Watch Ciro break an electric-car record in a BMW i4 M50
In early 2022, BMW South Africa was looking to make a splash with its new all-electric sedan – the i4 M50 – and asked our very own Ciro De Siena if he’d like to race one up the hill at the 2022 Simola Hillclimb. It proved a momentous occasion.
The car was specially flown in for this event (at the time of racing, it was the only i4 M50 in South Africa and literally priceless!). No pressure then. The 2-day event opened on a very wet Saturday; with 400 kW under his right foot, Ciro began his campaign in the potent all-electric, all-wheel-drive BMW.
At some point over the course of the weekend, we had a feeling that we might be getting close to the electric car record for the hill. The record stood at 49.5 seconds and Ciro was running in the 49’s.
But the rules stated that he would have two opportunities to set the record, one in the Class Final and one in the Supercar Shootout. Ciro had to pull out the stopsWe hope you enjoy this story of personal and mechanical triumph, it’s a great memory for us, for Ciro and for BMW SA.
This year, 2023, our very own Ashley Oldfield will be sending the brand new BMW XM up the hill, while highly experienced racer Thomas Falkiner will be in the same i4 M50 hoping to take the record home for BMW once again.
Hilux ‘Quest’ – Would you buy a brand-new ‘old’ Toyota bakkie?
As bakkies become increasingly sophisticated – and therefore, pricier – the demand for more affordable new double-cab bakkies will only increase. Chinese manufacturers’ models offer one solution, but another one might come from within South Africa…
New vehicle affordability is an issue. That’s obvious. South Africans aren’t getting wealthier and their disposable spend is constrained. But the strange thing is that South Africa’s best-selling vehicle isn’t entry-level or particularly affordable – at all.
That’s because there is no such thing as a cheap Toyota Hilux. When you are priced out of budget for the current 8th-gen Hilux, you’ll find that 7th-gen Hiluxes, even those that have racked up huge mileages, command high prices. But the bakkie market might be due for reshaping, with old becoming… new.
New Chinese bakkies are very good. And inexpensive.
Chinese car brands have redefined “value”
Product-wise, Chinese car brands have raised their games significantly in a relatively short space of time, yet they have never lost focus on affordability. Great Wall Motor’s Haval sub-brand has proven what credible product quality and bold price positioning can achieve in the South African small- to medium crossover and SUV segments and a number of their fellow Chinese brands look set to follow suit.
Chinese bakkies are much better than a decade ago and it’s unlikely that legacy bakkie producers, which need to fulfil the needs of buyers in mature markets (insofar as powertrain, in-car and safety tech are concerned) will meet the challenge of GWM (and its, um, countrymen) with all-new budget-oriented (or “value”) products. But that doesn’t mean more affordable Hiluxes (or Ford Rangers) couldn’t materialise.
How will they come to be? The key lies in continuation models and this strategy’s variability for the local market. In business school, they teach you about product adjacency and the risk of cannibalisation. You wouldn’t pass your automotive MBA assignment by suggesting a business case for selling 2 generations of the same model concurrently. But theory and reality often diverge. Especially in South Africa.
Volkswagen has proved that you can, very successfully, sell 2 generations of the same model without losing market share – or cannibalising the newer, more expensive model. In the ’80s, the Kariega-based manufacturer began producing the Citi Golf (a cut-price version of the discontinued Golf 1) while building and marketing the Golf 2 at the time. Volkswagen South Africa has also been doing that for nearly 2 decades with the Polo and Polo Vivo (the latter based on the preceding Polo) with much success.
Toyota’s passenger car division, which kept once kept a long-discontinued Corolla hatchback (known as the Conquest) alive as the Tazz, has done much the same with the Corolla Quest. Building and marketing continuation cars alongside its newer vehicles have not limited Toyota’s market share, which continues to expand to record levels, quarter after quarter. And, if it works for passenger cars, what about bakkies?
The Polo platform proves how viable continuation cars are, in South Africa.
New ‘old’ bakkies – it’s not a new concept
Why don’t automotive product specialists apply the continuation business strategy to bakkies? South Africa’s most robust and actively traded vehicle segment has excellent potential for continuation bakkies.
Toyota, Ford, Isuzu and Nissan already produce double-cab bakkie models locally, so assembly and component sourcing constraints should not be of concern.
In theory, product planners responsible for locally built bakkie models could keep the supplier order books open so that production may continue. In theory. Nissan proved this strategy for years with the NP300 Hardbody, which it sold alongside the newer Navara. For 2 generations of the Navara, in fact.
“But production of the NP300 was eventually discontinued due to the local Navara build programme”, I hear some of you say. Yes, that’s correct, but what about Isuzu?
NP300 made the case for continuation bakkies working in the local context. Price trumped crash safety spec.
You can build new and ‘old’ bakkies at the same plant
Isuzu’s local business is bakkies, which makes the Japanese brand very sensitive to the influence of cheaper – and rapidly improving – Chinese alternatives. Isuzu’s solution? A dual-product strategy.
