Auto dealers struggle as car sales dip 30.6pc in 2016

New car sales dropped 30.6 percent in 2016, highlighting a turbulent year for auto dealers.

Data from the Kenya Motor Industry Association shows that dealers sold 13,869 units in 2016 compared to 19,523 units in 2015.

General Motors East Africa continued to enjoy market leadership selling 4,751 units accounting for 35 percent of the market.

GM’s flagship models include the Isuzu D-Max, Chevrolet as well as commercial vehicles.

Toyota came in second with a market share of 20 percent selling 2,778 units including Hino trucks down from 4,151.

Dealers attribute the dismal performance to a combination of slowing economic activity and the imposition of excise taxes on assembled vehicles for the better part of last year.

Simba Corp with its line of Mitsubishi and BMW vehicles saw sales drop from 3,430 units to 2,343 units.

DT Dobie’s market share dipped to four percent while CMC accounted for 6.9 percent of total sales in the market.

Auto dealers have increasingly been angling for government business under the new leasing program.