Fuel prices in South Africa will be reduced further in September 2022 bringing much-needed relief to overburdened consumers. See the fuel price adjustments below!
After months of brutal fuel price increases, motorists in South Africa will undoubtedly welcome another round of fuel price cuts in September 2022.
Fuel price adjustments from the Central Energy Fund (CEF) have been announced!
The price of both grades of petrol will be slashed by R2.04 per litre while the price of both grades of diesel (0.05% and 0.005% sulphur) will drop by 56.34 c/l and 36.34 c/l respectively while the price of illuminating paraffin will be cut by R1.09 per litre.
The Automobile Association of South Africa (AA) commented, “These decreases are certainly welcome and will provide some relief to motorists. Considering the expected decrease to ULP95, for instance, the price for this fuel will drop from its current R25.42/l to R23.07/l. This is cheaper than the June price of R24.17/l but still significantly higher than R21.84/l May pricing. It is also way off the January pricing of R19.61/l. Nevertheless, any decrease to fuel prices is good news”.
The expected reductions are predominantly driven by lower international petroleum prices despite the ongoing weakness in the Rand/Dollar exchange rate.
“Although we are expecting fuel to be cheaper in September, we remain concerned about the overall high prices which impact on all consumers. The price hikes in June and July will continue to impact the economy, and on the financial situation of all South Africans. A sustainable solution to mitigating rising fuel costs is still necessary and until that solution is found, citizens will be at the mercy of fuel price hikes” says the AA.
The AA further reiterates its call on the South African government to initiate a transparent review of fuel prices in an effort to find a solution. The AA believes that scrapping the General Fuel Levy (GFL) is not the solution.
Commenting on the matter, the AA says, “We note the calls by those who say this is a way of reducing the fuel price but in our view this will not solve the problem; it will simply force government to find alternative ways to collect the revenue generated by this tax. Instead, the structure and composition of the fuel price must be considered, along with a deeper interrogation of how government currently allocates its funds”.
Mercedes-AMG A45 S vs Audi RS3 Sportback: Quick Comparison
The hyper hatchback market has taken an interesting turn as the Mercedes-AMG A45 S is joined by the brand-new 2022 Audi RS3 Sportback. In this quick comparison, we look at performance, options, practicality and of course, price.
Since its launch locally back in August 2020, the Mercedes-AMG A45 S has had the segment to itself. Nothing in the hatchback segment could come close to matching its 310 kW output or hefty price tag. In September 2022, Audi South Africa announced specifications and pricing for its brand-new Audi RS3 Sportback and Sedan. With all details available, its clear to see Ingolstadt’s offering is positioned to give the Mercedes-AMG A45 S a run for its money.
In this comparison piece between Mercedes-AMG A45 S vs Audi RS3 Sportback, we crunch the engine outputs and claimed performance, compare the dimensions and practicality aspects, and measure value by seeing how much you’ll have to pay for optional extras.
Engine, Transmissions & Performance
Mercedes-AMG A45 S
Audi RS3 Sportback
Engine capacity
2.0-litre petrol
2.5-litre petrol
Number of cylinders
Four
Five
Gearbox
8-speed DCT
7-speed DCT
Power
310 kW at 6 750 rpm
294 kW at 5 600 rpm – 7 000 rpm
Torque
500 Nm at 5 000 – 5 250 rpm
500 Nm at 2 250 – 5 600 rpm
Weight
1 635 kg
1 570 kg
Claimed 0-100 kph
3.9 seconds
3.8 seconds
Claimed top speed
250 kph (optional 270 kph)
250 kph (optional 280 kph)
Claimed fuel economy and tank capacity
8.4 L/100 km, 51 litres
9 L/100 km, 55 litres
It’s remarkable to see what AMG has achieved with that 2.0-litre 4-cylinder engine in terms of performance and outputs, while offering a 2-year/unlimited kilometre warranty. Remember it’s easy to make big power, but to do so reliably? Impressive.
Audi’s RS3 Sportback may be a bit down on power in comparison to the AMG, but it is fractionally lighter and delivers maximum torque earlier in the rev range, which gives it a slight advantage when it comes to straight-line sprints from standstill. We look forward to putting the two vehicles in a head-to-head drag race to settle the debate between Mercedes-AMG A45 S vs Audi RS3 Sportback.
