Nissan is at work to make and sell more vehicles in South Africa – Klenkiewicz

Nissan South Africa (SA) will see production drop to under 20 000 units this year, down from almost 25 000 units last year, but it is not the end of local assembly at the Rosslyn plant, says MD... 

Mining industry to ‘push back strongly’ against Eskom’s proposed tariff hikes – Pienaar

South Africa’s mining industry will “certainly push back strongly” against Eskom’s proposed tariff hikes, says Minerals Council South Africa (MCSA) chief economist Hugo Pienaar. If granted, Eskom’s... 

Chromium secures bigger share of SA’s mining revenue

Chromium accounted for 8% of South Africa’s mining revenue in June 2024, says PWC South Africa lead economist macro analysis Dr Christie Viljoen, up from 5% in 2023. Quoting Stats South Africa... 

Cruise industry gives Western Cape economy R1.32bn boost

The cruise industry contributed R1.32-billion to the Western Cape economy during the 2023/24 season, up from R1.2-billion in the previous season, despite a slight drop in ship calls. This is... 

R7bn second phase MyCiTi rollout 50% complete, includes SA’s first-ever sky circle

The R7-billion rollout of the second phase of Cape Town’s MyCiTi bus service, linking Khayelitsha, Mitchells Plain and other communities across the metro south east corridor, is 50% complete, says... 

Passenger-car sales show signs of recovery; exports continue to plummet

New-vehicle sales in October picked up some long-awaited momentum and increased by 5.5%, to 47 942 units, compared with the same month last year, driven by a recovery in passenger-car sales. naamsa... 

Transport industry, unions sign two-year wage agreement

The National Bargaining Council for the Road Freight and Logistics Industry (NBCRFLI) has concluded a two-year wage agreement, and ensured the extension of the agreement by the Minister of... 

EPWP open to abuse, must be reformed – Macpherson

The Expanded Public Works Programme (EPWP) has become open to abuse, says Minister of Public Works and Infrastructure Dean Macpherson, despite it also being an “important stop-gap opportunity to... 

Rail masterplan to be finalised by October next year

The Department of Transport (DoT) aims to have the interim National Rail Masterplan (NRMP) ready by February next year, says DoT chief director Jan-David de Villiers. This will be followed by an... 

Consumers to be subsidised to buy electric vehicles – Ramaphosa

South African consumers should receive some form of subsidy to buy electric vehicles (EVs), in the nearer future, as has been the case in most major markets in the world. The subsidies are aimed at... 

Bring forward policy review, drop luxury tax on new-energy vehicles – Toyota CEO

The midterm review on the second iteration of government’s Automotive Production and Development Programme (APDP) is scheduled for 2026, but the local automotive industry wants to bring this... 

First electric minibus taxis to be piloted in Cape Town next year

By this time next year, it will be possible to tell whether electric minibus taxis are viable people movers within the South African transport landscape. By then, newcomer to the domestic... 

First electric minibus taxis to be piloted in Cape Town next year

By this time next year, it will be possible to tell whether electric minibus taxis are viable people movers within the South African transport landscape. By then, newcomer to the domestic... 

South Africans mostly keen on EVs, but infrastructure concerns linger – Ford study

More than 40% of South Africans are considering purchasing an electrified vehicle (EV) in the next five years. This is according to a survey by Ford Motor Company, with most respondents preferring... 

Construction mafia remains a major problem, warns MBA North

The problem posed by the construction mafia on the ground remains a major stumbling block in the recovery of the construction industry, and especially its ability to create more jobs, says Master... 

Kia unveils its long awaited one-ton bakkie; SA debut set for next year

Korean vehicle manufacturer Kia has lifted the veil on its long-awaited one-ton bakkie, the Tasman. The vehicle, the first of its kind for Kia, had its global premiere at Jeddah International Motor... 

Automotive Industry Transformation Fund distributes R596m to 67 companies

The Automotive Industry Transformation Fund (AITF) has since its inception in 2020 invested R596-million in 67 companies across the automotive value-chain, says  CEO Jabu Selumane. “Our goal is to... 

Ford seeing progress in southern corridor development, albeit slow 

The automotive industry is “definitely seeing progress” in its discussions with Transnet on developing the southern rail corridor between Gauteng and Gqeberha and Coega, in the Eastern Cape, says... 

Balancell moves into new factory, seeks strict regulations on imports

Energy storage company Balancell has cut the ribbon on its new R80-million assembly plant in Ndabeni, Cape Town. The lithium ferro-phosphate battery assembler’s previous facility was limited to 250... 

Construction begins on Cape Town solar PV plant, battery storage tender released

The City of Cape Town (CoCT) has started construction on a R200-million, 7 MW solar PV plant, located in Atlantis, with the first electricity to be delivered by the end of next year. The tender for... 

