South Africa April 2019: Toyota (+3.3%) stirs market up 0.7%, Haval up to #12

The Haval H2 lands directly in the South African Top 30.

The South African new vehicle market stops its fall in April with a shy 0.7% year-on-year uptick to 36.794 units, leading to a year-to-date volume now down -3.6% to 171.242. On a side note, exports continue to go all guns blazing with a 53.8% improvement on April 2018 figures to 33.090. This month, 86.8% of sales are dealer sales, 6.5% are rental sales, 4.1% corporate fleets and 2.6% government. Cars are up 3.9% to 24.989 whereas light commercials skid down 8.1%to 9.810. Toyota (+3.3%) easily remains the most popular manufacturer with 23.1% share and is actually the only one in positive in the Top 5, distancing the Volkswagen Group (-4.8%) at 16.2%, Ford (-2.9%) at 9.4%, Hyundai-Kia (-12.7%) and Nissan (-8.2%) at 8.5%. Below, Isuzu (+18.2%), Renault (+13.7%), Mercedes (+8.8%) and the BMW Group (+3.8%) shine while Haval Motors steps up two spots on its inaugural month to a very encouraging #12. Mitsubishi (+69.9%), Suzuki (+35.6%) and Mahindra (+22.6%) also impress.

Model-wise, the Toyota Hilux (-10%) holds onto the top spot for a mere 61 units above the VW Polo Vivo (+8.9%) with the Ford Ranger (-31.1%) and VW Polo (-26.6%) rounding up the Top 4 as they do YTD, but both in dire straits. In contrast, the Isuzu D-Max steps up one spot further to a record #6, the Toyota RAV4 (+149%) is up 9 to #7 and the Ford Ecosport (+248.4%) up 3 to #9. The Haval H2 (#29) instantly becomes the best-selling recent launch (<12 months) ahead of the Haval H1 (#47), Toyota Rush (#48), Hyundai Kona (#92), Haval H6 C (#97) and Mitsubishi Eclipse Cross (#98).

Previous month: South Africa March 2019: Toyota Hilux sovereign, Haval lands in market down -3.1%

One year ago: South Africa April 2018: Toyota Hilux soars 36% to cement lead

Full April 2019 Top 35 All-manufacturers and Top 255 All-models below.