The SA Vehicle Industry Thread

[Gtx Gaming]

Most Fuel Efficient Budget Cars in SA

We list the most fuel-efficient, budget-friendly cars currently available in South Africa!

Fuel prices in South Africa have reduced drastically as a result of the effect of the COVID-19 pandemic and the resultant global lockdowns and crash in demand.

As lockdown restrictions are gradually eased, more South African motorists will be back on the road but household budgets, however, remain under huge pressure. One way of saving money is to reduce the cost of motoring, which means streamlining the cost your car incurs on your pocket. By choosing to drive a more fuel-efficient car, you can cut your fuel costs and save money.

We recently reported that now may be the best time to buy a new car (if you have the means to do so) as new car prices are expected to rise sharply in the coming months. In an effort to cut cost, you would be wise to prioritise fuel economy in your purchase so that you can save money over time.

We have created a fuel efficiency list that’s not only more relevant but also more diverse. Considering that most people can’t afford expensive cars, we decided to list the most fuel-efficient cars with an asking price under R300 000.

Note that claimed manufacturer fuel consumption figures are used here and that real-world consumption figures will differ depending on a number of factors such as driving style, road conditions and so forth.

Pricing is accurate as of May 2020.

There’s something for everyone on this list...

3.7 L/100 km - Fiat Tipo 1.3 Multijet Easy

3.8 L/100 km – Fiat 500

4.2 L/100 km – Fiat Panda 0.9 TwinAir Easy/Lounge

4.3 L/100 km – Toyota Aygo

4.3 L/100 km – Ford Fiesta 1.0T Trend

4.3 L/100km - Peugeot 108 Active

4.3 L/100 km – Peugeot 208 1.2 Active

4.3 L/100 km – Mahindra KUV100 Nxt 1.2 D75 K6+/K8

4.4 L/100 km – Renault Kwid Automatic

4.5 L/100km - Volkswagen Polo 1.0TSI Trendline/Comfortline Hatch

The Best Fuel-Efficient Cars in South Africa on a Budget

We list the most fuel-efficient, budget-friendly cars currently available in South Africa! Which car would you choose to own?

www.cars.co.za

Show me anybody who gets 4.3L/100 on 1.0T ecoboost lol

 

[FiestaST]

These are the vans South Africans are searching and buying this year

These are the vans South Africans are searching and buying this year | Life

Faced with the economic challenges of lockdown, South Africans have demonstrated their entrepreneurial spirit like never before. Some people have started sewing and selling masks, for instance.

www.wheels24.co.za

 

[FiestaST]

European car market records biggest sales slump on record

European car sales bottomed out last month as the automotive industry faced its worst crisis in decades.

Strict lockdown measures to contain the coronavirus closed most dealerships across the continent for the full month of April amid a precipitous drop in consumer spending, causing sales to collapse by an unprecedented 76 percent, the ACEA car manufacturers’ association said Tuesday.

Carmakers across the continent sold just 270 682 vehicles last month, compared with 1.14 million a year earlier, the ‘’strongest monthly drop in car demand since records began,’’ ACEA said.

Southern Europe was the hardest hit with new car registrations down by 97.6 percent in Italy and 96.5 percent in Spain - as both countries struggled with some of the highest levels of coronavirus infection in Europe. France saw an 89 percent contraction while Germany suffered a more mild 61 percent drop.

Sales for the first four months of the year were down 39 percent.

Like March’s 55 percent drop, the decline was far worse even than during the 2008-9 global financial crisis, which triggered a six-year slump in car purchases. The steepest losses during that financial crisis occurred in January 2009, when sales fell 27 percent.

The crisis was striking both mass-market and premium carmakers indiscriminately.

European car market records biggest sales slump on record

European car sales bottomed out last month as the automotive industry faced its worst crisis in decades.

www.iol.co.za

 

[FiestaST]

Phase 1 to 3: How SA car dealers are adapting to the new normal

It's life, Jim, but not as we know it.

With apologies to Star Trekkin’, that’s what we’ll be facing for the foreseeable future as the world gets to grips with living in a Corona-19 world.

It will affect everything we do in no small measure, whether it be in a professional or social capacity. Anything we buy will have certain protocols attached to them all in an attempt to protect us and those that serve us.

