THE Toyota Hilux has regained top spot on the 4×4 sales charts, after shifting 2905 units in November.

However, the evergreen Hilux is still nipping at the heels of the Ford Ranger on the year-to-date charts (27,851 versus 28,009). With a difference of 158 units, the Hilux may have left its charge to the top of the charts too late.

Nissan’s Navara (1577 units), Holden’s Colorado (1242) and Mitsubishi’s Triton (1205) round out the top five.

Not only do the Hilux and Ranger lead the 4×4 sales charts, when you add 4×2 variants to the mix they are the best-selling vehicles on the overall market.

The Hilux (4×4 and 4×2 variants) sits atop the overall tree with 3839 units finding new homes in November. The Ranger is a close second with 3410 (4×4 and 4×2) units, while the ever-popular Corolla retains the bronze medal with 3245 units sold.

This is indicative of a growing trend toward Light Commercial Vehicles (LCVs). In November, 2016, private sales of LCVs rose 10 per cent compared to the same time last year.

“Private buyers are increasingly using these as a weekday workhorse and a weekend recreational vehicle,” Mr Weber said.

“The growing sophistication of these vehicles with their passenger car comfort and equipment levels, family-sized cabins and strong towing capacity positions them as an alternative to the traditional passenger car. More entrants to this light truck market are on the way in coming years so we can only expect this segment to grow.”

4×4 pick-up and cab-chassis light rigs hold a 12.9 percent share of the total market.

u00a04X4NOV 16u00a0OCT 16u00a0YTD
1Toyota Hilux2905242227,851
2Ford Ranger2820u00a02751u00a028,009
3Nissan Navara1577u00a0927u00a013,177
4Holden Colorado1242u00a01151u00a015,278
5Mitsubishi Triton1205u00a0803u00a016,074
6Toyota Prado1168u00a01049u00a013,533
7Toyota LandCruiser Wagon1028u00a0972u00a010,795
8Isuzu D-Max983u00a0810u00a09,857
9Mazda BT-50782u00a0600u00a08,726
10Isuzu MU-X612u00a0539u00a06,290