Record deliveries and strong market demand propel Toyota’s global sales in 2025
Toyota Motor Corporation closed 2025 with a landmark performance, further cementing its status as the world’s best‑selling carmaker.
- Industry News
- 30 January 2026
The South African Guild of Mobility Journalists (SAGMJ) has announced the 18 finalists for the 2026 South African Car of the Year (COTY) competition, with nearly a third of the finalists being Chinese vehicles.
Only one Japanese and one Korean vehicle made the list, with the balance of finalists coming from European manufacturers.
The finalists were selected from more than 55 new and qualifying vehicles launched in 2025. Shortlisted after extensive consideration, each vehicle was assessed for quality, safety, performance and suitability for South African conditions. They will now advance to a rigorous three‑day evaluation at Zwartkops Raceway in Tshwane.
The 2026 SA Car of the Year finalists, in alphabetical order, are:
This year, one third of the finalists are Chinese brands, reflecting their growing influence and the increasing presence of new energy vehicles competing for category wins and the overall title. Traditional brands continue to dominate the performance and luxury segments, setting the stage for another intense rivalry that reinforces their strong position in the local market.
Following the test days, the jurors’ scores will be compiled and submitted to the final scoring round. At this stage, Lightstone Auto data will be used to calculate segment share based on sales volumes and to assess specification-adjusted pricing against direct competitors within each segment.
The Motor Enthusiast’s Choice public vote returns for a third consecutive year, giving the public the opportunity to participate in Old Mutual Insure’s SA COTY initiative. Watch out for upcoming social media posts highlighting road safety, innovation and lifestyle as part of the company’s ongoing campaign.
The 2026 SA COTY winners will be revealed at a glittering gala event in Johannesburg during the first week of May.
Toyota Motor Corporation closed 2025 with a landmark performance, further cementing its status as the world’s best‑selling carmaker.
The avoidance of further job losses through a process of offering the re-alignment of incentive structures and company car benefits has been successful as an alternative to forced retrenchments.
South Africa needs to strike a balance between protecting its automotive manufacturing against the devastating impact from the influx of Chinese and Indian vehicle brands on the one hand, without hampering the positive growth of its retail motor industry on the other.
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You can't buy happiness but you can buy cars and that's kind of the same thing.
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Toyota Motor Corporation closed 2025 with a landmark performance, further cementing its status as the world’s best‑selling carmaker.
The avoidance of further job losses through a process of offering the re-alignment of incentive structures and company car benefits has been successful as an alternative to forced retrenchments.
South Africa needs to strike a balance between protecting its automotive manufacturing against the devastating impact from the influx of Chinese and Indian vehicle brands on the one hand, without hampering the positive growth of its retail motor industry on the other.