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).

The Volkswagen Polo, Toyota Starlet and Hyundai Grand i10 also enjoyed robust sales well above the 1,000 mark as strong demand from the rental industry injected some new life into the hatchback market.

Best of the rest on the crossover/SUV front was the Suzuki Fronx (1,109) which outsold its Starlet Cross sibling by over 300 units, while also ousting the ever-popular Chery Tiggo 4 Pro (1,079).

Mahindra’s recently introduced XUV 3X0 surged up the charts in its first full month, recording 592 sales to put it ahead of arch-rival Hyundai’s Exter (544),

50 top-selling vehicles in South Africa: October 2024

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

Will the strong sales momentum continue for the remainder of the year and into 2025?

Brandon Cohen, Chairperson of the National Automobile Dealers’ Association (NADA) said the robust sales performance in October highlights a favourable change in consumer sentiment within this segment.

“Although sales in the rental industry contributed to this uplift, the sustained demand for passenger vehicles serves as an essential barometer for overall consumer trends," Cohen added.

“Affordability is still a concern for buyers. We’re also witnessing competitive Chinese brands gaining traction, offering consumers affordable alternatives that are reshaping the market.”

Naamsa CEO Mikel Mabasa said that expected interest rate cuts over the next 18 months could cumulatively begin to positively impact the market.

“Although the immediate effects of these positive signs were still relatively small, the cumulative impact and momentum going forward would hopefully translate into stronger new vehicle sales in the medium to long term”, Mabasa said.

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