The SA Vehicle Industry Thread

Toyota and Suzuki lead the charge in South Africa's booming car market

South Africa’s new vehicle market kept its wheels turning in October, driven by improving consumer sentiment, a firmer rand and revived demand from export markets.

According to The Automotive Business Council (NAAMSA), total sales climbed to 55,956 units, representing a solid 16% year-on-year increase.

Passenger cars were the month’s best performers, surging 14.8% year-on-year to reach 39,610 units, the best result since October 2014.

Light commercial vehicles (LCVs) followed with a 23.9% jump, while medium commercial vehicles (MCVs) grew by 9.3%. Heavy trucks, however, dipped slightly by 1%, reflecting the uneven pace of recovery across market segments.

Despite a slower growth rate compared to September, the sector continues to demonstrate resilience. With steady interest rates, easing inflation and healthy fleet demand, manufacturers are heading into the year’s final stretch with confidence.

Toyota still leads

Toyota South Africa Motors (TSAM) reaffirmed its dominance, recording 13,559 new vehicle sales in October and capturing a 24.2% market share, almost a quarter of the entire market.

“We are proud of Toyota’s performance across all segments, from entry-level to luxury,” said Leon Theron, senior vice president of Sales and Marketing at TSAM.

“These results reaffirm the trust South Africans continue to place in Toyota, Lexus and Hino products. Our strong dealer network and commitment to quality continue to resonate with customers.”

In the passenger car arena, Toyota led the field with 8,432 units sold, bolstered by the Corolla Cross (1,615), Starlet (1,613), Urban Cruiser (1,360), Starlet Cross (1,011) and Vitz (1,200). On the premium end, Lexus maintained its steady presence, delivering 79 vehicles, led by the NX (31) and LX (11).

The Hilux continued to be the country’s best-selling bakkie, with 3,533 units finding new homes and a commanding 27.9% share of the LCV market. Supporting the line-up were the Hiace Taxi (617 units), Land Cruiser 79 (414 units) and Land Cruiser Prado (139 units).

Hino’s commercial trucks also contributed to Toyota’s strong showing, adding 253 sales to the total. Fleet business remained robust too, with more than 2,150 fleet customers opting for Toyota models in October, particularly the Hilux, Vitz, and Starlet.

Toyota’s parts division moved an impressive two million pieces locally and exported 393,000 components internationally. Vehicle exports totalled 4,436 units, underscoring the brand’s contribution to South Africa’s industrial base.

 
Suzuki SA Sets New Sales Record in October 2025

Suzuki sales continue to soar in 2025, with the local arm of the Japanese automaker maintaining its position as the second-best-selling car brand in SA in October.

Suzuki Auto South Africa recorded a new overall sales milestone in October 2025. Despite a slight decrease in sales in September, the local arm of the Japanese automaker managed to surpass its previous sales record, set in August 2025. Last month, Suzuki SA placed second on the list of best-selling car brands in South Africa for the tenth month in a row. According to naamsa, Suzuki sold 6 890 new cars in October 2025, a 354-unit increase over the 6 534 units sold in August.

October was the fourth consecutive month Suzuki SA has sold more than 6 000 new cars. Last month, dealer sales accounted for the majority of sales at 4 842 units, while rental and fleet customers accounted for 2 048 units sold. The latter figure beat the record for rental and fleet sales set in January by 183 units.

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Suzuki SA Sets New Sales Record in October 2025

Suzuki sales continue to soar in October 2025, with the Japanese marque maintaining its position as the second-best-selling car brand in SA...
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Top 5 Vehicle Exporters in SA – October 2025

We have compiled a list of the top five vehicle exporters in South Africa in October 2025. See the list below.

