I just returned from the launch of Changan Motor Cars in South Africa, and I’m still reeling from the sheer scale of it all. We’re not talking about a single new model or a facelifted version of an existing one – no, we’re talking about a full-blown brand launch with six new vehicles hitting our shores. Six! As I stood there, surrounded by the gleaming metal and enthusiastic representatives, I couldn’t help but think about how far the South African car market has come.
No, I’m old, but when I grew up, it felt like there were only ten cars you could buy. And they were all sedans. Ok. Maybe there were two hatchbacks and one coupe, but that was it. Fast forward to 2025, and the landscape is unrecognizable. Today, there are over 40 brands of car on sale in South Africa, a staggering increase from just 17 brands in 1988.
To put that into perspective, South Africa’s population has grown from around 37 million in 1988 to over 62 million today. That’s a significant increase, but nothing compared to the explosion of car brands vying for our attention. In 1988, the population per car brand was roughly 2.1 million people per brand. Today, with more than double the population, we’re looking at around 1.5 million people per brand.
Don’t get me wrong, I love the variety and choice that comes with having so many brands and models on offer. But it makes me wonder – are there even enough drivers for the amount of cars on sale? With so many options, it’s becoming increasingly difficult to stand out from the crowd. And what does this mean for the future of the industry?
As I walked around the Changan showroom, I couldn’t help but feel a sense of excitement and trepidation. We’re spoiled for choice, and it’s going to be fascinating to see how this all plays out. Will the market consolidate, or will there be room for all these new players? One thing’s for sure – it’ll be a wild ride.
So, are there even enough drivers? Perhaps that’s not the right question. Maybe the question is, are we ready for the brave new world of car buying, where choice and variety are the only constants? Only time will tell.
