The SA Vehicle Industry Thread

VW’s mystery small SUV: when SA will get its first glimpse

The head of Volkswagen Group Africa has revealed when South Africa will get its first glimpse of the upcoming small SUV that’s set to be produced at the Kariega plant…

In April 2024, Volkswagen announced a R4-billion investment in its Kariega facility, confirming plans to produce a new small SUV – alongside the Polo hatch and Polo Vivo – from 2027. But when will South Africa get its first glimpse of this as-yet-unrevealed model on local soil?

Martina Biene, Chairperson and Managing Director of Volkswagen Group Africa, told Cars.co.za at Naamsa’s recent South African Auto Week 2024 in Cape Town that the local teaser campaign for what the company refers to as its new “A0 Entry SUV” is scheduled to kick off in February 2025.

“We’re talking about a model coming in the beginning of 2027 to our market. We have started refurbishing [areas of] the plant and there will be a bigger [undertaking] in the plant in May 2025, when we put the robots into the body shop, which is a major operation,” Biene told us.

“But because it takes some time, we have not shown our small SUV car [yet], which is based on the Polo platform. We’ll show something at our Volkswagen Indaba 2025. Just to tease that [event] already: it’s on the 5th of February in Kariega, where we’ll show the first camouflaged model of what is coming, to keep you excited for the next 2 years.”

 
Kia back in top 10! SA’s best-selling brands in October 2024

South Africa’s new-vehicle market recorded its best month of the year thus far in October 2024. Here’s your market overview, including Mzansi’s most popular brands…

South Africa’s new-vehicle market commenced the final quarter of 2024 on a positive note, with local sales in October 2024 increasing 5.5% year on year to 47 942 units. That, for the record, is the industry’s best month of 2024 thus far (beating July’s tally) and furthermore represents an 8.8% improvement over September 2024’s effort.

The decline in exports, meanwhile, continued, with 23 342 units – a whopping 42.6% down on the same month last year – shipped from South African shores in October 2024. Naamsa, however, believes “an easing of monetary policy in key export markets” could see this part of the industry gain traction again “over the medium term”.

Out of the total reported industry sales in October 2024, Naamsa estimated that 80.4% represented registrations via the dealer channel, while an again significant 14.8% were sales to the vehicle-rental industry, 2.6% to industry corporate fleets and 2.2% to government.

The growth in the local market was clearly driven by the new passenger-vehicle segment, which grew 14.5% year on year to 34 228 units last month. In fact, boosted by rental sales (a considerable 19.8% of that total), that figure represents the highest new passenger-vehicle tally since October 2019. But, as has been the case for several months now, the new light-commercial vehicle segment suffered a year-on-year decline, with sales here falling 12.7% to 10 791 units.

New-vehicle sales summary for October 2024

- Aggregate new-vehicle sales of 47 942 units increased by 5.5% (2 506 units) compared to October 2023.
- New passenger-vehicle sales of 34 228 units increased by 14.5% (4 331 units) compared to October 2023.
- New light-commercial vehicle sales of 10 791 units decreased by 12.7% (1 576 units) compared to October 2023.
- Export sales of 23 342 units decreased by 42.6% (17 324 units) compared to October 2023.

 
Vehicle sales turn the corner: These were South Africa’s 50 best-selling vehicles in October 2024

South African new vehicle sales finally turned the corner in October, with the passenger car market seeing best month in five years, according to Naamsa - The Automotive Business Council.

Last month saw 47,942 new vehicle sales, which was a 5.5% gain over the same period last year, fuelled by buoyant year-on-year growth of 14,5% in the passenger vehicle market.

Bakkies and other light commercial vehicles saw a 12.7 decline versus October last year, however, while medium and heavy commercial vehicle sales dropped by 10.1% and 7.1% respectively.

Exports were down by 42.6% year-on-year, due to a number of factors, including weak demand from Europe and the BMW X3 new model changeover.

On the sales charts we saw the predictable tussle upfront between the Toyota Hilux (2,793 units), Volkswagen Polo Vivo (2,297), Ford Ranger (2,217) and Toyota Corolla Cross (2,104).

