Funky wheels: China’s big drive in South Africa
No, the Chinese are not coming to take over – they are already busy accomplishing it.
- Industry News
- 4 May 2026
The Renault 5 EV concept might not be new, but it is the most likely of the concepts that will make it into production.
The 5 EV is inspired by the famous hatchback that roamed the world’s roads between 1972 and 1995. Indications are that the 5 EV will go into production in 2024 and will be one of seven all-new vehicles that the French automaker will launch come 2025.
Reports say the 5 EV will replace the Zoe, Europe's best-selling electric car as of 2022. The subcompact will ride on the Renault–Nissan Common Module Family platform, also known as the CMF-B EV, which is expected to reduce production costs by 33% compared to the Zoe.

The new EV will be cheaper than the ZOE and make electric vehicles more affordable to a bigger audience.
The Renault 5 EV will have a front-mounted ePT-100 kW motor that will have a range of about 400 km. This is thanks to new powertrain technology and nickel-cobalt-manganese batteries as the power source.

This is also the kind of electric vehicle that Renault will hopefully bring to South-Africa within the next two to three years.
At this stage, Renault South Africa has already placed orders for the hybrid versions of the Arkana, a coupe-styled SUV and the smaller Captur Crossover SUV, both SUVs for homologation.
The ICE Captur, which is already in production, will be launched in SA in February next year, and the hybrids could be here for sale within 12 months thereafter, says Renault SA.


Zero Carbon Charge (CHARGE) welcomes the government’s extension of short term fuel levy relief measures aimed at cushioning consumers from rising fuel prices, but cautions that these interventions do not address the underlying structural challenge facing South Africa’s transport economy.
Volvo Cars has started building the fully electric EX60 at its Torslanda factory outside Gothenburg, with first customer deliveries due in early summer.
At Auto China 2026, Nissan unveiled two new NEV SUV concept cars, in its accelerated product rollout. It also highlights China’s role as one of the company’s lead markets and a global innovation and export hub, according to Nissan.