Latest news with #vehiclesales
Zawya
12 hours ago
- Business
- Zawya
South African business confidence edges up in July ahead of Trump's 30% tariff
South African business confidence rose in July, helped by higher new vehicle sales, rising manufacturing output, strong precious metals prices and well-contained inflation, data showed on Wednesday, 13 August 2025. The South African Chamber of Commerce and Industry's Business Confidence Index rose to 116.7 in July, up from 113.2 in June. The business chamber releases the index every two months. June's business confidence level was lower than May's 115.8 reading before July's rebound. The chamber said the 30% tariff on South African exports to the US that kicked in last week could weigh on sentiment in the remainder of the year. "The imposition of a general tariff of 30% by the USA on exports from South Africa to the USA could have unintended and austere consequences for the South African economy and for longer-term business relations," the South African Chamber of Commerce and Industry (SACCI) said in a statement. South African officials were planning to submit a revised trade deal offer to Washington on Tuesday to try to secure a lower tariff or exempt major industries. Months of negotiations with US President Donald Trump's administration have so far failed to produce a deal. SACCI said it was important that South Africa does everything possible to have positive trade relations with the US given subdued economic growth forecasts for this year and next. All rights reserved. © 2022. Provided by SyndiGate Media Inc. (
Reuters
6 days ago
- Business
- Reuters
South African business confidence edges up in July ahead of Trump's 30% tariff
JOHANNESBURG, Aug 13 (Reuters) - South African business confidence rose in July, helped by higher new vehicle sales, rising manufacturing output, strong precious metals prices and well-contained inflation, data showed on Wednesday. The South African Chamber of Commerce and Industry's Business Confidence Index (ZABCI=ECI), opens new tab rose to 116.7 in July, up from 113.2 in June. The business chamber releases the index every two months. June's business confidence level was lower than May's 115.8 reading before July's rebound. The chamber said the 30% tariff on South African exports to the U.S. that kicked in last week could weigh on sentiment in the remainder of the year. "The imposition of a general tariff of 30% by the USA on exports from South Africa to the USA could have unintended and austere consequences for the South African economy and for longer-term business relations," the South African Chamber of Commerce and Industry (SACCI) said in a statement. South African officials were planning to submit a revised trade deal offer to Washington on Tuesday to try to secure a lower tariff or exempt major industries. Months of negotiations with U.S. President Donald Trump's administration have so far failed to produce a deal. SACCI said it was important that South Africa does everything possible to have positive trade relations with the U.S. given subdued economic growth forecasts for this year and next.
Yahoo
6 days ago
- Automotive
- Yahoo
Chinese vehicle sales rise 15% in July
Sales of Chinese-made vehicles, including exports, rose by almost 15% year-on-year to 2.593 million units in July 2025, after declining by 5% to 2.262 million units a year earlier, according to passenger car and commercial vehicle wholesale data compiled by the China Association of Automobile Manufacturers (CAAM). Domestic sales rose by 13% to 2.018 million units last month, while exports increased by 23% to 575,000 units. Switch Auto Insurance and Save Today! The Insurance Savings You Expect Great Rates and Award-Winning Service Affordable Auto Insurance, Customized for You The Chinese government has stepped up its stimulus measures this year to boost domestic vehicles sales, including increasing vehicle trade-in incentives which primarily favour new energy vehicle (NEV) sales. The country's vehicle market has also responded to strong price competition among domestic manufacturers and numerous new model launches. The government recently confirmed that it will continue to fund its subsidy programmes at least until the end of 2025, but has ordered local vehicle manufacturers to rein in their excessive discounting, which is seen as damaging the profitability and prospects of the country's smaller, less established electric vehicle (EV) brands. In the first seven months of 2025, total sales of China-made vehicles increased by over 12% to 18.269 million units, up from 16.310 million a year earlier, including a 12% rise in domestic sales to 14.588 million units while exports rose by over 12% to 3.658 million units. Overall sales of passenger vehicles increased by 13% to 15.841 million units, while commercial vehicle sales rose by 4% to 2.428 million units. Sales of new energy vehicles (NEVs) rose by over 38% to 8.220 million units, accounting for over 45% of total vehicle sales by the country's automakers. Battery electric vehicle (BEV) sales surged by 47% to 5.246 million units, while plug-in hybrid vehicle (PHEV) sales rose by 26% to 2.972 million units. Domestic NEV sales rose by 32% to 6.913 million units year-to-date, while exports amounted to 1.307 million units. Overall vehicle production in the country increased by almost 13% to 18.235 million units