The SA Vehicle Industry Thread

SA’s new-vehicle sales soar to 10-year high in September 2025

In September 2025, SA’s new-vehicle market put in its best showing in 10 years, marking 12 straight months of year-on-year growth. Here’s your industry overview, including the top-selling brands…

- SA’s new-vehicle sales highest in a decade
- 3 consecutive months of 50 000+ unit sales
- Passenger-car market climbs to 11-year high

In September 2025, South Africa’s new-vehicle market grew 24.3% year on year to 54 700 units (up 5.4% compared to August 2025), representing the highest single month of sales in 10 years. Marking 12 consecutive months of year-on-year growth, September was also the industry’s 3rd straight instance of sales breaching the 50 000-unit barrier.

According to industry representative body Naamsa, this growth came “against a backdrop of easing inflation, firm but restrictive monetary policy, modest economic growth momentum and an ongoing expansion of imported models and brands”. In addition, SA’s new-vehicle export volumes increased 32.9% year on year to 38 772 units, despite global supply chain disruptions and the impact of US automotive tariffs.

New-vehicle sales summary for September 2025

- Aggregate new-vehicle sales of 57 700 units increased by 24.3% (10 700 units) compared to September 2024.
- New passenger-vehicle sales of 38 603 units increased by 28.0% (8 436 units) compared to September 2024.
- New light-commercial vehicle sales of 13 078 units increased by 19.7% (2 154 units) compared to September 2024.
- Export sales of 38 772 units increased by 32.9% (9 592 units) compared to September 2024.

SA’s 10 best-selling automakers in September 2025

1. Toyota – 14 146 units

2. Suzuki – 6 072 units

3. Volkswagen Group – 5 763 units

4. Ford – 3 093 units

5. Hyundai – 3 005 units

6. GWM – 2 620 units

7. Isuzu – 2 478 units

8. Chery – 2 264 units

9. Kia – 1 706 units

10. Mahindra – 1 524 units

 
How well do Chinese cars hold their value after three to four years? Here’s what the 'book' values show

Chinese vehicles have become irresistible to many South African vehicle buyers, thanks to pricing that often significantly undercuts the established brands and feature-packed interiors that belie those very tempting price tags.

Chery and GWM are now regular fixtures on the top 10 vehicle sales charts, and their Tiggo 4 and Haval Jolion models are among the best-selling SUVs in the country.

Naturally, there has also been a rise in demand for Chinese vehicles on the used car market, with AutoTrader’s latest Mid-Year Report showing that searches for Chinese vehicles grew by 69% in the first half of 2025, while enquiries grew by 81%.

But how well have Chinese vehicles held their value over the years?

As most Chinese brands are relatively new to the market, this has been a difficult factor to quantify. However, as of late 2025, some of the best-selling models have been on the market for three to four years.

To gain further insight, IOL drew 'book values' from TransUnion’s Vehicle Valuations Database, which is a subscription service widely used by vehicle dealerships to determine the trade-in, residual and retail values of used vehicles in South Africa.

As a basis for comparison, we also included a small sample of products from established car manufacturers, such as Toyota, Volkswagen and Kia.

The results were a mixed bag, and while the Chinese vehicles generally fared worse than their competitors, it wasn't always by the largest of margins.


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Top 10 Best-Selling Car Brands in SA – September 2025

We have rounded up the top 10 best-selling car brands in South Africa in September 2025. See the list below.

According to naamsa, September 2025 achieved the highest monthly new-car sales recorded since September 2015. Aggregate new-vehicle sales in the ninth month of 2025 increased to a total 54 700 units sold (up 10 700 units) over September 2024.

Toyota once again topped the sales charts, with the Japanese automaker’s South African arm registering 14 146 new cars sold in September 2025 – an increase of 870 units over the firm’s August 2025 overall sales figure (13 276). Suzuki remained in second position; registering 6 072 units sold despite a decrease in sales. Compared to the brand’s August figure, Suzuki sold 462 fewer vehicles in September 2025 than it did the previous month. Third place went to Volkswagen once more, with the firm recording a 242 unit increase in sales compared to August 2025 for an overall figure of 5 763 units sold.

