Rumours abound about Merc’s East London plant
More and more rumours are surfacing about the possible sale, or part sale, of Mercedes-Benz’s East London manufacturing plant.
- Industry News
- 11 March 2026
Toyota says as the official vehicle partner, mixed category sponsor and official route partner of the world’s premier mountain bike stage race, its partnership with the ABSA Cape Epic signifies the company’s commitment to endurance cycling.
One of the reasons the ABSA Cape Epic is a highlight for every mountain biker, whether amateur or professional, is because it’s the only eight-day mountain bike stage race classed as “hors catégorie” by the Union Cycliste Internationale. Some 680 two-person teams must race through 700 kilometres of untamed, unspoilt scenery and up 16 000 metres of virtually vertical ascents.
Every ABSA Cape Epic edition follows a different route, where riders must traverse varying terrain, with dusty and demanding gravel roads, gruelling rocky climbs, exhilarating technical descents, fast forest single tracks, and invigorating river crossings. Toyota is driving the route to new heights for 2024 with challenges and rewards aplenty in the form of scintillating single tracks and daily Toyota Tough sections.
The Land Cruiser, celebrated for its robust strength and refined luxury, is the chosen vehicle to transport guests of the ABSA Cape Epic Luxury Route Tours. There will also be Toyota SA Urban Trax activations at the world’s most televised mountain bike race to stoke spectators’ senses.
“The ABSA Cape Epic’s iconic, challenging and breath-taking routes through the Western Cape echo Toyota’s dedication to off-road adventures. We're honoured to fulfil our commitment to excellence in every aspect of this remarkable event,” says Glenn Crompton, Vice President for Marketing at TSAM.
In the upcoming race, the Toyota-Specialised-NinetyOne men’s and women’s teams, Toyota-Songo-NinetyOne team, Toyota Gazoo Mixed team, and Women’s Grand Masters team will all be riding to bring home medals.
More and more rumours are surfacing about the possible sale, or part sale, of Mercedes-Benz’s East London manufacturing plant.
Iran's Revolutionary Guards said on Tuesday (10 March) they would not let any oil and other related products out of the Middle East until United States (US) and Israeli attacks cease, prompting US President Donald Trump to threaten to hit Iran "twenty times harder" if it blocked exports.
With tensions and conflict in the Middle East raising concerns about global energy supplies, attention has again focused on the Strait of Hormuz, one of the most important oil shipping routes in the world.