5 automakers with the biggest sales declines in SA in 2025

While SA’s new-vehicle market saw strong growth in 2025, a few automakers suffered sales declines. Here’s which firms saw the biggest year-on-year percentage drops…

  • Proton suffered biggest percentage drop at 48.3%
  • Nissan saw largest decline in pure volume terms
  • Volvo, Honda and Mitsubishi also slid year on year

South Africa’s new-vehicle market put in a strong performance in 2025, with local sales increasing 15.7% compared to the prior year to ultimately hit an encouraging 596 818 units – the highest total since 2015. But, despite this overall growth, a few automakers suffered year-on-year sales declines.

So, which automakers shrunk most in a growing market? Well, we’ve tallied up the sales figures for the year and compared them to 2024’s numbers. That allowed us to identify the manufacturers that endured the biggest year-on-year percentage drops. Note that we’ve focused on automakers that play in the light-vehicle segments, omitting truck- and bus-only manufacturers from this exercise.

Before we dive in, a few more caveats. We’ve based our calculations on “manufacturer” totals reported to Naamsa in each month of 2025. So, keep in mind that in this reporting method, certain individual brands are grouped under broader manufacturer banners. For instance, Alfa Romeo, Fiat, Jeep, Opel and Peugeot fall under Stellantis, which incidentally grew 22.8%, year on year. Other examples include Audi forming part of the Volkswagen Group (down 4.2%) and Lexus being part of Toyota (up 15.1%).

Also note not all manufacturers report sales figures to Naamsa, with the likes of BYD, GAC, Ineos and LDV keeping their sales private. Furthermore, we’ve opted to exclude Ferrari, considering this high-end brand’s comparatively low sales volumes. For the record, however, Scuderia SA – the official distributor of new Ferrari vehicles in South Africa – registered 53 units in 2025, down 18.5% year on year.

Proton (459 units sold) – down 48.3%

Of all automakers, Proton suffered the biggest sales decline in SA in 2025.
Proton sold just 459 units in Mzansi last year.

Based on Naamsa figures, the manufacturer that suffered the most significant year-on-year percentage drop in sales in 2025 was Proton South Africa. Distributed by the Combined Motor Holdings (CMH) Group, the Malaysian automaker’s local registrations slid 48.3% year on year to 459 units in 2025.

In May 2025, we reported that Proton’s future in SA looked uncertain, based on comments from CMH Group CEO Jebb McIntosh. Thereafter, Proton SA released a statement saying it was “not exiting the South African market”. Still, local sales tapered sharply late in 2025, with just 2 units sold in each of the year’s final 2 months. For the record, in global terms, Proton falls under Chinese automotive giant Geely, which has has just returned to SA…

Volvo Cars (903 units sold) – down 36.8%

Volvo Car SA’s total slipped below 1 000 units in 2025.

Having sold 1 428 units in 2024, Volvo Car South Africa’s total slipped into 3 figures last year. According to numbers reported to Naamsa, the Swedish manufacturer sold 903 units in Mzansi in 2025. That represents a 36.8% year-on-year decline.

The Gothenburg-based automaker – which also counts China’s Geely as its parent company – had its best month of 2025 in March, when it registered 151 units. Its weakest performance of the year came in August, with just 42 units sold across South Africa.

Nissan (15 085 units sold) – down 32.3%

Nissan-Magnite
In pure volume terms, Nissan suffered the largest decline in the local market in 2025.

Nissan South Africa suffered an appreciable 32.3% year-on-year decline in sales to end 2025 on 15 085 units. That performance saw the Japanese firm tumble out of the top 10, falling 5 places to settle in 12th overall. In pure volume terms, this was easily the largest decline in the market, with the company shedding a whopping 7 199 units, year on year.

Of course, some of that drop could be attributed to the axing of the Rosslyn-built NP200. Though production of this half-tonne bakkie ended in March 2024, as many as 6 544 units were sold that year, with the Japanese automaker simply unable to fill the resulting void in 2025. In addition, local sales of the Magnite slipped 14.1% (in the passenger-vehicle segment) year on year.

Honda (2 517 units sold) – down 13.6%

Honda was one of the automakers to suffer a year-on-year decline in sales in 2025.
Honda’s local registrations dropped 13.6% year on year in 2025.

Honda Motor Southern Africa’s sales total dropped 13.6% year on year to 2 517 units in 2025. Part of that decline was down to the discontinuation of the Ballade and BR-V, with combined sales of these 2 models sliding from 530 units in 2024 to just 14 units in 2025.

Registrations of the Amaze also fell year on year (though this budget sedan went through a runout phase earlier in 2025, ahead of the local introduction of the 3rd-generation model), while the Civic, CR-V, Fit and HR-V all also lost sales compared to 2024. The Elevate, meanwhile, enjoyed a 121.9% year-on-year increase (to 1 136 units) to become Honda’s top seller in 2025.

Mitsubishi (1 942 units sold) – down 12.5%

Mitsubishi was one of the automakers to suffer a year-on-year decline in sales in 2025.
In 2025, Mitsubishi sales in SA dropped 12.5% compared with the prior year.

Based on Naamsa figures, Mitsubishi Motors South Africa suffered a 12.5% year-on-year drop in sales in 2025. The Japanese company ended the year on 1 942 units, with its best month being June (when it sold 205 units) and its worst April (with only 93 registrations).

The Triton experienced an 11.2% year-on-year decline in sales, seeing it fall to 14th place on the list of SA’s best-selling bakkies. The ASX, Outlander, Pajero Sport and Xpander all likewise shed sales compared to 2024. That said, the Outlander Sport added some much-needed volume, while the Eclipse Cross also saw marginal gains.

Other automakers that shed sales year on year

Mazda sales in SA fell 12.4% year on year in 2025.

While the 5 manufacturers above endured the largest year-on-year percentage drops in the local market in 2025, a few others also slipped back – albeit not quite as drastically. For instance, Mazda Southern Africa’s sales dipped 12.4% year on year to 2 652 units, seeing it just miss a spot on this list.

Porsche SA (down 8.8%, year on year, to 1 147 units) and Mercedes-Benz SA (down 4.3%, year on year, to 6 128 units) also seemingly shrunk in 2025, though we should keep in mind Naamsa provides only “estimated” sales figures for these 2 brands since they don’t currently report to the industry representative body.

VW Group Africa was the only automaker in the top 10 to suffer a year-on-year sales decline.

Meanwhile, Volkswagen Group Africa (down 4.2%, year on year, to 63 667 units) was the only automaker in the top 10 to shed sales in 2025. Finally, Jaguar Land Rover SA’s local registrations slipped 1.1% year on year to 2 793 units, a marginal drop considering Jaguar brand sales effectively ended early in 2025.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) About SA Automaker Sales Declines in 2025

Q: Which automaker experienced the largest percentage drop in sales in 2025?

 

A: Proton South Africa recorded the most significant year-on-year percentage decline in 2025. The Malaysian brand’s local registrations plummeted 48.3%, falling from 888 units in 2024 to just 459 units in 2025.

Q: Why did Nissan suffer the largest volume loss in the South African market last year?

 

A: While Nissan saw a 32.3% percentage drop, it suffered the largest volume decline in the industry, shedding 7 199 units compared to 2024. This was primarily driven by the discontinuation of the locally built NP200 half-tonne bakkie, a former high-volume seller that left a significant void in Nissan’s light-commercial vehicle line-up.

Q: Were any top 10 automakers affected by sales downturns in 2025?

 

A: Yes, Volkswagen Group Africa was the only manufacturer in the top 10 to record a year-on-year sales decline. Despite the overall market growing by 15.7%, the VW Group’s local sales (including Audi) fell 4.2% to 63 667 units, resulting in its market share sliding from 12.9% to 10.7%.

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BMW’s M electric car – quad-motor, simulated shifts and over 700 kW?

It’s all change at BMW… Following the release of the first Neue Klasse (iX3) model last year, the brand has now set its sights on bringing to market the first fully electric M car in 2027. It knows what’s at stake and is pushing hard to deliver as authentically an M experience as possible. Here are some of the technical highlights.