It will be the same, too, if you’re in the fortunate position to be able to buy a car.

For this reason, vehicle manufacturers have had to put measures in place as restrictions are slowly being lifted under certain lockdown levels designed to mitigate potential risks.

It’s been a three-phased approach, with Phase 1 allowing dealers to operate with up to 30 percent of their employees until Saturday.

Strict social distancing, mandatory wearing of face masks and daily screening of employees will be the order of the day.

During level 4, all visitors and customers will be required to sign a register, and no children will be allowed into dealerships.

All vehicles will be sanitised after any service visit or test drives. Vehicles on the sales floor will also be regularly disinfected.

Phase 2 kicks in from May 25 to June 6, and will allow dealerships to operate with up to 60 percent of their employees. Limited customers will be allowed to enter dealerships under strict hygiene and social distancing guidelines, and remote vehicle sales will continue for customers with access to online services. On-site pick-ups and deliveries of fully sanitised cars will be allowed, with an option of home delivery, if possible.

Phase 3, which runs from June 8 until alert level 4 is lifted, allows dealerships to operate with its full staff complement. On-site customer contact will be allowed, but will be kept to a minimum.

At Ford dealers, anyone entering the premises will have their temperature checked with no-touch infrared thermometers, and will be required to wear a mask at all times.

The dealership floor plan, including customer waiting areas, will be re-organised to ensure appropriate social distancing. Hand sanitiser dispensers will be available, particularly in high visibility and high traffic areas.

Phase 1 to 3: How SA car dealers are adapting to the new normal

From re-organised showrooms to car deliveries and customer registers - here's how Covid-19 is changing the car buying process.

www.iol.co.za

 

[FiestaST]

Toyota SA plans to ramp up production capacity to 75% by end of May

Toyota South Africa Motors says it has “cautiously resumed operations” at its Prospecton plant in KwaZulu-Natal, with a plan to ramp up to a production capacity of 75 percent by the end of May 2020.

The facility resumed activity with “limited and essential employees” in each area of the plant in the first week of May, in line with the government-stipulated operational capacity of 50 percent under Alert Level 4 of the COVID-19 lockdown.

By the third week of May, Toyota SA says production was at 40 percent of pre-lockdown volumes, set to reach 75 percent in the last week of the month.

The Japanese firm’s local arm builds the Hilux, Fortuner, Corolla Quest and Hiace (as well as assembles certain Hino models) at its factory in the south of Durban.

Nigel Ward, Toyota SA’s executive vice-president of manufacturing and support, said the company has “deliberately started slowly in order to protect our workforce as well as to afford ourselves the opportunity to fine-tune operations in these challenging times”.

Toyota SA plans to ramp up production capacity to 75% by end of May - CAR Magazine

Toyota South Africa Motors says it has “cautiously resumed operations” at its Prospecton plant in KwaZulu-Natal, with a plan to ramp up to a production […]

www.carmag.co.za

 

[FiestaST]

South African car sales won't bounce back until at least October: Naamsa

Whichever way you look at it the motor industry is in for a torrid 2020.

Even before South Africa went into lockdown, manufacturers were already predicting a decline in annual sales as the country tried to get to grips with an already shrinking economy.

What no-one could have foreseen was the absolutely devastating effect that the Covid-19 lockdown has had, with sales down by 98.4% last month, with only 574 vehicles sold.

According to Mike Mabasa, CEO of the National Association of Automobile Manufacturers of South Africa (Naamsa), the numbers were to be expected.

"You can't have a total lockdown and expect a different number. Sales this month should be better though because at least we're trading.

"We're putting together a recovery programme to ensure that we get back on our feet as soon as possible from the situation we currently find ourselves in," he said.

South African car sales won't bounce back until at least October: Naamsa

Even with the easing of some restrictions, dealers are still saying that there hasn't really been an upswing in demand.

www.iol.co.za

 

[FiestaST]

VW SA puts forth major investment in fight against Covid-19, turns PE plant into medical facility

Earlier in May, Volkswagen South Africa acquired the necessary approval from their head office in Germany to convert its Port Elizabeth plant into a temporary medical facility.

Volkswagen says that once the facility is up and running, it could accommodate up to 4000 beds for patients diagnosed with Covid-19.