According to naamsa, a total of 32 659 new vehicles were exported in October 2025 – representing a 0.5% (or 178 unit) increase compared to the 32 481 units exported in October 2024. However, last month saw a decrease of 6 113 units exported compared to the 38 772 units exported in September 2025. Additionally, the year-to-date vehicle exports remain ahead by 6.7% over the same period last year, representing market resilience and growth despite global supply chain disrupters and changing trade conditions.

Volkswagen Group Africa remained South Africa’s top vehicle exporter in October 2025, with naamsa reporting that 13 300 units were exported from the Wolfsburg brand’s Kariega assembly line, where the Polo and Polo GTI are exclusively produced, to global markets. Volkswagen and Mercedes-Benz South Africa were the only automakers that saw an increase in exports in October 2025 compared to September 2025. Volkswagen Group Africa’s exports increased by 1 924 units, while Mercedes-Benz South Africa recorded a 200-unit increase. Notably, Ford claimed second place despite a 2 184 unit decrease, relegating Toyota to third place, with the Japanese automaker recording a 3 702 unit decrease in exports last month. BMW remained in fourth place despite the number of exports decreasing by 2 360 units.

SA’s Top 5 Vehicle Exporters in August 2025

Volkswagen – 13 300 units (up 1 924)
Ford – 5 406 (down 2 184)
Toyota – 4 436 (down 3 702)
BMW – 4 700 (down 2 360)
Mercedes-Benz – 3 600 (up 200)

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Top 5 Vehicle Exporters in SA – October 2025

We have compiled a list of the top five vehicle exporters in South Africa as of October 2025. See the list below...
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Record-breaking October for pre-owned car sales: Toyota, Ford and VW dominate

Just like new car sales last month, the pre-owned market continued to record strong growth with bakkies and compact hatchbacks leading the demand, reflecting the sustained consumer confidence that has characterised 2025.

October was one of the best-performing months for used car sales so far this year, and according to AutoTrader’s October used car sales data, a total of 36 042 used vehicles were sold - a notable increase compared to previous months.

This represents year-on-year (YoY) and month-on-month (MoM) growth of 3.1% and 8.2%, respectively, outperforming the 33 907 units sold in September 2025 and 34 402 units in August 2025.

Toyota leads

It’s no surprise that, as is the case with new car sales, Toyota leads the segment, recording 6 266 used car sales in October.

They continue to dominate the leaderboard, with 40% of the top 10 models wearing a Toyota badge. Volkswagen holds second place with 5 209 used vehicles sold, while Ford maintains third position with 3 641 sales.

Hyundai and Suzuki retain their fourth and fifth spots, posting the highest year-on-year growth rates at 33% and 30% respectively. The steepest year-on-year declines came from Mercedes-Benz (7th) and Nissan (8th), with drops of 12% and 20%.

Notably, all brands recorded month-on-month sales increases, with Renault showing the largest rise at 11%.


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Toyota Retains the Top Spot as SA’s Best-Selling Car Brand in October 2025

Toyota SA, the best-selling car brand in our market, has yet again recorded the highest monthly sales for new vehicles in October 2025.

Toyota South Africa Motors (TSAM) recorded a total of 13 559 new-vehicle sales in October 2025; earning the local arm of the Japanese automaker a 24.2% market share. Despite a 587-unit decrease in sales compared to September 2025, Toyota retained the top spot among the best-selling car brands in SA. TSAM’s total year-to-date new-vehicle sales reached 55 956 units in the 10th month of the year.

According to naamsa, Toyota sold 8 432 new passenger cars last month. The most popular models included the Corolla Cross, which led the charge with 1 613 units sold, followed by the Starlet and Urban Cruiser, which recorded 1 613 and 1 360 units sold, respectively. The Vitz recorded 1 200 units sold, while 1 011 Starlet Cross units were sold in October 2025.

