In August 2026, the Hilux comfortably retained first place on the list of SA’s best-selling bakkies, despite the Ranger posting its best effort since September 2024…
- Hilux way out in front despite 7.4% dip
- Ranger posts highest figure in 2 years
- Nissan Navara climbs back to 8th place
- Bolero almost cracks top 10 in August
- Tasman sales dwindle to just 17 units
In August 2026, sales in South Africa’s total new-vehicle market increased 11.4% year on year to 57 898 units, with the light-commercial vehicle (LCV) segment growing 11.0% year on year to 13 727 units. But what happened on the list of SA’s best- and worst-selling bakkies?
Well, local registrations of the Toyota Hilux dipped 7.4% month on month to 3 881 units (including 494 sales via the rental channel) off a 2026-high in July. But the Prospecton-built bakkie range – which currently comprises a mix of 8th- and 9th-generation derivatives – nevertheless easily retained first place in August 2026.
That said, the Ford Ranger registered its highest single-month total since September 2024, with sales of the Silverton-made model (plus those of the Thai-built Raptor) increasing 15.0% month on month to 2 373 units. As such, the 2nd-placed Ranger created some breathing space ahead of the Struandale-produced Isuzu D-Max, sales of which increased 1.8% month on month to 2 005 units (including 327 purchases by government).
Meanwhile, the KwaZulu-Natal-assembled Mahindra Pik Up (down 10.1% month on month to 612 units) retained 4th position, with the GWM P-Series (up 9.7% month on month to 588 units) once more rounding out the top 5 and again ranking as Mzansi’s most popular fully imported bakkie in August.
Sixth place again went to the Toyota Land Cruiser 79 (434 units; down 6.7% month on month), while the locally built Volkswagen Amarok retained 7th position in August 2026, reaching a total of 351 units – a marginal 0.3% decrease (or just a single unit) on July’s effort.
Interestingly, the Nissan Navara – local production of which ended in Rosslyn in May 2026, when Chery took over the plant – was the only bakkie in the top 10 to climb in August, moving up a single spot to 8th as sales increased 35.6% month on month (admittedly off a low base in July) to 293 units.
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As such, the JAC T-Series – which includes the T6, T8 and T9 – returned to 9th position, with 246 units (down 3.1% month on month) registered. Though the Foton Tunland suffered a 24.4% month-on-month decline to 158 units, this Chinese bakkie just about managed to keep its top-10 place in August.
Bakkies outside the top 10 in August 2026
So, which bakkies didn’t make the top 10 last month? Well, the Mahindra Bolero (now available in Maxx guise) narrowly missed out on a spot, ending August 2026 on 154 units. And the Peugeot Landtrek (133 units), JMC Vigus (130 units), BYD Shark 6 (127 units) and LDV T60 (120 units) – all of which are sourced from China – weren’t far behind.
Meanwhile, the Changan Hunter (23 units) ranked 16th in August, a single unit ahead of the Mitsubishi Triton (22 units). With just 17 units sold, the Kia Tasman posted its lowest figure since launch, though the South Korean firm’s bakkie stayed ahead of the LDV Terron 9 (8 units). Finally, zero examples of the Jeep Gladiator were sold last month.
Bakkie sales in South Africa for August 2026
1. Toyota Hilux – 3 881 units
2. Ford Ranger – 2 373 units
3. Isuzu D-Max – 2 005 units
4. Mahindra Pik Up – 612 units
5. GWM P-Series – 588 units
6. Toyota Land Cruiser 79 – 434 units
7. Volkswagen Amarok – 351 units
8. Nissan Navara – 293 units
9. JAC T-Series – 246 units
10. Foton Tunland – 158 units
11. Mahindra Bolero – 154 units
12. Peugeot Landtrek – 133 units
13. JMC Vigus – 130 units
14. BYD Shark 6 – 127 units
15. LDV T60 – 120 units
16. Changan Hunter – 23 units
17. Mitsubishi Triton – 22 units
18. Kia Tasman – 17 units
19. LDV Terron 9 – 8 units
20. Jeep Gladiator – 0 unit
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