South Africa’s new vehicle market delivered its best May performance in over a decade, underscoring the resilience of consumer demand despite mounting economic pressures.
Aggregate domestic new vehicle sales reached 51 071 units in May 2026, a notable increase of 12,8% compared to the 45 287 vehicles sold in May 2025. This marks the strongest May result since 2013. Dealer sales dominated the market, accounting for 90,1% of total transactions, while rental industry purchases contributed 5,3%, corporate fleets 2,5%, and government 2,1%.
Passenger cars led the surge, with 36 871 units sold, up 16,3% year-on-year. Car rental activity represented 6,0% of this segment. Light commercial vehicles (bakkies and minibuses) recorded modest growth, rising 2,5% to 11 251 units. Medium commercial vehicles also performed strongly, climbing 13,6% to 718 units, while heavy trucks and buses advanced 12,9% to 2 231 units.
Exports, however, painted a different picture. Vehicle shipments fell 4,8% to 29 392 units, down from 30 859 in May 2025. The decline was largely attributed to the phased rollout of new-model production by a key exporter, which weighed on light commercial vehicle exports.
The overall sales momentum reflects a market still buoyed by mobility demand, replacement cycles, and fleet renewal activity. Consumers remain focused on affordability, fuel efficiency, and long-term ownership value, ensuring that purchasing decisions are guided by practicality rather than discretionary spending.
With May’s figures confirming sustained recovery, the industry continues to demonstrate its central role in supporting economic participation and growth, even as external pressures begin to reshape the operating environment.
More results:
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.
