The SA Vehicle Industry Thread

SA’s best-selling double-cab bakkie of 2024 revealed!

Which double-cab bakkie was South Africa’s best seller in 2024? Well, we have the dual-cab sales figures as well as those for single- and extended-cab 1-tonne bakkies…

You’ve likely already seen our list of South Africa’s best-selling bakkies overall for 2024. But what happens when we break down the figures by body style? Well, that’s exactly what we’re going to do here, allowing us to crown Mzansi’s most popular double-cab bakkie for 2024.

Let’s dive right into the sales statistics. According to figures kindly supplied by Lightstone Auto, the Ford Ranger retained the title of SA’s best-selling double-cab bakkie last year, with 20 078 units sold. By our maths, that represents 78.6% of the nameplate’s overall total for 2024 (and, according to the Blue Oval brand, a 33.4% share of the dual-cab segment).

Fascinatingly, Ford says that double-cab figure includes a considerable 1 930 units of the Raptor (which is imported from Thailand rather than built alongside the other Ranger derivatives at the local Silverton plant), meaning this 292 kW performance bakkie outsold Ford’s entire single-cab portfolio.

The Toyota Hilux – which will later in 2025 be offered in widebody Legend 55 guise – thus had to settle for 2nd place in South Africa’s double-cab rankings, with 15 322 unitsregistered last year. Based on our calculations, dual-cab sales comprised 46.9% of the Prospecton-built bakkie’s overall tally for 2024.

 
Toyota beats Volkswagen again in 2024 global sales race

The global sales numbers are in, and Toyota is once again the world’s most popular vehicle brand.

The Japanese carmaker announced this week that it sold 10.8 million vehicles around the world in 2024, and although this was 1.4% down on its 2023 number, it was still enough to ensure a significant lead over nearest rival the Volkswagen Group, which sold 9.03 million vehicles last year, a decrease of 2.3%.

Toyota’s sales number includes its Lexus, Daihatsu and Hino brands, while VW’s total also comprises the group’s many nameplates, including Audi, Seat and Skoda. Third place is believed to belong to the Hyundai Group, which managed 7.32 million units if you include the Kia numbers.

Of course, Toyota and Volkswagen are also South Africa’s two favourite vehicle companies, the former leading the market with 125,320 unit sales and the latter managing 66,486, ahead of Suzuki, with 59,574.

 
Suzuki leapfrogs VW Group! SA’s new-car sales in January 2025

January 2025 was the SA new-vehicle market’s 4th straight month of year-on-year growth. Here’s your overview, including a few significant changes on the list of Mzansi’s best-selling automakers…

South Africa’s new-vehicle market kicked off the year by recording its 4th straight month of growth, with local registrations increasing 10.4% year-on-year to 46 398 units in January 2025. Furthermore, it’s worth noting that figure represents a 12.9% improvement over December 2024’s tally, too.

Pointing out that the “positive momentum” of the final quarter of 2024 continued into the opening month of 2025, Naamsa CEO Mikel Mabasa said he was “absolutely confident that an improved economic outlook, coupled with higher business and consumer sentiment, [would] support the new vehicle market in 2025”. There was positive news in the export segment, too, where sales increased 29.7% year on year to 25 348 units in January 2025.

But back to local sales. According to the industry representative body, 81.4% of the total reported industry figure of 46 398 units in January 2025 represented dealer sales, while a considerable 14.8% were sales to the vehicle-rental industry, 2.2% to industry corporate fleets and 1.6% to government.

As has been the case over the past few months, SA’s new passenger-vehicle market was largely to thank for the broader industry’s year-on-year growth in January, increasing 18.3% to 29 181 units (a whopping 19.2% of which came courtesy of the rental channel). Meanwhile, the new light-commercial vehicle (LCV) segment slid 9.1% year on year to 9 901 units.

New-vehicle sales summary for January 2025

- Aggregate new-vehicle sales of 46 398 units increased by 10.4% (4 375 units) compared to January 2024.
- New passenger-vehicle sales of 34 530 units increased by 18.3% (5 349 units) compared to January 2024.
- New light-commercial vehicle sales of 9 901 units decreased by 9.1% (993 units) compared to January 2024.
- Export sales of 25 348 units increased by 29.7% (5 803 units) compared to January 2024.

10 best-selling automakers in SA in January 2025

1. Toyota – 12 152 units

2. Suzuki – 6 399 units

3. Volkswagen Group – 5 676 units

4. Hyundai – 2 760 units

5. Ford – 2 467 units

6. Chery – 1 913 units

7. GWM – 1 756 units

8. Isuzu – 1 733 units

9. Mahindra – 1 463 units

10. Kia – 1 428 units

 
SA crowned a new best-selling vehicle in January 2025!

