A promising 5.8% increase year-on-year for the LCV segment still has Toyota’s Hilux leading the charge for bakkie sales. Here are the Top 5.
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According to Naamsa data, South Africa’s light commercial vehicle (LCV) segment (which includes bakkies and minibuses) recorded decent growth in May 2025, supported by a long-anticipated shift in monetary policy. The South African Reserve Bank’s decision to cut the repo rate by 25 basis points provided a timely boost to consumer affordability and industry investment potential. In terms of numbers, domestic sales of new LCVs reached 10 938 units in May, representing a 5.8% increase (up 601 units) compared to May 2024. The easing of credit conditions, alongside improving economic fundamentals, lower inflation (2.8%), and a firmer Rand, helped drive the segment’s performance, according to the data authority.
Related: Top 5 Vehicle Exporters – April 2025
The interest rate cut also holds longer-term benefits for manufacturers of bakkies and LCVs. Lower borrowing costs are expected to support capital expenditure, tooling upgrades, and the rollout of new models. These developments are critical in an increasingly competitive export market, where South African-made bakkies form a core part of the value chain. However, on the export front, challenges remain. Vehicle exports (which are comprised significantly by bakkies) declined 14.6% year-on-year in May to 30 112 units, but this is primarily due in part to temporary production halts at Volkswagen’s Kariega facility to accommodate installation of tooling for their new SUV. Despite this dip, year-to-date exports remain slightly ahead of 2024 levels.
With that context in mind, here is a closer look at the best-selling bakkies in South Africa for May 2025…
Top 5 Best-Selling Bakkies in SA for May 2025
- Toyota Hilux – 2 548 (- 232 units)
- Ford Ranger – 2 147 (+ 419 units)
- Isuzu D-MAX – 1 473 (+ 455 units)
- Mahindra Scorpio Pik-Up – 786 (+ 132 units)
- Nissan Navara – 389 (+ 96 units)
Toyota suffered a slight decline in sales with the venerable Hilux, but remains comfortably ahead of second-placed Ford with their Ranger. The rest of the list remains relatively unchanged, with increases in sales for the rest of the list however, the Navara vanquished the GWM P-Series from the list, in favour of the locally-produced Navara.
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