South Africa March 2020: Toyota up to 26% share, Haval (+22.8%), Suzuki (+8.6%) survive market down -29.7%

The Haval H2 is up to #15 in South Africa in March.

After declaring a national state of distastes with a partial travel ban and closing of schools on March 15, South Africa entered a COVID-19 national lockdown on March 26, initially scheduled to end on April 16 but extended to April 30. March new vehicle sales are accordingly impacted at -29.7% year-on-year to 33.545, pulling the year-to-date tally down -12.8% to 117.264. Toyota (-26.1%) resists well and improves its share to 26% vs. 22.4% so far in 2020, with the Volkswagen Group (-18.6%), Nissan (-48.8%) and Ford (-46.2%) in tow. Suzuki (+8.6%) swims upstream with the only year-on-year gain in the Top 10, with Mercedes (-13.9%), Hyundai (-22.2%) and Kia (-23.9%) also holding well in the remainder of the Top 10. Further down Lamborghini (+83.3%), FAW Trucks (+71%), Haval (+22.8%) and Peugeot-Citroen (+8.9%) also shine.

Model-wise, the Toyota Hilux (-35.8%) is undisturbed at #1, distancing the VW Polo (+13.5%) actually up year-on-year, the VW Polo Vivo (-37.5%) and Ford Ranger (-46.8%). The Toyota Fortuner (+22.4%) soars 5 spots on February to break into the South African Top 5 for the first time since December 2016. The Toyota Corolla Quest (+86.6%) scores the largest gain in the Top 10 – and Top 60, leaping up to #9. Among recent launches, below the Toyota Hiace (#6) and thanks to a new generation the Haval H2 breaks its ranking record again at #15, towering above the Hyundai Venue (#21), VW T-Cross (#22), Renault Triber (#23) and Kia Seltos (#30). The Haval H1 (#36) and Hyundai Atos (#39) even make it 8 newcomers inside the March Top 50.

Previous month: South Africa February 2020: Renault (+12.3%), Suzuki (+63.2%), Kia (+27.1%) shine in market down -0.8%

One year ago: South Africa March 2019: Toyota Hilux sovereign, Haval lands in market down -3.1%

Full March 2020 Top 40 All-manufacturers and Top 245 All-models below.