The SA Vehicle Industry Thread

SA’s EV sales dip in Q1 2025 but total NEV market grows

Sales of fully electric vehicles in South Africa dipped 16.4% year on year in Q1 2025, though total new-energy vehicle registrations climbed thanks to increased hybrid sales…

Naamsa has released official sales figures for new-energy vehicles (NEVs) – that is, fully electric vehicles (EVs), traditional hybrids (HEVs) and plug-in hybrids (PHEVs) – in South Africa for Q1 2025. And the big news is that local EV registrations declined 16.4% year on year.

But before we dive into the details, let’s take a quick step back and consider how the overall market performed in the opening quarter of 2025. Based on figures reported to the industry representative body, SA’s total new-vehicle market registered year-on-year growth of 10.5% in Q1 2025, ending this reporting period on 144 426 units.

Meanwhile, NEV sales for the opening 3 months of the year came in at 3 487 units, up 14.0% compared with Q1 2024. By our maths, that figure represents approximately 2.4% of the total new-vehicle market. For the record, NEVs comprised 3.0% of Mzansi’s total new-vehicle sales in 2024, up from 1.47% in 2023.

The slowdown in NEV growth locally in Q1 2025 is thanks to the sales performance of purely battery-powered vehicles, with Naamsa’s figures showing that EV sales dipped 16.4% year on year to 276 units (or 0.19% of the total market). Take note, however, this figure excludes local sales from BYD, which unfortunately doesn’t yet report registrations to the industry representative body.

What about plug-in hybrids? Well, Naamsa’s figures show that local PHEV sales increased 70.9% year on year to 241 units in Q1 2025. As such, the PHEV segment already looks well positioned to exceed 2024’s record of 728 units (which itself was more than double 2023’s tally of 336 units) before the end of 2025.

Finally, traditional hybrids again accounted for the overwhelming majority of NEV registrations, thanks largely to sales of dual-powered versions of the Prospecton-built Corolla Cross. In Q1 2025, HEV sales in South Africa grew 14.8% year on year to 2 970 units, representing a whopping 85.2% of the NEV total.

 
Hyundai hits 3-year high! SA’s new-vehicle sales in May 2025

May 2025 was the SA new-vehicle market’s 8th straight month of year-on-year growth. Here’s your industry overview, including a look at Mzansi’s best-selling automakers…

In May 2025, South Africa’s new-vehicle market improved a significant 22% year on year to finish on 45 308 units. That makes it 8 consecutive months of year-on-year growth for the local industry, with May furthermore representing a 6.9% improvement over April 2025’s tally.

Naamsa described May 2025 as a “consequential month for South Africa’s automotive sector”, adding that new-vehicle sales were “buoyed by relatively stable economic fundamentals earlier in the year”.

However, exports sales dipped 14.6% year on year to 30 112 units in May 2025. That said, the industry representative body noted the year-to-date figure was “still 1.4% ahead of the same period last year” (at 159 199 units). In addition, note that Volkswagen Group Africa halted Polo and Polo Vivo production at its Kariega plant from 14 April to 12 May to upgrade the facility.

According to Naamsa, 88.4% of May 2025’s total reported domestic figure represented dealer sales, while an estimated 6.8% were sales to the new-vehicle rental industry, 3.0% to industry corporate fleets and 1.8% to government.

New-vehicle sales summary for May 2025

- Aggregate new-vehicle sales of 45 308 units increased by 22.0% (8 169 units) compared to May 2024.
- New passenger-vehicle sales of 31 741 units increased by 30.0% (7 322 units) compared to May 2024.
- New light-commercial vehicle sales of 10 938 units increased by 5.8% (601 units) compared to May 2024.
- Export sales of 30 112 units decreased by 14.6% (5 165 units) compared to May 2024.

10 best-selling automakers in South Africa in May 2025

1. Toyota – 10 330 units

2. Suzuki – 5 536 units

3. Volkswagen Group – 4 582 units

4. Hyundai – 3 251 units

5. Ford – 2 932 units

6. GWM – 2 069 units

7. Chery – 1 995 units

8. Isuzu – 1 961 units

9. Mahindra – 1 524 units

10. Kia – 1 406 units

 
New vehicle sales surged in May: these were the top 10 brands

The South African new vehicle market saw buoyant year-on-year growth in May, and the recent interest rate reduction is likely to fuel further momentum in June.

According to industry body Naamsa, 45,308 new vehicles were sold in May, representing a gain of 22% over the same month in 2024.

Passenger car sales, at 31,741 units, led the charge with a year-on-year gain of 30%, while light commercial vehicles, at 10,938 units, saw 5.8% growth. Medium and heavy commercial vehicles recorded respective gains of 22.7% and 6.7% over May 2024.

