Toyota is aiming for its second consecutive year as the most popular automotive brand in SA following a record-breaking first six months.

Official figures released yesterday show Toyota is the market leader in SA by almost 1,000 sales - the first time it has established such a lead at the half-way point of the year.

Toyota's Central Region manager Michael Beros said SA motorists bought an unprecedented 7,031 Toyota vehicles in the six months to 30 June.

Mr Beros said this was an increase of 9.1 per cent over the same period last year, outstripping the state-wide average of 8.0 per cent.

"Toyota is continuing to expand its presence in SA, lifting sales and market share against strong competition," Mr Beros said.

"This demonstrates the strength of the Toyota brand, the diverse range of vehicles and the support of a first-rate dealer network," he said.

Toyota's market share in SA has risen to 20.8 per cent this year - up from 20.6 per cent in 2007.

Mr Beros said the SA results had enabled Toyota to set national industry sales records for June, for the first half of the year and for the financial year.

Toyota's best-selling vehicle in SA is Corolla with 1,257 sales for the six months to 30 June - an increase of 23 per cent.

Nationally, Corolla is the best-selling vehicle for the first half of the year - the first time a Toyota has achieved that feat.

HiLux, Yaris, Camry and Aurion were also among the best-selling cars in SA for the six months while Prado, Kluger and RAV4 were among the most popular SUVs.

Industry statistician VFacts said total new-vehicle sales in SA were 33,863 for the January to June 2008 period compared with 31,352 during the same six months of 2007.