Gqeberha plant gives Foton a base as Tunland PHEV, Galaxus arrive
Foton has started building vehicles in South Africa, and the first overseas vehicle manufacturing base of BAIC Group is now in Gqeberha.
- Industry News
- 4 November 2026
Nissan’s new Navara bakkie has been unveiled in Australia, and not in the cards for South Africa.
What is it?
The new Navara is based on the new Mitsubishi Triton bakkie. It is part of the two manufacturers’ sharing strategy as both, together with Renault, make up the Renault-Nissan-Mitsubishi Alliance.
This partnership was formed in 1999 and expanded in 2016 when Mitsubishi joined to improve competitiveness, share costs and leverage each other's technologies, as is the case now with the new Navara bakkie.
The model is scheduled to go on sale in Australia and New Zealand at the end of the first quarter of 2026.
Exterior:
The exterior design draws inspiration from Nissan’s pickup truck lineage but is also unmistakable in its profile as a reworked version of the Triton.
The Nissan signature V-motion grille gives the front fascia a bold and unique presence, while the three-part intake openings outlined in orange pay homage to the first-generation model. The C-shaped headlamps connect seamlessly with the grille, creating a tough yet refined and advanced appearance.
Interior:
Inside, the cabin offers a spacious and comfortable environment. A 7-inch colour TFT meter is used for the instrument cluster, and the dashboard features a high-function 9-inch infotainment system that supports wireless Apple CarPlay® and Android Auto as standard.
Engine:
The new model is equipped with a 2.4-litre turbodiesel engine, an updated version of Mitsubishi’s powertrain, with an output of 150kW and torque of 470Nm, paired with a six-speed automatic transmission.
A newly adopted electric power steering (EPS) system enhances manoeuvrability and enables better handling performance. Power is delivered to the road via a Super 4WD system, a Mitsubishi strongpoint.
Driver-Assistance Technologies:
The new Navara supports the driver with a wide range of advanced driver-assistance systems, including Intelligent Cruise Control, Lane Departure Warning (LDW), an emergency lane-keeping system that assists steering to help avoid danger, and the Intelligent Speed Limiter, which automatically recognises speed-limit signs and alerts the driver.
Foton has started building vehicles in South Africa, and the first overseas vehicle manufacturing base of BAIC Group is now in Gqeberha.
South Africa's trade relationship with the United States (US) faces another significant challenge following the announcement that the country is to lose its preferential access to the American market under the African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA).
South Africa’s new vehicle market continued to grow in October, but the automotive industry and consumers faced mounting cost pressures as higher fuel prices added to the cost of motoring and operating commercial fleets.
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