50 top-selling vehicles in South Africa: October 2024

1. Toyota Hilux - 2,793
2. Volkswagen Polo Vivo - 2,297
3. Ford Ranger - 2,217
4. Toyota Corolla Cross - 2,104
5. Isuzu D-Max - 1,807
6. Volkswagen Polo - 1,425
7. Toyota Starlet - 1,358
8. Hyundai Grand i10 - 1,280
9. Suzuki Swift - 1,179
10. Suzuki Fronx - 1,109
11. Chery Tiggo 4 Pro - 1,079
12. Renault Kwid - 934
13. Toyota Fortuner - 905
14. Nissan Magnite - 854
15. Suzuki Ertiga - 846
16. Toyota Starlet Cross - 805
17. Kia Sonet - 787
18. Mahindra Scorpio Pik-Up - 709
19. Toyota Vitz - 676
20. Suzuki Baleno - 672
21. Toyota Urban Cruiser - 629
22. Toyota Corolla Quest - 603
23. Mahindra XUV 3X0 - 592
24. Toyota Hi-Ace - 554
25. Hyundai Exter - 544
26. Suzuki Ciaz - 527
27. Chery Tiggo 7 Pro - 525
28. Toyota Rumion - 446
29. Volkswagen T-Cross - 437
30. Renault Triber - 434
31. Nissan Navara - 418
32. Suzuki Dzire - 412
33. GWM P-Series - 358
34. Volkswagen Polo Sedan - 357
35. Omoda C5 - 356
36. Renault Kiger - 338
37. Hyundai i20 - 328
38. Volkswagen Amarok - 298
39. Ford Territory - 297
40. Ford Everest - 291
41. Suzuki S-Presso - 277
42. Volkswagen Tiguan - 258
43. Kia Pegas - 255
44. Suzuki Jimny - 239
45. Hyundai Venue - 215
46. Suzuki Celerio - 210
47. Kia Seltos - 200
48. Hyundai H100 Bakkie - 191
49. Suzuki Grand Vitara - 185
50. Suzuki Eeco - 183

Top 15 manufacturers

1. Toyota - 11,891
2. Volkswagen - 6,340
3. Suzuki Auto - 6,006
4. Ford - 2,965
5. Hyundai - 2,913
6. Isuzu - 2,251
7. Chery Auto - 1,831
8. GWM - 1,796
9. Renault - 1,734
10. Kia - 1,508
11. Mahindra - 1,421
12. Nissan - 1,304
13. BMW - 1,007
14. Omoda & Jaecoo - 605
15. Mercedes-Benz - 474

 
FiestaST said:
Vehicle sales turn the corner: These were South Africa’s 50 best-selling vehicles in October 2024

South African new vehicle sales finally turned the corner in October, with the passenger car market seeing best month in five years, according to Naamsa - The Automotive Business Council.

Last month saw 47,942 new vehicle sales, which was a 5.5% gain over the same period last year, fuelled by buoyant year-on-year growth of 14,5% in the passenger vehicle market.

Bakkies and other light commercial vehicles saw a 12.7 decline versus October last year, however, while medium and heavy commercial vehicle sales dropped by 10.1% and 7.1% respectively.

Exports were down by 42.6% year-on-year, due to a number of factors, including weak demand from Europe and the BMW X3 new model changeover.

On the sales charts we saw the predictable tussle upfront between the Toyota Hilux (2,793 units), Volkswagen Polo Vivo (2,297), Ford Ranger (2,217) and Toyota Corolla Cross (2,104).

