VW’s Kariega plant readies for new small SUV introduction

Volkswagen Group Africa’s (VWGA’s) Kariega plant will halt production for four weeks as the facility is readied for the addition of a third entry-level model to its production line-up in 2027.... 

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

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

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... 

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... 

Volvo Car SA cuts dealerships, chases 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... 

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

In a five-month trading update published at the end of March, JSE-listed Barloworld said the performance of the group’s Mongolia business managed to somewhat counteract the contraction of its... 

New-vehicle sales up 12.5%, exports surge by impressive 31.1%

March new-vehicle sales jumped by 12.5%, to 49 493 units, compared with the same month last year. The new passenger car market led the charge, accelerating by 25.3%, to 33 447 units, driven by... 

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

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... 

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. 

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

Western Cape premier Alan Winde says he welcomes the recent announcement by Transport Minister Barbara Creecy regarding the initiation of a request for information (RFI) process for private-sector... 

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... 

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... 

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... 

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... 

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... 

SA’s GoMetro expands to Malaysia

South African mobility management platform GoMetro continues its international expansion, this time to Malaysia. Malaysia-based telematics service provider Active Telematics has teamed up with... 

Job growth in metros lacklustre, Gauteng shedding manufacturing employment

South Africa’s eight metros – Cape Town, Tshwane, Johannesburg, Buffalo City, Nelson Mandela Bay, Ekurhuleni, Mangaung and eThekwini – have seen a lacklustre employment trajectory over the last... 

Formal mining-industry fatalities at record low, TB and silicosis also declining

Mining fatalities in South Africa’s formal mining industry totalled 42 people last year, down from 55 people in 2023, 49 people in 2022, and 74 people in 2021. Speaking at a media briefing at the... 

Cartrack launches wireless tag that can operate in low, no cellular reception areas

Cartrack has launched a wireless tag for the tracking of physical assets used in commercial operations. The company, a Karooooo subsidiary, says the Cartrack-Tag provides enhanced visibility in... 

Eight takeaways from an in-flux 2024 new-vehicle market

It may have been 60 years ago, but Bob Dylan’s 1964 hit perhaps best describes conditions in last year’s automotive market – The Times They Are A-Changin’ 2024 was the year in which the dominance... 

Cape Town adopts treated effluent irrigation, offers industry low price to take up supply

The City of Cape Town is commissioning treated effluent irrigation connections at a number of city recreation and parks facilities in a move it says will likely save between 2.5-million and... 

Coal, uranium regarded as critical minerals in South Africa – Mantashe

South Africa’s definition of critical minerals is not limited to minerals used in the green economy and includes coal and uranium, says Mineral and Petroleum Resources Minister Gwede Mantashe.... 

Copper demand, prices likely to boom, despite uncertain macroeconomics

When looking ahead to 2050, the global economy is probably going to need about 80% to 90% more copper than what is being produced today – which adds up to between 50-million and 60-million tons a... 

Naamsa revises 2024 vehicle exports up by 82 500 units following verification

Naamsa | The Automotive Business Council has issued a significant correction to South Africa’s 2024 new-vehicle export data “following a comprehensive data verification exercise” which showed that... 

Developing a new mine in SA ‘simply not competitive or attractive’, says Minerals Council CEO

When considering the development of new mines and the flurry of exploration in Africa and around the world, the South African mining sector is “simply not competitive or attractive”, says Minerals... 

Govt should not bully miners into beneficiation, IDC must step up – Swanepoel

Beneficiation is not the responsibility of mining companies, says Manganese Metal Company (MMC) executive chairperson Bernard Swanepoel. “Speaking as the last standing manganese beneficiation... 

Energy debate likely to shift from availability to affordability – Cape Town mayor

With power utility Eskom breaching 300 days without loadshedding, the national energy debate is likely to shift from availability to affordability, says Cape Town mayor Geordin Hill-Lewis.... 

2025 Car of the Year finalists announced

The South African Guild of Mobility Journalists (SAGMJ) has announced the 17 finalists in the Car of the Year (COTY) competition. They are, in alphabetical order: 

UAE group, GoMetro partner on EV fleet

Admiral Mobility UAE and South African mobility management platform provider GoMetro have formed a joint venture (JV) to help commercial fleet operators transition to electric fleets in the United...