South Africa June 2014: VW Polo takes the lead for the first time

VW Polo

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

The South African new car market continues to slide in June at -1% to 52,837 registrations which brings the half-year total to 308,573 units, down 4% on 2013. Manufacturer-wise, Toyota is ahead with 9825 units, followed by Volkswagen at 9,020, Ford-Mazda at 6,110, General Motors-Isuzu at 5,491, Hyundai-Kia at 4,906 and Nissan at 3,943. But the big event lies in the models sales charts this month: for the first time in history, the VW Polo (new generation) is the most popular vehicle in the country thanks to 2,994 sales and 5.7% share, a 55 unit-advantage over the Toyota Hilux at #2. The Polo had ranked 2nd numerous times but had never been able to top the charts before, traditionally outsold by the previous generation model still on sale in South Africa in a facelifted variant and sold as the Polo Vivo (#3 this month at 5% share).

The locally produced Mercedes C-Class is up to #8 in South Africa this month.

Apart from this momentous change, the rest of the Top 7 is identical to May but the Mercedes C-Class surges 4 spots to 8th position with 1,421 sales and 2.7% share, a full percentage point above its year-to-date level. Notice also the Toyota Corolla solid at #5 and 4% share vs. 2.9% year-to-date and now #6, the Nissan Qashqai up a further 3 ranks to #21 vs. #33 so far this year, the Jeep Compass up to #34 and the Honda Ballade (aka City) up to #36.

Previous month: South Africa May 2014: Toyota Corolla and Renault Sandero up

One year ago: South Africa June 2013: VW Polo Vivo back in charge

Full June 2014 Top 50 models Ranking Table below.