Volkswagen Group Africa sets new monthly production record
In the latest of a series of milestone achievements, Volkswagen Group Africa (VWGA) has set a new record for the number of vehicles built in one month.
- Industry News
- 20 August 2026
Toyota will strengthen the development of electric vehicle technology in China, as it looks to catch up with increasingly tough domestic competition in the world's largest auto market, Reuters reported.
The move is the latest from the Japanese auto giant to show a sharper pivot to electric vehicles. It recently detailed an ambitious new EV strategy that includes an overhaul of its supply chain and the development of long-range batteries.
China was once regarded by foreign automakers as an opportunity for almost boundless growth. Now they worry about a diminishing market share owing to the fast rise of local competitors and cut-throat prices.
Toyota is to accelerate powertrain development with suppliers Denso and Aisin as well as the local design and development of "smart cockpits" that meet the needs of the Chinese market, it says in a statement.
It says it will strengthen development of its full suite of electrified cars, not just battery-powered ones. Unlike some other automakers, Toyota is betting that hybrids and plug-in hybrids will continue to see robust demand. It is also investing in the development of hydrogen fuel-cell cars.
It sees this "multi-pathway" approach of different kinds of electrified cars as a better fit for markets that are not ready for only battery electrics.
The automaker will also have engineers from three joint ventures – with FAW Group, Guangzhou Automobile Group (GAC) and BYD – to work together on a project basis at its biggest research and development facility in China.
It did not say how many engineers that would involve, although a spokesperson said their focus would be on electrification and intelligence.
Toyota, which has seen its China sales, including of its luxury Lexus brand, slip 2.8% to about 879 000 units in the first half of the year, says it will aim to significantly reduce manufacturing costs, including through developing a local supplier base, to become more competitive.
Toyota has also slowed production at a joint-venture plant that makes its bZ4X EV and laid off 1 000 contract workers earlier this month.
The move to step up electric technology development comes after some of the leading global automakers recently tweaked the way they are developing cars in China.
German luxury brand BMW earlier this month boosted investment in product development in China with a new R&D hub in Shanghai that will develop EVs to be sold globally.
Volkswagen unveiled a partnership with China's Xpeng Inc to make two new models from 2026 featuring Xpeng's software, and it plans to jointly develop Audi models and a new platform with its Chinese partner, SAIC .
In the latest of a series of milestone achievements, Volkswagen Group Africa (VWGA) has set a new record for the number of vehicles built in one month.
As South Africa celebrates Women’s Month, FAW Trucks Southern Africa is highlighting the changing role of women in the transport and logistics industry and their growing contribution across the sector.
JAC Motors South Africa has strengthened its long-standing partnership with Christian Aid Relief (CARE) by donating two trucks to support the organisation’s humanitarian work.
Advertisement
Advertisement
You can't buy happiness but you can buy cars and that's kind of the same thing.
Unknown
Three months after launching its off-grid, solar-powered electric vehicle (EV) charging network on the N3 corridor, Zero Carbon Charge (CHARGE) has confirmed plans to double charging capacity at both Charge hubs.
Electric vehicles (EVs) have introduced a whole new vocabulary into motoring. Instead of simply talking about litres of fuel, cylinders and kilometres per tank, motorists are now confronted with kW, kWh, AC, DC, WLTP, regenerative braking and a host of other terms.
Zero Carbon Charge (CHARGE), which is building a national network of off grid, ultra-fast EV charging stations powered by renewable energy, has welcomed the latest new energy vehicle (NEV) sales figures, saying they confirm a trend it has tracked for several years.