Toyota has achieved its best annual sales figure in 18 years in South Africa.
The automotive industry reported strong growth in 2025, with many carmakers ending the year on a high note this December.
Importantly, 2025 marked the year in which the industry finally recovered to pre-pandemic levels, reaching sales highs not seen in a decade.
Naamsa attributed the auto sector’s growth to broader economic improvements, with a cumulative 150 basis point cut for interest rates, the introduction of new and affordable models, and the liquidity inject from the “two-pot” retirement system withdrawels.
One of the many companies to benefit from this economic upswing was Toyota, as the Japanese carmaker’s local division reported a staggering annual sales total of 148,124 units.
Toyota South Africa Motors (TSAM) highlighted that this is the best sales year the brand has recorded since 2007.
“Toyota closed the year with an overall market share of 24.8%, translating to average monthly sales of more than 12,340 units across all segments,” it said.
The automaker attributed its success to its local manufacturing base, which was led by the ever-popular Hilux bakkie.
The Hilux sold an incredible 36,525 units in 2025, equating to roughly 3,000 units per month, or 100 units per day.
Other strong performers included the Corolla Cross, which sold 22,191 units, and the Fortuner, which added 9,049 units to the company’s total.
All three vehicles are produced at TSAM’s factory in Prospecton, Durban, in KwaZulu-Natal.
The Toyota Hiace, which forms the backbone of the South African taxi industry, also experienced high demand with 6,815 sales.
The carmaker dominated the passenger and light commercial vehicle segments last year, selling 92,997 and 51,005 units, respectively.
Its medium and heavy commercial categories were also popular with 2,689 and 1,433 sales.
“Achieving total sales of 148,124 vehicles – our best annual performance since 2007 – is a significant accomplishment for Toyota South Africa,” said Leon Theron, Senior Vice President of Sales and Marketing at TSAM.
“It reflects the strength of our locally produced product line-up, the trust South Africans place in the Toyota brand, and the collective effort of our dealers, employees and supply partners across the value chain.”
What’s on the horizon
Toyota fans have a lot to look forward to this year, as the next-generation Hilux is set to go on sale in markets around the world in 2026.
The long-awaited ninth-generation instalment in the legendary bakkie series was unveiled in November 2025, showcasing a new design while retaining the vehicle’s distinctive silhouette.
It has a new honeycomb grille reminiscent of the one on the facelifted Corolla Cross, and a set of slim LED headlights and daytime running lights.
The interior is very similar to that of the Prado SUV, which seems to have established the design template for all of Toyota’s next-gen 4x4s.
Of course, the reveal of the new Hilux also means the new Fortuner SUV can’t be far behind, though the company has yet to make an official announcement.
The familiar 2.8-litre turbo-diesel engine is making a return, and the Hilux is also getting a brand-new battery electric (BEV) model
Another exciting announcement is the new Land Cruiser FJ, which is under consideration for our market.
The new FJ functionally seems to be a smaller version of the Prado, which could prove to be a massive hit with audiences who are interested in the Prado but can’t afford it or would prefer something a bit more compact.
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