Automotive

FOURWAYS, Gauteng – Metalcross Vehicle Makeover Clinic has released an advisory guide examining the realistic progression and cost implications of leaving a car scratch unrepaired, aiming to provide South African motorists with an evidence-based framework rather than generalised urgency. Distinguishing Cosmetic Damage from Genuine Risk The guide draws a clear distinction between scratches that remain …

At around R550,000, buyers have no shortage of compact SUVs to choose from. One of the most familiar is the Volkswagen T-Cross, which has built a solid reputation as a sensible, economical and easy-to-live-with crossover. The range-topping T-Cross 1.0 TSI R-Line currently costs R548,400. For R539,900, however, buyers can have the Omoda C7 1.6T Luxury, …

South Africa sold almost as many new-energy vehicles in the first seven months of 2026 as it did in the whole of 2025. Buyers chose 8,078 conventional hybrids, 5,851 plug-in hybrids and 2,360 fully electric vehicles. Together, they represented 88% year-on-year growth, according to Naamsa. Manufacturers have to sell into that variety long before they …

Used cars took an average of 37 days to sell in the first half of 2026, but some popular models moved considerably sooner. AutoTrader’s mid-year figures give dealers more to work with when deciding what to stock. A used car can look like a good buy when it arrives at a dealership and a less …

The 03T REEV will combine plug-in charging with a 1.5-litre turbocharged petrol range extender, giving drivers the flexibility to charge or refuel. Its rear-mounted electric motor produces 185 kW and 300 Nm, while the 33.67 kWh battery provides a claimed electric-only range of 190 km on the NEDC cycle. iCAUR quotes a combined range of …

Table of Contents A new report from Top Chinese Car Brands examines Omoda’s reliability picture after the brand’s rise from unknown to top-five Chinese seller in around 18 months. Fast growth and proven reliability don’t always arrive together, and Omoda’s sales curve raises a fair question about whether local ownership data has caught up with …

A new report from Top Chinese Car Brands looks past BYD’s sales dominance to ask whether the world’s biggest NEV maker’s build quality actually holds up. Global sales volume and manufacturing quality don’t always move together, and BYD’s numbers as the world’s top-selling NEV brand don’t answer the question South African buyers actually need answered. …

Following its Festival of Motoring debut, the all-electric L6 EV is now available to pre-order with a limited package that includes home charging, installation and R5,000 in charging credit. The Lepas L6 EV pre-order package includes a 7 kW home charger with full standard installation, providing customers with a more convenient way to prepare for …

The all-new Outback will arrive in Q4 2026, with the rugged Wilderness joining the local line-up. Arriving in Q4 2026: The all-new Outback brings a bold new design and a thoroughly revised interior to South Africa. Wilderness joins the range: A 2.4-litre turbocharged Boxer engine, Symmetrical All-Wheel Drive and dual-function X-Mode underline its adventurous appeal. More …

Most of us insure our cars against accidents, theft and damage. But what about when something simply stops working? An electrical fault, gearbox failure, or major mechanical problem can quickly become an expensive surprise, which is why some drivers choose to obtain an extended Motor Warranty. But is it something every driver needs? “Whether an …

Used-car sales increased by 8% during the first half of 2026, with 195,455 vehicles changing hands. AutoTrader has released its latest Mid-Year Car Industry Report, providing an overview of the South African used-car market between January and June 2026. The report draws on activity across more than 20 automotive brands, as well as used-car sales …

FOURWAYS, Gauteng – As the South African used car market remains highly competitive, sellers often struggle to determine which pre-sale repairs are financially viable. Metalcross Vehicle Makeover Clinic has released a targeted advisory outlining the specific cosmetic and functional repairs that effectively increase a vehicle’s market value and curb appeal. Prioritizing Cosmetic Bodywork The exterior …

The electric SUV recorded 496 sales in its first three full months in South Africa, accounting for more than three-quarters of iCAUR’s local total. Less than two years after going on sale, the iCAUR V23 has reached 100,000 sales worldwide. Launched in December 2024, the boxy electric SUV is now available in more than 20 …

The Roof of Africa – the legendary “Mother of Hard Enduro” – is big, it’s brutal, and it’s back! Running from Wednesday 23 to Saturday 26 September 2026, this iconic event will see 500+ riders push themselves and their machines to the absolute limit across the Maloti Mountains. To keep every bike race-ready, Motul is …

Flexible finance options give qualified purchasers up to 90 days’ breathing room on repayments or lower initial instalments, making pre-owned car ownership more accessible amid rising living costs Weelee, South Africa’s trusted pre-owned car marketplace, is addressing affordability challenges with flexible finance options through its trusted partner MFC (a division of Nedbank). These include a …

If a hard to find second hand part is on your list this spring, Lou Appel’s Auto Spares has a straightforward message for Johannesburg drivers: name the component you need and let the yard do the hunting. The Selby operation, which has carried the Lou Appel name in some shape for over ninety years, is …

For decades, the early stages of a career have been built around doing the groundwork. Junior employees researched, prepared reports, drafted documents and handled administrative tasks, gaining experience along the way. AI is beginning to change that learning curve. Many of those tasks can now be completed in minutes, raising a bigger question for employers: …

Higher petrol prices make an already expensive car purchase harder to get right. Buyers trying to keep their monthly costs manageable have to weigh the repayment against what they will spend driving the car, and a more economical petrol engine is only one of the options. Where a hybrid or plug-in hybrid is available for …

Across South Africa the calendar has flipped into spring, and September tends to land with a distinctive weight: a new school term to fund, more hours spent behind the wheel as the days stretch out, and a fresh round of household and business expenses that need budgeting for. Against that backdrop, Loan On Cars, a …

OMODA & JAECOO South Africa has expanded the local J5 line-up with the introduction of the J5 SHS, adding a hybrid option alongside the existing ICE and the recently launched BEV models. The J5 SHS pairs a turbocharged 1.5-litre petrol engine with electric assistance to deliver 165 kW and 295 N.m, with claimed fuel consumption …

Table of Contents Vehicle fitment has moved to the top of Cloud Camper’s agenda this September. The Johannesburg based rooftop camping specialist, working out of Genesis on Fairmount in Sandler Road, says the questions it hears most often from first time buyers are the ones that decide whether a setup succeeds, so it is bringing …

Table of Contents Ask most people what stands between them and selling a wrecked vehicle, and they will say the money. Damaged Cars Wanted, the Johannesburg buying division of Lou Appel’s Auto Spares, is spending September 2026 pointing at a different answer: the documents. Operating from Selby, the yard purchases accident damaged, non-running and high …

OMODA JAECOO Boksburg was named Overall Dealer of the Year. OMODA JAECOO Sandton received the Sales Volume Dealer of the Year award. Dealers were recognised across large, medium and small categories for their performance in key areas of the business. OMODA & JAECOO South Africa recognised the leading performers within its national dealer network at …

(GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Changan Automobile unveiled the new DEEPAL S05 REEV and UNI-S HEV at the 2026 WesBank Festival of Motoring in Kyalami, alongside the return of its commercial vehicle range. The launch marks another step forward in Changan’s regional footprint within South Africa’s growing new energy vehicle market. Designed in Italy and engineered in …