Courier company takes the EV route
The first, all-EV courier company, has charged its batteries and is ready for business, says Alex Staniland owner of Xpress, with an eye on innovation and gaps in the market.
- New Energy Vehicles
- 11 June 2025
Peugeot Citroën South Africa (PCSA) will take over the distribution of Opel vehicles in the country and announced that it will kick off with the launch of the new Opel Corsa.
The French automaker is also the new owner of the Opel brand internationally after buying it from General Motors in 2017 for more than €2 billion, making it the second largest car manufacturer in Europe after Volkswagen.
After the subsequent merger with Fiat Chrysler, the French and German brands are now part of the global Stellantis group.
The latest generation Opels share their drivetrains and other aspects with modern day Peugeots and Citroëns, which make the arrival of Opels to PCSA dealerships a logical next step."
The other good news is that shortly after the launch of the new Opel Corsa, two more derivatives of the iconic small hatch will follow in months.
"...no immediate changes planned to the existing dealer network, customers can be assured that they will still have access to the same service points as they previously did.
The Opel brand has also enjoyed critical acclaim in South Africa, winning the South African Car of the year title four times since 1991.
“Of course, we are extremely excited to be distributing Opel vehicles,” said Leslie Ramsoomar, Managing Director of Peugeot Citroën South Africa, “the brand has a large following locally, and the future product line up is exciting with four product launches or updates planned for this year.”
PCSA has been clear in its approach to the Opel brand, assuring dealers and customers that the impact on them should be minimal, with no immediate changes planned to the existing dealer network, customers can be assured that they will still have access to the same service points as they previously did. “One of our focus areas for this year is training, with an emphasis on quality and customer service,” assured Ramsoomar, “and we’ll be working with the existing dealer network.”
The new model, the 6th generation, with a 3-cylinder, 1.2-litre petrol engine, generates 55 kW and will cost R289 900 and will be known as the Corsa Edition. The new model is bigger than its predecessor but weighs in at 108 kg less.
The new Corsa will go head-to-head with the likes of the VW Polo, Ford Fiesta, Toyota Yaris/Starlet, Mazda2, Suzuki Baleno and the Honda Jazz.
The first, all-EV courier company, has charged its batteries and is ready for business, says Alex Staniland owner of Xpress, with an eye on innovation and gaps in the market.
Daimler Truck AG ("Daimler Truck"), Mitsubishi Fuso Truck and Bus Corporation ("Mitsubishi Fuso"), Toyota Motor Corporation ("Toyota") and Hino Motors Ltd ("Hino") entered into definitive agreements for the integration of Mitsubishi Fuso and Hino.
The illegal dumping of tyres by at least four countries from the Far East on the South African market, is a serious contributing factor that local tyre manufacturers have to deal with.
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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
Daimler Truck AG ("Daimler Truck"), Mitsubishi Fuso Truck and Bus Corporation ("Mitsubishi Fuso"), Toyota Motor Corporation ("Toyota") and Hino Motors Ltd ("Hino") entered into definitive agreements for the integration of Mitsubishi Fuso and Hino.
The illegal dumping of tyres by at least four countries from the Far East on the South African market, is a serious contributing factor that local tyre manufacturers have to deal with.
Goodyear is set to close its tyre manufacturing plant in Kariega in the Eastern Cape, and it could affect as many as 900 jobs at the facility, not to mention the knock-on effect it would have on the economy of the Eastern Cape, which is already suffering from high unemployment.