South Africa May 2018: Nissan up 26% in market up 2.9%

Nissan NP200 sales gain 60% year-on-year in South Africa in May.

* See the Top 35 manufacturers and Top 245 models by clicking on the title *

The South African new vehicle market signs a third consecutive month of gains at +2.9% year-on-year in May to 42.984 units, yet the year-to-date volume remains in negative at -1.3% to 220.783 registrations. Toyota (+11%), Hyundai-Kia (+15%) and Nissan (+26%) are the three manufacturers in the Top 5 to frankly beat the market whereas the Volkswagen Group (+2%) and more strikingly Ford (-15%) both under-perform. Peugeot-Citroen (+92%), Suzuki (+52%), Volvo (+51%) and Jaguar Land Rover (+16%) are among the best performers further down.

Model-wise, the Toyota Hilux wins for the 9th time in the past 12 months thanks to deliveries up 21% year-on-year, comfortably distancing its archenemy the Ford Ranger (-2%) while the VW Polo is boosted up 44% by the new generation, edging past the older VW Polo Vivo (-4%). The Nissan NP200 – aka Dacia Logan pickup – surges 60% to return to the 5th place it holds year-to-date. With the Hyundai Creta now over one year old, the Volvo XC40 (#91) is now the best-selling recent launch in South Africa ahead of the Opel Grandland X (#98) appearing in the charts for the first time. The Hyundai Grand i10 (+82%), VW Tiguan (+67%) and Renault Sandero (+50%) also post solid showings.

Previous month: South Africa April 2018: Toyota Hilux soars 36% to cement lead

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

Full May 2018 Top 35 manufacturers and Top 245 models below.