The compact champion from the Korean brand has hit the Internet ahead of its official debut later this year. Here’s the 2024 Kia Picanto before you’re supposed to see it.
The Picanto is one of Kia South Africa’s best selling vehicles. Despite its age, it still tallies up good sales numbers every month. In June 2023, 480 Picantos were sold, with the Sonet compact SUV taking 2nd place with 438 units.
Now, Korean Car Blog has shared images of what looks to be the 2024 Kia Picanto. This is one bold design execution and it adopts exterior design elements from other modern Kia vehicles, like the Sportage. Granted, it is a sporty-looking GT-Line derivative, but still, this is one eye-catching car. At the rear, the 2024 Kia Picanto has an aggressive diffuser as well as a horizontal light bar.
It doesn’t happen very often, but the image leak also contained an interior shot of the 2024 Kia Picanto, giving us a good preview of what’s to come. We can spot a completely digital dashboard and a new-look steering wheel. Being a GT-Line derivative, there are supportive sports seats.
The vehicle pictured has a manual transmission and it’s rumoured the engine and gearbox combinations will remain much the same. Korean Car Blog reckons the 1.0 and 1.2 engines will feature mild-hybrid technology to meet strict European requirements.
The current-shape Kia Picanto has been on sale in South Africa since 2016 and this comprehensive update of the exterior design, cabin and technology has been overdue.
2024 Kia Picanto market arrival?
Industry experts reckon the new compact offering from Kia will be revealed in the next two months. We reached out to Kia South Africa for comment: “The Kia Picanto range is and will remain an important model to South Africans. As one of our top sellers we will continue with the natural evolution of the range. Verification of the exact models within the range to be introduced to South Africa during 2024 have not yet been confirmed.”
The new Honda Elevate has been revealed in India, based on the Ballade platform and billed as a fresh “global” mid-size SUV contender…
The covers have come off the new Honda Elevate, a fresh-faced mid-size SUV developed for global markets and set to be built in India (though interestingly developed by Honda’s R&D department in Thailand). At the moment, official images are extremely hard to come by, but we’ll add more photographs as soon as they are available.
So, where will it be positioned within Honda’s broader crossover line-up? Well, the new Elevate measures 4 312 mm from nose to tail and has a wheelbase of 2 650 mm. That makes it 313 mm longer than the WR-V but 178 mm shorter than the BR-V. The luggage compartment can swallow a claimed 458 litres, while ground clearance comes in at a fairly generous 220 mm and the turning circle at 5.2 metres.
The new Honda Elevate was revealed in India, where it will be built.
Interestingly, the new Honda Elevate is similar in size to the HR-V, which measures a mere 33 mm longer. So, will we see the newcomer on local roads? Well, Honda Southern Africa told Cars.co.za the Elevate “has not been confirmed for South Africa”, though we suspect it is indeed in the planning. However, there’s certainly the question of whether there would be space in the local range for both the Elevate and the HR-V…
As you might have guessed, the Elevate employs the same DOHC i-VTEC engine as the Ballade on which it’s based. That means power comes from the Japanese firm’s familiar naturally aspirated 1.5-litre, 4-cylinder petrol motor, which delivers 89 kW and 145 Nm to the front axle via a 6-speed manual gearbox or a continuously variable transmission (CVT). A fully electric version is reportedly in the works, too.
In India, the Elevate will feature items such as a 7-inch digital instrument cluster, a centrally sited 10.25-inch infotainment touchscreen (with Android Auto and Apple CarPlay) and a rear parking camera. A sunroof will furthermore be available in that market, along with a raft of driver-assistance features like adaptive cruise control, lane-departure warning and automatic high-beam assist. Other standard safety features on the Indian-spec model will include 6 airbags, ABS with EBD (and brake assist), vehicle stability assist and hill-start assist.
The new Toyota Vitz has arrived in South Africa, where it competes in the hotly contested budget hatchback segment. David Taylor took it for a quick drive.
Let’s begin by addressing the elephant in the room… The new Toyota Vitz is a badge-engineered Suzuki Celerio. Now, on with the review. Despite the economic downturn caused by the tail end of the pandemic, high interest rates and the Rand’s poor exchange rate, sales of new compact cars have remained robust.
Many brands are playing in this space, but surprisingly, Toyota does not lead the segment. That honour belongs to Renault, which has almost a quarter of this market to itself thanks to the Kwid. It’s interesting to note that during the 2 years that the Vitz’s predecessor – the now-discontinued Toyota Agya – was on the market, it could only muster the 2nd highest share in the segment, tied with Kia’s evergreen Picanto.
With the Vitz, Toyota hopes to capture some of the Kwid’s market share. For what it’s worth, the Vitz’s twin, the Suzuki Celerio has captured 5% of the small-car segment, which, to be fair, seems too little.
What is it?
