South Africa June 2020: Suzuki (-3.1%), Hyundai (-4%), Isuzu (-4.2%) resist in market down -30.6%

The Isuzu D-Max is up to a record 2nd place overall in June.

In June, the South African motor industry was able to resume full operation under the current lockdown restrictions, with sales down -30.6% year-on-year to 31.867 leading to a First Half volume down -36.9% to 162.629. However the Covid-19 pandemic is spinning out of control in the country despite months of national lockdown, with total cases adding up to 276.342 as of July 12 vs. 5.647 as of April 30, 32.683 as of May 31 and 151.209 as of June 30. Infections and fatalities have accelerated in the past week: out of 4.079 lives lost nationally, 880 or 22% have occurred in the past week, and whereas there had only ever been two occurrences of 10.000+ new daily cases before (10.853 on July 4 and 10.134 on July 7), the last 4 days are the 4 highest since the start of the pandemic, all above 12.000: 13.734 on July 9, 12.288 on July 10, 13.497 on July 11 and 12.058 on July 12. This places South Africa as 4th worst globally below the US, Brazil and India.

Out of this month’s total volume, 91.3% or 21.900 are dealer sales, 4.6% are government, 3.7% fleets and just 0.4% rental sales. Passenger cars are down -33.4% to 19.264 units while light commercials are off -29.7% to 10.189. Toyota (-30.8%) reclaims the top spot in the manufacturers charts with 26.5% share vs. 22.6% so far this year, toppling the Volkswagen Group (-38.5%) down to 14% share vs. 17.4% YTD. Hyundai (-4%) resists splendidly at #3 above Ford (-44.4%). Suzuki (-3.1%), Isuzu (-4.2%), Mercedes (-9.9%) and Kia (-12.4%) also vastly outpace the market in the remainder of the Top 10 whereas Nissan (-55.4%) and Renault (-52.7%) implode. Below the Toyota Hilux (-34.4%) easily holding onto the top spot at 9.8% share, the Isuzu D-Max (+9.4%) scores the only year-on-year gain in the Top 10 to climb to a record 2nd place, dislodging the Ford Ranger (-38.8%) and ensuring the June podium is 100% pickups.

The VW Polo (-38.2%) and Polo Vivo (-56.1%) both struggle but manage to slide into the Top 5 ahead of the Toyota Fortuner (-31.8%) rallying back up 16 spots to #6. The new Toyota Hiace is up 20 to #8, with the Corolla Quest (-3.6%) up 7 to #9 and the Etios (-3.3%) up 15 to #10 also fitting into the Top 10. The Suzuki Jimny (+758.6%), Toyota Land Cruiser Pickup (+50.3%), Hyundai Tucson (+47.6%), Mahindra Scorpio (+6.9%), Hyundai Grand i10 (+6.6%), Mazda CX-5 (+6%) and Haval H2 (+1.8%) also advance in the remainder of the Top 30. Among recent launches, the Suzuki S-Presso (#12) drops outside the Top 10, followed by the VW T-Cross (#16), Hyundai Venue (#17) and Kia Seltos (#30).

Previous month: South Africa May 2020: Suzuki S-Presso breaks into Top 10, volumes down -68.1%

One year ago: South Africa June 2019: Toyota Hilux smashes share record at 10.4%

Full June 2020 Top 38 All manufacturers and Top 240 All-models below.