JOHANNESBURG, Jan. 10 (Xinhuanet) -- South Africa's new vehicle sales breached the 600,000 level last year with a 28.3 percent increase to a record 617,540 units, auto industry said on Tuesday.

    The National Association of Automobile Manufacturers of South Africa (Naamsa) said that whilst some further consolidation in new vehicle sales was expected, following the record performance during the past few months, a combination of strong economic fundamentals should support the positive momentum in the South African economy and demand for new motor vehicles well into 2006.

    Naamsa sales for 2005 rose by 25.7 percent to 565,018 units, while non-Naasma sales jumped by 66.5 percent to 52, 432 units.

    During 2005, South Africa was probably the best performing market internationally. Calendar 2005 represented another outstanding and record year for the South African new vehicle manufacturing industry with both domestic sales and production rising to all time highs.

    The exceptionally positive growth trend in South African new vehicle sales, experienced over recent years, should continue into the first half of 2006, albeit at a more subdued pace -- with current industry sales projections for the year as a whole in a range of 7 percent to 10 percent.

    At the same time, however, industry vehicle exports and domestic production are set to grow by double-digit numbers. Enditem