South Africa September 2024: Negative sales, Hyundai Exter lands

The Hyundai Exter is just outside the Top 20 for its first month in market.

Fuel price reductions and a first interest rate cut since the pandemic were not enough to push the South African new vehicle market in positive. Indeed September sales are down another -4.1% in September to 44,081 units. The year-to-date tally is now off -5.8% to 377,835. Passenger Cars are up 2% to 30,218 whereas Light Commercials fall -17.1% to 10,914. Exports continue to freefall at a daunting -38.1% year-on-year to just 21,964. Year-to-date, exports are off -19.7% to 232,199.

Toyota (-14.3%) easily remain the best selling manufacturer in the country at 24.7% share and despite a hefty year-on-year loss. The Volkswagen Group (-6.8%) resists better at #2 but still trails the market. In contrast Suzuki (+12.2%) continues to impress at #3 ahead of Ford (+0.6%) and Hyundai (+6.6%) both in positive. Chery (+30.2%) and GWM (+13.6%) deliver the best performances in the Top 10. Further down, Mahindra (+29.3%) shines while newcomer Omoda & Jaecoo stay at 1.1%.

Over in the models ranking, the Toyota Hilux (-9.4%) keeps the lead with 6.7% share vs. 6.4% so far this year. The VW Polo Vivo (-10.8%) overtakes the Ford Ranger (-1.3%) to snap the 2nd place overall with the Toyota Corolla Cross (-9.5%) and Isuzu D-Max (-2.9% rounding out the Top 5. The Toyota Fortuner (+21.6%), Hyundai Grand i10 (+18.7%), Chery Tiggo 4 Pro (+15.4%) and Nissan Magnite (+9%) impress below. Nice also the Suzuki Baleno (+83.9%), Ertiga (+61.9%) and Fronx (+61.3%). #8 last month, the new Toyota Starlet Cross, a Suzuki Fronx clone, is down to a more reasonable #18. For its first month of sales the Hyundai Exter, imported from India,  lands directly at #22.

Previous month: South Africa August 2024: Toyota Starlet Cross breaks into Top 10

One year ago: South Africa September 2023: Haval (+43.7%), Ford (+26.9%) shine in market off -4.1%

Full September 2024 Top 38 All manufacturers and Top 50 models below.