The SA Vehicle Industry Thread

gadget.co.za

Startling numbers under the hood of Naamsa figures – Gadget

BYD outsold four familiar Japanese marques combined in August, as unlikely comparisons reveal how SA’s vehicle market is changing, writes ARTHUR GOLDSTUCK.
gadget.co.za gadget.co.za

BYD sold more vehicles in South Africa in August than Honda, Mazda, Mitsubishi and Subaru combined.

The difference was tiny, but the comparison was extraordinary. BYD recorded 609 sales, according to the latest new-vehicle figures from Naamsa, the Automotive Business Council. Mazda sold 245, Honda 196, Mitsubishi 138 and Subaru 24. Together, the four Japanese marques managed 603.
 

Latest version starts R150k lower than before

Renault South Africa’s decision to switch from the Romanian-built Duster to the far more affordable Indian-made version has paid immediate dividends for the company, with August 2026 seeing the nameplate clock its highest single-month sales figure in well over 4 years.

Yes, according to figures reported to industry-representative body Naamsa, the Motus-distributed French brand registered 249 units of the Duster in August. While we don’t know the exact split between the outgoing Mioveni-built version and the new Chennai-sourced model, it’s clear the bulk of the volume came via the latter.
 
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SA’s double-cab sales battle: Hilux pips Ranger again!

For the 2nd straight month, the Hilux finished ahead of the Ranger on the double-cab sales charts, though the latter still leads the race year to date at the end of August…

- Hilux keeps double-cab sales crown in August
- Ranger still leads SA’s year-to-date DC race
- Toyota rules single- and extended-cab space

Though the Toyota Hilux has long served as South Africa’s best-selling bakkie overall, the Ford Ranger regularly tops the double-cab sales charts, having secured that title for a 3rd consecutive year in 2025. However, the Hilux again finished ahead of the Ranger in the double-cab rankings in August 2026 after having done the same the prior month.

Yes, according to figures kindly supplied to Cars.co.za by Lightstone Auto, Toyota SA Motors registered 1 924 units of its Prospecton-built Hilux Double Cab last month (out of the model’s overall figure of 3 881 units, as reported to Naamsa), making it SA’s top-selling dual-cab bakkie in August.

That said, the Ranger wasn’t far behind. According to Lightstone Auto’s figures, Ford Motor Company of SA registered 1 888 units of the Ranger Double Cab (out of the nameplate’s 2 373-unit total) in August, putting it a mere 36 units off the pace set by its Prospecton-built rival.

Although it was the 3rd time this year the Hilux ranked ahead of the Ranger on the double-cab charts (after March and July) in South Africa, the Blue Oval brand’s bakkie still leads the race year to date at the end of August.

www.cars.co.za

SA's double-cab sales battle: Hilux pips Ranger again!

For the 2nd straight month, the Hilux finished ahead of the Ranger on the double-cab sales charts. Here are August 2026's figures...
www.cars.co.za www.cars.co.za
 
Toyota goes big! SA’s new-vehicle sales in September 2026

In September 2026, South Africa’s new-vehicle market broke through the 60 000-unit barrier, recording its 24th consecutive month of year-on-year growth. Here’s your full market overview, including a look at SA’s best-selling automakers…
New-vehicle sales up 12.7% year-on-year in Sept

- Exports decline 18.8% year on year to 31 473 units
- Toyota cracks 15 000-unit mark for 24.9% share
- Suzuki posts its highest tally of the year thus far
- Ford holds onto 4th position ahead of Hyundai
- Isuzu leapfrogs Chery and GWM to grab 6th spot
- Chery breaches 3 000-unit mark for first time

In September 2026, sales in South Africa’s new-vehicle market increased 12.7% year on year to a whopping 61 645 units, representing the local industry’s 24th straight month – yes, a full 2 years – of year-on-year growth and easily the highest total of the year thus far (beating March 2026 by quite a margin).