Thomas Schaefer, VWSA chairman and managing director, said: "Solidarity is crucial in a crisis – and Covid-19 is an unprecedented global threat. Through collaboration, we will be able to achieve the position of strength we will need to fight the Covid-19 virus.

"VWSA has devoted its time to finding innovative ways in which we can combat the scourge of Covid-19 and prepare the Metro to care for those who are infected. We are highly appreciative of the financial support from the BMZ/GIZ as it will help us to continue to offer support to protect our citizens and our country."

Motoring | Life | News24

Motoring is packed with new car news, reviews, videos, new models and bikes.

www.wheels24.co.za

 

[FiestaST]

Dearly departed: 9 big sedans that simply couldn't survive South Africa

After a mere two years on the market, the Volkswagen Arteon has been discontinued in South Africa. That had us thinking: which other big sedans failed to survive here, with local buyers instead favouring three-box saloons from the "Big Three" German brands (and, of course, crossovers)?

While the local automotive graveyard is positively littered with departed sedans, here we focus on the most recent deaths (and omit smaller saloons such as Volkswagen's Jetta, the Nissan Sentra, Kia’s Rio Sedan and even the Volvo S60). This is what we dug up...

1. Ford Fusion

2. Honda Accord

3. Hyundai Sonata

4. Kia Optima

5. Lexus GS

6. Mazda6

7. Subaru Legacy

8. Volkswagen Arteon

9. Volkswagen Passat

Dearly departed: 9 big sedans that simply couldn't survive South Africa - CAR Magazine

After a mere two years on the market, the Volkswagen Arteon has been discontinued in South Africa. That had us thinking: which other big sedans […]

www.carmag.co.za

 

[FiestaST]

Volkswagen SA extends new 'WeConnect Go' application to entire range

Volkswagen South Africa announced the availability of its new WeConnect Go application, rolling out the replacement for the MyVW app across its local range.

The WeConnect Go app launched with the T-Cross in 2019 but VW SA says it has now been extended to the entire local range.

The app, which is available for download on iOS and Android devices, offers what VW describes as a “growing range of vehicle-related digital services and mobility offerings” that can be used in-car or via smartphone.

New features include MyVolkswagen (which displays the "most important vehicle information", such as fuel level, mileage and battery voltage), service appointments (enabling customers to send appointment requests to their preferred dealer), 24-hour roadside assistance, trip monitor (digital logbook which is exported as a .pdf and can be used for SARS claims) and driving challenges (with points awarded for a “safe and efficient” driving style).

Volkswagen SA extends new 'WeConnect Go' application to entire range... - CAR Magazine

Volkswagen South Africa announced the availability of its new WeConnect Go application, rolling out the replacement for the MyVW app across its local range. The... Read more →

www.carmag.co.za

 

[LaraC]

Volkswagen SA extends new 'WeConnect Go' application to entire range

/snip

This look really cool. I hope other manufactures will follow soon.

 

[FiestaST]

Car consumers more confident, but keen to buy down

The motor industry, like many major businesses in South Africa has taken a massive hit as a result of the restrictions placed under the Covid-19 regulations.

Yet, despite the difficult circumstances they find themselves in, business has to continue and though new model launches could be delayed as a result of production issues globally, South Africa will still see a number of new models enter the market this year.

At Opel, the arrival of the Astra – with its adjusted styling is still on the way as is the Zafira Life Plus and the Vivaro Cargo panel van, scheduled for Q3. Both are fitted with the same 2.0-litre turbodiesel engine to extend the Opel range into greater seater and larger transporter segments.

There’s also the new-generation Corsa in the pipeline to improve the offering in the B segment category.

"Covid-19 has guided us to adapt accordingly as far as timing goes. Models launching into the market through our Dealership network will be communicated in due time," says Lise Holloway, public relations and dealer support manager for Opel.

With some of the restrictions having been lifted, Opel says they have seen some increase in buyer confidence.

Car consumers more confident, but keen to buy down

With some of the restrictions having been lifted, Opel says they have seen some increase in buyer confidence.

www.iol.co.za

 

[Colin62]

Volkswagen SA extends new 'WeConnect Go' application to entire range

Volkswagen South Africa announced the availability of its new WeConnect Go application, rolling out the replacement for the MyVW app across its local range.

