July 2025 showed that South Africa’s trucking market still has plenty of pull, even with a few bumps in the road. Heavy-duty truck and bus sales came in at 2,076 units, slightly down by 1.3% from July 2024’s 2,103 units. But compared to June’s 1,943 units, the market actually edged up, showing renewed fleet confidence going into the second half of the year.
FAW Trucks came out swinging again, moving 498 units – their highest monthly total yet in 2025. Toyota stayed hot on their heels with a solid 398 units, while Isuzu stayed in the fight with 314. Daimler and Scania rounded out the top five, showing no signs of letting go of their long-standing strongholds.
UD Trucks SA jumped ahead of Volvo Group SA, while Tata pushed back into the Top 10, knocking Sinotruk off the list of top 10 in June.
Top 10 Heavy-Duty Truck Brands by Sales in South Africa – June 2025
| Brand | Units Sold | Sales | Last Month Position |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1. FAW Trucks | 498 | ▲ Increased | 1 |
| 2. Toyota | 398 | ▲ Increased | 2 |
| 3. Isuzu Motors SA | 314 | ▲ Increased | 3 |
| 4. Daimler Truck SA | 289 | ▲ Increased | 4 |
| 5. Scania | 225 | ▼ Decreased | 5 |
| 6. UD Trucks SA | 203 | ▲ Increased | 7 |
| 7. Volvo Group SA | 170 | ▼ Decreased | 6 |
| 8. MAN | 144 | ▼ Decreased | 8 |
| 9. Powerstar | 121 | ▲ Increased | 10 |
| 10. Tata | 68 | ▲ Increased | 12 |
Industry Outlook
The overall commercial vehicle market also had something to smile about. Medium commercial vehicle sales came in at 703 units, up a hefty 13.9% from July 2024. Combine that with easing finance pressure thanks to the SARB’s third repo rate cut of 25 basis points this year – now sitting at 7.00% – and it’s clear that local trucking remains in high demand.
naamsa CEO Mikel Mabasa put it plainly:
“We are encouraged by the sustained positive momentum in new vehicle sales, which clearly underscores the resilience of South African consumers and the strategic importance of a stable macro-economic policy environment.”
Industry Pressure Building on Exports
While local sales are holding firm, South Africa’s exports are taking a knock. A 30% tariff on local exports to the US is set to kick in from 7 August 2025, after the earlier 25% Section 232 tariff wasn’t resolved through negotiation.
That’s already dealt a heavy blow: vehicle exports to the US dropped 82.2% in the first half of the year compared to 2024. Mabasa didn’t sugarcoat it:
“The reimposition of these tariffs is deeply disappointing and has far-reaching implications. Without urgent trade remedy, the socio-economic fallout could be severe.”
He added that naamsa is now doubling down on pushing regional trade and Africa-Asia market access, especially with SA Auto Week 2025 around the corner – set for 1-3 October in Gqeberha.
“We must seize this moment. With positive domestic fundamentals and export volumes holding firm, now is the time to intensify policy co-ordination, deepen localisation, and invest boldly in the technologies of the future.”
Looking Ahead
The truck sector’s outlook for the second half of 2025 is cautiously optimistic. Local demand’s still firing, interest rates are trending down, and brands like FAW and Toyota are gaining serious momentum. But export instability and rising inflationary pressure could stir things up. Full naamsa report here.
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