South Africa’s new-vehicle sales figures for February 2022 have been released, with the latest stats showing it was the country’s best sales month in nearly a year. Let’s take a look at exactly what you need to know…

According to Naamsa, South Africa’s aggregate domestic new-vehicle sales grew a strong 18.4% year on year to a total of 44 229 units in February 2022, suggesting that the local automotive industry was continuing to “gain traction”.In fact, February’s figures represented the country’s best sales month since March 2021.

The organisation furthermore pointed out that export sales for February 2022 increased an “encouraging” 12.3% year on year to 32 867 units. Following what Naamsa described as an “extended downward trajectory period since the second half of 2021”, it said the improvement in February “perhaps marked the start of a renewed upward momentum” in exports for the remainder of the year.

Lebogang Gaoaketse, head of marketing and communication at WesBank, added that despite the traditionally shortselling month and in the face of interest rate hikes and hefty fuel price increases, new vehicle sales performed “reassuringly well during the month”.

“Consumer demand was strong during February, particularly for new vehicles as opposed to used, borne out by WesBank’s 14.2% increase in finance applications for new vehicles alone,” Gaoaketse revealed.

New vehicle sales summary for February 2022

Aggregate new vehicle sales of 44 229 units increased by 18.4% (6 860 units) compared to February 2021.New passenger vehicle sales of 29 563 units increased by 22.4% (5 419 units) compared to February 2021.New light commercial vehicle sales of 12 290 units increased by 9.4% (1 058 units) compared to February 2021.Export sales of 32 867 units increased by 12.3% (3 590 units) compared to February 2021.

10 best-selling vehicles in South Africa for February 2022

While the Toyota Hilux was yet again at the very top of the sales pile, there was plenty of movement on the rest of the list. The likewise Prospecton-produced ToyotaCorolla Cross, for instance, climbed four places to grab second, just ahead of Volkswagen’s Kariega-built Polo Vivo. The Toyota Starlet fell two spots to fourth while the Toyota Hi-Ace was up three to fifth, and the Isuzu D-Max up one to sixth. Suzuki’s Swift enjoyed a particularly strong month to grab seventh, with the recently facelifted Polo hatchback having to settle for eighth. The Fortuner and Renault Kwid, meanwhile, entered the table at the expense of the Toyota’s Suzuki-built Urban Cruiser and theHaval Jolion.

1. Toyota Hilux – 3 503 units

2. Toyota Corolla Cross – 1 693 units

3. Volkswagen Polo Vivo – 1 634 units

4. Toyota Starlet – 1 607 units

5. Toyota Hi-Ace – 1 458 units

6. Isuzu D-Max – 1 401 units

7. Suzuki Swift – 1 313 units

8. Volkswagen Polo (hatch) – 1 186 units

9. Toyota Fortuner – 1 101 units

10. Renault Kwid – 1 041 units

10 best-selling car brands in South Africa for February 2022

Toyota was once again the country’s best-selling automotive brand in February 2022, with its final tally more than doublethat of the second-placed Volkswagen Group. Suzuki Auto SA, meanwhile, managed to hold steady in a lofty third place with yet another record sales month, again breaching the 3 000-unit barrier. Nissan moved up to fifth spot, knocking Haval down one to sixth and Renault to seventh. Ford, however, again had to settle for eighth place.

1. Toyota – 13 458 units

2. Volkswagen Group – 6 153 units

3. Suzuki – 3 240 units

4. Hyundai – 3 017 units

5. Nissan – 2 126 units

6. Haval – 2 054 units

7. Renault – 2 047 units

8. Ford – 1 877 units

9. Kia – 1 737 units

10. Isuzu – 1 677 units

Top 5 vehicles exported from South Africa in February 2022

While the updated Volkswagen Polo hatch tumbled down the best-selling list, it rocketed to the very top of the export table, with nearly 8 500 units shipped from our shores. The Toyota Hilux was second in the exports race in February 2022, with the Silverton-built Ford Ranger close behind in third. We should point out, however, that BMW and Mercedes-Benz again did not report detailed figures for February 2022, so it’s not exactly clear how many X3 and C-Class sedan units were exported from South Africa during the month.

1. Volkswagen Polo (hatch) – 8 448 units

2. Toyota Hilux – 4 871 units

3. Ford Ranger – 4 712 units

4. Isuzu D-Max – 521 units

5. Nissan Navara – 317 units

Sales outlook

So, what’s next for South Africa’s new-vehicle market? Well, Naamsa says the “growth-positive” national budget passed in February provided “some good news for business and consumers” in the form of a cut in corporate income tax, accommodating adjustments in personal income tax brackets and no hike in the fuel or Road Accident Fund levies for the first time since 1990. However, it pointed out that such relief was short-lived, with fuel prices hitting record highs in March 2022.

In addition, Naamsa reminded us that the vehicle emissions tax rate would soon increase. Furthermore, the organisation warned of the “ripple effects” of Russia’s invasion of the Ukraine and possible “negative consequences” for South Africa in terms of our currency, global oil prices, food prices, financial markets and potential “earlier and bigger” interest rate hikes by the South African Reserve Bank to curb inflation.

“We don’t need another global economic disruption. We urgently urge all global leaders to work through the United Nations structures to find sustainable political solutions to the conflict in the region so that the people of Ukraine can avert human suffering, destruction to property and the demolition of some of their important economic infrastructure needed to sustain progress and development,” said Naamsa CEO, Mikel Mabasa.

WesBank’s Gaoaketse echoed Mabasa’s concerns around the situation in the Ukraine, saying fuel prices looked destined to rise even further amidtensions in the region.

“The situation could amplify the divide between consumer and business demand and the market’s already hampered ability to supply. This increasing amount of pent-up demand may only be balanced by affordability considerations thanks to increased running costs, and household incomes, which remain under pressure,” Gaoaketse concluded.