BAIC Foton trains African dealer teams in South Africa
BAIC Foton has opened a regional training centre in South Africa aimed at helping dealer and service teams return commercial vehicles to service more quickly.
- Industry News
- 11 November 2026
Land Rover has made some changes to its Range Rover Velar range that sit between the Range Rover Evoque and close to the bigger and more expensive Range Rover Sport.
The Velar’s competition is the Porsche Macan, BMW X5, Mercedes-Benz GLE and Jaguar’s I- and F-Pace models.
So, what’s changed?
On the inside and outside quite a few things, although not all is noticeable at first glance. It now boasts a larger floating curved glass touchscreen of 11.4 inches providing access to all key vehicle functions.
It is claimed that the Velar is the quietest vehicle owing to its Active Road Noise Cancellation available with flagship MeridianTM sound system. This technology senses external frequencies and automatically processes an anti-noise through the audio system, reducing overall interior noise levels by at least 4dB – the equivalent of turning the volume down by four steps.
For wireless updates, the “software over the Air4” updates 80 percent of ECUs, covering Pivi Pro6, navigation, on-board diagnostics, chassis and powertrain – with no need to visit a dealer.
Emissions have been reduced to zero at the tailpipe, assuming you’re charging only at home and based on anonymised ownership data from Range Rover Velar customers. A new larger 19.2kWh lithium-ion battery now offers 21 percent range improvement with an EV range of up to 64km.
Seeing better at night is thanks to new Pixel LED headlights with Dynamic Bend Lighting technology and complemented by super-red LED taillights for better visibility.
The Velar is now leather-free with Kvadrat wool and polyurethane textiles blended for a bespoke finish and new seat design. The new fabric is said to be 58% lighter than leather.
Colours:
And if you are not a fan of the different shades of black, white and grey on offer, the good news is the manufacturer will add some more colour choices. Although maybe not red and green, Metallic Varesine Blue and, yes another grey, Premium Metallic Zadar Grey, has been added.
Engines:
The P400e plug-in electric hybrid has a range of 64km. With the added benefit of rapid DC-charging capability, clients will be able to complete daily journeys using EV power more easily than ever.
The P400e is one of very few plug-in electric hybrid vehicles capable of rapid DC charging, with a 0-80 percent charge possible in as little as 30 minutes away from home using a 50kW charger. At home, it can charge from 0-100 percent using a 7kW AC charger in around two and a half hours.
The range:
Electric Hybrid
Petrol
Diesel
BAIC Foton has opened a regional training centre in South Africa aimed at helping dealer and service teams return commercial vehicles to service more quickly.
Many South African motorists still do not realise that a service plan is not a compulsory part of buying a new vehicle, according to Right to Repair SA.
Energy security, electrification, grid infrastructure and sustainable transport take centre stage at COP31 in Antalya, Türkiye, as the climate conference devotes a full day to energy and transport. Africa enters that conversation with a plan of its own: the African Union’s (AU) Continental Framework on Electric Mobility (eMobility).
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