South Africa January 2024: Chery hits record ranking, BAIC appears
The Beijing X55 ranks inside the South African Top 40 this month.
The South African new vehicle market starts the year in negative with a -3.8% year-on-year fall in January to 41,636 sales. Passenger vehicles are down -6.7% to 28,890 whereas light commercials are up 2.3% to 10,871. Note exports also struggle at -2.1% to 20 242. Toyota (-13.4%) easily maintains its lead over the manufacturers ranking despite falling faster than the market, selling almost double the #2, the Volkswagen Group (+8.7%). Suzuki (+20.2%) excels and makes sure the podium is unchanged on December and Full Year 2023. Ford (+45.7%) scores the largest gain in the Top 15 and gains one spot on December to #4. Renault (-31.2%), Nissan (-20.9%), Hyundai (-13.5%) and Haval (-6.5%) struggle, but Isuzu (+5.4%) is up two spots on last month to #7 and Chery (+7.4%) advances to a record 9th place. Chinese BAIC makes its first appearance in the ranking, landing directly at #18.
Over in the models ranking, the Toyota Hilux (-3.8%) lodges a 9th consecutive monthly win with 6.4% share, albeit slightly below its YTD level of 7.1%. The VW Polo Vivo (+93%) repeats at #2 with a stunning year-on-year lift, distancing the Ford Ranger (+50.8%) also shining. The Toyota Corolla Cross (-18.7%) manages to stay in 4th place despite a drastic year-on-year fall. The Suzuki Swift (+3.8%) advances to #5 above the Toyota Starlet (-27.4%) and Isuzu D-Max (+4.9%). The Toyota Fortuner (+37.2%) snaps a Top 10 finish at #10 while the Suzuki Ertiga shoots up to #15. The new Toyota Vitz is down 12 ranks on December to #18 just as the Suzuki Fronx climbs 9 spots to #28 and the Suzuki Grand Vitara stays at #41. We welcome the Beijing X55 at #38.
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Full January 2024 Top 38 All manufacturers and Top 50 brands below.