BMW iX3 crowned World Car of the Year 2026 as EVs lead the way
The BMW iX3 has been named World Car of the Year 2026, with the announcement made at the New York International Auto Show on 1 April.
- Industry News
- 2 April 2026
For the first time, Volvo Car South Africa has extended its guaranteed future value (GFV) finance offering to its electric fleet.
Previously, the Volvo Versatility Finance scheme was available only for the Swedish firm’s combustion-engined vehicles, but in response to growing local demand for electric vehicles (EVs), the company has added the XC40 Twin Motor Recharge AWD Ultimate to the list of eligible cars, while also further refining its GFV offering.
According to Volvo, customers will now have the flexibility to choose between a 36- and a 48-month GFV contract period, with a generous mileage cap of 20 000 km per annum in each case. Moreover, consumers will have the option of putting down a 10% deposit to make the monthly instalment even more affordable. Based on a variety of factors such as the chosen term and deposit, consumers can expect to benefit from a GFV of approximately 60% - 61% depending on the chosen contract period.
Volvo says the scheme guarantees buyback at a competitive predetermined value – provided the stipulated mileage parameters are not exceeded and the “wear and tear” conditions are met – after the agreed-upon contract term. The customer will then have the flexibility of either buying the vehicle outright, refinancing the vehicle, trading it in on a new model or simply returning it, with nothing further to pay.
“Local demand for EVs continues to gain momentum. The extension of our guaranteed future value offering gives more South Africans the opportunity to get behind the wheel of an electric SUV,” says Greg Maruszewski, Volvo Car South Africa’s Managing Director.
Volvo’s latest GFV offer runs until the end of September 2023.
While rising fuel prices often trigger spikes in interest around electric vehicles, Volvo Car South Africa believes the real reasons South Africans are starting to consider EVs go far beyond the petrol pump.
MG has opened a new engineering centre in Frankfurt as part of its “in Europe, for Europe” approach. The facility will focus on developing vehicles suited to European conditions, including climate, roads and driving habits. It will work alongside existing teams in the United Kingdom (UK) and London design hub.
Europe’s used electric vehicle (EV) market is experiencing a notable surge as the Iran conflict drives up global oil prices and pushes petrol costs sharply higher across the continent.