GMSA raps up 2015 on strong footing

General Motors South Africa (GMSA) finished 2015 off on a strong note, posting the best sales results of the year for Chevrolet, Opel and Isuzu, a statement issued in Port Elizabeth has said. In December, GMSA sold a total of 5 231 vehicles achieving a market share of 10.6%.

Although NAAMSA domestic sales declined by 4.2% when compared to December last year, GMSA posted a sales gain of 18.6% last year, the statement added. It disclosed that sales were mainly driven by a superb performance in the Light Commercial Vehicle (LCV) segment having sold 2,054 Isuzu KBs and just under a 1,000 Chevrolet Utilities.

Isuzu KB volumes increased by 5% versus the same period last year while Chevrolet Utility improved by 3%.  December represented the highest sales volume month for Isuzu KB since 2006.

According to Brian Olson, GMSA vice president in charge of vehicle sales, service and marketing, “2015 was another tough year for the new vehicle market. Industry sales were down 4.1% versus 2014. Fortunately both Opel and Isuzu bucked this trend. Opel sales volumes ended 2015 up almost 74% vs the prior year. Isuzu Sales volumes ended 2015 up 4% versus 2014.”

Olson said that although 2015 was generally a tough year with the entire domestic vehicle market down.

“The 2015 vehicle sales numbers, although down, were still artificially inflated by unsustainable levels of incentive support. We anticipate an even more challenging year in 2016, with a further slowdown in the economy, the recent increases in interest rates and the weak Rand which will put further pricing pressure in the market,” said Olson.