One of the very first thoughts that crossed my mind as I hurled BMW’s hugely impressive new iX3 around Ascari Circuit last year was that the Neue Klasse is a solid base for more serious performance-oriented machinery. After all, the iX3 is a tall, heavy passenger car; it has no business being so good on a track. I could not help but imagine what a proper M Neue Klasse model would be like. 

Well, now I can wonder slightly less. BMW has released first technical details of the first-ever fully electric M car, due next year, and it is clear the brand is not simply modifying and enhancing what it has, but taking the time to deliver a truly authentic M experience.

Watch: BMW M3 Touring review: King of its segment!

Simulated gearshifts, natural carbon fibre and a new M sound identity

If you were concerned that the arrival of the first all-electric M would herald a new chapter of the “softer” M car, then BMW would like to banish those thoughts. Multiple mentions of it being fully racetrack ready appear within the first few paragraphs of the release. 

BMW M Electric drift

BMW says that all electric models of the new electric M generation will feature two electric drive units at the front and rear respectively, each with one electric motor per wheel. Yes, that means it is a quad-motor electric car. According to the brand, M-specific control software of the car’s dynamic control system (suitably titled “Heart of Joy”) allows for optimum fine tuning at an individual wheel level.

The concept supposedly combines all the advantages of rear- and all-wheel drive. The front axle can be completely decoupled for that rear-biased feel for which BMW M cars have always been so admired. Furthermore, the system also allows for maximum recuperation and traction right up to the limit. Lastly, it’s said to deliver a more direct feel to driver inputs.

BMW M3 CS Touring (2025) Price & Specs

Of course, as we’ve come to expect, there will be various different driving modes. We’re particularly keen to experience the simulated gear shifts and new “soundscape” that have been developed for these models. A bit of motorsport experience and technology that will see production with the first electric M car is the use of natural carbon fibre to reduce weight; always a concern when it comes to electric cars.

BMW M Electric carbon fibre

BMW has been experimenting with natural carbon fibre in motorsport since 2019. The material offers similar properties to traditional carbon fibre. However, production of it is a lot cleaner – up to 40% fewer CO2 emissions.

M electric battery tech

BMW says that the electric drive units in the first electric M cars are the most powerful drives BMW M has ever used. In both of the drive units (front and rear), the electric motors are arranged in parallel. Each delivers power to a gearbox per wheel. The drive units also integrate the inverter for controlling the electric motors and the oil supply.

The system enables precise control of torque and power at each individual wheel. This allows for optimal traction, continuous torque distribution between the braking system and electric motors, as well as brake energy recuperation right up to the limit. 

The high-voltage battery (similar to what is used in the iX3 to great effect) offers over 100 kWh of usable energy. It has been specifically adapted to meet the demands of high-performance vehicles. For BMW’s M division, the focus remains on delivering a product that is equally excellent and usable on the road and the track. 

BMW M Electric battery

Consequently, the so-called “Energy Master” and cooling system for the battery pack have been significantly tweaked to better suit the type of usage the M cars are likely to endure. Resultantly, the Gen6 battery (as fitted to the electric M car) delivers even greater charging performance and the highest recuperation values. The battery housing also serves as a structural component of the vehicle. It’s connected to the front and rear axles, resulting in greater stiffness. 

What do we know of the first-ever M electric car?

We do know that BMW will unveil the all-new 3 Series, including an electric variant, later this year. What we also can see on the supplied photos of the prototype M car is that the first electric M car appears to be a part of the 3 Series family.

BMW M Electric rear

Now, traditionalists may start getting concerned at this point. However, BMW is most likely to launch this electric variant in tandem with internal-combustion versions of the next M3/M4. So you will have the choice. There are no official power figures yet, but rumours suggest upwards of 1 000 hp! That translates to well over 700 kW… Buckle up!

Further Reading

All the latest BMW news and reviews

Want to purchase a new or used BMW? Browse vehicles for sale

Frequently Asked Questions

Which electric BMW models are available in South Africa?

As of early 2026, the BMW electric (BEV) lineup in South Africa includes the compact BMW iX1, the mid-sized BMW iX3, the BMW i4 Gran Coupé, the luxury BMW i5 sedan, the flagship BMW i7 limousine, and the standalone electric SUV, the BMW iX.

What is the cheapest electric BMW in South Africa?

The entry-level electric model is currently the BMW iX1 xDrive30, with pricing starting from approximately R1 200 000 to R1 250 000 depending on the trim (xLine or M Sport). The BMW iX3 is positioned slightly above this, generally starting around R1.36 million.

What is the driving range of the BMW iX?

The driving range of the BMW iX varies by model. The iX xDrive40 offers a claimed range of up to 425 km, while the long-range iX xDrive50 boasts a range of up to 630 km (WLTP). The high-performance iX M60 offers approximately 560 km.

How much does the BMW i4 cost in South Africa?

Following recent updates, the BMW i4 eDrive35 M Sport is priced around R1 500 000. The range-topping performance model, the BMW i4 M60 xDrive, is priced from approximately R1 750 000.

What is the battery warranty for BMW electric cars in South Africa?

BMW South Africa typically offers an 8-year or 100 000 km warranty on the high-voltage battery (whichever occurs first), ensuring peace of mind regarding battery health and performance.

SA’s 10 most popular Chinese vehicles in 2025

We’ve rummaged through the sales statistics, applied some arithmetic and identified South Africa’s 10 most popular Chinese vehicles in 2025…

  • Tiggo 4 once again SA’s top-selling Chinese car
  • Jolion and C5 grab the remaining podium spots
  • P-Series was SA’s most popular Chinese bakkie

Unless you’ve been living under a rock for the past couple of years, you’ll be well aware Chinese automotive brands have made significant inroads into South Africa’s new-vehicle market. But which models are leading the sales charge? Well, we’ve crunched the numbers to identify the local market’s 10 most popular vehicles from Chinese brands for 2025.

Note that we’ve included both the passenger-vehicle and the light-commercial vehicle (LCV) segments in this exercise, so the list below features a couple of bakkies (in addition to a raft of crossovers). Furthermore, keep in mind that some Chinese brands currently operating in South Africa – including the likes of BYD, GAC and LDV – unfortunately don’t report sales figures to Naamsa.

Tiggo 4 remains SA’s most popular Chinese car

Chery Tiggo 4 Pro
Tiggo 4 sales (including the Cross) breached the 18 000-unit mark in 2025.

Having secured 4th position on the list of SA’s best-selling passenger vehicles for 2025, the Chery Tiggo 4 remained the local market’s most popular Chinese vehicle last year. In the end, sales of this crossover increased 39.0% year on year to 18 178 units (though note this number includes both the Tiggo 4 Pro and the Tiggo Cross, with Chery SA now reporting only a combined figure).

The Haval Jolion – which placed 8th on the list of SA’s top-selling passenger cars overall – was the only other Chinese vehicle to crack 5 figures in 2025, with local registrations increasing 47.7% year on year to 13 607 units. That put it well ahead of the 3rd-placed Omoda C5, despite sales of the latter rocketing 271.4% (admittedly calculated off a low base, considering Omoda began reporting sales to Naamsa only midway through 2024) year on year to 8 475 units.

P-Series again highest-ranked Chinese bakkie

GWM P300
The P-Series was again SA’s most popular Chinese bakkie.

Meanwhile, the GWM P-Series – which includes both the P300 and P500 – was the highest-ranked bakkie on the list of most popular Chinese vehicles in 2025, grabbing 4th place with a total of 4 926 units (up 34.6% compared to 2024’s effort). For the record, that was enough to see it rank 7th on the overall list of SA’s top-selling bakkies for 2025, too.

The Chery Tiggo 7 was close behind in 5th, though registered a more modest 2.8% year-on-year increase in sales to reach 4 886 units. As such, 6th-placed Haval H6 only just missed out on a top-5 ranking last year, with sales growing 11.7% year on year to 4 713 units.

Jetour grabs 2 places with Dashing and X70 Plus

Jetour Dashing
The Dashing was Jetour SA’s top seller in 2025.

The Jetour Dashing and Jetour X70 Plus snaffled 7th and 8th, respectively. With this brand having launched locally in September 2024, no year-on-year comparisons are possible, though we do know the Dashing ended 2025 on 4 624 units and the X70 Plus on 3 118 units. Based on the early performance of the new T2, this boxy crossover may well make the list in 2026.

