Dealer industry news from around Southern Africa
The employees of Volkswagen Group Africa (VWGA) recently celebrated a significant milestone, as a smoky grey Polo Vivo became the 3-millionth car built for the South African market at Plant Kariega.
The Supreme Court of Appeal (SCA) has dismissed the National Credit Regulator’s (NCR) appeal in a high-profile dispute with the finance arms of BMW, Mercedes-Benz and Volkswagen over the treatment of so-called “on-the-road” (OTR) fees in vehicle finance agreements.
South Africa’s automotive sector arrived at the recent South African Auto Week 2025 in Gqeberha with a renewed sense of optimism, backed by clear signs of recovery, reports Ecofin Agency.
September 30, 2025 will be remembered as a landmark day for both the South African automotive sector and for Foton globally, says the Chinese manufacturer after its first pre-production Completely Knocked Down (CKD) Foton bakkie rolled off the assembly line at its local plant.
Chinese automotive giant, Chery, is engaged in talks with multiple car manufacturers in South Africa about sharing production facilities to build its vehicles locally, the company's regional chief has revealed to Reuters.
Motor industry leaders are anticipating a sharp fall in American electric vehicle sales after the elimination of a vital R135 000 tax incentive for purchasers.
South Africa ranks as the fourth riskiest country to drive in, according to the World's Best Drivers Index 2025, a study by Compare the Market, which tracked 56 countries, according to a report on GadgetWheels.
The Automotive Business Council (naamsa) says the broader economy surprised one and all on the upside in the second quarter, with GDP expanding by 0.8% q/q and household spending showing resilience, in its reaction to the release of the monthly new vehicle sales for September this year.
September’s new-vehicle sales were announced from SA Autoweek 2025 on Thursday marking the start of Transport Month and providing an insight into the continued growth of the country’s new-vehicle market.
The sale of new vehicles during September this year continued to unfold strongly against a backdrop of easing inflation, but restrictive monetary policy, modest economic growth momentum and an ongoing expansion of imported models and brands.
BMW has inaugurated its most technologically advanced manufacturing plant in Debrecen, Hungary, setting new benchmarks for sustainable automotive production. The facility will commence production of the BMW iX3 series, the first vehicle in the company's next-generation Neue Klasse range, in late October.
President Donald Trump frequently describes a booming United States of America (USA) auto industry, fuelled by new factories from Canada, Mexico and Europe that he says will soon be producing American-made vehicles for global markets – from Tokyo to Paris according to Reuters.
South Africa's automotive market is experiencing a seismic shift as Chinese vehicle manufacturers rapidly establish themselves as significant players in both the new and used car segments.
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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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