Chery Group showcase a variety of new vehicles
Brands in the Chery Group showcase their latest offerings at the 2026 Beijing Auto Show recently held in China.
- Industry News
- 29 April 2026
Volkswagen has once again stirred excitement in Wolfsburg by previewing the ninth‑generation Golf to employees during a private internal session.
The brief presentation featured a silhouetted image of the forthcoming hatchback, which reportedly drew enthusiastic applause from those in attendance. This early tease reinforces the significance of the model at Volkswagen’s historic home and highlights the anticipation surrounding its transition into a new era.
Early indications suggest that the next‑gen Golf will serve as a pivotal step in Volkswagen’s electrification strategy. Built on the company’s new Scalable Systems Platform, or SSP, the model is expected to lead Volkswagen further into the electric vehicle (EV) landscape. Speculation also continues to grow that the new car may adopt the ID Golf name, linking one of the world's best‑known hatchbacks with Volkswagen’s evolving electric identity.
Despite the shift toward electrification, one key tradition remains unchanged. Production of the ninth‑generation Golf is set to stay in Wolfsburg, reaffirming the plant’s longstanding association with the model.
Meanwhile, the manufacturer plans to relocate petrol‑powered Golf production to Mexico as it restructures its global facilities to better accommodate future EV lines. Works Council chief Daniela Cavallo has emphasised that the Golf will continue to be a “Wolfsburg car,” reflecting the emotional and cultural value the model holds for both the city and the brand.
Stylistically, the silhouetted teaser hints at a design philosophy rooted in continuity. The familiar proportions and signature details such as the C‑pillar suggest a respectful nod to previous generations. Yet there are clear signs of modernisation too, with the shape indicating a sleeker, more aerodynamic direction befitting its new electric underpinnings.
Drawing on legacy elements while evolving into a fully electric platform, the ninth‑generation Golf appears poised to carry its heritage forward while embracing the technological demands of the future.
JAC Motors South Africa has introduced the T8 2.0L CTi Comfort 4x2 double cab and at R349 900 (VAT included), making it the lowest-priced double cab currently available in the country.
Mazda Southern Africa has refreshed its long-standing Mazda2 range for 2026, introducing styling updates, added technology and improved value for the brands entry level line-up.
Subaru’s all-new seventh-generation Outback has already begun building strong international momentum ahead of its arrival in the local market later this year.