year-to-date, compared with 16.179 million in the same period last year. Manufacturer performances BYD's global sales rose by 27% to 2,490,250 units in the first seven months of 2025, including a 133% surge in overseas sales to 545,003 units. Overall sales of passenger PHEVs surged by 15% to 1,253,033 units, while passenger BEV sales rose by 40% to 1,201,268 units and commercial vehicle sales jumped nearly fivefold to 35,949 units. SAIC Motor reported a 15% increase in global sales to 2,390,122units year-to-date, driven by a 35% surge in SAIC-GM-Wuling's deliveries to 874,117 units. SAIC-VW's sales dropped by 4% to 593,091 units, while SAIC-GM's sales increased by 19% to 240,579 units from depressed levels a year earlier. Overseas sales increased by just over 1% to 576,125 units, while global NEV sales surged by 43% to 763,557 units. Geely Automobile Holdings reported a 49% rise in global sales to 1,646,897 units in the first seven months of 2025, while Chery Automobile's sales rose by 14% to 1,484,563 units, including 669,360 exports. GAC Group, including its joint ventures with Toyota and Honda, reported a 13% sales decline to 874,782 units, while Great Wall Motor's sales increased by less than 4% to 674,161 units –with overseas sales rising by 2% to 238,746 units. Tesla's Shanghaifactory sales fell by 14% to 432,360 unitsyear-to-date, withretail sales in China falling by 6% to 304,027 units despite the recent launch of the revised Model Y, while exports plunged by 27% to 128,333 units. "Chinese vehicle sales rise 15% in July" was originally created and published by Just Auto, a GlobalData owned brand. The information on this site has been included in good faith for general informational purposes only. It is not intended to amount to advice on which you should rely, and we give no representation, warranty or guarantee, whether express or implied as to its accuracy or completeness. You must obtain professional or specialist advice before taking, or refraining from, any action on the basis of the content on our site. Error in retrieving data Sign in to access your portfolio Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data
Gulf Business
7 days ago
- Automotive
- Gulf Business
Škoda Auto posts double-digit growth in H1 2025, expands Middle East footprint
Image: Pexels/Illustrative Škoda Auto has reported a strong financial and sales performance for the first half of 2025, delivering 509,400 vehicles globally — a year-on-year increase of 13.6 per cent. The company's robust sales translated into solid financial results, with revenue rising to €15.07bn (up 10.4 per cent), operating profit reaching €1.285bn (up 11.8 per cent), and net cash flow at €1.453bn (up 3.2 per cent). In the Middle East, Škoda made strategic moves during the first half of 2025, officially entering the Oman market in February, restarting operations in Qatar in April, and signing an agreement to expand into Saudi Arabia, the region's largest automotive market. In June, the brand also opened two new showrooms in the UAE, strengthening its commitment to accessibility and enhancing the retail customer experience. The regional line-up continues to be led by the 7-seater Kodiaq and the value-focused Kushaq, now joined by the newly launched Octavia RS, which blends performance and functionality. 'Škoda Auto is thriving, delivering solid financial results for the first half of 2025 despite significant challenges across our industry. Once again, we have achieved growth across our core KPIs and demonstrated that we are one of the most profitable automotive brands in the volume segment. These fantastic results are a testament to a resilient business model. It is notable that our success in the first six months has been spread across powertrains, confirming we are on the right course by offering freedom of choice in this era of transition. We go into the second half of the year in peak form while always remaining focused and vigilant,' said Klaus Zellmer, CEO of Škoda Auto. 'We're proud to see Škoda Auto's global performance reflected in our momentum across the GCC,' said Lukas Honzak, managing director at Škoda Middle East. 'From entering high-potential markets to expanding our retail footprint in the region, we're laying the groundwork for long-term growth. Customers in the region continue to respond strongly to our versatile line-up, which offers quality, inventiveness and great value for money. We aim to bring Škoda's advanced European automotive technology and exceptional customer service even closer customers in the Middle East.' Read: The latest regional launches for 2025 — the all-new 7-seater Kodiaq and the upgraded Octavia RS — have been well received. The Kodiaq recorded strong sales of 905 units in H1 2025, compared to 669 in the same period of 2024, reinforcing its position as a family favourite for its comfort, space, and safety features. The iconic Octavia, introduced in May, was also met with strong demand for its balance of performance and practicality. The Kushaq, Škoda's second best-selling model in the Middle East, continues to attract cost-conscious drivers looking for a safe, efficient, and stylish drive — a segment gaining momentum in the region. As Škoda Auto marks its 130th anniversary, the brand continues to merge its heritage with modern innovation, creating a strong platform for sustained growth in Europe and the Middle East.