South Africa’s new-vehicle market crowned a fresh best-selling vehicle overall in January 2025, with this hatchback beating both Toyota’s Hilux and VW’s Polo Vivo…

In January 2025, Suzuki Auto SA leapfrogged Volkswagen Group Africa for only the 2nd time in history, grabbing the runner-up place behind Toyota. And, in the process, South Africa crowned a new best-selling vehicle for the month.

Yes, the Suzuki Swift finished January 2025 – the local market’s 4th straight month of year-on-year growth – on a hefty 2 628 units, seeing it beat perennial front runners and locally manufactured favourites, the Toyota Hilux (2 557 units) and the Volkswagen Polo Vivo (2 549 units).

According to our records, that’s easily the Swift nameplate’s best effort ever in South Africa and indeed the first time this imported hatchback has breached the 2 000-unit mark in a single month. It beats the model’s 1 925-unit haul of June 2022, when it also briefly wore the crown of SA’s top-selling vehicle (in the absence of the Hilux, which tumbled down the sales charts thanks to the KwaZulu-Natal flooding that shuttered the Prospecton plant).

With a considerable 19.2% of January’s sales in the new-passenger vehicle segment coming courtesy of the vehicle-rental channel, it’s perhaps no surprise the Swift enjoyed exceedingly strong support from this part of the market. In the end, as many as 1 219 examples of the hatchback were registered as sales to the rental industry, translating to a whopping 46.4% of the Swift’s record total.

 
Triton inches forward: SA’s best-selling bakkies in January 2025

The new Mitsubishi Triton has started what could be a gradual climb up the list of South Africa’s best-selling bakkies. Here are the sales figures for January 2025…

In January 2025, South Africa’s new-vehicle market grew 10.4% year on year to 46 398 units. The passenger-vehicle segment again powered this overall industry growth, while sales in the light-commercial vehicle (LCV) space dropped 9.1% year on year to 9 901 units.

So, what happened on the list of SA’s best- and worst-selling bakkies in January 2025? Well, the Toyota Hilux – which again ranked as Mzansi’s most popular vehicle in 2024 and will later this year become available in Legend 55 guise – picked up right where it left off, ending the opening month of 2025 on 2 557 units (172 of which were sales via the vehicle-rental channel).

Though that’s 12.6% down on December’s effort, it was still more than enough to keep the Prospecton-built stalwart well ahead of the 2nd-placed Ford Ranger. The Blue Oval brand’s Silverton-made bakkie – which took the title of SA’s best-selling double-cab bakkie last year – saw its total registrations fall 3.4% month on month to 1 858 units.

In contrast, local sales of the Isuzu D-Max – which is in line to receive a facelift at some point this year – increased 30.1% compared with December’s performance, seeing the Struandale-produced model finish on 1 413 units and thus comfortably remain in 3rd position. Interestingly, 241 of those registrations represented sales to government.

10 best-selling bakkies in South Africa for January 2025

1. Toyota Hilux – 2 557 units

2. Ford Ranger – 1 858 units

3. Isuzu D-Max – 1 413 units

4. Mahindra Pik Up – 801 units

5. Toyota Land Cruiser 79 – 531 units

6. Nissan Navara – 298 units

7. Volkswagen Amarok – 233 units

8. GWM P-Series – 101 units

9. Mitsubishi Triton – 75 units

10. GWM Steed – 74 units

 
Top 10 Best-Selling Car Brands in SA — January 2025

Showing positive growth in new-car sales, here are the top 10 best-selling car brands in South Africa in January 2025.

naamsa has released the new-car sales figures for January 2025, with the Automotive Business Council of South Africa expressing optimism for car sales in the new year. “We are absolutely confident that an improved economic outlook, coupled with higher business and consumer sentiment, will support the new vehicle market in 2025,” said naamsa.

In the first month of 2025, a total of 46 398 new cars were sold in South Africa, signifying an increase of 4 375 units, or 10.4%, over the number of units sold in January 2024. Of the reported overall new-car sales figure, the passenger-car market registered 34 530 units, an increase of 5 349, or 18 3%, over January 2024. However, sales of light commercial vehicles, bakkies and mini-buses declined, from 10 894 to 9 901 units sold.

So which manufacturers made the top 10 list for best-selling car brands in South Africa in January 2025? Well, for starters, there were a few notable changes to the list compared to December 2024; the most significant arguably being Suzuki Auto South Africa’s jump to second spot. In January 2025, the local arm of the Japanese automaker sold 6 399 new cars, an increase of 1 885 units compared to the final month of 2024.

