Lifestyle Motoring

May vehicle sales wrap: 50 top selling vehicles and expert insights after buoyant month

Jason Woosey|Published

The Ford Ranger edged closer to Toyota's Hilux in May, after its sales grew by 24%.

Image: Supplied

South African new vehicle sales rode a wave of optimism in May, with the market growing by a significant 22% year-on-year, according to Naamsa.

Although sales were relatively slow during the first half of May, there was a significant uptick during the second half of the month, the National Automobile Dealers’ Association (NADA) reported. This came in the wake of the 2025 Budget being finalised, as well as President Cyril Ramaphosa’s meeting with US President Donald Trump and the interest rate cut. 

Passenger car sales, at 31,741 units, surged by 30% versus the same month in 2024, while light commercial and bakkie sales increased by a more modest 5.8%.

On the sales charts, bakkies took the top two spots.

The Toyota Hilux led overall with 2,548 sales, a decline of 8.3% versus the previous month, while the Ford Ranger took second spot overall with 2,147 sales, an impressive gain of 24.2%.

Third overall, and leading the passenger car sector was the Suzuki Swift at 1,842 units, albeit down by 11.4% over April, while the Toyota Corolla Cross retained fourth position with its volume of 1,629, an increase of 2.8%.

The Suzuki Swift was once again Mzansi's most popular passenger vehicle.

Image: Supplied

The usual front-runner, Volkswagen’s Polo Vivo, took fifth spot, with 1,543 units finding homes, as VWSA ramped up production once again following its temporary shutdown in preparation for the new SUV model.

South Africa’s 50 best-selling vehicles: May 2025

  1. Toyota Hilux - 2,548
  2. Ford Ranger - 2,147
  3. Suzuki Swift - 1,842
  4. Toyota Corolla Cross - 1,629
  5. Volkswagen Polo Vivo - 1,543
  6. Isuzu D-Max - 1,473
  7. Hyundai Grand i10 - 1,350
  8. Chery Tiggo 4 Pro - 1,255
  9. Suzuki Fronx - 1,219
  10. Haval Jolion - 1,113
  11. Toyota Starlet - 1,039
  12. Kia Sonet - 863
  13. Mahindra Scorpio Pik-Up - 786
  14. Volkswagen Polo - 767
  15. Suzuki Ertiga - 721
  16. Toyota Starlet Cross - 694
  17. Omoda C5 - 687
  18. Volkswagen T-Cross - 686
  19. Toyota Fortuner - 679
  20. Toyota Vitz - 624
  21. Toyota Rumion - 618
  22. Toyota Hi-Ace - 583
  23. Mahindra XUV 3XO - 532
  24. Toyota Urban Cruiser - 517
  25. Renault Kiger - 492
  26. Chery Tiggo 7 Pro - 439
  27. Nissan Magnite - 437
  28. Hyundai i20 - 399
  29. Renault Kwid - 393
  30. Nissan Navara - 389
  31. Jetour Dashing - 377
  32. Suzuki Baleno - 371
  33. Hyundai Exter - 368
  34. GWM P-Series - 348
  35. Toyota Land Cruiser PU - 348
  36. Renault Triber - 307
  37. Ford Everest - 303
  38. Suzuki Jimny - 300
  39. Volkswagen Amarok - 282
  40. Haval H6 - 281
  41. Ford Territory - 274
  42. Volkswagen Tiguan - 263
  43. Jetour X70 Plus - 243
  44. Suzuki Eeco - 239
  45. Beijing X55 Plus - 234
  46. Citroen C3 Aircross - 217
  47. Foton Tunland G7 - 216
  48. Hyundai Venue - 216
  49. Kia Seltos - 209
  50. Citroen C3 - 192

Top manufacturers

  1. Toyota - 10,330
  2. Suzuki Auto - 5,536
  3. Volkswagen - 4,582
  4. Hyundai - 3,251
  5. Ford - 2,932
  6. GWM / Haval - 2,069
  7. Chery - 1,995
  8. Isuzu - 1,961
  9. Mahindra - 1,524
  10. Kia - 1,406

What the experts said

“It was most satisfying to see consumer confidence, boosted by a further interest rate cut and positive developments on the geopolitical front, translate into a 22% improvement in retail new vehicle sales in May,” said NADA chairperson Brandon Cohen.

Naamsa said the Reserve Bank’s decision to cut the repo rate by 25 basis points signalled a welcome policy pivot in support of industrial growth, affordability, and macro-economic stability.

"The automotive sector finds itself once again at the coalface of global economic shifts," said Naamsa CEO Mikel Mabasa.

"The SARB's latest decision to lower interest rates is both timely and commendable. It directly supports consumer affordability and boosts production competitiveness at a time when global uncertainty is weighing heavily on our export markets. While the new tariff measures remain a concern, our industry has proven its resilience time and time again."

However, WesBank marketing head Lebo Gaoaketse cautioned that last month’s performance should also be seen in the context of slower sales a year ago.

“Twelve months ago, South Africans voted at the polls, not on showroom floors,” Gaoaketse said. “May 2024 sales were depressed and 14,2% down compared to May 2023, providing a particularly relevant context to this year’s performance.”

While the volumes do inspire confidence, the industry should take heed that South African household budgets remain under pressure, Gaoaketse added.

“The market’s expected slow recovery is continuing to play catch-up, but the industry should remain vigilant and will continue to have to drive innovative reasons to continue attracting consumer and business decisions to purchase new vehicles.”

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