Suzuki Swift only just missed out on finishing on the last step of the podium in April. Image: Suzuki
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.
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.
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.
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”.
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.
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