The SA Vehicle Industry Thread

India Rising: The Growth of the Indian Auto Industry

With the steady arrival of new Chinese brands and the seemingly endless rollout of their new models dominating current motoring headlines, one could be forgiven for overlooking the growth of the Indian auto industry and its impact on the SA market.

Chinese brands continue to dominate the motoring conversations in South Africa; this is hardly surprising when you consider their rapid growth in recent years and the fact that their two leading brands in SA are now firmly entrenched in the top 10 of our sales charts. Against this backdrop, the recent announcements from India’s largest vehicle manufacturers have become even more newsworthy.

Tata has announced its return to the SA passenger-car market with a four-model hatch and SUV lineup, including the Tiago. These announcements should come as little surprise, considering that, for several years, a significant majority of SA’s passenger-car and LCV (light commercial vehicle) imports have been sourced from India. Naamsa records show that, in 2024, imported vehicles accounted for 62.8% of the SA light vehicle market, with India supplying 173 742 vehicles to make up just over 57% of those imports.

From modest beginnings in the mid-20th century, the Indian motor industry is currently experiencing significant growth, producing more than six million vehicles in 2024 to make it the world’s fourth-largest global auto manufacturing and export hub, behind China, the US, and Japan.

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India Rising: The Growth of the Indian Auto Industry

We take a closer look at the growth of the Indian automotive industry and its effect on the South African market...
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VW grabs back 2nd! SA’s new-vehicle sales in December 2025

In December 2025, SA’s new-vehicle market grew 19.2% year on year to reach an annual sales high not seen in a decade. Here’s your full overview, including the top-selling brands…

- New-vehicle sales hit 48 983 units in December
- VW Group wrestles back 2nd spot from Suzuki
- Chinese automaker Jetour breaks into the top 10

In December 2025, South Africa’s new-vehicle market recorded its 15th consecutive month of year-on-year growth, with local sales increasing 19.2% to 48 983 units. Though that performance was down 10.8% on November’s showing, it nevertheless capped a year of strong recovery, with the local market reaching levels not seen in around 10 years.

In the end, Mzansi’s total new-vehicle sales for 2025 increased 15.7% to 596 818 units, seeing the industry fall just short of the 600 000-unit mark. For the record, the market hit a figure of 515 976 units in 2024, 531 547 units in 2023, 529 334 units in 2022 and 464 322 units in 2021.

Naamsa described 2025’s showing as a “landmark performance”, pointing out that the market had “finally” recovered “above 2019 pre-pandemic levels” to ultimately hit highs “not seen in a decade”. Export sales in 2025, meanwhile, increased 4.4% to 408 224 units, despite December’s tally dropping 10.4% (to 26 852 units), year on year.

The industry-representative body said an estimated 90.8% of December 2025’s total reported domestic figure of 48 983 units represented sales via the dealership channel, while 6.3% were sales to the new-vehicle rental industry, 1.9% to government and 1.0% to industry corporate fleets.

The local new passenger-vehicle market grew a considerable 20.3% year on year to 35 579 units in December 2025. Interestingly, the light-commercial vehicle (LCV) segment posted even strong growth in 2025’s final month, gaining 23.7% year on year to finish on 11 296 units. For 2025 overall, the passenger-vehicle class registered 20.1% growth to reach 422 292 units, while the LCV space gained 7.8% to hit 143 637 units.

New-vehicle sales summary for December 2025

- Aggregate new-vehicle sales of 48 983 units increased by 19.2% (7 882 units) compared to December 2024.
- New passenger-vehicle sales of 35 579 units increased by 20.3% (5 994 units) compared to December 2024.
- New light-commercial vehicle sales of 11 296 units increased by 23.7% (2 162 units) compared to December 2024.
- Export sales of 26 852 units decreased by 10.4% (3 103 units) compared to December 2024.

