Motor trade sales rise as easing inflation and lower rates lift demand

SOUTH Africa's motor trade sales grew by 1.9% year-on-year in August 2025, according to the latest figures released by Statistics South Africa (Stats SA) on Thursday, reflecting steady improvement in the country’s automotive sector.

- YOGASHEN PILLAY

STATS SA release for Motor Trade Sales for August on Thursday indicated that motor trade sales increased by 19% year-on-year in August 2025.

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The growth was largely driven by a 9.4% rise in new vehicle sales, which contributed 2.4 percentage points, and a 4.8% increase in sales of accessories, contributing 0.9 of a percentage point.

Stats SA said that seasonally adjusted motor trade sales rose 0.5% month-on-month in August, following increases of 0.9% in July and 0.4% in June.

Over the three months ending August 2025, motor trade sales were up 2.8% compared with the same period in 2024.

The main drivers of this quarterly improvement were 10.2% in new vehicle sales, 6.4% in sales of accessories, and 2.5% increase in used vehicle sales: up 2.5%, contributing 0.5 of a percentage point. Seasonally adjusted data for the same three-month period showed a 1.5% increase compared with the previous three months, with growth led by used vehicle sales, new vehicle sales, and accessory sales.