SA's new vehicle sales on a roll, while exports also pick up despite tariff fears

The good news for South Africa's new vehicle sales just keeps intensifying in 2025, with September delivering the highest level of domestic sales in ten years.

The NAAMSA figures for September 2025 show an increase of 24,3% year-on-year.

"It's been 12 straight months of year-on-year growth and with so much bad news around, it's the best news."

Melinda Ferguson, Motoring Journalist

54,700 units were sold - 10,700 more than the 44,000 sold in September 2024.

And the new passenger car market soared to an eleven-year high with 38,603 units - its highest level since October 2014.

Export volumes also gained traction, NAAMSA reports, surprising on the upside in spite of the fears around the impact of US tariffs.

"Vehicle export volumes for the month of September 2025 increased by 9,592 units, or 32,9% from the 29,180 units exported in September 2024 to 38,772 units exported in September 2025."

NAAMSA

This means vehicle exports in September were 6% ahead of the same period in 2024, demonstrating industry resilience despite global supply chain disruptions and US automotive tariffs, NAAMSA says.

Old favourite Toyota remains South Africa's top brand, with over 14,000 vehicles sold.

Suzuki took second spot, with less than half that number.

"Toyota now have 26% market share. Their sales of 14,146 new vehicles last month is the highest number in three years for this incredible brand."

Melinda Ferguson, Motoring Journalist

"And I must mention BMW - although they're not in the top ten they came in at number 13 and I was very happy to see a premium brand doing well. I'm also happy for Volkswagen - for the first time in a while the Polo Vivo was the number one best-selling passenger car."

Melinda Ferguson, Motoring Journalist

TOP 10 SELLING VEHICLE BRANDS in SA for SEPTEMBER 2025

1. Toyota - 14,146 units

2. Suzuki Auto - 6,072 units

3.  Volkswagen Group SA - 5,763 units 

4. Ford Motor Company - 3,093 units

5. Hyundai Automotive SA - 3,005 units

6. GWM SA - 2,620 units

7. Isuzu Motors SA - 2,478 units

8. Chery Auto SA - 2,264 units

9. Kia South Africa - 1,706 units

10. Mahindra -  1,524 units

Listen to Motoring journalist Melinda Ferguson talking to Sara-Jayne Makwala King in the interview below: