By using this site, you agree to the Privacy Policy and Terms of Use.
Accept
The Auto Magazine
  • Home
  • Auto Shows
    Auto ShowsShow More
    Multifaceted MasterDrive at Simola
    April 24, 2025
    OMODA & JAECOO accelerate 2025 NEV strategy with bold debuts at Auto Shanghai
    April 24, 2025
    GWM Unveils its Global Strategy at Auto Shanghai 2025
    April 24, 2025
    Maserati takes part in Anantara Concorso Roma 2025
    April 23, 2025
    Knysna Motor Show goes Cars@Coffee on 27 April, 2025
    April 20, 2025
  • Bikes
    BikesShow More
    BMW Motorrad presents the new R 18 models
    January 22, 2025
    BMW Motorrad presents the BMW Concept F 450 GS
    November 5, 2024
    BMW Motorrad presents the new bikes
    November 1, 2024
    24YM HONDA NX500
    October 15, 2024
    BMW Motorrad presents the new BMW C 400 GT and BMW C 400 X
    October 15, 2024
  • News
    NewsShow More
    Chery launches LEPAS brand with L8 luxury SUV, ushering in a new premium era
    April 25, 2025
    NADA Applauds Move to Support Stability and Ease Pressure on Consumers
    April 24, 2025
    Automechanika Sub-Saharan Africa Roadshow Expands Automotive Aftermarket Possibilities
    April 24, 2025
    AK47 PROTECTION FOR JEEP GRAND CHEROKEE (WITH WARRANTY INTACT!)
    April 24, 2025
    Ford Silverton Manufacturing Plant Green Initiatives a Step Closer to Carbon Neutrality
    April 23, 2025
  • Concepts
    ConceptsShow More
    Audi unveils Q6 e-tron offroad concept
    January 28, 2025
    CITROEN PRESENTS C5 AIRCROSS CONCEPT
    October 15, 2024
    Lotus Unveils Theory 1:  The Future Of Intelligent Performance
    September 23, 2024
    First sketches of Škoda Enyaq RS Race
    May 3, 2024
    W16 Mistral: the art of bringing Bugatti’s ultimate roadster to life
    January 24, 2024
  • EVs
    EVsShow More
    RANGE ROVER ELECTRIC PROTOTYPES EXCEL IN LATEST WINTER TESTING AND DEVELOPMENT CYCLE
    April 25, 2025
    ELECTRIFIED LUXURY REDEFINED: THE ALL-NEW LEXUS ES
    April 24, 2025
    Volvo EX90 claims World Luxury Car title
    April 17, 2025
    DFSK South Africa rolls out EC35 Electric Panel Van
    April 15, 2025
    The all-new electric G-Class
    April 10, 2025
  • Motosport
    MotosportShow More
    Castrol, NWM, Ford and bp Join Forces for 2025 South African Rally-Raid Championship
    April 25, 2025
    BEHIND THE SCENES WITH GILLY DYKES: DUST, GRIT AND DETERMINATION
    April 24, 2025
    Fouriesburg Rally Shifts to Spring
    April 23, 2025
    TOYOTA GAZOO RACING JUNIOR ACADEMY EYES MORE GLORY AT ROTAX NATIONAL ROUND 2
    April 23, 2025
    FINAL COUNTDOWN COMMENCES FOR SOUTH AFRICAN SAFARI RALLY
    April 22, 2025
  • Trucks & Buses
    Trucks & BusesShow More
    HINO ONCE AGAIN ANSWERS FARMERS’ CALL FOR HELP
    April 24, 2025
    Daimler Truck Southern Africa appoints Wolf Edmayr as the General Manager of TruckStore
    March 28, 2025
    ISUZU Motors South Africa Celebrates 60 Years of Isuzu Trucks in South Africa
    March 3, 2025
    Itumeleng Segage, General Manager of Hino South Africa
    HINO SCORES MORE THAN 99% IN ALL FOUR CUSTOMER CARE SURVEY CATEGORIES
    February 5, 2025
    UD TRUCKS SOUTHERN AFRICA DEEPENS ITS COMMITMENT
    January 28, 2025
  • Reviews
    ReviewsShow More
    Tow Like a Pro with the Ford Ranger
    April 10, 2025
    MEET THE ALL-NEW LEXUS GX: A PREMIUM OFF-ROADER REIMAGINED
    April 8, 2025
    Aston Martin Vanquish Volante: The world’s fastest, most powerful front-engine convertible
    March 29, 2025
    The legend grows: introducing the Toyota Hilux Hybrid 48v and GR SPORT II
    March 29, 2025
    THE ALL-NEW GWM P300 – BRING IT ON!
    March 3, 2025
  • Tech
    TechShow More
    Chery unveils AiMOGA: Revolutionising the car-buying experience through intelligent robotics
    April 24, 2025
    Volvo Cars uses AI and virtual worlds with the aim to create safer cars
    March 21, 2025
    Chery drives AI innovation with DeepSeek partnership
    March 3, 2025
    Stellantis Unveils STLA AutoDrive
    February 20, 2025
    Mercedes-Benz and Google Partner on AI-powered Conversational Search within Navigation Systems
    January 14, 2025
Hot News
ELECTRIFIED LUXURY REDEFINED: THE ALL-NEW LEXUS ES
Chery launches LEPAS brand with L8 luxury SUV, ushering in a new premium era
RANGE ROVER ELECTRIC PROTOTYPES EXCEL IN LATEST WINTER TESTING AND DEVELOPMENT CYCLE
Castrol, NWM, Ford and bp Join Forces for 2025 South African Rally-Raid Championship
Multifaceted MasterDrive at Simola
ELECTRIFIED LUXURY REDEFINED: THE ALL-NEW LEXUS ES
Chery launches LEPAS brand with L8 luxury SUV, ushering in a new premium era
Motosport

