Passenger car sales surged in October, with Volkswagen's Polo Vivo leading the way. Picture: Supplied
Image: Supplied
South African new vehicle sales finally turned the corner in October, with the passenger car market seeing best month in five years, according to Naamsa - The Automotive Business Council.
Last month saw 47,942 new vehicle sales, which was a 5.5% gain over the same period last year, fuelled by buoyant year-on-year growth of 14,5% in the passenger vehicle market.
Bakkies and other light commercial vehicles saw a 12.7 decline versus October last year, however, while medium and heavy commercial vehicle sales dropped by 10.1% and 7.1% respectively.
Exports were down by 42.6% year-on-year, due to a number of factors, including weak demand from Europe and the BMW X3 new model changeover.
On the sales charts we saw the predictable tussle upfront between the Toyota Hilux (2,793 units), Volkswagen Polo Vivo (2,297), Ford Ranger (2,217) and Toyota Corolla Cross (2,104).
The Volkswagen Polo, Toyota Starlet and Hyundai Grand i10 also enjoyed robust sales well above the 1,000 mark as strong demand from the rental industry injected some new life into the hatchback market.
Best of the rest on the crossover/SUV front was the Suzuki Fronx (1,109) which outsold its Starlet Cross sibling by over 300 units, while also ousting the ever-popular Chery Tiggo 4 Pro (1,079).
Mahindra’s recently introduced XUV 3X0 surged up the charts in its first full month, recording 592 sales to put it ahead of arch-rival Hyundai’s Exter (544),
1. Toyota Hilux - 2,793 | 11. Chery Tiggo 4 Pro - 1,079 | 21. Toyota Urban Cruiser - 629 | 31. Nissan Navara - 418 | 41. Suzuki S-Presso - 277 | |||||
| 2. Volkswagen Polo Vivo - 2,297 | 12. Renault Kwid - 934 | 22. Toyota Corolla Quest - 603 | 32. Suzuki Dzire - 412 | 42. Volkswagen Tiguan - 258 | |||||
| 3. Ford Ranger - 2,217 | 13. Toyota Fortuner - 905 | 23. Mahindra XUV 3X0 - 592 | 33. GWM P-Series - 358 | 43. Kia Pegas - 255 | |||||
| 4. Toyota Corolla Cross - 2,104 | 14. Nissan Magnite - 854 | 24. Toyota Hi-Ace - 554 | 34. Volkswagen Polo Sedan - 357 | 44. Suzuki Jimny - 239 | |||||
| 5. Isuzu D-Max - 1,807 | 15. Suzuki Ertiga - 846 | 25. Hyundai Exter - 544 | 35. Omoda C5 - 356 | 45. Hyundai Venue - 215 | |||||
| 6. Volkswagen Polo - 1,425 | 16. Toyota Starlet Cross - 805 | 26. Suzuki Ciaz - 527 | 36. Renault Kiger - 338 | 46. Suzuki Celerio - 210 | |||||
7. Toyota Starlet - 1,358 | 17. Kia Sonet - 787 | 27. Chery Tiggo 7 Pro - 525 | 37. Hyundai i20 - 328 | 47. Kia Seltos - 200 | |||||
8. Hyundai Grand i10 - 1,280 | 18. Mahindra Scorpio Pik-Up - 709 | 28. Toyota Rumion - 446 | 38. Volkswagen Amarok - 298 | 48. Hyundai H100 Bakkie - 191 | |||||
9. Suzuki Swift - 1,179 | 19. Toyota Vitz - 676 | 29. Volkswagen T-Cross - 437 | 39. Ford Territory - 297 | 49. Suzuki Grand Vitara - 185 | |||||
10. Suzuki Fronx - 1,109 | 20. Suzuki Baleno - 672 | 30. Renault Triber - 434 | 40. Ford Everest - 291 | 50. Suzuki Eeco - 183 |
Will the strong sales momentum continue for the remainder of the year and into 2025?
Brandon Cohen, Chairperson of the National Automobile Dealers’ Association (NADA) said the robust sales performance in October highlights a favourable change in consumer sentiment within this segment.
“Although sales in the rental industry contributed to this uplift, the sustained demand for passenger vehicles serves as an essential barometer for overall consumer trends," Cohen added.
“Affordability is still a concern for buyers. We’re also witnessing competitive Chinese brands gaining traction, offering consumers affordable alternatives that are reshaping the market.”
Naamsa CEO Mikel Mabasa said that expected interest rate cuts over the next 18 months could cumulatively begin to positively impact the market.
“Although the immediate effects of these positive signs were still relatively small, the cumulative impact and momentum going forward would hopefully translate into stronger new vehicle sales in the medium to long term”, Mabasa said.
IOL
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