In December 2025, SA’s new-vehicle market grew 19.2% year on year to reach an annual sales high not seen in a decade. Here’s your full overview, including the top-selling brands…
- New-vehicle sales hit 48 983 units in December
- VW Group wrestles back 2nd spot from Suzuki
- Chinese automaker Jetour breaks into the top 10
In December 2025, South Africa’s new-vehicle market recorded its 15th consecutive month of year-on-year growth, with local sales increasing 19.2% to 48 983 units. Though that performance was down 10.8% on November’s showing, it nevertheless capped a year of strong recovery, with the local market reaching levels not seen in around 10 years.
In the end, Mzansi’s total new-vehicle sales for 2025 increased 15.7% to 596 818 units, seeing the industry fall just short of the 600 000-unit mark. For the record, the market hit a figure of 515 976 units in 2024, 531 547 units in 2023, 529 334 units in 2022 and 464 322 units in 2021.
Naamsa described 2025’s showing as a “landmark performance”, pointing out that the market had “finally” recovered “above 2019 pre-pandemic levels” to ultimately hit highs “not seen in a decade”. Export sales in 2025, meanwhile, increased 4.4% to 408 224 units, despite December’s tally dropping 10.4% (to 26 852 units), year on year.
The industry-representative body said an estimated 90.8% of December 2025’s total reported domestic figure of 48 983 units represented sales via the dealership channel, while 6.3% were sales to the new-vehicle rental industry, 1.9% to government and 1.0% to industry corporate fleets.
The local new passenger-vehicle market grew a considerable 20.3% year on year to 35 579 units in December 2025. Interestingly, the light-commercial vehicle (LCV) segment posted even strong growth in 2025’s final month, gaining 23.7% year on year to finish on 11 296 units. For 2025 overall, the passenger-vehicle class registered 20.1% growth to reach 422 292 units, while the LCV space gained 7.8% to hit 143 637 units.
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Brandon Cohen, Chairperson of the National Automobile Dealers’ Association (NADA), said it was “particularly encouraging” that December 2025’s sales performance “was driven by demand at dealer level” as opposed to the industry relying heavily on the rental channel.
“The solid year-on-year growth reflects a gradual but meaningful recovery in showroom activity,” explained Cohen, pointing out that “affordability” had improved and consumer confidence had “stabilised”.
New-vehicle sales summary for December 2025
- Aggregate new-vehicle sales of 48 983 units increased by 19.2% (7 882 units) compared to December 2024.
- New passenger-vehicle sales of 35 579 units increased by 20.3% (5 994 units) compared to December 2024.
- New light-commercial vehicle sales of 11 296 units increased by 23.7% (2 162 units) compared to December 2024.
- Export sales of 26 852 units decreased by 10.4% (3 103 units) compared to December 2024.
10 best-selling automakers in SA in December 2025
Unsurprisingly, Toyota South Africa Motors closed out the year precisely where it started – right on top. In December 2025, the Japanese firm registered 12 933 units, including Lexus and Hino sales. Though that’s 4.7% down on November’s effort, it nevertheless represents a considerable 26.4% of the overall market.
There was, however, some movement on the podium – the only such instance in 2025, in fact. In the final month of the year, Volkswagen Group Africa (including Audi) grabbed 2nd place, sneaking in ahead of Suzuki Auto SA for the first and only time in 2025. The German company sold 5 014 units (down 17.0%, month on month) last month, putting it a mere 53 units ahead of its Hamamatsu-based rival (4 961 units; down 22.3%, month on month). For the record, December was the only month in 2025 in which Suzuki fell below 5 000 units.
Meanwhile, Hyundai Automotive SA moved back into 4th position in December 2025, increasing its sales tally a marginal 0.6% month on month to 3 068 units. Still, that saw Ford Motor Company of SA slip a spot to 5th, ending the month on 2 987 units (down 3.5% compared to November 2025) – or just 81 units behind its South Korean foe.
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Chinese firms GWM SA (2 453 units; down 3.2%, month on month) and Chery SA (2 249 units; down 10.3%, month on month) held steady in 6th and 7th, respectively, with Isuzu Motors SA (1 906 units; down 10.3%, month on month) and Kia SA (1 508 units; down 17.5%, month on month) likewise retaining 8th and 9th, respectively.
Meanwhile, Jetour SA – thanks largely to the arrival of its new T1 and T2 crossovers – cracked South Africa’s top 10 for the very first time, increasing its sales 11.0% (compared to its previous high achieved in the prior month) to 1 371 units. As such, Mzansi’s top 10 included a trio of Chinese automakers for the first time.
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Interestingly, Jetour’s performance meant fellow Chery division Omoda & Jaecoo (1 317 units) again fell just short of breaking into the top 10 (eventually settling in 11th), with sales slipping 6.5% from its record November showing. Renault SA (1 304 units) thus fell 2 rankings to 12th, but finished ahead of Mahindra SA (1 234 units), Nissan SA (1 011 units) and BMW Group SA (843 units, including the Mini brand).
1. Toyota – 12 933 units
2. Volkswagen Group – 5 014 units
3. Suzuki – 4 961 units
4. Hyundai – 3 068 units
5. Ford – 2 987 units
6. GWM – 2 453 units
7. Chery – 2 249 units
8. Isuzu – 1 906 units
9. Kia – 1 508 units
10. Jetour – 1 371 units
South Africa’s new-vehicle sales outlook for 2026
So, what can we expect for South Africa’s new-vehicle market in 2026? Well, Naamsa says it anticipates another “celebratory year” in 2026, suggesting the “full impact of 2025’s interest-rate relief and lower inflation – expected to average 3.3% – points toward a further boost in consumer disposable income”.
“The new-vehicle market momentum is upward and 2026 new-vehicle sales are poised for a further upper single digit to lower double-digit improvement of 9% to 11% over 2025 levels,” the industry-representative body predicts.
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Meanwhile, NADA’s Cohen says the “continued strength of the South African rand, together with lower fuel prices, bodes well for vehicle-price stability, while favourable interest rates, lower inflation and a positive buying sentiment support near-term demand”.
“The trend towards smaller and more affordable models reflects increasingly price-sensitive and value-focused consumers, supported by relatively strong finance approval rates. Access to affordable credit remains critical, and early indicators suggest that the positive momentum in the new-vehicle market is likely to carry into 2026,” he concludes.
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