Both Toyota, VW and Suzuki have enjoyed a strong sales month in October, despite industry sales experiencing a bleaker outlook. Here is who scored a place in the top 10. 
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Here is who topped the list in the passenger segment for October 2023
- Toyota – 6 921
- Volkswagen – 5 989
- Suzuki – 4 261
- Hyundai – 2 284
- Renault – 1 604
- Chery – 1 302
- Kia – 1 300
- BMW – 1 179
- Haval – 1 009
- Nissan – 863
Want to have a look at the Top 10 from September? Click here.
In what has been described as a ‘declining market’, Toyota and Suzuki both reported positive news after earning impressive sales stats. Toyota managed to deliver 12 440 units during the month earning a 27,4% share of the new vehicle market. In terms of passenger market vehicles, the automaker experienced a decline of 1 068 cars over the same period in 2022 but the Corolla Cross, Starlet and Vitz remain stalwarts for sales with 2 100, 1 363 and 779 sales respectively.
Toyota South Africa’s Senior Vice President for Sales and Marketing, Leon Theron stated: “Clearly the post-pandemic rebound is taking longer than we expected fuelled by recessionary fears, rising interest rates and other economic concerns plaguing not just South Africa but the whole world.”
Related: Toyota Hilux Retains “Best-Selling Bakkie” Title for October 2023
Fellow Japanese automaker Suzuki also reported a positive month despite the disappointing industry climate. During the month, the total market declined by 2% and passenger vehicles sales dropped by 3,4% over the same month in 2022. Over the same period, Suzuki’s total sales jumped by 9%, with dealers setting a new overall sales record, growing more than 26%.
Despite the declines in new passenger vehicle sales, Thembinkosi Pantsi, National Vice-Chairperson of the National Automobile Dealers’ Association (NADA) stated: “On the positive side, medium truck sales increased by 8.3%, and sales in the heavy truck and bus segment rose by a surprising 26% to 2,365 units for the month of October. This indicates a measure of underlying confidence in the business sector, considering that these vehicles represent significant investments at a time when many economic commentators are raising warning flags.”
Entering the last two months of 2023, the South African automotive industry is still 2,1% ahead of 2022 in terms of year-to-date total sales figures. Pantsi is confident the market will maintain a positive sales figure by the close of the year.
