Cars.co.za report offers interesting insights
Cars.co.za recently launched Industry Report 2026 at its DealerCon summit, offers insight into the forces shaping South Africa’s vehicle market.
- Dealer News
- 22 September 2026
The US Department of Justice (DOJ) has sought documents and issued subpoenas to Tesla as it scrutinises the automaker's driver-assistance system Autopilot and vehicle driving range, among other issues.
Tesla says in a regulatory filing that it has received requests for information "including subpoenas”, from the DOJ. These have included requests for documents related to Tesla’s “Autopilot and FSD features" and other requests "associated with personal benefits, related parties, vehicle range and personnel decisions".
Reuters reported during 2022 that Tesla was under a Justice Department criminal investigation over claims that the company’s electric vehicles can drive themselves, citing people familiar with the matter.
The Wall Street Journal reported in August that Federal prosecutors were also looking into Tesla’s vehicle performance claims as well as Tesla's use of company funds on a secret project described internally as a house for Chief Executive Elon Musk.
It was reported in July that Tesla cars often fail to achieve their advertised range estimates and projections reported by the cars' own equipment.
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration has been investigating the performance of Autopilot for more than two years after identifying more than a dozen crashes in which Tesla vehicles hit stationary emergency vehicles and whether they adequately ensure that drivers are paying attention when using the driver-assistance system.
Tesla also said its capital expenditure for 2023 would exceed the R133 billion to R171 billion target it laid out earlier this year, as it ramps up output at its factories and gears up to roll out new models.
The company's spending is, however, expected to return to the R133 billion to R171 billion range in the next two years, a regulatory filing showed.
Tesla was hesitating on its plans for a factory in Mexico as it grapples with a turbulent economic outlook, Musk said last week, warning rising interest rates could affect demand at Tesla, on top of a margin-sapping price war this year to maintain sales.
Report: Reuters.
Cars.co.za recently launched Industry Report 2026 at its DealerCon summit, offers insight into the forces shaping South Africa’s vehicle market.
Nissan has introduced the Tekton, a new compact SUV for the South African market. The model is built on the Renault‑Nissan alliance’s CMF‑B platform and is closely related to the Renault Duster, sharing engines and mechanical components.
At the recent DealerCon 2026, hosted by Cars.co.za automotive excellence was celebrated by honouring top executives in the automotive retails industry.
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Have you ever noticed that anybody driving slower than you is an idiot, and anyone going faster than you is a maniac?
George Carlin
For most of driving history, the sound of excitement has been orchestrated by the internal combustion engine (ICE).
Toyota is sharpening its focus on hydrogen as a practical route to cleaner heavy-duty transport, using IAA Transportation 2026 to showcase new fuel cell technology and partnerships with leading commercial vehicle manufacturers.
To mark World EV Day, Zero Carbon Charge (CHARGE) has launched the N3 EV Real-World Test. The initiative will turn everyday electric vehicle journeys between Johannesburg and Durban into a growing source of real-world data for South African motorists and fleet operators considering the switch to electric.