The legend is back - VW introduces updated Golf GTI
Volkswagen will introduce the updated Golf GTI to the South African market in the last quarter of 2025. Well over 2.3 million GTIs have been sold worldwide.
- Product News
- 2 September 2025
The Automechanika Johannesburg team has wrapped up a successful roadshow across six key African countries, aimed at engaging automotive aftermarket buyers and promoting the upcoming Automechanika Johannesburg trade show slated for the 19th to 21st November 2024 at NASREC Johannesburg.
The roadshow, strategically planned based on exhibitor feedback, covered the most requested destinations for automotive trade engagement: Lagos, Nigeria; Accra, Ghana; Nairobi, Kenya; Kigali, Rwanda; Lusaka, Zambia; and Harare, Zimbabwe. This initiative was driven by exhibitor demand to strengthen connections across the continent.
In Lagos, Nigeria, the team was warmly received at the ASPAMDA Auto Parts Market, guided by Onyezor Jasper Any, Chairperson of the Foreign Trade Committee. The highlight was a joint presentation with Automechanika Dubai, showcasing the mutual benefits of both events to Nigerian aftermarket buyers.
Moving to Accra, Ghana, the team engaged with key stakeholders from the Ministry of Trade and the Ghana Investment Promotion Agency, reinforcing the importance of industry collaboration and investment in the automotive sector.
Nairobi, Kenya, welcomed representatives from major automotive aftermarket companies eager to explore opportunities at Automechanika Johannesburg. The visit to Kigali, Rwanda, supported by Rwanda Investment Promotion, included a notable meeting with Volkswagen CEO Serge Kamuhinda, highlighting Rwanda's growing automotive potential.
The roadshow continued to Lusaka, Zambia, where local professionals showed keen interest, many of whom were attending their first Automechanika event. In Harare, Zimbabwe, the session attracted a large group of automotive professionals, with insights from Brighton Ganda of EY on industry trends and productive discussions with Zimtrade officials.
"We are thrilled with the outcome of our roadshow across Africa," says Michael Dehn, Managing Director of Messe Frankfurt South Africa, the organisers of Automechanika Johannesburg. "The enthusiastic response from industry leaders and professionals underscores the growing importance of regional collaboration in the automotive aftermarket. We were warmly received wherever we went across the continent."
Volkswagen will introduce the updated Golf GTI to the South African market in the last quarter of 2025. Well over 2.3 million GTIs have been sold worldwide.
Tata Motors Passenger Vehicles is back in the country and has just introduced its all-new Tiago.
The National Automobile Dealers Association (NADA) notes that August continued the positive trend for new-vehicle sales in South Africa, reflecting strong consumer demand and activity across the market.
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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
The National Automobile Dealers Association (NADA) notes that August continued the positive trend for new-vehicle sales in South Africa, reflecting strong consumer demand and activity across the market.
Although the tariff clouds are gathering over the South African economy with serious implications for the local automotive export industry, local sales of new vehicles are soldiering on at a decent pace.
Automechanika Johannesburg successfully hosted its final CEO Breakfast for 2025 at the Kyalami Grand Prix Circuit, bringing together senior automotive industry leaders for strategic discussions as the co-located Festival of Motoring roared into life.