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A Ford dealer in South Africa
• Industry body predicts sales improvements after a crippling 2020, but not quite back to 2019 levels.
• Vehicle servicing and parts sales slowly returning to normality.
• A number of forces, some uncontrollable, could still impact the domestic economy and motor industry.
• For more motoring stories, go to www.Wheels24.co.za
The National Automobile Dealers’ Association (NADA) foresees an improved, but by no means smooth, road ahead for South African new car dealers in 2021.
Along with so many other industries, the hard lockdown at the pandemic’s onset forced the automotive industry and dealers into a dire situation. For a very uncomfortable period, new vehicle sales were brought to a virtual standstill. Between April and October, there were six amalgamations, 19 dealership sales and 38 closures due to the economic slowdown.
Midway through 2020, NADA began recovery phases, and franchise dealers have done everything in their power to transition from pure survival mode to finding their feet in tough trading conditions. Even if it meant evolving into leaner, more efficient businesses. This right-sizing, combined with government and rental agencies reopening fleet acquisitions, has resulted in dealers experiencing some stability over the past four to six months.
Fleet operations in South Africa
Cautious of a third wave
The return in appetite from the car-buying public, undoubtedly stimulated by low-interest rates and many banks’ financial relief plans, has also been crucial to recent recovery. In fact, NADA credits the South African government and financiers for providing a strong foundation upon which our industry can rebuild.
However, any market predictions are risky, given the many uncertainties both locally and globally. Several forces, some of which are outside South Africa’s control, could still impact the economy and dampen recovery efforts.
READ: ‘Make new vehicles more affordable and boost sales by 28 000 units’ per annum – NADA
Therefore, we need to be cautious of a third wave, which is almost inevitable in the winter months. The roll-out of the vaccine in South Africa will go a long way to keeping us out of further lockdowns. NADA is looking forward to the opportunity to put this in place in the coming months and create the necessary immunity to strengthen the economy.
Of course, franchise dealers’ success is not measured only on sales, but also on services and parts. A dealer’s income is split roughly fifty-fifty between vehicle sales and revenue generated by workshops and parts counters.
We saw a sharp decline in servicing during initial lockdown phases, as work-from-home arrangements meant far less commuting, and most drivers simply weren’t accumulating distance. The panel beating industry was also severely affected, as fewer cars on the road saw fewer accidents – a grim fact perhaps, but a fact nonetheless.
Car mechanic
Return to near normality
Since September, NADA’s member dealers have returned to near normality in workshops due to more regular commuting patterns. We also saw pre-holiday services close to regular numbers ahead of the December holidays.
Supply challenges with regard to new vehicle stock across brands are also impacting negatively on business. This is mostly due to global supply chain challenges, including a chip shortage that will continue to affect global supply for the foreseeable short-term future.
READ: If you purchase a vehicle worth R1 million, this is your estimated monthly instalment
NADA is, however, encouraged by a healthy used car market, as many consumers are reviewing household budgets and downscaling monthly vehicle expenses.
Demand for second-hand cars is particularly strong, and potential is high for used car departments and dedicated used car dealers. Unfortunately, this does pose another challenge as demand is outstripping supply at the moment. NADA expects buoyancy in used car sales to continue, provided the flow of good quality second-hand vehicles entering the dealer ecosystem is sustained.
Mark Dommisse is the chairperson for NADA.
Mark Dommisse
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Read More: NADA ready to ‘create the necessary immunity’ as SA’s auto industry recovers in 2021
2021-02-28 18:59:27
