Best Selling Cars – Matt's blog

VW Polo Vivo

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

New car sales in South Africa slow down their growth in September, up ‘only’ 1% year-on-year to 55,097 registrations, bringing the year-to-date total to 466,918 units, up a still very respectable 10% on 2011. Big event atop the models ranking: thanks to another very strong month at #1 with 3,386 sales and 6.1% share (its third time in a row in pole position and the 5th time this year), the VW Polo Vivo passes the Toyota Hilux to become South Africa’s best-selling model in the 2012 year-to-date ranking at 26,688 units and 5.7% vs. 26,304 and 5.6% for the Toyota. The VW Polo new generation is stable in third place with 4.3% in September and 4.5% year-to-date.

Toyota Etios

The Toyota Etios confirms it is here to stay in the South African Top 10. After dipping slightly to #6 last month, it is back up to a best-ever 4th spot, a position it has held 3 times in the last 4 months. The Etios sells 1,736 units for a 3.2% share and continues to deliver an almost perfect scoresheet since its launch in the country 4 months ago: #7 for its first month in May, #4 in June, July and September and #6 in August… It is now #12 year-to-date with 8,472 sales and 1.8% share.

Hyundai Elantra

Other great performers this month include the BMW 3 Series up to #9, the Chevrolet Spark up to #13, the Chevrolet Sonic up to #18, the Audi A4 up 12 spots to #17, the Nissan Tiida up 51 to #27 and the Mazda BT-50 up 16 to #35. However, remember than in South Africa neither Mercedes nor Hyundai communicate models splits and therefore don’t appear in the ranking. In the case of Hyundai, a few of its models should rank within the South African Top 10 as unofficial data places the brand #1 in the country!

Previous month: South Africa August 2012: VW Polo Vivo #1, threatens Toyota Hilux YTD

One year ago: South Africa September 2011: VW Polo Vivo and Mercedes C-Class shine

Full September 2012 Top 50 Ranking Table below.

Read more…

The VW Polo Vivo is a face lifted previous generation Polo

* See the Top 100 best-selling models by clicking on the title! *

The South African new car market is up a healthy 9% year-on-year in August to 56,253 registrations, bringing the year-to-date total to 411,804 units, up 11% on 2011. #1 for the second month in a row and for the 4th time this year with 3,714 sales and 6.6%, the VW Polo Vivo is now threatening the Toyota Hilux in the 2012 year-to-date ranking with 23,302 units and 5.7% vs. 23,491 for the Hilux. The next couple of months will decide which model will finish the year in pole position.

Toyota 86

Below the VW Polo immovable at #3, the Toyota Corolla/Auris is up 3 spots on July to #4 with a very solid 1,911 sales and 3.4% while the Nissan NP200 (aka Dacia Logan Pick-up) is also up 3 ranks to #5 with 1,652 units and 2.9%. After ranking #4 for the last two months, the Toyota Etios is down to a still very respectable #6 with 1,563 sales and 2.8%. Other great performers this month include the Chevrolet Spark up 5 spots to #15, the Nissan Micra up 17 to #16 and the Toyota 86 up to a fantastic #40 with 216 units sold for its 2nd month of sales.

Previous month: South Africa July 2012: Toyota Etios stays #4

One year ago: South Africa August 2011: VW Polo Vivo now #1 year-to-date

Full August 2012 Top 50 Ranking Table below.

Read more…

 Toyota Etios

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

Another very strong month for new car sales in South Africa, up 18% year-on-year in July to 54,067 registrations. This means the year-to-date total is up 12% on 2011 to 355,541 sales. The VW Polo Vivo takes the advantage over the Toyota Hilux this month with 3,449 sales and 6.4% share vs. 2,781 and 5.1%. Overall the Polo Vivo has finished first 3 times this year vs. 4 for the Hilux which still leads year-to-date at 20,549 units and 5.8% vs. 19,588 and 5.5%. In the meantime the VW New Polo is faithful to the third place with 2,459 sales and 4.5%.