Exactly a year ago, Isuzu Motors South Africa confirmed that both the 6th and 7th-gen D-Max would be built in parallel and sold together, in an “old-and-new” product portfolio.
What this has done for Isuzu is give it more bakkies priced at, and below, R500 000. The cheapest continuation bakkie you can now buy from Isuzu is the 6th-gen base spec single-cab, at only R346 800. That’s much less than the most affordable 7th-gen D-Max single-cab, which is priced at R421 200.
Aside from the value offering Isuzu is giving budget-constrained customers, the D-Max continuation-bakkie production proves that it can be done. Which begs the question: will Ford and Toyota follow?
Old is new, with Isuzu’s GEN6 bakkie range. Built alongside new D-Max.
New ‘old’ bakkies won’t influence top-end DC sales
South African legacy car brands have learned that customer loyalty has a price. And, to reiterate, nobody is going to win a price war with the Chinese. That much is clear from the sheer percentage of market share that Chinese brands have conquered in the various segments of the new passenger-car market.
It is unlikely that most local customers of Chinese cars, who are virtually all conquests instead of first-time car buyers, will exit their Havals or GWMs when the time comes to replace their vehicles.
Why would Toyota, for example, invest in the risk and complication of producing a continuation bakkie, alongside their current-gen bakkie? Let’s first debunk the risk issue. A previous-generation continuation D-4D double-cab bakkie, in SRX-equivalent trim, will not cannibalise those profitable 2.8 GD-6 sales.
Customers who are willing to pay R1 million for a double-cab bakkie want to experience contemporary design and trending technology – not to mention high status. Lifestyle specification double-cab bakkies are now luxury vehicles, replete with all the social wealth signalling that paying premium prices implies.
The risk of cannibalisation is quite low, but the potential defensive product strategy benefits are high. In reasonably basic specification, continuation bakkies would, theoretically, be priced around or below R500 000. We have evidence of this with Isuzu’s D-Max dual product strategy specification and pricing.
Toyota can do continuation cars with great competence. As Quest has proven, for nearly a decade.
New ‘old’ bakkies to slow Chinese brands’ ascendancy?
Derivatives of the continuation Isuzu D-Max double-cab are base-specification vehicles. They have steel wheels, no touchscreen infotainment systems and 5-speed gearboxes. However, they come with ABS and ESC. And the requisite cabin airbags. To some, they are ideal double-cab workhorse vehicles.
If Ford and Toyota apply something like what Isuzu is doing, their continuation bakkies would be rather basic. That would position them as technology-aged – but well-proven rivals – to new Chinese double-cabs, which are targeted at buyers who can no longer afford the legacy brands’ lifestyle-spec bakkies.
For Toyota, a Hilux continuation bakkie might be challenging to execute considering that the Hilux is so mature in its lifecycle. But when a 9th-generation model eventually replaces the current Hilux, it might create an opportunity to keep the 8th-generation 2.4 GD6 SR double-cab around in some form.
The Corolla Quest proves that Toyota SA can successfully roll out continuation models for the local market. But will the Prospecton-based brand produce a “Quest” version of the current Hilux?
It’s time for the Simola Hillclimb taking place from 5-7 May 2023 in the picturesque town of Knysna! Here’s how you can watch the action!
The 2023 Simola Hillclimb is revving up to wow spectators over 3 days (5-7 May 2023) starting with Classic Car Friday followed by the King of the Hill taking place on Saturday and Sunday.
The 1.9 km Simola Hill will see a large variety of cars blasting up the curvy tar to claim victory, including a wide range of local and international racing legends. WRX/WRC champion, Petter Solberg, will pilot a 419 kW Polo R WRX Supercar up the hill while 4-time King of the Hill winner and reigning Modified Saloon Car champion, Franco Scibante, will guard the title with his attack-inspired Nissan GT-R.
Ashley Oldfield will be racing the new BMW XM at the 2023 Simola Hillclimb.
Cars.co.za’s very own race ace, Ashley Oldfield, will be piloting the new BMW XM which offers a mighty 480 kW and 800 Nm from its Plug-In Hybrid Electric Vehicle (PHEV) powertrain. Zero to 100 kph is claimed at 4.3 seconds with a top speed of 250 kph (270 kph optional) The XM is due to go on sale in South Africa in 2023 with expected pricing starting at about R3.4-million.
“So… I am excited to see how this new BMW XM goes up the Simola hill. It’s the first time the car will have been used in a competitive format globally so I’m not sure what to expect from it. BMW makes excellent-handling cars but I will be fighting to overcome the 2.8 tons working against me”, says Oldfield.
Gero Lilleike will be looking for a podium finish in the 1931 Ford Model A Speedster.
