Toyota South Africa Motors sold 15,366 vehicles in September, securing a 24.9% market share, with the Hilux and passenger vehicle range contributing to its strongest monthly performance on record
Petrol may be on its highest, but cars in South Africa are still selling like hot cakes.
Toyota South Africa Motors (TSAM) recorded its highest-ever monthly sales performance in September 2026, selling 15,366 vehicles as demand across passenger and commercial vehicle segments strengthened the company’s position in South Africa’s automotive market.
The result, announced by Toyota South Africa represents an 8.6% increase on the 14,146 vehicles sold in September 2025. It lifted Toyota’s market share to 24.9% of the 61,645 new vehicles sold nationally during the month.
The record comes as South Africa’s new-vehicle market continues to grow. According to figures from the Automotive Business Council (naamsa), total new-vehicle sales increased by 12.7% year-on-year in September, with passenger vehicle sales rising by 14.7% to 44,291 units and light commercial vehicle sales increasing by 9.6% to 14,361 units.
Hilux anchors commercial vehicle performance
The Toyota Hilux remained the country’s best-selling vehicle in September, recording 3,769 sales. The result reinforces the model’s importance in the local light commercial vehicle market, which serves business fleets, construction, agriculture, mining and other sectors requiring work-oriented transport.
Toyota also recorded 1,964 sales of the Corolla Cross, while the Starlet Cross, Starlet and Urban Cruiser contributed to passenger vehicle volumes.
The Hilux’s performance is particularly relevant to commercial vehicle distribution because bakkies serve a broad range of business applications, from transporting personnel and equipment to supporting field operations and last-mile activities. However, the sales figures do not distinguish between fleet purchases and individual customers across all models.
Broader portfolio supports market share
Toyota’s September performance extended beyond its core bakkie range. The company attributed its record month to demand across passenger and commercial vehicles, with the Corolla Cross, Starlet Cross, Starlet and Urban Cruiser among the models supporting volumes.
The wider Toyota South Africa Motors group includes Lexus and Hino, extending its presence into the luxury vehicle and commercial truck markets. Its combined sales performance therefore reflects demand across multiple vehicle categories, although the September total should not be interpreted as 15,366 commercial vehicles: it covers the company’s broader vehicle portfolio.
South Africa recorded 61,645 new-vehicle sales in September, while exports reached 31,473 units, down 18.1% year-on-year. The divergence between domestic sales growth and lower exports highlights the importance of distinguishing local market demand from export performance when assessing the automotive industry.