May vehicle sales wrap: 50 top selling vehicles and expert insights after buoyant month
The Ford Ranger edged closer to Toyota's Hilux in May, after its sales grew by 24%.
Image: Supplied
South African new vehicle sales rode a wave of optimism in May, with the market growing by a significant 22% year-on-year, according to Naamsa.
Although sales were relatively slow during the first half of May, there was a significant uptick during the second half of the month, the National Automobile Dealers' Association (NADA) reported. This came in the wake of the 2025 Budget being finalised, as well as President Cyril Ramaphosa's meeting with US President Donald Trump and the interest rate cut.
Passenger car sales, at 31,741 units, surged by 30% versus the same month in 2024, while light commercial and bakkie sales increased by a more modest 5.8%.
On the sales charts, bakkies took the top two spots.
The Toyota Hilux led overall with 2,548 sales, a decline of 8.3% versus the previous month, while the Ford Ranger took second spot overall with 2,147 sales, an impressive gain of 24.2%.
Third overall, and leading the passenger car sector was the Suzuki Swift at 1,842 units, albeit down by 11.4% over April, while the Toyota Corolla Cross retained fourth position with its volume of 1,629, an increase of 2.8%.
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The Suzuki Swift was once again Mzansi's most popular passenger vehicle.
Image: Supplied
The usual front-runner, Volkswagen's Polo Vivo, took fifth spot, with 1,543 units finding homes, as VWSA ramped up production once again following its temporary shutdown in preparation for the new SUV model.
South Africa's 50 best-selling vehicles: May 2025
Toyota Hilux - 2,548
Ford Ranger - 2,147
Suzuki Swift - 1,842
Toyota Corolla Cross - 1,629
Volkswagen Polo Vivo - 1,543
Isuzu D-Max - 1,473
Hyundai Grand i10 - 1,350
Chery Tiggo 4 Pro - 1,255
Suzuki Fronx - 1,219
Haval Jolion - 1,113
Toyota Starlet - 1,039
Kia Sonet - 863
Mahindra Scorpio Pik-Up - 786
Volkswagen Polo - 767
Suzuki Ertiga - 721
Toyota Starlet Cross - 694
Omoda C5 - 687
Volkswagen T-Cross - 686
Toyota Fortuner - 679
Toyota Vitz - 624
Toyota Rumion - 618
Toyota Hi-Ace - 583
Mahindra XUV 3XO - 532
Toyota Urban Cruiser - 517
Renault Kiger - 492
Chery Tiggo 7 Pro - 439
Nissan Magnite - 437
Hyundai i20 - 399
Renault Kwid - 393
Nissan Navara - 389
Jetour Dashing - 377
Suzuki Baleno - 371
Hyundai Exter - 368
GWM P-Series - 348
Toyota Land Cruiser PU - 348
Renault Triber - 307
Ford Everest - 303
Suzuki Jimny - 300
Volkswagen Amarok - 282
Haval H6 - 281
Ford Territory - 274
Volkswagen Tiguan - 263
Jetour X70 Plus - 243
Suzuki Eeco - 239
Beijing X55 Plus - 234
Citroen C3 Aircross - 217
Foton Tunland G7 - 216
Hyundai Venue - 216
Kia Seltos - 209
Citroen C3 - 192
Top manufacturers
Toyota - 10,330
Suzuki Auto - 5,536
Volkswagen - 4,582
Hyundai - 3,251
Ford - 2,932
GWM / Haval - 2,069
Chery - 1,995
Isuzu - 1,961
Mahindra - 1,524
Kia - 1,406
What the experts said
'It was most satisfying to see consumer confidence, boosted by a further interest rate cut and positive developments on the geopolitical front, translate into a 22% improvement in retail new vehicle sales in May,' said NADA chairperson Brandon Cohen.
Naamsa said the Reserve Bank's decision to cut the repo rate by 25 basis points signalled a welcome policy pivot in support of industrial growth, affordability, and macro-economic stability.
"The automotive sector finds itself once again at the coalface of global economic shifts," said Naamsa CEO Mikel Mabasa.
"The SARB's latest decision to lower interest rates is both timely and commendable. It directly supports consumer affordability and boosts production competitiveness at a time when global uncertainty is weighing heavily on our export markets. While the new tariff measures remain a concern, our industry has proven its resilience time and time again."
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