The Vitz is a budget hatchback that slots beneath the Starlet in Toyota’s compact car line-up. The range comprises 3 derivatives that are offered in base and XR trim levels. The 1.0 XR is available in manual and automated manual (automatic) guises, with the latter ideal for those who commute in congested traffic.
The Suzuki-sourced naturally-aspirated 1.0-litre 3-cylinder petrol engine produces only 49 kW and 89 Nm of torque, which doesn’t sound like much, but when a vehicle weighs just 805 kg, it doesn’t need all that much power to get moving at a brisk pace, but more about that later…
It’s claimed to be light on fuel too; the manual-shift Vitz is said to consume, on average, 4.4 L/100 km, while the automatic version is said to be even lighter on fuel (4.2 L/100 km). The Vitz has a 32-litre fuel tank, which means that the 5-speed version has a theoretical range of 727 km.
Interior and features?
In Base trim, the Vitz is equipped with the essentials, but do consider digging deeper in your proverbial pocket to procure an example with the XR grade, because it comes with all the additional comfort features and gadgetry that its intended target market will appreciate, such as Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, additional audio speakers, nicer-looking 15-inch alloy wheels, and a tilt-adjustable steering column.
Safety features are all-important, even in the budget segment. The Vitz has the basics covered with 2 frontal airbags, electronic stability control, anti-lock brakes, and rear parking sensors. The auto version additionally has hill assist, which stops the Vitz from rolling backwards when pulling away on an incline.
In Gauteng (South Africa’s major new-car market), naturally-aspirated engines lose around 17% of the power that they produce at sea level because the air is thinner at high altitudes. Therefore, at the Reef, a small car, which doesn’t have all that much power to begin with, tends to have to work harder to keep up with traffic – ideally, it needs a rev-happy engine and a slick-shifting transmission. The Vitz has those.
When we drove the Vitz at sea level, the Toyota was quite an energetic – even eager – performer. The 1.0-litre 3-pot engine enjoys a healthy dose of revs and, unlike in some of its competitors, the motor only sounds gruff and noisy at the redline, by which time you should have changed gear anyway!
The gearbox deserves plenty of praise too. Automatic transmissions have become ubiquitous and quite refined compared with their predecessors, so a light-but-precise 5-speed manual gearbox with an easy-to-modulate clutch pedal is a rare find. While we’ve yet to drive a Vitz with an AMT, we can recommend the manual version for its sheer ease of use. This is one of the most user-friendly city cars we’ve driven.
As far as ride quality is concerned, the newcomer’s suspension is tuned for comfort and the generously sidewalled tyres fitted to the 15-inch wheels look ready to cope with the worst of SA’s poorly maintained roads. We’d rate noise suppression and cabin refinement better than average – well, at this price point.
Interestingly, the Vitz has a ground clearance of 170 mm, which contributes to a touch of body roll under cornering and the steering is a tad vague, but again, the Toyota’s driving experience is quite acceptable for a car in its segment. If you drive in a relaxed and measured manner, the handling’s not a deal breaker.
After our quick drive on the rolling hills from Constantia to Camps Bay and back (with a pair of occupants on board), the test unit indicated an average fuel consumption figure of 4.6 L/100 km. That included some quick downshifts and hard accelerations to overtake other vehicles. If you adopt a more efficiency-oriented driving style, you should be able to get closer to – or even match – the manufacturer’s claim.
How much does the Toyota Vitz cost in South Africa?
Vitz 1.0 manual
R189 900
Vitz 1.0 XR manual
R219 900
Vitz 1.0 XR AMT
R239 900
The new Toyota Vitz is sold with a 2-year/30 000 km service plan and a 3-year/100 000 km warranty.
Toyota SA also promoted its Kinto One subscription service at the Vitz’s launch. It’s a vehicle leasing (pay-per-use) scheme by which customers pay a monthly amount (that covers servicing costs, roadside assistance, licence/registration, wear and tear, mileage and insurance) to use the car for a set term.
Apart from the subscription fee, a customer will pay only for fuel and, after the contract period (from 6 months, up to 60 months) is over, they return the car. Of course, there are terms and conditions, but for burgeoning small businesses that need a small car for short trips, it may make more sense to pay for a vehicle in this manner. For June 2023, Toyota is offering the Vitz for a year at R2 999 per month.
Summary
The Vitz is yet another “Toyota-badged Suzuki” that will probably garner more sales in the local new-vehicle market than the vehicle upon which it is based; that demonstrates the huge brand cachet and loyal following that Toyota has in South Africa. Still, there is much to like about the Vitz’s, well, honesty.
At no point do you get the impression that the Vitz is trying to be something that it isn’t. It is well-made, oh-so-easy to drive and, simply put, fit for purpose. In these trying times, affordability is paramount, and the Vitz should do well in providing mobility for those who just need a cheap and cheerful new car.
