South Africa Vehicles Market in 2022 totals 298,901 sales, a 14.0% increase from the previous year. In December sales grew for the 12th month in a row, with new registrations at 39,112 (+15.6%).

Market Trend and Outlook

In 2022 the South African vehicles market totals 298,901 sales, a 14.0% increase from the previous year. In December sales grew for the 12th month in a row, with new registrations at 39,112 (+15.6%).

Looking at cumulative data from 2022 brand-wise, Toyota is still the leader with 126,870 sales (+11.7%), followed by Volkswagen at 63,717 (-2.2%) and Suzuki -up 2 spots- with 47,178 registrations (+71.0%).

In 4th position ranks Hyundai with 35,648 sales (+7.6%) in front of Nissan at 27,927 (+6.4%), Renault at 27,251 (+29.6%) and Ford with 26,228 registrations (-15.4%).

The last 3 positions in the Top 10 remain unchanged with Kia still in 8th at 22,766 sales (+13.1%), followed by Isuzu at 17,947 (+7.1%) and Havel at 16,351 (+41.4%).

Medium-Term Market Trend

There have been many ups and downs in the South African vehicles market. If we look at the past decade the market first grew from 2010 to 2013 reaching an all-time high of 614,900 sales. In the following year the trend inverted and the market dropped for 3 years reaching a minimum in 2016 at 523,254. In 2017 the market grew 1.5% but in 2018 it started to fall again, with 2019 following suit and reaching 507,567 sales.

The arrival of the pandemic in 2020 caused the South African market to collapse 29.4% to 358,155 registrations by the end of the year.

Luckily the fall wasn’t due to a structural problem in the industry with 2021 growing 22.2% to 437,737 sales. The current projections for 2022 show that the year will end just under the 500k mark (+12.0%). The vehicles market will have to confront some issues within automotive industry: the disruption in the global supply chain caused by a lack of raw materials, in particular for the production of microchips and Governments push towards Evs, an expensive alternative for low income consumers.

Tables with sales figures

In the tables below we report sales for top 10 Brands.

South Africa Auto market in 2021 rises by 20.5% with 464,743 sales, reporting a strong performance except for Q1 (-0.7%). Haval enters the leaderboard and reports the best performance this year, gaining 146.4%.

Market Trend

The South African car market recovered effectively from the pandemic crash of 2020 and reported a very promising performance all year, except for just a 0.7% fall in Q1

The automotive industry represents one of the most relevant sectors for South Africa.

In the country, there are based several plants producing not only for the domestic market but for the entire South African region and for other places in the World. However, in the last years, the South African economy was struggling and all industrial sectors have been hit, including the automotive, and the demand for new vehicles has been slow for years.

The domestic light vehicles market achieved an all-time volume record in 2013 with near 615,000 units. After that peak, sales declined any year, and in 2019 sales landed at the lowest score out of the last nine, with few units more than half a million.

Because of the COVID-19 pandemic sales significantly decreased in  2020. In fact, sales have been 380,449, reporting a fall of 23.3% compared to 2019.

In 2021 the year started mostly flat for the South African market, in fact, in Q1 116,522 units have been sold, reporting a 0.7% decrease in sales compared to Q1 2020, while in Q2 sales started growing quickly, reporting a 103.8% increase in sales with 112,146 units due to the incredibly low volumes in Q2 2020.

In Q3 sales gained 16.4% sales with 117,504 units, and in Q4 sales increased 5.5% with 118,571 units.

Indeed, Full-Year sales for 2021 have been 464,743, reporting a 20.5% increase compared to 2020.

Brand-wise, this year the leader Toyota (+33.9%) gained 2.5% market share, followed by Volkswagen (+11.9%), which lost 1.2% share. Hyundai lost 0.5% share, gaining 12.9%.  Ford fell in 4th place  (-9.6%), followed by Nissan which gained 15.4%.

Suzuki -up 1 spot- grew effectively by rising 66.9%, followed by Renault which rose 1 spot and gained 33.6%, and Kia which gained 2 spots and gained 57.2% sales. Closing the leaderboard we have Isuzu -down 3 spots- up 1.6% this year and Haval which rose 3 spots and gained a huge 146.4%.

The most sold vehicle has been the Toyota Hilux (+23.9%) with 38,731 units sold holding 8.3% share.

