Volvo Car SA cuts dealerships; aims for 20% premium market share

Volvo Car South Africa (VCSA) is rolling out a five-year programme to “Restart” the Swedish premium brand in South Africa. Part of this process is to whittle down its 19 Volvo Car dealerships... 

Look Ma, no hands – Maserati MC20 sets new autonomous world speed record

The Indy Autonomous Challenge (IAC) has set a new autonomous – in other words, there is no human in the car – driving world record at the Space Florida Launch and Landing Facility (LLF) at the... 

Trade agreements crucial for continued manufacturing in South Africa – BMW SA

BMW Group South Africa (SA) says it cannot over-emphasise the importance of policies such as the African Growth and Opportunity Act (Agoa) for the continued success of the German car maker’s... 

Three bids received in government’s efforts to host F1 race in South Africa

The Department of Sports, Arts and Culture’s (DSAC’s) F1 Bid Steering Committee says it has received three bids from parties interested in hosting a Formula One race in South Africa. “As a... 

Auto sector working to determine if new US tariffs impact Agoa members – Naamsa

naamsa | The Automotive Business Council says it is “actively assessing” the potential impact of the 25% tariff imposed on vehicles and certain vehicle parts imported into the US announced by... 

RFP deadline for State properties redevelopment extended

The Department of Public Works and Infrastructure (DPWI) has extended the deadline for requests for proposals (RFPs) on the redevelopment of 31 State properties, owing to “the immense interest... 

New technology-enhanced athletics track at Stellenbosch high school

Hoërskool Stellenbosch has opened its new multimillion-rand World Athletics Class 2 certified track, built with funding from the Athletics Cycling Education (ACE) Trust. Architect Sam Pellissier... 

Western Cape could start exporting renewable power by 2032

The Western Cape government says it remains on track to reach its target of generating 5 700 MW of its own energy by 2035, and could even become a net exporter of renewable energy by 2032. Premier... 

O’Flaherty signs up for another two years at recovering Metair

Metair CEO Paul O’Flaherty has agreed to extend his term until December 31, 2028. “We are very pleased that Paul has agreed to extend his tenure,” says Metair chairperson Thandeka Mgoduso. 

Barloworld’s Russia, Southern Africa businesses feel the heat; Mongolia delivers some cheer

In a five-month trading update published on Tuesday, JSE-listed Barloworld says the performance of the group’s Mongolia business managed to somewhat counteract the contraction of its Equipment... 

Western Cape, Cape Town welcome move to seek private-sector investment in rail, port sectors

Western Cape premier Alan Winde says he welcomes the announcement on the weekend by Transport Minister Barbara Creecy to initiate a request for information (RFI) process for private-sector... 

February sales up, exports down, Suzuki moves into second spot

February new-vehicle sales in the domestic market improved by 7.3%, to 47 978 units, compared with the same month last year. It is also the second month this year that importer Suzuki has taken... 

Cape Town hot spot for building opportunities, Gauteng market softening – WBHO

The building and civil engineering market in Gauteng continues to soften, but Cape Town is still offering “huge opportunities”, says WBHO CEO Wolfgang Neff. Announcing the construction giant’s... 

Grindrod to roll out R8bn capital programme to scale up its business

Grindrod will roll out an R8-billion multiyear programme to scale up its business in South Africa and Mozambique. This comes amid a softening in the global commodity cycle, as well as social... 

Ardagh Glass Packaging adds MAN dual-fuel trucks, smart trailers to its fleet

Ardagh Glass Packaging-South Africa has introduced five Euro 5 MAN dual-fuel trucks to its fleet. The performance-based standards (PBS) smart trucks – abnormal load vehicles – will strengthen the... 

VW shows concept version of the entry-level electric car it will roll out in 2027

Volkswagen has unveiled the concept look of a small, entry-level electric car it plans to roll out in Europe in 2027. This car should cost in the region of R400 000 in Europe. Pricing – should the... 

Off-grid toilet-tech project in Cape Town adds new pilot sites

Off-grid sanitation technology is now operational at two pilot sites in Strandfontein and Macassar, with three new sites to be added by the end of June, says the City of Cape Town (CoCT). The city... 

Golden Arrow rolls out first 20 electric buses, remaining 100 to follow by end-2025

Cape Town’s Golden Arrow Bus Services (GABS) will have 120 BYD electric buses on the road by the end of the year, says company engineer Gideon Neethling. GABS has already deployed the first 20... 

Western Cape could start exporting renewable power by 2032

The Western Cape government says it remains on track to reach its target of generating 5 700 MW of its own energy by 2035, and could even become a net exporter of renewable energy by 2032. Premier... 

Capetonians reach R55m earnings mark in Cash for Power programme

Cape Town businesses and households have broken through the R55-million earnings mark from the start of the city’s Cash for Power programme in 2022/23, until January 31 this year. Cape Town is the... 