Xbox becomes Official Console Partner of BWT Alpine F1Team

Latest News

Next-Gen Mitsubishi Triton announced as a 2025 Car of the Year finalist

Latest News

Suzuki Dealers give the brand a Platinum stamp of approval

Trucks & Buses

Successful market launch of the new MAN eTruck

Font ResizerAa
The Auto MagazineThe Auto Magazine
  • Home
  • Auto Shows
  • Bikes
  • News
  • Concepts
  • EVs
  • Motosport
  • Trucks & Buses
  • Reviews
  • Tech
Search
  • Home
  • Auto Shows
  • Bikes
  • News
  • Concepts
  • EVs
  • Motosport
  • Trucks & Buses
  • Reviews
  • Tech
Follow US
Crafted by Intellegere Media. © 2024 The Auto Magazine. All rights reserved.
Latest News

South Africa’s vehicle sales decline in 2024 despite late-year recovery

Itumeleng Garebatshabe
Last updated: January 9, 2025 11:12
By Itumeleng Garebatshabe
90 Views
4 Min Read
Share
4 Min Read
SHARE

December vehicle sales in South Africa rose for the third consecutive month, increasing by 2.5% compared to December 2023. This growth was primarily driven by an 8.2% rise in passenger car sales, with the rental industry continuing to play a significant role in the segment, accounting for 10.9% of the total.

However, light commercial vehicle (LCV) sales declined by 10.3%, while medium and heavy trucks recorded decreases of 7.6% and 11.8%, respectively. Despite these declines, the positive momentum in the final quarter of 2024 provided some relief, with passenger car sales leading the recovery.

Brandon Cohen, Chairperson of the National Automobile Dealers’ Association (NADA), highlighted a key contributor to the decline in LCV sales. “One of the primary factors was the pullback of SA Taxi Finance, which prompted other financial institutions to follow suit. This led to a sharp decline in taxi sales, which fell from well over 1,000 units per month to just a few hundred since March. Despite this, other LCV segments showed growth, partially offsetting the impact.”

Brandon Cohen, Chairperson of the National Automobile Dealers’ Association

Cohen noted that sales figures for December and January often lack clarity due to variations in OEM reporting cut-off dates. “To gain a more accurate understanding of end-of-year trends, it is generally better to combine the figures for both months and calculate an average,” he explained.

