By Otsile Kadiege

Domestic new vehicle sales in May 2024 were at 37,105 units, reflected a substantial decrease of 6,137 units, or a loss of 14,2%, from the 43,242 vehicles sold in May the previous year. However, Toyota has once again shown its resilience by posting a leading market share which translates to 8,795 Toyotas (including affiliate brands) which found new homes in May.

Toyota took top honours in both Passenger and LCV. The Hilux is still not only the best-selling bakkie, but it additionally tops the overall leader board for vehicle sales (2,367). Hiace (393) and the Land Cruiser 79 (459), also make it onto the LCV top ten, further bolstering Toyota’s good showing on the light commercial vehicle front.

Toyota passenger vehicles had an equally remarkable sales performance, securing three out of the top ten spots. The second-placed Corolla Cross (1,543) which represents the popularity of hybrid models which further entrenches Toyota’s multipath way approach to carbon neutrality – that hybrid electric vehicles are the current practical solution in Africa.

Also achieving a medal on the passenger-car podium is the Starlet, this model garnered sales of 1,047 units and the Fortuner tallied 763 units. The Vitz retailed 423 units. Worthy of mention is the strong showing of the automaker’s SUV model – the upmarket Land Cruiser LC300 which managed 175 units while in the luxury segment Lexus moved 24 NX, 15 LX and 12 RX vehicles.