The Suzuki S-Presso recently received a light update, including a more frugal engine and enhanced safety features. We test the quirky city car in 1.0 S-Edition guise.
We like: Affordable, light on fuel, good standard spec
We don’t like: Awkward driving position, instability on windy freeways, small load bay
S-Edition derivatives of the S-Presso feature silver-coloured exterior accents.
Since its local launch in early 2020, the S-Presso has found favour among many motorists who require uncomplicated mobility “out of the box” – suffice it to say, Suzuki has carved out a niche for itself by providing exactly that. The S-Presso wasn’t perfect (no car is), so Suzuki has introduced a few updates.
You would have to be eagle-eyed to spot all of the changes… In fact, we had to compare these images with those of a pre-update model to confirm the revisions. The flagship S-Edition gets silver-coloured front-bumper inserts and additional detailing, but the major changes are to the engine and spec level.
The S-Presso’s most obvious rival is the Renault Kwid. The Suzuki Celerio and Suzuki Swift are also worth a look, but at the 1.0 S-Edition’s price point, their entry-level derivatives are a bit light on features.
The S-Presso’s interior is simple and made to a cost, but it does not feel insubstantial.
Feature-wise, the S-Presso has the basics covered, with standard Bluetooth telephony and -streaming, a multifunction steering wheel, front electric windows, power steering, aircon and rear parking sensors.
If you fork out a bit more money for the S-Edition grade, you also get a reverse-view camera and a 9-inch touchscreen infotainment screen (lesser models have 7-inch units). This system supports, inter alia, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, which allows you hands-free access to apps such as Waze/Google Maps navigation and streaming music services – it’ll even read your WhatsApp messages out to you.
Compared with its siblings, the S-Presso 1.0 S-Edition features an enlarged infotainment touchscreen.
The lack of height adjustment for the driver’s seat and a steering column that adjusts only for rake means that you may struggle to find your perfect driving position in the S-Presso. Taller members of the road-test team remarked that it felt as if they sat on top, as opposed to in, the Suzuki’s driver’s seat.
Despite its compact dimensions, the S-Presso offers more rear occupant space than expected. There’s just enough space for 4 adults inside, which is admirable, but that comes at the expense of luggage space, which, at a claimed 239 litres, is only suitable to fit a small suitcase and a laptop bag.
The pint-sized S-Presso offers a surprisingly good amount of rear legroom.
Ride and handling
For us, the most notable aspect of the S-Presso’s update is its revised powerplant. The 1.0-litre 3-cylinder (K10C) engine is the same one found in the Celerio and while there are slight reductions in outputs (1 kW and 1 Nm less), the advantage of switching to this motor is improved fuel economy.
The S-Presso has a 29-litre fuel tank and, considering the claimed consumption figure for this derivative is 4.6 L/100 km (4.4 L/100 km for the auto), you could theoretically travel up to 587 km on a tank. Our test confirmed a slightly higher consumption figure than that: 19.5 km/l, which equates to 5.12 L/100 km.
A digital speedometer makes it easy for inexperienced drivers to know exactly at what speeds they are driving.
On paper, the 1.0-litre 3-cylinder mill’s peak outputs of 49 kW and 89 Nm look barely adequate, but seeing as the Suzuki has a kerb weight of just 765 kg, the model’s power-to-weight ratio is better than that of a 1.4-litre Volkswagen Polo Vivo! As it happens, the S-Presso can keep up with traffic with ease and, thanks to a fairly accurate and light gearshift action, it delivers reasonably nippy performance.
It is worth noting that the S-Presso has a ground clearance of 181 mm, which is generous for an entry-level hatchback. In fact, that sort of figure is usually associated with small crossovers! Therefore, the Suzuki is quite at home in the city, where it doesn’t run foul of kerbs and can easily hop onto pavements.
You’re unlikely to bash the S-Presso’s high bumpers on a kerb, but the car feels a bit top-heavy under cornering.
However, the model’s relatively tall stature makes it prone to leaning in corners – even when they are taken at a leisurely pace. That, in combination with narrow tracks, makes the S-Presso sensitive to crosswinds on a freeway, where you’ll need to make tiny steering adjustments to keep the car in its lane.
The S-Presso 1.0 S-Edition rides on 14-inch alloy wheels wrapped in 165/70 rubber and its suspension is reasonably pliant; it absorbed most urban-road imperfections with little fuss. Also, the Suzuki’s steering setup is light and, thanks to the car’s stubby extremities, you can easily park it in the narrowest of bays.
Safety equipment
Apart from a pair of airbags and ABS, all S-Presso derivatives are equipped with electronic stability control.
In the past, Suzuki’s entry-level models – the S-Presso included – have been criticised for performing poorly in crash testing. However, when Global NCAP recently tested this updated model, it fared better – with 3 out of 5 stars for adult occupant protection and 2 out of 5 stars for child occupant protection.
