Best Selling Cars – Matt's blog

Ford Ranger

* See the Top 80 best-selling models by clicking on the title! *

The South African car market is up a healthy 10% year-on-year in April to 42,617 units, bringing the year-to-date total to 199,360 registrations, up 7% on 2011. The Toyota Hilux is the best-selling vehicle in the country for the third month in a row with 2,741 sales and 6.4% share, reinforcing its year-to-date advantage at 12,088 units and 6.1%. In fact the podium is unchanged for the third consecutive time and also identical to the Full Year 2011 and year-to-date 2012 rankings with the VW Polo Vivo at #2 and 5.3% share and the VW Polo #3 at 4.1%.

Range Rover Evoque

Below the Chevrolet Utility in great shape at #4, the Nissan NP200 (aka Dacia Logan pick-up) is stuck at its highest ever ranking in 5th place, having now reached that position 3 times along with January and March 2012. The locally produced Ford Ranger new generation confirms it is now a force to be reckoned with in the South African Top 10, ranking #6 again with 1,322 sales and 3.1%, this time only 58 units away from #4. The other two noticeable performances this month are the Range Rover Evoque up 22 spots on March to reach a best-ever 32nd place and the Jeep Grand Cherokee up to #41.

Previous month: South Africa March 2012: Ford Ranger shoots up to #6!

One year ago: South Africa April 2011: Toyota Hilux, VW Polo and Vivo on top

Full April 2012 Top 80 Ranking Table below.

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Ford Ranger

* See the Top 50 best-selling models by clicking on the title! *

Car sales in South Africa are up 5% year-on-year in March to 56,110 units, bringing the year-to-date total to 156,701 registrations, up 6% on 2011. Like last month and over the Full Year 2011, the Toyota Hilux is the best-selling vehicle in South Africa with 3,189 sales and 5.7%, ahead of the VW Polo Vivo at 5.1% and the VW Polo at 4.2%, making the podium identical to 2011′s and the 2012 year-to-date ranking.

Nissan NP200

The Toyota Corolla/Auris is back up to its traditional 4th place, followed by the Nissan NP200 (aka Dacia Logan Pick-up) equalling the best-ever position in the country (and in the world) it had reached last January at #5 and 1,829 units. The best performer this month is without doubt the locally-produced new generation Ford Ranger, up a massive 18 spots to land in 6th position with 1,753 sales and 3.1%. It is now #12 year-to-date vs. #21 in 2011.

Previous month: South Africa February 2012: Toyota Hilux on top, VW Amarok up

One year ago: South Africa March 2011: Hilux leads, Nissan NP200 in Top 10

Full March 2012 Top 50 Ranking Table below.

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Toyota Hilux

* See the Top 50 best-selling models by clicking on the title! *

The South African car market is up 6% year-on-year in February at 52,359 registrations, bringing the year-to-date total to 100,610 units, also up 6%. The Toyota Hilux, #1 in 2011 but down to #2 in January, is back on top this month with 3,384 sales and 6.5% share, ahead of the VW Polo Vivo (5.1%) and Polo (4.7%), making the February podium identical to the Full Year 2011 and 2012 year-to-date rankings.

VW Amarok

The Chevrolet Utility is strong at #4, so is the Nissan NP200 (aka Dacia Logan Pick-up) at #6 and the Toyota Fortuner at #10. The VW Amarok hits its highest ranking ever in South Africa at #11 with 1.6% share, the Chevrolet Sonic breaks into the South African Top 20 for the first time at #20 with 521 sales and 1%. Notice also the excellent hold of the Range Rover Evoque at #41.

Previous month: South Africa January 2012: Nissan NP200 and Juke at their best 

One year ago: South Africa February 2011: Hilux back on top, Polo Vivo #2

Full February 2012 Top 50 Ranking Table below.

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Nissan Juke

* See the Top 80 best-selling models by clicking on the title! *

Car sales in South Africa are up 7% year-on-year in January at 48,251 registrations. For the first time since September last year, the VW Polo Vivo reclaims the pole position with 2,964 sales and 6.1%, ahead of the Toyota Hilux at 2,774 units and 5.7% and the VW Polo with 2,644 sales and 5.5%. The Toyota Corolla/Auris is back to its traditional 4th place at 1,598 units and 3.3%.