Taking 9th spot, the Foton Tunland bakkie – seemingly including both the G7 and the freshly launched V7 and V9 models – reached a total of 2 329 units in 2025. For the record, the brand began reporting sales to Naamsa only in February 2025 (after relaunching locally in June of the prior year), so no comparative numbers from 2024 are available.

The Jaecoo J7 grabbed the final spot in the top 10.

And the final place in the top 10? Well, that went to the Jaecoo J7, with 2 122 units registered. This technically represents a 67.1% increase compared to the prior year, though as with the related Omoda C5 above, sales were reported to Naamsa only from around halfway through 2024, skewing the year-on-year comparison somewhat.

The Chinese models that were bubbling under in 2025 included the Chery Tiggo 8 (1 993 units), JAC T-Series (1 991 units), BAIC X55 Plus (1 810 units), GWM Tank 300 (1 560 units), MG ZS (1 329 units) and Jaecoo J5 (1 065 units).

SA’s 10 best-selling Chinese vehicles of 2025

 VEHICLE2025 SALESY-O-Y CHANGE
1Chery Tiggo 4 (incl Cross)18 178 units+39.0%
2Haval Jolion13 607 units+47.7%
3Omoda C58 475 units+271.4%
4GWM P-Series4 926 units+34.6%
5Chery Tiggo 74 886 units+2.8%
6Haval H64 713 units+11.7%
7Jetour Dashing4 624 unitsno 2024 data
8Jetour X70 Plus3 118 unitsno 2024 data
9Foton Tunland2 329 unitsno 2024 data
10Jaecoo J72 122 units+67.1%
*Table collated by Cars.co.za based on figures reported to Naamsa

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) About SA’s Top Chinese Vehicles of 2025

Q: Which Chinese vehicle was the best seller in South Africa in 2025?

 

A: The Chery Tiggo 4 (including the Tiggo Cross) remained South Africa’s most popular Chinese vehicle in 2025. Its sales increased by 39.0% year-on-year to reach a total of 18 178 units.

Q: Which Chinese bakkie performed best on the local sales charts?

 

A: The GWM P-Series (comprising the P300 and P500 ranges) was once again the most popular Chinese bakkie in South Africa. It secured 4th place on the overall list of Chinese vehicles with 4 926 units sold, which also earned it the 7th spot on the total South African bakkie sales leaderboard for 2025.

Q: How did newer brands like Omoda and Jetour perform in 2025?

 

A: Newer entrants saw explosive growth; the Omoda C5’s sales rocketed by 271.4% to 8 475 units, securing a podium spot. Jetour also made a significant impact in its first full year, with the Dashing (4 624 units) and X70 Plus (3 118 units) both breaking into the top 10 list of Chinese favorites.

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BMW vs Mercedes-Benz: global sales for 2025 compared

The BMW Group and the Mercedes-Benz Group each sold over 2 million vehicles in 2025. But which of these German giants won the global premium sales race last year?

  • BMW Group sales grow 0.5% compared to 2024
  • Mercedes-Benz Group dips 10.0% year on year
  • BMW M GmbH registers new all-time sales high
  • G-Class records best-ever sales performance

With 2025 now behind us, it’s time to find out which automaker won the global premium sales race last year. So, did BMW manage to keep the crown or did Mercedes-Benz return to the top ranking in 2025?

Below, we’ll have a closer look at the global figures as reported by each automaker. Note, however, that the Mercedes-Benz Group appears to have rounded its figures to the nearest 100 units. In addition, the BMW Group says its numbers are “provisional and may change up until the BMW Group Report 2025 is published”.

BMW Group and BMW brand widen the gap

BMW X3 Rugged

So, let’s dive in. The BMW Group – which, as a reminder, comprises the BMW, Mini, Rolls-Royce and BMW Motorrad brands – says it delivered 2 463 715 units to customers around the world in 2025, representing a marginal 0.5% year-on-year increase.

Meanwhile, Mercedes-Benz Group (which includes the Mercedes-Benz brand, Mercedes-Benz Vans and Smart) says it ended the reporting period on 2 160 000 units, down 10.0% year on year. That suggests the BMW Group beat the Mercedes-Benz Group by 303 715 units, a more considerable margin than the circa-62 000 units that separated the two in 2024.

How did the two core brands compare last year? Well, BMW brand ended 2025 on 2 169 761 units, down 1.4% year on year. Still, that was more than enough for the Munich-based firm to claim it “maintained its position as the global segment leader”. Indeed, Mercedes-Benz Cars reached 1 800 800 units last year (including Smart, which the Group unfortunately doesn’t report separately), representing a more significant 9.0% year-on-year decline. This suggests the BMW brand ended 368 961 units ahead.

How their EV sales compare (plus M vs AMG)

Meanwhile, the BMW Group says it registered 442 072 fully electric vehicles (EVs) in 2025, up 3.6% compared with the previous year. Interestingly, the Mercedes-Benz Group’s total EV sales in 2025 declined 4.0% year on year to 197 300 units, after dipping 22.0% in the previous reporting period.

What about these German brands’ respective performance divisions? Well, BMW M GmbH registered a new all-time sales high last year, with a total of 213 457 units delivered across the world (+3.3% compared with 2024), while Mercedes‑AMG sold 145 000 units (+7.0% year on year), representing what it described as “one of [the division’s] best sales results” yet. BMW says the X3 M50 was its top-selling M Performance vehicle, while the M2 Coupé was the best-selling high-performance M car.

Mini sales increase and G-Class hits new record

For the record, the Mini brand contributed 288 290 units (up 17.7%, year on year, with 1 in 3 units being an EV) to the BMW Group’s overall tally, while Rolls-Royce added 5 664 units (down 0.8%, compared with 2024) and BMW Motorrad some 202 563 units (down 0.6%, year on year). Meanwhile, Mercedes-Benz Vans accounted for 359 100 units of its Group’s 2025 total, down 11.0% year on year, with 28 500 of those taking the form of electric vans (up 46.0% year on year).

Interestingly, Mercedes-Benz says the G-Class recorded its best-ever sales performance in 2025, with some 49 700 examples (up 23.0% year on year) sold. According to the company, the fully electric version “substantially contributed” to this record performance.

In South Africa, it’s unfortunately not exactly clear how each firm performed in 2025, since BMW reports sales figures for only every 3rd month and Mercedes-Benz doesn’t share registrations with Naamsa at all. That said, based on the industry representative body’s “estimates”, BMW Group SA (here including only the BMW and Mini brands, and not Rolls-Royce and BMW Motorrad) sold 14 617 units locally in 2025, while Mercedes-Benz SA (including Mercedes-Benz Vans) finished on 6 128 units.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) About Global Premium Car Sales 2025

Q: Which German automotive group won the global premium sales race in 2025?

 

A: The BMW Group secured the title of global segment leader for 2025, delivering 2 463 715 vehicles worldwide. This represented a marginal 0.5% increase over 2024, widening the gap between it and the Mercedes-Benz Group, which saw sales dip 10.0% to 2 160 000 units.

Q: How did the performance divisions, BMW M and Mercedes-AMG, compare in 2025?

 

A: BMW M GmbH achieved a new all-time sales high with 213 457 units delivered, a growth of 3.3% year on year. Mercedes-AMG also performed strongly, reporting one of its best results to date with 145 000 units sold — an increase of 7.0% compared to the previous year.

Q: Which specific models or brands achieved particularly strong results last year?

 

A: The Mercedes-Benz G-Class recorded its best-ever annual sales performance in 2025, with 49 700 units sold (up 23.0%). Additionally, the Mini brand saw significant growth, increasing sales by 17.7% to 288 290 units, with more than 1 in 3 vehicles sold being fully electric.

