The locally built Volkswagen Polo hatchback remains a firm favourite among South African buyers. But how well – or, indeed, poorly – do its direct rivals sell in comparison? Let’s examine June 2022’s sales figures to find out…
Month in and month out, the Kariega-produced Volkswagen Polo hatchback is the best-selling vehicle in its class. Sure, the likewise SA-built Polo Vivo often pips its more modern sibling on the sales charts, but that prolonged lifecycle model competes in a sub-segment below, along with the likes of the increasingly popular Suzuki Swift and (Baleno-based) Toyota Starlet.
So, just how far behind are the traditional B-segment alternatives in South Africa? Well, we sorted through June 2022’s sales statistics and picked out nine Polo rivals (if you’re wondering where the Fiesta is, Ford Motor Company of Southern Africa discontinued its supermini earlier in the year). Here’s how they performed…
It makes sense to start with the Polo itself. VW registered 1 461 units in June (note this figure represents the hatchback range – including the GTI – as Polo Sedan sales are reported separately), which was enough to earn it sixth place on the list of SA’s best-selling vehicles for the month. Of this figure, 163 units came courtesy of the rental channel.
The Polo’s closest contender in June 2022? The Opel Corsa, which enjoyed what must surely be its best sales month since the F-generation version arrived in South Africa early in 2021. Still, the second-placed Corsa’s final tally of 514 units was just over a third of the Polo’s effort and was boosted by 250 units (so, nearly 50%) sold to rental companies.
Third place went to the Kia Rio (458 units), with the Hyundai i20 (317 units) slotting into fourth. Every other contender failed to crack three figures, with the ageing Mazda2 finishing the month in fifth with 86 units registered.
After a handful of months on the market, the new Renault Clio (66 units) has yet to establish itself, though did enough to take sixth spot ahead of the Honda Fit (54 units). The Peugeot 208 (42 units) filled eighth place, while the Nissan Micra and Citroën C3 closed out the table with a mere 9 sales apiece.
SA’s 10 best-selling B-segment hatchbacks in June 2022
1. Volkswagen Polo – 1 461 units
2. Opel Corsa – 514 units
3. Kia Rio – 458 units
4. Hyundai i20 – 317 units
5. Mazda2 – 86 units
6. Renault Clio – 66 units
7. Honda Fit – 54 units
8. Peugeot 208 – 42 units
9=. Nissan Micra – 9 units
9=. Citroën C3 – 9 units
