Mercedes-Benz Withholds December Sales Data in South Africa
Mercedes-Benz South Africa has pulled its December 2011 sales figures from NAAMSA reporting, following a Daimler AG directive linked to a European competition investigation.
Mercedes-Benz South Africa has withdrawn its new-vehicle and export sales figures from the country’s official December 2011 statistics, following a directive from parent company Daimler AG. The move comes as Daimler faces an ongoing European Union investigation into alleged anti-competitive practices among truck manufacturers.
The National Association of Automobile Manufacturers of South Africa (NAAMSA) confirmed the withdrawal in a statement, saying the decision is precautionary and linked to the European Commission’s probe. Daimler instructed its South African subsidiary to stop providing sales data, affecting both domestic new-vehicle and export reporting. NAAMSA did not specify how long the reporting suspension would last.
Context of the Daimler directive
The European Commission’s investigation targets several European truck manufacturers, including Daimler, over suspected anti-competitive behaviour. While the probe focuses on European operations, Daimler has extended its compliance measures globally. This has resulted in the suspension of sales data reporting by its subsidiaries outside Europe, including Mercedes-Benz South Africa.
NAAMSA is due to release its December 2011 figures without Mercedes-Benz South Africa’s contribution. The omission is notable, as Mercedes-Benz SA ranked sixth in the country’s sales chart in November, with 2,106 new cars sold and a 4.2 percent share of the 49,499-unit market. The company’s East London plant builds the C-Class saloon for local and export markets and assembles trucks, making its figures a regular fixture in both passenger and commercial vehicle statistics.
Implications for industry reporting
The withdrawal affects the transparency of South African automotive market data, as monthly NAAMSA figures are widely used by manufacturers, dealers and analysts to track performance and trends. For December 2011, the lack of Mercedes-Benz South Africa’s data creates a gap in both passenger and commercial vehicle reporting, complicating year-end analysis and market share calculations.
NAAMSA has not indicated whether other manufacturers might follow suit or if the reporting suspension will extend into the new year. Daimler’s global compliance response to the EU investigation remains the central reason for the change, with no suggestion of local regulatory or operational issues in South Africa.
Mercedes-Benz South Africa’s recent performance
Prior to the suspension, Mercedes-Benz South Africa had reported strong results, including record global November sales for the brand. The East London plant continues to play a key role in Daimler’s global supply chain, assembling both passenger cars and commercial vehicles for domestic and export markets. For context on recent performance, see Mercedes-Benz Sets New November Sales Record Globally.