In the light-commercial vehicle segment (LCV), Toyota achieved a 27.9% market share. Ahead of the new Hilux being officially revealed, the current, eighth-generation was the automaker’s best-selling model with 3 533 units sold. The Hiace minibus recorded 617 units sold, followed by the Land Cruiser 79 bakkie with 414 units latter sold.

www.carmag.co.za

Toyota Retains the Top Spot as SA's Best-Selling Car Brand in October 2025

Toyota SA, the best-selling car brand in our market, has yet again recorded the highest monthly sales for new vehicles in October 2025.
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Think cars made in SA should be cheaper? Here’s why they aren’t, according to ChatGPT

Why do South African consumers pay around the same price - or even more in some instances - for German cars that are manufactured in South Africa? It is a question that many have asked for years and the topic recently came up on a popular car review podcast on TikTok recently.

Unsatisfied with the answer from that podcast, IOL decided to go where everybody does these days for the answers to life's most pressing questions: ChatGPT.

We began by asking ChatGPT to do deep research on all the German vehicles manufactured in South Africa that is exported to the global market, to analyse the price they are sold overseas versus the price they are sold in South Africa. According to the research performed by ChatGPT, South Africans do pay marginally less in rands for the locally produced BMW X3 than their European counterparts - at around R 55,063 for the xDrive 20d and R62,465 less for the M50 xDrive.

However, according to ChatGPT, South African pay R136,231 more for the Mercedes-Benz C-Class Sedan, built in East London than their European counterparts.

For the Polo Life 1.0 TSI that is built here, the recommended retail price for South Africans is R420,800 while that same car will sell for R328,993 in Australia - R91,807 less!

Which begs the question, shouldn't South Africans pay less for cars built locally?

This is what ChatGPT said:

That’s a smart question, and one a lot of South Africans ask. On paper, local buyers should pay less for cars built here. In practice, several structural factors erase that advantage. Here’s what’s really going on:

 
Two million Polos rolled out: VW Kariega Plant achieves remarkable production milestone

Volkswagen Group Africa (VWGA) has passed another major milestone at its Kariega plant in the Eastern Cape, building its two-millionth Polo just months ahead of the model’s 30th local production anniversary in 2026.

The landmark car – a smoky grey Polo headed for Australia – rolled off the line earlier this month, adding to a legacy that began in 1996 with the original Polo Classic.

Decades of improvement

Back then, the plant produced just over 5 400 units in its first year. Three decades later, Kariega has become one of VW’s most important global hubs for the Polo, building four generations of the hatch and supplying markets across the world.

Of the two million Polos built so far, 592 840 found homes locally, while 1 407 160 units were produced for export. In 2025, the plant manufactured 112 386 Polos, including 8 274 Polo GTIs built exclusively by VWGA, highlighting both the scale and consistency of local production.

It also underlines the Polo’s economic impact. Since July 2024, Kariega has been the sole global supplier of the Polo to Europe and the Asia-Pacific region, shipping vehicles to more than 30 countries. It was also South Africa’s most exported passenger car last year.


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VW Celebrates 2-Millionth Polo Produced at Plant Kariega in SA

The two-millionth Polo has rolled off Volkswagen’s Kariega production plant in South Africa.

Following the 500 000th current-generation Polo and three-millionth car built at Volkswagen’s Kariega plant, Volkswagen Group Africa is celebrating the production of the two-millionth Polo at its Eastern Cape-based assembly facility – a milestone achieved a year ahead of 30 years of Polo production in South Africa.

The Polo, which celebrated its 50th anniversary in 2025, has been produced at Volkswagen’s Kariega production plant since 1996, for both local consumption and overseas markets. The two-millionth Polo that rolled off the assembly line earlier this month is destined for Australia, and of the two million Polos produced in South Africa, 1 407 160 have been exported overseas.

As of July 2024, Plant Kariega is the only Volkswagen plant to produce the Polo for Europe and Asia-Pacific regions, which include more than 30 countries. In 2024, the Polo was South Africa’s most exported car. This year, Plant Kariega has produced 112 386 Polos, with 8 274 of those being Polo GTIs.