While the top three brands retained their positions, Ford reclaimed fourth place from Hyundai, which now holds fifth place, with GWM trailing in sixth. Isuzu also managed to secure seventh rank, relegating Chery to eighth, followed by Kia. Mahindra returned to the top 10 list; relegating Renault to eleventh spot.

South Africa’s Top 10 Best-Selling Car Brands in September 2025

Toyota – 14 146 units (up 870)
Suzuki – 6 072 units (down 462)
Volkswagen – 5 763 units (up 242 )
Ford – 3 093 units (up 125)
Hyundai – 3 005 units (down 2)
GWM – 2 620 units (up 101)
Isuzu – 2 478 units (up 284)
Chery – 2 264 units (up 36)
Kia – 1 706 units (up 164)
Mahindra – 1 524 units (up 188)

www.carmag.co.za

Top 10 Best-Selling Car Brands in SA - September 2025

We have rounded up the top 10 best-selling car brands in South Africa in September 2025. See the list below...
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SA’s best- and worst-selling bakkies in September 2025

In September 2025, the Toyota Hilux hit its highest sales tally in well over 2 years, breaching the 3 500-unit mark. Here are South Africa’s best-selling bakkies…

- Hilux’s best performance since June 2023
- P-Series retains top-5 position in September
- GWM Steed makes a return to the top 10

In September 2025, South Africa’s total new-vehicle market soared to a 10-year high, growing 24.3% year on year to 54 700 units, with the light-commercial vehicle (LCV) segment enjoying its 6th straight month of year-on-year growth, improving 19.7% to 13 078 units. But what happened on the list of SA’s best- and worst-selling bakkies in September?

Yet again, the Toyota Hilux was Mzansi’s most popular bakkie (and indeed the nation’s best-selling vehicle overall), with sales increasing 9.4% month on month to a whopping 3 639 units. According to our records, that’s the Prospecton-built stalwart’s best effort since June 2023 and the first time it has broken the 3 500-unit barrier this year. Some 6.8% or 248 units were sold via the rental channel.

As has been the case for all but a single month this year, Ford Ranger thus placed 2nd, with local registrations of the Silverton-manufactured bakkie growing 9.9% month on month to 2 270 units. The Struandale-made Isuzu D-Max (2 054 units; up 15.5%, month on month) again completed the podium, finishing 216 units behind the Ranger. Interestingly, Isuzu sold 469 units (or 22.8% of its total) to government.

Positional changes within the rest of the top 10 were likewise few and far between in September, with the KwaZulu-Natal-assembled Mahindra Pik Up (750 units; +11.1% month on month) retaining 4th and the GWM P-Series (458 units; -17.7% month on month) again rounding out the top 5 as the highest-ranked fully imported contender.

10 best-selling bakkies in SA for September 2025

1. Toyota Hilux – 3 639 units

2. Ford Ranger – 2 270 units

3. Isuzu D-Max – 2 054 units

4. Mahindra Pik Up – 750 units

5. GWM P-Series – 458 units

6. Toyota Land Cruiser 79 – 392 units

7. Volkswagen Amarok – 382 units

8. Nissan Navara – 337 units

9. Foton Tunland G7 – 232 units

10. GWM Steed – 195 units

 
Toyota SA Records Best Monthly Sales Performance Since March 2022

Toyota SA, the best-selling car brand in our market, has yet again recorded its highest year-to-date sales for new vehicles in September 2025.

Toyota South Africa Motors (TSAM) has continued to surpass its highest sales performance this year with its September 2025 sales. TSAM, who topped the chart of SA’s best-selling car brands in September 2025, increased its overall industry market share to 26% in the ninth month of 2025.

In September 2025, the local arm of the Japanese automaker sold 14 146 units, surpassing the 14 000 unit mark for the first time since March 2022. Of the total units sold, 9 913 sales were attributed to its dealership network, while fleet, rental, and government sales were responsible for the remaining 4 233 units sold.

