Here’s why there’s a shortage of new cars in South Africa right now
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A combination of improved demand and an international shortage in parts has led to a shortage of stock of some new car models in South Africa.
This is primarily being driven by an ongoing global shortage of semi-conductors, or computer chips, which is impacting certain new models, said Mark Dommisse, chairperson of the National Automobile Dealers’ Association (Nada).
He added that the Covid-19 pandemic is still negatively impacting many of the countries that supply built-up vehicles and components to South Africa.
Major manufacturers, including Ford and General Motors, have had to halt production while awaiting new shipments of automotive-grade semiconductors from Taiwan and South Korea – chips that won’t even be manufactured for three to four months.
Stronger retail sales in the South African vehicle market in March are most encouraging, and this year may be better than expected for the local motor industry. The delayed replacement cycle is starting to catch up, helped by interest rates remaining low. The used vehicle market is also strong, which is good for all sectors of the industry s overall health.
Two months after a semi-hard lockdown, consumer confidence is improving. This after potential buyers were wary in January and cautious in February. Now that the second wave has passed and the country s economy is stabilising, people are looking to buy new vehicles again.
April 3, 2021
Second hand car buyers beware
BUYING a second hand car can be an exciting purchase and a good economical decision provided there are no unexpected surprises.
Cars that have been severely damaged and which should have been written off as scrap as they are beyond repair, often end up being repaired and placed back on the road. To the untrained eye these cars may look acceptable, but hoist them up and take a closer look and you would be shocked at the quality of the repair job and the severity of the previous damage incurred. Richard Green, National Director of the South African Motor Body Repairers’ Association (SAMBRA), an association of the Retail Motor Industry Organisation (RMI), says the problem in South Africa is that there is no way of checking if that car has been written off previously in an accident and this makes it difficult for consumers to access if the apparently showroom-condition car they bought, is exactly what it claims to be? “We have repe
One year into lockdown, hereâs what car sales figures are like in South Africa
By Pritesh Ruthun
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JOHANNESBURG â As the country observed the first-year anniversary since lockdown commenced, new vehicle sales provided reason for the industry to celebrate.
Twelve months ago, the country reeled to news of the pending lockdown as showrooms prepared to close their doors, consumers headed home, and vehicles were only let out for essential services.
In March 2020, the new vehicle market plummeted 29.7% compared to March 2019 to record just 33 545 sales.
The grip on the South African motor industry had tightened quickly.
One year later, the resilient industry is fighting a hard recovery.
One year into lockdown, here s what car sales figures are like in South Africa msn.com - get the latest breaking news, showbiz & celebrity photos, sport news & rumours, viral videos and top stories from msn.com Daily Mail and Mail on Sunday newspapers.