The Polo Classic was the first Polo produced locally, with 5 460 units built in 1996 alone. Since then, four generations of the German automaker’s popular hatchback have been produced at this assembly plant. Noteworthy, the Wolfsburg automaker has confirmed to us that the SA-built Polo will remain in production into the next decade.

www.carmag.co.za

VW Celebrates 2-Millionth Polo Produced at Plant Kariega in SA

The two-millionth Polo has rolled off Volkswagen’s Kariega production plant in South Africa...
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Top 10 Best-Selling Car Brands in SA – November 2025

We’ve rounded up the top 10-best-selling car brands in South Africa in November 2025. See the list below.

In October 2025, naamsa, the Automotive Business Council of South Africa, reported that aggregate new-vehicle sales had increased to a total of 55 956 units. This marked a 13.8% increase over the 48 222 units sold in October 2024. In November 2025, South Africa’s new-vehicle sales continued with this momentum, recording an increase in aggregate new-vehicle sales to a total 54 896 units sold, signifying a 12.3% or (6 113 units) increase over November 2024.

Toyota once again led the charge, with the Japanese automaker’s South African arm registering 13 576 new cars sold in October 2025 – an increase of 17 units over the firm’s October 2025 sales figure (13 559). Suzuki remained in second position, registering 6 385 units sold. Compared to the latter brand’s October figure, it sold 505 fewer vehicles. Third place went to Volkswagen once more, despite the firm recording a 177-unit decrease in sales compared to October 2025 for an overall figure of 6 044 units sold.

While the top three brands retained their positions, Ford reclaimed fourth place from Hyundai, which now holds fifth place. GWM placed sixth. Chery managed to move up to the seventh spot, relegating Isuzu to eighth, followed by Kia. Renault returned to the top 10 list, with Omoda & Jaecoo just missing out on making the top 10.

SA’s Top 10 Best-Selling Car Brands in November 2025

1) Toyota – 13 576 units (up 17)
2) Suzuki – 6 385 units (down 505)
3) Volkswagen – 6 044 units (down 177)
4) Ford – 3 095 units (up 149)
5) Hyundai – 3 051 units (up 34)
6) GWM – 2 534 units (down 271)
7) Chery – 2 506 units (up 296)
8) Isuzu – 2 124 units (down 660)
9) Kia – 1 828 units (up 20)
10) Renault – 1 415 units (down 31)

www.carmag.co.za

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

We’ve rounded up the top 10-best-selling car brands in South Africa in November 2025. See the list below...
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Strong start: Jetour T2 sales soar in South Africa

The new Jetour T2 hit the market in South Africa only towards the middle of November 2025 but has already became the Chinese brand’s best-selling model…

- T2 becomes Jetour’s top seller in launch month
- Comfortably outsells T1, Dashing and X70 Plus
- Jetour reaches all-time sales high of 1 235 units

The local arrival of the new Jetour T2 in South Africa has paid immediate dividends for the growing Chinese brand, with the boxy newcomer serving as Jetour’s best-selling model in November 2025.

Despite officially hitting the market only in mid-November, the new T2 attracted as many as 545 sales last month, representing a whopping 44.1% of Jetour’s volume and comfortably making it the brand’s most popular nameplate for the month.

This performance helped push Jetour to its best sales tally yet, with its total increasing a whopping 44.3% month on month to a record 1 235 units. The Chinese marque thus finished in 15th place overall (just behind the BMW Group), while also securing 11th position in South Africa’s new passenger-vehicle space.

Interestingly, the new T1 that launched alongside the T2 wasn’t nearly as popular, with 81 units registered in November. In addition, local registrations of the Dashing dipped 28.8% month on month to 366 units, while sales of the X70 Plus fell 28.9% month on month to 243 units.

