After September 2026 saw Toyota post record sales in South Africa, the Japanese firm’s local boss has hinted at “very strong plans” for the final quarter of the year…
- Toyota hit record sales in SA in September
- Local boss predicts “very strong” Q4 2026
- “We’re challenging ourselves at every level”
The head of Toyota South Africa Motors says the company has “very strong plans” for the final quarter of the year after the Japanese automaker’s local division posted record sales in September 2026.
As a reminder, Toyota SA Motors (including Lexus and Hino) not only ranked as Mzansi’s top-selling automaker in September 2026 but also posted its highest-ever single-month tally of 15 366 units. That represented an 11.2% month-on-month increase as well as a 24.9% share of the total market.
When asked about September’s record figure, Andrew Kirby, President and CEO of Toyota SA Motors, quipped that “it was slightly lower than our original plan”. He was speaking during a wide-ranging interview in Cars.co.za’s custom-built podcast booth at Naamsa’s SA Auto Week 2026 gathering in Durban, KwaZulu-Natal earlier in October.
“No, it was largely where we wanted to end up in September and we’ve got very strong plans for the remainder of the year. As a brand, we tend to – [when factoring in an uptick in] car-rental [sales] – have a fairly strong last quarter of the year. That’s always typically been our seasonality,” Kirby told us.
“It was a lot of hard work and we had tremendous support from our dealer network, from our fleet customers, from the car-rental companies as well. So, it was a good team effort and we intend to progress that for the remainder of the year. But it’s [still] an extremely tough market,” he said.
In September, the Prospecton-built Hilux and Corolla Cross led the charge for the brand, registering 3 769 units and 1 964 units, respectively. The Starlet (1 573 units), meanwhile, broke back into the top 5 on the list of SA’s best-selling passenger vehicles, with the Starlet Cross (1 478 units) and Urban Cruiser (1 328 units) likewise cracking the top 10.
“One shouldn’t think that [September’s record sales performance] was without effort. This has been extremely tough for us. We are challenging ourselves at every level – how do we create more value for customers, how do we improve our service levels, how do we enhance our products? We’ve taken very little price [increases] this year to try to keep our cars as competitive as possible. So, it’s been a big effort,” Kirby said.
Year to date at the end of September 2026, Toyota SA Motors has registered 113 975 units, putting it well ahead of the 2nd-placed Suzuki Auto SA (53 784 units). For the record, 2025 saw Toyota rank 1st in SA for the 46th consecutive year, reaching a total of 148 122 units. And, based on its current trajectory, the company appears well on track to eclipse that figure in 2026.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Q: What record did Toyota South Africa Motors set in September 2026?
A: Toyota South Africa Motors recorded its highest-ever single-month sales tally of 15 366 units in September 2026, capturing a 24.9% share of the total local automotive market.
Q: Which models were Toyota’s best-sellers in South Africa during September 2026?
A: The locally built Hilux led the sales charge with 3 769 units, followed by the Corolla Cross (1 964 units), Starlet (1 573 units), Starlet Cross (1 478 units) and Urban Cruiser (1 328 units).
Q: What is Toyota SA’s total year-to-date sales figure at the end of Q3 2026?
A: By the end of September 2026, Toyota South Africa Motors registered a total of 113 975 units year-to-date, positioning the brand well ahead of its nearest competitor, Suzuki Auto SA.
Related content
Toyota SA confirms ‘exciting’ new Hilux GR-Sport
Ryan Bubear
Having written about everything from sport and politics to crime, Ryan eventually settled on motoring. For well over 15 years, he's been penning articles – both online and in print – about the broader automotive industry, though he's particularly fascinated by vehicle-sales statistics. A freelance writer and editor, Ryan has owned a 1971 Austin Mini Mk3 for 20-plus years.