In the passenger-car segment, Toyota continued to dominate, selling a combined 8 915 units in September. Once again, the Corolla Cross led the charge, with 1 891 units sold, followed by the Starlet and Vitz, which recorded 1 626 and 1 446 units sold, respectively. The Urban Cruiser recorded 1 191 units sold in September 2025.

The Fortuner, Land Cruiser Prado and Land Cruiser 300 recorded 842, 276 and 134 units sold respectively, with 32 units of the Land Cruiser 76 Station Wagon sold in September 2025.

www.carmag.co.za

Toyota SA Records Best Monthly Sales Performance Since March 2022

Toyota SA, the best-selling car brand in our market, has yet again recorded its highest year-to-date sales for new vehicles in September 2025
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Vitz hits fresh high! SA’s top-selling passenger cars in September 2025

In September 2025, the Toyota Vitz registered its highest sales figure yet, relying heavily on the rental channel. Here are South Africa’s best-selling passenger vehicles…

- VW’s Polo Vivo grabs back top position
- Starlet climbs 3 rankings to 4th place
- Vitz hits new high thanks to rental sales

In September 2025, South Africa’s new-vehicle market surged to a 10-year high, increasing 24.3% year on year to 54 700 units. The new passenger-vehicle market, meanwhile, grew an even more impressive 28.0% year on year to 38 603 units, reaching its highest level since October 2014.

Keep in mind, however, that a considerable 7 768 units (or 20.1%) of the passenger-car total for September 2025 came courtesy of the new-vehicle rental industry. Indeed, several of the vehicles that cracked the top 10 relied heavily on rental-fleet buyers.

So, what happened on the list of South Africa’s best-selling passenger vehicles for September 2025? Well, the Kariega-made Volkswagen Polo Vivo returned to the top spot, gaining 6.7% month on month to reach 2 470 units. For the record, 723 of those sales (or 29.3%) were registered via the rental channel.

Meanwhile, the Suzuki Swift climbed a place to 2nd, finishing on 2 265 units (up 7.8% compared to August 2025) as the highest-ranked imported model. A whopping 43.9% of that figure came courtesy of rental-fleet buyers. After placing first in the prior month, the Toyota Corolla Cross experienced a 31.1% slide in sales to 1 891 units, seeing the Prospecton-built crossover fall to 3rd.

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

1. Volkswagen Polo Vivo – 2 470 units

2. Suzuki Swift – 2 265 units

3. Toyota Corolla Cross – 1 891 units

4. Toyota Starlet – 1 629 units

5. Hyundai Grand i10 (excluding LCV) – 1 451 units

6. Toyota Vitz – 1 446 units

7. Chery Tiggo 4 Pro (excluding LCV) – 1 377 units

8. Haval Jolion – 1 215 units

9. Toyota Urban Cruiser – 1 191 units

10. Suzuki Fronx – 1 054 units

 
How well did the new VW Tayron sell in its 1st full month?

The new Volkswagen Tayron launched in SA late in August 2025. So, with September 2025 behind us, how well did the Tiguan Allspace’s successor sell in its first full month?

- September 2025 was Tayron’s first full month on the market
- VW Group Africa reported 39 sales of Tayron in September
- Local range comprises 3 derivatives, priced from R811 800

The new Volkswagen Tayron launched in South Africa late in August 2025, arriving as the successor to the Tiguan Allspace. So, exactly how many units were sold in September 2025, which was the new-to-SA nameplate’s first full month on the market?

Well, we can confirm VW Group Africa registered 39 units of the Tayron in September, in addition to the 15 sold in August. The dealer channel accounted for 35 of September’s units, with the remaining 4 reported as so-called “single” registrations (vehicles the brand kept and licensed for its own use).

 
Top 5 Vehicle Exporters in SA – September 2025

We have rounded up the top five vehicle exporters in South Africa in September 2025. See the list below.