The S-Presso features 2 airbags, ABS and an electronic stability programme (ESP) across its line-up, and we believe that the latter is especially valuable for its ability to completely prevent some road accidents.
Price and after-sales support
The Suzuki S-Presso range starts from R169 900 and goes up to R208 900 for the flagship 1.0 S-Edition automated manual (AMT). Our test unit – the 1.0 S-Edition manual – retails for R194 900.
The Suzuki S-Presso ships standard with a 2-year/30 000 km service plan and 5-year/200 000 km mechanical warranty.
The competition is cutthroat at this end of the market, but the S-Presso does offer good value.
Verdict
It hardly needs to be mentioned again, but when you’re shopping for a new entry-level car, you have to be willing to make some compromises. Granted, the S-Presso may have its limitations, but this simple inner-city (and suburban) runabout is oh-so-endearing. And how is this for a vote of confidence? The S-Presso is often utilised by operators of ride-hailing company Uber’s affordable Uber Go service.
To sweeten the S-Presso’s value proposition (because the model faces stiff competition from larger, pre-owned cars), Suzuki is offering the model with a 2-year/30 000 km service plan, as well as a 5-year/200 000 km warranty. And it needed to – because around the R200k mark, there are numerous other nearly-new prospects to choose from, including the Japanese brand’s very own – and excellent – Swift 1.2 GL.
Should you buy one? As a first vehicle for one of your offspring or dependents, the S-Presso certainly fits the bill (it may only have 2 airbags, but comes with ABS and electronic stability control) and, if you are someone who has climbed the first rung of professional life and are seeking a cheap-to-run first new car, the model comes backed by the after-sales support of a 2-time #CarsAwards Brand of the Year winner!
The Toyota Vitz is available with 3 derivatives to choose from including the Base manual, XR manual and XR automatic, with one engine doing duty across the range. Customers will have the choice of either a 5-speed manual gearbox or an automated manual transmission (AMT). There are 7 colours to choose from.
The engine is a 1.0-naturally-aspirated 3-cylinder petrol engine which has 49 kW and 89 Nm. It is front-wheel driven and Toyota claims the Vitz will consume just 4.4 L/100 km. A top speed of 160 kph is claimed and there’s a 32 litre fuel tank.
Grade Walk
The Toyota Vitz is sold in standard and XR models.
The new Lexus LBX has been revealed and serves as the new entry point into the Nagoya-based firm’s luxury wares. Take a look at what the Lexus LBX has to offer!
In South Africa, the Lexus UX is currently the cheapest new Lexus you can buy with pricing starting from R832 900 but that’s likely to change as the Japanese luxury marque welcomes the new LBX to its range.
The new Lexus LBX is built on Toyota’s revised GA-B platform, the same which underpins the Yaris and measures 4 190 mm long, 1 825 mm wide, 1 560 mm high and with a wheelbase of 2 580 mm. The LBX has a kerb weight of 1 280 kg.
Stylistically, the LBX adopt’s Lexus’ latest design language which includes the firm’s “Unified Spindel” grille design which is familiar from the new Lexus RX, for example, while the interior focuses on offering an “inviting and serene space fostering a seamless connection between the driver and car, promoting complete relaxation” according to Lexus.
The Lexus LBX’s interior will be highly customisable with 4 “atmospheres” on offer.
Interestingly, the LBX will be offered with 4 “atmospheres” including Elegant, Relax, Emotion and Cool, each of which can be customised to taste with the new Lexus Bespoke Build Program. A 9.8-inch infotainment touchscreen as well as a fully digital 12.3-inch instrument cluster, the latter of which is a first for Lexus. Load capacity is quoted at up to 332 litres for front-wheel-drive variants.
What engine does the new Lexus LBX have?
The Lexus LBX is powered by a new-generation self-charging hybrid powertrain which incorporates a 3-cylinder, 1.5-litre petrol engine, electric motor and a high output nickel-metal hydride (NiMH) battery. Peak power output is rated at 100 kW while torque is quoted at 185 Nm. The LBX will be offered in both 2-wheel-drive and all-wheel-drive guise and all variants are paired with a Continuously Variable Transmission (CVT).
As far as driver assistance is concerned, the Lexus LBX features the latest generation of Lexus Safety System + which incorporates a host of features including a Pre-Collision System with Intersection Turn Assist, Dynamic Radar Cruise Control, Lane Tracing Assist/Lane Keep Assist and Road Sign Assist. But that’s not all, other features such as a Blind Spot Monitor, Rear Cross Traffic Alert, Safe Exit Assist, driver monitor and parking sensors are also included. Features such as a Front Cross Traffic Alert with Panoramic View Monitor and Remote Parking will be optional.
Lexus SA has yet to confirm whether the new LBX will be offered in South Africa but given how popular compact SUVs are locally, we expect to see the LBX on local soil in 2024.
We will keep you updated as soon as we get official confirmation.
