August 2025: Top-Selling Car Brands in South Africa
The South African car industry continued its upward trend last month, achieving an impressive 51,880 sales. This represents an 18.7% increase from the 43,692 units sold in August 2024. Factors contributing to this growth include a surge in affordable models, increased consumer confidence, and improved credit conditions.
Top Car Brands
As usual, Toyota topped the list with 13,276 units sold. Following in second place was Suzuki, with 6,534 units, establishing a significant lead over Volkswagen (VW), which secured third place with 5,521 units.
In fourth place, Hyundai sold 3,007 vehicles, outpacing Ford in fifth, which recorded 2,968 sales. The Chinese brands GWM and Chery claimed sixth and seventh places with 2,519 and 2,228 units sold, respectively, pushing Isuzu down to eighth with 2,194 sales.
Kia rounded out the top nine with 1,542 units, while Renault took the final spot in the top ten with 1,374 sales, displacing Mahindra from the list.
Sales Breakdown
Of the vehicles sold in August 2025, 36,914 were passenger cars, marking a 22.5% increase compared to the previous year. Light commercial vehicles, including bakkies and minibuses, also saw a rise of 15.1%, totaling 12,326 units.
In terms of sales channels, approximately 43,196 vehicles (83.3%) were sold through private dealer channels, with 12.1% going to the rental market. Corporate fleets accounted for another 2.3%, and the remaining 2.3% were purchased by the government.
Exports also showed a positive trend, improving by 6.2% last month to 37,500 units. However, the industry faces challenges from new US tariffs and increased competition in export markets.
“The industry’s ongoing focus will remain on navigating potential re-routing and implementing further market diversification strategies,” stated the Automotive Business Council.
Summary of Best-Selling Car Brands (August 2025)
Toyota: 13,276 units
Suzuki: 6,534 units
VW: 5,521 units
Hyundai: 3,007 units
Ford: 2,968 units
GWM: 2,519 units
Chery: 2,228 units
Isuzu: 2,194 units
Kia: 1,542 units
Renault: 1,374 units
Top Car Brands
As usual, Toyota topped the list with 13,276 units sold. Following in second place was Suzuki, with 6,534 units, establishing a significant lead over Volkswagen (VW), which secured third place with 5,521 units.
In fourth place, Hyundai sold 3,007 vehicles, outpacing Ford in fifth, which recorded 2,968 sales. The Chinese brands GWM and Chery claimed sixth and seventh places with 2,519 and 2,228 units sold, respectively, pushing Isuzu down to eighth with 2,194 sales.
Kia rounded out the top nine with 1,542 units, while Renault took the final spot in the top ten with 1,374 sales, displacing Mahindra from the list.
Sales Breakdown
Of the vehicles sold in August 2025, 36,914 were passenger cars, marking a 22.5% increase compared to the previous year. Light commercial vehicles, including bakkies and minibuses, also saw a rise of 15.1%, totaling 12,326 units.
In terms of sales channels, approximately 43,196 vehicles (83.3%) were sold through private dealer channels, with 12.1% going to the rental market. Corporate fleets accounted for another 2.3%, and the remaining 2.3% were purchased by the government.
Exports also showed a positive trend, improving by 6.2% last month to 37,500 units. However, the industry faces challenges from new US tariffs and increased competition in export markets.
“The industry’s ongoing focus will remain on navigating potential re-routing and implementing further market diversification strategies,” stated the Automotive Business Council.
Summary of Best-Selling Car Brands (August 2025)
Toyota: 13,276 units
Suzuki: 6,534 units
VW: 5,521 units
Hyundai: 3,007 units
Ford: 2,968 units
GWM: 2,519 units
Chery: 2,228 units
Isuzu: 2,194 units
Kia: 1,542 units
Renault: 1,374 units
