“India-Made Cars Dominate South Africa Market”

Nearly half of the cars sold in South Africa this year have a link to India, either because they are made by Indian companies or use parts manufactured in India. A recent report shows that brands such as Mahindra and Tata have a strong presence in the South African car market.

Mahindra has emerged as a major player, especially with its Pikup range, which has recorded strong sales over the past year. Indian-made vehicles have become increasingly popular due to their affordability and reliability.

The report also says that 84 per cent of Japanese-brand light vehicles sold in South Africa in 2024 were imported from India, while only 10 per cent were actually manufactured in Japan. Chinese vehicles made up just 11 per cent of total vehicle sales during the year.

Overall, 36 per cent of all vehicles sold in South Africa in 2024 were imported from India, either directly or through well-known Japanese and Korean brands. When pickup trucks and light commercial vehicles are excluded, India’s share of the market rose even further.

In the first half of 2025, India accounted for almost half of South Africa’s vehicle imports. Data from the first five months of 2025 shows that 49 per cent of passenger vehicles sold were imported from India. Most of these cars were produced by Maruti Suzuki in India, which also supplies models for Toyota, including the Starlet, Starlet Cross, Vitz, and Urban Cruiser.