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

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.