South Africa October 2013: Mercedes CLA at world best!

November 2, 2013
Matt Gasnier

Mercedes CLA

* See the Top 55 best-selling models by clicking on the title! *

New car sales in South Africa are down just 2% year-on-year in October to 56,927 registrations, bringing the year-to-date total to 547,218 units, up 4% on 2012. All in all, the recent industry strike action won’t have had a major impact on local sales, only on exports which are now on the way to recovery, down ‘only’ 15% year-on-year in October compared to a 75% drop last month. The Toyota Hilux consolidates its year-to-date pole position by selling 2,894 units for a 5.1% market share, adding up to 31,275 and 5.7% so far in 2013 vs. 29,765 and 5.4% for the VW Polo Vivo back up to #2 in October at 2,616 sales and 4.6%. For only the third time ever after October 2012 and February 2013, the Toyota Etios manages to climb on the South African podium at #3 with 2,392 units and 4.2% share. The Toyota Quantum also impresses, up 14 spots on September to a shiny 5th place.

Renault Duster

Further down, the Ford Ecosport drops 8 spots to a still respectable 21st position, the Nissan Almera is up one further rank to #25 with 481 sales and 0.8%, the Renault Duster shows its potential: it is up 30 spots for its second month in market to make its first appearance in the South African Top 50 directly at #27 with 442 units and 0.8%. But the most impressive performance inside the October Top 50 is delivered by the Mercedes CLA: going from 75 units in September (its first month in the ranking) to 413 and 0.7% share in October, earning it a spot in the Top 30 at #29. This makes South Africa the only country in the world where the Mercedes CLA has managed to break into the monthly Top 30!

Note Hyundai and Kia have started communicated model splits for South Africa, however only from January to April 2013. See here for more info.