The South African vehicle sales market experienced a notable uptick in February, with total sales reaching 47 978 units, representing a 7.3% increase compared to the 44 749 vehicles sold in the same period last year. Leading the charge, the Toyota Hilux reclaimed its position as the country’s best-selling vehicle, following its displacement by the Suzuki Swift in January.
Top Vehicle Sales Performers in February
Holding firm in third place, the Volkswagen Polo Vivo secured 2 187 approvals, while the Ford Ranger, ranking fourth, was the only other model to surpass the 2 000-unit mark, recording 2 168 units sold.
Moving up one spot from January, the Isuzu D-Max settled in fifth place with 1 924 units sold. The Toyota Corolla Cross also gained a position, climbing from sixth to take the sixth spot with 1 435 units.
A significant movement was seen in the Hyundai Grand i10, which jumped from eighth to seventh place with 1 381 units, overtaking the Toyota Starlet, which fell four places from its previous ranking to secure 1 279 units.
Remaining steady in ninth, the Chery Tiggo 4 Pro continued its reign as the top-selling Chinese vehicle, recording 1 147 units. Rounding off the top 10, the Suzuki Fronx secured 1 123 units sold.
Market Overview
February’s vehicle sales figures highlighted an even distribution between locally manufactured and imported vehicles. According to the National Association of Automobile Manufacturers of South Africa (Naamsa), total new vehicle sales experienced an overall increase, despite mixed results across various segments.
New passenger vehicle sales surged by 17%, rising from 28 857 to 33 757 units. However, light commercial vehicles faced a downturn, declining by 11.3% from 13 306 units last year to 11 802 this year. Medium-duty commercial vehicles performed well, increasing by 11.8% from 645 to 721 units, while heavy-duty trucks and buses saw a 12.5% decline, falling from 1 941 to 1 698 units.
Exports, which had shown strong momentum in January, saw a setback in February, dropping by 12.3% from 39 517 units last year to 34 656 units.
Breakdown of Vehicle Sales by Sector
Of the total vehicles sold in February, dealer sales accounted for 84.1% (40 376 units), while the remaining distribution was as follows:
- Rental agencies: 11.1%
- Corporate fleets: 2.2%
- Government: 2.5%
Naamsa’s Perspective
Naamsa CEO Mikel Mabasa attributed the market’s positive momentum to recent monetary policy changes. “The 75-basis point rate cut since September, coupled with expectations of further monetary easing, continued to improve vehicle affordability and stimulate demand,” he stated.
Despite the drop in exports, Mabasa emphasized the resilience of the industry, adding, “The February data reflects an industry that is adapting to both domestic tailwinds and global headwinds, reaffirming its structural resilience.” He also noted that while global demand for South African-built models remains strong, the declining export figures highlight the necessity of navigating evolving trade conditions.
Top-Selling Automotive Brands
Toyota remained South Africa’s leading automaker, recording 11 397 units sold in February. Suzuki maintained its position as the second best-selling brand with 6 044 units, following its significant gains in January. Volkswagen secured third place with 5 196 units, while Hyundai and Ford completed the top five with 3 048 and 2 898 units, respectively.
Isuzu saw significant improvement, jumping two places to secure sixth with 2 039 units. This allowed it to surpass both Chery and Great Wall Motors (GWM), which recorded 1 924 and 1 713 units, respectively. Mahindra held its top 10 status for the second consecutive month, achieving 1 610 sales, while Nissan re-entered the rankings with 1 497 units, displacing Renault and Kia.
February’s Top 10 Best-Selling Vehicles:
| Rank | Model | Units Sold |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Toyota Hilux | 2 683 |
| 2 | Suzuki Swift | 2 351 |
| 3 | Volkswagen Polo Vivo | 2 187 |
| 4 | Ford Ranger | 2 168 |
| 5 | Isuzu D-Max | 1 924 |
| 6 | Toyota Corolla Cross | 1 435 |
| 7 | Hyundai Grand i10 | 1 381 |
| 8 | Toyota Starlet | 1 279 |
| 9 | Chery Tiggo 4 Pro | 1 147 |
| 10 | Suzuki Fronx | 1 123 |
February’s vehicle sales reinforce the resilience of South Africa’s automotive sector, with local demand remaining strong despite global economic challenges. While fluctuations in commercial vehicle sales and exports present areas of concern, the overall market performance signals a positive outlook for the industry moving forward.
Related article: South Africa’s Fastest-Growing Chinese Car Brands
