Automotive

Western Cape storms prompt SA drivers to discover they’ve been overpaying on car insurance for years Homeowners forced to review their insurance after the June 2026 storm damage found car insurance policies untouched for up to five years — and savings of R200–R600 per month waiting on the table. CAPE TOWN: The severe storms that swept …

Pretoria-based independent workshop publishes practical guide on shifting delivery and business fleets from reactive repairs to structured maintenance planning. PRETORIA, SOUTH AFRICA — Pretoria Service Centre has published a new guide for fleet managers and business owners examining how a structured preventative maintenance programme reduces unplanned downtime and supports operational continuity across the full year. …

Pretoria’s RMI/MIWA 5-star accredited workshop explains what’s actually happening inside an engine before owners make costly decisions. PRETORIA, South Africa — Moreleta Service Centre has published two new technical guides aimed at vehicle owners facing some of the most anxiety-inducing symptoms in motoring: signs of internal engine wear, and a temperature gauge that keeps climbing …

New article puts South Africa’s only two electrified double cabs side by side on power, range, payload and real-world practicality. SOUTH AFRICA — Top Chinese Car Brands has published a detailed comparison of the Changan Hunter REEV and the BYD Shark 6, the two electrified double cab bakkies currently available to South African buyers, each …

New article breaks down how the Hunter REEV works, how it differs from a PHEV or full EV, and why the technology suits South Africa’s infrastructure reality. SOUTH AFRICA — Top Chinese Car Brands has published a detailed explainer on REEV (range-extended electric vehicle) technology, centred on the Changan Hunter REEV, the first range-extender bakkie …

Crocworld Adventure & Conservation Centre on the KZN South Coast hosted the successful launch of Halfway Malanda Toyota’s all-new Toyota Hilux on Saturday, 13 June. This premier automotive launch has further strengthened the Scottburgh centre as a top events destination for immersive product experiences in the natural outdoors. Hundreds of guests attended the exciting launch, …

AutoTrader data shows steady growth in South Africa’s used car market, with the Grand i10 and Swift emerging as notable performers. At a Glance – May 2026 Car Sales Used Cars Sales: 32,224 (+4% MoM, +1.1% YoY) Average price: R415,652 (-1.8% MoM, -3% YoY) Top seller (overall): Ford Ranger (1,800 units) Top seller (passenger car): …

As South Africans prepare for winter school holiday travel and long-distance road trips, towing experts are urging motorists to check their trailer lights before setting off, warning that a simple oversight could result in fines, safety risks and avoidable roadside delays. With more caravans, boats, utility trailers and food trailers expected to be on major …

AutoTrader has become the first automotive marketplace in South Africa to integrate its vehicle listings with ChatGPT, marking a significant step forward in the evolution of automotive search and digital vehicle discovery. AutoTrader has become the first automotive marketplace in South Africa to integrate its vehicle listings with ChatGPT, marking a significant step forward in …

The OMODA C5 has recorded 16,948 local sales since launching in April 2023. Over the past 13 months, OMODA has kept the range fresh with the C5 X Series, updated Street+ and Style X derivatives, and the new C5 SHS hybrid. The new C5 SHS broadens the range with one of SA’s most accessible hybrid …

Vehicle listings on AutoTrader can now be discovered through natural language prompts inside ChatGPT. AutoTrader, South Africa’s leading automotive marketplace, is expanding how dealers connect with in-market car buyers through a first-of-its-kind integration with ChatGPT, named AutoTraderGPT. As the first automotive marketplace in South Africa to make vehicle listings searchable within ChatGPT, AutoTraderGPT is opening …

The decision to replace an engine rather than repair it comes up more often than most car owners expect. After enough kilometres on the clock, mechanical issues mount up and the cost of repair starts approaching the value of a complete engine swap. The market for replacement engines exists precisely for this situation, and it …

A car that no longer runs, or one that has been in a bad smash, can feel like a dead loss in the driveway. It takes up space, it is hard to shift, and most ordinary buyers run a mile the moment they hear the word “damaged”. The good news is that there is a …

Chinese vehicles are becoming part of the used-car pricing mix, but the data points to a segmented market rather than a broad decline in used-car values. South Africa’s used-car market is showing signs of recalibration rather than broad-based price decline, with new data showing that average prices remained higher year-on-year in each of the first …

The C7 has claimed the Family category at the 2026 South African Car of the Year sponsored by Old Mutual Insure, giving OMODA important recognition in a competitive SUV segment. The result recognises a range that covers the key family SUV priorities, from space, comfort and safety to useful technology and efficient powertrain options. With …

The OMODA C5 Style X forms part of the brand’s C5 lineup, offering a distinctive blend of contemporary design and updated drivetrain technology. Positioned alongside the Elegance X and Lux X derivatives, the Style X reflects the latest evolution of the C5 range while maintaining its focus on everyday usability and driving engagement. Exterior design …

The OMODA C7 fills the gap between the C5 and the range-topping C9 in the brand’s SUV lineup. Available in 1.6 TGDI and SHS plug-in hybrid derivatives, the C7 adds a larger and more powerful offering to the OMODA range. Exterior design The all-new OMODA C7 fills the gap between the chic C5 and the …

Something new from JAECOO is arriving in the third quarter. Stay tuned as JAECOO gets ready to welcome a new electric addition to the line-up. Something exciting is coming Photo: JAECOO South Africa CLICK HERE to submit your press release to MyPR.co.za. Proceed to Page 2 for Contact Info and Editor’s Notes. Courtesy of MyPR.co.za

The JAECOO J5 forms part of the brand’s compact SUV lineup in South Africa, positioned below the larger J7. Following the introduction of the J7 and J7 SHS plug-in hybrid, the J5 broadens the JAECOO portfolio with a four-variant range comprising Core, Vortex, Glacier, and Inferno. Exterior Design Unmistakably JAECOO, the J5 features a bold …

The JAECOO J7 Super Hybrid System (SHS) expands the J7 lineup with an advanced plug-in hybrid powertrain that combines strong performance with impressive efficiency. Delivering a combined 255 kW and 525 N.m of torque through a smooth 3 DHT (Dedicated Hybrid Transmission), the J7 SHS offers confident performance while maintaining excellent fuel economy. Its 18.3 …

South Africa’s bakkie market is not a category you waltz into. It’s built on decades of loyalty, mud-caked Veldskoen, and brand worship that gets passed down for generations. So, when Kia Motors launched the Tasman, the first-ever Kia bakkie, the idea wasn’t “out-tough the tough guys.” It was something far more interesting: don’t play the …

OMODA & JAECOO recorded 69,892 global sales in April 2026, up 150% year-on-year, while cumulative global sales officially exceeded one million units within three years. Electrified models continued to support global growth, with 31,643 new energy vehicles sold in April, up 113% year-on-year. In South Africa, OMODA & JAECOO’s SHS line-up is gaining traction, with …

Independent crash-test ratings can help dealers explain why one used vehicle may offer stronger value than another. Price, mileage and brand familiarity still shape most used-car enquiries. Buyers know the badges they trust, they know roughly what they can afford, and they usually start by comparing similar cars on age, kilometres and monthly repayment. Safety …

The JAECOO J7 was the UK’s best-selling passenger car in March 2026, with more than 10,000 units sold in a market traditionally dominated by established legacy brands. The result marks a significant shift in consumer perception, with the J7 outperforming its nearest competitor by 70% and emerging as the UK’s best-selling vehicle year-to-date. The milestone …