South Africa April 2016: Toyota Hilux reclaims YTD lead

The Toyota Hilux is back ahead in the race to #1 in South Africa.

* See the Top 33 manufacturers and Top 275 All-models by clicking on the title *

The South African new vehicle market is down 9% year-on-year in April to 40.390 units, pulling the year-to-date total down 10% to 184.627. Passenger cars freefall down 13% to 26.077 units whereas light commercials (mainly pickups) are stable at 12.192. In contrast exports are up a whopping 39% to 32.856. Toyota consolidates its position as the most popular manufacturer in the country thanks to sales up a brilliant 11% year-on-year to 8.791 units and 21.8% share, distancing the Volkswagen Group at 15.5% (-13%) and Ford at 13.6% (-16%). General Motors (-24%), Nissan (-30%) and BMW (-23%) suffer whereas Renault (+32%) and Mazda (+96%) post spectacular gains.

The new generation pushes the Opel Astra into the Top 50. 

In the models ranking, the Toyota Hilux posts a fantastic 53% year-on-year improvement to 3.221 sales and 8% share vs. 2.413 and 6% (-22%) for its archenemy the Ford Ranger. That’s enough for the Hilux to reclaims the year-to-date lead at 11.526 units (+1%) vs. 10.535 for the Ranger (-10%). The VW Polo Vivo is in great shape at +12% in third place, distancing the VW Polo (-22%) and a Toyota Quantum in euphoric spirits (+149%). Further down, the Ford Ecosport (+13%) gains two spots to #8, the Toyota Fortuner (+73%) comes back to life with the new model at #10, the Mazda CX-3 is up 27 ranks on March to a best-ever #36 and the Opel Astra up 5-fold on April 2015 with the new generation to break into the Top 50 at #47. Finally, the Renault Kadjar lands directly at #65 with 138 units sold for its first appearance in the South African ranking.

Previous month: South Africa March 2016: Toyota Hilux reclaims top spot

One year ago: South Africa April 2015: Ford Ranger takes control

Full April 2016 Top 33 manufacturers and Top 275 All-models below.