10 best-selling automakers in SA in December 2025

1. Toyota – 12 933 units

2. Volkswagen Group – 5 014 units

3. Suzuki – 4 961 units

4. Hyundai – 3 068 units

5. Ford – 2 987 units

6. GWM – 2 453 units

7. Chery – 2 249 units

8. Isuzu – 1 906 units

9. Kia – 1 508 units

10. Jetour – 1 371 units

 
Amarok soars to 4th! SA’s best-selling bakkies in December 2025

In December 2025, the Volkswagen Amarok soared to 4th position on the list of South Africa’s best-selling bakkies with its strongest showing yet. Here are all the details…

- Hilux, Ranger, D-Max remain on podium in December
- VW Amarok hits highest placing (and sales tally) yet
- Navara slides 2 rankings to 8th as sales drop 37.6%

In December 2025, South Africa’s total new-vehicle market grew 19.2% year on year to 48 983 units, with the light-commercial vehicle (LCV) segment recording its 9th consecutive month of year-on-year growth, surging 23.7% to 11 296 units. But what happened on the list of SA’s best- and worst-selling bakkies?

Well, the Toyota Hilux finished at the very top of the table, just as it has every single month this year. Despite sales slipping 11.9% month on month to 2 979 units (after 6 straight months of 3 000+ units), the Prospecton-built stalwart was still way out in front in December 2025.

The Ford Ranger held into 2nd place – a position it occupied in 10 of the year’s 12 months – with local sales of the Silverton-made bakkie falling 2.4% month on month to 2 236 units in December. That meant the Struandale-built Isuzu D-Max again completed the podium, with 1 549 units (down 7.4% compared to November 2025) sold in the final month of the year.

10 best-selling bakkies in South Africa for December 2025

1. Toyota Hilux – 2 979 units

2. Ford Ranger – 2 236 units

3. Isuzu D-Max – 1 549 units

4. Volkswagen Amarok – 598 units

5. Mahindra Pik Up – 512 units

6. GWM P-Series – 465 units

7. Toyota Land Cruiser 79 – 407 units

8. Nissan Navara – 319 units

9. JAC T-Series – 188 units

10. Foton Tunland – 157 units

 
Jetour breaks into SA’s top 10: sales figures in detail

Jetour cracked the list of South Africa’s 10 best-selling automakers in December 2025. Here’s a closer look at the Chinese brand’s record sales figures for the month…

- Jetour sales soar to fresh high in December
- Becomes 3rd Chinese brand to crack top 10
- New T2 again Jetour’s best-selling model

In December 2025, Jetour cracked the list of South Africa’s 10 best-selling automakers, with the Chinese brand hitting its highest sales tally yet to enter the table for the very first time.

After registering a record 1 235 units in November 2025 to place 15th overall, Jetour – which falls under the Chery Group banner but describes itself as “independent” – grew its sales a further 11.0% month on month to reach 1 371 units in December 2025.

That was enough to see Jetour rank 10th on the list of Mzansi’s top-selling automakers, putting it ahead of fellow Chery division Omoda & Jaecoo (1 317 units) as well as Renault (1 304 units), Mahindra (1 234 units) and Nissan (1 011 units). This achievement comes some 15 months after the brand entered the local market.

Interestingly, Jetour ranked as the 3rd Chinese brand in the top 10 in December (behind, of course, GWM and Chery), thus beating Omoda & Jaecoo to the accolade. All local sales from Jetour came via the dealer channel. For the record, the company furthermore placed 8th in the passenger-vehicle segment last month.

 
Top 10 best-selling car brands in SA – December 2025

We have rounded up the top 10 best-selling car brands in South Africa in December 2025. Find the full list below.

In December 2025, new-car sales concluded the year on a strong note, with naamsa, the Automotive Business Council of South Africa, reporting a total of 48 983 new cars were sold in the 12th month of last year – an increase of 7 882 vehicles compared to the 41 101 units sold in December 2024. Despite a strong year-on-year sales increase, new-car sales in December 2025 decreased by 5 913 compared to the 54 896 new vehicles sold in November 2025.