Motus adds Tata to its importer fold and eight Chinese brands to its retail business

Motus has inked a five-year deal with Indian vehicle manufacturer Tata to distribute its passenger vehicles in the South African market and in selected neighbouring countries. Tata commercial... 

Engine certification issues resolved, exports back to normal – Toyota SA

Toyota South Africa Motors (TSAM) says the engine certification issues that affected its new-vehicle export business last year have been resolved. “Export streams are continuing as before,” says a... 

VW reveals third model to be produced at Kariega

German carmaker Volkswagen has lifted the veil on its new, compact sports-utility vehicle (SUV) that will be built in South Africa from 2027, as part of a R4-billion investment in the Kariega... 

Auto industry body warns that VAT increase will undermine economic recovery, auto production

naamsa | The Automotive Business Council warns that the value added tax (VAT) increases, as presented in the Budget this week, will place “an overwhelming burden on household spending, reduce... 

Stellenbosch high school gains tech-rich athletics track as part of development programme

Hoërskool Stellenbosch has opened its new multimillion-rand World Athletics Class 2 certified track, built with funding from the Athletics Cycling Education (ACE) Trust. Architect Sam Pellissier... 

Logistics strain far from over, but rail moving in the right direction – Ctrack index

The Ctrack Transport and Freight Index (Ctrack TFI) declined for eight consecutive months to reach an index level of 112.8 in January, the lowest level since December 2022. This decline resembles... 

RFP deadline on the redevelopment of 31 State properties extended

The Department of Public Works and Infrastructure (DPWI) has extended the deadline for requests for proposals (RFPs) on the redevelopment of 31 State properties owing to “the immense interest... 

BYD SA to add Shark plug-in hybrid bakkie and Sealion SUVs to its line-up in March

Chinese importer BYD South Africa (SA) will this month add the Shark plug-in hybrid (PHEV) bakkie, as well as the Sealion 6 PHEV and fully electric Sealion 7 sports-utility vehicles (SUVs) to its... 

Vector Logistics acquires its first two fully electric trucks – from tractor to trailer

Volvo Trucks South Africa has delivered two battery electric FH 6x4 truck tractors to cold-chain specialist Vector Logistics. These truck tractors form part of the logistics company’s roll-out of... 

African Association of Automotive Manufacturers appoints new CEO

The African Association of Automotive Manufacturers (AAAM) has appointed Victoria Backhaus-Jerling as its new CEO, effective March 1. Backhaus-Jerling succeeds Dave Coffey, who is retiring, having... 

BMW SA reintroduces third shift, reports growing local interest in PHEV model

BMW Group South Africa (BMW SA) says the new BMW X3 has “strongly resonated” with local customers since its introduction in October last year, with all available stock sold, or on order. The X3 is... 

Volvo Car SA conducting ‘strategic review’ of its dealer network

Volvo Car South Africa (VCSA) says it is conducting a strategic review of its dealer network. “As the licensor of the Volvo brand, VCSA has been actively consulting with its independent licensed... 

Tyre industry concerned about possible AGOA expulsion

South Africa’s tyre, equipment and parts industry says it is concerned about possible tariff jumps, lost contracts and supply chain disruptions, should South Africa’s duty-free access to the US... 

Grindrod to roll out R8bn capital programme to scale up its business

Grindrod will roll out an R8-billion multiyear programme to scale up its business in South Africa and Mozambique. This comes amid a softening in the global commodity cycle, as well as social... 

Cape Town hot spot for building opportunities, Gauteng market softening – WBHO

The building and civil engineering market in Gauteng continues to soften, but Cape Town is still offering “huge opportunities”, says WBHO CEO Wolfgang Neff. Announcing the construction giant’s... 

VW reveals third model to be produced at the Kariega plant

German car maker Volkswagen has lifted the veil on its new, compact sports-utility vehicle (SUV) that will be built in South Africa from 2027, as part of a R4-billion investment in the Kariega... 

Deep-sea research quest around African coast may aid fishing stock recovery

The Around Africa Expedition is a collaborative expedition along the African coastline led by global ocean exploration non-profit organisations, OceanX and the newly established OceanQuest, The... 

February sales up, exports down, Suzuki moves into second spot

February new-vehicle sales in the domestic market improved by 7.3%, to 47 978 units, compared with the same month last year. It is also the second month this year that importer Suzuki has taken... 

The last-mile industry is booming, with Fastway Couriers delivering 31% more parcels in 2024

The rapid growth of e-commerce is reshaping the last-mile delivery industry in South Africa, and the past year has shown just how quickly the sector is evolving, says Fastway Couriers FD Damian... 

Used-car demand rising rapidly – TransUnion

The fourth quarter 2024 TransUnion South Africa Vehicle Pricing Index (VPI) report indicates a continued shift towards used vehicles in the South African automotive market, with financing for...