The VW Vivo Xpress is back and built locally
Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles is re-entering the growing urban delivery market with the launch of the Vivo Xpress which will be available for sale from February 2026.
- Product News
- 9 February 2026
Toyota will scrap and crush around 4 000 vehicles that were damaged at the manufacturer’s Prospecton plant in Durban during the recent floods in KwaZulu-Natal.
So said Toyota South Africa’s President and CEO, Andrew Kirby, during an interview with eNCA.
Only about 12% of the 4 500 vehicles at the plant were not affected at all. None of the damaged cars or parts will make it onto the market.
Some of the most popular vehicles in South Africa are manufactured at the plant and also exported around the world. This includes the Toyota Hilux, Fortuner and Corolla.
The long-term effect is more serious with about 45 000 vehicles that will be lost until production returns to normal. Andrew could not give a specific date for the plant to re-start, but work with the assistance of Toyota Japan is underway to get back to normality.
Although none of the workforce at the plant were injured in the floods, some did experience serious damage to their homes, he told eNCA during the interview, and Toyota is not only assisting them, but also the broader community.
For the full interview on eNCA with the Toyota President and CEO, lock onto the link:
https://www.enca.com/business/exclusive-toyota-ceo-speaks-flooded-vehicle-plant
There is a profound realignment in consumer expectations, brand positioning and technological priorities, with Germany losing long held advantages in its domestic market while China rapidly moves up the value chain.
Over the past weekend, reports surfaced of a letter sent by Martina Biene, chairperson and managing director of Volkswagen Group Africa (VWGA), to President Cyril Ramaphosa warning of the increasingly precarious position of South Africa’s automotive sector.
On 20 February 2026, at the Phillip Island Grand Prix Circuit in Australia, the new WorldSBK season roars to life, promising one of the most dynamic championships in recent memory.