Dakar - South African crews dig deep as second week begins
The 2026 Dakar Rally roared back into action on Monday with Stage 8, a gruelling 481km loop around Wadi Ad Dawasir.
- Industry News
- 12 January 2026
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.
The 2026 Global Automotive Consumer Study shows that interest in traditional internal combustion engine (ICE) vehicles has remained steady, despite manufacturers ramping up their electric offerings. Around 61% of American respondents say their next purchase will be a petrol or diesel car, unchanged from last year. By contrast, enthusiasm for fully electric vehicles (EVs) has crept up only marginally, reaching 7%.
Hybrid models appear to be a more attractive compromise. Approximately one in four drivers are considering a hybrid for their next vehicle, signalling a desire for improved fuel efficiency without full reliance on charging networks.
Cost remains the most significant barrier to widespread EV adoption. Nearly half of respondents (47%) cite driving range as their primary concern, while 44% worry about charging times and 40% about the overall expense. A lack of home charging access adds further inconvenience and cost for many potential buyers.
Although lower running costs are the leading incentive for switching to electric, Deloitte notes that these savings are often offset by higher upfront prices and uncertainty around charging, particularly for those unable to install a home charger.
The study highlights a decline in brand loyalty. More than half of US consumers expect to change brands for their next car, prioritising quality, performance and price over long-standing brand attachment.
Connected technology is gaining traction, with over 50% of respondents saying regular software updates could persuade them to keep a vehicle longer, especially if updates enhance safety, security or performance.
Meanwhile, in Canada, interest in EV adoption is also cooling. However, the complexity of EV repairs means workshop time for these vehicles is increasing.
Data from Mitchell International shows that battery electric vehicles accounted for 4.91% of repairable collision claims nationwide in late 2025, a 24.3% year-on-year rise, marking a record share of overall claims as registrations climb in provinces such as British Columbia and Quebec.
The 2026 Dakar Rally roared back into action on Monday with Stage 8, a gruelling 481km loop around Wadi Ad Dawasir.
Over thirty firms from across the automotive supply chain have joined forces to advance open-source software development, aiming to create next-generation vehicles while driving down costs, Germany’s leading industry association announced recently.
The African Association of Automotive Manufacturers (AAAM) says 2026 will be a year of progressive development through collaboration.
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You can't buy happiness but you can buy cars and that's kind of the same thing.
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South Africa’s electric vehicle landscape is shifting rapidly as government policy, global market pressure and local investment begin to align. Yet a clear divide remains between the slow uptake of fully electric vehicles (EVs) and the stronger growth in hybrids, reflecting the realities of affordability and infrastructure.
According to a Reuters report, Ford and Renault have agreed to work together on a new generation of compact, lower-priced electric cars for Europe, while also expanding cooperation on commercial vans, as both manufacturers seek to defend their market positions against increasingly aggressive Chinese rivals.
As South Africa forges ahead in the automotive landscape, a notable divide has emerged in the growing realm of new-energy vehicles.