The NAAMSA vehicle sales report for May shows total sales of 28 972 vehicles including sales reported by AMH. Although down by 32,9% on May last year the market performance for the month was ahead of the overall performance for four month period January through April and assisted in decreasing the year on year gap to 35,8%.

"Sales of passenger and light commercial vehicles show signs of stabilising at a new level around 35% down on 2008," says Johan van Zyl, President and CEO of Toyota South Africa. The heavy and extra heavy truck sectors are however a concern as sales in these sectors continue to decline. Heavy vehicle sales were down by 48% in May and extra heavies down by 61% for the month compared to May 08.

“While the motor industry, and the global economy, are certainly not out of the woods yet there are indications that a more positive mood could be emerging and that we may be near the bottom of the economic trough. The focus through the coming months will however be on stabilisation rather than any prospect of growth.

"Consumers will increasingly feel the positive impact of a significant decrease in the interest rate over the past months with indications of more to come. Another positive is the current strength of the Rand that will act to reduce imported costs. These factors can only be expected to impact some months down the way as confidence builds."

Toyota continued its market leadership with a 21,3% market share for the month with a total of 6 167 sales. The Hilux dominated individual model sales for the month with 1 984 units in support of Toyota’s 35% share of the light commercial vehicle market. Toyota was the leader in medium commercial vehicle sales with the Hino 300 Series together with the Dyna and was also the leader in heavy vehicle sales (8501-16500kg) with the Hino 500 Series.