South Africa’s new-vehicle market delivered its strongest March in nearly two decades, with domestic sales reaching 58,060 units, according to the National Association of Automobile Manufacturers of South Africa (Naamsa).
“The March figure reflects a phenomenal 17.3% improvement over March 2025 and is the best March figure since 2007,” commented Brandon Cohen, chair of the National Automobile Dealers’ Association (Nada).
The passenger car market, at 39,370 units, was 18.2% higher than in March 2025, while light commercial vehicle sales of 15,557 units were 15.7% up on the corresponding month last year. There were also improvements in the medium truck segment, up 14%, and in heavy trucks and buses, up 14.5%.
Year-to-date volumes now stand at 161,978 units, 12.4% ahead of the same period last year.
“Successive rate cuts since late 2024 are clearly feeding through, lifting both consumer and dealer confidence,” said Lebogang Gaoaketse, head of marketing and communication at WesBank.
He warned that April introduces new pressure that households and the industry will need to manage carefully.
“The fuel and energy [cost] increases coming present a clear headwind for consumers who were only starting to benefit from earlier rate cuts,” he said.
Toyota retained its market leadership in local new vehicle sales last month with 13,323 units, ahead of the Volkswagen Group with 5,574, Suzuki (5,047), Isuzu (3,513), Hyundai (3,258), Ford (2,828), GWM (2,777), Chery (2,390), Mahindra (2,280) and Jetour (1,768) rounding out the top 10.
The Hilux continued to be the country’s best-selling model range in March even though its replacement is a few months away, while the Isuzu D-Max had an unusually good month to take overall second place. The Volkswagen Polo Vivo was the best-selling passenger car, in third overall.
Top 30 sellers for March
1. Toyota Hilux — 4,118
2. Isuzu D-Max — 3,008
3. VW Polo Vivo — 2,229
4. Ford Ranger — 2,074
5. Chery Tiggo 4 Pro — 1,888
6. Toyota Corolla Cross — 1,536
7. Suzuki Swift — 1,400
8. Hyundai Grand i10 — 1,361
9. Haval Jolion — 1,262
10. Suzuki Fronx — 1,179
11. Toyota Starlet — 1,174
12. Mahindra XUV 3XO — 1,056
13. Mahindra Scorpio Pik-Up — 1,037
14. Toyota Fortuner — 1,000
15. Kia Sonet — 958
16. Nissan Magnite — 953
17. Toyota Vitz — 931
18. Omoda C5 — 845
19. VW Polo — 837
20. Toyota Urban Cruiser — 816
21. GWM P-Series — 785
22. Toyota Starlet Cross — 779
23. Toyota Hiace — 725
24. Jetour T2 — 646
25. Renault Kiger — 509
26. Toyota Rumion — 502
27. Hyundai i20 — 494
28. VW Amarok — 466
29. Suzuki S-Presso — 457
30. VW T-Cross — 453
