Toyota continues unabated to be the king of sales in South Africa.
With 10 812 units retailed in July, Toyota was once again South Africa’s best-selling brand powered by a strong demand across its line-up.
As the only manufacturer to breach 10 000 units a month (and accomplish this six months out of seven for 2023), Toyota’s market share for July was a commanding 24.9%.
Hilux realised 2 982 sales in July, contributing to its dominance in the LCV space – YTD racking up cumulative sales numbers close to 22 000 units for a 25.2% segment market share. An improved inventory flow for this model also helped Toyota’s exports for the month, with Hilux accounting for 7 273 of the 7 437 units shipped out in July. Other LCV highlights include the HiAce, which ticked over with sales of 1 347 units, and the Land Cruiser 79 pickup, a consistent performer with a solid 312 registrations.
Mirroring its LCV performance, Toyota also leads in passenger car sales with three of its models featuring in the top ten. It was another podium finish for Corolla Cross with 1 801 units retailed, followed by the Starlet on 1 187 units, while Fortuner snuck into ninth place with 730 sales registered. Year-to-date, Corolla Cross is SA’s most popular passenger vehicle with nearly 12 500 units finding new owners – this single model reflecting a 6.1% share of the total passenger market.
Other notables for Toyota in the passenger arena include Quest (455) and Land Cruiser 300 – the latter garnering 214 sales, a remarkable achievement considering most of the sales come from the ZX and GR-S models, which retail for more than R2 million.
On the Lexus front, NX is the sales frontrunner with 28 units retailed, while the rarefied LX attained a laudable 13 sales.
Worth mentioning are the bespoke GR models, which are beginning to make a blip on the niche sports radar: the freshly launched GR Corolla notched up seven sales, followed by the GR Supra on six units, with the GR 86 and Yaris registering four and three units respectively.
Parts supply for the month came in at close to 1.4 million items distributed locally and a further 246 000 items exported to foreign markets.
As fuel prices continue to climb across South Africa, many motorists are beginning to question whether owning a car still makes financial sense. With in-land petrol prices now at R26.63 a litre and diesel costs rising sharply in May, transport expenses are placing growing pressure on household budgets.
Pinewood.AI has added two new embedded modules to its Business Intelligence Solution, giving dealers and OEMs greater insight into financial performance and the customer journey, it says.
Two new off-grid, solar-powered charging stations for electric vehicles (EV) have been switched on as part of the Zero Carbon Charge (CHARGE) network.
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I have bad reflexes. I was once run over by a car being pushed by two guys
Woody Allen
Pinewood.AI has added two new embedded modules to its Business Intelligence Solution, giving dealers and OEMs greater insight into financial performance and the customer journey, it says.
Margins are shrinking, customers are under financial strain, and competition is intensifying across South Africa’s motor retail sector. Against this backdrop, dealerships are being forced to rethink how they remain profitable while still building customer trust and long term sustainability.
Ford will launch seven new models in Europe by 2029, it announced recently, as it seeks to grow its flagging passenger car sales, fend off fierce competition from Chinese rivals and maintain an edge in the continent's commercial vehicle market.
