Vehicle sales drop after September strike

Vehicle exports slumped by a massive 43%.

New vehicle sales have been hard hit by last month's two-week automotive component industry strike. The action had forced most car manufacturers to shut down as a result of component shortages.

Sales figures show sales in most segments of the market declining by between 11% and 21% in September compared to the corresponding month last year. The automobile manufacturers association -- the National Association of Automobile Manufacturers of SA (Naamsa) -- has just released the figures.

Vehicle exports slumped by a massive 43%. Volkswagen South Africa spokesperson Bill Stevens says the VW brand is under huge pressure with big shortages of Polo and Golfs.