South Africa March 2023: Isuzu D-Max climbs to #2, sales edge down -0.6%

The Isuzu D-Max is up to #2 in March.

50,157 new vehicles joined South African roads in March, a -0.6% year-on-year decline. The Q1 tally is however in positive at +2.4% to 139,417. Out of the 50,157 vehicles sold last month, 43,801 or 87.3% are dealer sales, 6.1% are rental sales, 4.1% are government sales and 2.5% are corporate fleet. Passenger Cars are off -6.4% to 31,631 units whereas light commercials are up 11.1% to 15,529. Year-to-date, Passenger Cars are down -0.6% to 93,100 and light commercials gain 9% to 39,130.

Toyota (-10.7%) easily remains the best-selling manufacturer in the country with 26.7% share, selling more than double anyone else, and this despite sales skidding. The Volkswagen Group (-4.6%) is also in negative in 2nd place with 12.2% share. Suzuki (+11.6%) remains in third above Hyundai (-20.5%) and Nissan (-3.8%). Isuzu (+56.2%) and Ford (+33.9%) post the largest gains in the Top 10 while newcomer Chery stays at #11.

Model-wise, the Toyota Hilux (-14.1%) leads the charts by a large margin with 7.8% share. This month the Isuzu D-Max (+66.1%) is propelled to #2 with 4.6% share, edging past the Ford Ranger (+113.6%) lifted by its new generation. The VW Polo Vivo (-4.8%) is the best-selling passenger Cars at #4 ahead of the Toyota Corolla Cross (-22.9%) which was #2 a year ago. The Toyota Fortuner (+30.2%) climbs back up 16 spots to #7 thanks to its facelift, with the Suzuki Swift (+11.6%), Nissan NP200 (+5.8%) and Toyota Starlet (+2.7%) all in positive below.

Previous month: South Africa February 2023: Sales (+2.6%) at highest in 5 years, Ford Ranger up to #2

One year ago: South Africa March 2022: Market up 16.5% to highest since October 2019, Toyota Corolla Cross #2

Full March 2023 Top 35 All brands and Top 40 models below.