In June 2026, South Africa’s new-vehicle market recorded its 21st straight month of year-on-year sales growth, while just 76 units separated the 2nd- and 3rd-placed automakers…
- New-vehicle sales up 15.3% year-on-year in June
- South Africa’s highest June sales total since 2007
- Toyota leads as market share rebounds to 22.8%
- Isuzu hits best month-on-month growth in top 10
- Jetour breaks own record again (but slips to 9th)
- Chinese brand BYD Auto breaks into the top 15
In June 2026, sales in South Africa’s new-vehicle market increased 15.3% year on year to 54 482 units, representing not only the local industry’s 21st consecutive month of year-on-year growth but also its strongest June performance since way back in 2007.
The 2nd highest total of the year thus far (after March‘s effort), June 2026’s figure furthermore represented a 6.7% month-on-month improvement over May 2026. However, new-vehicle export volumes decreased 6.9% year on year (though increased 15.2% month on month) to 33 879 units.
According to industry-representative body Naamsa, an estimated 86.9% of June 2026’s total reported domestic figure of 54 482 units represented sales via the dealership channel, while 7.8% were sales to the new-vehicle rental industry, 2.8% to government and 2.5% to industry corporate fleets.
Mzansi’s new passenger-vehicle market ended the month on 38 393 units (with rental sales accounting for 9.7% of that figure), an increase of 18.1% compared to June 2025. Meanwhile, local sales of new light-commercial vehicles (LCVs) grew 8.4% year on year to 13 171 units.
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Ryan Seele, Executive at the National Automobile Dealer Association (NADA), added that the local market continued to demonstrate “remarkable resilience” despite various ongoing economic pressures.
“Consumers are still navigating a challenging economic environment, with the rising cost of living, fuel prices and broader financial pressures all influencing purchasing decisions. Yet the market continues to perform exceptionally well, suggesting buyers are recognising value where it exists and remain prepared to commit when the right opportunity presents itself,” Seele said.
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Meanwhile, Thanda Sithole, Senior Economist at FNB and WesBank, suggested the June 2026 performance extended the market’s “strong recovery”, despite an “increasingly challenging operating environment”.
“Consumer confidence deteriorated during the 2nd quarter of 2026 amid rising fuel prices, elevated inflation and growing expectations of further interest-rate hikes. That the market achieved this level of growth under such conditions underscores the essential role that vehicles continue to play for South African households and businesses,” Sithole said.
New-vehicle sales summary for June 2026
- Aggregate new-vehicle sales of 54 482 units increased by 15.3% (7 213 units) compared to June 2025.
- New passenger-vehicle sales of 38 393 units increased by 18.1% (5 882 units) compared to June 2025.
- New light-commercial vehicle sales of 13 171 units increased by 8.4% (1 016 units) compared to June 2025.
- Export sales of 33 879 units decreased by 6.9% (2 498 units) compared to June 2025.
10 best-selling automakers in SA in June 2026
As you’ve likely already guessed, Toyota SA Motors again ranked as South Africa’s top-selling automaker, registering as many as 12 417 units (including its Lexus and Hino brands) last month. That represents a 16.4% month-on-month improvement and translates to a total market share for June of 22.8% (rebounding from 20.9% in May 2026).
The race for 2nd place was far closer last month. In the end, Suzuki Auto SA retained the runner-up position, with 5 689 units (up 2.5% month on month) sold in June 2026. As such, Volkswagen Group Africa (including Audi) – despite improving 6.0% month on month to reach 5 613 units – again had to settle for the final podium spot, though was just 76 units behind Suzuki.
The theme of tight battles continued down the table. For instance, Hyundai Automotive SA (2 986 units; down 2.2% month on month) and Ford Motor Company of SA (2 961 units; up 1.5% month on month) again ranked 4th and 5th, respectively, though a mere 25 units separated these rivals in June 2026.
It was a similar case with the 6th-placed GWM SA (up 0.1% month on month to 2 608 units) and the 7th-ranked Chery SA (up 1.3% month on month to 2 602 units). In the end, just 6 sales separated the local market’s 2 most popular Chinese automakers.
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Meanwhile, Isuzu Motors SA climbed 2 places to take 8th, posting the strongest instance of month-on-month growth in the top 10. The Japanese brand improved its tally to 2 121 units in June, some 54.7% higher than its May performance.
That saw Jetour SA forced down a place to 9th, despite this Chinese brand – which falls under the Chery Group umbrella globally but seemingly operates independently in Mzansi – hitting a fresh high of 2 054 units (up 1.7% month on month) in June. Finally, Mahindra SA slipped a ranking to 10th, even though the Indian firm improved sales 16.8% month on month to 1 669 units.
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Which companies ranked just outside the top 10 last month? Well, Kia SA and Omoda & Jaecoo SA shared 11th position, each registering 1 416 units in June 2026. Renault SA (1 326 units) thus found itself in 13th, just ahead of BMW Group SA (1 314 units, including the Mini brand) in 14th. Finally, BYD Auto SA entered the top 15 for the first time, with the Chinese new-energy vehicle company selling precisely 800 units.
1. Toyota – 12 417 units
2. Suzuki – 5 689 units
3. Volkswagen Group – 5 613 units
4. Hyundai – 2 986 units
5. Ford – 2 961 units
6. GWM – 2 608 units
7. Chery – 2 602 units
8. Isuzu – 2 121 units
9. Jetour – 2 054 units
10. Mahindra – 1 669 units
SA’s new-vehicle sales outlook for 2nd half of 2026
So, what can we expect from South Africa’s new-vehicle market in the 2nd half of the year? Well, Naamsa says there are “encouraging signs that conditions may gradually improve for South African consumers”, pointing out that an “improvement in forward-looking business sentiment points to the possibility of a more stable economic environment in the months ahead”.
“Should these trends be sustained, consumers could benefit from moderating inflationary pressures, more stable fuel prices and improved affordability, all of which would support household confidence and create a more favourable environment for new-vehicle purchases,” suggests the industry-representative body.
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Meanwhile, NADA’s Seele adds that “the first half of 2026 has consistently exceeded expectations”, saying “while economic headwinds remain, South Africa’s automotive sector continues to demonstrate remarkable resilience”.
“Should current momentum be sustained, the industry is well positioned to exceed 600 000 new-vehicle sales this year. Consumers are making considered purchasing decisions, businesses continue to invest and confidence appears to be improving, providing an encouraging outlook for the 2nd half of 2026,” says Seele.
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WesBank’s Sithole says that the decrease in petrol and diesel prices at the start of July will “provide some welcome relief to household budgets, notwithstanding the expiry of the temporary fuel levy relief”.
“The first half of 2026 reflects a vehicle market that has demonstrated remarkable resilience despite a challenging economic environment. Should the recent easing in fuel prices prove durable, it would provide further support to household affordability, creating a more favourable environment for new-vehicle demand in the 2nd half of the year,” he concludes.
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