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
Volvo Financial Services (VFS) has announced the appointment of Nina Bratlie as the new Managing Director (MD) of its operations in South Africa, effective 1 February 2026.
Volvo Financial Services (VFS) is the dedicated captive finance arm of the Volvo Group, providing tailored financing, leasing, and insurance solutions for trucks, construction equipment, and buses. VFS has been operating in South Africa since 2017.
Leading up to this new appointment, Bratlie was the MD of VFS in Norway for the past four years. She has worked in the financial sector for 30 years in various positions encompassing asset finance, factoring and insurance.
“Even though we share the same strategy across VFS, and operate with the same values, I look forward to getting to know our South African customers and their unique local business conditions,” Nina says.
She explains that building close professional partnerships allows VFS to fully understand a customers’ operating requirements and ultimately help build sustainable businesses.
“I have seen more change in the industry over the past five years than the previous 25 years combined, especially in terms of digitalisation, regulatory requirements, global political uncertainty, and our customers’ evolving requirements,” she explains. “That is why VFS is committed to bring confidence and resilience to a customer’s operations and find new ways to build their business in a constantly changing environment.”
As a captive finance provider, VFS offers a range of industry-specific solutions including asset financing, finance and operating leases, as well as insurance. It employs a team of over 1 700 employees across 40 markets globally.
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.