New vehicle sales remain in the red as offset in September drops

The downward trajectory in the country’s new vehicle sales continued for a second consecutive month in September, albeit slightly better than the almost five percent drop in August.

Suzuki and Hyundai Exter surprise

Having seen its sales decrease to just over 2 500 units in August, the Toyota Hilux saw its figures for September increase to 2 942, but this time ahead of the 2 407 recorded by the Volkswagen Polo Vivo.

Dropping a notch to third, the Ford Ranger posted sales of 2 382, while the Toyota Corolla Cross jumped a position to fourth with 2 045 – the only other vehicle to breach the 2 000 mark.

Completing the top five, the Isuzu D-Max raked in 1 592 signatures to finish ahead of the Hyundai Grand i10 that kept station in sixth place on 1 126 as the country’s best-selling non-locally produced vehicle.

In completing a still locally-made dominating top 10, the Toyota Fortuner amassed sales of 1 086 as the only other vehicle to post four figure digits.

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Improving two positions to eighth place despite dipping below 1 000 units, the Chery Tiggo 4 Pro pipped the Volkswagen Polo with sales of 990 versus 948, with the Nissan Magnite completing the top 10 on 869.

Below, the Suzuki Fronx made for the biggest surprise by outscoring its Toyota Starlet Cross sibling on 850 versus 713 in a reversal of August.

The same also applied to the Baleno, which recorded its biggest offset in recent months at 752, while the conventional Starlet managed 626.

Although launched late last month, the Hyundai Exter made for the biggest surprise by placing 22^nd on 453, with other noteworthy performances being the facelift Volkswagen T-Cross’ 409 and the Omoda C5’s 325.

Month in detail

Despite the ongoing reductions in the fuel price and a first interest rate cut since the pandemic, the figures by the National Association of Automobile Manufacturers (Naamsa) showed a decrease of 4.1% from 2023’s 45 970 to 44 081.

The various segments were, however, mixed, with new passenger vehicle sales improving by two percent from 29 626 to 30 218, while light commercial vehicles went the other way by shedding a substantial 17.1% from 13 171 to 10 914.

Following the same pattern, medium-duty commercial vehicles improved by a scant 0.5% from 817 to 821 units, while heavy-duty commercials lost 18% to settle at 1 849 compared to 2023’s 2 163.

Taking the brunt of the month though was exports, which nosedived by 38.1% from 35 499 to 21 964.

Naamsa still positive

“Although the July 2024 market rally did not continue in August, the passenger car segment has shown a positive trend in recent months, boosted by rental sales, currency strength, and decreasing inflation,” Naamsa said in a statement.

“As the country anticipates further interest rate reductions, the costs of borrowing are expected to decline, which may stimulate economic activity, even though immediate improvements in vehicle affordability may be limited.

“Since the decline in new vehicle sales began in August 2023, expectations are rising that the new vehicle market could see improvement for the remainder of the year due to favourable economic conditions and the comparison to last year’s lower base levels”.

Top 10 brands

Out of the country’s 10 best-selling brands, the top three remained unchanged, with Toyota’s 10 890 seeing it above Volkswagen’s 5 885 and Suzuki’s 5 023.

Helped in part by the Exter, Hyundai jumped a position to fourth on 2 841 at the expense of Ford’s 2 823.

While Isuzu kept its sixth place with sales of 1 960, Great Wall Motors (GWM) rose two positions to settle in seventh on 1 740.

In doing so, it leapfrogged arch-Chinese rival Chery, whose 1 614 saw it drop a single place to eighth.

Completing the top 10 were alliance partners Renault and Nissan with respective figures of 1 426 and 1 425.

September top 50 best-selling cars

1. Toyota Hilux – 2 942
2. Volkswagen Polo Vivo – 2 407
3. Ford Ranger – 2 382
4. Toyota Corolla Cross – 2 045
5. Isuzu D-Max – 1 592
6. Hyundai Grand i10 – 1 126
7. Toyota Fortuner – 1 086
8. Chery Tiggo 4 Pro – 990
9. Volkswagen Polo – 948
10. Nissan Magnite – 869
11. Suzuki Fronx – 850
12. Toyota Vitz – 814
13. GWM Haval Jolion – 812
14. Mahindra Pik Up – 782
15. Renault Kwid – 776
16. Suzuki Baleno – 752
17. Suzuki Ertiga – 717
18. Toyota Starlet Cross – 713
19. Kia Sonet – 710
20. Toyota Starlet – 626
21. Suzuki Swift – 539
22. Hyundai Exter – 453
23. Nissan Navara – 451
24. Chery Tiggo 7 Pro – 450
25. Toyota Urban Cruiser – 441
26. Toyota HiAce – 423
27. Toyota Corolla Quest – 416
28. Suzuki Ciaz – 410
29. Volkswagen T-Cross – 409
30. Suzuki DZire – 399
31. GWM Haval H6 – 387
32. Hyundai Venue – 381
33. Renault Kiger – 356
34. GWM P-Series – 350
35. Omoda C5 – 328
36. Suzuki S-Presso – 325
37. Volkswagen Amarok – 325
38. Volkswagen Polo Sedan – 310
39. Hyundai i20 – 303
40. Toyota Rumion – 298
41. Volkswagen Transporter – 298
42. Suzuki Jimny – 266
43. Renault Triber – 265
44. Volkswagen Tiguan – 256
45. Kia Pegas – 231
46. Suzuki Grand Vitara – 217
47. Suzuki Eeco – 215
48. BMW X1 – 211
49. Ford Territory – 208
50. Toyota Land Cruiser 70-series – 187

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