Kenyan new vehicle sales drop by 22%

The sales of new vehicles in Kenya during the first 10 months of the year have fallen by 22.21% in comparison to the same time period in 2016.

Last year between January and October, sales reached 11,535 units, whereas in 2017 only 8,972 new vehicle units were sold.

According to data released by Isuzu East Africa (IEA) August was the least successful month with only 723 units sold.

It was followed by January, in which757 new vehicles were sold, and then October, with 768 units being sold in the month.

SEE ALSO:

• Morocco launches self-service car sharing

• Ubers users to receive up to Sh150,000 in accident cover

• Should South African public transport be 'uberfied'?

• Read the latest issue of African Business Review here

The report states that 56.7% of Kenyans were in favour of purchasing completely built units, with the remaining 43.3% who preferred locally assembled units.

It is anticipated that these statistics may change following the arrival of Renault, locally assembled VW Polo Vivo, and Mobius 11 into the family and urban small cars market.

Out of the 8,972 units sold, 2,410 of them were light trucks, accounting for more than a quarter of sales and making it the most sold model.

However, light trucks still sold more in the same time period of last year at 3,185, a decrease of 24.3%.

During the 10 months, Special Utility Vehicles sold 1,538 units, which was only a decrease of 0.9% from last year’s 1,538.

Double cabin models sold 1,293 and dropped to 1,255, a fall of 2.9%, demonstrating a sustained interest with the vehicles.