May 2025 proved to be a remarkable month for South Africa’s automotive industry, with new vehicle sales reaching a total of 45,308 units. This marks a significant surge compared to the same month last year, representing an impressive 22% year-on-year increase. In absolute terms, this means 8,169 more vehicles were sold than in May 2024, signaling a strong recovery and renewed consumer confidence in the automotive market after a challenging period.

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Top Best-Selling Car Brands

This surge can be attributed to several factors, including improved economic conditions, attractive vehicle financing options, and a renewed appetite among consumers to upgrade their vehicles. As the South African economy continues to stabilize, these numbers provide a promising outlook for the automotive sector, which plays a vital role in the country’s overall economic health.

Toyota Maintains Its Dominance as Market Leader

As expected, Toyota remains the undisputed leader in South Africa’s new car sales. In May 2025, the Japanese automaker moved 10,330 units, a figure nearly identical to what it achieved in April, showcasing its consistent market dominance. Toyota’s strong reputation for reliability, fuel efficiency, and a wide range of models catering to diverse customer needs keeps it firmly at the top.

From compact hatchbacks and sedans to SUVs and bakkies, Toyota’s diverse lineup appeals to a broad segment of South African motorists. Its dominant presence in both the passenger and commercial vehicle segments ensures it continues to be the brand of choice across the country.

Suzuki and Volkswagen Battle for Second and Third Spots

Suzuki secured the second spot with 5,536 sales, maintaining a comfortable lead over Volkswagen, which came in third with 4,582 units sold. Suzuki’s steady sales highlight its growing appeal, especially among budget-conscious buyers seeking reliable and affordable vehicles.

Volkswagen, meanwhile, continues to enjoy popularity, with a solid foothold in the market, particularly with models like the Polo and Polo Vivo, which are favorites in urban areas. Although Volkswagen is trailing Suzuki by roughly 1,000 units, its strong brand loyalty and expanding portfolio keep it in a competitive position.

Hyundai and Ford Compete for Fourth and Fifth Place

Hyundai managed to maintain fourth place with 3,251 units sold, just ahead of Ford, which achieved 2,932 sales. Both manufacturers have been aggressive in expanding their offerings in South Africa, targeting both private buyers and commercial fleets. Hyundai’s success stems from a combination of value-for-money pricing and modern vehicle designs, while Ford’s robust lineup of bakkies and SUVs appeals strongly to commercial and private users alike.

GWM, Chery, and Other Key Players

Further down the sales chart, Great Wall Motors (GWM) outperformed its Chinese rival Chery, claiming sixth place with 2,069 units sold. Chery followed closely in seventh with 1,995 units. These Chinese brands continue to gain traction by offering competitively priced vehicles packed with features, helping them carve out a niche in the highly competitive market.

Isuzu also showed a solid performance, placing eighth with 1,961 sales, thanks to its reputation for rugged, dependable commercial vehicles. Mahindra, an Indian manufacturer, moved up into ninth place with 1,524 units sold, marking a notable gain after Renault dropped out of the top ten. Kia rounded out the top ten with 1,406 vehicles sold.

Sales Channels and Segment Performance

A breakdown of the sales channels reveals that the vast majority of vehicles (88.4%) were sold through traditional dealerships. The rental industry accounted for 6.8% of sales, corporate fleet purchases contributed 3.0%, and government sales made up the remaining 1.8%.

Passenger cars drove the bulk of the growth, increasing by 30% year-on-year to reach 31,741 units in May. Light commercial vehicles also posted gains, though more modest at 5.8%, totaling 10,938 units. This demonstrates a healthy balance between private consumers upgrading their personal vehicles and commercial operators expanding or renewing their fleets.

Challenges in Export Market

Despite strong domestic sales, exports of South African-made vehicles declined by 14.6%, with 30,112 units shipped overseas in May 2025 compared to 35,277 in May 2024. A significant factor behind this drop was a temporary halt in production at Volkswagen’s Polo factory to implement assembly line upgrades, which have since been completed. The factory is now back to full production capacity.

However, the Automotive Business Council has highlighted a broader challenge impacting exports: a global trend towards protectionism. Increasing tariffs and restrictions in key export markets are prompting countries to prioritize their domestic manufacturers, which is putting pressure on South African vehicle exports.

Best-Selling Car Brands in South Africa – May 2025 (Units Sold)

Rank	Brand	Units Sold	Notes
1	Toyota	10,330	Market leader, consistent sales
2	Suzuki	5,536	Strong second place
3	Volkswagen	4,582	Solid third position
4	Hyundai	3,251	Narrowly ahead of Ford
5	Ford	2,932	Competitive in fifth place
6	GWM	2,069	Outperformed rival Chery
7	Chery	1,995	Close behind GWM
8	Isuzu	1,961	Strong commercial vehicle performance
9	Mahindra	1,524	New entrant in top ten
10	Kia	1,406	Rounded out the top ten

Outlook for the Rest of 2025

The positive momentum in South Africa’s automotive market offers optimism for the rest of 2025. With key brands like Toyota, Suzuki, and Volkswagen maintaining strong sales figures and newer entrants like Mahindra climbing the ranks, the market remains competitive and vibrant.

While export challenges persist, strong domestic demand and ongoing production upgrades bode well for the industry’s growth. Consumers and businesses alike appear ready to invest in new vehicles, fueling sustained momentum in the months ahead.