According to naamsa, a total of 38 772 new vehicles were exported in September 2025 – representing a 32.9% (or 9 592 unit) increase compared to the 29 180 units exported in September 2024. Last month saw an increase of 1 272 units exported compared to the 37 500 units exported in August 2025. Additionally, the year-to-date vehicle exports saw a 6% increase over the same period last year, representing market resilience and growth despite global supply chain disrupters and US automotive tariffs.

SA’s Top 5 Vehicle Exporters in August 2025

1. Volkswagen Group – 11 376 units (down 1 274)
2. Toyota – 8 138 (up 3 368)
3. Ford Motor Company – 7 590 (down 1 275)
4. BMW Group – 7 060 (up 1 860)
5. Mercedes-Benz SA – 3 400 (down 550)

www.carmag.co.za

Top 5 Vehicle Exporters in SA – September 2025

We have rounded up the top five vehicle exporters in South Africa in September 2025. See the list below...
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FiestaST said:
How well did the new VW Tayron sell in its 1st full month?

The new Volkswagen Tayron launched in SA late in August 2025. So, with September 2025 behind us, how well did the Tiguan Allspace’s successor sell in its first full month?

- September 2025 was Tayron’s first full month on the market
- VW Group Africa reported 39 sales of Tayron in September
- Local range comprises 3 derivatives, priced from R811 800

The new Volkswagen Tayron launched in South Africa late in August 2025, arriving as the successor to the Tiguan Allspace. So, exactly how many units were sold in September 2025, which was the new-to-SA nameplate’s first full month on the market?

Well, we can confirm VW Group Africa registered 39 units of the Tayron in September, in addition to the 15 sold in August. The dealer channel accounted for 35 of September’s units, with the remaining 4 reported as so-called “single” registrations (vehicles the brand kept and licensed for its own use).

Click to expand...

Is this good?
 
As sales boom, car instalments are eating up a higher percentage of household income than ever

The South African new vehicle market is booming, with sales having hit a 10-year high in September, and with that, there has also been a surge in vehicle finance applications, with this number having grown by 65% over the past decade.

Yet while these are all positive economic indicators, amid growing business confidence in the economy, a somewhat disturbing trend is brewing in the background.

According to ABSA, monthly vehicle instalments now consume 16.1% of the average household income in South Africa, up from 14.3%.

These insights were shared at the recent SA Auto Week, hosted by Naamsa, where the finance institution expressed concern that vehicle prices continue to outpace income growth in South Africa. This is despite an increasing array of imported brands from China and India, offering high-value products that undercut the established manufacturers.

The average new vehicle finance amount in South Africa, according to the latest available data, is R401,000. Financed over 72 months, with a 10% deposit, at the prime interest rate of 10.5%, the theoretical average monthly payment for a South African household currently stands at R6,876.

WesBank marketing head Lebo Gaoaketse reiterated that household budgets remain strained and affordability is still a key consideration in purchase decisions.

 
FiestaST said:
As sales boom, car instalments are eating up a higher percentage of household income than ever

The South African new vehicle market is booming, with sales having hit a 10-year high in September, and with that, there has also been a surge in vehicle finance applications, with this number having grown by 65% over the past decade.

Yet while these are all positive economic indicators, amid growing business confidence in the economy, a somewhat disturbing trend is brewing in the background.

According to ABSA, monthly vehicle instalments now consume 16.1% of the average household income in South Africa, up from 14.3%.

These insights were shared at the recent SA Auto Week, hosted by Naamsa, where the finance institution expressed concern that vehicle prices continue to outpace income growth in South Africa. This is despite an increasing array of imported brands from China and India, offering high-value products that undercut the established manufacturers.

The average new vehicle finance amount in South Africa, according to the latest available data, is R401,000. Financed over 72 months, with a 10% deposit, at the prime interest rate of 10.5%, the theoretical average monthly payment for a South African household currently stands at R6,876.

WesBank marketing head Lebo Gaoaketse reiterated that household budgets remain strained and affordability is still a key consideration in purchase decisions.

