Cars.co.za report offers interesting insights
Cars.co.za recently launched Industry Report 2026 at its DealerCon summit, offers insight into the forces shaping South Africa’s vehicle market.
- Dealer News
- 22 September 2026
Hyundai Automotive South Africa has received an overwhelming 33 000 applications for its Youth Employment Service (YES) learnership programme, highlighting both the strong appeal of the brand among younger job seekers.
About 5 000 applications were submitted within the first hour after entries opened, reflecting both the scale of youth unemployment and the company’s growing appeal as an employer. Human Resources Director, Christine Masinga said the response shows the brand’s connection with younger South Africans.
“We received a remarkable 21 058 applications from Gauteng, 9 161 from KwaZulu-Natal and 2 845 from the Western Cape. This surge not only reflects our reputation as one of the leading automotive players but our commitment to empowering the next generation with meaningful workplace opportunities.”
The 12-month programme, which commences today, is open to individuals aged between 18 and 34 and the cohort will be placed at various departments including Sales, Information Technology, Human Resources, Marketing, Aftersales as well as across the company’s national dealerships.
The company places on average 150 participants in the programme each year, with around 30% securing full-time employment afterwards. From a vehicle sales perspective, the Hyundai Automotive South Africa’s internal 2025/2026 data indicates that the brand resonates strongly with younger, first-time buyers and professionals under 35, driven by entry-level and crossover Sport Utility Vehicle (SUV) segments.
Tshiamo Sedikane, Human Resource Business Partner who is responsible for recruitment and placements, says the company’s digital-first recruitment strategy played a major role in attracting applicants. “Our approach meets young people where they are, using social platforms and targeted campaigns to create accessibility and a more human connection than traditional recruitment.”
Cars.co.za recently launched Industry Report 2026 at its DealerCon summit, offers insight into the forces shaping South Africa’s vehicle market.
Nissan has introduced the Tekton, a new compact SUV for the South African market. The model is built on the Renault‑Nissan alliance’s CMF‑B platform and is closely related to the Renault Duster, sharing engines and mechanical components.
At the recent DealerCon 2026, hosted by Cars.co.za automotive excellence was celebrated by honouring top executives in the automotive retails industry.
Advertisement
Advertisement
Have you ever noticed that anybody driving slower than you is an idiot, and anyone going faster than you is a maniac?
George Carlin
Car recalls often raise concern among owners, but the National Automobile Dealers' Association (NADA) says recall campaigns show that manufacturers are accountable and committed to quality, safety and customer care.
Affordability is driving a structural shift in South Africa’s vehicle market, with SUVs gaining significant ground as consumers increasingly seek competitively priced, well-equipped vehicles.
South Africa’s used car market continued to grow during the first half of 2026, despite pressure on household budgets and a 25 basis point interest rate increase in May.