Toyota South Africa Motors (TSAM) has unveiled the latest models to be offered in the South African market this year, including various new-energy vehicles (NEVs).

The company announced at its yearly State of the Motor Industry (SOMI) event, on February 12, that it would focus on expanding its D-segment offerings, which comprised mid- to large-size passenger cars – typically more than 5 m in length – with some luxury features that can perform well in urban and off-road conditions.

First up is a new RAV4, a model which has grown to be the bestselling vehicle in the world. The 2026 model will come with three drivetrain options, including hybrid electric vehicle (HEV) and plug-in hybrid electric vehicle (PHEV).

Next, TSAM is introducing a D-segment Land Cruiser FJ to expand on the Land Cruiser brand and appeal to an aspirational buyer. It blends urban design with off-road capability.

To cater for customers preferring fully electric vehicles, TSAM will be introducing the bZ4x battery electric vehicle (BEV), which also has advanced off-road capabilities, a range of between 450 km and 480 km and a 0 to 100 km/h acceleration rate of 5.1 seconds.  

TSAM will also offer the Corolla Cross GR Sport in HEV and internal combustion engine versions before the end of the year.

In respect of its high-end performance brand Lexus, TSAM will offer the Land Cruiser 300 1M-HEV, Lexus RZ BEV and Lexus RZ 600e BEV. The Lexus RZ BEV models will be offered in 280 kW and 300 kW derivatives, with a range of between 450 km and 500 km.

Customers can also look out for the GR Corolla DAT, which is a facelifted Corolla. The new model will also be offered in an eight-speed automatic version.

In 2027, avid Toyota fans can look forward to the GR GT road version, which is a sports car targeted for niche customers offering a four-litre twin turbo V8 engine, with an output of 478 kW. TSAM will also offer the ultra-luxurious Century brand’s sports-utility vehicle, sports coupé and sedan models from next year.

Another full BEV high-performance Lexus is in the concept stage, called Lexus LFA, which TSAM will offer in South Africa in due course once it becomes commercially developed.

During the SOMI event, TSAM sales and marketing senior VP Leon Theron announced that TSAM had launched a new Gazoo Racing manufacturing facility, in Midrand, which would manufacture 90% of the components used in Toyota’s Gazoo Racing models, including Toyota’s Dakar racing vehicles.

The facility will be used as a showroom for handover to customers, with these vehicles not being fit for selling through traditional dealerships.

Vehicle services and repairs will also be done at this facility.

Meanwhile, TSAM last year recorded its second-highest volume in its history, having sold 148 124 units compared with 128 663 units in 2024. TSAM maintains a market share of 24.8%.

The company celebrated 46 consecutive years of market leadership in South Africa last year.

TSAM also leads South Africa’s NEV market with a market share of 58% - including Toyota and Lexus vehicles. 

Overall, South Africa’s new-vehicle sales reached 597 000 units in 2025, which marked a 15.7% year-on-year growth rate, while TSAM president and CEO Andrew Kirby expected new-vehicle sales to rise to 630 000 units this year, which would mark a 5.5% year-on-year growth rate.  

Despite the strong growth, however, the South African market remains small in scale and has yet to recover to the volumes achieved in 2006 – 703 000 units.

Kirby explained that the completely knocked-down mix had declined significantly over the last 20 years, falling from 56% to 33%, which meant less local value-add across the value chain.

He lamented that South Africa’s industrial base had not led to growth, which pointed to premature deindustrialisation.

According to Kirby, to attract more investment South Africa required stable and reliable infrastructure, especially if South Africa was to continue competing with Asia.

Exorbitant electricity prices, failing water infrastructure, high labour costs and inefficient logistics and rail had all contributed to structural declines in the country’s manufacturing sector.

Kirby suggested these structural issues needed mending before the South African Automotive Masterplan’s vehicle production and export growth targets could be reached.