Toyota South Africa Motors says it achieved its highest-ever light-commercial vehicle market share in 2020 with sales of 46 526 units.
According to the Japanese firm’s local division, Toyota models accounted for some 41,9 percent of light-commercial vehicles sold in the country in what was a particularly challenging 2020 thanks to the COVID-19 pandemic.
In December 2020, Toyota registered a light-commercial vehicle market share of 45,7 percent, with the Hilux (3 233) and Hiace (1 221) ranges leading the charge for the automaker. The Land Cruiser Pick-Up range added 289 units, while the Dyna (90), Hiace bus (66), Quantum panel van (38) and Avanza panel van (2) made up the numbers.
Toyota SA Motors says it registered a total of 90 129 vehicles in 2020, with some 40 970 coming in the form of passenger models for a 16,6 percent market share. As many as 46 526 light-commercial vehicles (for the aforementioned 41,9 percent market share) were sold during the year, along with 1 635 medium-commercial vehicles (24,3 percent market share) and 998 heavy-commercial vehicles (6,2 percent market share).
“It was a bittersweet year of retail for Toyota. Although we are pleased to have ended the year with an aggregate market share of 23,7 percent – coupled with an extraordinary December result which saw us record a monumental 27,1 percent share of the retail pie – we also lost a lot of sales to the pandemic,” said Leon Theron, senior vice-president of sales and marketing at Toyota SA Motors.
“That said, in the second half of the year, the local automotive industry has shown tremendous resilience – almost matching pre-COVID-19 sales in some instances – and that was most encouraging.
“And here, we truly do owe our dealer network a huge debt of gratitude; to every single hard-working man and woman who make dealership sales, fleet sales and service departments such a great place to work, buy or service a car – thank you. Thank you for your tireless effort and dedication to your jobs. And thank you for your partnership,” he added.