VW Polo Vivo

After ranking #7 for its very first month in May and #4 in June, the Toyota Etios confirms it is a new force to be reckoned with in South Africa, ranking 4th again in July with 1,753 units and 3.2%. It is now #13 year-to-date at 5,173 units and 1.5%. The Ford Ranger is up to #6 while the Toyota Corolla/Auris is back to its traditional level at #7, up 6 spots on June. Other great performers include the Chevrolet Cruze up to #15, the Nissan Tiida up to #26, the Range Rover Evoque up to #38 and the Indians Tata Indica/Indigo at #45 (+20) and Mahindra Scorpio at #48.

Previous month: South Africa June 2012: Toyota Etios up to #4!

One year ago: South Africa July 2011: VW Polo Vivo #1, teases Toyota Hilux year-to-date

Full July 2012 Top 50 Ranking Table below.

Read more…

Toyota Etios

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

The South African car market continues all guns blazing, up 16% year-on-year in June to 51,891 registrations, bringing the year-to-date total to 301,499 units, up 10% on 2011. The Toyota Hilux is back in the top spot for the 4th time this year with 3,067 sales and 5.9% share, identical to its 2012 year-to-date share at 17,768 units. The VW Polo Vivo is back down to #2 with 2,633 sales and 5.1% ahead of the VW New Polo at 2,326 units and 4.5%.

But the big event is in fourth place: after landing directly at a brilliant #7 last month for its first month of sales in the country, the Toyota Etios improves further and lodges a very impressive 2,105 sales for a 4.1% market share in June, more than double the next best-selling Toyota passenger car – the Corolla/Auris at 992 units and #13. The Etios has truly found its market in South Africa and could aim at a podium spot as early as next month…

Chevrolet Sonic

Other great performers this month include the BMW 3 Series up 3 spots to #9, the Renault Sandero up 4 to #15, the BMW 1 Series up 2 to #16, the VW Amarok up 14 to #17, the Chevrolet Sonic breaking into the South African Top 20 for the very first time at #18, the Nissan Tiida up 47 ranks to #28 and the Mini up to #36.

Previous month: South Africa May 2012: Toyota Etios lands directly at #7!

One year ago: South Africa June 2011: VW Polo Vivo reclaims top spot

Full June 2012 Top 50 Ranking Table below.

Read more…

Toyota Etios Liva

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

New car sales in South Africa are up a brilliant 21% year-on-year in May to 50,228 registrations, bringing the year-to-date total to 249,582 units, up 10% on 2011. After 3 consecutive months in pole position, the Toyota Hilux is passed by the VW Polo Vivo this month, leading for the first time since last January with 2,789 sales and 5.6%. The Hilux is still #1 year-to-date at 14,701 units and 5.9% vs. 13,506 and 5.4% for the Polo Vivo. Like in 2011 and 2012 year-to-date the VW Polo rounds up the podium this month with 2,343 sales and 4.7%.

Toyota Etios

The Chevrolet Utiliy and Nissan NP200 are anchored in 4th and 5th positions while the Ford Ranger is 6th for the third consecutive month thanks to 1,593 sales at 3.2%. But the big event in May in South Africa is the amazing arrival directly in 7th place for its first month of sales in the country of the Toyota Etios with 1,315 units and 2.6% share! In India where it was first built it took the Etios 8 months to first appear in the Top 10 but has done so right away in SA! It will also start selling in Brazil this September… As a result the Toyota Corolla/Auris takes a hit, down from #7 to #13…

Audi Q3

Other great performers include the VW Tiguan up 8 spots to #29, the Audi Q3 breaking into the South African Top 50 for the first time at #38, the Honda Civic up 18 ranks to #42, the Fiat Punto up 22 to #43, the Jeep Compass up 14 to #53 and the Honda CR-V up 21 to #54.

Previous month: South Africa April 2012: Hilux leads, Ford Ranger #6 again

One year ago: South Africa May 2011: Toyota Hilux and VW Polo Vivo fight it out

Full May 2012 Top 80 Ranking Table below.

Read more…

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.

Read more…

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.

Read more…

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.

Read more…

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.

Read more…

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.

Read more…