The flooding in KwaZulu-Natal caused supply chain disruptions and the temporary closure of Toyota SA’s Durban factory, leading to new vehicle sales in April dropping to 37,107 units compared to 50,607 the month before.
Sales were also affected by the traditional impact of public holidays during the month, and continued global supply constraints with semiconductors and wiring harnesses due to Covid-19 and the war in Ukraine.
However year-to-date, new vehicle sales are 14.8% higher than last year at 173,299 units compared to the 151,022 sold during the first four months of last year. The growth is led primarily by passenger cars, which are 22.7% up in the first quarter, while bakkies and light commercials are down 0.6% over the same period.
SA’s most popular vehicles continue to be bakkies, budget cars and compact SUVs. The locally-built Toyota Hilux remained SA’s favourite vehicle in April, though it sold far fewer units (2,788 units compared to 4,561 the month before) due to flooding at the factory.
The temporary factory closure also affected sales of the locally-built Toyota Corolla Cross, Corolla Quest, Fortuner and Hiace.
In contrast Suzuki had an excellent month with the imported Swift hatchback topping the league as SA’s overall best selling passenger car, the first time it has achieved this accolade. Suzuki was also the country’s third best selling brand in April, behind first-placed Toyota and second-placed Volkswagen.
SA’s top selling vehicles by segment — April 2022
Budget cars
Suzuki Swift - 1,621
VW Polo Vivo - 1,547
VW Polo - 1,320
Renault Kwid - 769
Hyundai Atos - 650
Kia Picanto - 587
VW Polo sedan - 558
Toyota Starlet - 510
Hyundai Grand i10 - 396
Toyota Corolla Quest - 279
Kia Pegas - 251
Toyota Agya - 221
Nissan Almera - 204
Hyundai i20 - 184
Compact SUVs
Toyota Corolla Cross - 1,421
Renault Kiger - 931
VW T-Cross - 761
Haval Jolion - 736
Hyundai Venue - 704
Toyota Urban Cruiser - 613
Ford EcoSport - 612
Suzuki Vitara Brezza - 540
Suzuki Jimny - 499
Kia Sonet - 403
Nissan Magnite - 395
Suzuki S-Presso - 345
Kia Seltos - 275
Mazda CX-5 - 200
Mahindra XUV300 - 192
Hyundai Creta - 149
Mahindra KUV - 139
Renault Duster - 137
VW Tiguan - 96
Audi Q3 - 91
Volvo XC40 - 88
Midsize/large SUVs
Toyota Fortuner - 618
Ford Everest - 164
Haval H6 - 144
Toyota Rav4 - 124
Nissan X-Trail - 121
Toyota Prado - 121
Mitsubishi Pajero Sport - 104
Hyundai Tucson - 89
Jeep Wrangler - 69
Toyota Land Cruiser 300 - 60
Isuzu MU-X - 53
Jeep Renegade - 43
Land Rover Defender - 42
Audi Q5 Sportback - 23
Audi Q5 - 18
Bakkies
Toyota Hilux - 2,788
Ford Ranger - 1,140
Nissan NP200 - 966
Isuzu D-Max - 777
Mahindra Scorpio Pik-Up - 458
Nissan Navara - 435
GWM P Series - 263
GWM Steed - 231
Hyundai H100 bakkie - 209
Toyota Land Cruiser pickup - 205
VW Amarok - 162
Kia K2700 - 142
Mahindra Bolero - 78
Suzuki Super Carry - 75
Mitsubishi Triton - 63
JAC T8 - 48
Peugeot Landtrek - 36
Kia K2500 - 32
JAC X200 - 23
Mazda BT-50 - 12
VW Transporter pickup - 7
MPVs and minibuses
Toyota Hiace - 1,084
Renault Triber - 507
Suzuki Ertiga - 370
Toyota Rumion - 297
Hyundai Grand Creta - 151
Hyundai Staria - 111
Mitsubishi Xpander - 84
Kia Sorento - 60
VW Kombi - 58
Kia Carnival - 55
These were SA’s top-selling cars in April
Toyota had a quieter month due to its flooded factory, while Suzuki raced up the charts
Image: Supplied
The flooding in KwaZulu-Natal caused supply chain disruptions and the temporary closure of Toyota SA’s Durban factory, leading to new vehicle sales in April dropping to 37,107 units compared to 50,607 the month before.
