Uptick in February builds on the positive start in January in addition to being the fifth straight month of no overall decrease.
The upwards trajectory in South Africa’s new vehicle sales continued into February with a second consecutive monthly increase, and fifth in a row since October last year.
Having surprisingly relinquished its crown to the new Suzuki Swift in January, the Toyota Hilux retook is first place ranking with sales of 2 683 units versus the Indian-made Suzuki’s 2 351.
Keeping station in third, the Volkswagen Polo Vivo raked in 2 187, while in fourth, the Ford Ranger emerged as the only the entrant to crack 2 000 units with an offset of 2 168.
Taking back its customary fifth place, the Isuzu D-Max jumped a single notch from January to settle at 1 924, with the Toyota Corolla Cross also improving a single position from last month’s sixth place with a total of 1 435 units sold.
Improving from eighth to seventh, the Hyundai Grand i10’s 1 381 placed above the Toyota Starlet, which dropped four places from last month for a total of 1 279.
Staying steady in ninth, the Chery Tiggo 4 Pro again topped the best-selling Chinese car list with 1 147, with the final top 10 placing going to the Suzuki Fronx on 1 123.
A month again characterised by an even split between locally-made and imported vehicles, the total offset of 47 978 units recorded by the National Association of Automobile Manufacturers of South Africa (Naamsa), registered a 7.3% increase from the 44 749 sold in February last year.
As in January, the various segments painted a mixed picture once again, with new passenger vehicles climbing 17% from 28 857 to 33 757, while light commercials again ended the month in the red with a downturn of 11.3% from last year’s 13 306 to 11 802.
In a further repeat from last month, medium-duty commercial vehicles 11.8% from 645 to 721, while heavy-duty trucks and busses went the other day by shedding 12.5% for a total of 1 698 versus 1 941 from the same time 12 months ago.
Having won significant ground in January after a fairly poor 2024, vehicle exports from February again tapered off with a decrease of 12.3% from 39 517 last year, to 34 656.
In total, dealer sales made-up 84.1% or 40 376 of all vehicles sold, with the rest being split up as follows;
- Rental agencies: 11.1%;
- Corporate Fleets: 2.2%;
- Government: 2.5%
“The 75-basis point rate cut since September, coupled with expectations of further monetary easing, continued to improve vehicle affordability and stimulate demand,” Naamsa CEO Mikel Mabasa said.
He further added, “The February data reflects an industry that is adapting to both domestic tailwinds and global headwinds, reaffirming its structural resilience”.
On the declining export numbers, Mabasa remarked, “While global demand for South African-built models remains structurally strong, the decline in February’s export performance underscores the need to navigate shifting trade dynamics carefully”.
Having officially jumped the Volkswagen Group as the country’s second best-selling marque in January after Toyota, Suzuki retained its second step on the podium with an offset of 6 044 as part of an unchanged top five.
Positioned third behind the Hamamatsu brand and Toyota’s 11 397, Volkswagen’s 5 196 saw it finish above Hyundai and Ford, the latter on 3 048 and the former on 2 898.
Improving two places, Isuzu’s 2 039 saw it leapfrog both Chery and Great Wall Motors, with Wuhu again placing above Baoding with 1 924 compared to 1 713.
For a second month in a row, Mahindra finished in the top 10 with sales of 1 610, ahead of Nissan who returned at the expense of alliance partner Renault and Kia with a total of 1 497.
February Top 50 Best-Sellers
- Toyota Hilux – 2 683
- Suzuki Swift – 2 351
- Volkswagen Polo Vivo – 2 187
- Ford Ranger – 2 168
- Isuzu D-Max – 1 924
- Toyota Corolla Cross – 1 435
- Hyundai Grand i10 – 1 381
- Toyota Starlet – 1 279
- Chery Tiggo 4 Pro – 1 147
- Suzuki Fronx – 1 123
- Nissan Magnite – 1 055
- Toyota Starlet Cross – 1 003
- GWM Haval Jolion – 982
- Kia Sonet – 877
- Toyota Urban Cruiser – 875
- Volkswagen Polo – 832
- Mahindra Pik Up – 763
- Renault Kwid – 750
- Toyota HiAce – 711
- Mahindra XUV 3X0 – 661
- Toyota HiAce – 634
- Suzuki Ertiga – 627
- Toyota Land Cruiser 70-series – 591
- Omoda C5 – 552
- Toyota Vitz – 551
- Toyota Rumion – 482
- Volkswagen T-Cross – 462
- Hyundai Exter – 428
- Nissan Navara – 412
- Renault Kiger – 401
- Chery Tiggo 7 Pro – 384
- Toyota Land Cruiser Prado – 375
- Suzuki Baleno – 360
- Volkswagen Polo Sedan – 346
- Hyundai i20 – 317
- Ford Territory – 304
- Hyundai Venue – 290
- Volkswagen Amarok – 290
- GWM Haval H6 – 274
- Suzuki Jimny – 274
- Suzuki Grand Vitara – 271
- Suzuki S-Presso – 267
- Ford Everest – 263
- Volkswagen Tiguan – 258
- Jetour Dashing – 252
- Renault Triber – 249
- GWM P Series – 232
- Suzuki Eeco – 231
- Citroën C3 – 223
- Chery Tiggo Cross – 216
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