Nine out of every ten cars sold in December were sold by a dealer, helping to push year-end sales to pre-COVID levels.
"What was particularly encouraging for our members is that this strong performance was driven by demand at dealer level, with the retail sales network accounting for 90.8% of total sales in December," says Brandon Cohen, Chairperson of the National Automobile Dealers' Association (NADA).
"The ongoing sales improvement, which began in the second half of 2025, continued strongly to lift annual new vehicle sales to a 17-year high of 596,818 units, with the December market recording a 19.2% year-on-year increase," commented Brandon Cohen, Chairperson of the National Automobile Dealers' Association (NADA), following the release of industry sales data by naamsa | the Automotive Business Council.
"The solid year-on-year growth reflects a gradual but meaningful recovery in showroom activity as affordability improved and consumer confidence stabilised. The continued strength of the South African rand, together with lower fuel prices, bodes well for vehicle price stability, while favourable interest rates, lower inflation and a positive buying sentiment support near-term demand," he adds.
Passenger vehicle sales were the largest growth driver, increasing by 20.3% in December compared to the same month a year earlier. Annual passenger car sales of approximately 422 000 units represent the strongest retail recovery since the Covid-19 pandemic. Light commercial vehicles also delivered a robust performance, recording 23.7% year-on-year growth in December.
Sales in the truck and bus segments came under pressure towards year-end, with medium commercial vehicle volumes down 7.0% year-on-year in December, and heavy truck and bus sales also declining 13.2% year-on-year.
Dealers continued to dominate domestic new vehicle sales, with just 6.3% of volumes absorbed by the rental industry, 1.9% by government and 1.0% by industry corporate fleets.
"The trend towards smaller and more affordable models reflects increasingly price-sensitive and value-focused consumers, supported by relatively strong finance approval rates," says Brandon. "Access to affordable credit remains critical, and early indicators suggest that the positive momentum in the new vehicle market is likely to carry into 2026."
Audi South Africa has introduced the new Q5 range, comprising the third-generation Q5 SUV, second-generation Q5 Sportback, and the performance-focused SQ5 SUV and SQ5 Sportback. The range is built on Audi's Premium Platform Combustion and brings a new generation of petrol and diesel engines to the nameplate.
Geely Auto South Africa (GASA) has introduced Riddara, Geely Auto Group's new energy bakkie brand, to the South African market.
Ford’s next big electric vehicle push is less about a dramatic new badge and more about what happens behind factory doors.
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I have bad reflexes. I was once run over by a car being pushed by two guys
Woody Allen
The Toyota Starlet has improved from zero to a four-star rating for adult occupant protection in Global NCAP's latest #SaferCarsForAfrica crash test results. This follows a safety upgrade to make six airbags a standard fit.
South Africa's new vehicle market sustained strong momentum in August 2026, with aggregate sales increasing by 11,4% year-on-year to 57 898 units, says the Automotive Business Councill | naamsa.
South Africa’s new-vehicle market maintained its momentum in August, with aggregate sales of 57 898 units representing an increase of 11.4% compared with the same month last year.