Toyota continued to lead the sales charge, with the Japanese automaker’s South African arm registering 12 933 new cars sold in December 2025; despite a decrease of 643 units over the firm’s November 2025 sales figure (13 576 units). Volkswagen regained second spot from Suzuki in the 12th month of 2025, with the German brand registering 5 014 units sold. In December 2025, Suzuki SA recorded 4 961 units sold.

Hyundai reclaimed fourth place from Ford, which now holds fifth place. GWM, Chery, Isuzu and Kia retained sixth, seventh, eighth and ninth place, respectively. Jetour landed in tenth, with Omoda & Jaecoo narrowly missing out on the top 10.

SA’s top 10 best-selling car brands in December 2025

Toyota – 12 933 units (down 643)
Volkswagen – 5 014 units (down 1 030)
Suzuki – 4 961 units (down 1 424)
Hyundai – 3 068 units (up 17)
Ford – 2 987 units (down 108)
GWM – 2 453 units (down 81)
Chery – 2 249 units (down 257)
Isuzu – 1 906 units (down 218)
Kia – 1 508 units (down 320)
Jetour – 1 371 units (up 136)

www.carmag.co.za

Top 10 best-selling car brands in SA – December 2025

We have rounded up the top 10 best-selling car brands in South Africa in December 2025. Find the full list below...
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South Africa records highest new vehicle sales in a decade

South Africa’s new vehicle market has not only surpassed pre-pandemic levels for the first time, but also reached highs not seen in a decade as 2025 drew to a close.

According to Naamsa, new vehicle sales for 2025 closed in at 596,818 units, representing year-on-year growth of 15.7% over 2024’s total of 515,976.

This is also the highest total sales number since 2015, when 617,650 units were sold. Sales gradually declined from that high to 536,612 in 2019, before hitting a low of 380,206 during the lockdown-infested 2020.

2025 saw a strong conclusion, with December’s tally of 41,101 units representing a 19.2% year-on-year increase.

This landmark performance, according to Naamsa, was closely tied to broader economic improvements, as well as a cumulative 150bps in interest rate cuts, record-low vehicle inflation, an influx of affordable import models and a liquidity injection from the “two-pot” retirement system.

What to expect in 2026

It said the prospects for 2026 were equally positive.

“The full impact of 2025’s interest rate relief and lower inflation - expected to average 3.3% - points toward a further boost in consumer disposable income for 2026,” Naamsa said.

“The South African Reserve Bank projects real GDP growth for 2026 at around 1,4% to 1,6%, supported by ongoing structural reforms in electricity and transport through Operation Vulindlela. The new vehicle market momentum is upward and 2026 new vehicle sales are poised for a further upper single-digit to lower double-digit improvement of 9% to 11% over 2025 levels,” the organisation added.

Brandon Cohen, Chairperson of the National Automobile Dealers’ Association, concurred that the solid year-on-year growth was driven by improved affordability and consumer confidence.

“The continued strength of the South African rand, together with lower fuel prices, bodes well for vehicle price stability, while favourable interest rates, lower inflation and a positive buying sentiment support near-term demand,” Cohen said.

 
South African vehicle sales hit 17-year high in 2025

South Africa’s new vehicle market closed 2025 on a high, pushing past pre-pandemic volumes and delivering its strongest annual performance in more than a decade.

After several years of suppressed demand, the recovery gathered pace through the second half of the year and culminated in total industry sales of 596,818 vehicles – a 15.7% improvement over 2024 and the highest annual total since 2008.

According to data released by The National Association of Automobile Manufacturers of South Africa (NAAMSA) the rebound was driven by a combination of easing financial pressure on consumers and a far broader selection of competitively priced vehicles. A cumulative 150-basis-point cut in interest rates since September 2024, record-low vehicle inflation of 1.5%, lower fuel prices and improved credit availability all played a role in restoring buyer confidence.

Added to this was the liquidity injection from the two-pot retirement system, which unlocked discretionary spending for many households.

