Haval’s dramatic growth in SA: tracking the sales figures

Chinese firm Haval has quickly risen up the ranks in South Africa. We take a look at the sales figures to determine just how far GWM’s crossover sub-brand has climbed in the half-decade it has existed in the country…

Let’s be frank: automotive brands from the world’s most populous nation have quite simply not resonated with South African car buyers. Geely came and went, FAW’s passenger-car efforts flopped (though its truck business didn’t), Foton failed to crack the bakkie market and JMC’s lesser-spotted Landwind marque is seemingly a thing of the past, too.

BAIC is soldiering on (though when last did you spot one out on the road?) and JAC Motors is sticking firmly to the commercial space, while Chery’s second stab at the local market at least looks more promising than its ill-fated first. In short, though, the general performance of Chinese brands in SA has been downright diabolical.

Haval’s experience in South Africa, however, has been entirely different. Rather than struggling to justify its presence in the local market, it quickly became the most successful Chinese brand in SA – and by quite some margin, too. Furthermore, in not even five years, it has positioned itself as a serious player in the broader passenger-vehicle space, giving a number of mainstream brands a sleepless night or three.

Rewinding a few years to pre-Haval days

While Haval launched locally as recently as mid-2017, its parent company has been operating in South Africa for an additional decade. Great Wall Motor (GWM) started trading locally via a distributor in early 2007, debuting in the light-commercial segment with single- and double-cab bakkies, before rolling out passenger cars such as the C20R hatch, C50 sedan and cheekily named M4 crossover in subsequent years.

Those initial passenger models, of course, were rather rough around the edges and weren’t terribly well received by local buyers, with GWM furthermore largely considered a bakkie brand (as it remains today). However, perceptions started to shift when Haval – which was established globally as a GWM sub-division specialising in crossovers in 2013 – made its local debut with the H2 in 2017. The H6 C followed thereafter, before the flagship H9 touched down in 2018.

Shortly before these models arrived, Haval Motors South Africa was founded as a wholly owned subsidiary of the Chinese group, replacing GWM South Africa (which, in contrast, had acted as a local distributor) and lending the firm useful added nimbleness. Haval then quietly went about incrementally increasing its market share in South Africa, with the aforementioned M4 eventually becoming the H1, and the H2 enjoying a thorough update. Sales were growing gradually (as was the national dealer network), but the automaker was still viewed as something of a fringe player in those early days.

A jump-start and a smart strategy in SA

All that changed with the arrival of the H2-supplanting Jolion in the second quarter of 2021. The latest-generation H6 followed just a couple of months later, itself landing only six months after the GWM P-Series made its long-awaited local touchdown. Suddenly, GWM in general and Haval in particular were thrust firmly into SA’s automotive limelight.

One question worth asking is whether the likes of the Jolion and latest H6 would have made quite such an impact in South Africa were they wearing GWM badges? The answer is likely no. Haval’s clever brand positioning and vastly improved customer-facing digital experience (its website was recently thoroughly overhauled and its social media following continues to grow at an impressive pace) appears to resonate with countless South Africans.

Of course, the main attraction for real-life buyers – as opposed to the throngs of online commenters – is the value proposition offered by Haval’s latest products, which tend to boast lofty specification levels, including equipment customarily reserved for high-end vehicles, as well as eye-catching exterior styling. The level of perceived build quality is also improving at a rapid rate (though there’s clearly work to be done in the fuel consumption department), all while Haval products dramatically undercut their more mainstream rivals in the pricing stakes.

A closer look at Haval’s sales figures in SA

So, just how far has Haval climbed? Well, since April 2022’s figures are now available, we’ll look back at that month – despite it traditionally being a fairly slow time thanks to the number of public holidays – in the preceding few years to gauge the sort of year-on-year progress the automaker has achieved. Unfortunately, neither GWM nor Haval was reporting sales figures to Naamsa in 2017, so we’re forced to skip ahead to the following year.

In April 2018, the GWM brand registered a mere 153 units (nearly 70% of that courtesy of the Steed bakkie) across all segments, which saw it rank 20th on the list of best-selling automakers. Despite the Haval brand being very much part of the fold at that point, its figures were seemingly excluded.

A year later and with products from both brands now finally united under the Haval Motors South Africa banner, the Chinese company rose to 13th overall, with 807 units registered. The GWM Steed managed 156 units (with the M4 and body-on-frame H5 adding 18 units between them) in April 2019, but it was the Haval-badged models that did the heavy lifting, totalling a heady 633 units.