Fitted with a slightly more modern drivetrain, this Land Rover Series 1 offers perhaps the best combination of a truly classic Landy experience with a touch of modern convenience. We drove the British icon along Cape Town’s scenic Clarence Drive.
I hadn’t even driven a kilometre down the road from the property where I collected the Land Rover Series 1, when a fellow Land Rover driver flashed his vehicle’s lights and waved at me. It doesn’t happen often when you’re going about your business, but it does to Defender drivers, and it’s only polite to wave back.
It’s as if driving a classic Land Rover immediately makes you friends with every other Landy owner, and it goes along with a sense of humour… Several owners have told me you need to wave “to show the other driver that your hands are clean” (as proof that you haven’t recently had to work on your Land Rover)!
Joking aside, within the 1st few hundred metres of driving this Series 1, I already felt part of the “club”.
Modernising the Land Rover Series 1
Six years ago, this Landy was not in this great condition, however. When the Series 1 arrived at Land Rover Worx in Helderberg, it needed a lot of attention. Then the team began restoring it piece by piece.
Stefan from Land Rover Worx explains: “The engine is the later 2.5-litre 4-cylinder petrol engine that was fitted to the Defender from around 1987 onwards. The synchromesh gearbox is from a Series III, just to make it a little more drivable. The brakes, wiring and body were redone, and the body was completely repainted. Often, when we receive these cars, there is very little you can use from the original sample.”
The team kindly removed the roof, which makes the Land Rover appear even more purposeful – and ready for action. Even though it is a chilly 14°C, I am wearing “long johns” underneath my jeans, am triple layered at the top and even have a woolly beanie on my head… The nip in the air won’t affect me today.
Specifications:
Model: 1956 Land Rover Series 1, 86-inch (with upgraded drivetrain)
Engine: 2.5-litre, four-cylinder petrol
Power: 83 kW at 4 000 rpm
Torque: 265 Nm at 1 800 rpm
Transmission: 4-speed manual, with low-range transfer case
Weight: ± 1 100 kg
If you really want the full al fresco experience, the windscreen can be removed (or folded flat when the spare wheel is removed). Suffice it to say, it affords you a near 360-degree view from the driver’s seat.
What is the Land Rover Series 1 like to drive?
The more modern engine and gearbox are indeed welcome additions to this Series 1; they perfectly fit the model and also make it more drivable. Originally, this Landy was fitted with a 2.0-litre engine, as was the case with many later Series 1 Land Rovers. A 2.0-litre diesel motor was also available at the time.
The upgraded gearbox removes the hassle and challenges of a non-synchronous gearbox (also known as a crash box). The updated ‘box still feels its age, yet it shifts positively, with a short and mechanical action from 1st to 2nd gear. The up-right-up action when shifting from 2nd to 3rd takes slightly longer.
There is some play in the ‘wheel, which, to be fair, applies to most cars I’ve driven from this era, but the larger-displacement engine makes a significant difference: the Landy easily accelerates past 60 and on to 80 kph. Had it been powered by its original motor, this Series 1 would have delivered far more leisurely acceleration; it would have been more of a chore to drive (as it battled to keep up with traffic in town).
Make no mistake, there are rattles, and the off-road-biased tyres generate a lot of noise, but I wouldn’t want it any other way. As expected – again, as with other vehicles from the Fifties – you need to reduce speed and apply the brakes earlier than usual when you need to stop the Landy at an intersection.
As I head along the beautiful Clarence Drive in the Land Rover Series 1, I’m thankful that on this weekday in the heart of winter, there are no high-performance cars or motorcycles in a rush to overtake me.
The massive swells of the ocean make for a picturesque sight, and as the Landy trundles around bends, its knobbly tyres scrabble just to remind you that they’re there. It is quite strange to see the spare wheel in front of you, but after a while, you forget about it – or it simply becomes part of the scenery.
There is no rev counter, but knowing that the engine is a low-revving unit, you tend not to hang on gears for too long. I quickly change up into 4th gear to potter along as, well, “serenely” as possible.
In terms of kerb presence, there is no mistaking this vehicle for anything but an off-road Land Rover. There is ample space in the short load bin to load equipment/camping gear for an off-road excursion.
Occupant comfort is of little concern
If you are okay with sitting close to one another, there are 3 small seats up front. Embarrassingly, a fuel attendant had to show me how to move the driver’s seat to gain access to the fuel tank beneath it.
Halfway along Clarence Drive, I turn around and head back to Gordon’s Bay. I first pull over at the now well-known Pit Stop Lodge, where it comes as no surprise that a few of the visitors make some positive comments about the green Land Rover Series 1 – after all, it is not a car that you see on the road often.
Summary
On the final stretch back to Gordon’s Bay, I’m again reminded of how agricultural and military-grade the Land Rover Series 1 (and other vehicles of its type) are. It was built to be fit for purpose – a far cry from luxurious modern Land Rover models (even Defender variants) with all their soft creature comforts.
