South Africa August 2020: Isuzu (+35.5%) and D-Max (+47.4%) defy market stuck at -26.3%

The Isuzu D-Max is up to a record #2 in August even though the new generation won’t arrive for another 12 months.

The South African new vehicle market is stuck at dismal levels in August, even through lockdown restrictions were further lifted to Level 2: down another -26.3% year-on-year to 33.515 units following a -30.6% drop in June and -28.6% in July. Passenger cars tumble down -32.6% to 19.545 and LCVs are off -19.4% to 11.336. Exports fare even worse at -46.9% to 23.337. The year-to-date tally now stands at 228.540, down -34.5% on the same period in 2019. Toyota (-23.8%) remains the most popular manufacturer by far at 23.1% share, distancing the VW Group (-28.7%) and Ford (-34.4%). Hyundai (-12.6%) resists very well at #4 above Nissan (-56.4%) but it’s Isuzu (+35.5%) that scores the only year-on-year gain in the Top 10 – let alone a double-digit one, climbing to 5.9% share vs. 4.4% so far this year. Suzuki (-14.6%) and Mercedes (-19.8%) also manage to lose much less ground than the market in the remainder of the Top 10. The Toyota Hilux (+1.3%) remains at record levels at 10.8% share but the hero this month is the Isuzu D-Max (+47.4%) up 3 spots on July to reach a record 2nd place for the second time in the past 3 months even though the new generation, already available in Thailand, won’t reach South African shores until the 2nd half of 2021. The Ford Ranger (-27.8%) ensures the podium is 100% pickups, distancing the VW Polo Vivo (-29.6%) and Polo (-41%). The Toyota Fortuner (-9.6%) and Nissan NP300 (-10.7%) also resist well while the Renault Triber (#12) tops recent launches above the Suzuki S-Presso (#16).

Previous month: South Africa July 2020: Toyota Hilux (+19.3%) breaks share record, ignores struggling market (-29.6%)

One year ago: South Africa August 2019: Nissan NP200 (+40.8%), Renault Kwid (+43.2%) defy 4th straight market drop (-5.1%)

Full August 2020 Top 10 manufacturers and Top 15 models below.