88.4% of vehicle sales took place through the dealer channels, Naamsa said, while the rental industry accounted for 6.8% of the pie, or 8.5% in the case of passenger vehicles. Corporate fleet and government sales represented a respective 3.0% and 1.8% of the total.

“The SARB’s May decision will add further momentum to these gains, as consumers respond positively to improved credit conditions,” Naamsa said.

“With inflation easing to 2.8%, still well below the SARB’s 3% to 6% target range, and the rand regaining strength amid improving investor sentiment, the macro-economic environment became more conducive to supporting consumer spending and business investment.”

Top-selling vehicle brands: May 2025

1. Toyota - 9,969
2. Suzuki Auto - 5,536
3. Volkswagen - 4,150
4. Hyundai - 3,251
5. Ford - 2,932
6. Chery - 1,995
7. Isuzu - 1,961
8. Mahindra - 1,524
9. Haval - 1,506
10. Kia - 1,406

 
Navara back in top 5! SA’s best-selling bakkies in May 2025

Despite Nissan’s global troubles, the Rosslyn-built Navara broke back into the top 5 on the list of South Africa’s best-selling bakkies for May 2025…

In May 2025, South Africa’s total new-vehicle market grew 22% year on year to 45 308 units. The new light-commercial vehicle (LCV) segment, meanwhile, registered its 2nd straight month of year-on-year growth, improving 5.8% to 10 938 units.

What happened on the list of Mzansi’s best- and worst-selling bakkies in May 2025? Well, despite sales of the Toyota Hilux slipping 8.3% month on month to 2 548 units – its lowest tally of the year thus far – the Prospecton-made stalwart retained 1st place.

Meanwhile, the Ford Ranger registered a 24.2% improvement over April’s effort, ending May 2025 on 2 147 units and keeping 2nd place. As such, the Silverton-produced contender was just 401 units off the pace last month. The Struandale-built Isuzu D-Max (1 473 units) again ranked 3rd, with its sales growing 32.9% month on month (off a relatively low base in April).

Local registrations of the Mahindra Pik Up increased 20.2% month on month to 786 units, seeing the Indian brand’s KwaZulu-Natal-assembled bakkie hold steady in 4th spot. The Nissan Navara (389 units) enjoyed a 32.8% month-on-month improvement in sales to climb 2 rankings to 5th, despite the Japanese company’s global struggles (including reports that the Rosslyn factory is facing the axe). That’s only the 2nd time this year the Navara has made the top half of the table.

10 best-selling bakkies in South Africa for May 2025

1. Toyota Hilux – 2 548 units

2. Ford Ranger – 2 147 units

3. Isuzu D-Max – 1 473 units

4. Mahindra Pik Up – 786 units

5. Nissan Navara – 389 units

6=. GWM P-Series – 348 units

6=. Toyota Land Cruiser 79 – 348 units

8. Volkswagen Amarok – 282 units

9. Foton Tunland G7 – 216 units

10. JAC T-Series – 162 units

 
Bakkie fever: why South Africans can't get enough of Hilux, Ranger, D-MAX and more

Sho’t left, tjom, chakalaka, boerewors, braai, chesanyama, vuvuzela, braai broodjie, brandewyn, bra, boet, broer, bakkie.

You don’t get more South African than that, and when you are standing around a braai fire, the discussion inevitably turns to South Africa’s favourite vehicle - the bakkie - because they’re embedded in our cultural heritage.

Test of time

And while the death march slowly plays for saloon cars as everyone clamours to get behind the wheel of an SUV or Crossover, the bakkie continues to stand the test of time.

In a country like South Africa with its vast distances, rural areas with gravel roads and the need to transport goods and people, bakkies will always be the first choice.

If you’ve travelled to isolated rural areas with their limited infrastructure, bakkies play a vital role in serving the community in a number of ways.

When you think about emergency services cars, many of them use a bakkie modified in a variety of ways to serve their particular need.

Bakkies showcase our sense of adventure - whether travelling to far-flung places kitted as an overlander, towing caravans, boats, trailers, off-road caravans and trailers or motorcycles - we’re always on a mission to satisfy our leisure activities.

April reported bakkie sales in alphabetical order

Ford Ranger: 1,728

Foton Tunland G7: 212

GWM P-Series: 497

GWM Steed: 71

Isuzu D-Max: 1,108

Mahindra Bolero: 40

Mahindra Pik-Up 654

JAC T-Series: 161

Mitsubishi Triton: 16

Nissan Navara: 293

Jeep Gladiator: 5

Peugeot Landtrek: 100

Toyota Hilux: 2,923

Toyota Land Cruiser PU: 417

Volkswagen Amarok: 254

Total: 8 256 bakkies

These numbers exclude Light Commercial Vehicles like the Hyundai H100 bakkie, JAC X-Series, Kia K2500 and K2700, which add an additional 287 units to the mix.