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SA’s best- and worst-selling bakkies of 2025

SA’s best- and worst-selling bakkies of 2025

Where did your favourite pick-up place? We’ve tallied up the sales figures to identify South Africa’s best- and worst-selling bakkies of 2025. Here are some insights…

  • Hilux wins bakkie race by over 11 000 units
  • D-Max narrows the gap to runner-up Ranger
  • Land Cruiser 79 in 5th as sales surge 58.8%
  • Navara only just beats resurgent P-Series
  • Triton down in 14th as sales decline 11.2%

With 2025 now firmly in the rear-view mirror, we’ve tallied up the sales figures to identify South Africa’s best- and worst-selling bakkies for the year. For the record, the local market’s light-commercial vehicle (LCV) segment grew 7.8% year on year to 143 637 units in a total market that was up 15.7% to 596 818 units.

So, which bakkies achieved the most robust year-on-year sales growth in 2025 and which contenders struggled by comparison? Well, of the 17 models* represented here, just 3 suffered year-on-year declines in sales, with all others showing some form of growth. Let’s break down the figures from the past 12 months and see which models placed where…

Podium unchanged as D-Max gains on Ranger

Isuzu D-Max
In 2025, the D-Max narrowed the gap to the 2nd-placed Ranger.

Despite the fact the 9th-generation version is very much on the horizon, the Toyota Hilux comfortably retained the bakkie sales crown in 2025 – and indeed the title of SA’s top-selling vehicle overall (one it has now held for more than half a century). In fact, local sales of the Prospecton-built stalwart increased 11.8% year on year to 36 525 units, seeing the Hilux stretch its lead over its closest rival to more than 11 000 units.

Indeed, the Ford Ranger was the only model in the top 10 to suffer a year-on-year decline, with sales dropping a marginal 0.3% to 25 465 units in 2025. While that was sufficient for the Silverton-produced model to fairly comfortably retain 2nd place, the Isuzu D-Max narrowed the gap to 4 271 units last year. In the end, the Struandale-made model (which is still awaiting its facelift locally) reached 21 194 units, representing a 11.7% increase compared to 2024.

Land Cruiser 79 surges to 5th (behind Pik Up)

Toyota Land Cruiser 79
The Land Cruiser 79 enjoyed the 2nd highest year-on-year sales increase in the top 10.

Sales of the Mahindra Pik Up improved 11.5% year on year to 9 297 units in 2025, which was more than enough to see the KwaZulu-Natal-assembled model retain 4th position. Interestingly, the Pik Up held this ranking in every single month of 2025 except December.

Meanwhile, the Toyota Land Cruiser 79 made the biggest move in the top 10 in 2025, surging 4 places to grab 5th (and thus ranking as the market’s most popular fully imported bakkie). Registering the 2nd strongest instance of year-on-year growth in the top 10, this evergreen contender increased its sales 58.8% compared to 2024, seeing it reach a total 5 493 units.

Navara narrowly beats resurgent P-Series

The P-Series narrowly missed out on grabbing 6th position in 2025.

With local registrations increasing 2.3% year on year to 4 985 units, the Nissan Navara managed to retain 6th place last year – but only just. Yes, the GWM P-Series finished the calendar year a mere 59 units behind its Rosslyn-made rival, improving its tally 34.6% year on year to 4 926 units and climbing a ranking to 7th. The P-Series (including both the P300 and P500 ranges) thus again served as the segment’s most popular Chinese contender.

Interestingly, despite achieving record sales in December (when it placed 4th) and growing its 2025 total some 8.4% year on year to 4 290 units, the Volkswagen Amarok – which is built by Ford alongside the related Ranger at Silverton – slipped a place to 8th last year.

China’s Tunland and T-Series complete top 10

The T-Series (including the pictured T9) secured the final place in the top 10.

The Foton Tunland – seemingly including both the G7 and the freshly launched V7 and V9 models – broke into the top 10 in 2025, with 2 329 units registered. For the record, the Chinese brand began reporting sales to Naamsa only in February 2025 (after relaunching locally in June of the prior year), so no comparative numbers from 2024 are available. 

Finally, the JAC T-Series rounded out the top 10 with 1 991 units, enjoying the most robust year-on-year sales growth in the top 10 at 66.2%. While JAC reports only a combined T-Series figure to Naamsa (rather than listing the T6, T8 and T9 separately), we’re awaiting an unofficial breakdown of the range’s sales for 2025.

Steed, Landtrek and Triton out in the cold

Mitsubishi Triton
The Triton found itself languishing down in 14th place in 2025.

What about the models that didn’t crack the top 10 in 2025? Well, the GWM Steed ranked 11th with 1 460 units (up 22.0%, year on year), while the Peugeot Landtrek had to settle for 12th despite posting the strongest year-on-year growth in the segment at 67.1%, taking its tally to 1 307 units.

The long-in-the-tooth Mahindra Bolero took 13th (644 units; up 23.8%, year on year), finishing ahead of the Mitsubishi Triton, which suffered an 11.2% year-on-year decline in sales to end on 500 units. The Jeep Gladiator (73 units; up 9.0%, year on year), recently launched Changan Hunter (48 units) and since-departed Nissan NP200 (18 units; down 99.7%, year on year) completed the picture.

Total bakkie sales in South Africa for 2025

 BAKKIE2025 SALESY-O-Y CHANGE
1Toyota Hilux36 525 units+11.8%
2Ford Ranger25 465 units-0.3%
3Isuzu D-Max21 194 units+11.7%
4Mahindra Pik Up9 297 units+11.5%
5Toyota Land Cruiser 795 493 units+58.8%
6Nissan Navara4 985 units+2.3%
7GWM P-Series4 926 units+34.6%
8Volkswagen Amarok4 290 units+8.4%
9Foton Tunland2 329 unitsno 2024 data
10JAC T-Series1 991 units+66.2%
11GWM Steed1 460 units+22.0%
12Peugeot Landtrek1 307 units+67.1%
13Mahindra Bolero644 units+23.8%
14Mitsubishi Triton500 units-11.2%
15Jeep Gladiator73 units+9.0%
16Changan Hunter48 unitsno 2024 data
17Nissan NP20018 units-99.7%
Table collated by Cars.co.za based on figures reported to Naamsa

*For the record, we’ve focused on traditional bakkies here, excluding models such as the Hyundai H100, Kia’s K Series and the Suzuki Super Carry from this exercise. In addition, note that the likes of the BYD Shark, Ineos Grenadier Quartermaster, JMC Vigus, LDV T60, LDV Terron 9 and Maxus T90 are not represented here as their respective makers unfortunately don’t currently report sales figures to Naamsa.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) About SA’s Top-Selling Bakkies of 2025

Q: Which bakkie dominated the South African market in 2025?

 

A: The Toyota Hilux comfortably retained its crown as South Africa’s best-selling bakkie (and top-selling vehicle overall) for 2025. Local sales of the Hilux grew 11.8% year on year to 36 525 units, stretching its lead over the 2nd-placed Ford Ranger by more than 11 000 units.

Q: Which models showed the most significant growth and ranking changes in the top 10?

 

A: The JAC T-Series recorded the most robust growth in the top 10 at 66.2% (1 991 units), followed closely by the Toyota Land Cruiser 79, which surged 58.8% to 5 493 units. The Land Cruiser 79 made the biggest move in the top 10, climbing 4 places to secure 5th position overall.

Q: How did the “big three” (Hilux, Ranger, D-Max) perform compared to each other in 2025?

 

A: While the Hilux grew by 11.8%, the Ford Ranger was the only model in the top 10 to suffer a year-on-year decline, with sales dropping 0.3% to 25 465 units. This allowed the Isuzu D-Max, which grew 11.7% to 21 194 units, to narrow the gap to the Ranger to just 4 271 units.

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Jetour T1 and T2: what are the key differences?

Jetour’s new T1 and T2 share plenty of components but are seemingly pitched at different buyers. Here are the key distinctions between the T-Series siblings from this Chinese brand…

Sales of the Jetour T1 and T2 kicked off in South Africa in mid-November 2025. Collectively known as the “T-Series”, these 2 boxy crossovers are similar in several ways – and even overlap in terms of pricing. But the Chinese brand says they’re pitched at different buyers.

Indeed, Jetour describes the T1 as having been “designed for city streets and beyond”. Although the T2 rides on the very same unibody platform, the automaker bills this model as an “adventure-ready” alternative that is ostensibly “more rugged”.

