Locally built models dominate the list of South Africa’s best-selling cars and bakkies, but what about imported vehicles? Here are the most popular imported cars of October 2023…

In October 2023, as many as 8 of South Africa’s 10 best-selling vehicles were locally built. But what about imported models? Well, we sorted through the figures to pick out the most popular models shipped in from overseas last month.

As a reminder, nearly 65% of light vehicles sold in South Africa in 2022 were imported rather than produced in Mzansi. According to Naamsa, the top country of origin in pure volume terms last year was India, from which a whopping 165 910 vehicles were sourced. That translates to 51.2% of total light vehicles – yes, more than half – imported in 2022.

Toyota’s Starlet was SA’s top-selling imported car last month.

So, it comes as no surprise that most models in the top 10 best-selling imported vehicles for October 2023 were sourced from the subcontinental nation, which has transformed itself into a global production hub for budget vehicles.

Last month, the Toyota Starlet (1363 units) – which is manufactured by Maruti Suzuki in India – was SA’s top-selling imported car, just ahead of the Suzuki Swift (1248 units) produced in the same country. The Chinese-made Chery Tiggo 4 Pro completed the podium with 856 registrations.

The only Chinese-made model in the top 10 was the Chery Tiggo 4 Pro.

The Celerio-based Toyota Vitz (779 units) grabbed 4th position with its highest tally since launching locally, sneaking in ahead of the likewise Indian-built Nissan Magnite (715 units). The Hyundai Grand i10 range – which now comprises both hatchback and sedan derivatives built in India – took 6th place, finishing the month on 705 units (680 in the passenger-car segment and 25 in the light-commercial vehicle space).

Another Indian-made model in the form of the Renault Kwid (661 units) claimed 7th spot, just ahead of the Spanish-built Volkswagen T-Cross (641 units) – the only model in the top 10 sourced from Europe – in 8th. The Hyundai i20 (635 units) and Volkswagen Polo Sedan (628 units) completed the table, with both models shipped over from India.

SA’s best-selling imported vehicles in October 2023

1. Toyota Starlet – 1363 units

2. Suzuki Swift – 1248 units

3. Chery Tiggo 4 Pro – 856 units

4. Toyota Vitz – 779 units

5. Nissan Magnite – 715 units

6. Hyundai Grand i10 – 705 units

7. Renault Kwid – 661 units

8. Volkswagen T-Cross – 641 units

9. Hyundai i20 – 635 units

10. Volkswagen Polo Sedan – 628 units

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