The SA Vehicle Industry Thread

These were the 50 best-selling vehicles in South Africa in September 2024

The South African new vehicle market has yet to turn the corner, with September seeing a year-on-year decline of 4.1% overall - see our full industry insight here.

While the bakkie and light commercial vehicle market tanked by a worrying 17.1%, the passenger car sector registered growth of 2%, fuelled by demand from the rental industry.

Despite the bakkie slump, which could have been partially caused by the departure of Nissan’s once-popular NP200, the Toyota Hilux (2,942 units) and Ford Ranger (2,382) both enjoyed robust sales last month.

But the passenger cars and SUVs were really cooking with gas, with the newly facelifted Volkswagen Polo Vivo leading the way with 2,407 sales. The Toyota Corolla Cross saw some sales growth too, with just over 2,000 examples finding homes in September.

The Toyota Fortuner (1,086) and Hyundai Grand i10 (1,062) were runners-up in the passenger market, while the usually-popular Suzuki Swift receded to 539 units as it runs out in preparation for the new-generation model.

50 top-selling vehicles in South Africa: September 2024

1. Toyota Hilux - 2,942
2. Volkswagen Polo Vivo - 2,407
3. Ford Ranger - 2,382
4. Toyota Corolla Cross - 2,045
5. Isuzu D-Max - 1,592
6. Toyota Fortuner - 1,086
7. Hyundai Grand i10 - 1,062
8. Chery Tiggo 4 Pro - 990
9. Volkswagen Polo - 948
10. Nissan Magnite - 869
11. Suzuki Fronx - 850
12. Toyota Vitz - 814
13. Haval Jolion - 812
14. Mahindra Scorpio Pik-Up - 782
15. Renault Kwid - 776
16. Suzuki Baleno - 752
17. Suzuki Ertiga - 717
18. Toyota Starlet Cross - 713
19. Kia Sonet - 710
20. Toyota Starlet - 626
21. Suzuki Swift - 539
22. Hyundai Exter - 453
23. Nissan Navara - 451
24. Chery Tiggo 7 Pro - 450
25. Toyota Urban Cruiser - 441
26. Toyota Corolla Quest - 416
27. Suzuki Ciaz - 410
28. Volkswagen T-Cross - 409
29. Suzuki Dzire - 399
30. Haval H6 - 387
31. Toyota Hi-Ace - 386
32. Hyundai Venue - 370
33. Renault Kiger - 356
34. GWM P-Series - 350
35. Omoda C5 - 328
36. Suzuki S-Presso - 325
37. Volkswagen Amarok - 325
38. Volkswagen Polo Sedan - 310
39. Hyundai i20 - 303
40. Toyota Rumion - 298
41. Suzuki Jimny - 266
42. Renault Triber - 264
43. Volkswagen Tiguan - 256
44. Kia Pegas - 231
45. Suzuki Grand Vitara - 217
46. Suzuki Eeco - 215
47. BMW X1 - 211
48. Ford Territory - 208
49. Volkswagen Kombi - 204
50. Chery Tiggo 8 Pro - 174

 
Fortuner, Fronx crack top 10! SA’s best-selling passenger vehicles

The Toyota Fortuner and Suzuki Fronx put in their best sales performances of the year so far to crack the list of SA’s 10 best-selling passenger vehicles in September 2024…

In September 2024, South Africa’s new-vehicle market slipped 4.1% year on year to 44 081 units. However, passenger vehicles again showed marginal growth, improving 2% to 30 218 units, with the rental industry contributing a substantial 28% of that total.

As was the case in August 2024, the Volkswagen Polo Vivo – which recently benefitted from a facelift – ended the month at the very top of the passenger-vehicle charts, with 2 407 units sold. A whopping 1 089 units (or 45%) of the Kariega-built hatchback’s tally came via the rental channel.