Click to expand...
Oh!
 
Polo Vivo Becomes 3-Millionth Car Built at VW’s Plant Kariega in SA

Volkswagen Group Africa has announced the three-millionth car, a Polo Vivo, has rolled off its Kariega assembly line in South Africa.

Volkswagen Group Africa has celebrated a major new milestone, with the German marque’s local arm announcing the three-millionth vehicle produced at its Kariega manufacturing facility has rolled off the assembly line…and it was none other than a car built in South Africa for South Africa – a Polo Vivo! (As a reminder, Volkswagen Group Africa recently introduced the Polo Vivo Edition 15 to commemorate the budget-oriented hatchback’s 15-year anniversary.)

Plant Kariega is also the sole facility where the Polo hatchback and its GTI stablemate are produced – for local and global consumption. In fact, according to the automaker, the Polo, which celebrated its 50th anniversary this year, was South Africa’s most exported vehicle in 2024.

In addition, speaking to CAR Magazine at IAA Mobility 2025, where the ID. Polo and ID. Polo GTI were showcased in camouflage, Thomas Schäfer, CEO of Volkswagen Passenger cars told us the SA-built Polo will remain in production until “at least” 2033.

However, from 2027, the Polo hatchback, Polo GTI and Vivo won’t be the only models produced at Plant Kariega, with the Wolfsburg brand’s SA-based manufacturing hub gearing up for production of a new entry-level compact crossover, the Tengo.

www.carmag.co.za

Polo Vivo Becomes 3-Millionth Car Built at VW’s Plant Kariega in SA

A Polo Vivo has become the three-millionth car produced at Volkswagen's Plant Kariega assembly facility in South Africa...
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Chery SA in talks to ‘take over’ an existing factory in SA

The head of Chery South Africa has confirmed the Chinese firm is in discussions to potentially “take over” another automaker’s already established local factory…

- Chery SA confirms it is in discussions with ‘several OEMs’ in Mzansi
- Options include building a new plant or taking over an existing one
- Local facility would also allow Chery to export into the rest of Africa

The head of Chery South Africa says the Chinese company is keen to start manufacturing vehicles locally, revealing that the firm is “in discussions” to potentially “take over” another automaker’s local factory.

Tony Liu, Executive Deputy General Manager at Chery South Africa, made the comments during an interview conducted in Cars.co.za’s custom-built podcast booth at Naamsa’s recent South African Auto Week 2025 in Gqeberha in the Eastern Cape.

“What is going to be a very big focus for us now is to drive the feasibility studies [into] local manufacturing here in South Africa. So, [we are in] discussions with government officials, Naamsa and relevant stakeholders, including several OEMs [original equipment manufacturers], about building a plant or taking over a plant from an existing OEM,” he said.

Of course, since building a new facility from scratch would be an extremely costly and time-intensive process, purchasing an existing plant – or even sharing one with its original owner – appears to be the route the Chery Group is most likely to take.

 
Performance or practicality? Here's what South Africans really want in a vehicle

When it comes to purchase decisions, there is one factor that tops the shopping list for most vehicle buyers and that is practicality.

According to a study conducted by consumer insights agency KLA, 88% of South African vehicle buyers say that having a car that works well for the whole family is important to them.

Yet while family functionality is something that they prioritise above all other vehicle features, performance comes a close second, with 80% of respondents indicating that they prefer cars with powerful engines.

"Despite the global shift toward greener driving, many local consumers still associate engine performance with value," says Rakhee Naik, Managing Consultant, Insights at KLA. "For some, it's about the thrill of driving. For others, it's about dependability on South African roads and terrain."

While younger car buyers see performance cars as aspirational status symbols, older generations associate power with long-term durability and load-hauling capability, the study found.

When it comes to new energy vehicles, there is a clear acknowledgement that South Africans need to move towards cleaner energy sources, yet despite this, 71% of potential buyers said they still prefer petrol-powered vehicles. This is largely due to affordability concerns as well as infrastructure limitations.

