In 2023, South Africa’s new-vehicle market saw as many as 9 nameplates each managing just 1 or 2 registrations. Meet Mzansi’s single-digit cars: the 9 least commonly registered models of the year…
We’ve already examined South Africa’s best-selling passenger vehicles and most popular bakkies for 2023 (not to mention the top 10 automakers), so now it’s time to turn our attention to the other end of the table. So, which were Mzansi least commonly registered models last year?
Before we dive into the figures, we should point out that there are, of course, a number of potential reasons that these models find themselves on the list. For instance, a couple were imported to South Africa for “consideration” but didn’t end up being sold here. Others have technically not yet launched, while more still have been discontinued (so, little stock was available).
Kia Motors SA registered a pair of Carens units for its own use in 2023.
One such example is the Haval H9, which ended 2023 with just 2 registrations – both of which came in January. As a reminder, Haval’s 7-seater adventure SUV was axed in South Africa around the middle of 2022 (though there’s a new model on the way), so stock had clearly run dry by early in 2023.
The Kia Carens likewise finished the year on 2 units, though the crossover-styled 3-row MPV actually wasn’t available for purchase in SA. Yes, Kia South Africa registered this pair of 4th-generation Carens units in August, confirming to Cars.co.za that they were brought into the country for “homologation, study and consideration” but would “not be introduced”.
Just 2 units of the Portofino M (since replaced by the Roma Spider) were sold locally last year.
Meanwhile, 2 examples of the Ferrari Portofino M – which has since been supplanted by the Roma Spider – were sold in Mzansi last year, along with a single unit of the GWM Tank 300 (registered for use by Haval Motors SA). As the reminder, the Tank 300 was scheduled to launch locally in 2023 but has been delayed to this year.
Then there’s the Haval H2, which is perhaps the most puzzling model on this list. A single unit was sold in South Africa last year despite the fact this nameplate was discontinued locally way back in the opening quarter of 2021, when the Jolion arrived as its replacement. We can only speculate that this previously unregistered H2 had been tucked away in a dark corner of some or other dealership for a couple of years.
The Lexus LS was axed at the end of 2023, with just a single unit registered across the year.
Meanwhile, 1 example of the fully electric Kia EV6 – like the Carens, a model that is not currently on offer locally – was registered in May (again, for use by Kia SA). According to Naamsa, just 1 unit of the Ferrari Purosangue was sold in South Africa across the year, with the single sale reported in December.
Finally, the Lexus LS – a nameplate that has since been axed locally, alongside the RC F – settled for a single sale last year, as did the Volvo V90 Cross Country (a high-riding wagon that is, we should point out, technically available locally only on special order).
9 least commonly registered vehicles in SA in 2023
After a lengthy teaser campaign, the new 2024 Volkswagen Golf 8.5 has been unveiled with considerable changes both inside and out.
The iconic Golf nameplate has turned 50 years old and what we’re looking at is the 2024 Volkswagen Golf 8.5, likely to be the last internal-combustion-engine-powered Volkswagen Golf. It is understood that when Golf 9 appears, electricity will be the engine of choice.
With the 2024 Volkswagen Golf 8.5, the Wolfsburg-based brand has aimed to address numerous criticisms leveled at the 8. Revealed back in 2019, the Volkswagen Golf 8 was by no means perfect. The interior ergonomics, software user experience and tactile materials were just some of the criticisms. The lack of physical buttons and subsequent haptic touchpads were not the most popular either.
Given South Africa’s love for all things GTI, let’s focus on that uprated engine. The 2.0-litre turbocharged 4-cylinder petrol engine has been given a power increase that sees it go from 180 kW to 195 kW. It appears torque has remained unchanged at 370 Nm. That should shave a tenth or two off the claimed 0-100 kph time.
Power reaches the front wheels via a 7-speed dual-clutch gearbox, commonly known as DSG. A manual option was never offered in our market, but it has been killed off for the 8.5. For the performance fanatics, Volkswagen has confirmed there will be a Clubsport and an R which will be revealed in the second half of 2024.
The South African lineup is expected to comprise just the petrol-powered performance models like GTI and R. The rest of the world will get 1.5 eTSI mild hybrids, plug-in hybrid (PHEV) derivatives as well as a performance GTE that gets a bigger battery and thus more EV driving range. There’s also a 2.0-litre TDI turbocharged diesel available.
