South Africa’s new vehicle sales performance in September 2025 has managed to continue a good momentum against a backdrop of easing inflation and as a result, WesBank and NAAMSA have given a months report of all the vehicle sales.
Aggregate new vehicle sales increased to 54,700 units in September 2025, its highest monthly level recorded since September 2015, up 10,700 units, or 24,3%, from the 44,000 units sold in September 2024.
New vehicle sales were up 24,3% in September to 54,700 units, by some margin (2,820 units) the highest-selling month so far this year. It was also the third consecutive month of volumes above 50,000 units and rounded out 12 months of continual growth for the new vehicle market.
The passenger car segment grew 28% to 38,603 cars, while Light Commercial Vehicles (LCV) increased 19,7% to breach the 13,000-unit volume at 13,078 units. Recent reports have indicated a trend for recreational double cabs as a replacement for premium sedans, driving segment growth. A significant 8,330 units, up 24,9% year-on-year from the rental market also contributed to overall growth.
September’s stellar performance has driven year-to-date sales up 15,6% to 436,854 making the 500,000-unit annual sales ceiling easily breakable should the trajectory continue. Vehicle export volumes for the month of September 2025 surprised on the upside and increased by 9,592 units, or 32,9% from the 29,180 units exported in September 2024 to 38,772 units exported in September 2025. For the year to date, vehicle exports were now 6,0% ahead of the same period 2024, demonstrating industry resilience despite global supply chain disruptions and US automotive tariffs.
Top 10 selling brands were as follows :
1. Toyota – 14 146units
2. Suzuki Auto – 6072 units
3. Volkswagen Group – 5763 units
4. Ford – 3093 units
5. Hyundai – 3005 units
6. GWM – 1 960 units
7. Isuzu – 1 740 units
8. Chery – 1 614 units
9. Kia – 1 426 units
10. Mahindra – 1 425 units
Five more brands that are worth noting in no particular order were Renault who sold 1376, OMODA & JAECOO sold 1201, BMW Group sold 1220, Nissan managed 1362 and Stellantis group moved 848 units.
“It is interesting to note the shifts in the market from 10 years ago within a similar volume,” says Gaoaketse. “In a slightly lower interest rate environment, much more disposable income provided consumers the opportunity to replace their vehicles much more often. South Africa’s new vehicle market is selling similar volumes in an environment where consumers are holding onto their cars for longer. That must be a positive sign for future growth.”
Another great highlight in the motoring sphere was the SA Auto Week that took place in Gqeberha, Eastern Cape Province, from 01 – 03 October. Speaking at naamsa’s 2025 SA Auto Week conference, newly appointed WesBank CEO Robert Gwerengwe underscored the critical need for industry collaboration to propel the local automotive sector past the persistent 500,000-unit annual sales ceiling.