 
P-Series hits 4-year high! SA’s best-selling bakkies in November 2025

In November 2025, the GWM P-Series registered a 4-year sales high, while the Ford Ranger grabbed back 2nd place on the list of SA’s best-selling bakkies…

- Ranger grabs back 2nd place from D-Max
- GWM P-Series sales reach 4-year high
- Volkswagen Amarok slips 3 spots to 8th

In November 2025, South Africa’s total new-vehicle market grew 12.5% year on year to 54 896 units, with the light-commercial vehicle (LCV) segment registering its 8th straight month of year-on-year growth, surging 20.5% to 13 048 units. But what happened on the list of SA’s best- and worst-selling bakkies?

Well, with the reveal of the 9th-gen model having come and gone, the Toyota Hilux retained the title of Mzansi’s most popular bakkie in November 2025. In the end, local sales of the Prospecton-built stalwart dipped 4.8% month on month to 3 383 units, with the rental channel contributing 330 units. For the record, that marks 6 consecutive months of 3 000+ sales for the Hilux.

Meanwhile, after having to settle for 3rd place in October 2025, the Ford Ranger wrestled back the runner-up position in November. Local registrations of the Silverton-made bakkie – which will switch to a revised line-up in 2026, losing its 2.0-litre bi-turbodiesel engine but gaining a 2.2-litre turbopetrol mill – grew 12.6% month on month to 2 292 units (its 2nd best showing of the year after June 2025).

That saw the Isuzu D-Max fall back to the final spot on the bakkie podium. In November 2025, the Japanese brand sold 1 673 units of its Struandale-produced model (which is still awaiting its facelift and the possible introduction of a new 2.2-litre turbodiesel engine), down a considerable 27.0% month on month. Interestingly, 233 units (or nearly 14.0%) were reported as sales to government.

10 best-selling bakkies in SA for November 2025

1. Toyota Hilux – 3 383 units

2. Ford Ranger – 2 292 units

3. Isuzu D-Max – 1 673 units

4. Mahindra Pik Up – 737 units

5. GWM P-Series – 665 units

6. Nissan Navara – 511 units

7. Toyota Land Cruiser 79 – 403 units

8. Volkswagen Amarok – 401 units

9. JAC T-Series – 202 units

10. Foton Tunland G7 – 194 units

 
Top 5 Vehicle Exporters in SA – November 2025

We have compiled a list of the top five vehicle exporters in South Africa in November 2025. See the list below.

According to naamsa, a total number of 35 848 new vehicles were exported in November 2025 – representing a 3.9% (or 1 437-unit) decrease compared to the 37 285 units exported in November 2024. However, year-to-date vehicle exports remain 5.6% ahead of the same period last year, reflecting resilience and growth, despite global demand conditions and renewed geopolitical tensions following the G20 Summit. In addition, last month saw an increase of 3 189 units exported compared to the 32 659 units exported in October 2025.

Volkswagen Group Africa remained South Africa’s largest exporter of vehicles in October 2025, with naamsa reporting 11 536 units were exported from the Wolfsburg brand’s Kariega assembly line, where the Polo and Polo GTI are exclusively produced, to global markets. Ford, Toyota and Mercedes-Benz South Africa were the only automakers that saw an increase in exports in November 2025 compared to October 2025. Ford Motor Company’s exports increased by 2 701 units, while Toyota South Africa Motors, who topped the list of SA’s best-selling car brands in November 2025, and Mercedes-Benz South Africa increases of 2 017 and 400 units, respectively. BMW Group claimed fourth place despite a 200-unit decrease,

SA’s Top 5 Vehicle Exporters in November 2025

Volkswagen – 11 536 units (down 1 764)
Ford – 8107 (up 2 701)
Toyota – 6 453 (up 2 017)
BMW – 4 500 (down 200)
Mercedes-Benz – 4 000 (up 400)

www.carmag.co.za

Top 5 Vehicle Exporters in SA – November 2025

We have compiled a list of the top five vehicle exporters in South Africa in November 2025. See the list below.
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