Which Car Brands Sold Most in South Africa in September 2026, and What Do They Cost Used?
naamsa's September figures, brand by brand, set against what those brands ask on Dryv's used market this week.
By Rynard Snyman · 5 October 2026
Toyota sold 15,366 new vehicles in South Africa in September 2026, ahead of Suzuki with 6,668 and Volkswagen Group with 5,968, as total sales rose 12.7% to 61,645, according to naamsa. On Dryv on 5 October 2026, a used Toyota asked a median R399,995 and a used Suzuki R239,850.
South Africans bought 61,645 new vehicles in September 2026, 12.7% more than in September 2025, according to naamsa. That happened in the same month the Reserve Bank raised the repo rate to 7.25%, taking prime to 10.75%. Passenger cars rose 14.7% to 44,291, and bakkies and minibuses rose 9.6% to 14,361.
Which brands sold the most new vehicles in September 2026?
Toyota sold more than twice as many as anyone else. These are naamsa's domestic sales for the month, by manufacturer.
| Manufacturer | New vehicles sold, September 2026 |
|---|---|
| Toyota | 15,366 |
| Suzuki | 6,668 |
| Volkswagen Group South Africa | 5,968 |
| Ford | 3,190 |
| Hyundai | 3,057 |
| Isuzu | 3,022 |
| Chery | 3,004 |
| GWM (Haval and GWM) | 2,700 |
| Jetour | 2,036 |
| Kia | 1,840 |
Most were sold through dealers, 81.4% of all new vehicles according to naamsa. Rental companies took 18.4% of new passenger cars.
How big are the Chinese brands now?
Big enough to change the top ten. Chery, GWM, Jetour and Omoda & Jaecoo sold 9,243 new vehicles between them in September, 15.0% of the whole market and more than Suzuki on its own. Chery alone came within 18 units of Isuzu.
What do those brands cost on the used market?
Here is what the same brands asked on Dryv on 5 October 2026, used cars only.
| Brand | Used on Dryv | Median asking price | Median model year | Median odometer |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Toyota | 718 | R399,995 | 2023 | 74,027 km |
| Volkswagen | 459 | R279,900 | 2021 | 82,365 km |
| Ford | 291 | R379,995 | 2021 | 98,048 km |
| Suzuki | 204 | R239,850 | 2025 | 32,787 km |
| Hyundai | 151 | R229,990 | 2021 | 90,103 km |
| Isuzu | 55 | R309,990 | 2020 | 174,523 km |
| Chery, Haval, GWM, Jetour, Omoda and Jaecoo together | 193 | R359,999 | 2025 | 10,800 km |
Each brand's used stock leans on a few models. On Dryv, 179 of the 718 used Toyotas are Hiluxes and 115 are Fortuners. Ford's used stock is mostly Rangers, 161 of 291. Volkswagen's is mostly Polos (150) and Polo Vivos (100).
Can you buy a used Chinese car yet?
You can, but there are not many and they are nearly new. The four Chinese groups above sold 9,243 new vehicles in September alone. On Dryv this week there were 193 used ones, and the median one was a 2025 with 10,800 km on the clock. Only 20 asked R250,000 or less.
For these brands Dryv lists more new cars than used ones: 208 new Cheries against 62 used, and 206 new Havals against 58 used. My view: if you want one, compare a nearly new example with the new price and with this month's new car specials. At this age the gap between used and new can be small.
Where is the value on the used market right now?
Suzuki. Its used cars on Dryv are young (a median 2025 with 32,787 km) and 120 of the 204 asked R250,000 or less. If you want the most choice, Toyota and Volkswagen have the deepest used stock, with 718 and 459 cars. Bear in mind that 294 of those 718 Toyotas are Hiluxes or Fortuners when you read its R399,995 median.
If a nearly new car has low kilometres and plain fleet-style specification, ask whether it was a rental. That is not a reason to walk away, but the service history should show it.
Are hybrids and electric cars catching on?
Yes, from a small base. naamsa reports 18,945 new hybrid and electric vehicles sold from January to August 2026, already 13.4% more than in the whole of 2025, and says about one in every twenty new vehicles sold this year is electrified. On 5 October 2026 Dryv listed 243 hybrids and 67 electric vehicles. If you are weighing one up, read whether a plug-in hybrid is worth it.
How were these numbers measured?
New-vehicle sales are naamsa's figures for September 2026, released on 1 October 2026. The used-car figures are dealers' asking prices for every used car of each brand listed on Dryv on 5 October 2026, not what the cars sold for. A median is the middle car when they are lined up by price, year or odometer. Dryv's used stock leans towards the Western Cape (375 of the 718 used Toyotas and 408 of the 459 used Volkswagens), so prices elsewhere may differ. Browse every used Toyota and Suzuki on Dryv.
Verdict: for value, a nearly new used Suzuki. For choice, Toyota or Volkswagen. For a Chinese SUV, price a nearly new one against the new car and this month's specials before you sign.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which car brand sold the most in South Africa in September 2026?
Toyota, with 15,366 new vehicles, according to naamsa. Suzuki was second with 6,668 and Volkswagen Group South Africa third with 5,968.
How many new cars were sold in South Africa in September 2026?
naamsa reported 61,645 new vehicles sold in September 2026, 12.7% more than the 54,706 sold in September 2025. Of those, 44,291 were passenger cars.
How many Chinese cars were sold in South Africa in September 2026?
Chery, GWM, Jetour and Omoda and Jaecoo sold 9,243 new vehicles between them in September 2026, according to naamsa, which is 15.0% of all new vehicles sold that month.
How much does a used Toyota cost in South Africa?
On 5 October 2026 the 718 used Toyotas on Dryv asked a median R399,995, with a median model year of 2023 and 74,027 km. Hiluxes and Fortuners make up 294 of them.
Are hybrid cars selling well in South Africa?
naamsa reports 18,945 new hybrid and electric vehicles sold from January to August 2026, more than the 16,703 sold in all of 2025, or about one in twenty new vehicles this year.