Heated front seats R5 700 Memory Seat Package R12 500
Power front seats with memory feature for driver seat and exterior mirrors R19 300
Seat heaters in front R5 500
Fine Nappa leather with honeycomb stitching and embossed “RS” R18 200
Heads-up display: standard
Heads-up display: R15 000
Burmester® surround sound R11 000
Bang & Olufsen premium sound system with 3D sound standard
AMG Ride Control Suspension R24 000
Adaptive chassis control with Audi drive select R13 000
MBUX Navigation Plus R11 800
MMI Navigation plus with MMI touch R39 300
Wireless charging system R3 600
Audi phone box R7 500
Other noteworthy options for the Audi RS3 Sportback include Sports tires P Zero Trofeo R by Pirelli, 265/30|245/35 R19 for R13 000, ceramic brakes for R122 000, carbon roof spoiler R23 300, top speed increased to 280 kph R27 500.
Other noteworthy options for the Mercedes-AMG A45 S include tech packages: Premium Package (R21 000)
Advanced-Plus Package
MBUX Navigation Plus
THERMOTRONIC automatic climate control
KEYLESS-GO
Hard-disc navigation
AMG illuminated door sills with “AMG” lettering and with exchangeable cover
Premium-Plus Package (R76 000)
Advanced-Plus Package + Premium Package
Memory Seat Package
MULTIBEAM LED
4-way lumbar support
Parking Package with 360-degree camera
Front left, electric memory
Head-up display
MBUX Interior Assistant
Summary
The Mercedes-AMG A45 S and Audi RS3 Sportback have never been as closely matched both in terms of performance, price and specification. Based on the above, which one would take for a weekend drive?
Haval H6 GT (2022) Launch Review
Haval is a brand that’s on many consumers’ lips at the moment, because the Chinese manufacturer has taken the local small- and medium SUV segments by storm. Haval’s latest offering – the H6 GT – is said to be the halo model of the brand’s range… and it has sporty pretensions! We drove the newcomer at its launch in the Western Cape.
What is a Haval H6 GT?
The Haval H6 GT squats nicely over its rear haunches; exterior design was prioritised for this model.
The Haval H6 GT sits atop the H6 range, which features a few derivatives mostly differentiated by trim-level options. The H6 GT has the same engine under the bonnet, but gets an overboost function that delivers an extra 5 kW and 5 Nm of torque (if the press material is to be believed). Like top-spec versions of the H6, the H6 GT is equipped with all-wheel drive, but it additionally features a Race-mode function that beefs up the exhaust note and sharpens the throttle response.
The H6 GT’s distinctive exterior treatment is its raison d’etre. The rearward sloping roofline gives it that fashionable coupe-SUV silhouette, but the design team didn’t stop there; it also added a pair of spoilers (in the middle and at the top of the tailgate), as well as twin tailpipes. The front end features fewer additions, such as the black cladding on the lower bumper, while the wheels are the same 19-inch alloys as on the regular H6, but with a different design and black finish.
Haval’s first step into the “performance SUV” segment in South Africa.
We’ve really come to appreciate just how far the Chinese manufacturers have evolved their products over the last few years – they are now very nearly on par with their Japanese/Korean rivals, but are offered at much more palatable prices.
The performance segment is one area into which the Chinese brands haven’t yet dipped their toes and while a family (or medium) SUV can never really be considered a performance vehicle (unless straight line speed is your only determining factor for performance) it’s still a new avenue for them.
The base is good: the H6 GT’s 155 kW 2.0-litre 4-cylinder turbopetrol engine delivers power progressively throughout the rev range, but doesn’t deliver the kind of thrilling performance that you’d expect from an engine that has a comparable power output to that of a Golf 7 GTI. You can engage Race mode through the infotainment screen settings, which facilitates a far more racy exhaust note, while the level of throttle response and the 7-speed dual-clutch transmission’s shifts liven up to a point where the Haval’s frankly a little “overexcited”. Sport mode is more driveable by comparison, but I found myself reverting to the Normal drive mode in most instances, just to calm things down a little.
In terms of ride quality, Haval’s newcomer feels quite well-damped over most road surfaces, with only the occasional rebound knock – if you hit a bump too quickly for the suspension’s liking. I am quite pleased that the Chinese brand hasn’t tried to turn the H6 GT into a “track-oriented SUV” by stiffening up the suspension in an attempt to mitigate body roll almost entirely. The H6 GT is still very much an SUV that you can live with on a daily basis.
The steering is relatively vague, which precludes you from positioning the vehicle exactly where you want it; despite offering multiple settings to change the feel of the driving experience, the H6 GT never really handles in an entirely confidence-inspiring sporty manner, especially when you’re driving on a tight and twisty section of road, like Chapman’s Peak Drive.
Prospective family (or medium) SUV buyers are unlikely to be overly bothered by a lack of steering feel (or the crazy throttle and transmission shift response in Race mode); the H6 GT’s appeal comes down to design and value for money.
The cabin materials all seem high-end and well put together.
