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
Despite potential headwinds, South Africa’s automotive industry remains committed to long-term growth and resilience.
As the Automotive Business Council (naamsa) celebrates its 90th anniversary, this milestone highlights the industry’s remarkable adaptability. The pace of change in the next decade is expected to surpass anything witnessed in the past nine decades, driven by economic shifts, rapid technological advancements and evolving consumer trends.
The post-pandemic recovery in vehicle sales affirms the sector’s ability to weather economic cycles, with agility playing a key role in sustaining future growth, naamsa says during its comment on the March new-vehicle sales figures that were just released and show some positive trends.
Reinforcing its commitment to industry transformation and strategic collaboration, naamsa announced that the 2025 SA Auto Week [SAAW] would be hosted in the Eastern Cape from 1 to 3 October 2025 under the theme, “Reimagining the Future, TOGETHER: Cultivating Inclusive Growth and Shared Prosperity”.
SAAW 2025 aims to mobilise new investments into the auto sector, fostering growth and reindustrialising South Africa’s manufacturing base.
As South Africa’s premier automotive conference, SAAW 2025 will convene key stakeholders – including auto professionals, global vehicle OEMs, component manufacturers, regulators, policymakers, investors, business and political leaders, as well as decision-makers from around the world – to drive innovation, strengthen global partnerships and shape the future of the industry in an evolving economic landscape, naamsa 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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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.