But that’s not all, Cars.co.za Journalist, Gero Lilleike, will be representing the oldies in the Classic Car Friday event where he will be driving a 1931 Ford Model A Speedster up the hill for the second consecutive year. The Model A is one of many highlights to be seen on Classic Car Friday and is one of 4 cars being raced by Knysna-based amateur racing outfit, Classique Edge Racing, which will also be fielding a 1964 Ford GT4 Mk II Replica, 1956 Jaguar D-Type Replica and a 1946 Austin A40 Special.
“It’s a true honour and privilege to drive this 92-year-old Ford Model A up the hill at Simola. It’s like nothing I’ve ever driven in my life and it’s a completely unique and exhilarating driving experience. The team at Classique Edge Racing has done a fantastic job preparing the car for this event and I am hoping to drive the Model A to a podium finish. I can’t wait”, says Lilleike.
How to watch the 2023 Simola Hillclimb
If you aren’t able to get to Knysna to watch the action live, you will be able to watch the entire event via the Cars.co.za YouTube Channel or the Simola Hillclimb livestream at simolahillclimb.com. The Livestream will be hosted by Cars.co.za’s YouTube sensation, Ciro De Siena, and popular radio DJ and F1 presenter Sasha Martinengo.
The Isuzu MU-X 7-seater adventure SUV has received an update in SA, including the introduction of a fresh derivative. We have local pricing ahead and details…
Not content to let the recently revised Toyota Fortuner range and the freshly expanded Ford Everest line-up hog the 7-seater adventure SUV limelight, the Isuzu MU-X has received a minor refresh. In South Africa, the update includes the arrival of a new derivative.
As a reminder, the 2nd-generation MU-X – again based on the D-Max bakkie – launched in SA in November 2021, with the local range comprising 4 derivatives. For 2023, however, the line-up expands to 5 variants thanks to the addition of a new LSE 4×4 model (this trim level was previously available only in 4×2 configuration). In addition, Isuzu Motors SA says an entry-level 1.9TD LS 4×2 variant will arrive in the 3rd quarter of the year.
So, what about pricing? Well, while we don’t yet know how much the upcoming 1.9TD LS 4×2 will cost, the rejigged range for now kicks off with the 3.0TD LS, starting at R784 300. Next is the 3.0TD LSE 4×2 (R826 200), followed by a trio of all-wheel-drive derivatives: the 3.0TD LS 4×4 for R867 600, the freshly added 3.0TD LSE 4×4 for R909 500 and the flagship Onyx 4×4 for R928 100.
From what we understand, the MU-X powertrain is untouched. That means all variants (before the arrival of the 1.9-litre version, that is) still employ the Japanese firm’s 3.0-litre, 4-cylinder turbodiesel engine, which generates an unchanged 140 kW and 450 Nm. A 6-speed automatic transmission is again standard across the range.
A look at the updated Onyxflagship version of the MU-X.
So, what has changed? Well, the Thailand-built MU-X scores a handful of blink-and-miss-it exterior styling changes, including the adoption of darkened trim for items such as the subtly redesigned grille, foglamp bezels, taillamp surrounds and roof rails. There is also a new 2-tone 20-inch alloy-wheel design (again wrapped in 265/50 R20 tyres) for the range-topping Onyx and 18-inch items for other trim levels, plus a fresh paint colour (Norwegian Blue, which replaces Santos Brown).
Inside, Isuzu Motors SA has introduced some fresh cabin trim on the dashboard and doors. The LS trim level gains power-adjustable leather seats up front, privacy glass at the rear and parking sensors (fore and aft). LSE, meanwhile, scores an electro-chromatic rearview mirror, paddle shifters and remote engine start.
How much does the updated Isuzu MU-X cost in South Africa?
Isuzu MU-X 3.0TD LS 4×2 – R784 300
Isuzu MU-X 3.0TD LSE 4×2 – R826 200
Isuzu MU-X 3.0TD LS 4×4 – R867 600
Isuzu MU-X 3.0TD LSE 4×4 – R909 500
Isuzu MU-X 3.0TD Onyx 4×4 – R928 100
The prices above include a 5-year/120 000 km warranty and a 5-year/90 000 km service plan (with intervals of 15 000 km).
10 best-selling bakkies in South Africa: April 2023
The Toyota Hilux has been toppled – but only just! Let’s take a closer at South Africa’s best- and worst-selling bakkies for April 2023…
Despite South Africa’s overall new-vehicle market shrinking slightly year on year to 37 107 units in April 2023, the light-commercial segment (where volume is driven primarily by bakkies) posted 11% growth, ending the month on 10 611 units.
The big news, though, is the fact the Ford Ranger grabbed the monthly sales crown from the vehicle that has long been South Africa’s strongest seller. Yes, the Toyota Hilux found itself in an unfamiliar 2nd place in April 2023, with the Japanese bakkie’s total of 2 187 units seeing it finish a mere 14 registrations behind the Ranger (2 201 units).
