Motoring
Vehicle Exports Surge 33% in September 2025 as South Africa’s Auto-Industry Fires on All Cylinders
South Africa’s automotive export engine roared to life in September 2025, showing a 32.9% year-on-year jump in shipments. According to industry body Naamsa, the country exported 38,772 new vehicles last month, up from 29,180 in September 2024.
The strong month also marked a 6.0% increase year-to-date, signalling resilience amid global headwinds.
Who’s Leading the Pack
-
Volkswagen Group retained its position as South Africa’s top vehicle exporter with 11,376 units shipped in Septemberdespite a slight decline of 1,274 units from August.
-
Toyota South Africa Motors surged into second place with 8,138 units, an increase of 3,368 units compared with August.
-
Ford Motor Company of Southern Africa followed in third with 7,590 units, though its volume fell by 1,275 units.
-
BMW Group ranked fourth with 7,060 units, up by 1,860 units from the previous month.
-
Mercedes‑Benz South Africa rounded out the top five with 3,400 units, despite a drop of 550 units from August.
Why This Matters
-
Global competitiveness regained: With exports up strongly, South Africa’s auto-manufacturing sector is proving it can punch above its weight despite trade pressures.
-
Job and plant protection: Export strength helps safeguard vehicle manufacturing plants in places like the Eastern Cape and Gauteng, which are critical employment hubs.
-
Supply chain improvement: The figures suggest local supply chains and production lines are clearing recent disruptions and gaining momentum.
-
Brand positioning: The jump by Toyota, in particular, shows that South Africa is not just serving local markets but competing globally for export customers.
A Fresh Angle : Perspective from the Ground
For workers on the assembly line in Kariega or Silverton this month, nights and weekends spent keeping production going matter. When exports rise, overtime calls, component orders and economic confidence follow.
Communities around the plants often live with the benefits: more consistent shifts, better supplier stability and increased chances of secondary businesses setting up. And for South Africa’s manufacturing policy makers, such numbers may give leverage when negotiating investment incentives or infrastructure upgrades.
What to Watch
-
Sustainability of growth: Will this rise be a one-off or the start of a sustained export rebound?
-
Diversification of destinations: With US tariffs biting earlier in 2025, how much growth comes from new markets?
-
Local value-add: Are these exports high-value models or just basic units? Higher value means better impact for the local economy.
-
Supply chain risks: Global component shortages or tariff shocks remain possible disruptors.
Click here for more Motoring News
Follow Carmag on Instagram and Facebook
Click here to browse New Cars for sale
