Young motorists put affordability ahead of status
- Industry News
- 13 August 2026
Dealer industry news from around Southern Africa
The automotive sector is no longer debating whether artificial intelligence and digital tools matter. It is now confronting a harder question: how to turn technology investment into durable business value.
Chinese vehicle manufacturers are no longer simply disrupting South Africa's automotive market. They are becoming an established part of the industry, expanding their market share, strengthening consumer confidence and beginning to reshape manufacturing, financing and competition.
BMW has become one of the first major European vehicle manufacturers to reveal the financial impact of slowing demand in China and growing geopolitical uncertainty, after issuing a profit warning that sent its shares tumbling by around seven percent to their lowest level since late 2020
South Africa's new vehicle market maintained its positive momentum in June, despite a challenging domestic economic environment marked by high inflation, elevated interest rates and weaker consumer confidence.
Juan Wheeler has been appointed Managing Director of Nissan South Africa in addition to his current role as Chief Financial Officer of Nissan Africa.
South Africa's new vehicle market continues to outperform expectations, with June recording the strongest sales performance for the month since 2007 and keeping the industry firmly on track to surpass 600 000 new vehicle sales in 2026.
Daimler Truck Southern Africa (DTSA) announced important leadership appointments effective 1 July 2026, marking a significant step in strengthening the organisation’s executive team.
The City of Johannesburg is advancing plans to bring the Alexandra Automotive Hub into operation, marking a significant milestone in its drive to strengthen township economies and foster local enterprise.
The Motor Industry Staff Association (MISA) has urged government to ensure that growing investment by Chinese and Indian vehicle manufacturers in South Africa delivers lasting benefits for local workers, rather than simply expanding the supply of imported vehicles.
Volkswagen is confronting one of the most turbulent periods in its 89‑year history, with mounting competition from Chinese automakers, declining demand in Europe and stiff tariffs in the United States (US).
The board of the Automotive Industry Development Centre Eastern Cape has placed Thabo Shenxane, its chief executive officer, on precautionary suspension from 25 June 2026, pending an investigation into alleged transgressions and concerns about the organisation’s culture.
Hyundai Motor and Kia are working on a new way to help keep vehicle interiors cleaner, using advanced ultraviolet light technology designed for future mobility services.
Subaru’s global reputation for safety continues to stand out, with independent crash-test results reinforcing the brand’s focus on protecting occupants and preventing collisions, the manufacturer claims.
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Cars are the ultimate symbol of freedom, independence and individualism. They offer the freedom to ‘go anywhere,’ whenever it suits and with whom one chooses.
Sarah Redshaw