Toyota maintained its dominant position in the Namibian vehicle market in January 2025, selling 555 new vehicles, reinforcing its stronghold in both the passenger and commercial segments.
According to Simonis Storm Junior Economist Almandro Jansen, this accounted for a significant share of total vehicle sales, including 306 light commercial vehicles (Hilux), 242 passenger vehicles (notably the Corolla Cross and Fortuner), and several medium commercial vehicles.
“The Toyota Hilux remained the market leader, with 227 units sold. This reaffirms its position as the go-to choice for both commercial and private users, particularly in sectors requiring durable and high-performance vehicles,” Jansen said.
The Toyota Land Cruiser PU, a perennial favourite among farmers, businesses, and off-road enthusiasts, followed with 62 units, reflecting its reliability in Namibia’s rugged landscapes.
Volkswagen secured second place, recording 76 units, largely supported by the strong performance of the Amarok. Ford ranked third, with 54 units of the Ranger contributing to its total sales. Meanwhile, Kia and Suzuki continued to gain traction, appealing to cost-conscious consumers with affordable yet well-equipped models.
The Ford Ranger, with 54 units sold, remains a strong alternative, offering modern features and robust performance. Meanwhile, the VW Amarok, with 17 units sold, maintains a niche market appeal, catering to customers who value comfort alongside utility. Other notable performers included the Mahindra Scorpio Pick-Up, which sold 12 units, and the JAC T-Series, which recorded 11 units, both targeting budget-conscious buyers seeking cost-effective workhorse vehicles.
January 2025 saw a steady performance in new vehicle sales, totalling 966 units, reflecting a 1.7% year-on-year increase from 950 units in January 2024. However, sales declined 12.2% month-on-month from December 2024—a seasonal trend typically observed at the start of the year.
Of the 966 new units sold in January 2025, rental agencies acquired 23 vehicles, consisting of 17 Toyota Fortuners, four Toyota Hilux units, and two Toyota Quantum models. The rental segment accounted for 2.38% of total vehicle sales, marking a notable increase from zero units recorded in December 2024.
“While the rental market remains a small portion of total sales, this resurgence signals a recovery in the tourism sector, particularly in the demand for self-drive options,” said Jansen.
Dealerships remained the dominant purchasers, accounting for 943 units of total sales. Government purchases, however, remained at zero, despite the lifting of procurement restrictions on official vehicle acquisitions.
Commercial vehicles were the primary driver of annual vehicle sales growth, accounting for 51.4% of total units sold in January 2025.
“Sales in this segment increased by 3.97% year-on-year, reflecting sustained demand from businesses and industries reliant on fleet expansion and logistics. Within this category, light commercial vehicles dominated, with 463 new units sold,” Jansen noted.
Additional figures show that 20 medium commercial vehicles, eight extra-heavy commercial vehicles, and six heavy commercial vehicles were sold, while no new bus sales were recorded during the period.
Passenger vehicles accounted for 48.6% of total sales, with 469 units sold, reflecting a marginal 0.21% year-on-year decline in January 2025. On a month-on-month basis, sales declined by 8.4% from November, yet saw a notable 20.2% year-on-year increase compared to December 2023.
Year-to-date, passenger vehicle sales totalled 5,854 units, marking a 6.5% contraction from the 6,264 units sold during the same period in 2023.
