SA New Vehicle Sales Hit Decade High as Affordability Drives Demand.

Loading player...
GUEST – Ayesha Hatea, Director of Research and Consulting at TransUnion

South Africa’s automotive market is in full throttle and for the first time in 11 years, new-vehicle sales have roared to a decade-high. According to TransUnion’s latest Mobility Insights Report, Q3 2025 saw 111,697 new passenger vehicles sold, up 23.4% year-on-year, supported by easing interest rates, a firmer rand, and the most competitive pricing environment in over a decade.

At the centre of the surge? Affordability. Value-focused brands especially fast-growing Chinese manufacturers are reshaping the market, capturing over 15% share and expanding almost nine times faster than the industry average. Younger buyers are driving much of the momentum, while high-income households show the strongest intent to purchase.
8 Dec 2025 3PM English South Africa Business News · Investing

Other recent episodes

South Africa's Car Buyers Defy Economic Pressure

Despite higher interest rates, rising fuel prices and growing living costs, South Africa's vehicle market continues to show remarkable resilience. Thanda Sithole, Senior Economist at FNB and WesBank, unpacks what strong vehicle sales reveal about consumer confidence, how buyers are adapting to affordability pressures, the rise of new-energy vehicles, and…
12 Nov 12PM 13 min

The Economics of Diabetes

Ahead of World Diabetes Day, Sara Norcross, VP and General Manager of Novo Nordisk South Africa, joins Kaya Biz to discuss the growing burden of diabetes and its impact beyond healthcare. From workplace productivity and economic growth to treatment access and prevention, the conversation explores why diabetes should be viewed…
12 Nov 12PM 20 min

Protecting Yourself in the Age of Digital Scams

Online scams are becoming more sophisticated and increasingly difficult to detect. Sylvia Musalagani, Head of Safety Policy for Europe, the Middle East and Africa at Meta, discusses the growing threat of digital fraud, Meta's anti-scam initiatives, and how partnerships with local institutions are helping consumers identify and avoid online scams…
12 Nov 11AM 10 min

South Africa's Capital Puzzle

South Africa has no shortage of capital, yet economic growth remains elusive. Jurie Strydom, CEO of Old Mutual, joins Kaya Biz to unpack why the challenge may not be attracting investment, but deploying existing capital into productive sectors of the economy. The conversation explores investor confidence, policy certainty, infrastructure constraints…
12 Nov 11AM 7 min

Reading South Africa's Economic Pulse

South Africa's economic activity weakened again in October, but there are emerging signs that pressure on households and businesses may begin to ease. Independent economist Elize Kruger unpacks the latest PayInc Economic Index, the fuel price outlook, consumer behaviour, business confidence and the key economic trends to watch heading into…
11 Nov 12PM 10 min