Economy

Election months record lowest number of new car sales

car sales

The general election period saw a dip in the total number of new vehicles sold in Kenya this year, with the lowest number recorded in August. FILE PHOTO | NMG

The General Elections period saw a dip in the total number of new vehicles sold in Kenya, with the lowest number recorded in August.

A total of 723 units were sold in August followed by January (757 units), according to a review of new motor vehicle sales conducted by Isuzu East Africa (IEA)

The effects of the political environment were also evident in October, which recorded the third lowest sales at 768 units.

The month was characterised by protracted electioneering, including protests leading up to the October 26 repeat presidential elections, after the Supreme Court annulled the August 8 poll.

This year's volume of sales to date declined by 22.21 per cent to 8,972 units from last year when 11,535 vehicles were sold.

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Highest sales

The highest sales of motor vehicles this year were made in March and April, with 1,122 and 1,003 units sold respectively.

The statistics show that one-tonne pick-ups, light trucks, double cabins and special utility vehicles were the most popular, with 6,296 units sold between January to October, 2017.

IEA controlled 34.6 per cent of the market with 3,100 units sold, followed Toyota East Africa’s 2,114 units (23.6 per cent).

Simba Colt share stood at 14.8 per cent with 1,324 units sold while DT Dobie settled for a 4.8 per cent market share with 433 units sold to date.

CMC, which sold 670 units, had a 7.5 per cent share while Tata's 473 units gave them a 5.3 per cent market share.

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