South Africa Full Year 2015: Toyota Hilux holds off Ford Ranger threat

Ford Ranger sales are up 18% in South Africa in 2015. 

* See the Top 35 carmakers and Top 345 models by clicking on the title *

It’s a tough year in South Africa with new vehicle sales down for the second consecutive time at -4% to 617.927 registrations, handicapped by a slowdown in the domestic economy, higher interest rates and new car price inflation and despite higher incentives and a strong contribution by the car rental sector which accounted for an estimated 12.5% of new car sales during the year according to NAAMSA. The good news comes from vehicle exports reaching a new all-time high of 333.748 units, up a stunning 20.5% on 2014. 2016 is expected to be another declining year with NAAMSA predicting annual sales will plunge below the 600.000 mark for the first time since 2011 at 598.200, due to “expectations of sluggish economic growth of around 1% at best, a sharply lower value of the Rand translating into upward pressure in new vehicles price inflation, further increases in interest rates and administered prices (electricity, water, fuel) and the severe drought throughout the country also negatively affecting economic growth. Exports will continue to grow though.

The Toyota Hilux retains its South African crown in 2015 despite sales down 5%.

Evolving like the market at -4%, Toyota remains the most popular carmaker in the country with just under 20% share and 123.038 sales, above the Volkswagen Group (-9%), Ford (+5%), Hyundai-Kia (-15%) and General Motors-Isuzu (-5%). For the first time in the history of BSCB I can give you a complete models ranking for South Africa including Hyundai, Kia, Mercedes and Great Wall nameplates. The Toyota Hilux is the best-selling vehicle in the country for the third year running despite sales down 5% to 35.684 but the fight was intense with the Ford Ranger, #1 year-to-date from April to June and ending 2015 up 18% and two spots to 33.920 units at #2. The new generation Hilux is in South African dealerships from January 2016 and should help the nameplate stay on top.

The Mercedes C-Class is inside the South African Top 10 in 2015. 

The VW Polo Vivo (-9%) and Polo (-14%) both drop one spot, the Toyota Corolla/Auris/Quest remains in 5th place (+17%) while the Nissan NP200, Chevrolet Utility and Isuzu KB all gain one spot following the ‘demise’ of the Toyota Etios (-13%) now supported by the Aygo (#119). The Mercedes C-Class lodges a stunning Top 10 ranking, the Hyundai Grand i10 falls just short at #11, the Ford Ecosport is up 52% to #13 and the Datsun GO ends its first full year in market at a solid 24th position with 5.647 sales. The Renault Captur is the best-selling all-new nameplate, landing directly at an excellent #41, ahead of the VW Up (#47), Opel Mokka (#70) and Land Rover Discovery Sport (#97).

Previous month: South Africa November 2015 with All-models ranking (BSCB Exclusive)

Previous year: South Africa Full Year 2014: Hilux #1, Ranger and Corolla shine

Two years ago: South Africa Full Year 2013: Toyota Hilux leads, Etios up to #4

Full Year 2015 Top 35 carmakers and Top 345 models vs. 2014 figures below.

Full December 2015 Top 35 carmakers and Top 280 models below.