But what are the actual distinctions between these 2 models? Well, we’ll dive into the details below. Note, however, that the T1 and T2 do share powertrains, with all incorporating a 7-speed dual-clutch transmission.

Front-driven derivatives employ a turbocharged 1.5-litre petrol engine that delivers 125 kW and 270 Nm. There’s also a 180 kW/375 Nm turbocharged 2.0-litre petrol motor that drives all 4 wheels.

Jetour T1 and T2: exterior dimensions

Break out the measuring tape and you’ll find the T2 (at 4 785 mm) is 80 mm longer than its T1 sibling (at 4 705 mm). However, we suspect a fair chunk of that extra length comes courtesy of the T2’s tailgate-mounted spare wheel.

 Jetour T1Jetour T2
Length4 705 mm4 785 mm
Width1 967 mm2 006 mm
Height1 840 to 1 843 mm1 870 to 1 880 mm
Wheelbase2 800 mm2 800 mm
Luggage capacity574 to 1 455 litres580 to 1 494 litres

Although they share a 2 800 mm wheelbase, the T2 is furthermore 39 mm wider than the T1, while also standing taller (exactly how much depends on the derivative). Finally, the T2 offers slightly more luggage capacity and utility space (differences of 6 and 39 litres, respectively).

Off-road capability

Since Jetour says the T2 is “better suited” to “light off-road adventures” than the T1, there should be clear differences in off-road specifications, right? Well, unfortunately, the local specification sheets don’t include official approach, breakover or departure angles for these models.

However, it is worth noting front-wheel-drive T1 variants have a ground clearance of 200 mm, a figure that curiously falls to 190 mm for the AWD derivatives. Meanwhile, all models in the T2 range boast 220 mm of clearance.

In addition, AWD versions of the T2 – while obviously lacking a ladder-frame construction and low-range gearing – feature additional off-road driving modes (snow, mud, sand and rock) plus a crawl mode and hill-descent control.

Model line-up and pricing

While the T1 line-up comprises 4 derivatives, the T2 range is made up of 3 variants. The inclusion of the entry-level “Edge” specification in the former means the T1’s starting price is R55 000 lower than that of its T2 sibling.

At the upper end of the pricing spectrum, we see a R45 000 difference between the Odyssey flagship derivatives in each range. Still, as you can tell from the tables below, there’s plenty of overlap between these 2 models.

What do the Jetour T1 and T2 cost in SA?

JETOUR T1 DERIVATIVEPRICE
Jetour T1 1.5T Edge 7DCTR514 900
Jetour T1 1.5T Aspire 7DCTR544 900
Jetour T1 2.0T Xplora 7DCT 4WDR594 900
Jetour T1 2.0T Odyssey 7DCT 4WDR634 900
JETOUR T2 DERIVATIVEPRICE
Jetour T2 1.5T Aspire 7DCTR569 900
Jetour T2 2.0T Xplora 7DCT 4WDR639 900
Jetour T2 2.0T Odyssey 7DCT 4WDR679 900

The prices (correct in January 2026) include a 7-year/200 000 km warranty, a 10-year/1-million km engine warranty (linked to the first owner) and a 7-year/75 000 km service plan.

Find a Jetour T1 or Jetour T2 on Cars.co.za!

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) About the Jetour T1 and T2

Q: What are the main differences in positioning between the Jetour T1 and T2?

 

A: While both are boxy crossovers, Jetour pitches them at different lifestyles. The T1 is designed for city streets and light suburban travel, whereas the T2 is marketed as a more rugged, “adventure-ready” alternative better suited for off-road exploration.

Q: How do the dimensions and luggage capacities of the T1 and T2 compare?

 

A: The T2 is slightly larger, measuring 4 785 mm in length and 2 006 mm in width, compared to the T1’s 4 705 mm and 1 967 mm. The T2 also offers more utility space, with a maximum luggage capacity of 1 494 litres versus the T1’s 1 455 litres.

Q: Are there specific off-road features that distinguish the T2 from the T1?

 

A: Yes, the T2 boasts a higher ground clearance of 220 mm across the range. Additionally, AWD versions of the T2 include specialised off-road driving modes (Snow, Mud, Sand, and Rock), as well as crawl mode and hill-descent control for enhanced capability in technical terrain.

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Jetour T1 and T2 (2025) Price & Specs

SA’s 15 best-selling passenger vehicles of 2025

We’ve done the maths to identify SA’s 15 best-selling passenger vehicles of 2025. Many showed strong growth, but a pair of SA-built models tumbled from the top 10…

  • Polo Vivo retains passenger-car title
  • Suzuki Swift climbs to 2nd position
  • Tiggo 4 (including Cross) grabs 4th
  • Fronx & Starlet Cross crack top 10
  • Jolion & Sonet climb the rankings
  • SA-built Polo & Fortuner exit top 10

In 2025, South Africa’s new-vehicle sales increased 15.7% year on year to 596 818 units. The local passenger-vehicle segment drove much of that growth, improving 20.1% compared to 2024 to reach 422 292 units. So, which cars and crossovers were Mzansi’s favourites last year?

Well, we’ve crunched the numbers to identify South Africa’s 15 best-selling passenger vehicles of 2025. Interestingly, though the list includes 4 models built in SA, only 2 of them managed to crack the top 10 (with the other 2 suffering year-on-year sales declines to fall to 13th and 15th, respectively).

As many as 9 of SA’s 15 best-selling passenger vehicles of 2025 were sourced from India (easily the top country of origin for light vehicles imported into South Africa), with the remaining 2 coming from China. Let’s take a closer look at the figures…

Polo Vivo retains title as Swift climbs to 2nd

2025's best-selling passenger car, the VW Polo Vivo
Polo Vivo sales were flat in 2025, but this SA-built hatch nevertheless retained its title.

The Volkswagen Polo Vivo retained the title of South Africa’s best-selling passenger vehicle in 2025, a crown it has held every single year since the nameplate’s launch way back in 2010. That said, the Kariega-built hatchback experienced only marginal year-on-year growth of 0.6% in 2025, seeing it end the reporting period on 26 067 units.

Though the Suzuki Swift was leading the passenger-vehicle sales charts at 2025’s halfway mark, it ultimately had to settle for the runner-up position. Serving as Mzansi’s most popular imported vehicle overall, the Indian-made hatchback climbed a ranking to 2nd thanks to a 51.7% year-on-year surge in sales to 23 921 units.

The Swift posted its highest tally yet, climbing to 2nd place in the process.

As such, the Toyota Corolla Cross slipped a ranking to 3rd in 2025, with local registrations of the Prospecton-built model – which nevertheless kept the title of South Africa’s most popular crossover – growing 1.5% year on year to 22 191 units. When the year was over, the Corolla Cross found itself 1 730 units behind the Swift.

Tiggo 4 takes 4th ahead of Starlet and Grand i10

Chery Tiggo 4 Pro
The Tiggo 4 (including Cross sales) jumped 2 rankings to 4th in 2025.

Meanwhile, the Chery Tiggo 4 climbed 2 places to seize 4th in 2025. The highest-ranked Chinese model enjoyed a 39.0% year-on-year improvement in sales to reach 18 178 units. Note, however, that this number includes both the Tiggo 4 Pro and the Tiggo Cross, with Chery SA now reporting only a combined figure.

Thanks largely to the Tiggo 4’s rise, the Toyota Starlet slipped a spot to 5th, despite local registrations of the Indian-made hatchback increasing 15.2% year on year to 16 281 units (for the record, the Suzuki Baleno on which the Starlet is based managed 5 679 sales in 2025, seeing it rank 22nd on the list of passenger cars).

Similarly, though sales of the Hyundai Grand i10 increased 18.2% year on year to 16 054 units, the Indian-built model (available in both hatch and sedan body styles) fell a ranking to 6th. Keep in mind the Grand i10’s tally excludes any registrations of the Cargo-badged panel-van in the light-commercial vehicle (LCV) space.

Fronx cracks top 10 as Jolion and Sonet climb

Suzuki Fronx climbed the ranks in 2025
The Fronx entered the top 10 last year, with sales growing almost 86%.

