Steering the motor industry through an era of disruption
- Industry News
- 13 February 2026
Dealer industry news from around Southern Africa
Who will rise to the top in 2026? Can anyone stop the seemingly unstoppable Marc Márquez (Ducati Lenovo)?
Hyundai Automotive South Africa has signalled its ambition to dominate the local automotive market in 2026, unveiling aggressive growth plans at the company’s 2026 Dealer Conference under the theme “United for Growth, Driven by Hyundai.”
Germany’s once‑dominant automotive industry is facing mounting pressure as companies redirect investment and employment beyond national borders, the country’s leading industry association has warned.
Mahindra & Mahindra has delivered another robust quarterly performance, supported by heightened consumer demand following India’s recent reductions in vehicle taxation.
Hyundai Motor Company and Kia Corporation have unveiled Vision Pulse, an advanced safety technology designed to identify obstacles that drivers cannot see.
As Lepas prepares to launch its premium SUV range in South Africa in the first quarter of 2026, the brand is highlighting its commitment to after-sales service by leveraging the proven, tangible assets of its parent brand, Chery.
The Mercedes-Benz Learning Academy (MBLA) has become the first institution to be accredited as a Trade Test facility for Mechatronics in South Africa.
This year marks a significant milestone year for Volkswagen Group Africa (VWGA) as the company celebrates 75 years in South Africa and 30 years of Polo production at its Kariega plant in the Easten Cape.
Toyota has unveiled another major leadership realignment, elevating Kenta Kon, its chief financial officer and long‑time confidant of Chairman Akio Toyoda, to the role of chief executive from 1 April 2026.
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.
At the recent Automechanika Breakfast, Paul‑Roux de Kock, Chief Analytics Officer from Lightstone, offered a concise yet insightful overview of an automotive sector undergoing significant structural and behavioural shifts.
At the Automechanika CEO Breakfast in Johannesburg, Retail Motor Industry (RMI) CEO Ipeleng Mabusela emphasised a central truth often overlooked: South Africa’s automotive retail and aftermarket sector is the country’s true engine of mobility.
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I have bad reflexes. I was once run over by a car being pushed by two guys
Woody Allen