Tables with sales figures

In the tables below we report sales for top 10 Brands.

South African auto market in 2020 falls by 23.3% as the pandemic significantly affects sales. Full-Year sales have been 380.440, while Renault reports the worst performance on the leaderboard by falling 41.1%.

Market Trend

The South African vehicle market was hit harshly in 2020 as the global pandemic has impacted sales tremendously. In fact, sales fell 23.3% YoY.

The automotive industry represents one of the most relevant sectors for South Africa.

In the country, there are based several plants producing not only for the domestic market but for the entire South African region and for other places in the World. However, in the last years, the South African economy was struggling and all industrial sectors have been hit, including the automotive, and the demand for new vehicles has been slow for years.

The domestic light vehicles market achieved an all-time volume record in 2013 with near 615.000 units. After that peak, sales declined any year, and in 2019 sales landed at the lowest score out of the last nine, with few units more than half a million.

After starting the year flat (-0.3%), the market quickly collapsed in March as the virus struck. The sharpest drop in sales this year was in April when sales declined by 97.5% as the country was put in lockdown. In June sales recovered due to the pent up demand (-3.6%), but remained down in double digits until December (-8.7%).

Indeed, Full-Year sales for 2020 have been 380.449, reporting a decline of 23.3% compared to 2019.

Brand-wise, this year the leader Toyota (-30.4%) lost 2.5% market share, followed by Volkswagen (-20.5%), which gained 0.4% share. Ford lost 1.1% share, falling 30.7%.  Hyundai reached 4th place  (-10.9%), followed by Nissan which fell 1 spot and lost 39.5%.

Isuzu -up 1 spot- grew effectively by rising 8.7%, followed by Suzuki which reported the best performance in the leaderboard, gaining 9.2%, and Renault which on the other hand fell 2 spots and lost 41.1% sales. Closing the leaderboard we have Mercedes -up 1 spot- up 0.9% this year and Kia which fell in 10th position, losing 19.3%.

The most sold vehicle has been the Volkswagen Polo (-22.6%) with 40.367 units sold holding 10.5% share.

Tables with sales figures

In the tables below we report sales for top 10 Brands.

Economic Environment

The Namibian economy, after strong growth averaging 5.6% between 2010 and 2016, driven by high public spending, construction of new mines, and favorable commodity prices, has entered a recession. Real GDP growth contracted by 0.9% in 2017 and an estimated 0.1% in 2018, thanks to domestic and external factors, including a sharp reduction in public spending necessitated by falling revenues and weak growth in trading partner economies, and subdued household demand.

With increased deficit financing requirements, public debt stock rose from 29.5% of GDP to 42% in 2018, 64% of which is domestic. The surge in domestic borrowing has exerted pressure on the small domestic debt market, with the risk of crowding out private credit.

Market Trend

The Namibian vehicle market has been affected in 2020 by the global COVID-19 pandemic, which impacted sales significantly. 

Namibian new vehicles market grew up substantially in the period 2008-2014 hitting a record of 21.836 units before to start declining with four years in a row. In 2018 figures were at 11.863, down a disappointing 11.6% from the previous year, while in 2019 10.395 units have been sold, reporting a 13.1% decrease compared to 2018.

Brand-wise, this year the leader Toyota (-23.5%) held 44.3% market share, followed by Volkswagen (-25.9%), which holds 14.7% share. Nissan (-28.6%) was in the third position and holds 11% market share.

The most sold model in the country remains the Toyota Hilux with 2.069 sales (-20.1%), holding 27.2% market share.

Economic Environment

The Namibian economy, after strong growth averaging 5.6% between 2010 and 2016, driven by high public spending, construction of new mines, and favorable commodity prices, has entered a recession. Real GDP growth contracted by 0.9% in 2017 and an estimated 0.1% in 2018, thanks to domestic and external factors, including a sharp reduction in public spending necessitated by falling revenues and weak growth in trading partner economies and subdued household demand.

With increased deficit financing requirements, public debt stock rose from 29.5% of GDP to 42% in 2018, 64% of which is domestic. The surge in domestic borrowing has exerted pressure on the small domestic debt market, with the risk of crowding out private credit.

Market Trend

Namibian new vehicles market grew up substantially in the period 2008-2014 hitting a record of 21.836 units, before to start declining with four years in a row. In 2018 figures were at 11.863, down a disappointing 11.6% from the previous year.

