After hitting their highest levels in a decade in 2025, South Africa’s new vehicle sales continued their strong momentum into the new year. Domestic sales in January recorded 50,073 units, a gain of 7.5% compared to January 2025, according to figures released by automotive umbrella body Naamsa on Monday. Performance was driven by interest rate cuts, low vehicle inflation and an influx of affordable imports.
In January the best growth was in the light commercial vehicle segment, which increased 11% to 10,996 units compared to the same month last year, while passenger cars increased 7.1% to 37,190 units. Naamsa noted that light commercial vehicle demand tracked broader conditions in the goods-producing sectors of the economy, which remain constrained but show signs of gradual stabilisation. In January, Toyota continued its market dominance with 11,786 new vehicle sales, followed by Suzuki Auto (6,410), Volkswagen Group (4,774), Hyundai Automotive (3,048), Ford (2,678), GWM (2,521), Chery (2,258), Kia (1,888), Mahindra (1,671), and Isuzu (1,606) rounding out the top 10.
However, there were strong performances for the Toyota Vitz, Starlet, Starlet Cross and Rumion. The Chery Tiggo 4 Pro was the fifth best-selling vehicle, while other strong performers from China were the Haval Jolion (10th) and Omoda C5 (16th). Sales in the medium and heavy commercial vehicle segments reflected weak performance in January 2026.
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Medium commercial vehicle sales at 542 units represented a 5.9% year-on-year decline, while heavy trucks fell 4.3% to 1,345 units. Export sales increased 0.6% to 24,568 units last month, supported by currency stability and easing imported input cost pressures. However, Naamsa cautioned that the export outlook is shaped by heightened protectionism across several of South Africa’s key export markets. “The proliferation of trade-restrictive measures and evolving industrial policies in advanced economies continue to test South Africa’s automotive export competitiveness and market access conditions,” said Naamsa CEO Mikel Mabasa.
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