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."
Hyundai Automotive South Africa officially opened Hyundai Midrand, a new dealership aimed at strengthening the brand’s presence in Gauteng and responding to growing customer demand in one of the province’s fastest-growing commercial corridors.
The compact SUV market in South Africa has gained a new contender with the arrival of the GAC Emzoom Nova. It joins the existing Emzoom Executive and Emzoom R‑Style models, broadening the range offered by Salvador Caetano South Africa, the official distributor of GAC Motor.
Chinese vehicle brand Changan has strengthened its South African retail presence with the opening of a new flagship dealership in Umhlanga, KwaZulu-Natal, as the company pushes ahead with plans to establish about 45 dealerships nationally during 2026.
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I have bad reflexes. I was once run over by a car being pushed by two guys
Woody Allen
A South African dealership has been instructed to remove or amend an advertisement for a new Jetour T2 after the Advertising Regulatory Board (ARB) ruled that the listing created the impression that a specific vehicle was immediately available for purchase when it was not.
If you were hoping to experience the roaring streets of the Isle of Man TT in 2026, you are already too late. This event, with practice sessions starting on 25 May 2026 and racing commencing on the 30th, requires at least six to twelve months of planning, along with a substantial budget.
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.