Top 10 Best-selling car brands in SA for January 2025

Toyota — 12 152
Suzuki — 6 399
Volkswagen — 5 676
Hyundai — 2 760
Ford — 2 467
Chery — 1 913
GWM — 1 756
Isuzu —1 733
Mahindra — 1 463
Kia — 1 428

www.carmag.co.za

Top 10 Best-Selling Car Brands in SA — January 2025

Here are the top 10 best-selling car brands in South Africa in January 2025 ...
www.carmag.co.za www.carmag.co.za
 
SA passenger-car sales: Toyota grabs 4 spots in January 2025’s top 10

The Suzuki Swift soared to the top of SA’s passenger-vehicle standings in January 2025, while Toyota grabbed 4 spots in the top 10. Here are Mzansi’s best-selling cars and crossovers…

While Suzuki hogged the headlines for leapfrogging Volkswagen Group Africa in January 2025 (with the Swift furthermore ranking as South Africa’s best-selling vehicle overall), Toyota again dominated the passenger-vehicle space, accounting for as many as 4 of the top 10 best-selling cars and crossovers in 2025’s opening month.

As a reminder, Mzansi’s new passenger-vehicle market was again largely to thank for the overall industry’s year-on-year growth in January, with sales in this segment increasing 18.3% year on year to 29 181 units (a whopping 19.2% of which came courtesy of the rental channel).

SA’s 10 best-selling passenger vehicles in January 2025

1. Suzuki Swift – 2 628 units

2. Volkswagen Polo Vivo – 2 549 units

3. Toyota Starlet – 2 180 units

4. Toyota Corolla Cross – 1 226 units

5. Hyundai Grand i10 (excluding LCV) – 1 163 units

6. Chery Tiggo 4 Pro – 1 122 units

7. Haval Jolion – 1 099 units

8. Toyota Starlet Cross – 1 050 units

9. Toyota Urban Cruiser – 890 units

10. Kia Sonet – 830 units

 
How well is Jetour selling in SA? The latest sales figures

Chinese brand Jetour has quietly started reporting model sales to Naamsa. Here’s how many vehicles the newcomer sold in South Africa in January 2025…

Late in September 2024, Chinese brand Jetour debuted in South Africa, kicking off its local operations with the launch of the Dashing and X70 Plus crossovers. Now, a few short months later, the Chery Holding Group subsidiary has started reporting model sales figures to Naamsa, beginning with January 2025.

So, exactly how well is this 7-year-old Wuhu-based brand selling in Mzansi right now? Well, Jetour reported a total of 451 sales in South Africa in the opening month of 2025. With 261 units, the Dashing accounted for 57.9% of Jetour’s tally for the month, while the X70 Plus contributed 190 units.

For the record, 418 units of Jetour’s total sales were registered through its dealership channel, with the remaining 33 units listed as “single” registrations (that is, vehicles kept and licensed by the automaker for its own use).

Jetour’s 451-unit effort saw it rank 15th on the list of South Africa’s best-selling automakers in January, behind fellow Chery subsidiary Omoda & Jaecoo (743 units) but ahead of Mercedes-Benz (with a Naamsa-estimated 414 units), Stellantis (384 units) and Mazda (269 units). In the passenger-vehicle segment (so, excluding commercial vehicles), meanwhile, Jetour ranked 14th, claiming a 1.3% share of this space.

According to Jetour – which is owned by the Chery Group but describes itself as an “independent brand” – it has now sold more than 2 000 new vehicles in SA. The company says it is “committed to further expansion and growth in South Africa”, with plans to introduce additional models, grow its dealer network and “strengthen its footprint” across the country.

From what we understand, the local introduction of the Jetour T2 is planned for the 2nd quarter of 2025, while the Jetour T1 also appears to be on the cards, though seems likely to arrive only towards the end of the year.

 
Suzuki Swift topples Toyota Hilux, VW Polo Vivo as January vehicle sales surge

January was a positive month for the South African new vehicle market, and particularly for Suzuki.

Not only did the brand surge past Volkswagen to achieve second place in the manufacturer ranking with a record monthly sales figure of 6,399, but its Swift hatchback emerged as the country’s best-selling vehicle overall.

With unit sales of 2,628, the newly launched hatchback toppled the usual front-runners, with the Toyota Hilux (2,557) and Volkswagen Polo Vivo (2,549) taking second and third overall.

This came as the month saw passenger car sales surge by 18.3% year-on-year on the back of strong demand from the rental vehicle industry, which accounted for nearly one in five sales in the segment, according to Naamsa.

Interestingly, 1,219 Suzuki Swifts were sold into the rental sector, almost half the total sales number for the month.