December sales

Industry sales reached 48,983 units for the month, up from 41,101 vehicles the previous year. Passenger car sales grew by 20.3% year-on-year, while light commercial vehicles increased by 23.7%, reflecting renewed demand from both private buyers and small businesses.

In contrast, the commercial transport sector ended the year under pressure, with medium commercial vehicles down 7.0% and heavy trucks and buses declining 13.2% compared to December 2024.

Retail demand remained the backbone of the recovery. Dealer sales accounted for 90.8% of December volumes, underlining a return to showroom-driven activity rather than fleet-led distortions. Rental companies absorbed 6.3% of sales, government 1.9% and corporate fleets 1.0%, broadly in line with a more normalised market structure.

Standout performer

Annual car sales climbed 20.1% to 422,292 units, marking the strongest retail recovery since the Covid-19 disruption. Light commercial vehicles also posted growth, increasing 7.8% to 143,637 units, supported by improving business confidence and replacement demand. Medium commercial vehicles rose 5.6% to 8,151 units, while heavy trucks and buses declined 3.0% to 22,738 units, reflecting softer freight and infrastructure activity late in the year.

 
Top 5 vehicle exporters in SA – December 2025

We’ve compiled a list comprising the top five vehicle exporters in South Africa in December 2025. See the list below.

According to naamsa, a total number of 26 852 new vehicles were exported in the last month of 2025 – representing a 10.4% (or 3 103-unit) decrease compared to the 29 955 units exported in December 2024. Additionally, December 2025 saw a decrease of of 8 996 units exported compared to the 35 848 units exported in November 2025.

In December 2025, Toyota came out on top as South Africa’s largest exporter of new vehicles, with naamsa reporting 8 063 units were exported from the firm’s Prospecton plant in Durban, where popular models such as the Hilux, Fortuner and Corolla Cross are produced for export to global markets. Ford Motor Company saw a decrease in exports, while Mercedes-Benz South Africa’s exports increased by 10% in December 2025 compared to November 2025. Volkswagen Group recorded the largest decline in exports, with shipments down by 7 304 units compared to November 2025. This drop saw the Wolfsburg-based brand slip from first place in November to fourth position in December 2025. BMW Group claimed fifth place, despite a 1 175-unit decrease.

SA’s top 5 vehicle exporters in December 2025

Toyota – 8 063 units (up 1 616)
Ford – 5 505 units (down 2 602)
Mercedes-Benz – 4 400 (up 400)
Volkswagen – 4 232 units (down 7 304)
BMW – 3 325 units (down 1 175)

www.carmag.co.za

Top 5 vehicle exporters in SA – December 2025

We've compiled a list comprising the top five vehicle exporters in South Africa in December 2025. See the list below...
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SA’s 10 best-selling automakers of 2025: all the insights

We’ve crunched the numbers to identify SA’s top 10 automakers of 2025, while also calculating each firm’s market share. Here’s some insight into what changed last year…

- Toyota prevails for 46th straight year
- Suzuki secures 2nd ahead of VW Group
- Hyundai reclaims 4th place from Ford
- GWM posts strongest growth in top 10
- Mahindra cracks top 10 as Kia returns
- Renault and Nissan drop out of top 10

In 2025, South Africa’s new-vehicle sales increased 15.7% year on year to 596 818 units. So, which of the local market’s top 10 automakers grew their tallies year on year? And which ones lost some ground compared with 2024?

Well, we’ve tallied up the sales figures to not only identify SA’s 10 best-selling automakers of 2025 but also calculate each contender’s overall market share. Interestingly, one brand returned to the top 10 last year, while another made its first appearance on the table. In a recovering market, as many as 9 of the top 10 automakers grew their sales year on year, though 4 suffered market-share decreases.

Toyota triumphs as Suzuki jumps VW Group

There were no surprises at the very top in 2025, with Toyota (including the Lexus and Hino brands) again reigning supreme – for the 46th consecutive year, in fact. In the end, the Japanese automaker sold a whopping 148 122 units in South Africa, representing a 15.1% increase compared with 2024 and translating to a 24.8% market share (down marginally on the prior year’s 24.9%).