Full-Year sales for 2019 have been 10.395, reporting a 13.1% decrease compared to 2018.

Brand-wise, this year the leader Toyota (-12.2%) held 42.4% market share, followed by Volkswagen (-14%), which holds 14.5% share. Nissan (-13.6%) was in the third position and holds 11.2% market share.

The most sold model in the country remains the Toyota Hilux with 2.589 sales, holding 24.9% market share.

South Africa best-selling cars ranking in 2019 was dominated by three models with a combined share above 23%. Indeed, the Volkswagen Polo, the Toyota Hilux and the Ford Ranger held a huge market share, despite of the growth new models like Renault Kwid.

In South Africa, over 10% of new light vehicles market was concentrated in a single model, the local produced Volkswagen Polo, sold both as sedan and hatch version. During the last decade, this model reached a record share of 11.3% in the 2010, with a negative peak of 9.4% in the 2017 during the run out and launch of the last generation, before to recover 10% quota in the 2018 and held it during the 2019, which ended at 10.4%.

While Polo is the best choice for people living in towns, the Toyota Hilux is the best for travelling and was the best second model in the market with a share grew up during the last decade and actually at the highest level, with 2019 ending at the new record of 8.2%, 0.6 points above the 2018 record.

In third place the Ford Ranger which has declined in 2019 (at 5%) after the strong performance scored in the 2017 (6.2%) and 2018 (5.8%).

It is impressive that these three models represent over 23% of the total market!

Tables with sales figures

In the tables below we report sales for top 50 models.

South Africa Auto Sales in 2019 were disappointing again. Indeed, Total annual sales have been 508.573, down 3.2% from the previous year, the worst score in the last nine years. Suzuki and Mahindra were the fastest brands while almost all the best selling 5 brands were declining.

Economic Environment

South African economy contracted in the third quarter after dodging technical recession in the second quarter. Notably, the downturn was prompted by the utilities sector swinging to contraction as a series of breakdowns in Eskom’s coal power plants triggered the return of rolling blackouts in the quarter. On the expenditure-side, a winding down of inventories amid downbeat demand weighed heavily on economic activity, with muted household spending also taking its toll.

Turning to the fourth quarter, the economy likely remained in the doldrums as the rolling blackouts reached an unprecedented level in December after more than a quarter of the country’s generating capacity broke down.

Market Trend

The automotive industry represents one of the most relevant sector for South Africa were are based several plants producing not only for the domestic market but for the entire South African region and for other places in the World.

In recent years the industry is not in great shape with domestic market suffering for the weak economy which is struggling to grew up since years.

The domestic light vehicles market has broken the growth after the 2013 All-Time record (with 614.898 units registered) and is declining year after year. After four negative years, in the 2018 total sales have been 525.129. In 2019 the expectations for a recovery had been disappointed and the market further declined with final year sales just over 500k units, which has been the worst score in the last 9 years.

Indeed, Total annual sales have been 508.573, down 3.2% from the previous year.

Almost all top 5 brands (Toyota, Ford, Nissan and Hyundai) have reported a year-on-year loss while just few brands are shining this year. Among them, Suzuki (+25.2%) and Mahindra (+25.4%).

Tables with sales figures

In the tables below we report sales for all Brands, top 10 Manufacturers Group.

The Namibian economy, after strong growth averaging 5.6% between 2010 and 2016, driven by high public spending, construction of new mines, and favorable commodity prices, has entered a recession. Real GDP growth contracted by 0.9% in 2017 and an estimated 0.1% in 2018, thanks to domestic and external factors, including a sharp reduction in public spending necessitated by falling revenues and weak growth in trading partner economies and subdued household demand.

With increased deficit financing requirements, public debt stock rose from 29.5% of GDP to 42% in 2018, 64% of which is domestic. The surge in domestic borrowing has exerted pressure on the small domestic debt market, with the risk of crowding out private credit.

Namibian new vehicles market grew up substantially in the period 2008-2014 hitting a record of 21.836 units, before to start declining with four years in a row. Indeed, in 2018 figures were at 11.863, down a disappointing 11.6% from the previous year.

The competitive landscape was dominated by Toyota keeping a safe gap from the followers, with 42.4% of share, closing the year with 5.023 units sold (-8.1%). In second place Volkswagen with 1.751 (+4%) followed by Nissan with 1.353 (-4.1%) and all the others.