Courtesy of a whopping 85.8% year-on-year increase in local sales, the Indian-sourced Suzuki Fronx (13 662 units) rocketed into the top 10, climbing from 12th position in 2024 to a strong 7th place in 2025.

That said, the Haval Jolion was right on the Fronx’s tail, finishing just 55 units behind the increasingly popular Suzuki. In the end, the Chinese crossover’s total of 13 607 units represented a significant 47.7% year-on-year improvement in sales, enough to see it climb 2 spots to 8th.

The Sonet returned to the top 10 in 2025, having placed 11th in the prior year.

The Kia Sonet enjoyed a 43.7% year-on-year improvement in sales to reach a final tally of 10 671 units and return to the top 10, grabbing (a relatively distant) 9th behind the Jolion. For the record, the Indian-made crossover placed 11th in 2024.

Starlet Cross, Urban Cruiser and Vitz advance

Toyota Starlet Cross sales in 10 days
The Starlet Cross grabbed the last spot in the top 10.

The final spot in the top 10 went to the Toyota Starlet Cross, which ended 2025 on 10 438 units. The Fronx-based crossover gained 10 positions compared to 2024, recording the strongest instance of year-on-year growth – at a whopping +119.4% – on the table. Note, however, that this model launched locally only in July 2024, meaning this improvement effectively came off an incomplete year.

Meanwhile, the Toyota Urban Cruiser placed 11th (up 5 spots), increasing its sales figure 56.9% year on year to 10 277 units. Where did the closely related Suzuki Grand Vitara fall, you ask? Well, that model ranked 44th in 2025’s passenger-vehicle charts with 1 933 examples sold.

Toyotas that are Suzukis
The Vitz climbed 3 rankings to end 12th in 2025.

Next came yet another product of the Toyota-Suzuki global alliance in the form of the Toyota Vitz. The Indian-built budget hatchback enjoyed a 36.2% year-on-year gain in sales to hit 9 436 units, enough to secure 12th (up 3 positions). For the record, the Suzuki Celerio on which the Vitz is based placed 42nd with 2 058 sales.

Polo and Fortuner tumble out of the top 10

Volkswagen Polo hatch
The SA-built Polo hatch failed to make the top 10 last year.

The Kariega-built Volkswagen Polo hatch dropped out of the top 10 in 2025, falling 6 rankings to 13th. Local sales of this hatchback (which still puts up impressive export numbers, we should point out) slipped 23.4% year on year to 9 390 units. As a reminder, the Polo hatch was SA’s 2nd best-selling passenger vehicle as recently as 2021 (with 18 235 units), though tumbled from the podium in 2022, before placing 5th in 2023, 7th in 2024 and now 13th in 2025.

While local registrations of the Suzuki Ertiga grew 26.9% year on year to 9 137 units, the Indian-built MPV remained in 14th. Interestingly, the closely related Toyota Rumion placed 21st with 5 999 examples registered last year.

2025 Toyota Fortuner
The locally built Fortuner missed out on a top-10 finish in 2025.

The final spot in the top 15 went to the Prospecton-produced Toyota Fortuner, which suffered a 15.2% year-on-year decline in local sales to end on 9 049 units. Having finished 8th in 2024, the SA-made adventure SUV slipped 7 rankings, year on year. The Polo hatch and Fortuner were the only 2 models in the top 15 to shed sales compared to 2024.

SA’s 15 best-selling passenger vehicles in 2025

 VEHICLE2025 SALESY-O-Y CHANGERANKING CHANGE
1Volkswagen Polo Vivo26 067 units+0.6%unchanged
2Suzuki Swift23 921 units+51.7%+1
3Toyota Corolla Cross22 191 units+1.5%-1
4Chery Tiggo 4 (incl Cross)18 178 units+39.0%+2
5Toyota Starlet16 281 units+15.2%-1
6Hyundai Grand i1016 054 units+18.2%-1
7Suzuki Fronx13 662 units+85.8%+5
8Haval Jolion13 607 units+47.7%+2
9Kia Sonet10 671 units+43.7%+2
10Toyota Starlet Cross10 438 units+119.4%+10
11Toyota Urban Cruiser10 277 units+56.9%+5
12Toyota Vitz9 436 units+36.2%+3
13Volkswagen Polo (hatch)9 390 units-23.4%-6
14Suzuki Ertiga9 137 units+26.9%unchanged
15Toyota Fortuner9 049 units-15.2%-7
*Table collated by Cars.co.za based on figures reported to Naamsa

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) About SA’s Best-Selling Cars of 2025

Q: Which passenger vehicle was South Africa’s top seller in 2025?

 

A: The Volkswagen Polo Vivo retained its title as South Africa’s best-selling passenger vehicle in 2025, recording 26 067 sales. This South African-built hatchback has held the top spot every year since its original launch in 2010.

Q: Where are South Africa’s most popular passenger vehicles manufactured?

 

A: In 2025, the majority of South Africa’s top 15 passenger vehicles were imported, with 9 models sourced from India and 2 from China. Only 4 models in the top 15 were locally manufactured: the VW Polo Vivo, Toyota Corolla Cross, VW Polo hatchback and Toyota Fortuner.

Q: Which iconic South African-built models dropped out of the top 10 in 2025?

 

A: The Volkswagen Polo hatchback and the Toyota Fortuner both exited the top 10 list last year. The Polo hatch fell to 13th place after a 23.4% sales decline, while the Fortuner dropped to 15th position following a 15.2% decrease in local registrations.

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Mercedes-Benz (W112) 280SL “Pagoda” vs Mechatronik restomod: Classic Comparison

We go for a cruise in 2 stunning Mercedes-Benz “Pagoda” SL derivatives, both of which left the factory in 1969. One of them, however, is rather different to what it was when it rolled off the production line all those years ago…

For professional restoration companies such as Mechatronik in Pleidelsheim, Germany, the Pagoda achieved classic status many years ago, as a large number of clients have brought W113 SLs to them for restoration purposes or for a Mechatronik conversion. The latter choice is also often combined with a full restoration.

However, of all the Pagodas converted by Mechatronik (I was told a few years ago that it was around the 30 mark), only 3 have been right-hand drive examples, one of which was residing (at the time) in Cape Town.

Although there has been a flare-up of classic car restoration companies in recent years, Mechatronik was one of the earlier ones that started to focus on the rejuvenation and modernisation of classic Mercedes models. 

The company is highly respected for its attention to detail, although you will need a healthy bank balance and lots of patience to acquire a car such as the pristine blue example featured here. Should you find a neat 250SL or 280SL (a 230SL needs further strengthening for the modern treatment), a full conversion will set you back more than €110 000 and 8 months’ work.

However, when you opt for a nut-and-bolt restoration, including a full conversion that will include the installation of either a V6 engine or the choice of three V8 engines, that can take up to 2 years and cost around €250 000, excluding VAT. It comes as no surprise, then, that the owner of this M-SL 430 example has been offered multiples of that amount. 

On a perfect autumn afternoon, I meet both owners in the Cape Winelands. These cars couldn’t be better suited to the area, the landscape and the stunning surroundings. The owners, both serious collectors and motoring enthusiasts, immediately start exchanging thoughts about cars while I have a closer look at both examples. 

This 280SL was imported from the USA to South Africa in 2009. It is totally original and nearly spotless, and is enjoyed on a regular basis by its current owner. From a distance, you would be excused for thinking that both cars have simply been looked after over the years, but climb behind the wheel and there are vast differences, or simply take a peek underneath the car or open the engine lid.

It would be wrong to immediately experience the opulent, luxurious V8 power the Mechatronik car has on offer, so I decide to get in to the 280SL first.

Specifications:

  • Model: Mercedes-Benz (W113, “Pagoda”) 280SL
  • Engine: M130 2.8-litre inline 6, petrol
  • Power: 125 kW at 5 750 rpm
  • Torque: 240 Nm at 4 500 rpm 
  • Transmission: 4-speed automatic, RWD
  • Weight: 1 360 kg
  • 0-100 kph: 9.0 sec (claimed) 
  • Top speed: 195 kph (claimed)

The interior is not unlike other Mercedes-Benz cars from the era. However, as soon as you start to press the throttle, and let the engine run through the rev range, there is a lightless – and almost nimbleness – to the way the engine and car behaves. It feels more sports car than cruiser, especially compared to the larger W111 of the same era.

