April new vehicles ends on a high for Suzuki and Chery

South Africa’s new vehicle sales experienced yet another topsy-turvy month in April with its first increase in eight months, characterised by numerous shakes-ups within the top 10 brands and vehicles.

Evenly spread top 10

In a month which saw individual sales dip below 3 000 units for the first time since January, the Toyota Hilux kept is position as the country’s best-selling model, but by a scant 21 units from a resurgent Ford Ranger that finished second with 2 073 versus 2 094.

Ranking third, the Volkswagen Polo Vivo also only just edged out the Suzuki Swift with respective sales of 1 766 and 1 725.

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Dropping one position from fourth in March, the Toyota Corolla Cross completed the top five with sales of 1 573, followed by the Isuzu D-Max (1 202), Toyota Starlet (1 148) and the Chery Tiggo 4 Pro (976).

Completing an evenly split top 10 of locally assembled and imported vehicles was the Hyundai Grand i10 with 876 units and the Nissan Magnite with 849.

Month in detail

Announcing the first month of sales ending in the black since July last year, the uptake recorded by the National Association of Automobile Manufacturers of South Africa (Naamsa) registered 2.2% from April 2023’s 37 358 to 38 172 units.

In the various segments, a largely positive picture prevailed with passenger vehicle sales increasing by 6.1% to 25 972 from 24 479, while light commercials went the other way by shedding nine percent from 10 599 to 9 646.

Ending the month positively were medium and heavy-duty commercial vehicles – the former by 5.9% from 557 to 590, and the latter by 14% from 1 723 to 1 964.

Continuing on its downwards trend for the third time this year though, and second month in a row, vehicle exports ended 23.9% in the red for a total of 23 394 versus April last year’s 30 749.

Naamsa reaction

Despite welcoming the upturn, Naamsa stated that prevailing factors such as high interest rates, slow economic growth economy and lack of disposable income would continue to see more and more consumers gravitate towards smaller and most affordable vehicles.

“As increases in interest rates changed the affordability model for consumers, downsizing purchases remained a significant factor linked to consumers being more selective and financially conscious in their vehicle choices,” the association said.

“Intelligent demand along with digital knowledge are progressively reshaping the new vehicle buying journey.”

It, however, remained optimistic, saying, “after the upcoming 29 May national elections and once the interest rate cutting cycle commences, likely during the second half of the year, prospects for the new vehicle market are anticipated to improve”.

Suzuki and Chery surprise

In a similar shake-up to the 10 top-selling vehicles, April saw Suzuki officially move past Volkswagen to become the country’s second best-selling brand after Toyota.

While the latter kept station in top spot with sales of 8 541 units, Hamamatsu’s 4 891 saw it leapfrog Wolfsburg by 133 units sold.

After finishing seventh in March, Ford improved to fourth in April with sales of 2 614, with Hyundai also jumping a place to fifth on 2 134.

Providing the second biggest surprise was Chery, whose sales eclipsed the 2 000 mark for the first with a total of 2 009.

Worth noting though is that the Chinese brand’s total includes affiliates Omoda and Jaecoo similar to Toyota’s inclusion of Lexus and Volkswagen of Audi.

Completing the top 10 was Isuzu on 1 540, followed by Great Wall Motors (GWM) on 1 493, Nissan with 1 443 and finally Renault on 1 307.

April top 50 best-selling cars

1. Toyota Hilux – 2 094
2. Ford Ranger – 2 073
3. Volkswagen Polo Vivo – 1 766
4. Suzuki Swift – 1 725
5. Toyota Corolla Cross – 1 573
6. Isuzu D-Max – 1 202
7. Toyota Starlet – 1 148
8. Chery Tiggo 4 Pro – 976
9. Hyundai Grand i10 – 876
10. Nissan Magnite – 849
11. Volkswagen Polo – 822
12. Suzuki Baleno – 659
13. Haval Jolion – 620
14. Toyota Fortuner – 616
15. Mahindra Pik Up – 604
16. Toyota HiAce – 567
17. Toyota Vitz – 529
18. Renault Triber – 477
19. Hyundai i20 – 469
20. Chery Tiggo 7 Pro – 440
21. Volkswagen T-Cross – 439
22. Toyota Land Cruiser 70-series – 422
23. Renault Kiger – 417
24. Volkswagen Amarok – 376
25. GWM P-Series – 368
26. Haval H6 – 368
27. Renault Kwid – 359
28. Toyota Urban Cruiser – 349
29. Suzuki Grand Vitara – 348
30. Suzuki S-Presso – 335
31. Kia Sonet – 325
32. Toyota Rumion – 328
33. Suzuki Jimny – 322
34. Suzuki Ertiga- 312
35. Nissan Navara – 303
36. Hyundai Venue – 266
37. Nissan NP200 – 258
38. Omoda C5 – 257
39. Ford Everest – 240
40. Volkswagen Polo Sedan – 240
41. Suzuki Fronx – 224
42. Kia Seltos – 204
43. Suzuki Eeco – 204
44. Chery Tiggo 8 Pro – 188
45. Suzuki Celerio – 188
46. Citroën C3 – 183
47. Hyundai H100 – 181
48. Beijing X55 – 169
49. Kia Picanto – 160
50. Jaecoo J7 – 148

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