Haval certainly offers a lot in the way of standard features in its cars. The H6 GT is stacked with just about every modern active- and passive safety feature you can think of. Some functions, such as the lane departure warning, still need a bit of fine-tuning for local conditions – in fact, you may find yourself overwhelmed by the Haval’s beeps and warnings… and trying to track down the sources of the bings or bongs (which are not always immediately apparent). For example, we were constantly shown a warning banner in the instrument cluster that simply read “Elk Mode Activated”. After extensively sifting through the infotainment system, we couldn’t find a corresponding setting in the drive modes’ submenus.
Aside from the software quirks, the H6 GT interior exudes class; it’s well appointed with good quality materials. The leather-trimmed seats with suede inserts are comfortable and lift the cabin’s premium feel. Fit and finish appear to be excellent, while the colouring on the stitching matches the finish of the brake calipers, although luminescent yellow-green seems to be the only highlight colour available.
The H6 GT carries over the same Super Luxury spec as the top-of-the-range H6 derivative, so you can expect a fully equipped car with niceties such as a wireless-charging pad, Apple Carplay- and Android Auto compatibility, a 360-degree camera, adaptive cruise control and a panoramic sunroof. The list of features is extensive, so be sure to check out our specs and pricing article.
Summary
The H6 GT has set tounges wagging on social media with its stylish design.
The introduction of the Haval H6 GT has made waves across our social media channels, which indicates that the newcomer’s eye-catching design is more than likely to resonate with the model’s target market.
With an asking price of R640 000, it’s not the awesome-value-for-money proposition we’ve come to expect from the Chinese brand’s local subsidiary, but it offers the best combination of performance, specification – and, arguably, standout kerb appeal – in the segment. Other notable rivals include the Volkswagen T-Roc, Mazda CX-30, Mini Countryman and even something like the Volvo XC40.
As Haval continues to push upmarket with models such as the H6 GT, it will be interesting to see how much of a foothold it can grab against established premium manufacturers that have often seen off young upstarts in the past…
10 best-selling bakkies in South Africa: August 2022
Is it business as usual again now that Toyota has resumed production of the Hilux in KZN? Let’s take a closer look at South Africa’s best-selling bakkies for August 2022…
After losing its crown for the past few months, the Toyota Hilux is back on top in August 2022. The last time the Prospecton-built bakkie found itself at the summit of the list of South Africa’s best-selling bakkies was back in April 2022, before the Japanese automaker began to feel the full effects of the devastating floods in KwaZulu-Natal.
With precisely zero units rolling off the line in Durban for a number of months, the Hilux was forced to settle for second place in May, fourth in June and fourth again in July. Now that the factory is back online and production of the bakkie – as well as the Corolla Cross, Corolla Quest, Fortuner and Hi-Ace – has resumed, the Hilux has shot right back to the top of the sales charts.
As many as 3 417 units of the Hilux were registered around the country in August 2022. The bakkie’s sales resurgence (plus that of the aforementioned Hi-Ace) was at least partially responsible for the 13.1% year-on-year increase in domestic sales of new light-commercial vehicles, bakkies and mini-buses to 13 281 units in August. Expect that trend to continue in the coming months as Toyota starts to clear its considerable backlog of orders (and rolls out the long-awaited GR-Sport derivative).
Despite coming close to matching its sales tally of July 2022, the Silverton-built Ford Ranger (1 791 units) – which will very soon be replaced by the new-generation model – was pushed down to second place. It will be interesting to see what happens with Ranger registrations in the next couple of months as the Dearborn-based firm’s local division makes the transition to the new model.
Isuzu’s D-Max narrowly missed out on pipping the Ford Ranger to second place.
Meanwhile, the Struandale-produced Isuzu D-Max (1 789 units) was breathing down the Ranger’s neck in August, ending up in third position, a mere two units behind the Blue Oval bakkie. Like the D-Max, the Rosslyn-manufactured Nissan NP200 (1 397 units) fell one spot compared with the previous month, finishing in fourth.
Bolstered by a trio of special-edition models, the Mahindra Pik Up (896 units) put in yet another solid showing, holding steady in fifth. The Nissan Navara (661 units) and GWM Steed (440 units) likewise retained their July positions, with both tallies growing month on month.
Despite markets such as Australia struggling to secure stock of the Toyota Land Cruiser 79, the farm-favourite bakkie enjoyed a strong August and moved up one place to eighth, with as many as 401 units registered. The GWM P-Series (138 units) slipped one to ninth, while the outgoing Volkswagen Amarok closed out the table with 128 sales.
Best of the rest in August 2022
Mitsubishi’s updated Triton range enjoyed a little month-on-month growth in August.