As the 280 shifts to second gear, I press the throttle pedal down deeper, and the engine eagerly starts to pull. I watch the rev needle as it swings towards 4 000 rpm before changing gear. You can sense the engine is happy to be driven this way all day long.

The huge steering wheel makes changing direction effortless, and I’m also surprised, especially considering there is still an amount of play in the ‘wheel, by how quickly the car reacts to steering input. After all, it was a sports car of the time. If you are used to modern cars, the steering will, however, take a while to get used to.

It doesn’t take long to realise that you can cover great distances in this car, but I think it will reward its driver more during short, spirited drives.

I have a perfect view over the bonnet with the slight ridge down the centre reminding you exactly what you are driving. The Cognac MB Tex seat coverings are still in a perfect condition and complement the darker exterior hue to a tee. This is the result of great care and effort by the two previous owners and the current “minder” who have all looked after this car for 45 years, and there are no signs that this is about to change.

I pull into the layby where both owners chat enthusiastically about their cars, as the Mechatronik owner has allowed the 280SL owner to blast his car up and down the road – no wonder both are smiling!

As I position myself behind the wheel of the M-SL 430 and marvel at the quality of the cabin, the owner walks over and tells me: “Don’t play around with her. Press that throttle down and drive her hard, she’s built to be driven!” He used more colourful words, though, and the message was loud and clear. 

Specifications:

  • Model: Mercedes-Benz (W113 “Pagoda”) M-SL 430
  • Engine: M113, 4,3-litre, V8
  • Power: 205 kW at 5 750 rpm
  • Torque: 400 Nm from 3 000 to 4 400 rpm 
  • Transmission: 5-speed automatic, RWD
  • Weight: 1 472 kg
  • 0-100 kph: 6.5 sec (claimed) 
  • Top speed: 220 kph (claimed) 

From the moment I shut the door, I can sense how much more solid the car feels compared to a standard Pagoda. There are simply fewer noises coming from the entire car – it feels newer, but fortunately nothing like a modern car, either. That is the result of a total rebuild. 

The interior is done in such a stylish and classical way that you can sit in it for a long time, just appreciating every little detail and modern twist that is sprinkled on the buttons, levers, trimmings and finishes. But – and this is important – it never deviates from the original concept, layout and ambience of the original car, which is an achievement on its own. 

This experience is amplified the moment you press the accelerator for the first time. The 4.3-litre engine drops a gear (or two), and the modern V8’s revs climb through the rev range with a level of eagerness that highlights the four decades of engine research and development.

After what feels like only a few seconds, the speedometer reads 160 km/h and it’s time to slow down again. Even on part throttle, the 4.3 is quick. Use all the power and you will definitely leave a few bystanders and even car fanatics scratching their heads.

I’m not surprised when the owner tells me that he loves the sleeper effect of the car. He loves those moments when a modern sports car flashes lights at him to move over, and he simply puts his foot down, and makes his “pursuer” work a lot harder to overtake him than anticipated.

“People don’t understand it; it is a complete sleeper. Their assumption of what the car is capable of, and what it can actually do, are two totally different things. I love that about this car.”

But it is not only the performance alone that places the Mechatronik car on another level; braking and handling are truly impressive.

Take into account that Mechatronik’s work also includes the installation of a special chassis that includes modification to the front and rear axles, plus a complete replacement of the braking system, and it is no wonder the car behaves so well on the road. In line with these overhauls, the company also installs a traction control system with an ABS braking system. 

Even purists should applaud the fact that Mechatronik’s engineers manage to slot a V8 engine into the nose of the Pagoda. Although Mercedes-Benz never released a V8-engined production Pagoda, the company did experiment with a test mule on the Nürburgring Nordshleife.

That car was fitted with a heavy, large W100 600 Grosser’s 6.3-litre V8 engine! Needless to say, the 4.3-litre engine fitted by Mechantronik is significantly more compact and lighter.

The beauty of the Pagoda has always been its shape. Paul Bracq’s dainty and perfect lines have never aged, and today this shape only seems to receive more acknowledgement from enthusiasts with every passing year.

The fact that it is one of the most compact classic Mercedes-Benzes must also count in its favour. Even the turning circle is quite impressive!

Although we might look at the Pagoda today as an iconic Mercedes-Benz that should be best used for cruising down your favourite stretch of road, when the car was launched, it was a proper sports car, and as is always the case, enthusiasts appraise cars differently.

The result was that, in 1963 – the same year the Pagoda was unveiled at the Geneva Motor Show – Stuttgart hotelier Eugen Böhringer, with his team mate Klaus Kaiser, won the year’s Liège-Sofia-Liège rally in a race-prepared 230SL, giving the Pagoda one of its early motorsport victories.

It is a fruitless exercise to try and pick a winner between these two cars. However, it does perfectly sum up how valuable and sought-after classic cars have become during the past 10 years. A company like Mechatronik, which restores, with a modern twist if needed, cars such as this Pagoda, make it possible to enjoy your classic, and at the same time embarrass modern sportscars in a traffic light grand prix. 

Fortunately, there will also always be the original cars, the cars that allow us to travel back in time and experience what motoring was like, back then. 

IMAGES: Kian Eriksen

SA’s 10 best-selling automakers of 2025: all the insights

We’ve crunched the numbers to identify SA’s top 10 automakers of 2025, while also calculating each firm’s market share. Here’s some insight into what changed last year…

  • Toyota prevails for 46th straight year
  • Suzuki secures 2nd ahead of VW Group
  • Hyundai reclaims 4th place from Ford
  • GWM posts strongest growth in top 10
  • Mahindra cracks top 10 as Kia returns
  • Renault and Nissan drop out of top 10

In 2025, South Africa’s new-vehicle sales increased 15.7% year on year to 596 818 units. So, which of the local market’s top 10 automakers grew their tallies year on year? And which ones lost some ground compared with 2024?

Well, we’ve tallied up the sales figures to not only identify SA’s 10 best-selling automakers of 2025 but also calculate each contender’s overall market share. Interestingly, one brand returned to the top 10 last year, while another made its first appearance on the table. In a recovering market, as many as 9 of the top 10 automakers grew their sales year on year, though 4 suffered market-share decreases.

Toyota triumphs as Suzuki jumps VW Group

Toyota Hilux Legend 55 double-cab bakkie

There were no surprises at the very top in 2025, with Toyota (including the Lexus and Hino brands) again reigning supreme – for the 46th consecutive year, in fact. In the end, the Japanese automaker sold a whopping 148 122 units in South Africa, representing a 15.1% increase compared with 2024 and translating to a 24.8% market share (down marginally on the prior year’s 24.9%). Furthermore, that’s the brand’s highest total since 2007.

The big news, however, was that Suzuki made 2nd place very much its own in 2025, securing this spot every single month of the year bar December. The Hamamatsu-based automaker registered a record 71 560 units in Mzansi last year, up 20.1% compared with 2024 and thus outpacing the industry’s average growth. As a result, Suzuki gained a ranking, while its market share increased to 12.0%, up from 2024’s figure of 11.6%.

Therefore, the Volkswagen Group (including Audi) slipped a position to 3rd in 2025, ultimately finishing 7 893 units behind Suzuki. Interestingly, the German company was the only automaker in the top 10 to suffer a year-on-year decline in sales, with its total of 63 667 units down some 4.2% compared to 2024. As such, the VW Group’s market share slid from 12.9% to 10.7%.

Hyundai seizes 4th as Ford slips a ranking

New Hyundai Exter

After relinquishing 4th position in 2024, Hyundai grabbed back this ranking last year, increasing its total by a considerable 18.4% to finish 2025 on 36 409 units. The South Korean firm’s market share thus improved marginally from 6.0% to 6.1%.

Meanwhile, despite Ford growing its sales tally 5.7% year on year to 34 628 units, the Blue Oval brand dropped a place to 5th in 2025. Since the Dearborn-based automaker couldn’t match the industry’s overall growth, its market share dropped from 6.4% in 2024 to 5.8% in 2025.

