South African market leader Toyota is cautiously optimistic about the year ahead for the new vehicle industry as a whole.
Speaking at the company’s State of the Motor Industry (SOMI) event held in Midrand on Thursday, Toyota SA CEO Andrew Kirby predicted that the market would return to pre-pandemic levels in 2025.
Kirby said the biggest driver of sales would be interest rates and although the most recent Consumer Price Inflation (CPI) figures are encouraging, the weaker rand seen in January is an inflationary risk that could impact future rate decisions.
@iolnews These are some of the new Toyota and Lexus models due in 2025, as revealed at the Toyota State of the Motor Industry (SOMI) event at Kyalami Raceway on Thursday. #motoring #motoringnews #toyota #lexus #somi #kyalami ♬ original sound - IOL NEWS
“We need substantial changes in interest rates (to drive sales). So what makes this year very difficult to forecast is trying to put a peg in the ground as to how much of a reduction in interest rates we’ll actually experience, and specifically in the first six months of the year,” Kirby said.
“It’s going to take customers a while to get out of their financial predicaments, but if that could happen sooner rather than later, we could see numbers maybe even a bit bigger than our current projections suggest.”
Kirby predicted that the vehicle industry as a whole would see total sales of 535,000 units in 2025, which would be a 3.7% improvement over 2024.
Toyota led the market for the 45th consecutive year in 2024, achieving total sales of 128,663 units and a market share of 24.9%. Toyota’s top seller was the Hilux, at 32,656 units, followed by the Corolla Cross (21,861) and Starlet (14,129).
Headlining Toyota SA's product plans for 2025 is the facelifted Corolla Cross, which was officially launched at the event, featuring a fresh face and new interior features.
Toyota also used the event to pull the covers off of its new Hilux Legend 55.
Celebrating 55 years of Hilux production, the special edition comes with the wide body treatment until now only seen on the GR-S version, with fender extensions and Wide Tread Suspension setting this special bakkie apart.
The Legend 55 will also feature a unique exterior design package, which includes black grille treatment, a silver bash plate and new alloy wheels, while the styling bar boasts a unique design. Also included in the package is a roller shutter.
South Africans will have to wait until July to get their hands on the new Legend 55 and pricing also remains under wraps for now.
At this stage, there is no word on when the next-generation Toyota Hilux will reach South Africa, but it seems there is a reasonable possibility that we will see it in 2026. Check out the latest spy images of the next Hilux.
What else does Toyota have in store for 2025?
March will see the introduction of the first-ever Fortuner GR-Sport. Like its GR Hilux namesake, it features the most powerful version of Toyota’s 2.8-litre GD-6 engine, which produces 165kW and 550Nm.
The flagship SUV also gains GR tuned suspension with Monotube shock absorbers.
Visually it can be told apart by 18-inch GR alloy wheels as well as a redesigned lower bumper while the interior features GR sports seats in Alcantara as well as aluminium sports pedals.
Also set to reach South Africa this year is the updated version of the Toyota GR Yaris, now featuring a more powerful engine, with 201kW and 400Nm now on offer from the 1.6-litre three-cylinder turbo engine, and the option of an eight-speed automatic gearbox.
A few extra luxuries and safety features have also been added to the mix for 2025, including a reverse camera. Not that GR drivers care in the least about things like that.
On the Lexus front, exciting news is that the GX SUV is coming to South Africa for the first time.
Something of a Prado in a tuxedo, the GX will be powered by a 3.5-litre turbocharged V6 engine that pushes 260kW and 650Nm.
SE and Overtrail models will be offered, with the former featuring a seat massage function, electric side steps and 22-inch wheels.
The Overtrail is the more rugged of the two, boasting Multi Terrain Select, Crawl Control, Multi Terrain Monitor and exterior gear carrier, bash plate and roof rail.
Premium SUV buyers seeking something even more prestigious can look forward to the upgraded LX range in February, which includes a new LX 700h flagship model featuring a hybrid powertrain that pushes out 341kW and 650Nm.
Feature highlights include Lexus Safety Sense +3, Auto Parking as well as front and rear seat massage in select models.
That’s as much as Toyota SA is willing to reveal about its 2025 product plans. Will there be an additional surprise or two? We’ll just have to wait and see.
IOL