Chinese vehicle sales accelerating rapidly in South Africa

If you think you are seeing more Chinese vehicles on the road, you are correct. Chinese vehicle brands accounted for 9% of all passenger and light commercial vehicles (light vehicles) sold in South... 

Off-grid EV charger programme launched in the Eastern Cape

Zero Carbon Charge (Charge), in partnership with the Automotive Industry Development Centre Eastern Cape (AIDC-EC), and together with the Eastern Cape provincial government, has broken ground on... 

Metair to acquire AutoZone chain

Metair is set to acquire the entire issued share capital of AutoZone Holdings. The JSE-listed Metair is a manufacturer, distributor and retailer of automotive components and energy storage solutions. 

Nissan is at work to make and sell more vehicles in SA – Klenkiewicz

Nissan South Africa (SA) will see production drop to under 20 000 units this year, down from almost 25 000 units last year, but it is not the end of local assembly at the Rosslyn plant, says MD... 

Bring forward policy review, drop luxury tax on new-energy vehicles – Toyota CEO

The midterm review on the second iteration of government’s Automotive Production and Development Programme (APDP) is scheduled for 2026, but the local automotive industry wants to bring this... 

Auto industry, Transnet to form war room to drive efficiency, improve security

Naamsa | The Automotive Business Council and Transnet have signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) to develop and convene a naamsa–Transnet ‘auto war room’. This war room will drive the... 

Cape Town to wrap up desalination plant feasibility study in 2025, first water possible in 2030

The City of Cape Town (CoCT) has started the feasibility study on the proposed Paarden Island desalination plant, says CoCT Water and Sanitation MMC Zahid Badroodien. The study is being undertaken... 

Eskom’s proposed tariff hikes untenable, reduction mechanisms being weighed – Ramokgopa

Electricity and Energy Minister Dr Kgosientsho Ramokgopa is confident that government will be able to positively intervene in Eskom’s tariff-hike application for the 2025/26 financial year at the... 

New-vehicle sales down 4.1%, exports plunge by 38.1%

New-vehicle sales in South Africa in September dropped by 4.1%, to 44 081 units, compared with the same month last year. naamsa | The Automotive Business Council reports that the new-passenger-car... 

SAS partners with Fincantieri, Vard Marine to build offshore patrol vessels in South Africa

Sandock Austral Shipyards (SAS) in Durban has signed a technology partnership agreement with Italian shipbuilder Fincantieri and its Canadian subsidiary Vard Marine to construct the Afrika class... 

Consumers to be subsidised to buy electric vehicles – President Rampahosa

South African consumers should, in the nearer future, receive some form of subsidy to buy electric vehicles (EVs), as has been the case in most major markets in the world. These subsidies are aimed... 

Government must look after current investors and not only seek new ones – Naamsa president

It is important for government to not only pursue new investors, but to also look after current investors already doing business in South Africa, says Naamsa | The Automotive Business Council... 

As key export markets falter, SA Inc must work together to secure maximum production at its auto plants

New-vehicle exports from South Africa were down 9.2% for the first half of the year compared with the same six months last year, says naamsa | The Automotive Business Council president Billy Tom.... 

BMW Group South Africa starts production of the new plug-in X3

BMW Group South Africa’s (BMW SA’s) Rosslyn plant, in Tshwane, has started production of the fourth-generation BMW X3, following a R4.2-billion investment. It is the only facility in the BMW global... 

GAC Motor arrives in SA with two SUVs, EV to follow next year

GAC Motor is one of the newest companies to join the inflow of Chinese brands into the South African new-vehicle market. Engineering News Online spoke to GAC Motor South Africa (GAC SA) CEO Leslie... 

Selling Mutlu, stabilising Hesto key as Metair moves towards new strategy

Selling the troubled Mutlu battery business in Türkiye and continuing stabilisation efforts at Hesto Harnesses are key in returning Metair to solid ground, says CEO Paul O’Flaherty. Announcing the... 

Belgian team claims 2024 Sasol Solar Challenge title

Belgium’s Innoptus team has secured the 2024 Sasol Solar Challenge title, with the team breaking the daily distance record twice in a row during the competition. The Innoptus team consists of... 

VWA operating normally amid rumours of plant closures at German parent company

Volkswagen Group Africa (VWA) says its Kariega assembly plant, in the Eastern Cape, is operating as normal amid possible plant closures and job cuts at its parent company in Germany. In fact, the... 

Grindrod to acquire remaining stake in Matola Terminal

Ports and logistics group Grindrod will acquire the remaining 35% shareholding in Terminal de Carvão da Matola (TCM), at the Maputo port, from Vitol Mauritius for $77-million. The JSE-listed... 

Rail masterplan to be finalised by October next year – DoT chief director

The Department of Transport (DoT) aims to have the interim National Rail Masterplan (NRMP) ready by February next year, says DoT chief director Jan-David de Villiers. This will be followed by an...