Hilux named world’s best-selling bakkie, SA among top markets
Toyota’s Hilux is the world’s top-selling bakkie, with South Africa playing a key role in the global success of six major models.
Having taken first place with the previous-generation RAV4 as the world’s best-selling vehicle of 2024, Toyota has also ranked top as the best-selling bakkie manufacturer over the past 12 months.
Global top 10
The Citizen reports that, according to a six-month market study by renowned automotive analyst Felipe Munoz, the Hilux ranked above the Ford F-150 as the world’s best-seller with sales of 618 200 versus 594 100.
Admittedly sold in more markets compared to the F-150’s North American focus, the Hilux finished as one of three Toyota products within the global top 10. Its US counterpart, the Tacoma, placed eighth with 215 600 units sold, while the full-size Tundra ranked ninth on 179 400.
The Blue Oval also secured three places within the top 10, with the Ranger in fourth (386 900) and the F-250 10th (167 300).
General Motors filled the third and sixth spots with the Chevrolet Silverado 1500 (418 300) and its upscale twin, the GMC Sierra 1500 (267 500), respectively. Stellantis followed in fifth with the Ram 1500 (282 300), and Isuzu took seventh with the D-Max (262 200).
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South Africa ranked
In a separate ranking of the biggest non-US market bakkies, South Africa featured in the top 10 for no fewer than six mainstream global models.
These include the Hilux (4th), D-Max (4th), Ranger (5th), Nissan Navara (7th), Volkswagen Amarok (4th) and Peugeot Landtrek.
Most likely a result of their local production — with Landtrek manufacturing set to start next year — the report excludes Chinese brands and the ageing Mahindra Pik Up, which is sold in fewer international markets.
So far this year, South Africa’s perennial top three — the Hilux, Ranger and D-Max — again feature among the 10 best-selling vehicles for the first half of 2025, with the Hilux remaining at number one overall, followed by the Ranger in second and the Isuzu fifth.
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