Toyota South Africa Motors (TSAM) recorded its largest market share (30.4%) to date and posted its second highest ever monthly sales total, retailing 13 458 units in February. The total is over two times the second-placed OEM on the February sales chart. It is also TSAM’s highest total since the advent of coronavirus, and is only surpassed by the record aggregate of 13 694 units posted in September 2019. This is the second month in a row that TSAM has recorded a market share that is above 30%.
Commenting on the latest TSAM figures, the company’s Senior Vice President of Sales and Marketing Leon Theron says: “Despite obvious market detractors such as shrinking disposable income and volatile trading conditions, I am very proud of Toyota’s performance in the first couple months of this year. Over 13 400 units retailed last month and a market share of 30.4% is a phenomenal result – all credit has to go to our dealer network and, of course, our loyal customer base. Thank you!”
Selling 3 503 units, Hilux took overall honours in February as SA and Toyota’s bestselling vehicle, while the Hiace Ses’fikile continued its sales prowess as the country’s favourite people mover with 1 438 units sold. The two models have cemented TSAM’s position as the most popular manufacturer in the LCV segment.
Other notable sales runners-up for the month were Corolla Cross with 1 693 units and Starlet with 1 607, while the Fortuner made a welcome return to four-digit figures with 1 101. The aforementioned models – including Urban Cruiser (927), Agya (858), Corolla 02 February 2022 Quest (575) and Rumion (459) – have all contributed meaningfully towards keeping Toyota as the leader of the Passenger segment for two consecutive months.
Also worthy of mention is Lexus with 50 units – including 16 RX, 14 ES and 10 UX models. Hino recorded a total of 278 sales. The 200-Series (LCV) posted 57 units, 300- Series (Medium Commercial Vehicle) posted 120 units, 500-Series (Heavy Commercial Vehicle) sold 92 models while the 700-Series (Extra Heavy Commercial) sold nine.
For the month of February, just over 1.3 million parts’ pieces were supplied to the domestic dealers while a further 393 000 pieces were shipped to foreign markets.
According to the National Association of Automobile Manufacturers of South Africa (naamsa): “Overall, out of the total reported industry sales of 44 229 vehicles, an estimated 37 553 units, or 84.9%, represented dealer sales, an estimated 10.1% represented sales to the vehicle rental industry, 3.8% sales to government, and 1.2% to industry corporate fleets.
“The February 2022 new passenger car market at 29 563 units had registered a sound increase of 5 419 cars, or a gain of 22.4%, compared to the 24 144 new cars sold in February 2021. The car rental industry supported the new passenger car market during the month and accounted for 13.3% of car sales in February 2022.”
Once again, Toyota is grateful to the entire Toyota team and dealers across the country for their continued efforts towards making Toyota a market leader. “We remain committed to creating customer smiles and to continue making Toyota, Lexus and Hino brands of choice for our market. Toyota and its wide dealer channel remain committed to creating customer smiles and providing quality, reliable and durable transport in all segments of the market,” concludes Theron.
