Toyota Hilux, Ford listed among best-selling cars made in South Africa

South African consumers are driving up sales of cars manufactured within the nation’s borders. This is according to the latest data from the automotive business council, Naamsa.

The demand for vehicles built within South Africa’s borders is a driving force behind the success of the top-selling cars in the nation. Apart from the Toyota Hilux, two other models that have captured the hearts of local consumers are the VW Polo Vivo and Ford Ranger, all of which are manufactured domestically.

South Africa’s position as an automotive hub is evident, with major manufacturers such as BMW, Ford, Isuzu, Mahindra, Nissan, Toyota, and VW operating factories across the nation. These factories churn out hundreds of thousands of cars annually, making the southern tip of Africa a focal point for the automobile industry.

One of the significant advantages for local consumers is the relatively lower price tag on domestically-produced vehicles compared to their imported counterparts.

The absence of substantial transportation costs gives these cars a competitive edge. For instance, the Ford Ranger starts at R494,400 in South Africa, whereas the same model’s starting price is significantly higher at £33,930 (R820,200) in the UK and €40,210 (R837,300) in Germany.

Similarly, the BMW X3 carries a starting price of R981,224 in South Africa. Comparatively, the UK offers it at £47,295 (R1,142,400), and in Germany, it’s priced at €55,900 (R1,164,000).

It’s important to note that local wages in South Africa are generally lower than those in foreign markets, and the international price tags also encompass market-specific taxes and margins, which might be higher. However, this still highlights a significant advantage of buying a vehicle manufactured in the same country, perhaps even the same city.

The best-selling cars built in South Africa

Here’s a rundown of the best-selling, locally-produced cars in South Africa, complete with the latest sales figures as provided by Naamsa – the automotive business council.

Mercedes-Benz, known for producing the C-Class in East London, was excluded from this list due to its lack of reported sales figures. For reference, the entire Mercedes brand sold 568 vehicles in South Africa in July, according to Naamsa.

BMW, on the other hand, shares its model-specific sales statistics once every quarter. As such, the sales figures for the BMW X3 are based on the last available data from June.

Toyota Hilux dominates as the best-selling model

Topping the charts as both the best-selling locally-produced vehicle and the overall best-seller in South Africa is the Toyota Hilux. This iconic pickup truck, known for its reliability and performance, has secured the hearts of the nation’s car buyers. Starting at a reasonable price of R356,600, the Hilux is produced in Durban.

VW Polo Vivo and Ford Ranger trail closely

Hot on the heels of the Hilux, the VW Polo Vivo and the Ford Ranger emerge as strong contenders. The Polo Vivo, a compact and efficient option, boasts a starting price of R252,500. Manufactured in Kariega, it has captured the attention of 2,177 buyers. Meanwhile, the Ford Ranger, a robust pickup truck, starts at R494,400 and is produced in Pretoria. With 2,089 units sold, the Ranger maintains a solid presence in the market.

 

Diverse range from Toyota and Isuzu

The best-sellers list continues with the Toyota Corolla Cross and the Isuzu D-Max. The Corolla Cross, a versatile crossover SUV, starts at R404,400. With production taking place in Durban, 1,801 units have found their way to South African driveways. On the other hand, the Isuzu D-Max, a sturdy pickup truck, starts at R431,800. Gqeberha serves as its production location, and it has secured 1,542 buyers.

 

Local production equals lower prices

South Africa’s reputation as an automotive hub is reinforced by major manufacturers such as BMW, Ford, Isuzu, Mahindra, Nissan, Toyota, and VW. These companies have established factories nationwide, contributing to the annual production of hundreds of thousands of cars.

One notable advantage of this local manufacturing is the affordability for domestic consumers. The absence of extensive transportation costs associated with imports leads to lower price tags. For example, the Ford Ranger, with a starting price of R494,400 in South Africa, commands a significantly higher price of £33,930 (R820,200) in the UK and €40,210 (R837,300) in Germany.

Read more on Success secrets of South Africa’s automotive manufacturing sector revealed