The rental industry helped drive SA’s best new-vehicle sales month in almost 6 years. These were the most popular cars with the local rental-fleet buyers in July 2025…
In July 2025, South Africa’s new-vehicle market increased 15.6% year on year to 51 383 units, the industry’s highest sales total since October 2019. Interestingly, the rental market played a significant role in what turned out to be a massive sales month.
As many as 5 701 units (or a considerable 11.1%) of July 2025’s total reported domestic figure represented sales via the rental channel, with that share increasing to a heady 14.0% (or 5 067 units out of 36 248 units) when we drill down to the passenger-vehicle segment. So, which vehicles proved most popular with local rental-fleet buyers last month?
Well, we’ve rummaged through Naamsa’s sales statistics and identified the 10 best-selling vehicles to rental companies for July. Interestingly, Toyota accounted for half of the vehicles in the top 10, with the remainder shared among 5 other manufacturers. The top 10 comprised 4 models built in SA, along with 6 imported from India.
Considering its overall dominance of the market, it’s perhaps no surprise Toyota was the automaker with the most sales through the rental channel in July, with 1 972 units registered. Suzuki (1 168 units) was 2nd most popular with rental-fleet buyers, followed by the Volkswagen Group (956 units) and Kia (460 units).
In the end, the Volkswagen Polo Vivo was the best-selling vehicle to the rental industry in July 2025, with as many as 647 units sold via this channel. For the record, that translates to 26.9% of the Kariega-built hatchback’s overall total of 2 409 units (the latter seeing it rank as the SA’s top-selling passenger car last month).
However, the Suzuki Swift wasn’t far behind in 2nd, with 615 units (or 32.9% of 1 872 units) registered in the rental space in July. The likewise Indian-built Toyota Starlet rounded out the top 3, finishing on 438 units (33.1% of its 1 322-unit total).
The Prospecton-made Toyota Hilux – SA’s best-selling vehicle overall last month – was the 4th most popular vehicle with rental-fleet buyers in July, with 395 units (12.7% of 3 120 units) sold. However, the vehicle on this list that relied most heavily on rental sales was the likewise locally built Toyota Fortuner, with its 353-unit haul translating to 35.9% of its overall figure (984 units).
The Toyota Corolla Cross (248 units or 12.7% of 1 949 units) and Toyota Urban Cruiser (236 units or 34.9% of 677 units) placed 6th and 7th, respectively, seeing the Japanese brand dominate the middle of the table.
Meanwhile, the Kia Sonet claimed 8th place with 235 units (21.4% of 1 099 units), finishing just ahead of the Hyundai Grand i10 with 233 units (16.8% of 1 392 units). Finally, the Nissan Magnite closed out the table, with 230 units (30.5% of 754 units) sold via the rental channel in July 2025.
10 best-selling vehicles to SA’s rental industry in July 2025
1. Volkswagen Polo Vivo – 647 units (26.9% of 2 409 units)
2. Suzuki Swift – 615 units (32.9% of 1 872 units)
3. Toyota Starlet – 438 units (33.1% of 1 322 units)
4. Toyota Hilux – 395 units (12.7% of 3 120 units)
5. Toyota Fortuner – 353 units (35.9% of 984 units)
6. Toyota Corolla Cross – 248 units (12.7% of 1 949 units)
7. Toyota Urban Cruiser – 236 units (34.9% of 677 units)
8. Kia Sonet – 235 units (21.4% of 1 099 units)
9. Hyundai Grand i10 – 233 units (16.8% of 1 392 units)
10. Nissan Magnite – 230 units (30.5% of 754 units)
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