Top 5 vehicle exporters for May 2025
While the new car market saw some positive growth, South African vehicle exports for May 2025 saw a considerable dip. Here is a look at the Top 5 for the month.
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The SARB cut the interest rate by 25 basis points, and while Naamsa mentions this is expected to enhance credit affordability and reduce capital costs across the board, it holds particular significance for vehicle exporters. Lower interest rates reduce borrowing costs for manufacturers investing in tooling upgrades, retooling for new model production, and scaling export operations. With inflation easing to 2.8% and the Rand gaining strength, the environment is more conducive to attracting capital into export-oriented manufacturing.
Related: Top 5 Vehicle Exporters — March 2025
However, declining figures in May 2025 don't reflect the full picture. Vehicle exports fell by 5 165 units, or 14.6%, to 30 112 units compared to the 35 277 units exported in May 2024. Despite the monthly decline, year-to-date exports remained 1.4% ahead of the same period last year. According to Naamsa, this drop was partly due to major OEM Volkswagen halting production from mid-April to mid-May to complete critical upgrades for a forthcoming model, the Tera SUV.
In line with the National Budget 3.0's emphasis on fiscal consolidation, the SARB's policy action illustrates that price stability and export-led growth can co-exist. Discussions around potentially lowering the official inflation target from 4.5% to 3.0% offer longer-term hope for structurally lower interest rates, transformative for manufacturers seeking to remain competitive on global stages.
Top 5 exporters for May 2025
Ford – 6 963 (+ 471 units) Mercedes-Benz SA – 6 600 (- 0 units)
BMW
– 5 700 (+ 500 units)
Toyota
– 5 566 (- 1 833 units)
Volkswagen
– 4 305 (- 1 026 units)
The month of May 2025 saw a shuffle for the Top 5 and while none have fallen off of the list from the previous month, it was Ford that led South Africa's vehicle export market with 6 963 units, marking a notable increase of 471 units compared to April. German automaker Mercedes-Benz kept output at a steady 6 600 for the month and BMW's Rosslyn plant outputted 5 700 exports which represents a 500 unit rise from April. In contrast, Toyota experienced a decline, with exports falling by 1833 units to 5 566. As mentioned prior, retooling in Kariega saw Volkswagen drop 1 026 units, ending the month at 4 305 exports.
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