The Ranger clinched the top spot despite the Blue Oval brand’s Silverton facility grappling with production interruptions in April owing to vandalised electricity pylons in Pretoria. In addition, the Hilux benefited from 315 sales to the rental industry last month, while Ford moved just 13 Ranger units through this channel.
For the record, the last time the Ranger outsold the Hilux was in July 2022, when Toyota’s Prospecton factory was still out of commission thanks to the devastating KwaZulu-Natal floods. According to our maths, the Hilux remains well ahead in the year-to-date race, having sold 12 211 units compared with the Ranger’s 7 523 units.
The close-fought Ford-Toyota battle at the very top saw the Struandale-built Isuzu D-Max – which slumped from March’s 2 289 units to 1 183 units in April – drop a place to 3rd, quite some way off the pace. In a protracted market, almost all contenders shed sales month on month, though the Nissan NP200 (910 units) and Mahindra Pik Up (548 units) managed to remain in 4th and 5th place, respectively.
The Toyota Land Cruiser 79 (369 units) climbed a position to 6th, with the 2nd-generation Volkswagen Amarok (339 units) close behind in 7th (also a spot up on March’s effort). The GWM P-Series (257 units) was likewise up a place to 8th (a facelifted version was recently revealed in China), with the Rosslyn-built Nissan Navara (218 units) falling 3 positions to 9th. The Mitsubishi Triton (71 units) returned to the table to seize the final spot.
Best of the rest in April 2023
The GWM Steed fell from the top 10 in April 2023.
So, what about the bakkies that failed to crack the top 10? Well, local sales of the GWM Steed fell to 68 units, which saw it pushed off the table by the Triton. The Jeep Gladiator, meanwhile, finished April on 11 units, ahead of the Peugeot Landtrek (10 units), Mazda BT-50 (7 units) and Mahindra Bolero (4 units).
Meanwhile, JAC’s T-badged bakkies – the Chinese automaker unfortunately reports a combined figure for its T6 and T8 line-ups – ended the month on a total of 30 units.
Bakkie export winners in April 2023
Nearly 7 000 examples of the Toyota Hilux were shipped overseas in April 2023.
What about the bakkie export market? Well, the figures suggest Toyota SA Motors prioritised exports over local sales in April 2023, sending 6 918 examples of the Prospecton-built Hilux overseas, a heady month-on-month increase of 3 330 units. That saw the Ranger fall to 2nd, as 2 951 units were shipped from Silverton.
The D-Max (603 units), Navara (302 units) and NP200 (21 units) again made up the numbers on the export charts. The official Naamsa report interestingly also showed a handful of imported models being exported from local shores in April 2023, in the form of the P-Series (15 units), Triton (10 units) and Steed (3 unit).
10 best-selling bakkies in South Africa for April 2023
Volkswagen is preparing to unleash a 245 kW Golf R 333 Limited Edition. The full reveal is expected at the end of May 2023.
The long-awaited Volkswagen Golf 8 R recently arrived in South Africa and local fans can finally unleash its 235 kW / 400 Nm 2.0-litre turbopetrol engine on local roads.
However, Volkswagen is preparing to unleash a more powerful, Limited Edition Golf R 333 at the end of the month which is expected to offer no less than 245 kW and 420 Nm, the same as the 2022 VW Golf R 20 Years.
Apart from the modest power bump and as seen in the teaser video above, the incoming Golf R 333 Limited Edition will be dressed in yellow body paint and fitted with an Akrapovic exhaust system as standard (which is a R73 000 option on the standard Golf 8 R).
Other notable features include 333 decals, black mirror housings, black 19-inch wheels, blue brake callipers and blue R badges. The interior is also expected to feature unique elements but the extent of the interior changes remains to be seen.
The full reveal of the VW Golf R 333 Limited Edition is due to take place on 31 May 2023 and it’s not yet clear whether the Golf R 333 will see the light of day in South Africa.
The Kia Sportage range has gained a trio of 1.6-litre turbodiesel derivatives. We drove a Kia Sportage diesel in Cape Town recently and these are our initial impressions…
The timing couldn’t have been better. As Kia South Africa was launching diesel versions of the Sportage, local motorists were facing dramatic fuel-price changes: petrol was set for a big increase, while diesel was set to come down substantially. A good time to promote a new diesel-powered family SUV, then.
We’ve made no secret of the fact that we rate the Kia Sportage highly. Not only does it look fresh and modern, but its lineup ticks many boxes. Launched locally in September 2022, the Sportage had one minor shortcoming: there was just one engine/gearbox combo. “Worry not”, said Kia SA, who promised that a diesel-powered Sportage would be touching down in Mzansi Africa soon enough. And here it is!
When it comes to turbodiesel-engined family SUVs, there aren’t that many to choose from these days. The Toyota RAV4 is no longer offered in diesel guise, a Volkswagen Tiguan 2.0TDI was recently launched and Hyundai offers a Tucson 2.0D Elite (with an all-wheel-drive N-Line version waiting in the wings).
