South Africa January 2017: Market up, VW Polo Vivo and Polo on top

The VW Polo Vivo is the best-selling vehicle in South Africa in January. 

* See the Top 33 All-manufacturers and Top 265 All-models by clicking on the title *

The South African new vehicle market start 2017 on the right foot: up 3.7% year-on-year in January to 50.333 units. According to NAAMSA, 35 379 units or 70.3% represent dealer sales, 23.8% are rental sales, 3.1% corporate fleets and 2.8% government sales. The new car market is up for the first time in 14 months at 36.794 (+4.7%) with car rental sales at a particularly strong 31.8% share, meanwhile light commercials are up 1.6% to 11.977. Toyota cements its status of most popular carmaker in the country with a 13% gain to 24.3% share this month, distancing Volkswagen Group at 16.8% (-3%), Ford at 13.2% (+2%) and Hyundai-Kia at 9.3% (+16%). Nissan (+19%), Renault (+16%), Mahindra (+57%) and Fiat (+107%) impress but Suzuki (-11%), General Motors/Isuzu (-13%) and Honda (-14%) struggle.

Toyota Fortuner sales are up 250% year-on-year this month to #8. 

In spite of deliveries down 10% year-on-year, the VW Polo Vivo reclaims the top spot of the models ranking for the first time in exactly a year – without a doubt benefitting from a strong rental month – and is followed this month by the VW Polo (+17%). The Ford Ranger (+14%) rounds up the podium ahead of the Toyota Corolla (+33%) whereas the Toyota Hilux, leader over the Full Year 2016,  sinks 14% to #5. The Toyota Etios (+19%), Ford Fiesta (+42%) and most strikingly the Toyota Fortuner (+250%) all frankly outpace the market inside the Top 10. Just outside, the Nissan NP300 Hardbody surges 81% to #11, the Hyundai Tucson remains very solid at #15, the Renault Kwid posts a third consecutive month within the 20 best-sellers at #19 and the Datsun GO+ is up 16 ranks on December to #43. In January we welcome the Alfa Romeo Giulia at #168 with 15 sales.

This ranking includes rare data for Hyundai, Kia, Great Wall and Mercedes previously unpublished online.

Previous post: South Africa Full Year 2016: Toyota Hilux sovereign in market down 11%

One year ago: South Africa January-February 2016 with All-models rankings

Full January 2017 Top 33 All-manufacturers and Top 265 All-models below.