New vehicle sales surged in May: these were the top 10 brands
Suzuki took a dominant second position once again in the brand rankings.
Image: Supplied
The South African new vehicle market saw buoyant year-on-year growth in May, and the recent interest rate reduction is likely to fuel further momentum in June.
According to industry body Naamsa, 45,308 new vehicles were sold in May, representing a gain of 22% over the same month in 2024.
Passenger car sales, at 31,741 units, led the charge with a year-on-year gain of 30%, while light commercial vehicles, at 10,938 units, saw 5.8% growth. Medium and heavy commercial vehicles recorded respective gains of 22.7% and 6.7% over May 2024.
88.4% of vehicle sales took place through the dealer channels, Naamsa said, while the rental industry accounted for 6.8% of the pie, or 8.5% in the case of passenger vehicles. Corporate fleet and government sales represented a respective 3.0% and 1.8% of the total.
'The SARB's May decision will add further momentum to these gains, as consumers respond positively to improved credit conditions,' Naamsa said.
'With inflation easing to 2.8%, still well below the SARB's 3% to 6% target range, and the rand regaining strength amid improving investor sentiment, the macro-economic environment became more conducive to supporting consumer spending and business investment.'
Video Player is loading.
Play Video
Play
Unmute
Current Time
0:00
/
Duration
-:-
Loaded :
0%
Stream Type LIVE
Seek to live, currently behind live
LIVE
Remaining Time
-
0:00
This is a modal window.
Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window.
Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan
Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan
Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan
Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque
Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps
Reset
restore all settings to the default values Done
Close Modal Dialog
End of dialog window.
Advertisement
Video Player is loading.
Play Video
Play
Unmute
Current Time
0:00
/
Duration
-:-
Loaded :
0%
Stream Type LIVE
Seek to live, currently behind live
LIVE
Remaining Time
-
0:00
This is a modal window.
Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window.
Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan
Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan
Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan
Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque
Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps
Reset
restore all settings to the default values Done
Close Modal Dialog
End of dialog window.
Next
Stay
Close ✕
Naamsa CEO Mikel Mabasa said the SA Reserve Bank's latest decision to lower interest rates was both timely and commendable, as it would support consumer affordability and boost production competitiveness at a time when global uncertainty was weighing heavily on our export markets.
Toyota led the way in brand sales at 9,969 units (or 10,330 including Hino and Lexus), while Suzuki stood in second place once again at 5,536, followed by Volkswagen (4,150), Hyundai (3,251) and Ford (2,932).
Top-selling vehicle brands: May 2025
Toyota - 9,969
Suzuki Auto - 5,536
Volkswagen - 4,150
Hyundai - 3,251
Ford - 2,932
Chery - 1,995
Isuzu - 1,961
Mahindra - 1,524
Haval - 1,506
Kia - 1,406
Stay tuned to IOL Motoring for a list of the 50 top-selling vehicles on Tuesday morning.
Vehicle exports down
Vehicle exports decreased by 14.6% to 30,112 units, but this seems largely due to Volkswagen SA halting production of its Polo in order to complete plant upgrades for its forthcoming compact SUV product.
Year-to-date vehicle exports were still 1.4% ahead of the same period last year, Naamsa said.
IOL
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
The South African
42 minutes ago
- The South African
PSL transfer news: Saleng, Rhodes, Mayele, Salum, Mofokeng
There's a lot of noise surrounding the PSL as the offseason window fast approaches The big three – Orlando Pirates, Mamelodi Sundowns and Kaizer Chiefs – each have several stars in their sights, and in some instances, they're after the same name. A recent SoccerLaduma piece revealed that Monnapule Saleng has signed a pre-contract with Kaizer Chiefs. However, the news is yet to be confirmed. has signed a pre-contract with Kaizer Chiefs. However, the news is yet to be confirmed. Orlando Pirates are returning their focus to Mother City winger Jaedin Rhodes after failing to sign the 22-year-old in January. after failing to sign the 22-year-old in January. PSL's big three are all vying for the services of recent CAF Champions League winner Fiston Mayele , who has put the world on notice by scoring five goals in the Champions League knockout rounds. , who has put the world on notice by scoring five goals in the Champions League knockout rounds. The latest reports suggest that Kaizer Chiefs' long-term target, Feisal Salum , has given the green light for a move to Soweto. , has given the green light for a move to Soweto. Orlando Pirates' Relebohile Mofokeng will undoubtedly attract several offers this offseason; the unknown remains whether he wants to depart the PSL giants. 'One of those reinforcements could be a long-time target, Jaedin Rhodes. Although the 22-year-old has endured an underwhelming season with Cape Town City, he remains a high priority on the Buccaneers' list,' a source said. 'The club [Orlando Pirates] has been met with resistance by City in previous attempts to lure Rhodes to Gauteng, but according to sources, will try once more in the upcoming window. Complicating matters will be the Citizens' peculiar situation.' Let us know by leaving a comment below, or send a WhatsApp to 060 011 021 1. Subscribe to The South African website's newsletters and follow us on WhatsApp, Facebook, X and Bluesky for the latest news.
