South Africa September 2018: Toyota, Suzuki strong, market down 1.9%

The Fortuner (+35%) helps Toyota up 11% in South Africa in September.

* See the Top 35 manufacturers and Top 250 models by clicking on the title *

The South African new vehicle market edges down 1.9% year-on-year in September to 49.670 registrations, however exports reach a record for the month at 36.781 units, up 1.2% on September 2017. Back to sales with dealer sales accounting for 78.6% of the total, rentals at 16.5%, corporate fleets at 2.7% and government sales at 2.2%. Cars are down 2.6% to 32.786 (with rentals at 23.4% in this segment), while light commercials enduring a more subdued drop at -1.2% to 14.342. Year-to-date, new vehicle sales in South Africa are down just 0.8% to 412.916 units. No surprises in the manufacturers ranking: the Top 9 reflects the YTD order, with Toyota (+11%) on top followed by the VW Group (+7%), Ford (-11%), Nissan (-1%) and Hyundai-Kia (-17%). Renault (+8%) and Suzuki (+21%) are the only two other Top 10 carmakers in positive. Mahindra (+48%), Volvo (+46%) and FCA (+74%) stand out further down.

Model-wise, the Toyota Hilux (-1%) reclaims the top spot it holds year-to-date despite a slight drop, while the VW Polo (+66%) lurks only 77 sales below at #2, once again boosted by the new generation just as the Ford Ranger (+29%) posts a very strong score in third place. The VW Polo Vivo (-34%) suffers from its younger sibling’s health but the Toyota Yaris (+1108%!), Fortuner (+35%) and Nissan NP200 aka Dacia Logan Pickup (+15%) are also sturdy in the remainder of the Top 10. Below, the VW Tiguan (+152%), Renault Clio (+149%) and Hyundai Grand i10 (+114%) impress while the Toyota Rush (#44) leads all recent launches (<12 months) ahead of the Volvo XC40 (#90) and Jaguar E-Pace (#100).

Previous month: South Africa August 2018: New gen lifts VW Polo to first win in 4 years

One year ago: South Africa September 2017: Toyota Hilux up 30% in market up 7%

Full September 2018 Top 35 manufacturers and Top 250 models below.