So, how did the market’s smaller players fare? Well, the recently refreshed Mitsubishi Triton (68 units) took the “best of the rest” gong in August 2022, ahead of the Mahindra Bolero (37 units) and Peugeot Landtrek (36 units). Jeep Gladiator registrations fell to 13 units and Mazda BT-50 sales to a mere four units. JAC, meanwhile, reported a combined figure of 72 units for its T-badged (T6 and T8) range.
Export winners in August 2022
Ford was again top of the export charts, with 6 910 examples of its Ranger shipped overseas in August, ahead of a resurgent Toyota Hilux (3 069 units). The Nissan Navara (539 units) and Isuzu D-Max (342 units) were next, while the Nissan NP200 (54) again made up the numbers.
10 best-selling bakkies in South Africa for August 2022
The Kia Sonet range has been expanded in South Africa to include a new turbocharged engine, available in two trims, namely EX and EX+. Is it any good and should you buy it? Ciro De Siena investigates…
The new Kia Sonet Turbo has arrived in South Africa and it offers some added features including additional safety technology and some interior niceties such as leather upholstery. The Kia Sonet is one of the best products in this highly competitive segment but we were keen to find out if the new Sonet Turbo is as good as it gets. Watch the video for insight!
Struggling to meet car loan repayments? What you need to know
Buying a vehicle is a long-term decision and we want to help you make an informed one with our Street Smart series, brought to you by Absa Vehicle and Asset Finance. In this episode, we chat with Absa’s Chelton Keppler about dealing with challenges to meet your vehicle-finance loan repayments.
PARTNERED ARTICLE
When your finances take an unexpected turn and you struggle to pay your Vehicle Finance Loan, it’s important to understand your options and take the necessary action. Chelton Keppler from Absa gives us some insight into the options available to help get you back on track.
What is the first thing that you need to do when you realise that you’re going to battle to make your payments?
KEPPLER: Be sure to contact the bank as soon as possible, so that the bank can help you with alternative ways to meet your financial obligations. Don’t think that the problem will just go away.
What options are available to individuals struggling to meet their financial obligations?
KEPPLER: Well, the available options include the restructuring of payments, also known as forbearance. This option allows you to restructure your repayments under your Vehicle Finance Agreement.
Examples include:
A short-term payment plan. This option allows you to pay a percentage of the contractual instalment for a maximum period of six months.
A long-term plan. Here, the term of your Vehicle Finance Agreement can be extended to reduce the instalment amount.
Small arrears capitalisation. An arrears amount of not more than two months’ instalments can be capitalised on your outstanding balance and your term can be extended to ensure that your instalment is not negatively impacted.
Terms and Conditions apply to these options, which will be discussed when you contact the bank.
If you’re unable to continue with repayments and want to avoid the repossession of the vehicle, you can use our HelpUSell process to market and sell your car to one of our approved dealers, provided you meet the qualifying criteria.
You can do this on our secure FASTBuy platform. You’ll need to accept the Terms of Use and complete the registration process, including uploading images of the vehicle on the platform, to make your vehicle available for sale. You’ll be notified of any offers made on your vehicle. You can then accept an offer that will help you reduce the outstanding loan amount on your account.
How does one deal with a deceased estate when there is an outstanding amount owed to the bank on the vehicle?
KEPPLER: The deceased’s next of kin must notify the bank of the death and our Deceased Estates team will engage with the appointed executor around available options to settle the bank’s claim. Where there is credit life insurance or other life insurance, a claim needs to be submitted to the relevant insurer. If there is no insurance cover, the executor can arrange to settle the account from the estate funds, or sell the vehicle to a third party or dealer.
If the estate doesn’t have enough funds to settle the balance and there are no offers, the bank can arrange with the executor to sell the vehicle at an auction and the proceeds will be allocated to the account. The estate will be responsible for any shortfalls.
To access the Deceased Estates Guide, please visit absa.co.za or call us on 0861 113 003.
For more information or help, call Absa Vehicle and Asset Finance on 0860 669 669 (select option 2).
For extra information on how you can become a better consumer, keep a lookout for more episodes from our Street Smart series and be sure to visit the Absa blog.
Other episodes in our Street Smart video series:
Absa’s Sarvas Naidoo and CMH’s Joel Chetty about balloon payments.
Absa’s Fulufhelo Mandane discusses what you need to consider before you start shopping for a vehicle, the costs of ownership and your various finance options. Absa First-time Buyer Guide to Vehicle Finance
Absa’s Gordon Wood details how the new Aftermarket Guidelines, which were introduced in the motor industry last year, affect you as a vehicle owner. Absa’s Guide to Responsible Vehicle Ownership
South Africa’s new-vehicle sales for August 2022 proved “remarkably buoyant” despite tough trading conditions. Here’s everything you need to know, including SA’s best-selling car brands and models…
In August 2022, new-vehicle sales in South Africa increased an encouraging 14.2% year on year to 47 420 units, representing the fifth consecutive month of growth (as well as a further improvement over July’s figures) and the second-best month of 2022 thus far. This comes despite the fact the industry is still facing a number of obstacles. Indeed, as Naamsa points out, the local market’s performance was a “remarkably buoyant” one in August considering the “increasingly challenging economic conditions” faced in South Africa.
