The report, powered by Cars.co.za’s proprietary market data and enriched with finance and consumer insights from TransUnion, will offer the most comprehensive view yet of how affordability pressures, shifting consumer preferences and ambitious new entrants to the new-vehicle market are reshaping the country’s automotive space.

“Periods of disruption can feel daunting, but history tells us they are also when the strongest businesses emerge. With sharper strategies and stronger partnerships, our industry can seize the opportunities that lie ahead,” says Amasi Mwela, Managing Director of Cars.co.za.

A decade of change: From sedans to SUVs, manuals to automatics:

The number of SUVs and crossovers listed on Cars.co.za has more than doubled since 2015, while sedans have lost over 60% of their share.

Double-cab demand has surged 71.3% since 2015, as these bakkies have evolved from workhorses into lifestyle vehicles and status symbols.

The rise of automatic transmissions has been dramatic: in 2015, just 25% of double-cabs were automatics. Today, that figure stands at more than 70%.

The Chinese surge: A market redefined:

In 2015, Chinese brands made up just 0.76% of Cars.co.za’s stock. In 2025, they command 6.45%, a staggering 749% increase.

New entrants such as Chery, Haval, Omoda, Jaecoo and Jetour have captured market share at unprecedented speed, often leapfrogging established brands.

Contrary to expectations, perhaps, most Chinese brands achieve solid residuals that compare well with rival legacy brands.

Today’s market: Crowded, pressured and data-driven:

The Cars.co.za Industry Report uses its proprietary stock and lead data to identify the real hot spots in today’s market, down to specific makes and models in demand across price bands.

At the lower end of the market, demand for perennial compact hatchback favourites such as the Volkswagen Polo/Polo Vivo, Hyundai i20/Grand i10, and Suzuki Swift remains strong. Beyond the R300 000 mark, however, the only hatchbacks that currently attract significant demand are the ones sporting Volkswagen’s iconic GTI badge.

The report also highlights a surprising resilience in discontinued half-tonne bakkies: the Nissan NP200 and even the much older Chevrolet Utility continue to enjoy strong demand in the used car market.

Among Chinese brands’ products, the GWM Haval Jolion and Chery Tiggo 4 Pro are entrenched in the Top 10 of South Africa’s best-selling new vehicles. However, in the used-car market, the Jolion only appears just outside the Top 50. This lag highlights both the natural delay in used market penetration and the reality that aggressively priced new vehicles offered by Chinese brands continue to squeeze the used market from above.

NEVs & Powertrain Trends:

The Toyota Corolla Cross petrol-electric hybrid is the standout success story, dominating NEV sales and proving that hybrids can thrive in South Africa when they combine affordability, practicality and trusted brand equity.

By contrast, demand for battery-electric vehicles (BEVs) is stagnant, hampered by high prices, limited (but improving) model availability and infrastructure constraints.

The wave of NEVs introduced by Chinese brands, including more affordable hybrid models and compact BEVs, has the potential to expand the segment, particularly in the Corolla Cross’s price band, where demand is already strong.

When it comes to the used market, the data tells another important story:

Diesel is not dead. Despite global trends, South African demand remains robust, fuelled by the enduring popularity of double-cab bakkies.

According to Cars.co.za stock data, double-cab demand has increased more than 70% since 2015, and this segment continues to lean heavily on turbodiesel powertrains.

Buyer personas and finance realities:

The cheapest new car on sale today, the Suzuki S-Presso (R178 900), costs nearly double what the entry-level Chery QQ3 did in 2015 (R93 900). Even accounting for inflation, new entry-level cars have become more expensive in real terms.

To finance a base-level car on standard terms, a buyer would need a minimum net salary of R21 900 a month. South Africa’s average net salary is just R18 000, underscoring the affordability gap.

As a result of this, as well as stricter lending controls by banks, new, first-time vehicle finance agreements have declined steadily.

“Data tells the story long before headlines do,” says Lee Naik, CEO of TransUnion Africa. “This report is not just a reflection of the past decade – it’s a compass for the journey ahead.”

A new era of insight for dealers:

The DealerCon 2025 theme – SHIFT: A Decade of Change – reflects both the turbulence and the opportunity of this moment. For dealers, the Cars.co.za Industry Report offers more than just numbers: it provides a roadmap for anticipating change, adapting strategies and seizing growth in a redefined marketplace.

The Cars.co.za Industry Report will be officially launched at the inaugural Cars.co.za DealerCon, hosted at the Sandton Convention Centre on Wednesday, 17 September 2025. Dealers who want to attend can still acquire tickets at dealercon.cars.co.za.

Keynote talks and panel discussions from industry leaders, include:

Amasi Mwela (MD, Cars.co.za)

Lee Naik (CEO, TransUnion Africa)

Mikel Mabasa (CEO, naamsa)

Faan van der Walt (CEO, WeBuyCars)

Brandon Cohen (Chairperson, NADA)

Claudine Ebrahim (Executive for Car Sales, Avis Budget SA)

Carla Seppings (CEO, Bidvest Automotive)

Charl Potgieter (Managing Executive, ABSA Vehicle & Asset Finance)

Tony Liu (Executive Deputy General Manager, Chery South Africa)

Gideon Jansen van Rensburg (CEO, Motus SA Retail)

Lebo Rakgekola (Department Executive for Sales, Isuzu)

Ghana Msibi (CEO, WesBank)

Wiehahn Koch (Head, Purpose Lending Division, Capitec Bank)

And a special keynote by Vusi Thembekwayo, global business speaker and entrepreneur.