Nearly 30% of all new cars sold this year to be electric – IEA

The latest edition of the International Energy Agency’s (IEA’s) Global Electric Vehicle (EV) Outlook 2026 forecasts that nearly 30% of all new cars sold globally this year will be electric.... 

Record vehicle exports in 2025, but component exports continue to decline as EV sales grow

Despite multiple global and local headwinds, new-vehicle exports from South Africa reached a new record last year. Component exports, however, yet again failed to show growth in 2025. Speaking at... 

The case for EVs strengthening as diesel volatility increases – Everlectric

The economics of diesel vehicles have become increasingly unstable, says Everlectric chief commercial officer Paul Plummer. “For years, the debate around electric vehicles (EVs) in South Africa has... 

Khayelitsha Cookies reach UK shelves, skies

Cape Town-based artisanal biscuit producer Khayelitsha Cookies has secured more than R1.4-million in deals from two UKbacked companies. One agreement will see its products served onboard British... 

No sweet spot found yet as govt, auto industry mull shoring up local manufacturing

The South African automotive industry and government have not yet found “that sweet spot” that would shore up the local manufacturing sector as it faces declining local parts content and increasing... 

Toyota, govt hand over locally developed hydrogen refuelling station

Toyota South Africa Motors (TSAM), together with the Department of Science, Technology and Innovation (DSTI) and Hydrogen South Africa (HySA), have handed over a locally developed mobile hydrogen... 

New-vehicle sales soar as exports fall for third straight month

South Africa’s new-vehicle market delivered its strongest April performance in 13 years, with domestic sales rising 13% year-on-year, to 47 979 units. According to data from naamsa | The Automotive... 

EGA commissions solar panel plant in Paarl

Ener-G-Africa (EGA) has commissioned its Western Cape solar panel manufacturing facility in Paarl. The plant has a nameplate assembly capacity of up to 150 MW a year on a three-shift operation. 

Golden Arrow targets 6m km electric bus run this year, considering wheeling options

Cape Town’s Golden Arrow Bus Services (GABS) has deployed 120 electric buses since January this year, traveling a combined 115 000 km to 120 000 km a week. “At this rate, we should get close to... 

Boost local auto industry’s competitiveness instead of shielding it from rivals – WesBank

The growing presence of Chinese competition in the South African auto industry is not a concern, as competition in itself is not a problem, says WesBank senior economist Thanda Sithole. “Increased... 

Dept of Energy targets affordability, load-reduction as loadshedding moves to the rearview mirror

As South Africa this month celebrates 365 days without loadshedding, the Department of Electricity and Energy (DEE) is turning its attention to the challenges of load-reduction, supply security and... 

Metso opens Cape Town hub to support ports business in SA, rest of Africa

Metso has expanded its global bulk-materials handling network with the opening of a new regional hub in Cape Town. The Finnish group supplies technologies, solutions and services to the aggregates,... 

R20bn in airport projects poised to take off in Cape Town

The airspace over Cape Town is set to become much busier in the next two to seven years, with two mega-projects ramping up to allow for increased air traffic to and from the Western Cape capital.... 

Heavy-hitters sign agreement to develop hydrogen supply chain from Japan to Europe

Daimler Truck, MB Energy and Kawasaki Heavy Industries have signed a joint development agreement (JDA) to establish a liquefied hydrogen supply chain to Europe via the Port of Hamburg. Under this... 

Raubex ups its profit by 11.6% as Bauba Resources regains its mojo

Construction group Raubex has shown healthy gains in its order book and operating profit for the financial year ended February 28, despite a setback at its Australian business. The JSE-listed... 

Record output for Isuzu’s SA unit

Isuzu Motors South Africa (IMSAf) achieved a record vehicle production tally for the 2026 financial year, which ended on March 31. During the 12-month period, the vehicle assembler saw a 21%... 

Cape Town continues roll-out of lockable glass-fibre manhole covers to curb vandalism

The City of Cape Town’s (CoCT’s) Water and Sanitation Directorate has, to date, installed more than 500 lockable manhole covers across sewer and reticulation infrastructure in the metro. The... 

Toyota aims to join Daimler Truck, Volvo Group as equal shareholder in fuel-cell JV

Toyota Motor Corporation has signed a non-binding agreement with Daimler Truck and the Volvo Group to participate in their fuel-cell system joint venture (JV), cellcentric. The three companies... 

South Africa’s post-collision repair capacity under structural pressure – SAMBRA

South Africa’s post-collision repair sector is entering a period of structural strain that could have far-reaching implications for insurers, manufacturers and consumers alike, warns the South... 

RMI and Germany’s HWK Erfurt launch three-year e-mobility skills partnership

The Retail Motor Industry Organisation (RMI) and the German Chamber of Crafts (HWK) Erfurt have launched a three-year structured technical and vocational education and training (TVET) partnership,... 

