The South African Car of the Year (COTY) competition sponsored by Old Mutual Insure concluded its evaluations for the 2024 annual competition.
The comprehensive regimen testing vehicles' performance across key disciplines took place in high seasonal temperatures and included acceleration, handling, braking, wet-surface stability, fuel economy and, where applicable, off-road capabilities.
On the first day of the three-day event, the 27 jurors participated in a training session at the OMI COTY Training Academy to hone their assessment skills. This was followed by two days of on-track and off-track testing.
Throughout the test days, diverse evaluations assessed the vehicles' design, engineering, technology, powertrain, practicality, safety, ride, handling and overall standard of excellence in relation to their segment peers.
Value for money, a crucial criterion in the competition, will come under additional scrutiny in a follow-up study conducted by Lightstone Automotive.
As COTY's automotive information partner, Lightstone Automotive supplies data like average monthly sales volumes per product and market segment, and specification-adjusted competitor pricing to complete the scoring process. The jury's results are formally audited.
The field of contenders is diverse, ranging across eight categories. From affordable compacts to sensible family offerings, ultra-luxurious saloons and snarling performance vehicles, the line-up is representative of the breadth of the new car market in South Africa. But there can only be one 2024 Car of the Year.
Jeanne Esterhuizen, who leads the Retail Motor Industry Organisation (RMI), has issued a compelling appeal to the wider automotive aftermarket sector to sustain and strengthen its commitment to safety excellence, environmental responsibility and superior operational standards. These are cornerstones she believes are vital for developing a resilient and ethically sound industry.
The Chinese automotive company, the Harmony Motor Group, which originally focused on luxury and ultra-luxury car dealerships, has shifted a gear with the overseas distribution of Chinese new-energy vehicles, particularly BYD.
Given the ongoing discussions about logistics efficiency, diesel price volatility and the broader freight performance outlook in South Africa, Dealerfloor publish commentary from Banie Claasen, Managing Executive for Specialised Lending Products at Absa Business Banking on this important topic.
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Jeanne Esterhuizen, who leads the Retail Motor Industry Organisation (RMI), has issued a compelling appeal to the wider automotive aftermarket sector to sustain and strengthen its commitment to safety excellence, environmental responsibility and superior operational standards. These are cornerstones she believes are vital for developing a resilient and ethically sound industry.
Given the ongoing discussions about logistics efficiency, diesel price volatility and the broader freight performance outlook in South Africa, Dealerfloor publish commentary from Banie Claasen, Managing Executive for Specialised Lending Products at Absa Business Banking on this important topic.
The South African motor industry continues to defy expectations by posting another month of exceptional growth.
