- Ford was the second-best selling brand in March 2017 with 6 433 vehicles sold
- Ranger remains one of SA’s top nameplates: second in LCV segment and overall sales
- Best Ranger exports of the year: 4 859 vehicles shipped to Europe, Middle East and Africa
- Everest climbs to new heights with best-ever sales, EcoSport continues segment domination
PRETORIA, South Africa, 5 April, 2017 – Ford was the second-best selling automotive brand in South Africa during March 2017, with continued strong demand for the Ford Ranger and record-setting sales for the Ford Everest being the key highlights.
Ford sold a total of 6 433 vehicles in March, giving it 14.5% market share. The Ranger ended on 3 234 units, securing its place among the top two in the light commercial vehicle segment, and in the overall sales in March. This was up almost 3% on February 2017 sales.
The Ranger also notched up its highest export volume yet for the year, with 4 859 Rangers being exported to markets in Africa, the Middle East and Europe.
Its SUV sibling, the sophisticated seven-seater Everest, continues to gain traction and popularity in this rapidly expanding segment, with the 577 vehicles sold representing an all-time record for this model.
The EcoSport retained its unbroken dominance of the compact SUV segment with 759 sales reported, while the Fiesta secured its third consecutive month with sales in excess of 1 000 units, ending on a final tally of 1 041.
“The Ranger remains our star performer in South Africa, and it was encouraging to see sales increasing once again,” said Neale Hill, Director of Marketing, Sales and Service for Ford Motor Company Sub-Saharan Africa Region. “We are delighted with the growing demand for the expanded Everest range, and we expect this to continue in line with the growth of this very popular segment.”
*According to the National Association of Automobile Manufacturers of South Africa (NAAMSA), March 2017 aggregate new vehicle sales at 48 534 units had increased by 1 020 units or 2.1% from the 47 514 vehicles sold in March last year.
Overall, out of the total reported industry sales of 48 534 vehicles, an estimated 42 772 units or 88.1% represented dealer sales, 6.7% were sales to the vehicle rental Industry, 3.0% to government and 2.2% to industry corporate fleets.
The March, 2017 new car market at 31 034 vehicles reflected a gain of 644 cars or an improvement of 2.1% compared to the 30 390 new cars sold in March last year.
Domestic sales of new light commercial vehicles, bakkies and mini buses at 14 882 vehicles reflected a marginal improvement of 169 vehicles or a gain of 1.1% compared to the 14 713 light commercial vehicles sold during the corresponding month last year.
“Overall it’s encouraging to see a slight positive shift in retail vehicle sales at the end of the first quarter of 2017 across all four sectors, particularly in light of reduced demand from the rental industry last month. However, it remains to be seen if this is sustainable due to the ongoing economic challenges, and the further instability created by the turbulent political climate,” Hill added.
