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- Dealer News
- 10 July 2025
The State of the Motor Industry (Somi) event presented the opportunity for Toyota to give more info and show future product offerings planned for the local market.
Leon Theron, TSAM’s Senior Vice President for Sales and Marketing, showcased a number of all-new models.
Leon says Toyota bucked the negative retail trend by ending off the year on 142 612 units, which were not only the highest volume sold since 2007, but it also equalled the company’s best market share on record. Toyota has been the bestselling automotive brand in South Africa for 44 years, it’s also the only manufacturer with representation in just about all segments of the new vehicle market.
Given its topicality, Leon focused on Toyota’s dominance in the New Energy Vehicle (NEV) space:
Toyota’s overall share is 53% and a 22% increase in NEV volume sales over 2022. The Corolla Cross Hybrid makes up the lion’s share of Toyota NEV sales (55%), and on the Lexus side, Lexus NEV volumes accounted for a record 42.5% of total Lexus sales in 2023.
New models revealed at the event:
Opel has revealed the next-generation Grandland in South Africa, joining the current Opel range consisting of the Corsa, Mokka and Zafira.
Targeted at the Middle East market, Nissan launched a Nismo version of its large Patrol SUV.
Kia has refreshed its Sorento with some new design elements, advanced technology and outdoor-ready capability. Although the car was initially launched in 2002, the latest facelift has transformed the Sorento into a more desirable vehicle.