Two of South Africa’s top-performing locally made vehicles launched to media in the past week.
VW Polo
The first is South Africa’s best-selling passenger vehicle, the Volkswagen Polo. This perennial favourite has been on sale since January as VW dealers ran out of stock of the previous model, but the media only received their first taste mid-February.
VW has launched four specification levels with two power output levels of the Polo 1.0 litre model. The base spec 1.0 TSI delivers 70 kW through a manual gearbox, while a higher-spec Life model is offered in a 70 kW and an 85 kW DSG models. Lastly, an 85 kW DSG R-Line model is available.
VW also showcased their GTI-model, which retains the 147 kW 2-litre petrol engine. This model is only available with the group’s DSG dual-clutch gearbox.
Pricing is as follows (February 2022):
The new Volkswagen Polo comes standard with a 3 year/120 000km warranty, 3 year/ 45 000km EasyDrive Service Plan and a 12-year anti-corrosion warranty. The service interval is 15 000km. Customers have the option to extend EasyDrive Maintenance and EasyDrive Service Plans up to 10 years/ 300 000km.
Mercedes-Benz C-Class
The new C-Class is built in East London. It is the result of a R13 billion investment in the facility and it will again be exported to countries across the world.
The new C borrows many of its design cues from the new S-Class flagship and it replaces its predecessor’s centre console with a large and sleek touch screen.
The new C-Class is considerably larger than its predecessor, with a length of 4751 mm and a width of 1820 mm. The wheelbase has increased by 25 mm to 2865 mm, with both the front and rear passengers benefiting from the increased exterior dimensions.
As with other new Mercedes-Benz models, the new C has an advanced new version of Mercedes-Benz User Experience (MBUX) that offers voice controls, a high level of customisation and of course mobile phone integration.
Two models are on offer from at the time of launch (February 2022), they are:
All C-Class models come standard with the 9G-TRONIC transmission.
Merc is launching the new C200 Launch Edition 6 on Agility Finance from R9 999 per month, subject to terms and conditions.
VSL Manufacturing officially unveiled its new R750 million, purpose-built manufacturing facility adjacent to the Isuzu Motors South Africa (IMSAf) assembly plant in Struandale, marking a major milestone for South Africa’s automotive value chain, black industrialisation, and the Eastern Cape’s manufacturing ecosystem.
FAW Trucks Southern Africa recently welcomed the extended Southern African regional dealer network and teams as well as country managers, sales directors and technical heads from across the continent to its flagship manufacturing facility in the Coega Industrial Development Zone for the 2025 Export Dealer Conference.
With a passion for the brand and a commitment to delivering the best service and community involvement, MG’s new flagship dealer in Fourways is ready to take the iconic nameplate to new heights.
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I always do like seeing other people dance in their cars. It's one of the things that makes me happy.
Ariel Gore
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Nissan Egypt is redefining sustainable mobility in Africa with the introduction of its third-generation e-Power technology used on the Nissan Qashqai and the opportunity to test drive the iconic new Patrol for the first time in Africa.
Nissan’s new Navara bakkie has been unveiled in Australia, and not in the cards for South Africa.