Out of the total reported industry sales of 47 420 units, an estimated 40 889 units (or 86.2%) represented dealer sales, while the rental industry accounted for 8.3%, corporate fleets around 4.3% and sales to government about 1.2%. The new passenger-car market ended the month on 31 269 units (a year-on-year gain of 14.6%), with plenty of support from the rental industry. Domestic sales of new light-commercial vehicles (LCVs), bakkies and mini-buses, meanwhile, also increased (in this case, by 13.1%) to 13 281 units.
A healthy chunk of that growth in both the passenger-car and LCV segments can likely be attributed to the fact production at Toyota’s Prospecton facility has ramped back up considerably after the factory was forced to shut down owing to flood damage sustained back in mid-April. Yes, the Japanese automaker is again building SA favourites such as the Hilux, Corolla Cross and Hi-Ace, as reflected in the model sales figures below, though still has what it describes as an “extensive backlog” of orders to clear.
According to WesBank, the latest sales figures indicate “some form of stability” is returning to the new-vehicle market.
“It is interesting to note the correlation in market performance this year against 2021. Last year, August put in the second-best selling month at the time; March 2021 being the best sales month. Coincidentally, March 2022 sales have so far been this year’s best sales month,” says Lebogang Gaoaketse, Head of Marketing and Communications at WesBank. “August sales are also reassuring in the sense that the volume increase comes off that relatively high base. Doing so in the face of the hike in interest rates during July appears not to have dampened any market demand.”
Meanwhile, August 2022 exports finished on 28 662 units, reflecting a robust 57% year-on-year improvement. Year to date, we’re happy to report vehicle exports are 5.8% ahead of the corresponding period 2021.
New vehicle sales summary for August 2022
Aggregate new-vehicle sales of 47 420 units increased by 14.2% (5 887 units) compared to August 2021.
New passenger-vehicle sales of 31 269 units increased by 14.6% (3 992 units) compared to August 2021.
New light-commercial vehicle sales of 13 281 units increased by 13.1% (1 536 units) compared to August 2021.
Export sales of 28 662 units increased by 57% (10 402 units) compared to August 2021.
10 best-selling car brands in South Africa for August 2022
Rapidly putting the KwaZulu-Natal flooding disaster behind it, Toyota managed to soar back into five figures in August, improving its July tally by more than 4 000 units to end on an impressive 11 138 registrations. The Japanese automaker thus opened a substantial lead on the second-placed Volkswagen Group (6 693 units), even though its German rival was slightly ahead in the passenger-car space. With 4 164 units sold, Suzuki again placed third overall, though for the first time in 2022 failed to register a record sales month.
Other changes in the top 10 included Isuzu (2 122 units) climbing one place to eighth and Kia (2 035 units) falling one spot to ninth. In addition, Haval returned to the table, grabbing the final position with a figure of 1 797 units (and shoving the BMW Group out of the top 10). For the record, Chery came in at 12th, with its 1 320 registrations putting it just behind the 11th-placed Mahindra.
1. Toyota – 11 138 units
2. Volkswagen Group – 6 693 units
3. Suzuki – 4 164 units
4. Hyundai – 3 129 units
5. Nissan – 2 644 units
6. Renault – 2 350 units
7. Ford – 2 341 units
8. Isuzu – 2 122 units
9. Kia – 2 035 units
10. Haval – 1 797 units
10 best-selling vehicles in South Africa for August 2022
From 10th to first! With the assembly line at Prospecton again churning out Toyota Hilux units, the Japanese bakkie returned to the top of the table, with its 3 417 registrations easily enough to render it South Africa’s best-selling vehicle in August 2022. The likewise locally built Volkswagen Polo Vivo (2 359 units), meanwhile, also put in rather a strong showing, climbing one place to second.
The Toyota Urban Cruiser (1 905 units) and outgoing Ford Ranger (1 791 units) both dropped two places to third and fourth, respectively, while the Suzuki Swift (1 369 units) also fell two to seventh (remember, it was SA’s top-selling vehicle as recently as June 2022). The Volkswagen Polo hatchback (1 286 units) was again forced to settle for eighth, while the SA-built Toyota Corolla Cross (1 129 units, including the new GR-Sport) and Toyota Hi-Ace (1 008 units) returned to the table at the expense of the Indian-built Toyota Starlet and Renault Kiger. The Volkswagen T-Cross (1 000 units) just missed out on a top 10 finish.
