Chinese vehicles in South Africa often appear to have higher fuel consumption than established rivals, but it depends heavily on the brand, engine type, gearbox tuning, and how the vehicle is driven. Some newer Chinese models are actually very competitive. Here are the main reasons why certain Chinese vehicles consume more fuel compared to rivals

Over the long run, consistently high diesel prices can negatively affect the trade-in value of diesel-powered passenger cars, but the impact depends heavily on the vehicle type, market trends, and buyer demand in places like South Africa. Here’s how it usually plays out: Why high diesel prices can reduce trade-in values 1. Buyers start avoiding

The global electric vehicle (EV) revolution is accelerating rapidly, and South Africa is next in line to benefit from an exciting new entrant: the Geely EX2. Positioned as a compact, affordable, and tech-packed electric hatchback, the EX2 is expected to play a major role in making EV ownership more accessible to South Africans. A New

With fuel prices constantly fluctuating in South Africa, fuel efficiency has become one of the most important factors when buying a car. Fortunately, several affordable vehicles on the market offer excellent fuel consumption while still staying below the R300 000 price bracket. Many of the most economical vehicles in this category are compact hatchbacks with

South African motorists could soon face another surge in petrol and diesel prices as escalating conflict involving Iran sends shockwaves through global energy markets. Because South Africa relies heavily on imported crude oil and refined fuel products, geopolitical tensions in the Middle East often translate directly into higher fuel costs at local pumps. Recent developments

1. Ongoing Threat of Major Factory Closures Volkswagen’s Kariega plant in the Eastern Cape faces a possible shutdown, with over 4,000 direct jobs at risk alongside many more in the supply chain. The company has warned that lack of policy certainty and support risks undermining its competitiveness. Recent reports confirm industry leaders and parliamentarians calling

Record-Setting Start to 2026 Vehicle Sales in South Africa South Africa’s automotive market has kicked off 2026 with impressive momentum, building on strong performance from 2025 and signalling robust consumer confidence and demand in both new and used vehicle segments. Strong New Vehicle Sales Growth in January According to figures from industry body Naamsa |

These are the most affordable cars on the market right now, but specs and safety gear vary significantly between models: Model Starting Price (approx) Standard Safety Features (SA models) Crash Test / Safety Notes Toyota Vitz 1.0 R178 800 Dual front airbags, ABS + EBD, Vehicle Stability Control (VSC) No official NCAP rating, but packs

When people think about how cars are made, they usually picture designers, engineers, and factories. But in reality, global supply chains play a bigger role than styling studios or marketing teams in deciding which cars actually get built — and which never make it to showrooms. From microchips to gearboxes, supply chains quietly determine what

In the automotive world, some engines earn legendary status — not because they’re the fastest or most powerful, but because they refuse to die. These are the engines that rack up hundreds of thousands (and sometimes millions) of kilometres with minimal drama, becoming benchmarks for durability and engineering excellence. This article explores the most reliable