Toyota South Africa Motors (TSAM) continued to power ahead with sales of 12 312 new vehicles in October. This represents 24.1% of the total sales of 51 037 units reported by the National Association of Automotive Manufacturers of South Africa (Naamsa) and means that year to date Toyota remains South Africa’s most popular vehicle brand and market leader.
Brian Joss – Naamsa further reports that the October 2017 new vehicle sales reflect a 4.6% improvement compared to the same month in 2016. Over the past five months, the domestic automotive market segments held up relatively well despite the challenging economic environment. The automotive association also believes that overall, a year-on-year improvement of around 1.5% for 2017 remains within reach.
TSAM’s October sales are the highest by any local manufacturer in 2017. The RAV4 has once again stamped its authority in the compact SUV segment with a commanding 916 units while the Fortuner continued its class-leading dominance with a total sales 1 337.
However, the big news is that Toyota delivered a total of 7 736 passenger vehicles – of which 2 059 were Etios models and 2 135 were the combined trio of Corolla/Auris/Quest – to customers this month. Other top performers in the TSAM stable include the Hilux with 2 483 units and Hino with a year-to-date share of 21.7% in the MCV segment. SA’s favourite bakkie, Hilux, is leading local sales year-to-date as the best-selling model across segments with a total of 29 797 units while its closest competitor is at 27 047.
Calvyn Hamman, Senior Vice President of Sales and Marketing says: “October has been an incredibly successful, but equally challenging, month for Toyota. Ironically, the 12k-plus sales figures were registered in the month in which TSAM closed its Prospecton Plant in Durban temporarily due to unprecedented flooding at the facility. Despite the week-long closure of the plant – which manufactures the Corolla, Corolla Quest, Hilux, Fortuner and Quantum as well as assembles selected Hino products – Toyota remains the best-selling marque in South Africa.
“The fact that Toyota was the only manufacturer able to breach the 12 000 sales threshold for the month, is testament to the confidence buyers have in our brands. In these highly uncertain times, people buy what they know and trust and Toyota offers that and much more.”