In fact, we believe September 2026 was the local industry’s best performance in several years (our records unfortunately don’t go back quite far enough to determine exactly when the market last hit 60 000 units). Furthermore, September’s effort was 6.5% up on the preceding month.

According to industry-representative body Naamsa, SA’s new-vehicle market has “continued to demonstrate notable resilience, defying expectations amid higher borrowing costs, persistent inflationary pressures and subdued economic growth”. That said, new-vehicle exports from South Africa fell a significant 18.8% year on year to 31 473 units.

But back to the local market. According to Naamsa, an estimated 81.4% of September 2026’s total reported domestic figure of 61 645 units represented sales via the dealership channel, while 13.8% were sales to the new-vehicle rental industry, 2.6% to government and 2.2% to industry corporate fleets.

Registrations in Mzansi’s new passenger-vehicle market increased 14.7% year on year to 44 291 units (with rental sales accounting for a strong 18.4% of that figure) in September. Meanwhile, local sales of new light-commercial vehicles (LCVs) grew 9.6% year on year to 14 361 units.

10 best-selling automakers in SA in September 2026

1. Toyota – 15 366 units

2. Suzuki – 6 668 units

3. Volkswagen Group – 5 968 units

4. Ford – 3 190 units

5. Hyundai – 3 057 units

6. Isuzu – 3 022 units

7. Chery – 3 004 units

8. GWM – 2 700 units

9. Jetour – 2 036 units

10. Kia – 1 840 units

 
D-Max edges out Ranger! SA’s best-selling bakkies in September 2026

In September 2026, the D-Max grabbed 2nd place (ahead of the Ranger) on the list of South Africa’s best-selling bakkies, while the Bolero and Landtrek entered the top 10…

- Toyota Hilux still comfortable out front
- D-Max grabs 2nd as sales surge 27.2%
- Ranger slips to 3rd despite strong sales
- VW Amarok beats LC79 to 6th position
- Bolero and Landtrek break into top 10
- Navara and Tunland drop out of top 10

In September 2026, sales in South Africa’s total new-vehicle market grew 12.7% year on year to a hefty 61 645 units, with the light-commercial vehicle (LCV) segment improving 9.6% year on year to 14 361 units. But what happened on the list of SA’s best- and worst-selling bakkies?

Well, though local registrations of the Toyota Hilux slipped 2.9% month on month to 3 769 units in September 2026, the Prospecton-built range – which currently comprises a mix of 8th- and 9th-generation derivatives – comfortably retained its title of Mzansi’s most popular bakkie.

Meanwhile, the Isuzu D-Max enjoyed a 27.2% month-on-month surge in sales to reach a total of 2 551 units (including 516 sales to government), grabbing 2nd place from the Ford Ranger in the process. That’s the 2nd time this year – after March 2026 – that the Struandale-manufactured bakkie has edged the Ranger. In the end, the Silverton-made model had to settle for 3rd place despite hitting a multi-year high of 2 502 units (up 5.4% month on month).

Though the KwaZulu-Natal-assembled Mahindra Pik Up (521 units; down 14.9% month on month) retained 4th position in September 2026, the GWM P-Series – which includes both the P300 and P500, the latter now offered with a new 3.0-litre turbodiesel engine – was breathing down its neck in 5th, ending the month a mere 4 sales behind on 517 units (down 12.1% compared to August 2026). As such, it again ranked as the local market’s most popular Chinese bakkie.

Bakkie sales in South Africa for September 2026

1. Toyota Hilux – 3 769 units

2. Isuzu D-Max – 2 551 units

3. Ford Ranger – 2 502 units

4. Mahindra Pik Up – 521 units

5. GWM P-Series – 517 units

6. Volkswagen Amarok – 430 units

7. Toyota Land Cruiser 79 – 419 units

8. JAC T-Series – 255 units

9. Mahindra Bolero – 226 units

10. Peugeot Landtrek – 207 units

11. Nissan Navara – 184 units

12. Foton Tunland – 179 units

13. BYD Shark 6 – 157 units

14. JMC Vigus – 151 units

15. LDV T60 – 128 units

16. Changan Hunter – 99 units

17. Mitsubishi Triton – 53 units

18. Kia Tasman – 30 units

19. LDV Terron 9 – 9 units

20. Jeep Gladiator – 3 unit

 
New vehicle sales surge 12.7% in September: These were the top 15 manufacturers

Despite the numerous headwinds facing the economy, South Africa’s new vehicle market continued to show resilience in September.

