Toyota celebrates 45 years as SA’s top selling vehicle manufacturer
2025-03-31
Toyota have been SA’s market leader for 45 years now and in 2024 they were number one in annual sales, passenger vehicle sales, LCV sales, MCV sales and Heavy Commercial Vehicle sales. In addition, in 2024 Toyota’s were the bestsellers in four main vehicle categories.
Toyota have been SA’s market leader for 45 years now and in 2024 they were number one in annual sales, passenger vehicle sales, LCV sales, MCV sales and Heavy Commercial Vehicle sales. In addition, in 2024 Toyota’s were the bestsellers in four main vehicle categories.
Toyota have firmly cemented themselves at the top of South Africa’s vehicle sales charts thanks to a range of vehicles that are renowned for their durability and reliability as well as an extensive dealer network that has presence in every town and dorpie.
Toyota have been SA’s market leader for 45 years now and in 2024 they were number one in annual sales, passenger vehicle sales, LCV sales, MCV sales and Heavy Commercial Vehicle sales. In addition, in 2024 Toyota’s were the bestsellers in four main vehicle categories.
In passenger sales, Toyota achieved 24% with three slots in the top five including the Toyota Corolla Cross, Fortuner and Starlet.
Toyota’s Light Commercial Vehicle market share spiked to a record 42,3% or 2 926 units in December 2024, which equates to almost one in every two vehicles sold. The Hilux retained its crown as the overall bestseller across all categories, a title that it has held for over half a century.
In the Medium Commercial Vehicle segment, Toyota took pole position in the sales race, courtesy of the Hino 300 Series, Coaster and Quantum. Toyota also leads the sales charts in the heavy commercial category thanks to the Hino 500 Series.
A wide range of models to choose from
While Toyota models enjoy great individual success it is their extensive model range offering that has allowed them to retain their overall sales leadership position for the impressive period of 45 years.
Toyota’s current line-up ticks all the boxes and ensures that they are able to offer customers the car that fits their needs and budget across all the popular body styles available on the market today.
The range starts off with the Vitz hatchback at under R200 000 and continues with the Toyota Starlet and Corolla hatch as well as sporty Yaris GR and Corolla GR models. The evergreen Corolla is the only sedan that remains in the Toyota line up.
Toyota’s SUV offering is incredibly extensive and includes models across the size and pricing spectrum. At R299 900 the Starlet Cross represents the entry point into Toyota’s SUV range, this is followed by the Urban Cruiser, Corolla Cross, RAV4 and evergreen Toyota Fortuner which is available in 4x2 or 4x4 guise. Those motorists looking for a large SUV with real off-road ability are spoilt for choice with Toyota’s Land Cruiser family which includes the Land Cruiser 76, Toyota Land Cruiser Prado and Toyota Land Cruiser 300 models.
The bakkie range is dominated by the Hilux, which is available in three body styles, including single cab, xtra cab and double cab and a wide variety of derivatives covering 4x2 and 4x4 as well as numerous spec options. The Toyota Land Cruiser 79 single and double cabs offer a unique blend of Land Cruiser ability and durability, resulting in a workhorse that is ready for anything.
Toyota also offer a range of models that cater for those motorists who savour the joy of driving. Models like the GR86 and Toyota Supra epitomise the Japanese sports car moniker of front engined, rear wheel drive, two door sports cars, while the GR Yaris and GR Corolla are hatchbacks with WRC levels of performance for the man on the street.
Toyota are also known for their people carriers and the Hiace and Quantum remain the default choice of transport for thousands of South Africans. Other people carrying options include the Rumion, Quantum Bus and Coaster.
Toyota are the biggest retailer of hybrid vehicles in South Africa with their Corolla Cross hybrid enjoying the lion’s share of local hybrid sales. Their offering also includes hybrid derivatives of the Corolla hatch, Corolla sedan and RAV4.
A safe bet
The popularity of Toyota models in South Africa and their reputation for durability and reliability mean that they enjoy a favourable depreciation rate, making them less of a depreciating asset, both when purchased new or pre-owned.
An extensive dealer network
Toyota’s extensive vehicle line up is complimented by an extensive after sales network, which includes a massive parts warehouse that supplies dealers on an almost daily basis as well as the biggest retail network in South Africa, with a dealer in every dorpie and multiple in the big centres.