Geely, CNBM team up on SA EV push

China National Building Materials South Africa (CNBM SA) and Geely Auto South Africa (Geely SA) have signed a strategic cooperation framework agreement for the coordinated development of new-energy... 

First city-approved affordable rental flats under construction in Cape Town

Sithembele Sidzumo and his team from Kaya Properties have officially broken ground on the Ubuntu Terrace 1 project in Delft, Cape Town. The development is the first TUHF-funded project to receive... 

New-vehicle sales up 17.3% in March, but April introduces new pressure, warns WesBank

South Africa’s new-vehicle market delivered its strongest March since 2007, with domestic sales reaching 58 060 units. According to naamsa | the Automotive Business Council, this represents a 17.3%... 

First Chery vehicles to roll off Pretoria assembly line in mid-2027

Chery South Africa (SA) says its newly acquired plant in Rosslyn, Pretoria, will be recommissioned and retrofitted over the next 12 to 18 months, with the first locally produced Chery-branded... 

Cape Town tables draft three-year, R40-billion capital budget

Cape Town Mayor Geordin Hill-Lewis has tabled a proposed R40-billion, three-year infrastructure budget for the city. “To give you some perspective on the progress we have made – in the 2021/22... 

City’s 500 MW more affordable electricity plan

The City of Cape Town has issued an energy trader tender that targets the procurement of 500 MW through power purchase agreements (PPAs), spanning one to ten years, from a variety of power... 

Metso opens Cape Town hub to support ports business in SA, rest of Africa

Metso has expanded its global bulk-materials handling network with the opening of a new regional hub in Cape Town. The Finnish group supplies technologies, solutions and services to the aggregates,... 

Lead architects appointed for Cape Winelands Airport project

The Cape Winelands Airport project has appointed Boogertman + Partners as the lead architects overseeing the architectural vision and design integration of the multibillion-rand development.... 

Cape Town launches R300m project to revamp Strandfontein Pavilion

Cape Town Mayor Geordin Hill-Lewis has launched the city’s multiyear, R300-million redevelopment of Strandfontein Pavilion on the False Bay coast. The recreational site, originally constructed in... 

Master Builders North calls for urgent action to improve construction industry oversight

Following a number of fatal construction site accidents in the past 20 months, Master Builders Association (MBA) North has called for urgent measures to improve oversight and accountability in the... 

Zimi, Charge Holdings sign deal to electrify freight traffic along N3 highway

Zimi and Charge Holdings have announced a three-year agreement to enable the rollout of electric vehicle (EV) freight operations along South Africa’s N3 highway. Zimi is a logistics aggregator, and... 

Stellantis puts SA plant on hold as it mulls adding production models – Whitfield

Stellantis South Africa (SA) has put its proposed assembly plant on hold while the car manufacturer revises the business case for the Eastern Cape facility, says MD Mike Whitfield. The plant’s... 

V&A Waterfront to build R230m superyacht marina

The V&A Waterfront says it will invest R230-million to construct a purpose-built superyacht marina. A superyacht is a large, luxury private or chartered yacht, typically exceeding 24 m (79 feet) in... 

ACSA to spend R11.3bn on new runway, terminal upgrades at Cape Town Airport

Airports Company South Africa (ACSA) will spent an estimated R11.3-billion to upgrade and expand Cape Town International Airport (CTIA). The infrastructure programme forms part of the State-owned... 

Metair targets growth beyond components amid local manufacturing concerns

Seventy-seven-year-old Metair may have its roots in component manufacturing, but its future growth could depend on growing its aftermarket parts and retail business. Announcing the JSE-listed... 

Struggling steel sector, construction challenges delay N2 bridge projects – Sanral

Construction work on the multibillion-rand Mtentu and Msikaba bridge projects in the Eastern Cape is facing renewed delays, says the South African National Roads Agency Limited (Sanral). The... 

Stellantis puts SA plant on hold as it mulls adding production models – Whitfield

Stellantis South Africa (SA) has put its proposed assembly plant on hold while the car manufacturer revises the business case for the Eastern Cape facility, says MD Mike Whitfield. The plant’s... 

Car sales numbers not as healthy as they seem, Toyota’s Kirby warns

The 15.7% growth in new-vehicle sales in South Africa last year is not all that it seems, warns Toyota South Africa Motors (TSAM) president and CEO Andrew Kirby. Kirby is also manufacturing VP at... 

Grindrod eyes Matola, Richards Bay growth opportunities as it completes strategic reset

Grindrod has completed its strategic reset, with the logistics group now moving into “disciplined growth execution”, says new CEO Kwazi Mabaso. Delivering the financial results for the year ended... 

Domestic new-vehicle market grows as exports take a nosedive

February new-vehicle sales, at 53 455 units, were up 11.4% compared with the same month last year, in the market’s best performance for a February since 2013. naamsa | The Automotive Business...