However, 72% of survey respondents feel that the future of motoring is electric, and 62% feel we should all drive less to preserve the environment.

When it comes to vehicle types, SUVs and crossovers have emerged as the most popular body shape, having overtaken hatchbacks in 2021.

 
South Africa's used vehicle market showing robust growth, but with a shift towards value

South Africa has seen a surge in demand for new vehicles, with September’s sales reaching a 10-year high of 54,700 units, but used car sales are also experiencing a healthy uptick.

Data from vehicle listing giant AutoTrader for September 2025 shows used vehicle sales increased by 16.4% year-on-year to 33,907 units.

Its sales chart for used cars shows that South Africans are prioritising aspects such as value and reliability over status as affordable models continue to grow their sales.

Interestingly, the average selling price for a used vehicle fell to R416,302 in September, down from R418,105 the previous month but up from R405,154 in September last year.

The Ford Ranger was South Africa’s most popular used vehicle last month, with 1,904 sales, followed by the Toyota Hilux, while Volkswagen’s Polo and Polo Vivo and Toyota’s Fortuner made up the top five.

A further three compact hatchbacks made the top 10, namely the Suzuki Swift, Toyota Starlet and Hyundai Grand i10, with the latter showing a remarkable year-on-year sales growth of 121.4%. The Toyota Corolla Cross saw its sales rise by 67.1% while the Suzuki Swift saw a 47% increase.


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Toyota SA boss calls for new Chinese brands to ‘invest’

The head of Toyota in South Africa has called for new Chinese brands to invest in Mzansi rather than simply “dumping a whole lot of cars in the country”…

- Toyota’s local boss says “competition is good”
- But adds Chinese brands should “invest” in SA
- Expects more brands to enter B-segment soon

The man at the helm of South Africa’s best-selling automaker, Toyota, has called on new Chinese brands to invest in Mzansi rather than simply “dumping a whole lot of cars in the country” and taking a wait-and-see approach.

Andrew Kirby, President and CEO of Toyota South Africa Motors, made the comments during an interview conducted in Cars.co.za’s custom-built podcast booth at Naamsa’s recent South African Auto Week 2025 in Gqeberha in the Eastern Cape.

“Competition is good – the disruption is ultimately good for customers. But we need to balance that with an investment into South Africa. Not just ‘let me dump a whole lot of cars in the country, see if they survive or not and then decide to remain or exit’,” he said.

“That’s going to harm a lot of consumers and it’s going to create a lot of turmoil. There needs to be some balance. If you want to compete, that’s fantastic – but invest in the country,” emphasised Kirby, who has been at the head of Toyota SA Motors since 2016.

 
SA rockets up list of Chery Group’s biggest markets

South Africa has fast become an important market for the Chery Group, with the local boss saying Mzansi is now the automaker’s 5th largest market outside of China…

- Chery Group’s local boss says SA is 5th largest export market
- Fellow RHD nations UK and Australia are also high on the list
- Sub-brands iCaur and Lepas expected to launch in SA in 2026

Just how big a market is South Africa for the Chery Group? Well, according to the Chinese firm’s local boss, Mzansi has grown into the company’s 5th largest export destination in pure volume terms.

Tony Liu, Chief Executive Officer at Chery Group South Africa, was speaking during an interview conducted in Cars.co.za’s custom-built podcast booth at Naamsa’s recent South African Auto Week 2025 in Gqeberha in the Eastern Cape.

“From a volume perspective, I think [South Africa] is number 5, outside of China,” Liu told us. For the record, the Chery Group – which includes not only the core Chery brand but also the likes of Omoda & Jaecoo, Jetour, Exlantix, iCaur and Lepas – sold 280 469 units across all markets (including China) in September 2025.

In South Africa last month, the Chery brand registered 2 264 units, while Omoda & Jaecoo added 1 201 units and Jetour contributed 815 units. Based on these figures, the Chery Group thus reported a considerable 4 280 units (or a significant 7.8% of the total market) in South Africa in September 2025.

 
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