South Africa Q1 2026 Mobility Insights Report
How geopolitics, Chinese expansion and rising ownership costs are reshaping the market
While passenger vehicle demand held firm in early 2026, the shifting operating environment is creating a more complex landscape for OEMs, dealers, lenders and insurers.
The TransUnion® Q1 2026 Mobility Insights Report draws on Naamsa, NaTIS, Stats SA and TransUnion Consumer Pulse Survey data to analyse what’s shaping sales performance, consumer behaviour and long-term ownership economics. Specifically, it reveals:
- How passenger vehicle sales reached 114,517 units in Q1 2026
- Why Chinese brands are on the rise, with Chery Group as a top-three player
- Where dealer confidence reached its highest level in 13 years
- How hybrid vehicle preference grew as rising fuel costs promoted alternative powertrains
- What extending loan terms and balloon finance mean for total cost of ownership
Access TransUnion's latest mobility intelligence to help inform your pricing, financing and portfolio strategies as market conditions evolve.
“Vehicle demand has not collapsed, but the market is moving into a more selective phase. Consumers are still buying vehicles, but affordability is no longer only about the purchase price. Fuel costs, financing costs, insurance, servicing, and total cost of ownership are becoming central to the decision.”
- Ayesha Hatea, Director, Research and Consulting, TransUnion Africa
Download the Q1 2026 Mobility Insights Report
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