The design has been tweaked, with re-designed LED headlights, new taillamps, revised intake and grille, an illuminated badge and there are new colours and wheel designs. Climb inside and Volkswagen has overhauled the cabin. The touch-sensitive pads have been replaced by old-school physical buttons and the quirky infotainment system has been replaced by a new setup. The standard Golf 8.5 gets a 10.4-inch unit, while GTI and other premium models get a larger 12.9-inch version. There are new graphics and a simpler menu structure. ChatGPT makes its debut inside the Golf 8.5 as a digital voice assistant.
When will the 2024 Volkswagen Golf 8.5 come to South Africa?
Officially, the European sales are set to begin in “European spring” which means 2nd quarter. Locally, Volkswagen South Africa confirmed its model lineup for 2024 and the facelifted Golf 8.5 wasn’t mentioned. We’ve reached out to the brand to get an official timeline, but our gut feel says we’re not going to see the popular hatchback on our shores in 2024.
Volkswagen South Africa has released a statement: “Please note that the local launch timing is still under investigation. We will be able to give an indicative timing after the European market introduction in the second half of 2024.”
2023/24 CarsAwards Finalists: Best Compact Hatch in SA
Meet the 3 finalists in the Compact Hatch category of the 2023/24 Cars.co.za Consumer Awards, sponsored by Absa. The winner of this #CarsAwards category will be announced on 29 February 2024.
The 2023/24 Cars.co.za Consumer Awards, sponsored by Absa is the 7th iteration of SA’s definitive consumer-driven automotive awards programme that aims to identify the best new vehicles on sale in Mzansi across 13 categories.
Judges first compiled a list of 65 semi-finalists – then trimmed it to 39 finalists. Following that, all #CarsAwards finalist vehicles were subjected to a rigorous 2-day test at Gerotek at the beginning of November 2023, after which they starred in the Cars.co.za Consumer Awards Roadshow at the Mall of Africa where, for the first time, the public could experience the cars – and meet the judges – in the flesh.
Cars in this segment appeal to a very wide audience – from young professionals to family-car buyers trading up from entry-level vehicles and pensioners buying down from something larger and expensive. Candidates in this category must be well-balanced cars – the winner must reflect what is best about modern automotive design and engineering, but present it in a distilled, reasonably affordable form.
This category is guided by both eligibility factors and pillars of success.
Eligibility factors for this category include a list price between R350 000 and R500 000 at the time of semi-finalist voting (September 1, 2023), an anti-lock braking system, a minimum of 4 airbags, aircon, USB support, Bluetooth connectivity and a service plan.
Pillars of success for this category include a balance of fuel economy and power/performance, value for money, practicality, brand strength, design and quality appeal, ride and handling and safety.
Compact Hatch: CarsAwards Finalists
Honda Fit 1.5 Elegance
Honda has followed an “if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it” approach with the latest iteration of its Jazz. Now called the Fit, the compact hatchback retains its cute city looks and incredibly practical setup, complete with those legendary “magic seats”. A 1.5-litre petrol engine offers adequate performance and fair economy, but it’s the only car here with a naturally aspirated powertrain, which may count against it.
The Opel Corsa is a perennially underrated offering in this segment. The Russelsheim-based brand is now part of the Stellantis group (which includes Peugeot, Citroen, Fiat and other car brands) and the Corsa clearly benefits from Opel’s sister brands’ small-car nous. Its 1.2-litre 3-cylinder turbopetrol is one of the finest small engines around, the cabin looks and feels modern and the 5-year warranty is a plus.
The locally assembled Volkswagen Polo helped to establish South Africa’s compact car segment and remains a frontrunner – and benchmark – in the segment. The facelifted 6th-gen model is the biggest and most advanced Polo yet and comes with an array of engines suited to our market. We’d argue that it is the most modern-looking car in the segment too, but all of this excellence comes at a price premium.
The winners of the 2023/24 Cars.co.za Consumer Awards, sponsored by Absa (as well as the recipient of the prestigious Brand of the Year title) will be named on 29 February 2024.
