SA women (slowly) catching up to men in vehicle ownership – Lightstone
Research group Lightstone says women in South Africa are catching up to men in financed car purchases, while they already lead in homeownership – shifts which reflect their growing socio-economic independence.
Women now account for 39% of financed car purchases, up from 32% a decade earlier, while men’s share of financed vehicle purchases has dropped from 68% to 61% in the same period.
Lightstone also compiled a list of the top five brands and body shapes women select when they go car shopping.
Toyota remains the preferred brand for women car buyers, while previous favourite Volkswagen has moved to second spot.
Ford, which held top spot in 2017, has dropped to fourth, with Suzuki third, after only entering the top five in 2022.
After an absence of two years, Nissan has replaced Hyundai in the top five.
As with men, women have switched their body-shape preference to crossover/sports-utility vehicles, while hatchbacks have dropped to second spot.
The sedan/estate has now dropped below the double-cab pick-up.
Over the past decade, the majority of women have demonstrated a consistent preference for financing options with linked interest rates, adds Lightstone.
Women in Property
According to Lightstone, the proportion of homes owned by women as sole buyers – as opposed to men or mixed couple buyers – has increased from 30% in 2014 to 39% in 2025, while mixed couple ownership has declined from 39% to 30%.
The term ‘sole female buyers’ refers to women who are the sole registered owners of the property, regardless of their marital or relationship status.
As a result, properties owned solely by women or jointly by mixed couples account for 69% of all ownership, while properties owned solely by men remain static at 31%.
The proportion of sole women buyers increases with age.
At 30, 50% of buyers are women, with this reaching 73% at 74 years of age, with a preference for sectional title properties.
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