Top 5 vehicles exported from South Africa in August 2022
The Volkswagen Polo hatchback was again right at the very summit of the export table, with 9 129 units shipped from the Kariega factory in August (for the record, more than 100 000 examples of the facelifted model have already rolled off the line). The Silverton-produced Ford Ranger (6 910 units) was second once more, while the Toyota Hilux (3 069 units) returned to the podium, ahead of the Rosslyn-built Nissan Navara (539 units) and Struandale-manufactured Isuzu D-Max (342 units).
As always, we should point out BMW and Mercedes-Benz did not submit detailed figures, so it’s unclear exactly how many new X3 and C-Class sedan units were exported from South Africa in August 2022. However, Naamsa’s estimates stand at 3 300 units and 4 998 units, respectively.
1. Volkswagen Polo (hatch) – 9 129 units
2. Ford Ranger – 6 910 units
3. Toyota Hilux – 3 069 units
4. Nissan Navara – 539 units
5. Isuzu D-Max – 342 units
Sales outlook
So, where to from here for South Africa’s new-vehicle market? Well, Naamsa warns things aren’t going to get any easier, thanks to obstacles that include “elevated inflation” and the “upward trend” in interest rates. That, of course, means consumers will continue to face an “affordability challenge”.
“Annual consumer inflation reached a 13-year high, increasing to 7.8% in July 2022 and further interest rate hikes are anticipated for the remainder of the year,” the organisation points out. Still, Naamsa is hopeful the rental industry will continue to support the new-vehicle market as it believes the tourism sector is “starting to stabilise”.
“The new-vehicle market’s performance for the year-to-date is still 13.8% ahead compared to the corresponding period 2021, but the pace of steady growth being experienced in the market is expected to slow down for the balance of the year,” the organisation adds.
Interestingly, despite further looming interest-rate increases, WesBank reports demand in the new-vehicle market continues to grow.
“Applications for finance continue to show a growing demand for vehicle replacement, with WesBank’s book showing strong double-digit growth being driven by applications for new vehicles,” says Gaoaketse.
“The appeal of the pre-owned market appears to be waning, likely due to price inflation and the increasingly limited availability of good stock. Where the pre-owned market has been offering affordability solutions for cost-conscious consumers, the average deal size on a used car has increased over 10% year-on-year, while the value of finance agreements on new vehicles over the same period is static,” Gaoaketse adds, predicting this will fuel the new-vehicle market as the replacement cycle comes under pressure.
In terms of vehicle exports, Naamsa says while the “deteriorating global growth outlook and tighter global financial conditions” will likely dampen prospects for vehicle exports (in particular to Europe due to the repercussions of the ongoing conflict between Russia and the Ukraine), further new locally manufactured model introductions are expected to “enhance” South Africa’s exports for the balance of the year.
Alfa Romeo has rolled out a series of model-year updates for its Giulia and Stelvio. Here’s how much you’ll pay in South Africa for the latest iterations…
Although Alfa Romeo launched revised versions of its Giulia and Stelvio in South Africa just last year, the Italian firm’s local division has now made a series of further updates.
The Stellantis subsidiary says the “basic technical specification” of both the Giulia sedan and Stelvio crossover remains unchanged. Indeed, the most significant revision is the scrapping of the Stelvio Super derivative in favour the Stelvio Veloce, effectively aligning the SUV range with that of the sedan.
Alfa Romeo says the Stelvio Veloce – which starts at R1 188 900 – gains items such as a fresh body kit, black anodised brake callipers, matte exhaust tips and monotone wheel centres. Inside, the Stelvio Veloce features black roof lining and 6-way electrically adjustable sports seats, complete with 4-way lumbar adjustment and a memory function for the driver. The Italian executive SUV’s infotainment system, meanwhile, upgrades to 8 speakers, while a hands-free tailgate is now included.
As a reminder, the Stelvio Veloce draws its urge from an unchanged turbocharged 2.0-litre, 4-cylinder petrol mill, which delivers 206 kW and 400 Nm to all four corners through an 8-speed automatic transmission.
The Veloce versions of the Giulia and Stelvio employ a 206 kW turbocharged 2.0-litre mill.
While the flagship R1 911 900 Stelvio Q retains its turbocharged 2.9-litre V6 petrol engine (with unchanged peak outputs of 375 kW and 600 Nm), it does upgrade to carbon-shelled, Alcantara-trimmed sports seat from Sparco. In addition, the high-performance crossover gains a variety of the aforementioned Veloce tweaks, including the hands-free tailgate.
