We have the wrap-up of all vehicle sales for the month of August, which has proven to be quite successful, courtesy of WesBank and Naamsa. New vehicle sales surpassed the 50,000-unit volume for the second consecutive month during August, making the significant volume more than a mere spike, as has been the case in recent times. Volumes of more than 50,000 have previously been single-month spikes, making August sales a strong indicator of substantial stability returning to the market.
According to data from Naamsa the Automotive Business Council, August new vehicle sales grew 18,7% to 51,880 units compared to August last year. This volume even exceeded July’s 51,489 sales and continued the market’s 11 consecutive months of growth and the most-recent six months of double-digit growth.
“The new vehicle market’s performance has enabled year-to-date sales to remain in double-digit growth territory, the market up 14,5% for the first eight months of the year,” said Lebo Gaoaketse, Head of Marketing and Communication at WesBank. “The market has been driven by demand for passenger cars and dominated by two leading brands that enjoyed a combined market-share of 38,2% during August.”
Lower interest rates were the main driving factor of favourable economic conditions that improved consumer and business sentiment in August, but things like mixed savings in the fuel price, and lower inflation alleviated pressure on household budgets making a car purchase more viable. This is freeing up the pent-up demand that has been in the market as evidenced by application volumes,” says Gaoaketse. “Slowly, consumers and businesses are freeing up disposable budget that is enabling overdue replacement or allowing solutions to changing mobility needs in the lives of South Africans.”
Passenger cars accounted for 71,2% of the market during August and continued to drive sales performance, the segment up 22,5% to 36,914 units. Light Commercial Vehicles accounted for 23,8% of the market during the month, increasing 15,1% to 12,326 units.
The August 2025 new passenger car market, at 36,914 units, hit its highest level since September 2015, registering an increase of 6,786 cars, or a gain of 22 . 5%, compared to the 30,128 new cars sold in August 2024. Car rental sales accounted for a solid 15 . 0% of new passenger vehicle sales during the month. Domestic sales of new light commercial vehicles, bakkies, and minibuses at 12,326 units during August 2025 recorded an increase of 1,616 units, or a gain of 15 . 1%, from the 10,710 light commercial vehicles sold during August 2024.
As it stands, these are were the best selling brands in the month of August :
1. Toyota – 13 276 units
2. Suzuki – 6 534 units
3. Volkswagen Group – 5 521 units
4. Hyundai – 3 007 units
5. Ford – 2 968 units
6. GWM – 2 519 units
7. Chery – 2 228 units
8. Isuzu – 2 194 units
9. Kia – 1 542 units
10. Renault – 1 374 units
Mahindra SA (1 336 units) dropped to 11th place, while BMW Group SA and Mini stayed in 12th (with a Naamsa-estimated 1 223 units). Omoda & Jaecoo (1 202 units) improved with a climb to 13th, going ahead of Nissan (986 units) at14th. Jetour (773 units)also remained at 15th, hitting a new record in the process
Vehicle export volumes for the month of August 2025 overall increased by 2,190 units, or 6,2% from the 35,310 units exported in August 2024 to 37,500 units exported in August 2025. For the year to date, vehicle exports were still 3,0% ahead of the same period 2024 but are anticipated to come under increased pressure in the near term as the sector continues to adjust to higher tariff barriers to the US market as well as to adjust to the knock-on implications of the tariffs resulting in increasing global competition in other traditional export markets. The industry’s ongoing focus will remain to navigate potential re-routing and further market diversification strategies.