Fashion is never more than temporary, and the same is true of vehicle bodyshapes. This is evident in the Crossover/SUV becoming South Africa’s favourite Passenger vehicle bodyshape.
According to Lightstone Auto data, the Crossover/SUV is the favourite Passenger vehicle bodyshape, while one-time leader, the Hatch, is now in second spot. In fact, the Crossover/SUV was third choice in 2013, behind the Sedan in second place and the Hatch, then riding high as leader of the pack with just under 50% share of the Passenger vehicle market.
Jaco van Staden, Head of Sales at Lightstone Auto, says, “The Hatch is down from 48% to 37% in 2022, but its decline is modest compared to the Sedan, which has seen its market share plummet from 26% in 2014 to just 8% in 2022.”
The big winner has been the Crossover/SUV, which has soared from 22% to 50% market share in 10 years.
The changing consumer preferences have been recognised by the OEMs – in 2013 there were around 530 available Crossover/SUV options, and 440 Sedan options. By 2022, the unique Crossover/SUV count had jumped to 880 (growth of 66%), whilst Sedan alternatives had declined to 160 (-64%).
The rise of the Crossover/SUV bodyshape in the Passenger market has been accompanied by the Double-Cab’s emergence as the favourite in the Light Commercial Market, replacing the One-Ton Single and Extended Cabs. Both the Crossover/SUV and the Double Cab were
beneficiaries of growing consumer preferences for greater ride height to get a better driving perspective and additional safety.
