Naamsa, the Automotive Business Council of South Africa, has released the local new-car sales statistics for October 2026. We look in detail at the top 10 best-selling car brands in the tenth month of the year.
In October 2026, Toyota South Africa Motors (TSAM) continued to lead the local new-car sales race, with the Japanese automaker’s local arm registering 14 495 new vehicles sold in the tenth month of the year. Second on the podium, with 7 292 units sold, Suzuki Auto South Africa saw an increase of 624 units over September 2026, ahead of Volkswagen Group Africa. Taking third place, the German marque’s local arm was up 547 units sold with 6 515 new cars.
Ford Motor Company (3 353 units) and Hyundai Automotive South Africa (3 207 units) maintained fourth and fifth position, respectively. Just shy of the top five, GWM climbed from eighth to sixth spot with 2 919 units sold, while Chery Auto South Africa (2 754 units) remained in seventh position. Kia moved up to eighth spot, with Isuzu and Jetour taking ninth and 10th position, respectively.
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10 best-selling car brands in South Africa in October 2026
- Toyota — 14 495 units (down 871)
- Suzuki — 7 292 units (up 624)
- Volkswagen — 6 515 units (up 547)
- Ford — 3 353 units (up 163)
- Hyundai — 3 207 units (up 150)
- GWM — 2 919 units (up 219)
- Chery — 2 754 units (down 250)
- Kia — 2 233 units (up 393)
- Isuzu — 2 123 units (down 899)
- Jetour — 2 102 units (up 66)
Missing out on the top 10, Renault placed 11th, with the French marque moving 1 706 units, followed by Mahindra shifting 1 484 new cars last month. BMW Group pipped Chery sub-brand Omoda & Jaecoo for 13th position, with the German and Chinese automakers registering 1 312 and 1 201 units sold, respectively. Tata Motors Passenger Vehicles placed 15th again, this time with 1 057 units sold.
October 2026 new-car sales
According to naamsa, new-vehicle sales in South Africa continued to demonstrate notable resilience in October 2026, despite higher costs of living. In the tenth month of the year, an aggregate of 61 890 new vehicles were sold in our market — the latter figure representing a 5 839 unit (or 10.4%) increase over October 2025.
Of the total new-vehicle sales, the passenger-car market registered 45 084 units sold. Compared to October 2025, the latter figure signifies a 13.6% (5 380 units) increase. October 2026’s new passenger-car sales were also up (163 units) compared to September 2026. The light commercial vehicle (LCV) segment — bakkies and minibuses — comprised 13 689 sales, an increase of 291 units (2.2%) over October 2025, yet 672 units fewer than September 2026. The medium commercial vehicle (MCV) segment recorded a decline in sales, with 770 units sold (down 0.9%). The heavy commercial vehicle segment (heavy trucks and buses) registered 2 347 new vehicles sold, representing a 175-unit increase compared to October 2025.
Of the total reported industry sales, an estimated 58 234 (or 78%) represented dealer sales. The rental industry accounted for 16.5% of the total figure, while government and corporate fleet sales attributed 3.3 and 2.2%, respectively.
Export sales rose in October, with 38 117 units shipped overseas. This figure represents growth of 6.3% compared to the tenth month of 2025.
