IMPROVING LIVES THROUGH DATA ECOSYSTEMS

Income 

The total income for the motor trade industry in 2018 was R679,1 billion. The total income represents an increase of 4,3% per annum over the income reported in the corresponding survey of 2015 (R599,1 billion). Comparing 2015 and 2018, large increases were reported for ‘retail sales of motor vehicles’ (+R54,7 billion), ‘retail sales of automotive fuel’ (+R9,6 billion) and ‘wholesale sales of motor vehicles’ (+R8,1 billion). 

Between 2009 and 2018, ‘retail sales of automotive fuel’ gained the biggest percentage share (+1,6 percentage points) in income from the motor trade industry (from a percentage contribution of 25,9% in 2009 to 27,5% in 2018). ‘Maintenance and repair of motor vehicles’ lost the biggest percentage share (‑0,8 percentage points) over the same period (from 5,2% in 2009 to 4,4% in 2018). 

Profit Margin

The profit margin for the motor trade industry in 2018 was 1,9%. ‘Sales of used motor vehicle parts and accessories’ and ‘sales of new motor vehicle parts and accessories’ had the highest profit margin at 3,4% each, followed by ‘maintenance and repair of motor vehicles’ and ‘sales, maintenance and repair of motorcycles and related accessories’ at 2,7% each. ‘Wholesale sales of motor vehicles’ and ‘retail sales of automotive fuel’ had the lowest profit margin of 1,4% each in 2018. 

Concentration ratio 

In 2018, the top 100 enterprises in the motor trade industry contributed 39,3% to the total income. The highest concentration ratio of the top 100 enterprises (CR100) in the four periods was 42,9% in 2009. The concentration ratios of the top 5, 10, 20 and 50 enterprises were the lowest in 2018 at 14,0%, 18,9%, 25,6% and 33,3%, respectively. The lowest concentration ratio of the top 100 enterprises (CR100) in the four periods was 38,7% in 2012. 

Capital expenditure

The capital expenditure on new assets in 2018 (R6,7 billion) represents a decrease of 2,7% per annum over the expenditure reported in the corresponding survey of 2015 (R7,3 billion). The biggest decrease was reported in ‘retail sales of motor vehicles’ (-R566 million). The largest contributor to capital expenditure on new assets in 2018 was ‘retail sales of motor vehicles’ (R4,4 billion or 65,1%), followed by ‘retail sales of automotive fuel’ (R780 million or 11,6%) and ‘maintenance and repair of motor vehicles’ (R739 million or 11,0%).

Between 2009 and 2018, ‘retail sales of automotive fuel’ gained the biggest percentage share (+6,6 percentage points) in capital expenditure on new assets (from a percentage contribution of 5,0% in 2009 to 11,6% in 2018). ‘Retail sales of motor vehicles’ lost the biggest percentage share (‑13,2 percentage points) over the same period (from 78,3% in 2009 to 65,1% in 2018).

Employment

The total number of persons employed in the motor trade industry as at the end of June 2018 was 267 319. This represents a decrease of 0,3% per annum over the employment recorded in 2015 (269 774 persons). ‘Retail sales of automotive fuel’ employed the largest number of persons (89 365 or 33,4%), followed by ‘retail sales of motor vehicles’ (83 013 or 31,1%) and ‘maintenance and repair of motor vehicles’ (43 040 or 16,1%). 

Formal employment increased from 258 377 in 2009 to 267 319 in 2018 (a gain of 8 942 jobs). The biggest gains in persons employed between 2009 and 2018 were in ‘retail sales of automotive fuel’ (+17 546) and ‘sales of new motor vehicle parts and accessories’ (+1 331). The biggest loss in persons employed was in ‘maintenance and repair of motor vehicles’ (-6 689 jobs).