Category: Industry News

Yangwang U9 Xtreme dominates World Top-Speed Record for Production Cars

Car and Bike SA
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On 14 September 2025, automotive history was rewritten when the Yangwang U9 Xtreme (also called U9X) set a new global top-speed record for production cars, reaching a blistering 496.22 km/h (308.4 mph) at the ATP Papenburg high-speed oval test track in Germany. This feat not only crowns the U9 Xtreme the fastest production car ever, but also marks a major milestone for electric vehicles. What Makes the U9 Xtreme Special Here are the key technical upgrades and features that enabled this hypercar to break prior records: Feature Detail Powertrain Four…

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Review 80 Series Land Cruiser, does it really live up to the hype?

Michael Chiffey Jnr
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We all know that fashion trends always come around full circle, one day skinny jeans are cool, the next day everybody is wearing baggy jeans two sizes too big. Same with sunglasses, nobody could pull off Aviators 10 years ago. Now they’re back in fashion and we can all look like Maverick again. Watches follow the same trend too, Casio sells more 90’s designed watches today than they ever did in the 1990’s. So, are 90’s trends making a come back? Does that mean that 90’s cars are cool again?…

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FORD MOTOR COMPANY OF SOUTHERN AFRICA – SAFETY RECALL NOTICE

Car and Bike SA
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Ford Motor Company of Southern Africa (FMCSA) has initiated a safety recall affecting certain 2025 and 2026 Ford Ranger vehicles. Reason for RecallFMCSA has identified a potential issue in which the brake boost feature may be lost. In affected vehicles, customers could experience: A change in brake pedal feel or travel Increased effort required to brake Extended stopping distances, which may raise the risk of an accident If this occurs, the vehicle will alert the driver by activating the ABS, ESC, and brake warning lights, displaying messages on the instrument…

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Ford Drops Bold New Accessory Packs for Everest Sport & Ranger XLT

Car and Bike SA
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Because sometimes stock just isn’t enough. South African car culture is all about making it yours — and Ford knows it. That’s why the brand is rolling out head-turning dealer-fitted accessory packs for two fan favourites: the Everest Sport and Ranger XLT. Think OEM quality meets custom street style. These kits are built from Genuine Ford Accessories and official Ford Licensed Accessories, tested to the same brutal standards as Ford’s factory gear. Buy them with your new ride and they’re covered by the full 4-year / 120,000 km warranty. And…

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South Africa’s Used Car Scene is Heating Up – Practical Rides Take the Spotlight

Car and Bike SA
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South Africa’s used car market just had its best month of 2025 – and it’s not all bakkies and Beemers anymore. July saw buyers leaning harder into practical, affordable, and fuel-efficient models, with a few surprising shake-ups in the top 10. Record-Breaking Month AutoTrader’s July 2025 stats paint a bullish picture: 33,919 cars sold – up +7% year-on-year and +9.4% month-on-month. Total value? A whopping R14.1 billion in used car sales. Average price: R415,983. Average mileage: 73,579 km (down from 75,227 km last year – newer cars are hitting the…

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Refreshed and Ready: The New Defender Line-up Levels Up in Style, Tech and Toughness

Car and Bike SA
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The legendary Land Rover Defender just got a serious glow-up across the entire range – and it’s now bolder, smarter, and more capable than ever. Whether you’re eyeing the compact 90, the versatile 110, the spacious 130, or the beastly new Defender OCTA, there’s something here to get every adventurer’s pulse racing. South Africans have always had a soft spot for rugged, go-anywhere vehicles – and the updated Defender range continues to deliver that off-road heritage with a healthy dose of premium refinement. Here’s what you can expect from the…

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South Africa’s Automotive Industry: A Look Back at 2024 and What Lies Ahead in 2025

Car and Bike SA
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2024 in Review: A Year of Challenges and Shifting Trends The new vehicle market in South Africa has remained intricately tied to the country’s broader economic conditions. Despite some promising signs in late 2024, the industry faced another tough year. While the last quarter showed signs of recovery, the year’s overall performance lagged behind 2023, with total new vehicle sales declining by 3% to 515,712 units. This is still below the pre-pandemic benchmark of 536,612 units achieved in 2019, highlighting the ongoing struggles of the sector. December 2024 Sales Performance…

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The Chinese Invasion on South Africas car market!

Ray Stewart
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Maybe about +/- ten years ago, I read a quote in a newspaper article that said in the next 30 years China would produce 90% of the cars built in the world. Now that is not just for Chinese brands as some of the European car manufactures such as Volkswagen and Volvo have factories in China which must be included in the total. Now that is an incredible prediction, so let us just have a look at where we are today and let us take South Africa as an example.…

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Tanya and her blue Fiat 500 are a formidable and passionate representation of FIAT’s iconic success

Car and Bike SA
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As FIAT celebrates its 125th anniversary globally, one passionate South African fan is celebrating her own life – changed courtesy of a Fiat 500. Tanya O’Connor, a core member of the Fiat Society of Cape Town, loves cars. She worked in the automotive sector for 25 years and raced Opel vehicles that she had modified at some of South Africa’s most legendary racetracks, including Tarlton, Zwartkops, and Kyalami – but nothing can beat her Fiat 500. It was love at first sight, not once but twice, two years ago. She…

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Suzuki Jimny 5-Door (2023) Review

Car and Bike SA
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The Jimny is Suzuki’s iconic model, as is the 500 for fiat. What’s not to like? It’s a refreshingly simple easy to live with city off-roader with formidable capability and adorable Japanese K-car styling; it tugs on the heartstrings – that’s why Suzuki has sold thousands of units across 4 generations. However, the Jimny’s biggest critics will be quick to say that its failed to be practical; even in its latest (4th) iteration, the Jimny’s 85-litre load bay and 3-door configuration are big drawbacks considering the versatility offered by equivalently…

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The Future of Car Industry in South Africa: Will Electric Cars Triumph Over Combustion Engines?