Nissan NP200

Excellent month for the Nissan NP200 (aka Dacia Logan pick-up) up to a best-ever 5th position with 1,506 sales and 3.1% and the VW Golf is up 8 spots on December to #12, its best ranking in over 18 months. For only its 4th month on sale in the country, the Nissan Juke is up to a fantastic 14th place with 602 sales and 1.2% share.

Another very successful new model in South Africa is the Chevrolet Sonic, up 46 spots on December and already #27 for its first full month of sales at 431 units and 0.9%. Check out a fantastic video clip featuring the Chevrolet Sonic above.

Previous post: South Africa Full Year 2011: Toyota Hilux edges VW Polo Vivo out

One year ago: South Africa January 2011: VW Polo Vivo back to #1, Ford Figo #4

Full January 2012 Top 80 Ranking Table below.

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Toyota Hilux

* NOW UPDATED with the Top 110 best-selling models! Click on title to see - Thanks Vic *

The South African car market is up 11% in December at 43,790 registrations, bringing the final 2011 total to 570,012 units, up a robust 16% on 2010. The Toyota Hilux is the best-selling vehicle in South Africa in 2011 with 37,876 sales and 6.6% and can thank the arrival of the new generation late in the year for its crown. Up until November the VW Polo Vivo led the market but is #2 over the full year at 35,237 units and 6.2%.

VW Polo Vivo

Regular on the podium throughout the year, the VW Polo claims a well deserved 3rd position in 2011 with 24,504 sales and 4.3%, ahead of the Toyota Corolla/Auris at 19,181 units, the Opel Corsa Utility at 17,743, the Ford Figo at 15,366 and the Mercedes C-Class at an estimated 14,130 sales.

Nissan NP200

Below the Isuzu KB at #8, the Nissan NP200 (aka Dacia Logan pick-up) makes its first appearance in the year-end South African Top 10 at #9 with 12,301 units and 2.2%. The locally produced BMW 3 Series rounds up the Top 10 with 11,702 sales. Further down the ranking, notice the VW Golf at #19, the Renault Sandero at #20, the VW Amarok at #23 and the BMW 1 Series at #30.

Range Rover Evoque

In December, the Toyota Hilux improves further to 3,929 sales and 9% market share, its highest in at least 7 years, the Nissan Juke stays strong at #21 and 1.1%, the Range Rover Evoque breaks into the monthly Top 40 for the first time at an excellent 32nd place with 256 units and 0.6% and the Chevrolet Sonic lands at #73 with 84 sales.

Previous month: South Africa November 2011: Toyota Hilux like a rocket

Previous year: South Africa December 2010: Toyota Corolla #2, Nissan NP200 #11

Full Year 2011 Top 110 and December 2011 Top 80 Ranking Tables below.

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Toyota Hilux

* See the Top 80 best-selling models by clicking on the title! *

At 49,499 registrations, the South African car market is up another 11% year-on-year in November and 16% year-to-date with 526,223 units. Thanks to its facelift, the Toyota Hilux reclaims market leadership both this month and year-to-date. Its 4,335 sales and 8.8% share in November are the best monthly figures the nameplate has delivered in recent memory, at least in the last 7 years I’ve been following South African sales. It could also be the highest monthly volume ever achieved by any model in Africa – please confirm if you have that info.

This performance enables the Hilux to lead year-to-date at 33,947 sales and 6.5%, passing the VW Polo Vivo at 32,177 units and 6.1%. The VW Polo is faithful to its 3rd position both this month (3.7%) and year-to-date (4.3%), same goes for the Toyota Corolla/Auris at #4 and the Opel Corsa Utility at #5. Excellent month for the facelifted Toyota Fortuner, up 6 spots to #6 with 1,222 sales and for the Toyota Quantum, up 4 ranks to #7.

The Nissan Micra is up 10 spots to #17, the Nissan Juke breaks into the Top 20 for the first time at its 2nd month of sales in the country, ranking #19 with 526 sales and 1.1% share, the Toyota FJ Cruiser continues to progress, up to #33 with 306 units and the Range Rover Evoque stays in the Top 50 at #48.

Previous month: South Africa October 2011 Nissan Juke lands directly at #24

Full November 2011 Top 80 Ranking Table below.

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Nissan Juke

* See the Top 80 best-selling models by clicking on this article’s title or ‘Read more”! *

South African car sales continue to impress, up 19% year-on-year in October with 52,338 registrations, and up 16% year-to-date at 476,736 units. For the first time since May, the Toyota Hilux is the best-selling vehicle in the country, possibly boosted by the arrival of the facelifted version in dealerships. It sells 3,486 units in October for a 6.7% market share but is still #2 year-to-date at 29,612 units, below the VW Polo Vivo at 29,907 sales.

