medium commercials and 51 per cent of heavy commercials. VWSA, which was the new car market leader in 2001, held 22 per cent of the January market. Overall, January 2002 new passenger car sales at 22 463 units registered an improvement of 2 146 units, or 10.5 per cent, compared to the 20 317 sales recorded during the corresponding month of January in 2001. Sales of new light commercial vehicles, LDVs and minibuses at 8 817 units during January, 2002 reflected an improvement of 365 units, or 4.3 per cent, compared to the 8 452 unit sales of the corresponding month in 2001. Sales of vehicles in the medium and heavy truck segments of the industry during January, 2002 reflected a mixed performance and at 325 units and 535 units, respectively, recorded a decline of 88 units or 21.3 per cent, in the case of medium commercials, versus strong gains of 160 units or 42.6 per cent, in the case of heavy trucks and buses compared to the corresponding month last year. The continuing strong performance of the heavy truck and bus segment, in recent months, reflects continued improvement in fixed investment sentiment in the economy, according to Naamsa. VWSA Sales and Marketing Director Jolyon Nash says the boom in sales may slow down as the domestic economy is facing some serious challenges in the coming year. “On the upside, signs are emerging that the global slowdown is beginning to bottom out, which will possibly assist the balance of payments position during the second half of the year. Also South Africans can probably look forward to a stimulatory budget to be presented to the country later this month including further tax relief and higher levels of government spending. While the stock exchange, despite the recent correction, has also performed well." For a full sales analysis, go to www.naamsa.co.za