South Africa’s new vehicle sales figures for January 2022 have been released, with the latest stats illustrating that the industry enjoyed a mostly positive start to the year. Let’s take a look at what you need to know…

According to Naamsa, South Africa’s aggregate domestic new vehicle sales in January 2022 increased a healthy 19.5% year on year to a total of 41 382 units, suggesting the local automotive industry is “continuing on its gradual recovery path to pre-COVID-19 levels”.

However, export sales for January 2022 interestingly fell 9.3% year on year to 19 089 units. Still, Naamsa says it expects this sector to “gain traction during the year on the back of further new model introductions by major vehicle exporters” as well as a generally “favourable global economic outlook”.

WesBank, meanwhile, points out that while year-on-year comparisons are “difficult to interpret” owing to differing pandemic circumstances, it remains positive about the prospects of a continued “slow recovery” of the market during 2022.

“January new vehicle sales kicked off the year at similar levels to the momentum created during the second half of 2021,” said Lebogang Gaoaketse, Head of Marketing and Communications at WesBank. “While some purchase decisions may have been deferred out of December into the new year, January sales provide a solid start to the year, raising the hopes of manufacturers and dealers for ongoing market improvement.”

New vehicle sales summary for January 2022

Aggregate new vehicle sales of 41 382 units increased by 19.5% (6 743 units) compared to January 2021.New passenger vehicle sales of 30 037 units increased by 26.6% (6 305 units) compared to January 2021.New light commercial vehicle sales of 9 629 units increased by 3.8% (349 units) compared to January 2021.Export sales of 19 089 units decreased by 9.3% (-1 962 units) compared to January 2021.

10 best-selling vehicles in South Africa for January 2022

There were no surprises at the top of the list, with the venerable Toyota Hilux again leading the charge as the country’s best-seller. However, Toyota’s Suzuki-built Starlet climbed to second, nudging the Volkswagen Polo hatchback down to third (VW will be hoping its facelifted Polo that’s due later this month provides renewed sales impetus). Toyota’s likewise Suzuki-produced Urban Cruiser, meanwhile, grabbed fourth (just a single unit behind the Polo!) to knock VW’s Polo Vivo down to fifth. The new Corolla Cross snuck in at sixth, while the Suzuki Swift and Haval Jolion placed ninth and tenth respectively, with both models cracking four figures.

1. Toyota Hilux – 2 803 units

2. Toyota Starlet – 1 472 units

3. Volkswagen Polo (hatch) – 1 455 units

4. Toyota Urban Cruiser – 1 454 units

5. Volkswagen Polo Vivo – 1 373 units

6. Toyota Corolla Cross – 1 356 units

7. Isuzu D-Max – 1 141 units

8. Toyota Hi-Ace – 1 118 units

9. Suzuki Swift – 1 069 units

10. Haval Jolion – 1 038 units

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

Toyota retained its crown as the country’s best-selling automotive brand in January 2022, adding nearly 3 000 units to its December 2021 tally. Suzuki Auto SA, meanwhile, climbed to a lofty third place thanks to yet another record sales month (in which the firm shot past the 3 000-unit mark for the second time in its history). Haval also impressed by clambering up the list to snaffle fifth spot just ahead of Renault, while Ford was forced to settle for an unfamiliar eighth place.

1. Toyota – 12 480 units

2. Volkswagen Group – 5 393 units

3. Suzuki – 3 232 units

4. Hyundai – 2 668 units

5. Haval – 2 442 units

6. Renault – 2 247 units

7. Nissan – 2 172 units

8. Ford – 1 639 units

9. Kia – 1 507 units

10. Isuzu – 1 433 units

Top 5 vehicles exported from South Africa in January 2022

Again, the Prospecton-built Toyota Hilux led the exports race in January 2022, with the Kariega-produced Volkswagen Polo hatchback in second and the Silverton-built Ford Ranger in third. We should point out, however, that BMW and Mercedes-Benz did not report figures for January 2022, so it’s not clear how many X3 and C-Class sedan units were shipped from our shores during the month.

1. Toyota Hilux – 5 332 units

2. Volkswagen Polo (hatch) – 4 174 units

3. Ford Ranger – 2 364 units

4. Nissan Hardbody – 456 units

5. Isuzu D-Max – 272 units

Sales outlook

So, where to from here? Well, Naamsa says it believes consumer and business sentiment will remain “under pressure” over the short to medium term thanks to incremental increases in the repo rate. The organisation furthermore warns that supply chain disruptions, including the sustained global shortage of semi-conductor units, will continue to hamper new vehicle production and sales during 2022.

Looking even further ahead, Naamsa points out the new vehicle market trend over the next three years is “expected to be upward”, in line with National Treasury’s projected domestic economic growth outlook.

WesBank’s Gaoaketse adds that although consumers have “faced their second interest rate increase since November and fuel prices continue their record high performances”, confidence levels should continue to climb during the year as “inhibiting pandemic regulations subside” and economic improvement “perseveres”.