November 2023 saw SA’s new-vehicle market suffer its biggest losses since early 2021. But, fascinatingly, as many as 23 nameplates registered their best performances of the year so far…

In November 2023, South Africa’s new-vehicle market suffered its most significant year-on-year losses since the beginning of 2021, with sales declining 9.8% to 45 075 units. Despite this subdued performance, something fascinating occurred: as many as 23 nameplates registered their strongest showings of the year thus far.

Yes, combing through the official sales figures, we found example after example of models that sold better in November than any of the preceding 10 months of 2023. So, let’s take a closer look at the performances of these nameplates (ranked by overall volume) last month, each of which bucked the market trend.

Haval’s H6 hit the 600-unit mark for the first time this year.

In November 2023, the Nissan Magnite registered as many as 997 sales, beating its previous best this year of 798 units (achieved in July). As many as 833 units came via the dealer channel, with a further 14 sold to government and 10 to the vehicle-rental industry. Interestingly, the Magnite’s best month of 2023 seemingly came courtesy of Nissan SA itself, which reported a whopping 140 single registrations (so, vehicles registered by the manufacturer for its own use).

With 986 sales, the Chery Tiggo 4 Pro likewise enjoyed its strongest month of 2023, eclipsing its year-to-date monthly average of 832 units. A neat 100 units were sold to the rental industry, with a further 3 examples purchased by the South African state.

The new 5-door models helped Suzuki’s Jimny range hit a peak in November.

Though the first registrations of the Toyota Vitz – which is currently South Africa’s cheapest new car thanks to an ongoing promotion from the Japanese brand’s local division – were reported only in April 2023, November was easily the Suzuki-built budget hatchback’s top showing of the year, with 855 units sold. The rental industry also played its part here, with 216 units sold via this channel (plus 16 single registrations).

Meanwhile, the Haval H6 (654 units, including 201 sold to the rental industry) breached the 600-unit barrier for the first time this year, with the Suzuki Fronx not far behind on 547 units (bear in mind the latter model has been on the local market for only a little over 3 months, with its maker reporting early “stock challenges”). With the new 5-door version now online, the Suzuki Jimny (350 units) likewise enjoyed its best performance of 2023 last month.

Nearly 350 examples of the Ford Everest were registered in November.

Other models to peak in November 2023 included the Ford Everest (346 units), Hyundai Tucson (295 units), Nissan Qashqai (163 units), Honda Amaze (149 units), Ford Puma (132 units), Isuzu MU-X (132 units), Audi Q5 (126 units, including both the standard SUV and Sportback body styles) and Hyundai Kona (119 units).

Finally, the nameplates that couldn’t quite reach 3 figures but nevertheless recorded monthly highs in November were the Volkswagen Kombi (93 units), Proton X50 (54 units), Proton X70 (40 units), Jeep Renegade (29 units), Proton Saga (29 units), Volkswagen Caravelle (27 units), Honda CR-V (22 units), Opel Crossland (15 units) and Ferrari 296 GTS (2 units).

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