Manufacturers active on different fronts
- Industry News
- 13 June 2025
Dealer industry news from around Southern Africa
Foreign carmakers that have been losing market share to local rivals in China have boosted exports from the world's largest auto market, accounting for more than a fifth of the country's total vehicle exports last year, industry data showed.
The automotive business council, naamsa, recently released the 2023 new vehicle statistics and for the fourth consecutive year, Mercedes-Benz Trucks claimed the market leader position for heavy commercial vehicles, reaffirming why the Mercedes-Benz Actros won the naamsa Extra-Heavy Commercial Vehicle of the Year award in 2023 in South Africa.
Classic cars from across the country will be heading for George for the annual Old Car Show on February 10 and 11 this year.
Toyota Motor Corp plans to produce about 10.3 million vehicles globally in 2024, breaking its record annual production for the second consecutive year, the Nikkei reported.
Entries to be part of one of South Africa’s top motorsport events, the Simola Hillclimb, closes on 31 January.
Toyota South Africa Motors (TSAM), the current vehicle sponsor for the 2023 Rugby World Champions, the Springboks, has extended the partnership to the South African Rugby Union (SARU) president, Mark Alexander.
Mahindra joined forces with the Joburg Super Kings for this season’s SA20 cricket series as both primary sponsor and the official vehicle provider.
Automotive business council, naamsa, is hopeful about improved growth in new vehicle sales in 2024 after monthly sales in December declined for the fifth consecutive month and annual 2023 sales volumes failed to exceed 2019 pre-COVID-19 pandemic levels.
The National Automobile Dealers’ Association (NADA) says the slight growth in new vehicle sales in 2023 is a good psychological boost for the industry as it enters 2024 but warned that the new year will “certainly not be a leisurely ride”.
Looking at the consistent and growing number of sales, Toyota showed in the last month of 2023 why it has dominated the local vehicle sales chart for the last 44 years.
As a truly global product, the Ford Ranger is manufactured in five production hubs around the world, namely Ford Thailand Manufacturing (FTM) and AutoAlliance Thailand (AAT), Silverton Assembly Plant in South Africa, Michigan Assembly Plant in the US, and the Pacheco Assembly Plant in Argentina.
The significant role tyres play as a major factor in road accidents, cannot be overemphasised.
China has reportedly overtaken Japan as the world's largest auto exporter in 2023, the China Passenger Car Association (CPCA) says, as BYD, Chery and other domestic automakers made major strides overseas.
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If you are not taking care of your customer, your competitor will.
Bob Hooey