Yahoo
30-07-2025
- Automotive
- Yahoo
This Unassuming Crossover Is Threatening To Upend Ford's F-150 Sales Record
We all love a story about giant-slayers. Underdogs rolling up to challenge entrenched businesses or corporate bigwigs, only to end up winning the day. That's the plot of approximately 92% of '80s movies. So, to find out that the long-running, all-conquering, dominant Ford F-150 pickup truck might no longer be at the top of the vehicle sales ladder, but could get displaced by some young upstart, feels like either the climactic plot point of a John Hughes film about plucky misfit car builders beating the Big Three or deeply un-American, depending on your viewpoint. Let's not keep you waiting any longer. The vehicle we're talking about is the Tesla Cybertruck. Ha, no, sorry, can't keep a straight face! The Ford F-150 Lightning alone outsells the Cybertruck. The sales-threatening crossover in question is actually the Toyota RAV4. Yes, the Japanese SUVlet that was advertised in America in the late '90s with a TV commercial featuring the undisputed banger "What Do I Get?" by English punk legends Buzzcocks. Here's the thing, though. JATO Dynamics (an automotive analytics firm and not a "Jet Assisted Take-Off" specialist) reports that Ford sold 460,915 F-150s in 2024, while the RAV4 sold 475,193. But that sales reporting doesn't account for the F-250 through F-600 models, while Ford itself counts those F-series models as branches of a single tree. Mike Levine, Ford's North America product communications director, told Road and Track, "All Ford F-Series trucks, from F-150 to F-600, share a common cab architecture from the A-pillar to the C-pillar." Count Ford's F-Series the way Ford does, and you're looking at over 732,000 sold in 2024 instead. Add in Ford heavy trucks, such as the F-650 and F-750, and that count goes even higher. Read more: Ford Faces Yet Another Massive Safety Probe As Feds Investigate 1.3 Million Faulty F-150s Digging Into The Real Sales Figures For an even fairer comparison, let's add in the Ford Maverick and Ranger, which act like more affordable and efficient mini-F-Series (and aren't far from the size of older F-150s anyway). The cheapest F-150 today costs $8,000 more than it did in 2021, when it could be had for under $30,000. Meanwhile, 2024 Mavericks have suggested prices starting around $24,000, and the 2024 Ranger started at just under $33,000. Really, these trucks have slotted in nicely as mini F-series, and they certainly have the capability to be thought of as such. Yes, 2024 F-150 sales dropped 5% from 2023, but Mavericks and Rangers went from 126,392 sold in the U.S. in 2023 to 177,347 in 2024. Even the F-Series as a whole increased sales, climbing from 726,624 in 2023 to 732,139 in 2024. Combine the sales of the 2024 Maverick, Ranger, and F-series, and you get 909,486 trucks. Add in the heavy trucks (F-650 and F-750), and you get 923,157. The other consideration is that the 2024 RAV4 base suggested price was about $30,000. Inflation has had unpleasant effects on the U.S. economy as of late, and "stagflation," where inflation outpaces job growth, is a real concern. So, looking through a microscope at only the cheaper RAV4 and pricier F-150 is kind of an apples-to-filet-mignon comparison. You're saying the less costly, but still quite utility-forward vehicle, improved in sales when the economy is hurting? What a surprise. RAV4s Sold Great, But There's More To Ford's Pickup Lineup Than The F-150 Combining the sales of Toyota's SUVs and crossovers in 2024, including the RAV4, bZ4X, Highlander, Grand Highlander, Corolla Cross, 4Runner, Venza, Sequoia, and Land Cruiser, yields 927,611 sold. In other words, Ford's truck lineup alone rivals the sales of the full SUV/crossover lineup from Toyota in 2024, including leftovers such as the discontinued Venza, which contributed about 32,000 vehicles on its way out the door. It's almost like the F-Series' utility is still necessary in many situations. So is this "sales upset" a victory for the RAV4? Does it prove some larger point about a shift from large trucks to more eco-friendly crossovers? Not really, and by laser focusing on the F-150 and RAV4, a rather incomplete picture has been painted. RAV4s sell well, no doubt about it, and the 2026 hybrid-only Toyota RAV4 with its 320-hp PHEV Sport Version is something to look forward to. But Ford's F-Series is still about 250,000 ahead in yearly sales, and that's a lot of ground to cover for a single model. Ford's throne is certainly safe for the moment, as evidenced by the fact that in 2025 so far, the RAV4 has moved 239,451 vehicles to the F-Series' 412,858. Want more like this? Join the Jalopnik newsletter to get the latest auto news sent straight to your inbox... Read the original article on Jalopnik.