According to Naamsa, overall new vehicle sales grew by 12.7% compared with the same month last year to 61,645 units.

Passenger cars led the way, climbing 14.7% year-on-year to 44,291 units, with the rental market accounting for 18.4% of sales. Light commercial vehicles, bakkies and minibuses grew by 9.6% to 14,361 units. Medium commercial vehicle sales increased by 3.4% to 789 units, while heavy truck sales rose by 12.1%. Bus sales, however, declined by 49.3% to 70 units.

Some 81.4% of all vehicle sales took place through dealer channels, Naamsa said, followed by the rental industry at 13.8%, government at 2.6% and corporate fleets at 2.2%.

Export sales, at 31,473 units, were down 18.8% compared with the same month last year.

On the sales charts, Toyota enjoyed a strong month, selling 15,366 new vehicles. Suzuki took second spot with 6,668 sales, ahead of Volkswagen Group’s 5,968 and Ford’s 3,190.

15 Top Manufacturers: September 2026

Toyota – 15,366
Suzuki Auto – 6,668
Volkswagen Group – 5,968
Ford Motor Co – 3,190
Hyundai Automotive – 3,057
Isuzu Motors – 3,022
Chery Auto – 3,004
GWM SA – 2,700
Jetour SA – 2,036
Kia SA – 1,840
Renault – 1,711
Omoda & Jaecoo – 1,503
Mahindra – 1,398
BMW Group – 1,396
Tata Motors – 883

iol.co.za

New vehicle sales surge 12.7% in September: These were the top 15 manufacturers

South Africa’s new vehicle market defied economic headwinds in September, with sales surging 12.7% year-on-year. Here are the 15 top-selling manufacturers for the month.
iol.co.za iol.co.za
 
Top 10 best-selling car brands in South Africa in September 2026

Naamsa, the Automotive Business Council of South Africa, has released the local new-car sales statistics for September 2026. We take a closer look at the top 10 best-selling car brands in the ninth month of the year.

In September 2026, Toyota South Africa Motors (TSAM) continued to lead the local sales race, with the Japanese automaker’s local arm registering 15 366 new vehicles sold in the ninth month of the year. Compared to August 2026, that’s an increase of 1 552 units. With 6 668 units sold, an increase of 163 units over the previous month, Suzuki Auto South Africa retained second spot ahead of Volkswagen Group Africa. Rounding out the podium, the German marque’s local arm registered 5 968 units (up 300 units).

Ford Motor Company (3 190 units) and Hyundai Automotive South Africa (3 057 units) retained fourth and fifth position, respectively, with Isuzu Motors South Africa jumping from eighth to sixth place, thus relegating Chery Auto South Africa (3 004 units) to seventh. GWM, Jetour, and Kia remained in eighth, ninth, and 10th spot, respectively.

10 best-selling car brands in South Africa in September 2026

Toyota — 15 366 units (up 1 552)
Suzuki — 6 668 units (up 163)
Volkswagen — 5 968 units (up 300)
Ford — 3 190 units (down 12)
Hyundai — 3 057 units (up 23)
Isuzu — 3 022 units (up 491)
Chery — 3 004 units (up 241)
GWM — 2 700 units (up 106)
Jetour — 2 036 units (up 84)
Kia — 1 840 units (up 57)

