Figures released by the National Association of Automobile Manufacturers of South Africa (NAAMSA) and produced in association with Response Group Trendline show that the South African car market declined by 7.3% over last year to 20,126 units in October.
Light commercial vehicle sales – including ‘bakkies’ (pick-ups) – fell by 14.2% in October to 9,334 units.

Discover B2B Marketing That Performs

Combine business intelligence and editorial excellence to reach engaged professionals across 36 leading media platforms.

Find out more

In the first 10 months of the year South African passenger car sales reached 196,214 units, 2.7% below the same period in 2001.

NAAMSA said that the slow down in car sales this year could be attributed to the effects of interest rate increases this year, general inflationary pressures and pressures on real disposable income. The association also warned that the industry’s domestic trading environment was expected to remain challenging in coming months, reflecting the impact of new vehicle price increases and higher costs of finance.

However, NAAMSA also reported that medium and heavy-duty commercial vehicle sales continued to improve in October, reflecting a ‘generally positive investment sentiment’.

South African vehicle exports slowed in October, but at 86,427 units in the first ten months remained 24.1% ahead of the corresponding period last year.

GlobalData Strategic Intelligence

US Tariffs are shifting - will you react or anticipate?

Don’t let policy changes catch you off guard. Stay proactive with real-time data and expert analysis.

By GlobalData

Just Auto Excellence Awards - The Benefits of Entering

Gain the recognition you deserve! The Just Auto Excellence Awards celebrate innovation, leadership, and impact. By entering, you showcase your achievements, elevate your industry profile, and position yourself among top leaders driving automotive industry advancements. Don’t miss your chance to stand out—submit your entry today!

Nominate Now