The WeConnect Go app launched with the T-Cross in 2019 but VW SA says it has now been extended to the entire local range.

The app, which is available for download on iOS and Android devices, offers what VW describes as a “growing range of vehicle-related digital services and mobility offerings” that can be used in-car or via smartphone.

New features include MyVolkswagen (which displays the "most important vehicle information", such as fuel level, mileage and battery voltage), service appointments (enabling customers to send appointment requests to their preferred dealer), 24-hour roadside assistance, trip monitor (digital logbook which is exported as a .pdf and can be used for SARS claims) and driving challenges (with points awarded for a “safe and efficient” driving style).

Volkswagen SA extends new 'WeConnect Go' application to entire range... - CAR Magazine

Volkswagen South Africa announced the availability of its new WeConnect Go application, rolling out the replacement for the MyVW app across its local range. The... Read more →

www.carmag.co.za

View attachment 846313

Do you even read this sub-forum? There’s already a thread on this.

 

[FiestaST]

Do you even read this sub-forum? There’s already a thread on this.

Of course dude. Article still has relevance in this thread for obvious reasons.

 

[FiestaST]

Top 10 Most Highly Recommended Cars in South Africa (by their owners)

Which vehicle models are most likely to be recommended by their owners?

For the purposes of this analysis; and for representative results, we only included models where at least 50 owners had answered the "likely to recommend" question.

Vehicle owners were asked to indicate, based on their overall ownership experience, using a 10-point rating scale how likely it is that they would recommend their car to friends and family. With this scale we regard responses of 9 or 10 as very likely to recommend and consider these owners as “promoters”. The owners who scored 6 or lower are considered unlikely to recommend and are considered “detractors”. By deducting the percentage of detractors from the percentage of promoters we derive a Net Promoter Score (NPS).

Top 10 Most Highly Recommended Cars in South Africa (by their owners)

Which vehicles come the most highly recommended by the people that know them best, their owners? The Cars.co.za Ownership Satisfaction Survey, conducted in partnership with Lightstone, reveals the top 10. Since 2015 Cars.co.za has conducted surveys with car owners measuring the Purchasing...

www.cars.co.za

 

[FiestaST]

Volkswagen SA resumes production and export of Polo hatch range

Volkswagen South Africa says it has resumed building the Polo for both the local market and export, while also restarting production of the Polo Vivo.

In a statement, VW SA said its Uitenhage plant had “resumed its manufacturing operations” following a “gradual ramp-up”.

Production officially restarted on 4 May “in line with the regulations” of Level 4 of the lockdown, with essential employees returning to work in a phased approach.

“The company has since started exporting Polos to various markets, in addition to manufacturing Polos and Vivos for the local market. On-site employees are supported by colleagues who continue to work from home where this is possible,” the company said.

VW SA says it had implemented a 100-point plan to “ensure the health and safety” of its employees, with the plant’s on-site wellness centre having also been suitably equipped.

Volkswagen SA resumes production and export of Polo hatch range - CAR Magazine

Volkswagen South Africa says it has resumed building the Polo for both the local market and export, while also restarting production of the Polo Vivo. […]

www.carmag.co.za

 

[FiestaST]

More Nissan Navara production could be heading to SA

The current restructuring of the Renault/Nissan/Mitsubishi Alliance could mean that the Nissan plant in Rosslyn will build more Navaras.

The Nissan plant in Pretoria currently builds the NP200 half-ton bakkie and the NP300 one-ton bakkie. Nissan has invested around R3 billion in upgrading the local plant to build the ‘new’ Navara (it has been on sale since 2014 globally). The upgrade is likely to come online in late 2020 or early 2021 and produce up to 30 000 Navaras a year. That number may be stretched though if its sister plant in Barcelona Spain is closed down, which it is expected to, according to a report from Automotive News Europe.

The decision is expected to be made quite soon with Navara assembly to be shifted to the Rosslyn plant when it comes online. The Spanish plant had a maximum capacity of 120 000 vehicles per year, but this was split across the Navara, X-Class and Renault Alaskan. As we now know, the X-Class has been canned and will not be produced in SA.