SA’s 10 best-selling passenger vehicles in Sept 2024

1. Volkswagen Polo Vivo – 2 407 units

2. Toyota Corolla Cross – 2 045 units

3. Toyota Fortuner – 1 086 units

4. Hyundai Grand i10 (excluding LCV) – 1 062 units

5. Chery Tiggo 4 Pro – 990 units

6. Volkswagen Polo (hatch) – 948 units

7. Nissan Magnite – 869 units

8. Suzuki Fronx – 850 units

9. Toyota Vitz – 814 units

10. Haval Jolion – 812 units

 
Toyota CEO warns South Africa’s vehicle manufacturing sector showing signs of decline

Toyota South Africa Motors (TSAM) CEO Andrew Kirby has warned that the country’s automotive industry could be entering a phase of reduced industrial output.

This is something that the government needs to look at very seriously, Kirby warned last week during a seminar hosted by the National Association of Automotive Component and Allied Manufacturers (Naacam).

The CEO warned that the quantity of imported vehicles was increasing as a percentage, while average local content from the country’s vehicle manufacturers was declining.

While he acknowledged that the industry would go through cycles, he said these could very well be the early signs of de-industrialisation, and that it was something the country would need to take “very seriously”.

 
Is the hatchback just about dead? Here’s why South Africans can’t get enough of their SUVs

It used to be that when you bought your first car it would almost certainly be a hatchback.

When you took delivery of your first performance car it likely took the form of a hatchback too, if it wasn’t a coupe of course, and when it came time to get all sensible in life, a sedan was no doubt at the top of your shopping list.

SUVs have always been cool, of course, but back in the day they were largely reserved for a relatively wealthy handful whose minds were usually swamped by daydreams of conquering the Camel Trophy and wading through acres of mud.

It was a dream for many.

But now, it seems, every second driver is parading around in an SUV or a crossover of sorts, many of which would never face up to a challenging off-road trail. Granted, many of our roads are becoming a formidable challenge of their own.

The Automotive Business Council (Naamsa) sales figures show us that SUVs and crossovers collectively overtook hatchbacks as the most popular vehicle type in South Africa back in 2021, accounting for 45.2% of the market versus 38% for hatches.

Since then these ‘pavement hoppers’ as they were once known - presumably in the days when we still had pavements - have gobbled up an even bigger share of the market.

So far in 2024, SUVs and crossovers command a 51.8% market share in the passenger segment, that excludes bakkies, up from 50.37% during the equivalent period in 2023, according to industry-wide figures released by Hyundai.


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Hybrids now top the desirability list for potential car buyers in South Africa

While South Africans remain apprehensive about fully electric vehicles, an increasing number of potential buyers are expressing interest in hybrid models, a new study shows.

The 2024 AutoTrader New Energy Vehicle Report reveals some interesting insights about what South Africans really think about electric and hybrid vehicles, which are often collectively referred to as new energy vehicles (NEVs).

According to the study, which surveyed potential vehicle buyers, charging infrastructure is the biggest factor holding up electric vehicle (EV) adoption, with 55% of respondents describing this as their biggest disadvantage.

The second largest obstacle is the high price of new energy vehicles, versus traditional petrol or diesel options. 46% of respondents listed this among their top three concerns, while charging time (37%), battery life deterioration (36%) and range anxiety (36%) were also perceived as significant obstacles.

The survey also looked at the advantages of new energy vehicle ownership, with 60% citing improved fuel efficiency (or no fuel use in the case of EVs) among their top three drawcards. Reduced air pollution and emissions were listed as the second biggest advantage, ahead of lower running costs.

 
How much should you earn to afford a R280,000 car in South Africa? This is the real cost of ownership

Next to your rent or home loan, a car purchase is likely to be the second biggest expense for an average salaried employee in South Africa.

Yet, while the monthly instalment is often an intimidating figure all on its own, there are many associated expenses that need to be taken into account when embarking on that car ownership journey.

Factors such as loan interest, depreciation, insurance, fuel and maintenance all need to be factored into the equation.

Even a relatively entry-level car can cost you well over R10,000 per month, depending on your unique situation.

R280,000 is a popular entry point for many buyers, with that sum buying you a popular compact SUV such as the entry-level Chery Tiggo 4 1.5 LiT (priced at R279,900) or a mid-level Volkswagen Polo Vivo 1.4 Life (R288,500) or a flagship Suzuki Swift 1.2 GLX auto (R284,900).

