New car sales recovery continues in June

Domestic new-vehicle sales continued their “unwavering momentum” in June, motor industry association Naamsa reported Tuesday.

Local customers bought 47,294 new cars and commercial vehicles last month. That was 18.7% more than the 39,850 of June 2024.

After six months of 2025, the aggregate market totalled 278,911 – 13.6% more than the 245,620 at the same stage last year.

Exports also improved last month. Compared to June 2024, they grew by 7.9%, from 33,696 to 36,343.

Midway through the year, they are 2.6% ahead of 2024, up from 190,662 to 195,549. Car exports actually fell in the first half of the year but strong European demand for SA-made bakkies outweighed the loss. 

Cars were once again the main force behind local June sales. They grew by 21.7%, from 26,763 to 32,570.

So far this year, they are 21.3% ahead of 2024. That is not necessarily good news for local manufacturers.

Naamsa reported that sales of SA-made cars and bakkies fell by 14% in the first half of 2025, against a 33.4% rise in sales by imported brands.

Sales of light commercial vehicles, mainly  bakkies and minibus taxis, rose by 14.9% in June, medium-sized trucks by 24.7%, and heavies by 40.7%.