At the same time, I could have easily driven another 200 km (with a stop or 2 along the way) to enjoy the other talent (legendary off-road capability) the Series 1 offers. It is a back-to-basics driving experience, and the knowledge that you can tackle off-road routes with confidence only boosts the Landy’s allure.
Will Suzuki leapfrog VW in SA? A look at YTD dealer sales
Suzuki Auto SA has grown tremendously in recent times. But just how close is the Japanese brand to snatching 2nd place from VW? Year-to-date dealer sales tell an interesting story…
It’s been a scarcely believable couple of years for Suzuki Auto South Africa. Once something of a bit-part player, the Japanese firm’s local division has rocketed up the sales charts in recent times, consistently breaking internal sales records and making 3rd place on the monthly list of SA’s best-selling automakers very much its own.
While Toyota SA Motors is still way out in front, the gap between Suzuki and the 2nd-placed Volkswagen Group (the latter, we should point out, includes the Audi brand) is narrowing – and fast. So, we decided to examine the year-to-date sales race with VW, though with a focus specifically on the dealer channel. The latter is, of course, considered to be a strong indicator of private-buyer sentiment.
Collectively, dealerships form the channel through which the vast majority of new-vehicle sales are registered. In May 2023, for instance, Naamsa estimated 38 872 units (or 90.2% of the total reported industry sales of 43 060 vehicles) represented sales in the dealer space. But before we delve into the year-to-date sales figures, let’s take a step back and consider how the Hamamatsu-based manufacturer has managed to climb this high, this quickly…
What’s driving Suzuki Auto SA’s recent sales success?
The Baleno is Suzuki Auto SA’s 2nd-most popular vehicle in 2023.
Suzuki Auto SA opened its doors back in 2008 and has enjoyed 15 consecutive years of dealer growth since. In fact, the opening quarter of 2023 was the Suzuki dealer network’s best in history, while as many as 9 dealerships (out of 97 dotted now round Southern Africa) each sold more than 100 new vehicles in March.
So, what’s behind this consistent growth? Well, in what has become an increasingly price-sensitive local market, Suzuki Auto SA has shrewdly taken advantage of its mother brand’s large-scale production facilities in fellow right-hand-drive country India, where its Maruti counterpart manufactures huge volumes of budget-friendly compact vehicles. For the record, Maruti Suzuki is an absolute giant in the world’s most populous nation, having achieved a staggering 42% market share in 2022.
As many as 12 of the 13 nameplates in Suzuki Auto SA’s stable today are imported from India, with only the Vitara (which is the brand’s slowest seller this year and looks likely to exit the local range soon) being sourced from Hungary in Europe. In addition, while the broader Swift line-up is manufactured in the South Asian country, the low-volume Swift Sport derivative is brought over from the Sagara factory in Japan.
VW Group vs Suzuki: a quick look back at 2022 sales
Suzuki Auto SA is thriving perhaps partly because of rather than despite South Africa’s challenging economic conditions, since its attractively priced budget cars – virtually all of which play in the compact-vehicle space – are on offer at just the right time for many cash-strapped local consumers. Furthermore, the company has seemingly managed to secure a steady flow of stock, while other automakers continue to struggle with supply constraints.
Just how close was the Japanese firm to matching the Volkswagen Group last year? Well, the German firm’s total sales (again, including Audi) in South Africa fell 2.48% year on year to 69 801 units in 2022. The VW Group’s market share thus dropped from 15.41% to 13.20%, although it quite comfortably held onto 2nd place on the overall list.
Meanwhile, Suzuki Auto SA improved its total sales a whopping 71.04% year on year to 47 178 units in 2022, rocketing up the rankings from 6th to 3rd and boosting its market share from 5.94% to a very respectable 8.92%. Still, last year, Suzuki was a considerable 22 623 units behind the VW Group. In 2023, however, the race is far closer…
How is the VW brand faring in the dealer channel?
The Kariega-built Polo Vivo continues to function as the main volume driver for VW.
Year to date, the VW Group’s overall tally sits at 26 411 units, though that figure falls to 23 912 when we remove Audi sales from the equation. But here we’re going to focus on the dealer channel, which means we won’t take into account sales to the rental industry or to the government, not to mention so-called “single” registrations (which comprise vehicles registered by manufacturers for their own use).
Over the opening 5 months of 2023, the Volkswagen brand sold 18 288 units through the dealer channel in South Africa, translating to a monthly average of 3 658 units. For the record, the year-to-date dealer-sales figure for the VW Group stood at 20 427 units over the same reporting period.
As you might have guessed, the Wolfsburg-based automaker’s locally produced hatchbacks – the Polo and Polo Vivo – were its key volume drivers. In May 2023, for instance, the Kariega-built siblings contributed 1 876 (1 378 of which went through dealers) and 1 024 (815 via dealers) registrations respectively, and were supported by the imported T-Cross (550 total units) and Tiguan (208 total units), not to mention the new Ford-built Amarok (330 total units).