50 top-selling vehicles in South Africa: October 2024

1. Toyota Hilux - 2,793
2. Volkswagen Polo Vivo - 2,297
3. Ford Ranger - 2,217
4. Toyota Corolla Cross - 2,104
5. Isuzu D-Max - 1,807
6. Volkswagen Polo - 1,425
7. Toyota Starlet - 1,358
8. Hyundai Grand i10 - 1,280
9. Suzuki Swift - 1,179
10. Suzuki Fronx - 1,109
11. Chery Tiggo 4 Pro - 1,079
12. Renault Kwid - 934
13. Toyota Fortuner - 905
14. Nissan Magnite - 854
15. Suzuki Ertiga - 846
16. Toyota Starlet Cross - 805
17. Kia Sonet - 787
18. Mahindra Scorpio Pik-Up - 709
19. Toyota Vitz - 676
20. Suzuki Baleno - 672
21. Toyota Urban Cruiser - 629
22. Toyota Corolla Quest - 603
23. Mahindra XUV 3X0 - 592
24. Toyota Hi-Ace - 554
25. Hyundai Exter - 544
26. Suzuki Ciaz - 527
27. Chery Tiggo 7 Pro - 525
28. Toyota Rumion - 446
29. Volkswagen T-Cross - 437
30. Renault Triber - 434
31. Nissan Navara - 418
32. Suzuki Dzire - 412
33. GWM P-Series - 358
34. Volkswagen Polo Sedan - 357
35. Omoda C5 - 356
36. Renault Kiger - 338
37. Hyundai i20 - 328
38. Volkswagen Amarok - 298
39. Ford Territory - 297
40. Ford Everest - 291
41. Suzuki S-Presso - 277
42. Volkswagen Tiguan - 258
43. Kia Pegas - 255
44. Suzuki Jimny - 239
45. Hyundai Venue - 215
46. Suzuki Celerio - 210
47. Kia Seltos - 200
48. Hyundai H100 Bakkie - 191
49. Suzuki Grand Vitara - 185
50. Suzuki Eeco - 183

Top 15 manufacturers

1. Toyota - 11,891
2. Volkswagen - 6,340
3. Suzuki Auto - 6,006
4. Ford - 2,965
5. Hyundai - 2,913
6. Isuzu - 2,251
7. Chery Auto - 1,831
8. GWM - 1,796
9. Renault - 1,734
10. Kia - 1,508
11. Mahindra - 1,421
12. Nissan - 1,304
13. BMW - 1,007
14. Omoda & Jaecoo - 605
15. Mercedes-Benz - 474

Click to expand...
43 Merc dealers in SA - with an average of 11 sales per dealer, some dealers are probably not even moving 1 new model and only surviving on their pre-owned sales and service department. Scary!
 
VW Polo back in top 3! SA’s best-selling passenger vehicles

The Volkswagen Polo hatch registered its best sales performance of the year thus far to break back into the top 3 of SA’s best-selling passenger vehicles in October 2024…

In October 2024, South Africa’s new-vehicle market improved 5.5% year on year to 47 942 units, with passenger vehicles clearly driving that growth. In fact, the latter segment grew 14.5% year on year to 34 228 units last month, representing the market’s highest passenger-vehicle tally since October 2019.

It’s worth keeping in mind that in October this segment was greatly aided by sales to the rental industry, which comprised a considerable 19.8% of that total. But which models were the most popular overall? Let’s take a closer look at SA’s best-selling passenger vehicles for October 2024.

SA’s 10 best-selling passenger vehicles in October 2024

1. Volkswagen Polo Vivo – 2 297 units

2. Toyota Corolla Cross – 2 104 units

3. Volkswagen Polo (hatch) – 1 425 units

4. Toyota Starlet – 1 358 units

5. Hyundai Grand i10 (excluding LCV) – 1 280 units

6. Suzuki Swift – 1 179 units

7. Suzuki Fronx – 1 109 units

8. Chery Tiggo 4 Pro – 1 079 units

9. Renault Kwid – 934 units

10. Toyota Fortuner – 905 units

 
Ferrari registered more cars in SA last month than the prior 7 combined

Fascinatingly, Ferrari registered more new vehicles in South Africa in October 2024 than in the prior 7 months combined. Let’s take a closer look at the sale figures…

When glancing through the local automotive industry’s new-vehicle sales figures for October 2024, we noticed something quite fascinating: more new Ferrari units were registered in South Africa last month than in the prior 7 months combined.

Yes, Scuderia SA – the official distributor of new Ferrari vehicles in Mzansi – reported as many as 25 registrations to Naamsa for October 2024. That’s more than double its previous 2024 high of 12 units reported in February 2024 and far greater than its 2023 best of 9 units (in January of that year), too.

 
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