Toyota South Africa Motors (TSAM) has reaffirmed its market leadership with an exceptional retail performance in September, recording 14 146 new vehicle sales and securing a 26% market share out of the industry’s 54 700 units sold. This is Toyota’s best monthly performance since March 2022, when the company last surpassed the 14 000 mark.
The broader industry also delivered a strong performance, with The Automotive Business Council (naamsa) reporting that this is the highest industry total since September 2015. Volumes grew by 10 700 units (24.3%) compared to September 2024, reflecting robust demand despite an environment of modest economic growth, restrictive monetary policy, and increased competition from imported brands.
Toyota once again led sales in the passenger, light commercial, and medium commercial vehicle segments. Hilux retained its crown as South Africa’s top-selling vehicle with 3 639 units, while passenger favourites such as the Corolla Cross (1 891), Starlet (1 626), Vitz (1 446) and Urban Cruiser (1 191) all delivered impressive results.
The SUV range also performed strongly with the Fortuner (842), Land Cruiser Prado (276), Land Cruiser 300 (134) and Land Cruiser 76 Station Wagon (32). On the commercial side, Hino contributed 229 units, and in the luxury segment, Lexus added 86 sales. Lexus sales were led by the GX (26) and RX (24) and NX (16).
September was also Toyota’s strongest fleet sales month of 2025, with 4 233 vehicles delivered to business customers, a year-on-year increase of 34%. TSAM’s Parts Warehouse supplied nearly 2million parts locally, with an additional 400 000 units exported.
KINTO South Africa – the company’s flexible mobility solutions business – surpassed 5 500 vehicles in operation, an important milestone for a business that has been in existence for less than five years.
Reflecting on the achievement, Leon Theron, Senior Vice President of Sales and Marketing at TSAM, says: “September sales have once again highlighted just how remarkable the Toyota, Hino and Lexus brands are. We are sincerely grateful to our dealers, sales teams, our Durban manufacturing plant, and all the Toyota, Hino, Lexus and KINTO ambassadors for their outstanding contribution.
“The local automotive market is more competitive than ever, with customers spoilt for choice. We are proud that, despite the many options available, so many South Africans continue to place their trust in Toyota, Lexus and Hino as their brands of choice.”
While September’s results are a cause for celebration, TSAM recognises that the market remains challenging for both customers and manufacturers. Toyota believes that these challenges strengthen its resolve to focus on what matters most: delivering the best possible experience to every customer.