How is Suzuki performing in the dealer channel?
The Ertiga was Suzuki Auto SA’s 3rd-best seller in May 2023.
In the opening months of 2023, Suzuki and the VW brand traded blows in the dealer channel, with the German firm having its way in January and March, and the Japanese manufacturer putting its nose ahead in February and April. The ding-dong battle continued in May, when VW pushed ahead slightly.
Year to date, Suzuki’s overall total comes in at 19 729, with 17 402 of those units having been registered to private buyers through dealerships (that’s an average of 3 280 units a month). In terms of dealer sales, that puts Suzuki just 3 025 units behind the Volkswagen Group and a mere 886 units adrift of the VW brand.
Of course, the model that has done much of Suzuki’s heavy lifting in recent times is the Swift hatchback. With 17 282 units registered in 2022, the Swift was SA’s 2nd best-selling passenger vehicle last year, finishing ahead of the Polo hatch (15 697 units), which found itself down in 5th, but behind the Polo Vivo (20 866 units). The Swift again dominated the sales charts in May 2023, with 1 178 units (1 156 of which were dealer sales) registered, while the Baleno (504 total units), Ertiga (425 total units), new Grand Vitara (382 total units) and S-Presso (352 total units) all also came to the party for the Hamamatsu-based automaker.
Will Suzuki overtake Volkswagen in South Africa?
So, will we see Suzuki leapfrog the VW brand (and perhaps even the Volkswagen Group) in South Africa? And, if so, how far away are we from such a situation? Well, considering the gap has narrowed markedly over the opening 5 months of 2023 – with the 113-year-old Japanese marque cutting VW’s lead in the dealer channel to fewer than 1 000 units – there’s no doubt we’re in for an intriguing remainder of the year.
The local market finds itself in increasingly turbulent times and we can’t help but feel the sustained economic challenges facing South Africa will largely favour Suzuki’s budget-friendly line-up (which currently runs from R166 900 to R529 900) over than the German manufacturer’s higher-priced portfolio (R248 500 to R1 663 400, or R3 871 100 if we include Audi).
When it comes to pure volume, VW continues to rely on its least-expensive model, the Polo Vivo (and, to a lesser extent these days, the Polo hatch). However, Volkswagen has plans to add a mystery 3rd vehicle – some sort of sub-T-Cross crossover – to its Kariega production line, while it has also confirmed “there is hope” for a half-tonne bakkie spin-off. As much as these models have the potential to become significant volume drivers for VW, they are a few years away, with the new crossover likely to come online only in 2026 or 2027 (and the proposed bakkie thereafter).
Meanwhile, Suzuki recently added the new Grand Vitara to its local line-up, positioning the revived nameplate as its flagship model. Perhaps more pertinent to the brand’s volume aspirations, however, is the fact the Vitara Brezza – one of its strongest sellers last year – has been discontinued locally. Still, the upcoming Fronx (a Baleno-based crossover) may well fill much of this gap, while the new 5-door version of the already popular Jimny will surely also attract a number of fresh sales.
In the short term, Suzuki Auto SA’s star looks all but certain to continue to rise as the fast-growing automaker goes about hunting down VW through the dealer channel. We’re absolutely itching to see what the sales figures say by the end of the year…
The all-new Mitsubishi Outlander is arriving in South African showrooms and we’ve uncovered pricing and specs for the 7-seater SUV.
The new Mitsubishi Outlander is now available from dealerships in South Africa priced from R729 995. Under the bonnet is a 2.5-litre naturally-aspirated 4-cylinder petrol engine which develops 135 kW and 245 Nm. Power goes to all four wheels via a continuously variable transmission. For those wanting to venture offroad, there’s 210 mm of ground clearance.
The Super All-Wheel Control (S-AWC) offers drivers six drive modes with also which to adjust the electronically controlled four-wheel drive system, allowing the driver to find the perfect balance of economy and performance according to their particular needs or terrain.
Trim Walk
Outlander GLS
7 Airbags
ABS (Anti-lock Braking System) with EBD (Electronic Brake-force Distribution)
Hill Start Assist (HSA)
Hill Descent Control (HDC)
LED Front Fog Lights
Daytime Running Lights
Auto Headlights
Keyless entry and button start
Active Stability + Traction Control
Front and Rear Park Distance Control with rear camera
Front Rain-sensing Wipers
5+2 Seat Configuration
60/40 Split Rear Seats with Flat-folding Function
One-touch Rear/2nd Row Seat Folding Lever
Heated Front Seats
4 -Spoke Leather Wrapped Steering Wheel
Cruise Control
12.3-inch Driver Digital Display
8-inch SDA (Smartphone-link Display Audio) Apple CarPlay/Android Auto)
Power Remote Liftgate with Hands Free Access & with Height Adjust
6 Speakers with Tweeters
3-zone Automatic Climate Control (Front Dual Zone)
Outlander Aspire (above content plus: )
8-way Power Adjustable leather seats with Power Lumber Support + Memory Function (Driver’s Side)
9-inch SDA (Smartphone-link Display Audio) Apple CarPlay/Android Auto with Nav
Power Sliding Panoramic Sunroof
Reverse Auto Tilt Door Mirrors
How much does the new Mitsubishi Outlander cost in South Africa?
