• New vehicle sales could surpass pre-pandemic levels in South Africa this year.
• First-half sales rose 14%, driven by demand for affordable models and imports.
• Chinese cars, up 30.2% in H1, now account for nearly two-thirds of the market.

South Africa’s domestic new vehicle sales may rebound in 2025 and surpass volumes recorded before the coronavirus pandemic, according to Billy Tom, head of the National Association of Automobile Manufacturers of South Africa (Naamsa). He spoke on October 1 at the group’s annual conference.

While no precise forecast was given, new car sales reached 536,612 units in 2019 compared with 515,850 in 2024.

Reuters, citing Tom, reported that the industry is already on track, with sales rising 14% in the first half of 2025 compared with the same period a year earlier. Growth was fueled by strong consumer demand for affordable cars despite local competition. Imports, mainly from China, also surged by 30.2% in the same period.

Even if Naamsa’s target is met, it will take time for domestic manufacturers to withstand imports, which now account for nearly 64% of the market. Industry sources note that Chinese models are sold at prices up to 50% lower than locally made vehicles.

South Africa’s Automotive Masterplan, the industry roadmap, projects national sales of 1.17 million new vehicles by 2035.