Bakkie prices in South Africa vs Australia vs UK vs USA and more

The Ford Ranger is considerably more expensive in South Africa than in many other countries, which remains true even compared to the average salary.

Ford has been stable within the South African bakkie market, often ranking among the top four best-selling brands in the country every month.

However, this ranking is almost completely a result of the popularity of the Ford Ranger, which consistently ranks as the second best-selling bakkie across South Africa.

The Ranger sells roughly over 1,000 units every month, 1,868 in June 2024 alone, second only to the Toyota Hilux (2435 units).

As of July 2024, the price of the double-cab Ford Ranger in South Africa is R522,600.

Research by TopAuto compared this price to prices in similar markets such as Australia, Brazil, Thailand, the United Kingdom (UK), and the United States (USA), taking into account the income levels in each region.

The comparison found that, on the surface, the price of the Ford Ranger in South Africa is reasonably comparable to prices in other countries.

The table below shows the manufacturer’s suggested retail price (MSRP) for the cheapest five-seater Ranger as listed on Ford’s official websites for each of the five countries:

It’s important to note that this is not an apples-to-apples comparison, as the Ranger line-up is tailored to each market. Some markets have access to equipment and trim levels that others do not.

However, it’s important to consider each country’s mean income to fully understand the bakkie’s affordability, not just the price tag.

In the first quarter of 2024, the average salary paid to formally employed non-agricultural workers in South Africa was R26,791.

This works out to approximately R320,500 per annum.

The affordability of the Ford Ranger double cab in South Africa is notably higher compared to other markets, as it equates to 1.6 years’ worth of pay for local motorists.

In comparison, a Ranger takes a year or less of the average salary to pay off in almost all the comparable markets, with the only exception being Brazil.

This raises concerns about the affordability of vehicles for South African consumers compared to those in other nations.

In Brazil, the Ford Ranger double cab equates to 2.2 years’ worth of pay for its motorists.

It’s important to note that while average salary data provides a general indication, it should be considered in light of various factors, including a country’s population size.

Brazil stands out as having the most expensive Ranger relative to income.

However, it’s essential to consider that Brazil has a substantial population of 215 million and a higher poverty rate than the other countries on the list, impacting its salary data.

The table below shows the average annual salary for the 2023-2024 period in each nation.

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