Chinese carmakers eye South African manufacturing base
- Industry News
- 12 September 2025
Dealer industry news from around Southern Africa
For decades, buying a car has been as much about emotion as practicality. Shiny brochures, polished showroom floors and persuasive sales talk often overshadowed the cold, hard numbers of ownership. But today, where information is currency, consumers are no longer satisfied with glossy marketing – they want data, and they want it now.
Europe’s automotive sector, once a global leader, is facing what McKinsey describes as “the largest transformation in the industry’s history”.
In a significant move to combat the automotive industry's mounting cybersecurity challenges, Stellantis has announced its membership of GlobalPlatform, a collaborative initiative focused on standardising security protocols for software-defined vehicles.
Celebrating the past, present and future of Polo, the Volkswagen brand released the spectacular “50 Years of Polo: Project Drift” video on its social media channels.
General Motors has patented innovative technology that could transform how families approach one of their most difficult conversations: when an elderly relative should stop driving.
Toyota South Africa Motors (TSAM) announced the introduction of the Toyota Hiace PWD (Persons with Disabilities) model, a people-mover that puts accessibility at the heart of mobility.
South Africa will leverage the Intra-African Trade Fair (IATF) 2025 in Algiers, Algeria, from 4 to 10 September to cement its position as Africa's automotive manufacturing leader.
According to a Reuters report, China's automotive sector faces an unprecedented crisis beneath its outward success. Despite becoming the world's largest car exporter and producing global leaders like BYD and Geely, the industry is trapped in a destructive spiral threatening widespread bankruptcies.
South African business sentiment deteriorated further in the third quarter of 2025, falling one point to reach 39, well below the long-term benchmark of 42 points, as punitive US tariffs took their toll on exporters, Reuters reported on Wednesday
Europe's automotive industry has issued a unified call for the European Union (EU) to recalibrate its green transition strategy, with leading manufacturers and suppliers expressing growing concerns about the feasibility of current electrification timelines and regulatory frameworks.
Article written in conjunction with Keyloop.
Mazda Southern Africa announced that Bonite van der Merwe, current Head of Operations Sales and Service, will be appointed as the new MD of Mazda SA Pty Ltd, effective 1 October 2025.
Omoda has partnered with Switch Energy Drink to launch Switch Up Your Life, a nationwide competition offering prizes worth R20 million.
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A light on my car’s dashboard came on, and instead of fixing the problem, I waited for the bulb to burn out. Crisis solved.
Jarod Kintz