Everything keeps going right… Toyota
With the local automotive market’s consistent growth, month after month last year, one brand is not giving up a piece of its sales cake slice.
- Industry News
- 16 January 2026
The Shanghai International Automobile Industry Exhibition currently underway in China is pretty much an electric affair with numerous new electric and hybrid vehicles with improved technology on show.
Not to be outdone by the Chinese manufactures, Lexus’s global reveal of the all-new draws a lot of attention as part of the Japanese manufacturer’s new generation of electrified motoring.
Now, the eighth-generation ES ushers in a new era of design, performance and electrification – setting fresh benchmarks in comfort, technology and a luxury driving experience, says Lexus.
The new ES rides on a reimagined TNGA GA-K platform, purpose-built to accommodate both hybrid electric vehicle (HEV) and battery electric vehicle (BEV) powertrains. This innovative foundation enables a lower centre of gravity and an enhanced ride.
Inside the new ES is a world crafted with meticulous attention to detail. The expanded dimensions offer enhanced legroom and comfort.
Lexus’s multi-pathway strategy is reflected in the ES’s diverse new powertrain line-up, developed in response to the growing demand for sustainable mobility in markets like South Africa.
The ES 300h introduces a 2.0-litre in-line four-cylinder hybrid system for the first time, while the more powerful ES 350h features an upgraded 2.5-litre hybrid engine with all-wheel drive options. For those seeking the quiet power of all-electric driving, the ES 350e and ES 500e deliver front- and all-wheel drive respectively, with the latter boasting the advanced DIRECT4 torque distribution system.
Lexus South Africa will confirm specifications, model variants and available technologies for local customers closer to the ES’s official launch date.
We recently reported on Chery’s announcement at the event about the introduction of 19 hybrid models across the HEV (hybrid electric vehicle), PHEV (plug-in hybrid electric vehicle) and REEV (range-extender electric vehicle) ranges.
GWM unveiled two core product clusters: “Smart Tech Lifestyle”, featuring HAVAL, WEY and ORA, and “Off-Road Powerhouse”, highlighting TANK, POER (called the P-Series bakkie in South Africa), and SOUO Motorcycles.
The Chinese motoring giant also unveiled its newly launched GWM Beacon emblem featuring a base inscribed with “GWM”, symbolising the brand’s unwavering commitment to global expansion. The emblem signifies the unified effort of both the “GWM” domestic brand and the global “GWM” identity. (More on new products coming to SA later.)
With the local automotive market’s consistent growth, month after month last year, one brand is not giving up a piece of its sales cake slice.
The automotive sector is moving through one of the most transformative periods in its history, shaped by rapid advances in technology and shifting consumer priorities.
Hyundai Grand i10 owners was surprised and shocked to learn that their beloved “set of wheels” was not as safe as what they wished for.
Advertisement
Advertisement
Have you ever noticed that anybody driving slower than you is an idiot, and anyone going faster than you is a maniac?
George Carlin
The Internal Combustion Engine (ICE) might still be a long way from becoming obsolete, but the worldwide trend in favour of New Energy Vehicles (NEV) is growing rapidly.
A new report from Deloitte reveals that motorists in the United States remain firmly attached to petrol-powered vehicles, as concerns over cost, charging infrastructure and overall value continue to slow the transition to electric cars.
China's BYD has officially dethroned Tesla as the world's top electric vehicle seller, marking a watershed moment in the automotive industry's electric revolution. The changing of the guard reflects a fundamental realignment of global EV power dynamics.