Since its introduction over three years ago Ford's latest-generation Ranger has been gradually creeping up the sales charts and in the month of November 2014, it finally reached the top, narrowly pushing the Toyota Hilux off its long-standing perch (3054 vs 2897).
While it remains to be seen whether this will be a one-off or the start of a new trend, it certainly was refreshing to see a new name at the top of the list. Though Toyota and Volkswagen naturally took first and second overall positions with their larger line-ups, Ford is undoubtedly this month's star performer, while November's Wooden Mic award must surely go to Mercedes-Benz SA for having delayed Naamsa's sales report.
That in itself would be forgivable, what's not so easy to swallow is the fact that Mercedes-Benz will no longer be releasing individual sales figures for its various models; instead there will only be an aggregate figure each month, for the group’s total sales. This is reportedly in order to conform to the company's international policies.
Nonetheless it comes across as a slap in the face of transparency, and one which AMH/AAD with its Hyundai and Kia brands are equally guilty of, as is GWM. Naamsa has promised to continue negotiating with Mercedes-Benz in an effort to attain full sales disclosure in future.
SALES GROWTH SLOWS
Following the better-than-expected industry performance in October, which saw a 4.7 percent year-on-year surge, November's total vehicle sales tally of 51 098 was just 0.9 percent up on the same month last year, and 13.9 percent down on the previous month. If we split the segments, passenger car sales declined 2.5 percent, over November 2013, while light commercials rose 10.8 percent.
Exporters had reason to smile, however, with a 9.9 percent year-on-year increase in export sales, to 28 021 units.
Naamsa expects the local trading environment to remain under pressure for the foreseeable future, particularly at dealer level, thanks to above-inflation vehicle price increases and slow economic growth.
As for the individual sales numbers, we've decided to retain our ranked list of the best sellers among the more transparent car companies, although it should be viewed as a form of trivia rather than a strict ranking because of the obvious omissions that are beyond our control.
TOP COMPANIES
1. Toyota - 9986
2. Volkswagen - 7491
3. Ford - 6332
4. AHM & AAD - 5385
5. Nissan - 4742
6. General Motors - 4166
7. Mercedes-Benz - 3120
8. BMW - 2187
9. Renault - 1410
10. Honda - 901
TOP 100 - DISCLOSED SALES*
1. Ford Ranger - 3054
2. Toyota Hilux - 2897
3. Volkswagen Polo Vivo - 2285
4. Nissan NP200 - 1964
5. Volkswagen Polo - 1781
6. Toyota Corolla/Quest/Auris - 1749
7. Toyota Quantum - 1478
8. Isuzu KB - 1186
9. Toyota Etios - 1182
10. Chevrolet Utility - 1038
11. Ford Figo - 959
12. Ford Ecosport - 796
13. BMW 3 Series - 757
14. Nissan NP300 Hardbody - 657
15. Toyota Fortuner - 602
16. Ford Fiesta - 573
17. Volkswagen Golf - 572
18. Renault Sandero II - 535
19. Toyota Avanza - 470
20. Datsun Go - 461
21. BMW 1 Series - 442
22. Audi A4 - 425
23. Volkswagen Amarok - 405
24. Renault Clio - 398
25. Audi A3 - 385
26. Toyota Rav4 - 379
27. Chevrolet Spark - 358
28. Nissan Almera - 356
29. Ford Ikon - 349
30. Toyota Land Cruiser PU - 344
31. Renault Duster - 334
32. Volkswagen Tiguan - 316
33. Ford Focus - 300
34. BMW 4 Series - 276
35. Nissan Qashqai - 259
36. Nissan Micra - 258
37. Suzuki Swift - 253
38. Chevrolet Cruze - 246
39. Honda Ballade - 245
40. Ford Kuga - 226
41. Toyota Yaris - 222
42. Jeep Compass - 205
43. Chevrolet Aveo - 204
44. Nissan X-Trail - 184
45. Chevrolet Trailblazer - 183
46. Mazda3 - 172
47. Jeep Grand Cherokee - 170
48. Chevrolet Captiva - 161
49. Volkswagen Jetta 6 - 157
50. Honda Civic - 156
51. Honda CR-V - 152
52. Audi A1 - 145
53. Volkswagen Caddy - 143
54. Jeep Wrangler - 141
55. Honda Brio - 137
56. Mini hatch - 135
56. Volkswagen T5 - 135
58. Nissan Juke - 131
58. Opel Corsa - 131
60. Fiat 500 - 130
61. Honda Mobilio - 121
62. BMW X5 - 119
63. Nissan NV350 Taxi - 114
64. Volvo V40 - 111
65. Range Rover Evoque - 109
65. Toyota Prado - 109
67. Land Rover Discovery - 107
68. BMW X3 - 106
68. Audi Q3 - 106
70. Suzuki Alto - 104
71. BMW 2 Series - 103
72. Mahindra Scorpio PU - 103
73. Audi Q5 - 98
74. Opel Astra - 97
75. Renault Sandero I - 96
76. Mahindra Bolero - 90
77. Mazda CX-5 - 89
78. Mitsubishi Pajero Sport - 86
79. Honda Jazz - 82
80. Nissan Navara - 80
81. Range Rover Sport - 79
82. Audi A5 - 78
83. BMW X4 - 75
83. Mazda BT-50 - 75
85. Suzuki Ertiga - 73
86. Chevrolet Spark PV - 72
86. Suzuki Jimny - 72
88. Mitsubishi ASX - 71
88. Porsche Cayenne - 71
90. Mitsubishi Mirage - 68
91. BMW 5 Series - 65
91. Peugeot 208 - 65
91. Tata Super Ace - 65
94. Chevrolet Sonic - 62
94. Nissan Sentra - 62
94. Volvo XC60 - 62
97. Peugeot 107 - 60
98. Dodge Journey - 56
99. Mahindra XUV - 55
100. Citroen C3 - 54
100. Toyota Land Cruiser 200 - 54
*List excludes non-reporters such as Mercedes-Benz, Hyundai, Kia and GWM.
Data: Lightstone Auto