Outlander GLS R729 995
Outlander Aspire R759 995
Mitsubishi has included a manufacturer’s warranty of 3 year/ 100 000 km, with roadside assistance of 5 years / unlimited mileage. A service plan of 5 years/ 90 000 km is included and service intervals are every 15 000 km.
Mitsubishi will also make a number of accessory packages available, including a body kit that will allow customers to personalise and equip the Outlander to their taste and needs with parts that feature the same fit and finish as factory fitted components.
Has the Toyota Hilux managed to grab back the top spot? Let’s take a closer at South Africa’s best- and worst-selling bakkies for May 2023…
South Africa’s new-vehicle industry registered 10.1% of year-on-year growth in May 2023, finishing the month on 43 060 units. The light-commercial vehicle (LCV) segment provided much of this momentum, with sales in that sector of the market increasing a significant 38.5% year on year to 12 825 units.
Question is, after being relegated to an unfamiliar 2nd place in April 2023, did the Toyota Hilux manage to regain the top spot on the list of South Africa’s best-selling bakkies in May 2023? It did indeed, with the popular Prospecton-produced pick-up racking up 2 798 registrations across the country.
Shedding 97 units month on month, the Silverton-built Ford Ranger thus dropped a position to 2nd, registering 2 104 sales in May. Our calculations (based on Naamsa data) show the Hilux is some way ahead in the year-to-date sales race, with its tally sitting at 15 009 units. The Ranger, meanwhile, has garnered 9 627 sales up until the end of May.
But back to last month’s figures. The Isuzu D-Max again completed the bakkie podium, with the Struandale-manufactured range (including the Gen 6 line-up) attracting 1 555 registrations in May 2023. For the record, the D-Max’s year-to-date total stands at 8 047 units, which puts it 1 580 units behind the Ranger. As an aside, the new the D-Max Arctic Trucks AT35 is expected to be added to the range relatively soon.
The market’s only half-tonne bakkie, the Rosslyn-made Nissan NP200, remained in 4th in May thanks to its 1 157 sales, while the Mahindra Pik Up (639 units) likewise held steady in 5th. Having nearly doubled its April effort, the GWM P-Series (494 units) moved up a couple of spots to 6th.
That saw the evergreen Toyota Land Cruiser 79 (371 units) – which appears to be in line for 4-cylinder power towards the end of the year – and the Ford-built Volkswagen Amarok (330 units) each slip a position to 7th and 8th, respectively. The Nissan Navara (318 units) managed to hold onto 9th, while the GWM Steed returned to the table, with 99 registrations.
Best of the rest in May 2023: bakkies outside top 10
Mazda’s BT-50 was SA’s slowest-selling bakkie in May 2023, with just 8 units registered.
So, what about those bakkies that didn’t crack the top 10? Well, the Mitsubishi Triton (which will soon gain an AT35 derivative, too) dropped off the table, with 53 units registered in May. The Mahindra Bolero added 37 sales for the Indian firm, while JAC’s T-badged bakkies – the Chinese automaker unfortunately reports only a combined figure for its T6 and T8 line-ups – finished May 2023 on a total of 35 units.
The Peugeot Landtrek was next on 23 registrations, with its Stellantis stablemate, the Jeep Gladiator, following with 13 sales. The Mazda BT-50 had to settle for the final spot, with just 8 units sold (its best performance so far this year).
Export winners in the bakkie segment in May 2023
Exports of the Silverton-built VW Amarok may well have been included in Ford’s figure for the Ranger.
What about the bakkie export market? Well, the Ford Ranger led the charge on this front, with 6 274 units shipped from the Blue Oval brand’s Silverton facility in May 2023. Though it’s not clear, we suspect this total includes Amarok units built in the same factory, as Volkswagen shows no exports of this model in its reported figures. The meant the Toyota Hilux slipped to 2nd on the export charts in May, with 5 323 units sent overseas.
Meanwhile, the D-Max (630 units), Navara (451 units) and NP200 (31 units) again made up the numbers on the export charts. As has been the case for a few months, the official Naamsa report furthermore showed a handful of imported models being exported from local shores in May 2023, this time in the form of the Triton (56 units), P-Series (15 units) and Steed (1 unit).
10 best-selling bakkies in South Africa for May 2023
