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 3PM English South Africa Business News · Investing

Other recent episodes

Mine 2026: The New Battleground for Global Mining

PwC’s Mine 2026 report shows miners posting record profits — yet facing unprecedented structural pressures. Energy Utilities and Resource Assurance Partner Vuyiswa Khutlang breaks down the three imperatives reshaping mining: policy stability, capital mobilisation, and technology‑driven productivity. We explore copper’s surge, coal’s decline, selective M&A, and why geology alone no…
29 Jun 2PM 16 min

How Middle East Shocks Hit Africa’s Politics & Economy

The Middle East ceasefire may hold — or unravel. Either way, Africa is already feeling the tremors. Political analyst Jervin Naidoo maps how geopolitical shocks strain fiscal balances, fuel inflation, election stability, capital flows and sovereign risk premiums across the continent. A deep dive into Africa’s political vulnerability and the…
29 Jun 2PM 18 min

R316 Million for Impact: How E Squared Is Rewiring Entrepreneurship

E Squared’s 2025 Impact Report showcases a powerful model of patient capital, responsible entrepreneurship and transformation-driven investing. CEO Gladwyn Leeuw explains the shift to “lives meaningfully improved", the pipeline‑to‑scale approach, backing Black and female founders, and building businesses that endure — all while delivering commercial and social returns.
29 Jun 2PM 14 min

Inside Siyakhokha: How Ekurhuleni Is Modernising Municipal Payments

Ekurhuleni’s finances — and its ability to deliver reliable services — depend on a strong partnership with residents. MMC for Finance Alderman Jongizizwe Dlabathi explains how the City’s Siyakhokha platform is transforming municipal payments through convenience, security and digital efficiency. From registering online to logging queries and making payment arrangements,…
25 Jun 1PM 15 min

African Bank sees R624mn half-year loss, Capital ratio 25.8% keeps ops standing

African Bank has entered a new chapter shifting from years of acquisitive expansion to a disciplined phase of consolidation. Interim Group CEO Zweli Manyathi breaks down the R624m loss, the credit environment, cost‑to‑income pressures, and the bank’s strategy to unlock value from its diversified platform.
25 Jun 1PM 21 min