For the full year, total aggregate vehicle sales declined by 3% to 515,712 units – the lowest annual figure since the COVID-19 pandemic. Passenger car sales showed a modest 1.1% increase, but all commercial vehicle segments recorded declines.

“The ongoing sluggish economy in South Africa continued to weigh on the new vehicle market in 2024, despite some upticks in the passenger car segment during the fourth quarter. Annual vehicle sales in South Africa typically align with the country’s GDP, which was again the case in 2024. Meaningful growth is unlikely until the overall economy is revived, and we transition into a growth phase for our GDP,” said Cohen.

Reflecting on the year’s performance, Cohen described it as a “disappointing conclusion to a year in which we had hoped for growth. However, the last three months showed positive momentum, with overall sales improving each time, led by passenger car sales. Unfortunately, a lack of confidence in the business sector has weighed heavily on commercial vehicle sales.”

Cohen expressed cautious optimism for 2025. “The coming year will be intriguing, with local industry wage negotiations and changes in the US administration adding to the complexities. Managing consumer demand amid rising cost pressures remains challenging for our retail dealers. Consumers are increasingly opting for smaller, more affordable vehicles or high-quality pre-owned models to navigate economic constraints, placing pressure on retailers’ bottom lines.”

He added that stabilising inflation, potential further reductions in interest rates, and easing energy constraints could offer some relief for consumers and businesses. However, global factors such as volatile oil prices, geopolitical tensions, and ongoing conflicts remain potential disruptors to the sector in the months ahead.

Hybrid vehicles are also gaining traction, driven by fluctuating petrol prices and growing interest in sustainable solutions. Cohen remarked that dealerships offering flexible financing options and aligning inventory with affordability trends will maintain a competitive edge.

“We are also seeing some OEMs adjusting pricing to counter more affordable Chinese alternatives, and I expect this trend to continue into 2025,” Cohen concluded.

TAGGED:NADANational Automobile Dealers’ AssociationSouth Africavehicle sales

Sign Up For Daily Newsletter

Stay Updated! Get the latest breaking news delivered straight to your inbox.

By signing up, you agree to our Terms of Use and acknowledge the data practices in our Privacy Policy. You may unsubscribe at any time.
Share This Article
Facebook Whatsapp Whatsapp LinkedIn VKontakte Telegram Email Copy Link Print
Share
ByItumeleng Garebatshabe
Editor
Follow:
Itumeleng is the Managing Editor of The Auto Magazine. He is a tech and car enthusiast

Follow US

FacebookLike
XFollow
InstagramFollow
YoutubeSubscribe
TiktokFollow
TelegramFollow
Google NewsFollow
LinkedInFollow

You Might Also Like

Latest News

JLR’S FIRST QUARTER SALES INCREASE YEAR ON YEAR

By Itumeleng Garebatshabe
July 8, 2024
Motosport

Neil Woolridge Motorsport ends 2023 as South African rally-raid champions

By Itumeleng Garebatshabe
December 12, 2023
Latest News

naamsa RELEASES OCTOBER 2023 STATS, AWAITS POLICY FOR NEW EVs

By Itumeleng Garebatshabe
November 1, 2023
Reviews

Cortina Changed Ford’s Footprint in South Africa

By Itumeleng Garebatshabe
March 6, 2024
Latest News

World Rivers Day and the Ford Wildlife Foundation’s Contribution to Conservation

By Itumeleng Garebatshabe
September 17, 2024
Latest News

Three in a row for Chery

By Itumeleng Garebatshabe
July 8, 2024

The Auto Magazine

  • Advertise
  • About Us
  • Contact
  • Privacy Policy
  • Terms of Use
  • Cookie Policy
  • Bikes
  • Electric Vehicles
  • Trucks & Buses
  • Auto Shows
  • Latest News
  • Motosport

Crafted by Intellegere Media. All rights reserved. 2024

Don't not sell my personal information
Join Us!
Subscribe to our newsletter and never miss our latest news, podcasts etc.

Zero spam, Unsubscribe at any time.
adbanner