The Motor Vehicles Importers Association said in a press release that the September deliveries, representsthe economic slowdown which seems to have reached the local car sector
Data published last week by Israel Motor Vehicles Importers Association (IMVIA) noted that on the basis of licensing figuresVehicle deliveriesin September were 20% down. 16,270 vehicles were delivered in Israel in September 2011, 18% less than the preceding month, and 15% less than the monthly average over the first seven months of the year.
The Vehicles Importers Association noted however that, the 16,270 vehicles delivered in September was still 15% higher than the corresponding month of 2010. Since the beginning of 2011, 178,573 vehicles have been delivered, 15% higher than the corresponding period of 2010. 2011 is still expected to be the best-selling year ever, with about 230,000 new vehicles sold.
Hyundai continues to be the most popular new vehicle in Israel with 25,974 vehicles delivered so far this year, up 18.5% from the corresponding period last year.
In second place is Mazda with 18,340 deliveries, down 19%. Toyota is another Japanese carmaker hit by the strength of the yen with deliveries down 4% to 15,579.
In fourth place is Korean manufacturer Kia with 12,085 deliveries, a jump of 80%. Chevrolet is in fifth place with 11,338 deliveries, up 51%.
The Motor Vehicles Importers Association said in a press release that the September deliveries, representsthe economic slowdown which seems to have reached the local car sector.Industry sources say this trend may reflect a saturated market for new cars after months of record sales.
The weaker September sales were due to massive purchases by leasing companies in the preceding months.
It may also reflect low inventories of cheap models that are selling out. Or, it could also reflect a change in consumer attitudes in the wake of this summer's protests - and hopes that reforms could lead to lower vehicle prices in the not too distant future.
