Hyundai Crowned Overall Manufacturer of the Year at 2026 SAVRALA Awards

Hyundai has been named Overall Manufacturer of the Year at the 31st Southern African Vehicle Rental and Leasing Association (SAVRALA) Manufacturer of the Year (MOTY) Awards, held at NH Johannesburg Sandton on Thursday, 22 October 2026.

The automaker secured its first Overall Gold Award since 2009, following a strong combined performance across the rental and leasing categories. Isuzu took Overall Silver, while Toyota claimed Bronze.

The annual MOTY Awards recognise motor manufacturers and vehicle importers for the quality of service and support they provide to South Africa’s vehicle rental and leasing industry. The programme independently assesses performance against 40 criteria across two evaluation rounds each year, covering areas such as communication, operational support, maintenance, financial considerations, electric-vehicle uptake and B-BBEE compliance.

This year, 38 rental and leasing companies evaluated 32 manufacturers and vehicle importers, reinforcing the awards’ position as an important industry benchmark.

Recognising excellence and strengthening industry partnerships

SAVRALA General Manager Sandile Ntseoane said the awards provide an independent assessment of manufacturer performance from the perspective of rental and leasing operators.

“Beyond recognising excellence, the results help manufacturers understand the operational needs of fleet operators and identify opportunities to improve service, strengthen partnerships and deliver greater value to our industry,” said Ntseoane.

A changing automotive landscape

The awards come as South Africa’s automotive market continues to evolve, with increasing competition, expanding vehicle choices and changing fleet requirements.

Lightstone Auto forecasts that new light-vehicle sales in South Africa, including passenger and light commercial vehicles, will exceed 620,000 in 2026. Data from naamsa through September indicates that imports account for more than 70% of sales in this category.

Paul-Roux de Kock, Chief Analytics Officer at Lightstone, said manufacturers must distinguish themselves through more than the vehicles they offer.

“As competition intensifies, manufacturers need to differentiate themselves not only through their vehicles, but through the quality of service, support and partnerships they provide,” said de Kock.

He added that the MOTY Awards provide an independent measure of performance, helping manufacturers better understand and respond to the changing needs of the rental and leasing industry.

Lightstone Auto has served as the independent research lead for the SAVRALA MOTY Awards since 2010, analysing manufacturer performance and service standards across both sectors.

Isuzu takes top honours in rental category

Isuzu secured the Rental Gold Award, returning to the top position in the category. Toyota, the 2025 winner, received Silver, while BMW claimed Bronze.

Toyota continued its strong performance in the financial evaluation criteria, winning the Rental Value Award for the ninth consecutive year. Isuzu received the Rising Star Rental Award for recording the greatest year-on-year improvement.

The Tutuka Award went to MINI for the second consecutive year. The award recognises manufacturers evaluated by six different rental companies across the two assessment rounds. Manufacturers assessed by seven or more rental companies qualify for the main Rental Awards.

Hyundai leads the leasing category

Hyundai’s success extended beyond the overall title, with the manufacturer winning its first Leasing Gold Award after securing Silver in 2025.

Kia moved into second place to take Silver, while Toyota, the previous year’s winner, finished third.

Hyundai also received the Leasing Value Award for the first time, recognising its performance in the financial evaluation criteria. Suzuki earned the Rising Star Leasing Award for achieving the greatest year-on-year improvement in the category.

Recognising outstanding industry representatives

The MOTY programme also celebrates the individuals whose professionalism, responsiveness and commitment help strengthen relationships between manufacturers and rental and leasing operators.

Suzuki’s Sarah Burkey received the Best Rental Account Representative Award for the second consecutive year, while Toyota’s Caleb Syce was named Best Leasing Account Representative.

Toyota’s Lufuno Nephawe received both the Best Technical Representative – Rental and Best Technical Representative – Leasing awards for the second consecutive year. His 2026 rental technical award also marked his fourth consecutive win in that category.

Setting the standard for industry excellence

SAVRALA congratulated all the award recipients and thanked participating manufacturers, vehicle importers and member companies for their continued contribution to the programme.

As South Africa’s mobility sector continues to change, the MOTY Awards remain an important independent benchmark for service delivery, encouraging continuous improvement, stronger industry partnerships and higher standards across the vehicle rental and leasing sectors.