South Africa Full Year 2020: Market down -29.1% to lowest in 20 years

The Toyota Hilux remains the most popular vehicle in South Africa. Picture wheels24.co.za

Discover over 45 years of South African Historical Data here.

The South African new vehicle market is down -29.1% year-on-year in 2020 to 380.449 units, a level last seen in the early 2000s. Passenger cars are off -30.6% to 246.784 while Light Commercials drop -27.6% to 110.929 units. Toyota (-30.7%) remains the most popular carmaker in the country for a whopping 41st consecutive year, seeing its share erode slightly to 23.7%. Toyota hit its highest ever LCV market share this year at 41.9%. Most brands are significantly down, with Volkswagen off -28.9% and Ford down -30.7% but Suzuki bucks the negative trend with a 6.8% uptick mainly thanks to the success of the new S-Presso.

The Suzuki S-Presso is the best-selling 2020 launch in SA.

In the models ranking, the Toyota Hilux (-23.6%) secures an 11th win in the past 12 years and improves its share to 8.2%. The Top 4 models are unchanged on last year with the VW Polo Vivo (-33.3%), Ford Ranger (-25.3%) and VW Polo (-27.6%) in tow. The Isuzu D-Max (-16.6%) edges up one spot to #5 while the Toyota Hiace (+25.8%) is up five to #6 for its first full year of sales. The Toyota Corolla Quest (-10.4%), Fortuner (-17.3%) and Ford Ecosport (-26%) all manage to keep their losses to below the market rate in the remainder of the Top 10. Among 2019 launches, the VW T-Cross (+61.9%) is up to #13 and the Hyundai Venue (+1359.9%) up to #19. There is one 2020 launch in the Top 25: the Suzuki S-Presso landing directly at #24.

Previous year: South Africa 2019: Toyota Hilux and VW Polo Vivo most popular, Renault Kwid shines in weakest market in 9 years (-2.8%)

Two years ago: South Africa 2018: Toyota Hilux records 9th win in past 10 years, VW Polo up 30% to #3

Full Year 2020 Top 25 models and select 60 models vs. Full Year 2019 figures below.