Meanwhile, the Mazda CX-5 2.2DE AWD Akera is soldiering on and, if you want an all-new model from a premium brand (and are willing to compromise on cabin space), consider BMW’s X1 sDrive18d M Sport.
1.6 CRDi versions of the Kia Sportage range look identical to their petrol-powered siblings.
What’s on offer?
The Kia Sportage diesel derivatives slot neatly between their petrol-powered siblings, and they are available in 3 trim levels. The engine is a 100 kW/320 Nm turbocharged 1.6-litre 4-cylinder unit that drives the South Korean family car’s front wheels via a 7-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission.
If the engine configuration sounds familiar, that’s because it’s an updated version of the motor that served in the discontinued Kia Soul. As far as performance is concerned, Kia says the diesel-powered Sportage can sprint from 0 to 100 kph in 11.4 seconds. Given the claimed fuel consumption of 4.9 L/100 km and the Sportage’s 54-litre fuel capacity, Kia reckons a tank range of around 1 100 km is possible.
The diesel-powered Sportages’ trim levels are near-identical to those of their petrol-powered siblings, with even the base LX offering an impressive level of standard kit – it’s anything but “entry-level”!
A driver can toggle between the various drive modes on the Sportage’s digital instrument cluster.
Sportage diesel LX
LED Headlights, daytime running lights, front fog lights, taillights
17-inch alloy wheels
Drive modes (Eco, normal, sport, smart)
Cloth upholstery
Leather-wrapped steering wheel and gear shifter
40:20:40 split-folding rear seats
Dual automatic temperature control
Curved 12.3-inch touchscreen infotainment screen
Reverse camera / rear parking sensors
Apple CarPlay / Android Auto / Bluetooth with voice recognition
2x USB-C rear charging points, front USB charging points
6x airbags, ABS, EBD, ESC, Hill Start, Trailer stability assist, downhill brake control
The Sportage’s cabin feels thoroughly modern and well-made, with numerous upmarket finishes.
What is it like to drive?
You cannot tell a diesel-engined Sportage apart from its petrol-powered equivalent based on its exterior execution – they look identical. It’s only when you start the engine, which emits a muted clatter at start-up, that you’ll realise that there’s a turbodiesel under the Kia’s bonnet. The powerplant’s relatively gentle idle speaks volumes of the Smartstream motor’s refinement and the model’s excellent noise insulation.
For the record, Sportage diesels are the only derivatives in the range to feature auto start/stop tech.
The majority of our test-drive route comprised open-road driving, with minimal interruptions. The 1.6 CRDi’s engine and transmission work well together; the gear shifts are well-calibrated and smooth.
Contrary to expectation, the “small-capacity turbodiesel” does not seem to labour in the 1.5-tonne Sportage; the engine delivers a nice dollop of torque from quite low down in the rev range (2 000 rpm).
If you need to summon brisk overtaking acceleration, there’s no need to apply full throttle or engage the Sport drive mode – even in its default drive mode, the 1.6 CRDi is sufficiently responsive. There’s minimal hesitation; it just picks up pace fairly rapidly… certainly more rapidly than its on-paper outputs suggest.
The Sportage’s alloys are very eye-catching, but the ride quality remains on the firm side of pliant.
As far as the diesel-powered Sportage’s ride quality and steering setup were concerned, they’re much the same as we experienced with its petrol-engined counterpart. As we said in our review of the 1.6 T-GDi GT-Line S, the Kia’s suspension feels tuned for smooth road surfaces (the ride’s a bit firmer than expected). However, the EX’s 18-inch alloys probably strike the best blend between comfort and style.
Occupant comfort levels are high; this generation of Sportage has always created the impression that it can cover long trips with ease and now, with its diesel engine, it may consume even less fuel when doing so. We executed many overtaking manoeuvres on the 74-km launch route, but by the end of the trip, the Sportage indicated a fuel consumption figure of just 5.9 L/100 km. With a more considered driving style (and the use of Eco mode), we reckon one could come close to achieving that claimed 4.9 L/100 km.
We achieved a 5.9 L/100 km consumption figure without needing to drive all that conservatively.
How much does the Kia Sportage diesel cost in South Africa?
All Sportage derivatives are sold with a 5-year/unlimited kilometre warranty, with roadside assistance. A 6-year/90 000 km service plan is included.
The introduction of a turbodiesel engine only sweetens the Sportage package further.
Summary
While our test drive of the Kia Sportage diesel was brief, it was illuminating nonetheless. While there’s no denying that the petrol-powered Sportages are accomplished, the turbodiesel powertrain offers plenty of in-gear punch, which should (in theory) be matched with excellent fuel economy over longer distances.
Thanks to this product expansion, the Kia Sportage range now offers a derivative to suit virtually every new family-car buyer’s needs and budget. We’re keen on spending more time with the new diesel engine in a wider variety of scenarios, such as congested city traffic, to assess the powertrain’s smoothness.
