INSIDE YOUR POCKET - Vehicle sales growing, but storm clouds loom, warns TransUnion

Loading player...
GUEST – Kriben Reddy - Vice president of Auto Information Solutions at TransUnion Africa)

South Africa’s automotive industry shrugged off ongoing vehicle price inflation, declining consumer credit health and looming macro-economic storm clouds to record an increase in vehicle sales in the fourth quarter of 2022 – but all indicators suggest a tough year ahead.

This is according to the latest findings from TransUnion’s Q4 2022 Vehicle Pricing Index (VPI), that showed that the new vehicle index jumped from 2% in Q4 2021 to 7% in Q4 2022, with used vehicles moving from 7% to 9.1% in the same period. The findings show that:

• The number of financial agreements in the passenger vehicle market in Q4 increased by 1.5% year-on-year, with new vehicle deals surging by 13% and used vehicle deals decreasing by 3.4%

• A year ago, 2.31 used vehicles were sold for every new vehicle; in Q4 2022, this declined to 1.98. In the used vehicle market, 20% of cars sold were less than two years old

• Demo models financed made up to 4% of used financed deals, which indicates consumers are opting for older vehicles wherever possible, while car prices and pressure on disposable income increase

• The number of purchasers for hybrid and electric models grew 10 times for hybrids and six times for electric in 2022

• Consumers between the ages of 26 and 40 bought nearly 46% of all vehicles financed, of which 73% were used
1 Mar 2023 6PM English South Africa Business News · Investing

Other recent episodes

Mercer Africa on the Future of Work for Women

As Women’s Month begins, Mercer Africa’s Keletjo Chiloane explores how AI, workforce expectations and outdated benefits are reshaping women’s experience at work. With women disproportionately exposed to skills gaps, job redesign risks and trust deficits, Keletjo outlines what employers must do to redesign work, benefits and culture so women can…
6 Aug 1PM 15 min

The Price of Survival — Inside SA’s July Food Basket Inflation Rise

The July 2026 Household Affordability Index shows the average food basket rising to R5 530.52, with transport and electricity swallowing 62% of a worker’s wage. Families are left with just R522 per person for food — far below the national food poverty line. PMBEJD’s Mervyn Abrahams unpacks the data, regional…
6 Aug 12PM 17 min

PIC Governance on Trial: CEO Reinstated

A high court has overturned the suspension of PIC CEO Patrick Dlamini, ordering his reinstatement and raising fresh questions about governance at South Africa’s largest asset manager. With a new board appointed and a regulator investigation underway, Stephen Sadie of the Chartered Governance Institute of Southern Africa breaks down the…
5 Aug 2PM 15 min

Property in Uncertain Times: How Redefine Stays Ahead

Redefine CEO Andrew Konig explains why resilience in property is built long before the next crisis hits. From portfolio simplification and balance‑sheet discipline to energy‑generation opportunities and consumption‑driven markets, this conversation explores how long‑term strategy shapes performance in a volatile environment. A masterclass in property fundamentals and strategic foresight.
5 Aug 1PM 15 min

SAA’s Next Chapter: Partnerships, Growth & Performance

South African Airways is entering a new phase of growth, expanding its global reach through fresh partnerships with Emirates and Turkish Airlines. Acting Group Chief Officer Matshela Seshibe unpacks SAA’s operational recovery, route strategy, fleet plans and the broader economic impact of a stronger national carrier. A deep dive into…
5 Aug 12PM 14 min