The facelifted Honda Fit has been given an update for 2024, with a sportier look, upgraded trim levels and additional safety tech which is now standard across the range. Here are specifications and pricing.
The Honda Fit is a well thought-out compact B-segment hatchback. Spanning four generations and formerly known as the Jazz, the Fit was won many fans across the globe. Now the facelifted Honda Fit has touched in South Africa.
You can spot the facelifted Honda Fit with an enhanced visual package comprising revised bumpers that give the car a sporty look. The grille has been given a honeycomb design and the headlight projector ring surround is now finished in black and there’s a matte black finish.
Facelifted Honda Fit Trim Levels
For 2024, Honda South Africa has cut the Executive derivative. There are three trim levels: Comfort, Elegance, Hybrid.
Standard features across the range range from daytime running lights, LED headlights, front/rear parking sensors, keyless entry, push button start, 9-inch infotainment system with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. The Elegance derivative gains a wireless smartphone charger and alloy wheels.
The addition of Honda Sensing across the range enhanced the overall safety package. This tech includes Collision Mitigation Braking which can detect cars, cyclists and pedestrians, and apply brakes if the driver doesn’t react in time. Adaptive Cruise Control, Lane Keep Assist, Road Departure Mitigation and Auto High Beam all fall under Honda Sensing and are included as standard.
As a reminder, the Honda Fit is powered by a 1.5-litre naturally-aspirated 4-cylinder petrol engine making 89 kW and 145 Nm. The vehicle is sold with a Continuously Variable Transmission (CVT) and is said to consume 5.5 L/100 km.
How much does the Honda Fit cost in South Africa?
The refreshed Fit range comes standard with a 5-year / 200 000km warranty, a 4-year / 60 000km service plan, and 3 years of AA roadside assistance included. The Fit Hybrid gains an additional extended warranty of 8-year / 200,000km covering the Lithium-ion battery and other related components of the powertrain.
The cost of living keeps increasing, but that doesn’t mean you should pay more for your car insurance than you need to. Budget Insurance brings you a handful of top tips to help you save money by lowering your monthly car insurance premium…
PARTNERED CONTENT
Responsible South African vehicle owners regard adequate car insurance as an essential expense. You just never know what can happen on the road and being fully protected isn’t a luxury – it’s a necessity. However, that doesn’t mean that your insurance premiums should exhaust your disposable income…
1. Choose the type of car you drive carefully
Does the type of car you drive affect your car insurance premium? Yes, it’s a major consideration. The general rule of thumb is that the more expensive a car is, the higher you will pay for car insurance. This is because repairs or replacement costs will be higher in the event of the car being damaged or stolen.
But there are a few more factors to think about when buying a new set of wheels. This can include the vehicle’s age, whether it is a luxury model, safety features and the statistical chances of the car being involved in an accident or stolen.
Buying second-hand can be a good option, but consider these important factors before you shell out any money. This is because newer cars are equipped with more expensive features, which are more costly to replace than those in older models. Your vehicle’s body style could also have an impact on insurance costs. For example, SUVs garner higher premiums than smaller models, because they will probably do more damage to another vehicle if there is an accident.
Your car’s crash safety rating can also have an impact on you getting cheap car insurance. A vehicle that has a higher Euro- or Global NCAP test score (for crash avoidance and mitigation, as well as how the car protects passengers from injury when involved in an accident) will have a lower car insurance premium.
2. Watch your driving record & take a driving course
Does your driving record affect your insurance premiums? Yes, it does. If you are prone to getting traffic fines, have been involved in a car accident in the past, or have any other traffic infringements, this could hike up what you pay for car insurance every month. Other than being a careful driver who respects the rules of the road, there is one way you can reduce your car insurance premiums and that is by improving your skills through an advanced driving course.
What Is Advanced Driving?
When someone gets a driver’s licence, it indicates that he or she has demonstrated the necessary skills for basic driving. Most drivers never continue their learning beyond that point. However, it’s wise to take your driving education further. Advanced driving courses teach participants the skills they need to be the best drivers they can be. Students are trained in:
Vehicle control
Proper speeds for passing and travel
General road-handling
Effective observation
Suitable braking techniques for all motoring situations
Benefits of an advanced driving course
The primary reason that drivers elect to participate in an advanced driving course is to enjoy the benefits of being safer on the road. There are other benefits, too. You’ll put less wear and tear on your car, allowing you to drive it for many years without spending as much on maintenance and repairs. Furthermore, when you obtain an advanced driving course completion certificate, you can submit it to your insurance company, and you may receive a discount.
