South Africa May 2017: Ford Ranger edges ahead in market down 3%

The Ford Ranger is 15 units above the Toyota Hilux year-to-date in SA. Picture cars.co.za 

* See the Top 33 manufacturers and Top 245 models by clicking on the title *

South Africa is back on BSCB, with February, March and April data added to this post. We will focus here on May results. This month the South African new vehicle market is down 2.6% year-on-year to 41.783 registrations, leading to a year-to-date tally down 1.7% to 223.664 units. May exports are down sharply at -12% to 29.596 units. Looking at sales by channels, in May 37 686 units or 90.2% are dealer sales, 5.1% are rental sales, 3.2% are corporate fleet and 1.5% government sales. Passenger car sales are down 2.5% to 26.317 units and light commercial vehicle sales are down 1.5% to 13.410. Toyota remains the most popular manufacturer in the country with stable sales leading to a 23% market share, almost eight percentage points of share above the Volkswagen Group down 4% to 15.3%. Ford (-14%) and Hyundai-Kia (-7%) lose market share but Nissan surges 15% to round out the Top 5 like it does year-to-date. Notice also Renault up 28% and Honda up 7%.

The Renault Kwid is at a best-ever 12th place in SA this month. Picture cars.co.za 

The race for the pole position of the models ranking has been extremely tight so far this year. The Toyota Hilux took the lead in February and March while the Ford Ranger was #1 in April for just five units. The Ranger reiterates this win in May thanks to deliveries up 3%, distancing the Toyota Hilux (-13%) for 117 sales. This is enough for the Ranger to snap the year-to-date lead off the Hilux by a mere 15 units. The valiant VW Polo Vivo (-8%) is on the third step of the podium both in May and year-to-date above the Toyota Corolla (+26%) and VW Polo (-20%). The Isuzu KB (+19%), Chevrolet Utility (+17%) and Nissan NP200 (+20%) also shine in the Top 10 while the Renault Kwid posts its best-ever ranking in South Africa at #12 – also hit last December.

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

One year ago: South Africa May 2016: Toyota Hilux cements lead, Fortuner up to #5

Full May 2017 Top 33 manufacturers and Top 245 models below.