Some may question why Kia South Africa would launch 1.6 CRDi derivatives of the Sportage at a time when diesel-powered passenger cars are being phased out in Europe, but consider this: Until the SA Government can implement a well-considered strategy to facilitate (or, better yet, incentivise) the uptake of electric or electrified vehicles, all-electric-, hybrid- or plug-in hybrid versions of models such as the Sportage simply won’t be viable in our market. If they were to be sold right now, the lofty taxes/duties levied on such vehicles would inflate their asking prices; therefore, they’d be prohibitively expensive.
Ranger pips Hilux! SA’s best-selling vehicles in April 2023
South Africa’s new-vehicle sales fell slightly year on year in April 2023, with the industry total coming in at 37 107 units. Here’s a look at the country’s best-selling vehicles, most popular brands and more…
In April 2023, South Africa’s new-vehicle industry registered a slight year-on-year drop of 0.2% to 37 107 units, resulting in the 2nd consecutive month of market decline. Of course, the month-on-month fall was a far more significant 26%, since March 2023’s effort stood at a hefty 50 157 units.
So, what’s behind the drop? Well, Naamsa noted “continued constraints as a result of ongoing subdued economic conditions” had again impacted the industry last month. We should, of course, also point out April is traditionally a relatively slow month for the local market, with sales often softened by a raft of public holidays (this year, there were just 17 trading days in the month).
Anyway, let’s drill down into the figures. Out of the total reported industry sales of 37 107 vehicles, Naamsa says an estimated 33 492 units (or 90.3%) came courtesy of the dealer channel, with 5.2% representing sales to the rental industry, 2.8% to industry corporate fleets and 1.7% to government.
The new passenger-vehicle market came in at 24 174 units, registering a decline of 6.1% compared with April 2022’s figure. Meanwhile, domestic sales of new light-commercial vehicles, bakkies and mini-buses grew 11% year on year to 10 611 units. And export sales? Well, April 2023’s tally increased 13.4% to 30 756 units, taking the year-to-date vehicle export number to 115 567 units.
Meanwhile, WesBank said the potential for new-vehicle sales remained “throttled by general economic uncertainty, rising interest rates and inflationary pressures that are increasing the burden of household budgets”.
“Applications for new-vehicle finance at WesBank increased over 9% year-on-year, yet market sales remained flat during April,” said Lebo Gaoaketse, Head of Marketing and Communication at WesBank. “Given there was 1 more selling day in the month – interrupted by public holidays and long weekends – than the similarly disrupted April last year, the performance is even more lacklustre,” Gaoaketse added.
Mark Dommisse, Chairperson of the National Automobile Dealers’ Association (NADA), was noticeably more upbeat, saying April’s effort “turned out better than anticipated”, adding the fact a large percentage of sales went through the retail channel was “good news for the industry”.
“All in all, the sales performance in April reflected the ongoing resilience of the dealer network to perform well under very stressful circumstances, such as fewer trading days, higher interest rates, higher vehicle prices and the ongoing energy crisis,” said Dommisse.
New vehicle sales summary for April 2023
Aggregate new-vehicle sales of 37 107 units decreased by 0.2% (-88 units) compared to April 2022.
New passenger-vehicle sales of 24 174 units decreased by 6.1% (-1 561 units) compared to April 2022.
New light-commercial vehicle sales of 10 611 units increased by 11.0% (1 049 units) compared to April 2022.
Export sales of 30 756 units increased by 13.4% (3 639 units) compared to April 2022.
10 best-selling car brands in South Africa for April 2023
Despite shedding nearly 4 000 units month on month, Toyota remained way out in front in April 2023, recording 9 423 registrations or 25.3% of the total market. The Volkswagen Group (4 644 units) likewise stayed firmly in 2nd, with Suzuki again completing the podium, attracting 3 620 sales over the month.
Though Ford (2 804 units) sold fewer vehicles in April than in March, the Blue Oval brand climbed 2 positions to 4th, pushing Hyundai (2 371 units) down a spot to 5th and Nissan (1 681 units) down a place to 6th. Meanwhile, Kia (1 546 units) clambered up 3 positions to 7th and Isuzu (1 433 units) fell a spot to 8th. Finally, Haval and Renault shared 9th, with the brands registering 1 367 sales apiece.
So, which automakers finished just outside the top 10? Well, Chinese firm Chery (1 179 units) found itself in 11th yet again, slotting in well ahead of BMW (with a Naamsa estimate of 966 units), Mahindra (809 units) and Mercedes-Benz (with a Naamsa estimate of 556 sales).
