Domestic vehicle sales and exports declined in October 2015.
According to the National Association of Automobile Manufacturers of South Africa (NAAMSA), both domestic new vehicle sales and exports experienced declines when compared to the same period last year. One potential reason for declining exports relates to the run-out of the outgoing Ford Ranger and the run-in of the new Ford Ranger. Ford’s export figures are set to increase significantly in the near future as production of the new Ranger gains momentum. However, reduced exports from other manufacturers suggest a possible slow down in global markets.
Toyota remains the top selling car brand in South Africa with sales exceeding 11 000 units while the Volkswagen Polo Vivo is South Africa’s top selling car for October with 3 170 units sold during the month.
New Vehicle Sales Summary –October 2015
- 54 244 aggregate new vehicle sales down by 8.6% (5 091 units) compared to October 2014.
- 27 732 export sales down by 13.9% (4 467 units) compared to October2014.
- 36 175 passenger car sales down by 10.9% (4 433 units) compared to October 2014.
- 15 171 light commercial vehicles down by 4.1% (646 units) compared to October 2014.
Top Selling Car Brands in South Africa October 2015
| Brand | Total Sales | Market Penetration % |
| 1. Toyota | 11 156 (-545) | 20.6% |
| 3. Volkswagen | 8 883 (-703) | 16.4% |
| 3. Ford Motor Company | 6 657 (+306) | 12.3% |
| 4. GMSA | 5 301 (+152) | 9.8% |
| 5. Nissan | 3 873 (-72) | 7.1% |
Top Selling New Cars in South Africa –October 2015
| Model | Total Sales |
| 1. VW Polo Vivo | 3 170 (- 1 010) |
| 2. Toyota Corolla | 2 769 (-99) |
| 3. Ford Ranger | 2 740 (-125) |
| 4. Toyota Hilux | 2 639 (-792) |
| 5. Volkswagen Polo | 2 320 (+61) |
New Vehicle Sales Outlook
NAAMSA predicts that domestic sales would remain under pressure in 2016. Local vehicle production remains positive and vehicle exports will continue to support industry output going forward, contributing positively to South Africa’s balance of payments.
