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Black Friday’s momentum shifts gears

Nov 28, 2025 AutoTrader, George Mienie, data, Black Friday


Black Friday’s momentum shifts gears 

 

AutoTrader data hints that car buyers are now treating Black Friday as a prime time to act, not just to shop.

 

Black Friday isn’t just a highlight for electronics and retail. It’s fast becoming a key period for car buyers too. According to AutoTrader data, analysis of vehicle sales over three consecutive weekends in 2024 shows a clear uptick in vehicle purchases during Black Friday weekend. 

 

In the weekend leading up to Black Friday, 2,145 vehicles were sold. During Black Friday weekend itself, sales climbed to 2,414 vehicles, marking a 12.5% increase from the previous weekend. The weekend after Black Friday weekend saw sales drop to 2,203 vehicles, making Black Friday weekend sales 19.3% higher than the following weekend. These figures suggest that buyers are more willing to make vehicle purchases during the Black Friday period, making it one of the most active sales weekends in November. 

 

“Black Friday 2024 showed that car buying behaviour in South Africa is evolving,” commented George Mienie, CEO of AutoTrader. “Consumers aren’t waiting for year-end clearance sales, but are rather responding to opportunity and acting with intent. The data reinforces that South Africans are increasingly confident in the used-car market and ready to make purchasing decisions when the timing feels right.”

 

Looking at the most popular used vehicles sold during this period, bakkies and hatchbacks dominate the list. Interestingly, this is consistent with the best-selling used vehicles in November 2024, showing that buyers across multiple segments, from workhorses to family SUVs, were active during Black Friday weekend. The data suggests that Black Friday weekend is a time when car buyers are motivated to act, even without large, widely advertised discounts. For those considering a new vehicle, it’s a reminder that timing can be just as influential as price when it comes to making a purchase.

 

For dealerships and buyers alike, the insight is valuable. Black Friday weekend isn’t just about retail discounts anymore. It’s emerging as a period where car sales clearly gain momentum. While it’s too soon to call it a long-term trend, it’s a weekend worth watching.

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