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
It has come to the attention of Knysna Speed Festival, the owner of the Simola Hillclimb, that Zwartkops Raceway has used Simola Hillclimb’s event regulations for its Top of the Hill event to be held in October.
This issue came to our attention at the Festival of Motoring at Kyalami held recently. We had no idea that Zwartkops had used our regulations for its event until competitors approached us about it, having assumed that we had to somehow be involved owing to the identical regulations.
We therefore issue this statement to clear up any confusion in this regard. To be clear, the Simola Hillclimb is in no way whatsoever involved in this race meeting.
While we encourage the running of additional Hillclimb events in the country, the use of our regulations, classes, naming conventions, event format, competitor selection process, graphics and other intellectual property in which we have invested many years of time, effort, experience and money, without permission is unacceptable and we have communicated this to the event organisers accordingly.
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.