More Nissan Navara production could be heading to SA

The current restructuring of the Renault/Nissan/Mitsubishi Alliance could mean that the Nissan plant in Rosslyn will build more Navaras. The Nissan plant in Pretoria currently builds the NP200 half-ton bakkie and the NP300 one-ton bakkie. Nissan has invested around R3 billion in upgrading the...

www.cars.co.za

 

[FiestaST]

South Africans are searching for more affordable vehicles

There's a growing demand for non-premium cars in South Africa, which according to industry insiders could lead to a shortage of vehicles in the highly sought-after R0-200 000 price point in the coming months.

Consumers might have experienced five decreases in the petrol price this year, however, the continued lockdown is taking its toll on stretched household budgets.

In this environment, the choice to look at pre-owned, cheaper cars makes sense as these vehicles have already seen the steepest part of the depreciation curve and hold value better than brand new cars.

Smaller, less expensive cars are arguably cheaper to maintain in the long-term too.

Used vehicle websites such as Drive360 and Autotrader report a 20% increase in consumers searching pages from 11pm and 3am, with emphasis on cars priced under R200 000.

“The increased activity is coming from financially-pressed consumers who are looking to downgrade their cars so that they can free up cash,” says Susan Steward of Budget Insurance.

“In the current circumstances, it’s a no-brainer that drivers are looking at more economical vehicles. Cars under R200 000 mean a smaller finance instalment each month and can also translate to a lower insurance premium than a more expensive car,” says Steward.

South Africans are searching for more affordable vehicles

Some industry insiders even even believe that there could be a shortage of vehicles in the sub-R200 000 category.

www.iol.co.za

 

[Rhein]

The May sales have left a lot of red ink on the table.
Of course sales have seen their grenadelsh.... big time!!!!!!

But please consider this:
Suzuki S-Presso sold 283
Datsun Go and Go+ only 35
Renault Kwid reported 212.

That's the bottom end of the market. How the hell is the huge stockpile of units standing all over the place being financed?
I'm sure that dealers and OEMs must have stock coming out of their ears.
To make matters worse, there are new models waiting in the wings that have to be sold but surely can't be launched until old models are run out.

HKGK!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[FiestaST]

Here's how many new vehicles South Africans bought in May 2020

The National Association of Automobile Manufacturers of South Africa (Naamsa) has released new vehicle sales figures for May 2020.

After a mere 574 units were registered in April 2020 with the country on lockdown thanks to the COVID-19 pandemic, May’s figures show a “noteworthy improvement”.

Yes, 12 932 units were registered last month. While that represents a “substantial decline” of 27 496 units or 68 percent compared with May 2019’s figures, it’s also a vast improvement on April's numbers.

Similarly, although export sales at 10 819 units also registered a hefty decline of 19 333 units or 64,1 percent compared with the same month in the preceding year, this is a big improvement over April 2020’s tally of 901.

Out of the total reported industry sales of 12 932 vehicles, an estimated 11 289 units or 87,3 percent represented dealer sales, 7,9 percent were sales to government, 2,9 percent were sales to industry corporate fleets and an estimated 1,9 percent represented sales to the vehicle rental industry.

Here's how many new vehicles South Africans bought in May 2020... - CAR Magazine

The National Association of Automobile Manufacturers of South Africa (Naamsa) has released new vehicle sales figures for May 2020. After a mere 574 units were... Read more →

www.carmag.co.za

 

[FiestaST]

Ford SA confirms 'phased restart' of Ranger and Everest production

Ford Motor Company of Southern Africa says it has implemented a “phased restart” of its operations, resuming vehicle and engine production at its local plants.

The Blue Oval brand builds the Ranger and Everest at Silverton, and produces a range of engines at Struandale.

The company says the ramp-up process will be “gradual” as workers adjust to the new health and safety protocols, and the “entire supply chain comes up to speed”.

“We’ve been working intently with national government, our safety and medical teams, unions and our workforce to reopen our Silverton assembly plant in Pretoria and Struandale engine plant in Port Elizabeth,” said Ockert Berry, vice-president of operations at Ford Motor Company of Southern Africa.

Ford SA confirms 'phased restart' of Ranger and Everest production... - CAR Magazine

Ford Motor Company of Southern Africa says it has implemented a “phased restart” of its operations, resuming vehicle and engine production at its local plants. […]

www.carmag.co.za