There are also plenty of used vehicles available at this level, such as a lower-mileage Toyota Urban Cruiser, medium-mileage Volkswagen T-Cross or higher-mileage Tiguan.

On a R280,000 car, your monthly instalment is likely to be in the region of R5,360, according to WesBank, but could differ depending on the interest rate granted to you, which will be influenced by your personalised credit score.

Insurance costs could differ markedly, depending on the car model, driver’s history and location, but for a R280,000 car WesBank estimates an average monthly cost of R1,739.

 
FiestaST said:
Paywall:

SA motorists need to stop overbuying: Why constant refinancing means you'll never own your car

Click to expand...

I see so many of these types of articles. Understandably there are people who pay off a car and or wants to own a car without any debt. Great. I also think these are the type of people who don't put on a lot of mileage on said car.

But I think I speak for a lot of people that don't care about owning a car. A car to me is a depreciating tool. I put on 20-25K km's a year commuting to work and doing the school runs etc. I am fine with "renting" the car from the bank and after a few years getting a newer one with a fresh warranty and maintenance plan that I can use without worries.
 
President Cyril Ramaphosa acknowledges SA’s motor manufacturing industry is vulnerable

President Cyril Ramaphosa used the SA Auto Week in Cape Town to announce that the country was close to finalising a New Energy Vehicle (NEV) policy that would incentivise the manufacture and sale of electric vehicles.

This news was widely welcomed by the industry, as many stakeholders fear that South Africa’s automotive manufacturing industry - which currently exports around two thirds of its vehicle output - would get left behind as the world transitions to electrified vehicles.

South Africa’s automotive industry accounts for about 15% of the country’s total exports and makes a significant contribution of about 6% towards the country’s GDP.

A key concern is that the European Union, which is the country's largest export destination, plans to ban the sale of petrol and diesel powered cars from 2035 onwards.

“As many of our major trading partners rapidly shift towards EVs, it is imperative that we remain part of this global supply chain. This is a major industrialisation opportunity for South Africa and the region, particularly within the context of the African Continental Free Trade Area,” Ramaphosa said during his EV policy announcement on Thursday.

 
SA’s electric car push will make no sense unless the power sources are cleaner

President Cyril Ramaphosa announced on Thursday that the government was finalising a New Energy Vehicle (NEV) plan that would see the country subsidising both the manufacture and sale of electric and hybrid vehicles in South Africa.

Speaking at Naamsa’s SA Auto Week on Thursday, Ramahposa emphasised the need to create a greener future and to ensure that our manufacturing industry remains relevant to global export markets.

Although the latter point is most certainly valid, there are concerns about the country’s charging infrastructure and Eskom’s predominantly coal-powered grid.

Local charging station company Zero Carbon Charge (otherwise known as Charge) has welcomed Ramaphosa’s announcement, particularly in light of electric vehicles (EVs) currently facing a 25% import tax penalty in the country, versus 18% for internal combustion vehicles.

However, it stressed that in order for EVs to contribute towards a reduction in South Africa’s carbon emissions, they would need to be powered by eco-friendly energy sources.

 
South Africa’s motor manufacturing industry has turned 100! Here’s how it evolved

Companies that build cars in South Africa have a great deal to celebrate at present, but soon they may not.

Mzansi’s vehicle manufacturing industry turned 100 this year, something that was celebrated with much jubilation at the recent SA Auto Week hosted in Cape Town by Naamsa - The Automotive Business Council.

The industry has much to be proud of, with 632,972 shiny new vehicles leaving local factories in 2023, of which 63% were shipped abroad to make up 15% of SA’s total exports.

The industry, accounting for 5.1% of the country’s GDP, supports 116,000 jobs on the manufacturing side alone, and close to 400,000 on the retail and repair side.

"The automotive industry is widely regarded as one of the industrial policy success stories of South Africa’s democratic era,” Naamsa says of the industry that exported a record 399,594 vehicles in 2023.

 
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