Sales were also affected by the traditional impact of public holidays during the month, and continued global supply constraints with semiconductors and wiring harnesses due to Covid-19 and the war in Ukraine.
However year-to-date, new vehicle sales are 14.8% higher than last year at 173,299 units compared to the 151,022 sold during the first four months of last year. The growth is led primarily by passenger cars, which are 22.7% up in the first quarter, while bakkies and light commercials are down 0.6% over the same period.
SA’s most popular vehicles continue to be bakkies, budget cars and compact SUVs. The locally-built Toyota Hilux remained SA’s favourite vehicle in April, though it sold far fewer units (2,788 units compared to 4,561 the month before) due to flooding at the factory.
The temporary factory closure also affected sales of the locally-built Toyota Corolla Cross, Corolla Quest, Fortuner and Hiace.
In contrast Suzuki had an excellent month with the imported Swift hatchback topping the league as SA’s overall best selling passenger car, the first time it has achieved this accolade. Suzuki was also the country’s third best selling brand in April, behind first-placed Toyota and second-placed Volkswagen.
SA’s top selling vehicles by segment — April 2022
Budget cars
Suzuki Swift - 1,621
VW Polo Vivo - 1,547
VW Polo - 1,320
Renault Kwid - 769
Hyundai Atos - 650
Kia Picanto - 587
VW Polo sedan - 558
Toyota Starlet - 510
Hyundai Grand i10 - 396
Toyota Corolla Quest - 279
Kia Pegas - 251
Toyota Agya - 221
Nissan Almera - 204
Hyundai i20 - 184
Compact SUVs
Toyota Corolla Cross - 1,421
Renault Kiger - 931
VW T-Cross - 761
Haval Jolion - 736
Hyundai Venue - 704
Toyota Urban Cruiser - 613
Ford EcoSport - 612
Suzuki Vitara Brezza - 540
Suzuki Jimny - 499
Kia Sonet - 403
Nissan Magnite - 395
Suzuki S-Presso - 345
Kia Seltos - 275
Mazda CX-5 - 200
Mahindra XUV300 - 192
Hyundai Creta - 149
Mahindra KUV - 139
Renault Duster - 137
VW Tiguan - 96
Audi Q3 - 91
Volvo XC40 - 88
Midsize/large SUVs
Toyota Fortuner - 618
Ford Everest - 164
Haval H6 - 144
Toyota Rav4 - 124
Nissan X-Trail - 121
Toyota Prado - 121
Mitsubishi Pajero Sport - 104
Hyundai Tucson - 89
Jeep Wrangler - 69
Toyota Land Cruiser 300 - 60
Isuzu MU-X - 53
Jeep Renegade - 43
Land Rover Defender - 42
Audi Q5 Sportback - 23
Audi Q5 - 18
Bakkies
Toyota Hilux - 2,788
Ford Ranger - 1,140
Nissan NP200 - 966
Isuzu D-Max - 777
Mahindra Scorpio Pik-Up - 458
Nissan Navara - 435
GWM P Series - 263
GWM Steed - 231
Hyundai H100 bakkie - 209
Toyota Land Cruiser pickup - 205
VW Amarok - 162
Kia K2700 - 142
Mahindra Bolero - 78
Suzuki Super Carry - 75
Mitsubishi Triton - 63
JAC T8 - 48
Peugeot Landtrek - 36
Kia K2500 - 32
JAC X200 - 23
Mazda BT-50 - 12
VW Transporter pickup - 7
MPVs and minibuses
Toyota Hiace - 1,084
Renault Triber - 507
Suzuki Ertiga - 370
Toyota Rumion - 297
Hyundai Grand Creta - 151
Hyundai Staria - 111
Mitsubishi Xpander - 84
Kia Sorento - 60
VW Kombi - 58
Kia Carnival - 55
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