SA new-vehicle sales regained a semblance of pre-pandemic normality last month with 44,217 cars, commercial vehicles and trucks sold, compared to 37,359 in February.
The year started slowly with 34,784 sales in January, 13.9% lower than the 40,413 in the corresponding month of 2020.
Last month’s upsurge in sales was a substantial 31.8% increase over the 33,546 vehicles sold in March last year, when the country went into lockdown towards the end of the month and saw vehicle production and sales halted.
The industry is expected to start recapturing lost demand on its recovery path in 2021, said Mikel Mabasa, CEO of Naamsa Automotive Business Council, umbrella body of the local motor industry.
He warned that new-vehicle sales may be hampered by stock shortages of some models caused by pandemic-induced manufacturing supply chain disruptions, such as the current global shortage of semiconductors.
There were 27,330 passenger cars and 14,375 bakkies and light commercials sold last month.
The VW Polo Vivo was SA’s most popular new car with 1,913 units finding new owners in March, closely followed by the new-generation Polo on 1,831.
Notable performances in the passenger segment included the Toyota Urban Cruiser compact SUV with 977 sales in its debut month, ahead of the vehicle on which it’s based, the Suzuki Vitara Brezza, which sold 390 cars.
The Hyundai Venue was another popular compact SUV on 944 units, outperforming the ageing Ford EcoSport (597 sales), which previously dominated the segment. Strong sales for the VW T-Cross (589), Renault Triber (587) and Haval H1 (536) demonstrated the popularity of the compact SUV segment.
The Toyota Hilux took its usual spot as SA’s most popular bakkie - and highest-selling vehicle overall - with 3,943 units in March. Ford’s Ranger was next best with 2,416 units.
The perennially popular Toyota Fortuner topped the large SUV sales charts on 966 units.
SA’s top selling new vehicles - March 2021
Toyota Hilux - 3,943
Ford Ranger - 2,416
Volkswagen Polo Vivo - 1,913
Volkswagen Polo - 1,831
Isuzu D-Max - 1,606
Nissan NP200 - 1,443
Toyota Hi-Ace - 1,348
Toyota Urban Cruiser - 977
Toyota Fortuner - 966
Hyundai Venue - 944
Suzuki Swift - 749
Toyota Starlet - 721
Nissan NP300 - 676
Datsun Go+ - 654
Ford EcoSport - 597
VW T-Cross - 589
Renault Triber - 587
Toyota Corolla Quest - 583
Haval H1 - 536
Toyota Agya - 531
Suzuki S-Presso - 527
Renault Kwid - 519
Kia Picanto - 516
Mahindra Scorpio Pik-Up - 516
Hyundai Grand i10 - 515
Datsun Go - 437
Haval H2 - 419
Hyundai Creta - 400
VW Polo sedan - 400
Kia Seltos - 370
NEWS
These were SA’s best-selling cars in March
New-vehicle sales bounce back to pre-pandemic levels after a slow start to the year
Image: Supplied
SA new-vehicle sales regained a semblance of pre-pandemic normality last month with 44,217 cars, commercial vehicles and trucks sold, compared to 37,359 in February.
The year started slowly with 34,784 sales in January, 13.9% lower than the 40,413 in the corresponding month of 2020.
Last month’s upsurge in sales was a substantial 31.8% increase over the 33,546 vehicles sold in March last year, when the country went into lockdown towards the end of the month and saw vehicle production and sales halted.
The industry is expected to start recapturing lost demand on its recovery path in 2021, said Mikel Mabasa, CEO of Naamsa Automotive Business Council, umbrella body of the local motor industry.
He warned that new-vehicle sales may be hampered by stock shortages of some models caused by pandemic-induced manufacturing supply chain disruptions, such as the current global shortage of semiconductors.
There were 27,330 passenger cars and 14,375 bakkies and light commercials sold last month.
The VW Polo Vivo was SA’s most popular new car with 1,913 units finding new owners in March, closely followed by the new-generation Polo on 1,831.
Notable performances in the passenger segment included the Toyota Urban Cruiser compact SUV with 977 sales in its debut month, ahead of the vehicle on which it’s based, the Suzuki Vitara Brezza, which sold 390 cars.
The Hyundai Venue was another popular compact SUV on 944 units, outperforming the ageing Ford EcoSport (597 sales), which previously dominated the segment. Strong sales for the VW T-Cross (589), Renault Triber (587) and Haval H1 (536) demonstrated the popularity of the compact SUV segment.
The Toyota Hilux took its usual spot as SA’s most popular bakkie - and highest-selling vehicle overall - with 3,943 units in March. Ford’s Ranger was next best with 2,416 units.
The perennially popular Toyota Fortuner topped the large SUV sales charts on 966 units.
SA’s top selling new vehicles - March 2021
Toyota Hilux - 3,943
Ford Ranger - 2,416
Volkswagen Polo Vivo - 1,913
Volkswagen Polo - 1,831
Isuzu D-Max - 1,606
Nissan NP200 - 1,443
Toyota Hi-Ace - 1,348
Toyota Urban Cruiser - 977
Toyota Fortuner - 966
Hyundai Venue - 944
Suzuki Swift - 749
Toyota Starlet - 721
Nissan NP300 - 676
Datsun Go+ - 654
Ford EcoSport - 597
VW T-Cross - 589
Renault Triber - 587
Toyota Corolla Quest - 583
Haval H1 - 536
Toyota Agya - 531
Suzuki S-Presso - 527
Renault Kwid - 519
Kia Picanto - 516
Mahindra Scorpio Pik-Up - 516
Hyundai Grand i10 - 515
Datsun Go - 437
Haval H2 - 419
Hyundai Creta - 400
VW Polo sedan - 400
Kia Seltos - 370
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