South Africa August 2025: 6th month of double-digit lifts in a row (+18.7%)

Suzuki sales are up 27.3% in August.

Another euphoric month for new vehicle sales in South Africa with August at +18.7% to 51,880 units, marking a 6th straight month of double-digit YoY gains. This is the largest August tally since 2014 (55,722). Passenger cars are up 22.5% to 36,914, their highest total since January 2015, while light commercials advance 15.1% to 12,326. Medium commercials are down -3.9% to 717 and heavy-duty commercials drop -8.8% to 1,923. Meanwhile exports grow 6.2% to 37,500 and are up 3% year-to-date to 269,817. Toyota (+24.6%) remains by far the most popular manufacturer in the country, improving its share to 25.6%. It distances Suzuki (+27.3%) and a struggling Volkswagen Group (-2.2%) enduring the only YoY loss in the Top 12. GWM (+56.7%), Chery (+37%) and Kia (+19.5%) all beat the market in the remainder of the Top 10 with Isuzu (+11.9%), Hyundai (+10.5%), Renault (+0.5%) and Ford (+0.3%) more discreet. Below, Omoda/Jaecoo (+156.8%) continues to gear up at #13 while newcomer Jetour stays at #15 with 1.5% share. MG lands at #19.

Over in the models charts, the Toyota Hilux (+31.6%) beautifully outpaces the market to easily stay on top with 6.4% share ahead of the Toyota Corolla Cross (+68.3%) up three spots on July to #2, its highest ranking since June 2023 (also #2). The VW Polo Vivo (+19.5%) is pushed down to #3 above a flamboyant Suzuki Swift (+76.6%). The Ford Ranger (-10.6%) struggles and rounds out the Top 5. Excellent scores also for the Suzuki Fronx (+67.1%), Toyota Starlet (+37.8%) and Chery Tiggo 4 Pro (+24.9%). Below, the Toyota Rumion (+136.8%) and Vitz (+104.9%) stand out. The Mahindra XUV3X0 is the best-selling recent launch at #26, followed by the Jetour Dashing (#31), Hyundai Exter (#32) and the MG ZS ranking at #43 for its first month in market.

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

One year ago: South Africa August 2024: Toyota Starlet Cross breaks into Top 10

Full August 2025 Top 42 All manufacturers and Top 50 models below.