3. Increase your car insurance excess
One of the first things you are asked when you get a car insurance quote is what excess you would like to have with your policy. An excess is the amount of money you must pay when making an insurance claim. For example, if you are involved in an accident and make an insurance claim of R10 000 to replace a damaged bumper, you may have to pay R1 500 to your insurer before the repair can be made.
Most insurance companies have a compulsory excess amount, and this can differ depending on the car model and the age of the driver (more inexperienced drivers will be given a higher excess because they have a higher chance of having an accident). How much above the compulsory excess you want to pay, will be your choice, however. Having a lower excess means you will pay less when you claim, but it also means you pay more on your insurance premiums.
One of the ways you can save on your monthly insurance costs is to set a higher excess. You will have to pay more when you claim, but if you don’t make any claims, you will lower your overall insurance costs.
4. Take car security seriously
It is an unfortunate reality that vehicle crime in South Africa is alarmingly high, with billions of rands in vehicles being stolen or hijacked every year. That’s why every step you take to lower the risk of your vehicle becoming a crime statistic, will have a positive impact on your insurance premiums. This can be done by adding security measures, such as a:
Car alarm
Immobiliser
Wheel locks
Approved tracking device
There are also simple safety measures you can take. Some of these include parking in a safe and well-lit area, remembering to lock your vehicle (even when you are at home) and keeping your valuables out of plain view. Your insurer will base your premium based on where you park your car, particularly overnight.
Some areas are statistically more dangerous than others and this can raise your premiums. These statistics are worked out according to how many crime incidences have occurred in an area, including theft, robbery, smash and grabs and hijackings. However, if your car is parked in a locked garage and you live in a security estate with 24-hour guards, this is likely to lower your risk profile.
5. Review your car insurance cover regularly
Regularly reviewing your insurance policy is a good idea and could save you money in the long run. This should be done immediately if there have been any changes in your personal life, such as when you move house, buy a new car, or need to add another driver to your insurance plan.
All these changes will make a difference to your car insurance and some may prompt your insurer to offer you a lower premium (such as when you move to an area with a lower crime rate, or a home with better security or if one of the insured drivers turns 25). Don’t let your household (including car) insurance premium creep up year on year without understanding why it has increased; perhaps it doesn’t need to.
Get a quote now
If you want to learn more about car insurance or review your car insurance requirements with the help of experts, Budget Insurance‘s team is always ready to assist. Contact them on 086 1600 120 or leave your details and they’ll call you back at no expense to you! You can also request an online quote.
A high-ranking Volkswagen designer has released an intriguing sketch of an Amarok SUV, reigniting speculation that VW will offer a twin to the Ford Everest…
The head of design at Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles has released an intriguing sketch of an Amarok SUV, reigniting earlier rumours that the Wolfsburg-based automaker will offer a twin to the Ford Everest.
As a reminder, the 2nd-generation Amarok is based on the Ranger bakkie (and built by the Blue Oval brand at its Silverton facility here in South Africa). Since the Everest is underpinned by the same ladder-frame platform, a VW-badged version of the adventure SUV is hardly beyond the realm of possibility.
Albert Kirzinger, Head of Design at VW Commercial Vehicles, published the sketch on his LinkedIn page, though hinted the rendering was actually from an earlier research stage (still, his use of the words “sneak peek” is interesting in this context).
“Exploring design ideas for the Amarok pickup truck! Our research phase back in the day took us on an off-road journey, and here’s a sneak peek with a rendering featuring a fully closed pickup bed. Ready for rugged adventures!” Kirzinger wrote in the LinkedIn post.
The design sketch shows an Amarok-based SUV kitted out with various off-roading accessories, including a snorkel, BFGoodrich all-terrain tyres (wrapped round large alloy wheels), red-painted recovery points and a roof rack, the latter complete with auxiliary driving lights. The vehicle’s lower grille area is distinct from that of the Amarok, while the rear doors bizarrely appear to be missing their handles.
