BMW iX3 crowned World Car of the Year 2026 as EVs lead the way
The BMW iX3 has been named World Car of the Year 2026, with the announcement made at the New York International Auto Show on 1 April.
- Industry News
- 2 April 2026
Omoda has partnered with Switch Energy Drink to launch Switch Up Your Life, a nationwide competition offering prizes worth R20 million.
At the heart of the competition are 20 brand-new Omoda C7s, making this the biggest competition of its kind in South Africa, claims the brand.
Running until the end of January 2026, the campaign turns a simple purchase into a chance to win big. Along with the C7 grand prizes, there are weekly rewards, ranging from cash drops and digital vouchers to airtime, data and the latest iPhones.
But the prize at the centre of the campaign is the all-new C7, which bridges the gap between the best-selling C5 and the range-topping C9.
Power comes from a turbocharged 1.6-litre petrol engine paired with a seven-speed dual-clutch transmission, producing 145kW.
“The Switch Up Your Life campaign is about more than giveaways,” says Lungelo Zwane, Marketing Specialist at Omoda South Africa. “Partnering with Switch gave us the chance to connect anew with people and to put the C7 in reach of those who share that same forward-looking energy.”
Zhuraan Glade, Head of Marketing at Switch Energy Drink, added: “Our valued customers are at the heart of everything we do, and the partnership with Omoda has helped us bring this to life and give back to our Day 1s. Switch and Omoda both keep it fresh and forward-thinking, so the vibe between us was instant and working together just made sense.”
How it works:
Buy a Switch Energy Drink, dial *120*440#, and enter the code under the tab.
Prizes include 20 Omoda C7s, weekly R5 000 cash drops, R500 vouchers from Pick n Pay, Dis-Chem and Takealot, airtime, data and iPhones valued at R39 000.
The BMW iX3 has been named World Car of the Year 2026, with the announcement made at the New York International Auto Show on 1 April.
Retail new vehicle sales continue to surge in South Africa despite global and regional conflicts, local floods and droughts.
South Africa’s new vehicle market delivered a standout performance in March 2026, extending its domestic growth trajectory to the strongest level seen in nearly two decades.