South Africa’s market-leading automotive manufacturer Toyota South Africa Motors (TSAM) has unveiled new models of vehicles that will enter the market throughout the year, including more hybrid vehicles following the success of its Corolla Cross hybrid launch in 2022.

Speaking at the State of the Motor Industry conference, hosted by TSAM on January 23, in Midrand, TSAM sales and marketing senior VP Leon Theron said the company’s first new launch of the year was the facelifted Corolla Cross, which went to market in January.

The new model features an electric parking brace, an all-new face, a 12.3-inch full digital instrument cluster, a panoramic view camera, power back door with kick sensor, sequential headlamps and Toyota’s Safety Sense system.

The Corolla Cross comes in new colours including brass gold and oxide bronze.

TSAM’s new Fortuner model, GR-S, will be available from March with more engine power than its predecessor at 165 kW, as well as more torque at 550 Nm, in addition to a tuned suspension and a Monotube shock absorber. The styling includes 18-inch alloy wheels, a redesigned lower bumper, sports seats and sports pedals.

The company will also introduce a GR version of the Yaris model from March, which will be available in an eight-speed automatic transmission, with a larger 210 kW engine and 400 Nm of torque. TSAM has also incorporated display audio updates, safety specification updates, parking support brake and a reverse camera.

The flagship in TSAM’s stable, the Hilux, will launch the Legend 55 model in July, which features a wide body and wide tread suspension, a new styling kit, roller shutter, bash plate, rubberising, a new styling bar and a towbar.

In the luxury category, TSAM is launching the Lexus LX hybrid model in February, with a 341 kW engine and 650 Nm of torque. This model comes with premium features and technology including an ultra-wide band security system, auto parking and seat massaging.

The Lexus brand is also entering the “overlanding” market with the Lexus GX from March, which comes with a 3.5 litre V6 engine, multi-terrain monitor, crawl control and exterior off-roading features.

NEW MARKET VIEW

TSAM CEO Andrew Kirby explained that the energy and mobility transition in South Africa was creating a ripple effect of challenges and opportunities, with the key obstacles facing the industry being affordability for consumers, education around new-energy vehicles (NEVs), e-mobility and charging infrastructure rollouts.

Some of the opportunities, however, include global relevance of South Africa’s original-equipment manufacturers and component manufacturers, more jobs, charging network expansion, after-market aspects and battery value chain development.

Accenture South Africa automotive and e-mobility principal director Greg Cress said consumer-side demand stimulation could have a significant effect on NEV uptake over the next decade, particularly in the sub-R500 000 price range.

Following the status quo of how NEV adoption is growing, Cress expects battery energy vehicles (BEVs) will comprise 4.5% of domestic car sales in South Africa by 2035, while traditional hybrid vehicles could reach 70% of local market sales.

However, not following the status quo and with accelerated tax holidays and consumer incentives for BEVs, Cress estimated that BEVs could comprise up to 7% of domestic car sales by 2035.

Kirby added that although the South African government had made strides in crafting an Electric Vehicle White Paper, he said significant gaps remained in that the policy excluded NEV technologies such as hybrid and plug-in hybrid EVs, which would not incentivise all manufacturers enough to start making significant investments to introduce NEVs.