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Mail & Guardian

Automotive

latest news & developments

Vehicle industry fights back

Despite widespread factory closures and thousands of job cuts across South Africa's automotive industry, a new R1.1-billion parts facility at Dube TradePort offers a glimmer of…

Lesotho’s great car ‘con’

South Africa’s Next Car Revolution Won’t Be Electric. It Will Be About Access.

South Africa is racing toward electric cars and smarter vehicles, but for millions of consumers the bigger automotive challenge is simply gaining access to a reliable car.

Vehicle sales surge but buyers hit the brakes on vehicles beyond R500K

As soaring vehicle prices alienate everyday buyers, South Africa's automotive market is splitting at the R500 000 mark, fuelling a surge in used cars, Asian value brands, and…

Ford Ranger Raptor: A wild dragon that refuses to be tamed

Last year, I tested the impressive BYD Shark 6, which immediately attempted to dethrone the Ford Ranger Raptor when it arrived in South Africa. I remember too clearly the massive…

Smart: Super Hybrid System continues to show that plug-in hybrids can bridge the gap between conventional petrol vehicles and fully electric cars.

Omoda C7 SHS: Big power, tiny thirst

The Omoda C7 SHS, featuring Chery Group's Super Hybrid System, proves that electrified vehicles excel in urban environments. This review explores its driving modes, efficiency,…

Head-turner: The Jetour T2 commands attention everywhere it goes.

Jetour T2 payload debate prompts calls for tighter vehicle standards

The Automobile Association (AA) is urging South African motorists to pay closer attention to vehicle payload capacity, a specification often overlooked, especially in family…

Chumani-Nande Sishuba

Today's vehicles are no longer defined solely by horsepower or design — they are intelligent, connected systems powered by millions of lines of code. At 27, Chumani-Nande Sishuba…

The Land Rover Discovery gets the balance right

The Land Rover Discovery D350 strikes a perfect balance between the opulent Range Rover and the rugged Defender, offering a compelling blend of luxury, capability, and…

BMW iX xdrive60: Where luxury is woven into an experience

Discover how the BMW iX xDrive60 redefines luxury electric motoring on South African roads, offering a serene air-carpet ride, impressive real-world range, and a lounge-like…

Unwanted Car Smells: What They Mean and How to Get Rid of Them

A bad smell in your car can be a major red flag for potential buyers and make your daily commute unpleasant. This guide walks you through the 10 most common bad car smells,…

Jaecoo's first EV coming to SA finds the sweet spot in the market

Jaecoo's new J5 BEV is poised to disrupt the South African electric vehicle market, offering a compelling middle ground between basic city hatchbacks and expensive mid-size…

Changan Alsvin shocked me...at how good it is

Budget-friendly automatic cars in South Africa often mean sluggish acceleration and frustrating drives. But the new Changan Alsvin 1.5 CE Auto defies expectations, delivering a…

A salute to ambassador Peschke for strengthening partnerships

BMW Montana expresses its gratitude to Ambassador Andreas Peschke for his exceptional contributions to fostering stronger ties between Germany and South Africa, highlighting his…

The red S-Class: How Madiba’s hand-built Mercedes proves that love is still our finest engineering

Step into the Apartheid Museum and discover the powerful story of Nelson Mandela's Signal Red Mercedes-Benz 500SE, a car hand-built by workers as a monument to gratitude and a…

The Ford Wildtrak Supercab just got wilder

It's turning into a bakkie year for South Africa. Ford has updated the Ranger lineup, Toyota has launched the new Hilux, Isuzu has upgraded the D-Max and smaller Chinese brands…