Car Sales Continue to Record Growth in November

South Africa’s new vehicle market extended its recovery in November, with total sales rising to 54 896 units from 48 783 a year earlier. The year-to-date tally is now 15.4% ahead of the same period in 2024, pointing to firmer momentum in both household and business demand for vehicles.

This is according to data from Naamsa, a motoring industry body.

Passenger cars again did the heavy lifting. Sales reached 39 158 units compared with 35 287 in November 2024

Car rental fleets played a crucial role, contributing 21.2% of passenger sales ahead of South Africa’s peak holiday season.

Light commercial vehicles, bakkies, and minibuses also recorded healthy gains. Domestic sales climbed to 13 048 units from 10 827, reflecting ongoing demand from small firms, logistics operators, and farmers, who continue to depend on these workhorse vehicles to keep their operations running.

The picture was more mixed in the heavier end of the market. Medium-truck sales edged down to 698 units compared with 702 a year ago, a modest decline of 0.6% that hints at lingering caution in sectors tied to construction and manufacturing.

Heavy trucks and buses held up better at 1 992 units, suggesting that freight and long-haul activity remained comparatively resilient despite patchy overall growth. In November 2024 the number of units sold had been 1 967.

Bheki Mahlobo, economics and policy editor of The Common Sense, says, “South Africa’s vehicle sales industry continues to be supported by rate cuts, which have made access to vehicle loans cheaper.”

He adds: “The stronger rand and lower oil prices have also eased the pressure on households and businesses, which means we can continue to expect solid vehicle sales growth in December and early 2026.”