Car and Bike SA
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The current car industry in South Africa is dominated by petrol and diesel engines. But a new future is on the horizon as electric vehicles (EVs) are starting to gain traction in the country. According to an analysis by a researcher at the University of Cape Town (UCT), EVs and plug-in hybrids could potentially make up 20% of new cars sold in South Africa by 2030. However, there are still some major roadblocks to overcome for this transition to occur. For starters, the vastness of South Africa’s cities and the…

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Range Rover Personalised Luxury.

Ray Stewart
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The Range Rover is arguably the world’s most desirable luxury SUV, having led the field in status for more than 50 years. Now the company is setting a new benchmark in personalisation by offering its clients the facility to choose from a wide range of options to create a unique and individual vehicle built to the owners wishes, blending enhanced personilastion with peerless refinement. Bespoke commissioning service is the name given to this capability and allows the client access to a vast range of materials and exterior and interior finishes.…

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Maserati, another Auto manufacturer goes electric!

Ray Stewart
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At the 2023 Shanghai Auto Show Maserati introduced its first full-electric SUV the Grecale Folgore its new GranTurismo to the Asian market. A historic moment for this iconic brand being the first Italian luxury car maker to produce 100% electric vehicles. Folgore is the name of the trident’s electric range and represents luxury, functional beauty and a vision which unites the past with the future. Maserati has committed to produce electric versions of all its models by 2025 and full-electric vehicles alone by 2030. 

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VW Golf 8R ready to go end April 2023

Ray Stewart
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At last, following many delays in the official launch, the new VW Golf 8R is ready for sale in South Africa at the end of April 2023. Production constraints and parts shortages have severely derailed the heavily anticipated launch plans, but buyers can now purchase from your local dealer from 25th April 2023. The most powerful production series Golf R hatch (and maybe even the last) develops 235kW of power and 400Nm of torque.  First introduced to SA in 2007, the Golf R has sold 6 000 units and is considered…

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Suzuki Eeco bound for South Africa

Ray Stewart
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The Suzuki Auto company has made massive gains into the South African passenger market since opening a head office in Johannesburg in 2007. Every year the business consistently increases its vehicle sales and in February 2023 the Suzuki brand held 14% of the passenger vehicle sales in the country. As the  company continues to expand through dealer network and introducing new models to its line-up, it has now spotted an opportunity to fill a gap in the commercial vehicle sector. The more on-line shopping grows in South Africa the more…

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Toyota Hilux Xtra

Ray Stewart
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The King of the light commercial vehicle market in South Africa, the Toyota Hilux, has a model to suit everyone offering four body shapes, the single-cab,  the xtra-cab, the chassis-cab and the double-cab. To ensure the Hilux remains as the number one seller, Toyota has applied some key changes to the Hilux product line to cater for the ever-evolving needs of its loyal customers.  Let’s firstly look at the Xtra features now available in the Xtra-cab version. Most notable is the Legend grade Toyota Safety Sense (TSS) 2.0, which brings…

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Toyota Corolla Cross Range Expansion

Ray Stewart
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The GR-S Hybrid joins the Corolla Cross range and more specifications are added to the X1 and Xs models.  Following the introduction of the Cross GR Sport in 2022, its Hybrid sibling is the latest model to receive the GR-S touch. This package sharpens the aesthetics and adds improved driving dynamics. The Hybrid features; Revised front grille design finished in gloss black. Gloss black lower apron with signature GR Mesh. Vertical air ducts incorporating fog lamps. Black exterior mirrors paired with black roof and black roof rails. Black roof spoiler,…

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Jeep Gladiator Rubincon (2022) Driven

Car and Bike SA
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The long-awaited Jeep Gladiator has finally arrived in South Africa, priced at R1 259 900, making it the country’s most expensive bakkie. This has of course ignited many “is it worth it?” debates all over social media and everywhere I stopped and crowds formed around the monstrous Jeep. We spent most of the week with the new Jeep. We drove it on dirt roads, highways and through city traffic, and it never felt out of place, its Big but adapts to all situations. The Gladiator is only sold in top-spec Rubicon…

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Mercedes-Benz Cars South Africa confirms EQE line-up ahead of local introduction

Car and Bike SA
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We’re excited to announce that the new Mercedes-EQE saloon will be launched in South Africa soon. The EQE is a sporty business saloon that offers all the essential functions of the EQS in a slightly more compact format. At market launch, the local model range initially comprises two variants: the EQE 350+ with 215 kW and 565 Nm, as well as the Mercedes-AMG EQE 43 4MATIC with 350 kW and 858 Nm. With a WLTP driving range of up to 645 km, the EQE offers customers the best of all…

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Suzuki Jimny 5-Door Fun

Ray Stewart
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Car and Bike SA had the pleasure to test drive the Suzuki Jimny a few years ago which left us impressed by the all-round performance of this funky vehicle especially when taken off-road. Today we are excited to learn the popular Jimny will soon be available in a five-door version. Revealed at the Auto Expo in India yesterday the five door variant is currently in production and will be heading to SA as soon as available. Keeping the 1.5 petrol engine and choice of five-speed automatic transmission the engineers have…

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