GWM records strongest growth in top 10

On the back of the strongest instance of year-on-year growth in the top 10, GWM climbed 3 spots to finish 6th – its highest ranking yet. The Baoding-based firm (which includes the Haval, Tank and Ora sub-brands) enjoyed a 43.7% year-on-year surge in sales to reach 27 202 units, giving it a market share of 4.6% (up from 3.7% in 2024) and seeing it reclaim the title of SA’s top-selling Chinese automaker.

That saw Isuzu fall a position to 7th, despite the Yokohama-based company adding 12.2% to its 2024 effort to finish on 26 134 units (or 1 068 units behind GWM) in 2025. The Japanese brand – which relies heavily on the locally built D-Max for its sales volumes – ended the year with a market share of 4.4% (down marginally from 4.5%).

What about the 2nd Chinese brand in the top 10? Well, after breaking into the top 10 in 2024, Chery – which, we should point out, excludes subsidiaries such as Omoda & Jaecoo and Jetour – had to settle for retaining 8th in 2025. Still, Chery posted a healthy 26.7% year-on-year increase in sales to reach 25 304 units (growing its market share from 3.9% to 4.2% in the process).

Kia returns as Mahindra cracks top 10, too

Mahindra XUV 3XO

Having slipped off the table in 2024 (when it ranked 11th), Kia returned to the top 10 in 2025, improving its total 25.3% year on year to 18 517 units and securing 9th place. This effort saw the Seoul-based automaker increase its share of South Africa’s overall new-vehicle market from 2.9% to 3.1%.

Meanwhile, Mahindra broke into the calendar-year top 10 for the very first time, posting the 2nd strongest instance of year-on-year growth here with a significant 40.7% increase. After placing 12th in 2024, the Indian automaker climbed to 10th in 2025, with its final tally of 18 100 units representing a 3.0% share of the overall market (up from 2.5%).

Renault and Nissan tumble out of top 10

Nissan Navara

So, which brands were booted out of the top 10 in 2025? Well, though Renault grew its total 3.7% year on year to 16 413 units (after suffering a 27.1% drop in 2024), the French firm fell a ranking to 11th, with its share of the overall market decreasing from 3.1% to 2.8%.

Meanwhile, Nissan suffered an appreciable 32.3% year-on-year decline in sales (on the back of a 23.6% drop in 2024) to end the year on 15 085 units. That saw the Japanese firm tumble 5 places to 12th overall, with its market share shrinking from 4.3% to just 2.5%.

South Africa’s 10 best-selling automakers of 2025

 AUTOMAKER2025 SALESY-ON-Y CHANGEMARKET SHARE
1Toyota148 122 units+15.1%24.8%
2Suzuki71 560 units+20.1%12.0%
3VW Group63 667 units-4.2%10.7%
4Hyundai36 409 units+18.4%6.1%
5Ford34 628 units+5.7%5.8%
6GWM27 202 units+43.7%4.6%
7Isuzu26 134 units+12.2%4.4%
8Chery25 304 units+26.7%4.2%
9Kia18 517 units+25.3%3.1%
10Mahindra18 100 units+40.7%3.0%
*collated by Cars.co.za based on figures reported to Naamsa

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) About South Africa’s Top 10 Automakers of 2025

Q: Which automaker dominated the South African market in 2025 and how did the top rankings change?

 

A: Toyota (including Lexus and Hino) remained South Africa’s top automaker for the 46th consecutive year, selling 148 122 units. The most significant shift in the top 3 was Suzuki securing 2nd place for the first time with record sales of 71 560 units, pushing the Volkswagen Group down to 3rd position.

Q: Which brands showed the strongest growth and made new entries into the top 10 list?

 

A: GWM (including Haval, Tank and Ora) posted the strongest growth in the top 10 with a 43.7% year-on-year surge, reclaiming its title as the top-selling Chinese brand in 6th place. Mahindra also made history by cracking the top 10 for the first time (10th), while Kia successfully returned to the list in 9th place.

Q: How did the overall South African new-vehicle market perform in 2025 compared to 2024?

 

A: The total new-vehicle market grew by 15.7% year-on-year, reaching 596 818 units. While 9 of the top 10 automakers increased their sales volumes, the Volkswagen Group was the only manufacturer in the top 10 to see a decline, with sales dropping 4.2% compared to the previous year.

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Amarok soars to 4th! SA’s best-selling bakkies in December 2025

In December 2025, the Volkswagen Amarok soared to 4th position on the list of South Africa’s best-selling bakkies with its strongest showing yet. Here are all the details…

  • Hilux, Ranger, D-Max remain on podium in December
  • VW Amarok hits highest placing (and sales tally) yet
  • Navara slides 2 rankings to 8th as sales drop 37.6%

In December 2025, South Africa’s total new-vehicle market grew 19.2% year on year to 48 983 units, with the light-commercial vehicle (LCV) segment recording its 9th consecutive month of year-on-year growth, surging 23.7% to 11 296 units. But what happened on the list of SA’s best- and worst-selling bakkies?

Toyota Hilux Legend 55
After 6 straight months of 3 000+ units, the Hilux settled for 2 979 sales in December.

Well, the Toyota Hilux finished at the very top of the table, just as it has every single month this year. Despite sales slipping 11.9% month on month to 2 979 units (after 6 straight months of 3 000+ units), the Prospecton-built stalwart was still way out in front in December 2025.

The Ford Ranger held into 2nd place – a position it occupied in 10 of the year’s 12 months – with local sales of the Silverton-made bakkie falling 2.4% month on month to 2 236 units in December. That meant the Struandale-built Isuzu D-Max again completed the podium, with 1 549 units (down 7.4% compared to November 2025) sold in the final month of the year.

Ford Ranger Wildtrak
In December 2025, the Ranger took 2nd place for the 10th time of the year, having finished 3rd on 2 occasions.

However, the big news in December 2025 was the performance of the Volkswagen Amarok, which registered 598 units to rocket 4 places to 4th – its highest ranking ever. Representing the 2nd-gen Amarok’s best total yet, this effort was a whopping 49.1% up on November’s showing and marks the first time this version of the Amarok (which is built alongside the Ranger in Silverton) has breached the 500-unit mark.

As such, the Mahindra Pik Up – which occupied 4th place in each of the opening 11 months of 2025 – had to settle for 5th position in December, with sales of the KwaZulu-Natal-assembled workhorse dipping 30.5% month on month to 512 units. For the record, that figure represents the Pik Up’s lowest tally of the year.

Meanwhile, the GWM P-Series (465 units; down 30.1%, month on month) slipped a ranking to 6th, with the Toyota Land Cruiser 79 (407 units; up 1.0%, month on month) holding steady in 7th. Sales of the Nissan Navara tumbled 37.6% month on month to 319 units in December 2025, seeing the Rosslyn-produced bakkie slide 2 spots to 8th.

Finally, the Chinese pair of the JAC T-Series (down 6.9% month on month to 188 units) and Foton Tunland (down 19.1% month on month to 157 units) again completed the top 10, retaining 9th and 10th respectively. While JAC reports only a combined T-Series figure to Naamsa, we’re awaiting an unofficial breakdown of the range’s sales for November.

Best of the rest in December 2025

Peugeot Landtrek facelift
The facelifted Landtrek was 11th in December, again missing out on a top 10 spot.

So, which bakkies didn’t manage to crack the top 10 in the final month of the year? Well, the Peugeot Landtrek was again the best of the rest in December, with 109 units (down 34.3% month on month) of the Chinese-built model sold around South Africa.

Next came the Mahindra Bolero (47 units), followed by the GWM Steed (37 units) and Mitsubishi Triton (33 units). The Changan Hunter (17 units) took the penultimate spot, while the Jeep Gladiator again closed out the segment with 4 registrations in December.

10 best-selling bakkies in South Africa for December 2025

1. Toyota Hilux – 2 979 units

2. Ford Ranger – 2 236 units

3. Isuzu D-Max – 1 549 units

4. Volkswagen Amarok – 598 units

5. Mahindra Pik Up – 512 units

6. GWM P-Series – 465 units

7. Toyota Land Cruiser 79 – 407 units

8. Nissan Navara – 319 units

9. JAC T-Series – 188 units

10. Foton Tunland – 157 units

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