A new month beginning means two things for South Africans : one, that fuel figures might reach a record high, and secondly, Naamsa releases the monthly sales figures, detailing which cars and brands sold the most. For July in particular, the market saw a significant rise in NEV sales, and the month retained car buying trends from the public.
The numbers and stats of the month
Aggregate domestic new vehicle sales in July 2026 reached 57,708 units, representing an increase of 6,150 units, or 11,9%, compared to the 51,558 vehicles sold in July 2025. In contrast, export volumes reached 32,801 units, a decrease of 11,6% relative to the 37,114 units shipped in July 2025.
Overall, out of the total reported industry sales of 57,708 vehicles, an estimated 48,949 units, or 84,8%, represented dealer sales, an estimated 11,2% represented sales to the vehicle rental industry, 2,2% to government sales, and 1,8% to industry corporate fleets.
The July 2026 new passenger car market at 40,912 units, reflected the best monthly passenger figures since September 2014, with an increase of 4,558 units, or 12,5%, compared to the 36,354 new cars sold in July 2025. Car rental sales accounted for a sound 13,8% of new passenger vehicles sold during the month. Domestic sales of new light commercial vehicles (bakkies and mini-buses) at 13,710 units during July 2026 recorded an increase of 1,309 units, or 10,6% compared to the 12,401 units sold in July 2025.
Sales in the medium and heavy commercial vehicle segments performed well during July 2026 with medium commercial vehicles reflecting an increase of 137 units, or 19,4% to 843 units in July 2026 compared to the 706 units sold in July 2025, the strongest month of Medium Commercial sales since March 2023; while heavy trucks and buses at 2,243 units in July 2026 reflected an increase of 146 units, or 7,0% compared to the 2,097 units sold in July 2025. Exports remained under pressure in July 2026, with vehicle export sales reaching 32,801 units, down by 4,313 units, or 11,6%, compared to the 37,114 units exported in the corresponding month last year.
NEW ENERGY VEHICLE (NEV) has risen in our market
In June 2026, South Africa's electrified mobility market saw significant growth, with 3,045 NEVs sold—an increase of 104.2% from the 1,491 units in June 2025. NEVs now represent a 6% market penetration of total new light vehicle sales, estimated at 51,508 units, signifying that one in every seventeen new vehicles is electrified. Traditional Hybrid Electric Vehicles (HEVs) led the market with 1,488 units (48.9% of NEVs), followed by Plug-in Hybrid Electric Vehicles (PHEVs) at 990 units (32.5%), and Battery Electric Vehicles (BEVs) at 419 units (13.8%). Electrified commercial vehicles are gaining traction, indicating a diversification beyond passenger vehicles.
Year-to-date figures show 13,193 NEV sales, comprising 6,667 HEVs, 4,623 PHEVs, and 1,903 BEVs, highlighting the growing consumer acceptance of electrified options as product variety and awareness increase. The market trajectory favors technology diversity rather than an immediate shift to battery-electric vehicles, underscoring factors such as affordability, driving habits, charging infrastructure, and technological preferences.
The expansion of the NEV market supports naamsa's position for a technology-neutral automotive policy, which would encourage manufacturers and consumers to choose suitable low- and zero-emission technologies, fostering investment and industrial competitiveness. naamsa Int. CEO Shinny GOBIYEZA noted that the automotive industry is adapting to changing conditions and consumer preferences, and the growth in domestic vehicle sales and NEV adoption signifies a step towards a sustainable mobility future amidst global economic pressures on export markets.
These were the top 15 best selling brands in the month of July
1. Toyota – 14 142 units
2. Suzuki – 5 994 units
3. Volkswagen Group – 5 799 units
4. Hyundai – 3 058 units
5. Ford – 2 927 units
6. Chery – 2 709 units
7. GWM – 2 504 units
8. Isuzu – 2 435 units
9. Jetour – 2 034 units
10. Kia – 1 920 units
Which car manufacturers placed right outside the top 10 in July? Omoda & Jaecoo SA (1 502 units, a record for the Chery sub-division) ranked 11th once more, just before Mahindra SA (which fell 2 spots to 12th with 1 458 units). Renault SA (1,360 units) ranked in 13th place, while BMW Group SA (estimated by Naamsa at 1,256 units, including the Mini brand) and BYD Auto SA (860 units) also completed the top 15.