IOL News
an hour ago
- IOL News
Starbucks announces winners of their Regional Barista Championships
The winner of this coveted title goes on to compete in the Starbucks EMEA Championships in London. Training to become a Starbucks partner -as the company's baristas are called - is no simple affair. These passionate coffee lovers undergo many months immersing themselves in coffee knowledge and lore, with a hands-on curriculum crafted by the world renowned Starbucks Global Academy. 'We love recognising the hard work our partners invest in finetuning their craft,' says Ishan Natalie, Coffee Excellence Lead at Rand Capital Coffee Licensee Holder Starbucks SA. 'That's why the District Barista Championships are always such an exciting event.' Ishan explains that the competition was introduced by Starbucks several years before the company entered the South African market in 2016, when it was eagerly embraced by local partners. The competition starts with the Store Championships, with winners from this leg going on to compete in the District Championships, which took place in March. The Regional Championships, which were held in May, saw partners from the KwaZulu-Natal, Western Cape and Central region (comprising Gauteng and the Free State) will battle it out for a chance to take part in the National Barista Championships in June. The winner of this coveted title goes on to compete in the Starbucks EMEA Championships in London, where 37-46 other national champions from the European, Middle East and Africa will showcase their Coffee Knowledge, Creativity and Passion in the hopes of being named the Starbucks EMEA brand ambassador – and, more importantly, have a chance to compete in the Global Championships. This year, 83 partners from Starbucks' 72 stores around the country raised their hands to take part in the championships. Each was expected to show their expertise in different categories, including latte art, coffee quality and storytelling, where they share their knowledge about the beverage.
IOL News
2 hours ago
- IOL News
How solar energy is improving healthcare in rural areas
Sister Poppy Vilakazi with Solar power unit. Image: Supplied. Bestmed Medical Scheme has solidified its partnership with the non-profit organisation Unjani Clinic, making significant strides in healthcare delivery across the Eastern Cape and Free State regions. Through generous donations, including an ultrasound machine and a solar power unit, Bestmed is addressing two pressing challenges: maternal health and power instability that have crippled healthcare services in rural areas. This latest initiative follows Bestmed's earlier contributions of two innovative Health Pods, launched in 2022 and 2023, which have collectively served over 3,600 patients in George and surrounding areas in the Western Cape, as well as the community between Dewetsdorp and Wepener in the Free State. These efforts reflect Bestmed's commitment to enhancing primary healthcare accessibility and affordability in rural settings. Advancing maternal health in Sterkspruit According to a recent report from the Commission for Gender Equality, the Eastern Cape faces significant challenges in delivering quality healthcare services to women, particularly concerning maternal and neonatal mortality rates. Video Player is loading. Play Video Play Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration -:- Loaded : 0% Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. Advertisement Video Player is loading. Play Video Play Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration -:- Loaded : 0% Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. Next Stay Close ✕ Sister Nandipha Nyelimane with Ultrasound unit. Image: Supplied. Factors such as inadequate infrastructure and healthcare worker shortages contribute to this dilemma, especially in remote areas. However, the donation of an ultrasound machine at the Unjani Clinic in Sterkspruit has brought transformative changes to maternal healthcare in the region. "The ultrasound machine has enabled us to detect abnormalities early in pregnancies, leading to safer births and healthier babies," Sister Nandipha Nyelimane, a dedicated nurse at the clinic, said. Keeping clinics running amid power cuts Frequent power outages have emerged as a formidable obstacle to healthcare delivery across South Africa. Communities reliant on consistent electricity supply have witnessed essential services compromised, exacerbating the challenges faced by healthcare facilities—particularly in remote locations like Kopanong. Bestmed's provision of a solar power unit has proven vital in ensuring uninterrupted patient care at the local Unjani Clinic. "It's not just about keeping the lights on. We've reduced operational stress and can now focus more on patient care without worrying about electricity bills or outages," Sister Poppy Vilakazi said. Health Pods: A lifeline for underserved communities The Health Pods established in George and Dewetsdorp are proving to be essential lifelines for local populations. In 2024 alone, the George Health Pod has treated over 2,860 patients from Thembalethu, a township housing more than 44,000 residents with only two public clinics available. Simultaneously, the Dewetsdorp Health Pod has successfully catered to over 760 patients, significantly reducing travel times and healthcare costs for many families. "While the numbers are impressive, the true impact lies in the stories of lives improved," Madelein O'Connell, Executive for Marketing, Sales and Corporate Relations at Bestmed Medical Scheme said. "In overcrowded or remote areas, Health Pods are more than facilities—they are lifelines." Residents in both regions have reported substantial improvements in several health services, particularly reproductive healthcare including pap smears and family planning. Additionally, the Health Pods have elevated health awareness in the community by organising TB screenings and Mom and Baby expos, leading to nominations for the 'Best Healthcare Facility' award—testament to the partnership's tangible results. In Dewetsdorp, the local Health Pod has not only reduced clinic operational costs but has also significantly improved healthcare access for residents who previously faced long journeys for basic services. "Health Pods are transforming how and where we deliver care—one township, one rural area, and one clinic at a time," Lynda Toussaint, CEO of Unjani Clinic said. "Through local empowerment and early intervention, we're not just improving health outcomes; we are impacting lives." BUSINESS REPORT