The Giulia line-up, meanwhile, again kicks off with the Veloce (from R1 061 900), which employs the same powertrain as its Stelvio sibling but with drive delivered to the rear axle via a carbon-fibre prop shaft. With this update, the Giulia Veloce gains a limited slip differential, along with an 8-speaker audio system, 6-way electrically controlled sports seats (again with 4-way adjustable lumbar support and a memory function for the pilot).
What about the high-performance R1 770 900 Giulia QV? Well, as with the Q-badged Stelvio, the Quadrifoglio powertrain is left untouched (as are the claimed 0-100 kph time of 3.9 seconds and top speed of 307 kph), though the cabin gains the aforementioned carbon-shelled Sparco sports seats (finished in Alcantara) as well as an exposed carbon-fibre roof and a Harman Kardon sound system.
How much does the Alfa Romeo Giulia cost in South Africa?
Both the Giulia and Stelvio come with a 5-year/100 000 km warranty and maintenance plan.
How To Work Out Car Insurance Excess & Deductibles
To help you ensure that you don’t accept a car insurance quote that doesn’t serve your needs, Budget Insurance brings you a guide to working out your car insurance excess and deductibles.
If you want to insure a car, you know that you’ll need to browse your car insurance options before making a decision. You’ll also know that no matter what level of insurance you choose, you’ll have to make provision for an excess payment or a deductible.
Selecting a high excess in exchange for lower monthly premiums is an understandably desirable option, however, unless you’re confident that you know precisely what your excess and deductibles are, you might end up paying more than anticipated for an unexpected vehicle repair.
What’s a car insurance deductible?
In an ideal world, honest interaction between all businesses and their customers would be standard. Unfortunately, in reality, this doesn’t always happen. This means that car insurance providers have to put measures in place to ensure that customers are discouraged from making false claims.
Your car insurance excess and deductibles are basically the same, except that excess refers to the amount you’ve agreed — in advance — to pay in the event of making a claim, whereas a deductible only comes into play in the event of an accident.
How does car insurance excess work?
Your car insurance excess is determined when you initially take out a policy. The only time it might change is when you make a claim. By knowing exactly what excess you’ve agreed to, you can prepare yourself for a possible future claim without worrying about how much you can afford. For example, if you’ve selected comprehensive car insurance with an R4 000 excess and the damage your car has sustained costs R6 500, you will need to pay the R4 000 excess, while your insurer will pay the remaining R2 500.
The amount of excess you can expect to pay depends on your risk profile and what you are happy paying. Certain factors (such as being a new driver or having limited driving experience) can make you a higher risk statistically, which will increase the stipulated excess on your car insurance policy. The type of car you drive, where you live, how you use your vehicle and the measures you’ve taken to prevent your car from being damaged or stolen can also impact this. For example, if you have a tracking device installed on your vehicle and park it in a locked garage behind a locked gate, you can expect your excess to be lower than a person who has no device and parks on the street.
You might also be offered what’s known as a percentage excess. This is where you agree to pay a set percentage of the total cost of a claim. In most cases, you can expect to pay a flat excess or set amount in the event of an accident. In many cases, you can opt for a higher premium in exchange for a lower excess, and vice versa. However, you should be aware that the circumstances of your claim could result in a price hike to your premium.
Misconceptions about car insurance excess payments
A common myth concerning car insurance excess payments is that agreeing to pay an excess is an admission of guilt (that you admit that the damage sustained by your and/or the other party’s vehicle in a road accident occurred as a result of your actions or negligence). The reality is that you will need to pay the excess for any claim you make, no matter who was at fault.
If the accident was the fault of another driver, your insurer may try to recover the excess amount from them on your behalf. It’s worth keeping in mind, however, that car insurance providers aren’t legally obliged to do this and that a number of them might not offer this service.
How much excess on car insurance should I pay?
It helps to remember that there’s no right or wrong decision when it comes to paying an excess. It is essentially your personal preference. It might suit you to pay a reduced monthly premium and set aside money for a higher excess payment. Alternatively, you might prefer to pay more every month so that your excess payment is low enough to pay without any problem if needed.
It’s also important to remember that honesty is your best policy for car insurance, including your excess. Being dishonest about who usually drives your car and other things your car insurance provider asks you about can result in increased excess or your claim being refused altogether.
Where to find the best car insurance in South Africa?
If you want an honest chat about your options or any further clarification on excess and deductibles, talk to Budget Insurance.
Budget Insurance can help you select the level of coverage that meets your needs — with an excess that’s easy on your wallet. Request a quote today and start the conversation.
Continental marks 75-year milestone in SA with 4-part video series
Continental Tyre SA, which is celebrating its 75th anniversary this year, has commissioned a 4-part “Continental Icons” video series, exclusive to our YouTube channel. The series kicked off with a video featuring a local enthusiast’s 1973 BMW 2002tii, but which other cars (that also feature in New York artist Julian Montague’s “Original Equipment Heroes” artworks) will be next?
