Strike leads to 39% vehicle export drop

Ed Richardson
THE FULL impact of the August strike action in the motor industry was felt in September, when exports dropped by 39%, according to the National Association of Automobile Manufacturers of South Africa (Naamsa). However, aggregate new vehicle exports for the first eight months of the year remained 61.4% ahead of the corresponding period last year.
Total new car exports for the period January to August were 60 744 units, compared to 35 216 during the same period in 2000. Light commercial exports were 6 643 compared to 2000Õs 6 237, while commercial exports have dropped from 455 to 268.
While all manufacturers have taken steps to make up for lost export production, it is unlikely that the industry will achieve the originally projected 105 000 units for year 2001, reports Naamsa.
A further concern is the state of the world economy, which will affect demand for the vehicles produced in South Africa.