As an aside, the German company earlier suggested that an Everest-based SUV was off the table, before a high-ranking official admitted Europe’s upcoming stricter emissions regulations may well result in VW-badged version of Ford’s body-on-frame SUV – though with electric propulsion.
Could we end up seeing VW taking on established adventure SUVs – think Toyota Fortuner, Isuzu MU-X and Mitsubishi Pajero Sport, not to mention the Everest – with a 7-seater Amarok-based contender? Well, for now, Volkswagen is keeping its cards pretty close to its chest, but time will certainly tell…
Ford Rangeror Toyota Hilux? Which nameplate was the best seller in South Africa’s all-important double-cab bakkie segment in 2023? Well, we have the final figures!
You’ve likely already had a read of our list of South Africa’s best-selling bakkies for 2023. But what exactly happened in the double-cab bakkie sales race?
Since Naamsa’s monthly sales figures unfortunately don’t include a breakdown of the 3 available bakkie body styles (the single-, extended- and double-cab shapes), we’ve again turned to our colleagues over at Lightstone Auto for help identifying SA’s best-selling 1-tonne double-cab bakkies for 2023.
Before we share these figures, let’s take a step back and consider what the overall picture – that is, including all body styles – looked like in 2023. Based on Naamsa’s figures, the Toyota Hilux won the overall race, with sales increasing 16.1% to 37 382 units. The Ford Ranger (up 42% to 24 618 units) was 2nd and the Isuzu D-Max (up 11.1% to 18 962 units) finished 3rd.
South Africa’s top-selling double-cab bakkies in 2023
The Ford Ranger was SA’s best-selling double-cab bakkie in 2023.
Right, now let’s break down the sales statistics by body style. According to Lightstone Auto’s figures, the Ford Ranger took the title of South Africa’s best-selling double-cab bakkie last year, with 20 662 units registered. By our maths, dual-cab derivatives thus represented a whopping 83.9% of the Silverton-built bakkie’s total.
That means the Toyota Hilux had to settle for the runner-up position in Mzansi’s double-cab sales competition, ending 2023 on 18 227 units. The latter figure – which is 2 435 units off the pace set by the Ranger – fascinatingly represented 48.8% of the Prospecton-produced stalwart’s overall tally.
And the final place on the double-cab podium? Well, that predictably went to the Struandale-manufactured Isuzu D-Max, which managed a total of 8 524 units. Interestingly, compared with the Hilux, double-cab variants made up an even smaller portion of overall D-Max registrations last year, accounting for just 45.0%.
Lightstone Auto’s figures furthermore showed sales of all other double-cab bakkie derivatives (over and above the Ranger, Hilux and D-Max) totalled 16 663 units for 2023.
SA’s best-selling extended- and single-cab bakkies
The Toyota Hilux took the sales crown in the single-cab bakkie contest.
What happened in the 1-tonne single-cab space (note, we’re excluding the soon-to-depart Nissan NP200, which managed 12 721 units in 2023, since it’s a half-tonner)? Well, the Toyota Hilux was the clear winner in this segment last year, finishing on 13 710 units. For the record, that represents 36.7% of the venerable nameplate’s 2023 total.
The Isuzu D-Max grabbed 2nd position on 8 584 units (or 45.3% of its aggregate), while the 2-door version of the KwaZulu-Natal-assembled Mahindra Pik Up (6 060 units or a whopping 75.2% of its total) claimed 3rd place. The Ford Ranger single cab, meanwhile, finished the year on just 1 515 registrations, with all other one-tonne single cabs collectively managing 9 573 units.
The Toyota Hilux also triumphed in the extended-cab sales contest, with as many as 5 417 units of the Xtra Cab registered in 2023. The Ford Ranger Super Cab took 2nd (2 441 units) ahead of the Isuzu D-Max Extended Cab (1 851 units) in 3rd.
This prototype is the 2025 Audi Q9, which will be launched as a rival to the BMW X7 and Mercedes-Benz GLS.
Picture credit: S. Baldauf/SB-Medien. We have paid for these photos and at the photographer’s request, have watermarked them.