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Continental has a rich heritage in South Africa, beginning in January 1947 with the founding of General Tire and Rubber Company South Africa. The local operation was acquired by German tyre giant Continental AG in 1998 and renamed Continental Tyre South Africa, helping cement its role as one of the country’s leading tyre manufacturers.
“We are extremely proud of achieving the 75-year milestone, and to have played a large supporting role in the local economy by producing some of the best tyres in the world, for some of the most significant cars of all time,” says Monica Ramsunder, Continental Tyre SA‘s marketing manager.
As the only Continental tyre plant in Africa, the local factory produces original equipment Continental and General Tire-branded tyres for half a dozen of the largest vehicle manufacturers in the country. What’s more, it exports tyres around the world – thus making it an important part of South Africa’s rich automotive history, and key to its export-driven growth opportunities.
“We are delighted to be partnering with the creative team at Cars.co.za as part of our 75th-anniversary celebrations, and linking this to the industry-defining legacy of 4 iconic, trend-setting cars,” Ramsunder says.
The first video in the series set the scene by featuring a mint-condition, rare and valuable 1973 BMW 2002tii, owned by Jaques Wessels. The 2002 is a legendary car that created the foundation for what later became BMW’s immensely successful compact executive sedan, the 3 Series, for which Continental remains an original equipment manufacturer (OEM) tyre supplier in Germany.
Notably, nearly 1 in every 3 new cars in Europe is delivered from the factory with tyres from Continental, making it the leading original equipment provider in the European market. Globally Continental is an OE supplier to most of the leading manufacturers, including Audi, Mercedes-Benz, Jaguar/Land Rover, Peugeot/Citroen, Renault/Nissan, Fiat and Volkswagen, as well as sports car manufacturers such as Porsche and Maserati.
“Partnering with an iconic brand like Continental, which is so closely associated with some truly memorable cars, is a perfect fit for Cars.co.za‘s classic car lifestyle brand, SentiMETAL,” says Hannes Oosthuizen, who is our company’s consumer experience manager. “This new video series represents a great opportunity to tell diverse and entertaining ownership stories, featuring passionate owners and special vehicles.”
The 4 cars that star in the “Continental Icons” video series are also featured in the 2020 collaboration between Continental AG and famous New York artist, Julian Montague. The “Original Equipment Heroes” series of artworks incorporated Montague’s unique style of art to celebrate some of the most iconic cars in the history of Continental globally. It also formed part of the build-up to the company’s 150th anniversary in 2021.
“Continental is trusted around the world for its German engineering, delivering exceptional performance and safety,” Ramsunder adds. “The Cars.co.za ‘Continental Icons’ video series and the artwork by Julian Montague highlight the spirit of innovation that has shaped the cars we drive today.
Which icon will be featured next?
“Many of the European cars incorporated in the ‘Original Equipment Heroes’ artwork are also celebrated as an iconic part of our South African heritage,” Ramsunder says. “Accordingly, we specifically chose 4 cars to be featured by the Cars.co.za team as ‘Continental Icons’ to showcase the diversity of vehicle types relative to our wide range of needs, and to highlight the extensive range of world-class tyres that we produce in South Africa.”
Look out for the next 3 episodes of “Continental Icons” on the Cars.co.za YouTube channel, which is one of the largest branded channels in South Africa with more than 320 000 subscribers.
Apart from the 1974 BMW 2002, Julian Montague’s “Original Equipment Heroes” series of artworks also featured the 1901 Mercedes 35 PS, 1950 Volkswagen T1, 1955 Volkswagen Beetle, 1964 Porsche 911, 1968 Opel GT, 1974 Volkswagen Golf 1, 1975 Opel Manta, 1980 Audi Quattro, 1983 Audi 80, 1986 Land Rover Defender (D90), 2001 New Mini, 2002 Porsche Cayenne, 2005 Porsche 9FF, 2010 Mercedes-Benz SLS, 2011 Renault Twizy, 2012 Tesla Model S, 2013 Jaguar F-Type, 2013 Maserati Quattroporte, 2017 Honda Civic Type R, 2017 Rolls-Royce Phantom and 2020 Volkswagen ID.3…
Of those cars, the Volkswagen Beetle and Golf 1, Porsche 911 and Cayenne, Opel Manta and GT, Audi Quattro, Land Rover Defender, New Mini, Mercedes-Benz SLS, Jaguar F-Type, Maserati Quattroporte, Honda Civic Type R and Rolls-Royce Phantom were available in the South African market, so at least that narrows down the list of classic-car candidates for the 3 upcoming instalments of our “Continental Icons” YouTube video series a little…
