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
The brand new locally produced BMW X3, which is manufactured locally at BMW’s Plant Rosslyn in Pretoria for the export as well as the local market proves to be very popular.
Since its start of production in October 2024, the new BMW X3 has strongly resonated with South African customers, with all available stock sold or on order. Approximately 10% of sales are for the plug-in hybrid electric vehicle (PHEV) BMW X3 30e xDrive model.
The BMW X3 30e xDrive has driven a 45% increase in the monthly retail rate of PHEVs.
This coincides with BMW Group Plant Rosslyn’s reintroduction of a third production shift and expansion of its production line to include internal combustion engine (ICE) variants, projected to build 110 units per shift.
“The new BMW X3 embodies our commitment to both innovation and customer choice,” says Ernst Kohlmeyer, General Manager of Quality at BMW Group South Africa. “Producing both PHEV and ICE models on the same line demonstrates the flexibility of Plant Rosslyn, enabling us to effectively respond to global market demands.”
“These production milestones represent the culmination of years of planning and investment in Plant Rosslyn,” adds Anuk Maharaj, Project Lead for the new BMW X3 at BMW Group Plant Rosslyn. “We are immensely proud to see the new BMW X3 come to life here, securing jobs and contributing to the South African economy.”
In addition to the previously launched BMW X3 30e xDrive, BMW Group Plant Rosslyn will now also produce the BMW X3 20 petrol and 20d diesel variants, (started in January 2025), followed by the BMW X3 40d xDrive in May 2025. Significantly, both the BMW X3 30e xDrive and the BMW X3 40d xDrive will be exclusively produced at BMW Group Plant Rosslyn for global markets.
This expansion follows a R4.2 billion investment in the electrification and digitisation of the production facility and future-proofing the Rosslyn plant within its global production network.
The production of the BMW X3, including the PHEV and ICE variants, secures jobs not only at BMW Group South Africa but also within its supply chain and retail network across the country, the manufacturer states.
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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Have you ever noticed that anybody driving slower than you is an idiot, and anyone going faster than you is a maniac?
George Carlin
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.
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