- 61 645 September sales, highest month of 2026.
- Up 12.7% on September 2025.
- Third-quarter sales of 177 251 units.
- Policy rate raised to 7.25% from 25 September.
- 18 945 new-energy vehicle sales in eight months.
South Africa’s domestic new-vehicle market recorded 61 645 sales in September, its highest monthly total of 2026. Sales rose by 3 747 vehicles, or 6.5%, from August’s originally reported total and were 12.7% higher than in September 2025, although buyers face a higher interest rate and continuing pressure on household budgets.
Third-quarter new-vehicle sales growth
The result completed the third quarter with domestic sales of 177 251 units, up 15.4% from the second quarter and 12.0% from the same quarter last year. This followed a 5.0% decline between Q1 and Q2. Across the quarter, passenger vehicle sales rose by 15.3% compared with Q2, while light commercial vehicle sales rose by 18.1%.
Passenger vehicles accounted for most of September’s monthly gain, increasing by 3 075 units to 44 291. Light commercial vehicle sales rose by 634 units to 14 361, while the remaining commercial vehicle and bus categories together increased by 38 units to 2 993. Between July and August, originally reported domestic sales had risen by just 190 vehicles.
Dealer channel and rental fleet sales
An estimated 81.4% of September’s sales were recorded through the dealer channel. Rental purchases accounted for 13.8% of total sales, compared with 13.4% in August, and 18.4% of passenger vehicle sales. New model arrivals, promotions and quarter-end campaigns may also have supported the result, although the figures do not establish the contribution of each factor.
Interest rates, inflation and hybrid demand
August consumer inflation was 4.4%, with transport inflation at 8.8%. The Reserve Bank raised its policy rate by 25 basis points to 7.25%, effective from 25 September, too late to show its full effect on September’s figures. “Affordability is measured in rands available at the end of each month,” said Brandon Cohen, Chairperson of the National Automobile Dealers’ Association (NADA).
According to naamsa, new-energy vehicle sales reached 18 945 units in the first eight months of 2026, already 13.4% above the 16 703 sold throughout 2025. Cohen said buyers considering hybrids and plug-in hybrids should weigh purchase price, finance repayments and running costs, as well as charging access and driving patterns for plug-in models, adding that sustaining progress “will depend on helping customers make affordable choices that work for them throughout ownership.”
Supplied by MotorPress (Ilana Salant, Media Contact, Meropa Communications)
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