Johannesburg - Despite being the worst month ever in terms of load shedding, the motor industry once again rose above the economic uncertainty.
In total, 43 509 vehicles were sold in January 2022, representing year-on-year growth of 4.8%. Of these, 31 199 were traditional cars and SUVs and this sector gained a mere 2.9% versus January last year, while the light commercial vehicles climbed by 10.4%.
While the Toyota Hilux was South Africa’s top-selling bakkie in January with 2 769 sales (see the full list here) the Toyota Corolla Cross led the way in the passenger car market with 2 037 sales, with the Starlet following closely in third with 2 037 units to give Toyota a podium sweep.
Best of the rest was the ever-popular Suzuki Swift, of which 1 499 found homes last month, followed by the Volkswagen Polo (1 144) and Polo Vivo (1 054).
On the compact SUV front the Volkswagen T-Cross took top spot with 847 sales, and it was followed closely by the Chery Tiggo 4 Pro (850), Toyota Urban Cruiser (839) and Nissan Magnite (756).
The ageing Nissan Almera enjoyed a better-than-usual month with 785 sales putting it in ninth overall. This was largely due to strong sales to the rental industry, which accounted for 511 units. Other popular choices among the rental companies in January were the Toyota Starlet (777), Suzuki Swift (456), Corolla Cross (425) and Volkswagen Polo (283).
SOUTH AFRICAN CAR AND SUV SALES RANKING: JANUARY 2022
- 1. Toyota Corolla Cross - 2 042
- 2. Toyota Starlet - 2 037
- 3. Suzuki Swift - 1 499
- 4. Volkswagen Polo - 1 144
- 5. Volkswagen Polo Vivo - 1 054
- 6. Volkswagen T-Cross - 874
- 7. Chery Tiggo 4 Pro - 850
- 8. Toyota Urban Cruiser - 839
- 9. Nissan Almera - 785
- 10. Nissan Magnite - 756
- 11. Haval Jolion - 715
- 12. Toyota Fortuner - 710
- 13. Renault Kwid - 657
- 14. Suzuki Baleno - 652
- 15. Kia Picanto - 640
- 16. Renault Kiger - 632
- 17. Renault Triber - 606
- 18. Hyundai Grand i10 - 569
- 19. Suzuki Dzire - 510
- 20. Hyundai i20 - 509
- 21. Haval H6 - 475
- 22. Toyota Corolla Quest - 433
- 23. Suzuki S-Presso - 432
- 24. Volkswagen Tiguan - 396
- 25. Suzuki Vitara Brezza - 387
- 26. Kia Sonet - 357
- 27. Hyundai Venue - 343
- 28. Ford EcoSport - 336
- 29. Toyota Rumion - 334
- 30. Chery Tiggo 7 Pro - 320
Although the new vehicle market is still growing year-on-year, that expansion has slowed from the double digits seen in 2022, to single digit numbers.
Naamsa said the industry’s weaker performance was in line with expectations of a depressed economy as well as ongoing structural problems and the ever-rising cost of living.
WesBank marketing head Lebogang Gaoaketse believes that pent-up demand for new vehicles will continue to boost the market performance in 2023.
“The market has been stifled by low supply due to various logistical and manufacturing constraints across the globe,” Gaoaketse said. “Despite this, 2022 sales still grew 13.9% year-on-year to levels experienced before the pandemic, albeit that those were already under economic pressure.”
National Automobile Dealers’ Association (NADA) Chairperson Mark Dommisse noted that buyers are adjusting their spending habits downwards.
“The current talk of another State of Disaster, relating to the electricity crisis, presents another imposition for South Africa and the automotive industry, as it pushes buyers into taking more conservative approaches in their respective buying cycles,” Dommisse said.
Now watch: