Kia’s Tasman bakkie arrives in South Africa
Kia has taken a bold step into one of South Africa’s most competitive automotive segments with the launch of the Tasman, its first-ever double cab bakkie.
- Product News
- 9 April 2026
South Africa and its automotive industry are set to build resilience in 2025 and strengthen their trading position amid rising geopolitical uncertainties.
The domestic automotive industry’s top automotive regional trading partner in 2024 remained the European Union (EU), according to data in the latest edition of the Automotive Business Council’s (naamsa) Automotive Trade Manual 2025.
Vehicle and automotive component exports to the EU increased by R9.6 billion, or 6.5%, from R147.1 billion in 2023 to R156.7 billion in 2024, mainly owing to a rise in the value of vehicle exports to the region.
Automotive imports from the EU decreased by R900 million, or 0.7%, from R139.4 billion in 2023 to R138.5 billion in 2024, in line with lower original equipment component imports from the region.
The EU, Africa and US-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA) were the regions with a trade surplus in 2024. The largest deficit was recorded with the 48-country Asia region, including countries such as China, Japan, India and Thailand.
Germany, home to BMW, Volkswagen and Mercedes-Benz, remained the South African automotive industry’s biggest single trading country partner (exports and imports of vehicles and components combined) in 2024. Despite decreasing from the R161.1 billion in 2023, total automotive trade between the two countries still reached a significant R138.6 billion in 2024.
The South African automotive industry’s trade relationship with five of its top trading countries reflected a surplus in 2024. There were no changes in South Africa’s top 10 automotive trading partners, but China improved its ranking year-on-year in 2024.
The global transition to EVs is reshaping South Africa’s automotive export landscape considering the decrease in exports for internal combustion engine (ICE) vehicle components over the past two years. Four OEMs are currently manufacturing hybrids and plug-in hybrid models (Toyota, Ford, Mercedes-Benz and BMW) in the domestic market, while several localisation opportunities for EV components have been identified or already exist and should contribute to offset the losses in ICE vehicle component exports over the medium term.
South Africa’s main automotive regional trade partners – 2024:
Source: naamsa, SARS
Kia has taken a bold step into one of South Africa’s most competitive automotive segments with the launch of the Tasman, its first-ever double cab bakkie.
Volkswagen Group Africa (VWGA) has reached another major milestone with the production of the 500 000th unit of the current Polo for the export market.
OMODA has expanded its South African lineup with the arrival of the C5 SHS hybrid, a new addition to the C5 range.
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I have bad reflexes. I was once run over by a car being pushed by two guys
Woody Allen
Volkswagen Group Africa (VWGA) has reached another major milestone with the production of the 500 000th unit of the current Polo for the export market.
Nissan South Africa has agreed to sell its Rosslyn production facility after 60 years of operation. The plant, which produced models such as the 1400 ‘Champ’ bakkie, NP200 and Navara, was acquired by Chery SA. The Chinese automaker has sold over 80,000 vehicles locally since 2021 and is now strengthening its African presence.
Following an intense national selection process that pushed participants to the limit, South Africa’s representatives for the 2026 Defender Trophy global final have been decided.