June 2025 continued to deliver strong results for South Africa’s truck market, although it came with a slight drop in heavy truck and bus sales compared to May. According to naamsa, the industry recorded 1,943 heavy commercial units sold, reflecting a 3.1% decrease from June 2024. Still, the domestic market stayed in high gear overall, thanks to strong consumer demand and lower interest rates.
FAW Trucks once again came out swinging, topping the charts with 450 units sold, despite dipping slightly from their May total of 487. Their consistency in 2025 continues to impress, making them the brand to beat in the heavy-duty category.
Toyota climbed impressively into second place with 315 units, while Isuzu remained a top contender at 296 units. Daimler Truck SA held onto fourth position with 283 units, followed by a strong showing from Scania at 214 units.
Top 10 Heavy-Duty Truck Brands by Sales in South Africa – June 2025
| Brand | Units Sold | Sales | Last Month Position |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1. FAW Trucks | 450 | ▼ Decreased | 1 |
| 2. Toyota | 315 | ▲ Increased | 4 |
| 3. Isuzu Motors SA | 296 | ▼ Decreased | 2 |
| 4. Daimler Truck SA | 283 | ▼ Decreased | 3 |
| 5. Scania | 214 | ▼ Decreased | 5 |
| 6. Volvo Group SA | 203 | ▲ Increased | 7 |
| 7. UD Trucks SA | 197 | ▲ Increased | 6 |
| 8. MAN | 101 | ▼ Decreased | 8 |
| 9. Sinotruk | 97 | ▲ Increased | 11 |
| 10. Powerstar | 96 | ▬ Same | 9 |
Industry Outlook
The South African automotive sector closed the first half of 2025 on a solid footing. Total new vehicle sales for June came in at 47,294 units, up 18.7% compared to June 2024. Medium truck sales jumped 24.7%, while the heavy commercial segment showed a slight year-on-year dip, suggesting possible short-term consolidation after May’s strong performance.
Read | FAW Trucks Adds Four New Dealerships Amid Surging Sales Across South Africa
“The first half of 2025 has shown just how resilient and responsive our domestic market truly is,” said naamsa CEO Mikel Mabasa. “Strong consumer demand, supported by positive economic fundamentals, has helped the automotive sector deliver impressive growth amid global turbulence.”
The South African Reserve Bank’s interest rate cut in May appears to have had a sustained impact, with vehicle financing costs easing and demand holding strong, especially for affordable, high-spec trucks.
Vehicle exports in June 2025 also saw a positive uptick, increasing by 7.9% year-on-year. However, trade risks loom as the U.S. reciprocal trade reprieve nears expiry. Mabasa stressed the importance of trade diversification and policy alignment to maintain momentum.
“South Africa’s automotive industry has long relied on a thriving export engine to sustain production volumes and attract investment,” Mabasa added. “We must now respond strategically to safeguard our trade access and competitiveness.”
Looking Ahead
As we move into the second half of 2025, the trucking sector is expected to remain steady, but analysts warn of mounting risks tied to global instability, food and fuel inflation, and political uncertainty. For now, though, domestic truck sales remain a bright spot in South Africa’s industrial recovery story. Read the full naamsa report here
Do you have more on this story? Click to WhatsApp us. Anonymity guaranteed.