Missing out on the top 10, Renault placed 11th, with the French firm moving 1 711 units, followed by Chery sub-brand Omoda & Jaecoo (1 503 units). Mahindra just pipped BMW Group for 13th spot, with the Indian and German automakers registering 1 398 and 1 396 units sold, respectively. Tata Motors Passenger Vehicles placed 15th, with 883 units sold.

www.carmag.co.za

Top 10 best-selling car brands in South Africa in September 2026

We take a closer look at South Africa's new-car sales, including top 10 best-selling car brands, in September 2026...
www.carmag.co.za www.carmag.co.za
 
Toyota SA records best-ever monthly sales in September 2026

Toyota South Africa Motors achieved a record month for new-car sales in September 2026, with the Hilux leading the way…

In September 2026, Toyota South Africa Motors (TSAM) continued to lead the local sales charts, with the Japanese automaker’s local arm retaining first place among the top 10 best-selling car brands in SA. In the ninth month of the year, TSAM registered 15 366 new vehicles sold – the firm’s best-ever monthly sales performance in our market. The total number of new Toyotas sold translates to a 24.9% market share, an increase of 1% over August 2026, of the 61 645 new vehicles sold in SA last month.

In the passenger-car segment, the Corolla Cross was the marque’s best-seller, with 1 964 units sold, followed by the Starlet (1 573), Starlet Cross (1 578) and Urban Cruiser (1 328). In September, 949 new Vitz units found homes, with 230 customers putting pen to paper for the new RAV4, which we’ve sampled in GR-Sport format. Toyota’s Lexus luxury arm sold a total of 98 vehicles. The NX covered around a third of total sales (32), followed by the GX and LX, with 26 and 23 units of the former and latter sold, respectively. Ten RXs and two RZs were sold in September.

In the light commercial vehicle (LCV) segment, the Hilux retained its position as the overall best-selling vehicle in SA. The Hilux registered 3 769 units sold last month. The Hiace and Land Cruiser bakkie followed suit, with 617 and 419 units of the former and latter sold, respectively. In the medium (MCV) and heavy (HCV) commercial vehicle segments, TSAM recorded healthy sales from the Hino range (406), Coaster (70), Quantum people-mover (91), and Quantum panel van (76).

Additionally, the parts division reported a steady performance with just under two million parts distributed locally and 339 851 pieces exported to international markets.

www.carmag.co.za

Toyota SA records best-ever monthly sales in September 2026

Toyota South Africa Motors achieved a record month for new-car sales in September 2026, with the Hilux leading the way…
www.carmag.co.za www.carmag.co.za
 
Top 10 best-selling passenger cars in South Africa in September 2026

Naamsa has released the local new-car sales statistics for September 2026. We’ve rounded up the 10 best-selling passenger cars in the ninth month of the year.

10 best-selling passenger cars in South Africa in September 2026

Volkswagen Polo Vivo — 2 534 units (up 183)
Chery Tiggo 4/Cross — 2 251 units (down 46)
Suzuki Swift — 2 012 units (down 140)
Toyota Corolla Cross — 1 964 units (up 475)
Toyota Starlet — 1 573 units (up 214)
Hyundai Grand i10 — 1 493 units (up 61)
Toyota Starlet Cross — 1 478 units (up 463)
Haval Jolion — 1 351 units (up 90)
Toyota Urban Cruiser — 1 328 units (up 457)
Suzuki Ertiga — 1 270 units (down 47)

So, which passenger cars missed out on the top 10? Placing 11th, the Polo registered 1 245 units sold. Despite a 214-unit increase in sales, the Suzuki Fronx (1 184 units), which claimed 10th position in August, placed 12th. The Toyota Vitz (949 units), Omoda C5 (936 units), and Toyota Fortuner (908 units) rounded out the top 15.

www.carmag.co.za

Top 10 best-selling passenger cars in South Africa in September 2026

We take a closer look at South Africa's new passenger-car sales and the top 10 best-selling passenger cars in September 2026...
www.carmag.co.za www.carmag.co.za
 
