South Africa July 2025: 5th consecutive month of double-digit lifts (+15.6%)

GWM sales are up 56% in July.

The South African new vehicle market delivers a 5th consecutive month of double-digit year-on-year gains in July at a fantastic +15.6% to 51,383 sales. This is the highest monthly volume since October 2019 and the largest July total since pre-pandemic July 2019. Passenger cars are up 20.1% to 36,248, its biggest single month since January 2017 (50,333). Light commercials are up by a more muted 6.9% to 12,356. The year-to-date tally is now up 13.9% to 330,274, with passenger cars up 21.1% to 232,251 and light commercials off -0.5% to 80,506. Meanwhile exports disappoint after the implementation of the US government’s 25% import tariff, at -1.9% to 35,379 in July and up just 2.5% to 232,304 year-to-date.

Toyota (+14%) remains the most popular manufacturer in the country by far with 24.7% share, ahead of a surging Suzuki (+29.9%) and an underperforming Volkswagen Group (-7.1%). Hyundai (+17.1%) manages to slightly outpace the market and is back above Ford (-0.8%) at #4 overall. GWM soars 56% and ranks #6 for the 4th straight month. Isuzu (+17.1%) passes Chery (+27%) with Kia (+77.1%) and Mahindra (+43.1%) also in great shape. Omoda/Jaecoo shoots up 153.3% to #14 and 2.1% share while newcomer Jetour stays at #15 with 1.4% of the market.

Over in the models charts, the Toyota Hilux lodges a 6th straight monthly with at 6.1% share, followed on the podium by the VW Polo Vivo (-7%) and Ford Ranger (-4%) both struggling. The Isuzu D-Max (+22%) is up one spot on last month to #4 ahead of the Toyota Corolla Cross (+26%), Suzuki Swift (+79.1%) and Chery Tiggo 4 Pro (+39.1%) all outrunning the general growth rate. The Toyota Starlet (+8.2%) is back inside the Top 10 at #9 just as the Suzuki Fronx (+96.8%) and Kia Sonet (+147.9%) stun. Now that the Omoda C5 (#25) is one year old, the best recent launches are the Mahindra XUV3X0 at #27 (-1), Hyundai Exter at #28 (+1), Jetour Dashing at #31 (+3) and Omoda C5X at #43.

Previous month: South Africa June 2025: 4th straight double-digit market gain (+18.7%)

One year ago: South Africa July 2024: 2nd market lift in past year, Toyota Starlet Cross launches

Full July 2025 Top 41 All manufacturers and Top 50 models below.