With the industry in turmoil after a hard lockdown was enforced in the early stages of the COVID-19 pandemic (well and truly shuttering the country’s dealerships), Haval registered just 4 units in April 2020 out of a dire industry total of 574. A year later, however, the firm’s effort of 1 112 units was enough for a ranking of 11th.

Haval’s accelerated growth in the past five months

With the Jolion and the third-generation H6 leading the charge for Haval with sales of 390 and 176 units respectively (despite likely being hamstrung by the sort of COVID-19-related supply issues impacting virtually all automakers), the company sold 1 453 units in December 2021. Still, it was the GWM P-Series (724 units) that accounted for the bulk of that volume, helping the automaker break into the top 10.

In January 2022, Haval Motors SA hit a lofty sales record of 2 442 units, which was enough to see it rocket to fifth place overall, tellingly ahead of stalwart brands such as Renault, Nissan, Ford, Kia and Isuzu. While the P-Series (539 units) and Steed (461 units) flew the GWM flag high, it was the Jolion that impressed most, reaching 1 038 units, the first time a Haval product had crossed into four figures. It was ably supported by the H6, which managed 394 units.

Haval Motors SA’s total again exceeded 2 000 units in each of the following two months – 2 054 units in February 2022 (for sixth place) and 2 035 units in March 2022 (for eighth) – proving its January record was no mere flash in the pan. April 2022, however, saw the firm’s tally drop somewhat to 1 393 units, though more than half (736 units) came courtesy of the still-soaring Jolion.

What’s next for Haval in South Africa?

So, where to from here for Haval? Well, the automaker’s global bosses say the target is to seize a spot in “the top five in the South African market in 2023”, while also “ranking first in the SUV industry” and taking on the “Japanese and Korean brands”. In the process, the company is furthermore aiming to achieve a market share as high as 11% next year.

The big-on-value P-Series and rejuvenated Steed will press on in South Africa’s tightly contested light-commercial space, while the five-strong Jolion range and the four-strong H6 line-up will continue to steer the ship in the passenger-vehicle arena (the seven-seater, petrol-only H9 has not proven nearly as popular but is at least due a refresh soon). So, more of the same, really.

However, a hybrid version of the H6 (and possibly the Jolion as well) is on the cards for a local introduction fairly soon, with other potential new-to-SA models including a coupé-style version of the H6, the Haval Big Dog (aka Dargo), various boxy off-roaders (such as the 300) under the Tank sub-brand and perhaps even a smattering of electric offerings from GWM’s fresh-faced Ora marque.

An EV opportunity in South Africa

It’s the latter that has the potential to properly shake things up in South Africa, since Ora is currently building exactly what the local market needs if battery-powered vehicles are ever to go mainstream here: an affordable electric car (we’re thinking the curiously named Good Cat) with a range in excess of 400 km. Right-hand-drive production is already well underway, with the brand established in markets such as Thailand and confirmed for the likes of the United Kingdom and Australia.

The least expensive fully electric vehicle in South Africa right now is the Mini Cooper SE Hatch 3-door, which starts at a whopping R709 400 (despite being saddled with an underwhelming cruising range). Should the Ora Good Cat make its way to local shores, it’d substantially undercut this model – and all other available EVs – while offering a far more useful single-charge range.

In short, Ora has the opportunity to disrupt South Africa’s currently limited EV market in much the same way as Haval has upset the broader status quo in the combustion-engine passenger-vehicle space. Regardless of whether the company plans to grasp that chance, the GWM group finds itself in uncharted waters in SA: it’s a Chinese automaker that is positively thriving thanks to unprecedented consumer acceptance.

Nissan Navara Pro-4X Warrior Still on Cards for SA?

Fresh comments from a Nissan executive in Australia suggest there remains an “opportunity” to introduce the flagship Navara Pro-4X Warrior in markets such as South Africa…

The Nissan Navara Pro-4X Warrior is the toughest (official) version of the refreshed bakkie out there, but it’s currently available only in Australia. However, the latest comments from Nissan suggest the opportunity to introduce something similar in South Africa remains.

Adam Paterson, Nissan Australia’s managing director, revealed to CarsGuide the Japanese firm’s international executives had recently visited Premcar’s production facility in Melbourne where the Warrior model is created (based on the standard Navara Pro-4X imported Down Under from Thailand) on behalf of Nissan Australia.