Audi is forging ahead with its electric-only strategy and from 2026, the Ingolstadt-based brand will no longer launch any new vehicles with internal combustion engines. What you see here is potentially one of the last few petrol-powered vehicles from Audi.
The 2025 Audi Q9 will be positioned as a flagship, three-row luxury SUV that will be trying to snatch some sales away from the BMW X7 and Mercedes-Benz GLS. With primary target markets identified as the USA and Asia, the Q9 will have a high-end cabin and luxury appointments for all three rows of passengers.
When it comes to engines, Audi can draw upon the vast array on offer from the parent Volkswagen Group. A cursory look at the soon-to-be-locally-launched Audi Q8 shows a turbocharged petrol V8 and turbocharged diesel V6 motors. We’d assume there would be plug-in assisted hybrid models and potentially a powerful flagship V8 to take the fight to the respective AMG and M equivalents.
We’re still early in the development phase of the 2025 Audi Q9 and we expect a formal reveal towards the end of 2024. As soon as we have more information, we’ll update this article.
No E30 M3 in South Africa? No problem, you can build your own!
South Africa never got the BMW E30 M3, but that didn’t stop one petrolhead from creating his own!
South Africa was one of the countries that missed out on the original BMW E30 M3. It was such a sore point for our local BMW enthusiasts and division that they went on to make their own special editions like the E30 333i and the iconic 325IS Evo I and Evo II.
But what if you could make your own E30 M3? That would be extremely rare in South Africa.
That’s what the owner of this custom E30 M3 decided to do when he partnered with the team at Big Boss Auto in order to create something that is almost indiscernable from the original E30 M3. A lot of detail and custom fabrication had to go into the build and this is the result. Tell us what you think of the build in the comments below.
The popular family SUV from the Korean brand has been given enhancements and upgrades. Here’s your first look at the 2024 Hyundai Creta.
The 2024 Hyundai Creta has just been revealed in India and there are considerable changes. Before we get stuck into the details, it is important to remember that Hyundai South Africa sources its Creta units from Indonesia. It is fair to assume these Indian-spec upgrades will be rolled out to the Indonesian market and then onto us during the course of the year.
Upon its introduction in South Africa in 2017, the (then 1st-gen) Hyundai Creta was one of the first “upsized” compact family cars to bridge the gap between small crossovers and family cars (medium SUVs). Since the 2nd-gen model arrived in 2020, followed by a new-look version in 2022, the sub-segment has grown to include the Grand Creta, Kia Seltos, Toyota Corolla Cross and others.
2024 Hyundai Creta Changes
The front-end styling of the updated Creta (to reiterate, only confirmed for the Indian market at this stage) incorporates an upright bonnet design, full-width LED DRLs, quad-beam LED headlamps (with rhombus-shaped surrounds), sequential indicators and redesigned bumpers with squared-off dark grey garnishes. The tailgate is bisected by an LED light bar, and the taillamp clusters have a blocky lighting signature.
As far as engines and transmissions are concerned, the 2024 Hyundai Creta will be offered with three options. There’s been a continuation of the 1.5-litre naturally-aspirated petrol and 1.5-litre turbocharged diesel engine from the predecessor, but this update sees the introduction of a new 1.5-litre turbocharged petrol engine making 118 kW and 253 Nm.
Hyundai will be offering a six-speed manual, a six-speed automatic, a CVT, or a seven-speed DCT automatic, depending on the engine.
The features list is comprehensive, at least for the Indian market. Convenience and comfort features like a powered driver’s seat, dual-zone climate control, onboard air purifier, electronic parking brake, two-step adjustable rear seat backrest, pillows for the rear seat headrests and rear sunshades are standard.
There’s a crisp-looking 10.25-inch digital display, new 360-degree camera, Bose sound system, e-Sim connectivity, as well as the ability to connect to services like Amazon Alexa. The interior trim quality has been upgraded too and there are smart-looking front driver and passenger seats.
Will this updated Creta come to South Africa?
Although we anticipate that the new Kona boutique crossover will arrive in South Africa sooner rather than later, these updates to the Creta will probably be applied to the Indonesian-built (and therefore SA-delivered) model at some point during 2024.
We’ll update this article as soon as new local market information becomes available.