Starlet cracks top 5! SA’s best-selling cars in September 2026

The Toyota Starlet broke back into the top 5 on the list of South Africa’s best-selling passenger vehicles in September 2026, while the Urban Cruiser returned to the top 10…

- Polo Vivo stretches lead over Tiggo 4 Cross
- Swift completes the passenger-car podium
- SA sales of Corolla Cross reach 2026 high
- Starlet back in top 5 for first time since Feb
- Urban Cruiser returns at expense of Fronx

In September 2026, South Africa’s total new-vehicle sales increased 12.7% year on year to an impressive 61 645 units, with the local new passenger-vehicle market growing 14.7% to 44 291 units. So, which passenger cars were top of the sales charts in Mzansi last month?

Before we dig into the top 10, it’s worth noting rental sales accounted for a hefty 18.4% (or 8 138 units) of the passenger-vehicle market’s total for September. A further 501 units were purchased by government, while 1 074 units were reported as so-called “single” registrations (vehicles the respective automakers kept for their own use).

Podium unchanged as Polo Vivo stretches lead

In September 2026, the Volkswagen Polo Vivo posted its highest tally of the year thus far, with local registrations climbing 7.8% month on month to 2 534 units – excluding 19 units of the Xpress-badged panel van sold in the light-commercial vehicle (LCV) segment. That figure (which includes 798 units sold to the rental industry) saw the Kariega-built hatchback not only retain first place but also stretch its lead over its nearest rival.

As such, the Chinese-built Chery Tiggo 4 Cross (note that the Tiggo 4 Pro was quietly put out to pasture locally a couple of months back) remained in 2nd place in September, with sales slipping 2.0% month on month to 2 251 units. Interestingly, all Tiggo 4 Cross sales last month came through the dealer channel.

SA’s 10 best-selling passenger vehicles in September 2026

1. Volkswagen Polo Vivo (excluding LCV) – 2 534 units

2. Chery Tiggo 4 Cross – 2 251 units

3. Suzuki Swift – 2 012 units

4. Toyota Corolla Cross – 1 964 units

5. Toyota Starlet – 1 573 units

6. Hyundai Grand i10 (excluding LCV) – 1 493 units

7. Toyota Starlet Cross – 1 478 units

8. GWM Haval Jolion – 1 351 units

9. Toyota Urban Cruiser – 1 328 units

10. Suzuki Ertiga – 1 270 units

 
Osprey, Tekton & T-Roc: launch-month sales figures revealed

The Tata Osprey, Nissan Tekton and 2nd-gen VW T-Roc all touched down in SA in September 2026. So, how well did each of these new crossovers sell in its launch month?

- Osprey and Tekton arrived in September
- 2nd-gen VW T-Roc also hit the SA market
- Chery Q and refreshed Creta launched, too

September 2026 saw the launch of several new crossovers in South Africa, including the Tata Osprey, Nissan Tekton and Volkswagen T-Roc. So, how well did each of these passenger-vehicle newcomers sell in its launch month?

Well, we’ve combed through the sales figures from industry-representative body Naamsa to find out. Note that the fully electric Chery Q likewise hit the market last month, with the Chinese brand registering 214 units. Hyundai Automotive SA also rolled out its facelifted Creta, which managed a total of 155 units in September.

So, let’s start with the Tata Osprey, which has been available in India (where it’s known as the Nexon) since way back in 2017 but hit the SA market on the 3rd of September 2026. According to Naamsa figures, Tata Motors Passenger Vehicles SA registered 147 units of this model last month, including 24 so-called “single registrations” (examples the brand kept for its own use).

Meanwhile, the new Nissan Tekton – based squarely on the Renault Duster and indeed built alongside that model in India – went on sale far later in the month, officially becoming available from dealerships on the 21st. According to figures reported to Naamsa, Nissan SA registered 131 units of its new Tekton in September (precisely the same figure achieved by the Duster), including 16 so-called “single registrations”.

 
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