The sale of new vehicles during September this year continued to unfold strongly against a backdrop of easing inflation, but restrictive monetary policy, modest economic growth momentum and an ongoing expansion of imported models and brands.
The Automotive Business Council (naamsa) states aggregate new vehicle sales increased to 54 700 units in September 2025, its highest monthly level recorded since September 2015, up 10 700 units, or 24.3%, from the 44 000 units sold in September 2024.
Overall, out of the total reported industry sales of 54 700 vehicles, an estimated 43 817 units, or 80.1%, represented dealer sales, an estimated 15.2% represented sales to the vehicle rental industry, 2.7% to industry corporate fleets and 2% to government sales.
When it comes to new passenger cars, this part of the market boasts 38 603 units, its highest level since October 2014 or an increase of 8 436 cars, or a gain of 28%, compared to the 30 167 new cars sold in September 2024.
Car rental sales accounted for a substantial 20.1% of new passenger vehicle sales during the month. Domestic sales of new light commercial vehicles, bakkies and minibuses, which stood at 13 078 units during September 2025, recorded an increase of 2 154 units, or a gain of 19.7%, from the 10 924 light commercial vehicles sold during September 2024.
Sales for medium and heavy truck segments reflect a mixed performance in September 2025 and at 767 units and 2 252 units, respectively, recorded a decrease of 15 units, or 1.9% from the 782 units sold in September 2024.
In the case of medium commercial vehicles, and in the case of heavy trucks and buses, an increase of 125 vehicles, or 5.9%, compared to the 2 127 units sold in the corresponding month last year was recorded.
Vehicle export volumes for September 2025 surprised on the upside and increased by 9 592 units, or 32.9% from the 29 180 units exported in September 2024 to 38 772 units exported in September 2025. For the year to date, vehicle exports were now 6% ahead of the same period in 2024, demonstrating industry resilience despite global supply chain disruptions and US automotive tariffs.
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