Vehicle Sales in South Africa hit record high for the first time in several years in September

With a total of 61,645 units sold—reflecting a 12.7% rise compared to last year—this sector has now enjoyed two consecutive years of consistent growth.

According to industry statistics from Naamsa, the total sales for September not only exceeded the previous 2026 high reached in March but also surpassed the significant 60,000-unit mark for the first time in several years.

Alan Quinn, Chief Innovation and Product Officer at Cars.co.za, remarked, “In September 2026, the new-vehicle market in South Africa achieved a significant milestone by surpassing 60,000 units sold, marking the 24th consecutive month of year-on-year growth.”

“This accomplishment highlights the robust local demand, even amid persistent economic challenges, with consumers increasingly prioritizing affordability and value across all vehicle categories.”

Toyota spearheads remarkable growth

Toyota South Africa Motors, which includes Lexus and Hino, achieved a breakthrough by exceeding 15,000 units sold for the first time since March 2022.

With 15,366 units sold, Toyota secured an impressive 24.9% market share.

Toyota’s performance in September showcased an 11.2% increase from the preceding month, solidifying its status as South Africa’s leading market player.

Top 10 best-selling automakers – September 2026

Notable market trends

Suzuki achieved its best sales performance of 2026 to date, selling 6,668 units and maintaining its second position. Isuzu experienced a significant sales increase of 19.4% month-on-month, selling 3,022 units to rise to sixth place, overtaking both Chery and GWM.

Chery exceeded the 3,000-unit threshold for the first time, recording 3,004 sales, although it fell to seventh position overall.

Ford retained fourth place with 3,190 units sold, while Hyundai remained in fifth with 3,057 units sold.

Conversely, export sales dropped by 18.8% year-on-year, totaling 31,473 units as the industry grapples with ongoing global supply chain and demand challenges.

Sales by segment

Passenger vehicle sales rose by 14.7% year-on-year, reaching 44,291 units, with rental fleets constituting approximately 18.4% of this figure.

Light-commercial vehicle (LCV) registrations also saw growth, increasing by 9.6% compared to the previous year to 14,361 units.

Future industry outlook

Brandon Cohen, chair of the National Automobile Dealers’ Association (NADA), described the September sales figures as “encouraging”, emphasizing that the stronger performance in Q3 has laid a “positive foundation” for the year’s final quarter.

Cohen noted that the focus should now be on aligning the availability of vehicles and financing options with the actual needs and budget of customers.

Thanda Sithole, Senior Economist at FNB and WesBank, underscored that demand continues to hold strong, despite challenges from higher borrowing rates and rising living costs.

Naamsa warned that the macro-economic environment has become increasingly challenging due to rising energy prices affecting household budgets. Nonetheless, the organization credited the market’s resilience to its more competitive and diverse structure.

About Cars.co.za

Cars.co.za stands as one of South Africa’s premier automotive marketplaces, connecting consumers, dealers, and automotive brands through reliable vehicle listings, insightful motoring content, reviews, research, and digital tools.

The platform empowers South Africans to make informed decisions when buying and selling vehicles while celebrating the individuals and communities that contribute to the nation’s automotive culture.

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