South Africa August 2026: Toyota Hilux cements dominance in 22nd straight positive month

The Toyota Hilux remains the most popular vehicle in South Africa.

The South African new vehicle market registers a stunning 22nd consecutive month of year-on-year gains in August at +11.4% to 57,898. This is also the 7th straight double-digit uptick and the largest August volume since at least 17 years and possibly ever. The year-to-date tally is now up 12.5% to 430,693, the best result at this stage of the year since 2013 (436,005). Passenger Vehicles are up 11.6% to 41,216 and light commercials grow 11% to 13,727. Unfortunately exports are down a ghastly -11.9% to 35,091 for the month and -8.8% to 249,884 year-to-date.

Disappointingly, the Top 5 manufacturers all trail the market with single-digit gains. Ford (+7.9%) fares best above Toyota (+4.1%), the VW Group (+2.7%) and Hyundai (+0.9%) whereas Suzuki (-0.4%) is in negative. It’s another story for Chinese carmakers wth Jetour up 152.5% and Chery up 24%. Renault (+23.9%) and Mahindra (+17%) also stand out.

Looking at the models ranking, the Toyota Hilux (+16.7%) cements its domination at 6.7% share vs. 4.1% for the #2, the VW Polo Vivo (+2.8%). The Ford Ranger (+14.9%) is back up to #3, dislodging the Chery Tiggo 4 (+71.5%) with the Suzuki Swift (+2.4%) rounding out the Top 5. The Suzuki Ertiga (+24.8%) returns to the Top 10 at #10 and the Toyota Starlet (+17.2%) also beats the market at #9. The Isuzu D-Max (+12.8%) and Hyundai Grand i10 (+12.3%) are also strong but the Toyota Corolla Cross (-45.7%) craters at #7. Excellent performances by the Hyundai i20 (+62.1%), Omoda C5 (+53%) and Mahindra XUV3X0 (+31.4%).

Previous month: South Africa July 2026: Toyota (+11.4%), Chery (+25.4%), Jetour (+183.7%) shine

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

Full August 2026 Top 48 All manufacturers and Top 50 models below.