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!
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.…
Read More about this topicTanya and her blue Fiat 500 are a formidable and passionate representation of FIAT’s iconic success
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…
Read More about this topicSuzuki Jimny 5-Door (2023) Review
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…
Read More about this topicThe Future of Car Industry in South Africa: Will Electric Cars Triumph Over Combustion Engines?
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…
Read More about this topicRange Rover Personalised Luxury.
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.…
Read More about this topicMaserati, another Auto manufacturer goes electric!
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.
Read More about this topicVW Golf 8R ready to go end April 2023
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…
Read More about this topicSuzuki Eeco bound for South Africa
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…
Read More about this topicToyota Hilux Xtra
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…
Read More about this topicToyota Corolla Cross Range Expansion
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,…
Read More about this topicJeep Gladiator Rubincon (2022) Driven
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…
Read More about this topicMercedes-Benz Cars South Africa confirms EQE line-up ahead of local introduction
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…
Read More about this topicSuzuki Jimny 5-Door Fun
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…
Read More about this topicNew Audi RS 3 Sportback/Sedan
If you are looking for a trendy high-performance eye-catcher, why not look at the newly launched Audi RS 3 in Sportback styling or if you prefer the Sedan. Respected on the road for both design and speed, the new A3 maybe the one for you. Let us get the cost out of the way first then we can have a look at what your rands will buy you. Introduced today with starting prices at R1 215 000 for the RS 3 Sportback and R1 245 000 for the Sedan, inclusive of vat. The award…
Read More about this topicAll-Electric Kia EV6 GT
When you think of Kia you picture a value for money family car or SUV built in Korea and exported to most markets in the world. Not any more now that the Kia EV6 GT has been revealed to the global auto market. The most powerful production Kia ever made, the 430kW all-electric EV6 GT accelerates from 0 to 100 km/h in just 3.4 seconds and achieves a top speed of 161 MPH (259 km/h). The Kia engineers have designed the EV6 GT to compete with supercars including a 77.4kWh…
Read More about this topicToyota Corolla Cross GR-S
As Toyota moves through its model line-up and applies its GR treatment, its time to add the newly launched Corolla Cross to the GR brand. This locally built crossover was brought to market at the end of 2021 and since entry it has become an instant success story, frequently topping the passenger-vehicle sales charts and crowned South African Car of the year. GR stands for Gazoo Racing which is the known logo used in all Toyota racing events. The GR package is applied in three layers, first is GR parts…
Read More about this topicNew Range Rover Sport pricing announced
At last, the new Range Rover Sport is at your local dealership awaiting potential buyers. The full line-up comprises 10 derivatives including Dynamic S, SE and HSE, Autobiography and First Edition specifications. Four engine choices including an extended range electric hybrid, six cylinder Ingenium petrol and diesel options, and the all new V8 Twin Turbo with 390 kW. Customers can expect deliveries to begin in October 2022. The new P510e electric hybrid is engineered to meet the demands of drivers looking for a high-performance drive and impressive efficiency. The seamlessly…
Read More about this topicNew Volkswagen T-Roc available in South Africa. (Spec and Pricing)
From July 2022 the all new VW T-Roc will be made available to South African buyers. This model is positioned between the Taigo and Tiguan in the Volkswagen T SUV line-up. Projecting a solid German build, the new T-Roc features a fresh exterior design with up-graded interior using high quality materials and a soft touch dash surface. Since first launched to the South African market the T-Roc has sold 4,490 units providing Volkswagen with the confidence to upgrade the model and continue with positive sales. The exterior design has been…
Read More about this topicA connected drive for older Audi vehicles – Free Audi connect plug and play OBD device
Audi South Africa has introduced the national availability of its new Audi connect plug and play device. This innovative technology solution is freely available to all customers whose vehicles have a model year introduction from 2008 onwards and that doesn’t currently offer Audi’s latest connected integrated technology. The Audi connect plug and play app (available on iOS/Android) lets your smartphone use Bluetooth and the Audi connect plug and play hardware to connect to your vehicle, turning it into a connected car. “We understand that Audi customers are keeping their vehicles…
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