Market Outlook

After hitting the All-time record in 2014, the Namibian market embarked on a negative pathway signing four years of decline in a row. However, the market is seen to be uncertain during the 2019-2025 period of time, when a recovery will be achieved but not with the hoped speed.

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South Africa best selling cars ranking in the 2018 with the Volkswagen Polo leader of the market, ahead of the Toyota Hilux and the Ford Ranger. Great performances were reported by the Nissan NP200, the Hyundai Grand i10 and the Toyota Yaris.

In the 2018 the trend has not recovered. This year the market kept declining, ending the year with 525.159 units sold, down 1.3%. Despite the good performance during the second quarter, sales have continued with the tone of previous years, closing with the 5th negative annual score in a row.

As far as concern the best-selling models, no news on top of the list with the previous year leader, the Volkswagen Polo (both sedan and hatchback versions), on top of the list with a wide advantage over all the others, with sales at 53.357 (+7.2%).

In second place the best pick up, the Toyota Hilux, with 40.493 (+11.2%) followed by the Ford Ranger with 30.891 (-5.9%).

Fourth was the Nissan NP200 with 19.070 units (+26.1%) followed by the Toyota Corolla (all versions) with 17.511 units (-9.1%) and the Toyota Quantum with 16.475 sales (+5.1%).

In seventh place the pick up Isuzu KB with 14.684 (+10.8%) followed by the Toyota Fortuner with 13.180 (-3.8%), the Hyundai Grand i10, up 13 spots, with 11.540 sales (+110.9%) and in 10th place by the Toyota Etios with 10.857 (-26.1%).

Tables with sales figures

In the tables below we report sales for top 50 models.

South Africa Auto Sales in 2018 declined for the 5th time in a row, ending the year with registrations at 525.159 units, down 1.3%. Toyota is the market leader, taking a huge gap from Volkswagen and Ford.

Economic Environment

An inventory-driven recovery in the third quarter topped analysts’ estimates and ended the technical recession that blighted the economy through the first half of the year. In annualized terms, household spending staged a comeback following a value-added tax hike in the second quarter and appears to have also received a one-off boost from government employees’ back pay.

Despite a jump in exports, bolstered in part by greater automotive-related volumes, the external sector dragged on headline growth. Meanwhile, a supply-side breakdown revealed an industry- and agriculture-driven rebound in the quarter. Looking ahead to the remainder of the year, improved private-sector metrics through November could hint at a sorely-needed upturn in fixed investment.

Tepid year-end growth prospects aside, the economy is expected to bounce back somewhat next year. Higher real wages and last-ditch fiscal stimulus are likely to lift economic sentiment ahead of next year’s elections and should serve to stoke household spending and fixed investment, respectively.

Market Trend

The automotive industry, one of the most relevant sector in the country and production base for export in several African countries and others place in the World, was severely hit by the low growth of the country and by the others African market economic difficulties with consequent fall in both domestic and export vehicles sales.

The domestic light vehicles market has been declining since the 2013 and, albeit the series of four consecutive down-years, has marginally recovered in the 2017, under the effect of still low consumer demand and record low business sentiment.  According to data released by the Department Trade and Industry of South African, full year 2017 sales grew at 532.304 units, up a mere 1.7%.

In the 2018 the trend has not recovered. This year the market kept declining, ending the year with 525.159 units sold, down 1.3%. Despite the good performance during the second quarter, sales have continued with the tone of previous years, closing with the 5th negative annual score in a row.

Competitive Arena

The domestic light vehicles market is quite concentrated with the top four brands (Toyota, Volkswagen, Ford and Nissan) holding over 60% of market share. This year the market leader is Toyota with 129.576 units sold (+5%).

In second place Volkswagen with 80.328 (+6.3%) followed by Ford, third with 57.785 units (-18.8%).

Nissan confirmed the fourth place with sales up 7.3% at 48.149 units and was followed by Hyundai with 35.636 (+3.2%), Renault with 25.500 (+12.7%), Kia with 17.335 (-13.6%), Mercedes with 17.278 (-17.3%), BMW with 17.050 (-5.4%) and in 10th place Isuzu with 16.276 (+14.2%).

Tables with sales figures

In the tables below we report sales for all Brands, top 10 Manufacturers Group.