South Africa’s automotive industry is alive and doing quite well because you see, the market is showing positive signs of growth as the month of October broke the 500,000-unit annual sales barrier.
According to naamsa | the Automotive Business Council, total new vehicle sales reached 55,956 units in that month, the highest monthly total since March 2015 and 16% higher compared to the same month last year.
This marks the third consecutive month that new vehicle sales have topped 50,000 units, driven largely by the passenger car segment, which contributed 39,610 units. The light commercial segment also posted strong gains, up 23,9% to 13,361 units.
The new passenger car market recorded 39,610 units, its highest monthly total since October 2014, an increase of 5,107 units, or 14,8%, compared to the 34,503 units sold in October 2024. Car rental sales continued to underpin volumes ahead of the peak travel season, accounting for a substantial 21,7% of passenger car sales during the month. Domestic sales of light commercial vehicles, bakkies and mini-buses at 13,361 units recorded an increase of 2,579 units, or 23,9%, from the 10,782 units sold in October 2024.
As the year draws to a close, WesBank expects the market to remain steady and confident. “This demand is grounded in real need,” Gaoaketse concludes. “Mobility is central to how South Africans live and work, and the current level of activity shows an industry that has found its rhythm again, not one overheating.”
WesBank highlights that fleet and rental activity also contributed to October’s performance, accounting for just over one in five passenger car sales. The light commercial vehicle segment has shown steady recovery too, signalling renewed confidence among small businesses and fleet operators. “The light commercial market is a useful barometer of business sentiment,” says Gaoaketse. “When entrepreneurs and fleet owners start reinvesting, it shows belief in future growth.”
These are the brands that recorded good sales in the month of October courtesy of Cars.co.za :
1.
Toyota – 13 559 units
2.
Suzuki – 6 890 units
3.
Volkswagen Group – 6 221 units
4.
Hyundai – 3 017 units
5.
Ford – 2 946 units
6.
GWM – 2 805 units
7.
Isuzu – 2 784 units
8.
Chery – 2 210 units
9.
Kia – 1 808 units
10.
Mahindra – 1 551 units
Renault SA fell just under the top 10 by recording 1 446 units, At 11th. Just below that came Nissan SA with 1 360 units, while Omoda & Jaecoo (1 311 units) set yet another sales record to climb to 13th. BMW Group SA – (BMW and Mini brands) moved to 14th (with a Naamsa-estimated 1 306 units), and finally Stellantis SA gave 921 units rounded out the top 15 with its own new sales record.