The big news, however, was that Suzuki made 2nd place very much its own in 2025, securing this spot every single month of the year bar December. The Hamamatsu-based automaker registered a record 71 560 units in Mzansi last year, up 20.1% compared with 2024 and thus outpacing the industry’s average growth. As a result, Suzuki gained a ranking, while its market share increased to 12.0%, up from 2024’s figure of 11.6%.


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SA’s 15 best-selling passenger vehicles of 2025

We’ve done the maths to identify SA’s 15 best-selling passenger vehicles of 2025. Many showed strong growth, but a pair of SA-built models tumbled from the top 10…

- Polo Vivo retains passenger-car title
- Suzuki Swift climbs to 2nd position
- Tiggo 4 (including Cross) grabs 4th
- Fronx & Starlet Cross crack top 10
- Jolion & Sonet climb the rankings
- SA-built Polo & Fortuner exit top 10

In 2025, South Africa’s new-vehicle sales increased 15.7% year on year to 596 818 units. The local passenger-vehicle segment drove much of that growth, improving 20.1% compared to 2024 to reach 422 292 units. So, which cars and crossovers were Mzansi’s favourites last year?

Well, we’ve crunched the numbers to identify South Africa’s 15 best-selling passenger vehicles of 2025. Interestingly, though the list includes 4 models built in SA, only 2 of them managed to crack the top 10 (with the other 2 suffering year-on-year sales declines to fall to 13th and 15th, respectively).

As many as 9 of SA’s 15 best-selling passenger vehicles of 2025 were sourced from India (easily the top country of origin for light vehicles imported into South Africa), with the remaining 2 coming from China. Let’s take a closer look at the figures…


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Toyota SA records best annual sales since 2007

Toyota South Africa Motors (TSAM) remains the best-selling car brand in South Africa in December 2025.

Toyota South Africa Motors (TSAM), the best-selling automotive brand in South Africa, once again topped the new-car sales charts in December 2025, with the local arm of the Japanese automaker recording 12 933 units sold in the 12th month of 2025; translating to a 25.6% market share. TSAM ended the year with an overall market share of 24.8%, largely attributed to strong domestic vehicle production and sales performance of the outgoing, eighth-generation Hilux, of which 36 525 units were sold in 2025. Cumulative sales for TSAM throughout 2025 totalled 148 124 units sold, the firm’s best annual sales performance since 2007.

Toyota came out on top in multiple segments. In the passenger-car segment, TSAM sold 8 683 units. This segment was led by the Corolla Cross, which features in our 2025 SUV Shootout, followed by the Starlet, Starlet Cross, Urban Cruiser, Vitz and Fortuner. According to TSAM, Lexus posted a strong performance in the luxury segment, particularly with the LX, NX and GX models – the latter of which we sampled in Overtrail guise in 2025. Of the 4 000 light commercial vehicles sold in December 2025 by TSAM, the Hilux stood out as the market leader, while the Land Cruiser 79 Pick Up, Hiace, Quantum and Coaster also recorded strong sales performances. The medium and heavy commercial segment accounted for 250 units sold by Toyota and Hino combined.

www.carmag.co.za

Toyota SA records best annual sales since 2007

In 2025, Toyota SA posted its best annual sales performance since 2007, with the automaker recording a total sales figure of...
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FiestaST said:
What Happened To Half Ton Bakkies?

Click to expand...
Came here searching for this.

I live under an automotive rock apparently. Decided I need a half ton bakkie. Go to carmag's site and check prices. NP200 shows there. Checks finances, and I decide I'm buying one.

Go to Nissan's site. Nothing. Nada.

WTF. Can't believe we can't get new half ton bakkies anymore. No way I'm getting a Suzuki Super carry. that's just ridiculous as a runabout, and I'm not driving a giant 1 tonner around town either because I'm not a 3 point turn enthusiast.
 
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