 
May vehicle sales wrap: 50 top selling vehicles and expert insights after buoyant month

South African new vehicle sales rode a wave of optimism in May, with the market growing by a significant 22% year-on-year, according to Naamsa.

Although sales were relatively slow during the first half of May, there was a significant uptick during the second half of the month, the National Automobile Dealers’ Association (NADA) reported. This came in the wake of the 2025 Budget being finalised, as well as President Cyril Ramaphosa’s meeting with US President Donald Trump and the interest rate cut.

Passenger car sales, at 31,741 units, surged by 30% versus the same month in 2024, while light commercial and bakkie sales increased by a more modest 5.8%.

On the sales charts, bakkies took the top two spots.

The Toyota Hilux led overall with 2,548 sales, a decline of 8.3% versus the previous month, while the Ford Ranger took second spot overall with 2,147 sales, an impressive gain of 24.2%.

Third overall, and leading the passenger car sector was the Suzuki Swift at 1,842 units, albeit down by 11.4% over April, while the Toyota Corolla Cross retained fourth position with its volume of 1,629, an increase of 2.8%.

South Africa’s 50 best-selling vehicles: May 2025

Toyota Hilux - 2,548
Ford Ranger - 2,147
Suzuki Swift - 1,842
Toyota Corolla Cross - 1,629
Volkswagen Polo Vivo - 1,543
Isuzu D-Max - 1,473
Hyundai Grand i10 - 1,350
Chery Tiggo 4 Pro - 1,255
Suzuki Fronx - 1,219
Haval Jolion - 1,113
Toyota Starlet - 1,039
Kia Sonet - 863
Mahindra Scorpio Pik-Up - 786
Volkswagen Polo - 767
Suzuki Ertiga - 721
Toyota Starlet Cross - 694
Omoda C5 - 687
Volkswagen T-Cross - 686
Toyota Fortuner - 679
Toyota Vitz - 624
Toyota Rumion - 618
Toyota Hi-Ace - 583
Mahindra XUV 3XO - 532
Toyota Urban Cruiser - 517
Renault Kiger - 492
Chery Tiggo 7 Pro - 439
Nissan Magnite - 437
Hyundai i20 - 399
Renault Kwid - 393
Nissan Navara - 389
Jetour Dashing - 377
Suzuki Baleno - 371
Hyundai Exter - 368
GWM P-Series - 348
Toyota Land Cruiser PU - 348
Renault Triber - 307
Ford Everest - 303
Suzuki Jimny - 300
Volkswagen Amarok - 282
Haval H6 - 281
Ford Territory - 274
Volkswagen Tiguan - 263
Jetour X70 Plus - 243
Suzuki Eeco - 239
Beijing X55 Plus - 234
Citroen C3 Aircross - 217
Foton Tunland G7 - 216
Hyundai Venue - 216
Kia Seltos - 209
Citroen C3 - 192

Top manufacturers

Toyota - 10,330
Suzuki Auto - 5,536
Volkswagen - 4,582
Hyundai - 3,251
Ford - 2,932
GWM / Haval - 2,069
Chery - 1,995
Isuzu - 1,961
Mahindra - 1,524
Kia - 1,406

 
Tiggo 4 Pro hits all-time high! SA passenger-car sales for May 2025

The Chery Tiggo 4 Pro cracked the top 5 on the list of South Africa’s best-selling passenger cars in May 2025, while the SA-built VW Polo hatch returned to the top 10…

In May 2025, sales in South Africa’s overall new-vehicle market increased 22% year on year to finish on 45 308 units. However, growth in the industry’s new passenger-vehicle market was even stronger, with sales here improving 30% year-on-year to 31 741 units.

So, what happened on the list of Mzansi’s best-selling passenger vehicles last month? Well, though local registrations of the Suzuki Swift slipped 10.3% month on month to 1 842 units in May 2025, the Indian-built hatchback remained SA’s top-selling passenger car. As many as 543 units (or nearly 30%) of that total represented sales to the rental-vehicle sector.

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

1. Suzuki Swift – 1 842 units

2. Toyota Corolla Cross – 1 629 units

3. Volkswagen Polo Vivo – 1 543 units

4. Hyundai Grand i10 (excluding LCV) – 1 350 units

5. Chery Tiggo 4 Pro – 1 255 units

6. Suzuki Fronx – 1 219 units

7. Haval Jolion – 1 113 units

8. Toyota Starlet – 1 039 units

9. Kia Sonet – 863 units

10. Volkswagen Polo (hatch) – 767 units

 
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