Angola Full Year 2018: Previous gen Suzuki Jimny snaps lead in market freefalling 38.4%

The Suzuki Jimny is the best-selling light vehicle in Angola even though the new generation hasn’t launched yet.

After dropping by a steep 53% in 2017, the Angolan new vehicle market continues to freefall in 2018 at -38.4% to 2.654 units. Faithful to a tradition of very high volatility, both the brands and models ranking get a complete reshuffle this year. Thanks to a lineup of trucks and buses newly available in the country, Volkswagen shoots up to the #1 brand spot with a gargantuan 34.9% share, however this doesn’t translate into strength in the light vehicle market as its best-seller in the segment, the Polo Sedan, ranks at a lowly #15. Suzuki (-26.3%) and Hyundai (-14.5%) manage to contain their fall to complete the podium ahead of Kia (-53.3%) and Renault (-65.2%)  both dropping one spot. Leader in 2016 and 2017, Fiat (-86.2%) implodes to #9.

There are two Suzukis atop the light vehicle models ranking: the Jimny soars 56.7% and 9 spots to a fantastic (and world first) pole position even though the new generation hasn’t launched yet in Angola. It distances last year’s leader the India-made Suzuki Alto 800 (-52.8%) and a Mazda BT-50 up 4-fold (+309.5%) on 2017 to land directly on the podium. The Toyota Fortuner (+154.2%) and Hyundai i10 (+67.7%) are also very impressive in the Top 10 while the Kia Sportage (-48.5%), Nissan Hardbody (-21.5%) and Fiat Punto (-22.4%) all break into the Top 10 despite harsh year-on-year drops.

Previous year: Angola 2017: Suzuki Alto 800 reclaims top spot

Two years ago: Angola Full Year 2016: Fiat Doblo and Panda in the lead

Full Year 2018 Top 10 brands and models vs. Full Year 2017 figures below.