Toyota's Hilux shot back to the top of South Africa's sales charts in the all-new version's first full sales month with 3273 units sold during March 2016.
The Ford Ranger followed hot on its heels with 3004 sales, but the Toyota could put up an even stronger fight in the coming months given the staggered model introduction that saw double cab models rolled out first. Double cabs made up an unusually high 60 percent of Hilux sales in March, and 95 percent of sales took place through the dealers, showing that the fleet buyers haven't quite sunk their teeth in yet.
MARKET DOWN 14 PERCENT
While SA's two most popular bakkies posted encouraging sales, the vehicle market took a large knock in March. Overall sales were down 14 percent year-on-year, although the picture is distorted by the Easter Holidays, which fell into March this year, after being in April last year.
Export sales fell 18.5 percent compared to March last year, although it is believed that the Toyota Hilux run-out programme affected this figure as European exports of the new model are only due to commence around mid-year, although African exports should be on stream from April.
WHAT THE EXPERTS SAY
“Domestically, against the background of a difficult economic environment and low GDP growth prospects, the likelihood of double digit new vehicle price increases as a result of rand weakness and possible further interest rate hikes - the outlook for 2016 in terms of new vehicle sales remained unfavorable. Furthermore, the full impact of the drought on the economy was still to manifest itself.” -Naamsa
“WesBank's data shows that new vehicle finance applications slid 20%, year-on-year while demand for used vehicles declined 3%. Demand for used vehicles now outstrips new vehicles 2.36:1 - a figure last seen in December 2009.” -Wesbank
“The average deal size decreased from R313 830 in March 2015 to R294 666 in March 2016, a 6.1% year-on-year decline. This is driven by the continued shift towards pre-owned/used cars.” -Standard Bank
THE NUMBERS: MARCH 2016
SALES CHANNELS
Dealerships: 84.4%
Rental industry: 8.7%
Corporate: 3.6%
Government: 3.3%
TOP COMPANIES
1. Toyota - 8740
2. Volkswagen - 7360
3. Ford - 6807
4. AMH/AAD - 4798
5. Nissan - 4123
6. GM/Isuzu - 3341
7. BMW - 2409
8. Renault - 1600
9. Mazda - 916
10. Jaguar Land Rover - 873
TOP 100 - REPORTED SALES*
1. Toyota Hilux - 3273
2. Ford Ranger - 3004
3. VW Polo Vivo - 2367
4. VW Polo - 1958
5. Toyota Quantum - 1369
6. Nissan NP200 - 1341
7. Ford Figo - 1180
8. Isuzu KB - 1042
9. Chevy Utility - 934
10. Ford EcoSport - 902
11. Toyota Etios - 812
12. BMW 3 Series - 793
13. Nissan Hardbody - 705
14. Ford Fiesta - 676
15. Renault Sandero - 636
16. Toyota Quest - 566
17. Toyota Corolla - 563
18. Renault Clio - 521
19. Audi A3 - 445
20. Datsun Go - 407
21. Toyota Rav4 - 394
22. Nissan X-Trail - 382
22. VW Golf - 382
24. Toyota Avanza - 344
25. Ford Focus - 339
26. BMW 1 Series - 338
27. Chevy Spark - 315
28. Mazda CX-5 - 312
29. Toyota LC Pickup - 285
30. VW Amarok - 274
31. Ford Kuga - 267
32. Chevrolet Spark - 266
33. Nissan Qashqai - 262
34. Renault Duster - 261
35. Nissan NV350 Taxi - 247
36. Volkswagen Jetta - 238
37. Volkswagen Tiguan - 235
38. BMW 2 Series - 230
39. Audi A4 - 219
40. Mazda3 - 217
41. BMW X1 - 213
42. Honda Brio - 185
42. Mazda CX-3 - 185
44. Volkswagen Up - 180
45. Chevrolet Cruze - 176
46. Land Rover Discovery - 173
47. Range Rover Evoque - 172
48. Honda CR-V - 171
49. Range Rover Sport - 169
50. Renault Captur - 168
51. Volkswagen Caddy - 167
52. Land Rover Disco Sport - 166
53. BMW 4 Series - 164
53. Ford Everest - 164
55. Suzuki Swift - 152
56. Nissan Navara - 151
56. Toyota Yaris - 151
58. BMW X3 - 144
59. Nissan Almera - 143
60. Toyota Aygo - 142
61. Mahindra Scorpio Pik-Up - 137
62. Audi A1 - 135
62. Mazda2 - 135
64. Honda Jazz - 132
65. Opel Corsa - 129
66. Jeep Renegade - 125
67. Nissan NV200 - 116
68. BMW X5 - 115
69. Toyota Prado - 114
70. Opel Mokka - 110
71. Mitsubishi ASX - 109
72. Nissan Micra - 107
73. Honda Mobilio - 104
74. Suzuki Jimny - 103
75. Audi Q3 - 102
75. Tata Super Ace - 102
77. Ford Transit - 99
78. Toyota LC 200 - 97
79. Honda Ballade - 93
80. Mahindra Bolero - 91
81. Honda HR-V - 88
82. Toyota Auris - 85
83. Chevrolet Aveo - 84
83. Chevrolet Captiva - 84
85. Audi Q5 - 80
85. Volkswagen Kombi - 80
87. Jeep Grand Cherokee - 79
88. Mahindra XUV - 76
89. Mini Hatch 3dr - 73
89. Subaru Forester - 73
91. Opel Adam - 69
92. Mini Hatch 5dr - 68
93. BMW X4 - 66
93. Jaguar XE - 66
95. Tata Indica Vista - 57
96. Jeep Wrangler - 55
97. Land Rover Defender PU - 54
98. Subaru XV - 51
98. Volvo XC90 - 51
100. Audi A5 - 50
100. Suzuki Ciaz - 50
*List excludes non-reporters such as Mercedes-Benz, Hyundai, Kia and GWM. Spoil sports.