KATHMANDU: Nearly 50 percent of cars sold in South Africa in 2025 have an Indian connection, according to a report by market intelligence firm Lightstone.
These include vehicles from Indian brands such as Tata and Mahindra, as well as global models imported from India.
Data shows Indian brands are gaining strong ground in the passenger vehicle segment. In the first half of 2025, Indian OEMs accounted for close to 50 percent of passenger vehicle sales. Around 49 percent of all passenger vehicles imported into South Africa during the first five months of the year originated from India.
Mahindra has also strengthened its position in the pickup truck segment. The brand now leads the market, driven by strong demand for its Pikup range.
The report highlights India’s growing role as a production hub for global brands. In 2024, about 84 percent of Japanese-branded light vehicles sold in South Africa were imported from India, while only 10 percent were produced in Japan.
These include models such as the Toyota Starlet, Starlet Cross, Vitz, and Urban Cruiser sourced from Maruti Suzuki’s India operations.
Chinese brands are also expanding in the market. Vehicles imported from China accounted for 11 percent of total sales in 2024, compared to 36 percent for Indian imports. Locally manufactured vehicles represented 37 percent of overall vehicle sales.