South Africa’s 30 best-selling vehicles: January 2025

Suzuki Swift - 2,628
Toyota Hilux - 2,557
Volkswagen Polo Vivo - 2,549
Toyota Starlet - 2,180
Ford Ranger - 1,858
Isuzu D-Max - 1,413
Toyota Corolla Cross - 1,266
Hyundai Grand i10 - 1,163
Chery Tiggo 4 Pro - 1,122
Haval Jolion - 1,099
Toyota Starlet Cross - 1,050
Toyota Urban Cruiser - 890
Kia Sonet - 830
Toyota Vitz - 825
Mahindra Scorpio Pik-Up - 801
Suzuki Fronx - 771
Volkswagen Polo - 754
Nissan Magnite - 698
Toyota Fortuner - 652
Suzuki Ertiga - 637
Toyota Hi-Ace - 559
Volkswagen T-Cross - 555
Toyota Land Cruiser PU - 531
Omoda C5 - 517
Mahindra XUV 3X0 - 494
Renault Kwid - 477
Renault Triber - 472
Chery Tiggo 7 Pro - 413
Suzuki Baleno - 406
Renault Kiger - 396

Top manufacturers:

Toyota - 12,152
Suzuki Auto - 6,399
Volkswagen - 5.676
Hyundai - 2,760
Ford - 2,467
Chery - 1,913
GWM - 1,756
Isuzu - 1,733
Mahindra - 1,463
Kia - 1,428

 
FiestaST said:
SA passenger-car sales: Toyota grabs 4 spots in January 2025’s top 10

The Suzuki Swift soared to the top of SA’s passenger-vehicle standings in January 2025, while Toyota grabbed 4 spots in the top 10. Here are Mzansi’s best-selling cars and crossovers…

While Suzuki hogged the headlines for leapfrogging Volkswagen Group Africa in January 2025 (with the Swift furthermore ranking as South Africa’s best-selling vehicle overall), Toyota again dominated the passenger-vehicle space, accounting for as many as 4 of the top 10 best-selling cars and crossovers in 2025’s opening month.

As a reminder, Mzansi’s new passenger-vehicle market was again largely to thank for the overall industry’s year-on-year growth in January, with sales in this segment increasing 18.3% year on year to 29 181 units (a whopping 19.2% of which came courtesy of the rental channel).

SA’s 10 best-selling passenger vehicles in January 2025

1. Suzuki Swift – 2 628 units

2. Volkswagen Polo Vivo – 2 549 units

3. Toyota Starlet – 2 180 units

4. Toyota Corolla Cross – 1 226 units

5. Hyundai Grand i10 (excluding LCV) – 1 163 units

6. Chery Tiggo 4 Pro – 1 122 units

7. Haval Jolion – 1 099 units

8. Toyota Starlet Cross – 1 050 units

9. Toyota Urban Cruiser – 890 units

10. Kia Sonet – 830 units

Click to expand...
4 out of the top 10 are Suzuki's in disguise.

Why are people opting for the Toyota twin? Dealership network? Suzuki has better pricing, better standard equipment in most cases and a better warranty.
 
joshuatree said:
4 out of the top 10 are Suzuki's in disguise.

Why are people opting for the Toyota twin? Dealership network? Suzuki has better pricing, better standard equipment in most cases and a better warranty.
Click to expand...
Same reason Toyota is number 1 in SA by a long way - brand trust. Many buyers probably don't even realise that their Urban Cruiser / Starlet Cross / Vitz is actually a Suzuki underneath.
 
Top 10 Best-Selling Passenger Vehicles – January 2025

South Africa’s automotive market sees constantly shifting goalposts with multiple models vying for that lucrative top spot as best seller. Well, January 2025 saw this happen, with Suzuki claiming overall honours for the first time ever. Here is a look at the Top 10.

According to Naamsa, in January 2025, the new passenger car market recorded 34 530 units sold, reflecting a whopping increase of 5 349 cars or 18.3%, compared to the 29 181 units sold in January 2024. Car rental sales contributed significantly, accounting for 19.1% of total passenger vehicle sales, or roughly one in five units sold during the month

Top 10 Best-Selling Passenger Vehicles for January 2025
Suzuki Swift – 2 628
Volkswagen Polo Vivo – 2 549
Toyota Starlet – 2 180
Toyota Corolla Cross – 1 226
Hyundai Grand i10 – 1 163
Volkswagen Polo – 1 129
Chery Tiggo 4 Pro – 1 122
Haval Jolion – 1 099
Toyota Starlet Cross – 1 050
Toyota Urban Cruiser – 890

Recent sales figures reveal a dynamic automotive market with some brands experiencing significant growth while others faced declines. Suzuki’s Swift led the pack with 2 628 units sold, a substantial jump from 1 566 the previous year. The VW Polo Vivo also saw positive growth, increasing from 2 043 to 2 549 units. Toyota’s Starlet similarly enjoyed increased sales, rising from 1 479 to 2 180 units.

www.carmag.co.za

Top 10 Best-Selling Passenger Vehicles - January 2025

There is a new chart-topper in town! January 2025 saw the Suzuki Swift pip the locally built Polo Vivo and claim the ultimate spot for the best-selling vehicle.
www.carmag.co.za www.carmag.co.za
 
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