The VW Polo new generation stays solid at #3 with 2,337 units and 4.5%, followed by the Toyota Corolla/Auris at 3.5%. The BMW 3 Series shines, up 4 spots on September to #6 with 1,402 sales and 2.7% while the Chevrolet Aveo is up 3 spots to #8. Two newcomers make themselves noticed this month: the Nissan Juke lands directly at #24 for its very first month of sales in South Africa at 457 units and 0.9% share, while the Range Rover Evoque is also an instant hit, starting in South African career at #44 with 205 sales and 0.4%.

The Toyota FJ Cruiser confirms its place within the Top 40 at #34 with 301 sales, up 5 spots on September, the Nissan Tiida is up 10 spots on September at #23, the VW Jetta is up 11 spots at #25 and the Nissan Livina is up 11 ranks to #35.

Previous month: South Africa September 2011 VW Polo Vivo and Mercedes C Class shine

Full October 2011 Top 80 Ranking Table below.

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Mercedes C Class

* See the Top 80 best-selling models by clicking on ‘Read more’ at end of post! *

The South African car market is up a huge 30% year-on-year in September at 54,364 registrations and 16% year-to-date at 424,405 units. The VW Polo Vivo is the best-selling model in the country for the 4th month in a row with 3,679 sales and 6.8% share, just above the Toyota Hilux at 3,521 units and 6.5%.

The Polo Vivo is in the pole position year-to-date too but with 26,543 sales (6.3%) it only has a slim advantage over the Hilux at 26,126 (6.2%). The VW Polo and Toyota Corolla/Auris follow in both rankings, while the locally produced Mercedes C Class hits its best position this year at #5 with 1,612 sales and 3% share.

Toyota FJ Cruiser

Toyota looks like it’s got another hit on its hands: the FJ Cruiser is up 22 spots on August for its second month of sales in South Africa to reach an excellent 39th spot with 223 sales and 0.4%.

Previous month: see the South African August 2011 Top 75 best-selling models here.

Full September 2011 Top 80 Ranking Table below.

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The Datsun Stanza was #1 in South Africa in 1980

* Click on ‘Read more’ at end of post for the links to 5 new posts! *

Thanks to Miguel, I am now able to shed some light on the South African car market between 1973 and 2000 with selected years’ Top 10 best-selling models now available.

After the Chrysler Valiant in 1973, Japanese cars took ownership of the ranking, with the Datsun Stanza Number 1 in 1980 and the Toyota Corolla in 1984. The Corolla may have kept the pole position for a full 20 years, however I don’t have data for each year over the period so cannot confirm this (if you do please get in touch!).

Other successful models in South Africa over the period include the Toyota Cressida, Chevrolet Chevair, BMW 3 Series, Mazda 323, Honda Ballade, VW Golf, Toyota Conquest and Ford Tracer.

Direct links to these 5 new posts: see ‘Read more’ below the Corolla pic.

The Toyota Corolla may have been South Africa’s best-seller from 1984 to 2005

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VW Polo Vivo

* See the Top 75 best-selling models by clicking on ‘Read more’ at end of post! *

South African car sales are up 11% in August at 51,315 registrations and 14% year-to-date at 369,947 units. The VW Polo Vivo leads the models ranking for the third consecutive month with 3,322 sales and 6.5% share, and is now also #1 year-to-date at 22,864 units and 6.2%.

The Toyota Hilux follows at 5.7% in August and 6.1% year-to-date, and the VW Polo new generation is also stable in 3rd position with 4.6% and 4.2% year-to-date. The Ford Figo has its best month since January in 4th place with 1,820 sales and 3.5% share while the Toyota Fortuner is at its best in over a year at #5 with 1,737 units and 3.4%.

Jeep Compass

Further down the ranking, notice the Jeep Compass up to #41 and the Chevrolet Orlando up to #47, both for their 2nd month, the Toyota FJ Cruiser landing directly at #61 with 125 sales for its first month and the Porsche Cayenne above 100 monthly sales for the first time in 2011 at #71 with 107 units.

Previous month: see the July 2011 South African Top 50 best-selling models here.

Full August 2011 Top 75 Ranking Table below.

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