1. Toyota – 9 423 units
2. Volkswagen Group – 4 644 units
3. Suzuki – 3 620 units
4. Ford – 2 804 units
5. Hyundai – 2 371 units
6. Nissan – 1 681 units
7. Kia – 1 546 units
8. Isuzu – 1 433 units
9=. Haval – 1 367 units
9=. Renault – 1 367 units
10 best-selling vehicles in South Africa for April 2023
Suzuki’s Indian-built Swift hatchback was SA’s best-selling imported model in April 2023.
Well, that’s not something you see very often. The Toyota Hilux (2 187 units) was relegated to 2nd place in April 2023, with the new Ford Ranger (2 201 units) narrowly taking the top spot, finishing a mere 14 units ahead of its Japanese rival (see the full list of SA’s best-selling bakkies here). The Blue Oval brand’s bakkie achieved 1st despite the Silverton facility experiencing production interruptions in April owing to vandalised electricity pylons around Pretoria.
The last time the Ranger outsold the Hilux was in July 2022, when Toyota’s Prospecton factory was still recovering from the devastating KwaZulu-Natal floods of April 2022. There was plenty of other movement on the list as well, with the likewise locally produced Volkswagen Polo Vivo (1 510 units), Toyota Corolla Cross (1 281 units) and Toyota Hi-Ace (1 267 units) each climbing a place, to 3rd, 4th and 5th respectively.
The Suzuki Swift – the highest-ranked imported model in April 2023 with 1 216 registrations – was up 4 positions to 6th, while the Isuzu D-Max (1 183 units) plummeted 5 places to 7th. The Toyota Starlet (1 098 units) gained a spot to finish 8th and the Nissan NP200 (910 units) lost a position to end 9th, while the Hyundai Grand i10 (807 units) returned to the table to snaffle the final place.
What about the models that just failed to make it into the top 10 in April 2023? Well, yet again the Volkswagen Polo hatch (777 units) had to make do with 11th, ahead of the Chery Tiggo 4 Pro (708 units), Toyota Fortuner (695 units, down markedly from 1 409 units in March), Haval Jolion (677 units) and Renault Kiger (625 units).
Top 9 vehicles exported from South Africa in April 2023
More than 8 000 SA-built Polo hatchbacks were exported from Kariega in April 2023.
There was no stopping the Volkswagen Polo hatchback on the export charts, with 8 257 examples of the B-segment contender shipped overseas from the German firm’s Kariega facility in April 2023. The Prospecton-built Toyota Hilux moved up to 2nd, with its export tally of 6 918 units almost double its effort from the preceding month (perhaps Toyota prioritised the export market in April?). The Ford Ranger (2 951 units), meanwhile, dropped a place to 3rd.
As usual, the Isuzu D-Max, Toyota Corolla Cross, Nissan Navara, Toyota Fortuner, Nissan NP200 and Toyota Corolla Quest made up the export numbers. We should, as always, point out BMW and Mercedes-Benz did not submit detailed figures, so it’s not clear how many new X3 and C-Class sedan units were exported during the month (for the record, though, Naamsa’s estimates for April 2023 stand at 4 400 units and 6 515 units, respectively).
1. Volkswagen Polo (hatch) – 8 257 units
2. Toyota Hilux – 6 918 units
3. Ford Ranger – 2 951 units
4. Isuzu D-Max – 603 units
5. Toyota Corolla Cross – 503 units
6. Nissan Navara – 302 units
7. Toyota Fortuner – 106 units
8. Nissan NP200 – 21 units
9. Toyota Corolla Quest – 8 units
Sales outlook for the rest of 2023
So, what does the future hold for South Africa’s new-vehicle market? Well, Naamsa points to the fact the International Monetary Fund (IMF) recently announced that SA’s real GDP growth is expected to decelerate sharply to 0.1% for 2023, citing load-shedding and “other related supply shocks”.
“These observed economic turbulences and the record high headline inflation are likely to trigger a further SARB Monetary Policy Committee interest-rate hike in May 2023. For this reason, Naamsa expects the domestic vehicle market to remain reserved for the greater part of 2023,” explains the industry representative body.
WesBank’s Gaoaketse is similarly cautious, saying “with a further interest-rate hike expected during May in an effort to curb high inflation, the impacts that are throttling the market should be expected to continue for some time”.
“Consumers should be carefully considering their vehicle requirements within their affordability to manage their budgets – and responsibly limit their indebtedness,” he warns.
NADA’s Dommisse, meanwhile, points to the decline in bank approvals during April as “a discouraging factor”, adding this downward trend can be partially ascribed to the amplified cost of instalments, brought about by the recent spate of interest-rate hikes.
“Supply remains sporadic, but this is limited to certain segments only. There is also another significant increase in the price of petrol in May. With the possibility of a further interest-rate hike announcement at the end of the month, we trust the proven track record of the motor industry will prevail and future sales may not be as badly affected as some people are forecasting,” concludes Dommisse.
Fuel price data points to a significant petrol price increase for May 2023. The good news is that the price of diesel is expected to decrease!
South African motorists must brace for another petrol price increase this month.
A generally weak Rand-Dollar exchange rate during April 2023 and increasing international oil prices are the main contributing factors for the expected petrol price increase.
Month-end (April) fuel price data suggests that the price of ULP95 petrol will increase by about 52 c/litre while the price of ULP93 could increase by about 56 c/l. The price of paraffin could see reductions of 32 c/l/
Diesel vehicle owners are likely to pay less at the pumps in May 2023 with the data reflecting a potential decrease of 57 c/l for 0.05% diesel and an 31 c/l decrease for 0.005% diesel.
The AA commented, ““The decrease to diesel and paraffin prices is certainly good news, especially as the country enters colder months. But the increases to the petrol prices will add more strain to already stretched budgets, and consumers are advised to revise their budgets accordingly. There is no doubt these are difficult times, and petrol price increases will come as bad news for many who will have to dig even deeper in their pockets to keep mobile.”
“The silver lining, though, are the expected diesel price reductions. Diesel is a big input cost in major sectors such as agriculture, mining and manufacturing and an increase here often contributes to increased prices of basic commodities. The current increase in the consumer price index (cpi) to 7.1% in March and food inflation hitting a 14-year high of 14.4%, plus an increase in diesel prices would have resulted in very unfavourable conditions for consumers,” the AA concludes.
We will communicate the official fuel price adjustments as soon as they are announced.
Fuel Price Forecast for May 2023 in South Africa
Fuel Type
April 23 Inland
April 23 Coast
May 23 (projected) Inland
May 23 (Projected) Coast
Petrol Unleaded 93
R22.64
R21.92
R23.20
R22.48
Petrol Unleaded 95
R22.97
R22.25
R23.49
R22.77
Diesel 0.05% (wholesale)
R20.88
R20.16
R20.31
R19.59
Diesel 0.005% (wholesale)
R20.97
R20.26
R20.66
R19.95
Fuel price data courtesy of the Automobile Association of South Africa (AA)
Kia Motors South Africa has expanded its Sportage range, adding 3 turbodiesel derivatives. Here’s how much the fresh CRDi variants cost…
The Kia Sportage range in South Africa has grown, gaining a trio of turbodiesel derivatives.
That pushes the local line-up to 8 variants, up from the 5 turbopetrol derivatives that comprised the range when NQ5-generation Sportage touched down in September 2022. As a reminder, the petrol-powered models all use a turbocharged 1.6-litre, 4-cylinder mill generating 132 kW and 265 Nm.
What about the new oil-burning engine? Well, this 1.6-litre turbodiesel motor makes 100 kW and 320 Nm, peak outputs that are delivered to the front axle via a 7-speed dual-clutch transmission (the same gearbox configuration offered in the petrol models).
The South Korean firm claims a combined economy figure of just 4.9 litres per 100 km. Fitted with a 54-litre fuel tank, that results in a theoretical range in excess of 1 100 km. The 1.6 CRDi engine facilitates a 0-100 kph sprint in a claimed 11.4 seconds, with top speed pegged at 180 kph.
The new-to-the-range 1.6 CRDi powertrain is available in 3 trim levels: LX, EX and GT Line Plus. Thanks to duoporta.com, we know the Sportage 1.6 CRDi LX starts at R597 995, while the Sportage 1.6 CRDi EX comes in at R651 995 and the Sportage 1.6 CRDi GT Line Plus at R735 995.
We expect the equipment levels to match those of the petrol models, which means the LX should ship standard with items such as automatic LED headlamps, LED daytime running lights, LED foglamps, 17-inch alloy wheels, cloth upholstery, dual automatic temperature control, a 12.3-inch touchscreen infotainment system (with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto), 6 airbags and blind-spot collision warning.
The mid-tier EX grade adds items like a gloss-black grille, front parking sensors, 18-inch alloys, cloth-and-artificial-leather upholstery, front-seat electric adjustment, seat heating (all round), a heated steering wheel, remote-folding rear seats and rear privacy glass.
Finally, the GT Line Plus equipment level boasts gloss-black exterior trim, special scuff plates, alloy pedals, an electric tailgate, paddle gear shifters, artificial-leather-and-suede upholstery, a raft of extra driver-assistance systems, LED interior lamps, a panoramic glass sunroof and 19-inch alloy wheels.
How much does the Kia Sportage cost in South Africa?
Kia Sportage 1.6T-GDi LX – R567 995
Kia Sportage 1.6 CRDi LX – R597 995
Kia Sportage 1.6T-GDi EX – R621 995
Kia Sportage 1.6 CRDi EX – R651 995
Kia Sportage 1.6T-GDi GT Line – R677 995
Kia Sportage 1.6T-GDi GT Line Plus – R705 995
Kia Sportage 1.6 CRDi GT Line Plus – R735 995
Kia Sportage 1.6T-GDi GT Line S – R762 995
The prices above include a 5-year/unlimited km warranty and a 6-year/90 000 km service plan.