“As recently as last week the global overseas product director for the Navara programme came to Australia, just because of how important Navara is to the market,” Paterson told the publication.

“We had him over at Premcar; he was very impressed by what we’re putting together as far as the product is concerned. Obviously, it’s very different when you see the car in the flesh versus online. He was very impressed and thinks there are opportunities in other markets. Where that is, and what the timing is, we don’t know,” Paterson said.

South Africa is an obvious choice and one Nissan Australia has mentioned before. In November 2021, for instance, Paterson confirmed to GoAuto that Nissan South Africa had “reached out” about the Warrior model. In South Africa, such as model would do battle with the outgoing Ford Ranger Raptor, the upcoming Toyota Hilux GR Sport and any future Arctic Trucks version of the new Isuzu D-Max.

Of course, Nissan SA currently produces the Navara – which is offered locally with a 2.5-litre turbodiesel engine as opposed to the 2.3-litre unit employed Down Under – at its facility in Rosslyn. Though no announcements have been made, replicating the Premcar set-up at the Gauteng factory would surely make more sense than importing units from Australia.

“[Nissan] sees the opportunity for a conversion like that in other markets, but we don’t know what it would look like or how the programme would be put together. But there’s definitely interest in it,” Paterson said.

So, what makes a Warrior? Well, Premcar upgrades the Navara Pro-4X’s off-road capability with wheel, tyre and suspension enhancements. It also adds a winch-compatible bullbar, Navara-branded bashplate and additional underbody protection, along with a modified towbar and a 100 kg GVM upgrade. The result, according to Premcar, is the “world’s toughest Navara”.

Bentley Continental GT Speed (2022) Review

The magnificent Bentley Continental GT Speed coupe may cost R5 million, but it’s the sheer embodiment of “an iron fist in a velvet glove”.

We like: Craftsmanship, rocketship performance, exclusivity, comfort

We don’t like: Restricted rear space, slightly behind in terms of advanced cabin tech

FAST FACTS

Model: Bentley Continental GT Speed
Price: R5 045 000 (before options)
Engine: 6.0-litre W12 turbopetrol
Power/Torque: 485 kW/900 Nm
Transmission: dual-clutch automatic
Fuel consumption: 13.7 L/100 km (claimed)
Luggage capacity: 358 litres

Serious about buying?

Detailed Bentley Continental GT Speed specifications

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Where does the 2022 Bentley Continental GT Speed fit in?

The Continental GT Speed seems an anachronism in an increasingly electrified motoring world, but its buyer won’t care.

As the world rushes ever faster to an all-electric future, automotive behemoths such as the 6.0-litre W12-engined Bentley Continental GT Speed are likely to become a) harder to sell and b) even more cherished by petrolhead enthusiasts. As before, the Continental GT is positioned as one of the world’s ultimate grand tourers – one that combines cosseting luxury and stonking (but refined) performance in a usable package that positively drips with desirability.

To lessen production-line complexity (and conform with buyers’ demand), the “regular” Continental GT W12 is no longer offered, so this more performance-oriented Speed is the only derivative (of course, you can still have a convertible – if you prefer to experience 485 kW and 900 Nm al fresco – and there are a variety of trim packages available).

Compared with the previous-generation “Speed”, however, this newcomer is actually lighter, has bigger wheels and brakes, boasts more advanced chassis technology and is, as a consequence, only fractionally slower than the previous-generation “Supersports” derivative.

Rivals? Well, at just over R5 million for a base-specification car, you’re into the heady world of McLarens, Aston Martins and Rolls-Royces, but those brands don’t disclose base pricing in the South African market, so we’ve stuck with two offerings that offer similar performance and GT capability, the BMW M8 Competition Coupe and Porsche 911 Turbo S. However, part of the appeal of a Bentley Continental GT Speed is that it bears a very evocative badge, which those two German rivals simply cannot match.

Compare prices and specs of the Bentley Continental GT Speed Coupe with the BMW M8 Competition Coupe and Porsche 911 Turbo S

How the 2022 Bentley Continental GT Speed fares in terms of…

Design and Packaging

A distinctive and classy physique, which you’d expect from a Bentley, but with the road presence to match.

We think it’s fair to assume that when you buy a car such as a Bentley Continental GT, you’d like it to be noticed. We can definitely confirm that the Speed turns heads and has substantial kerb- and road presence. It’s a low, wide and muscular-looking machine, replete with exquisite detailing. We love the “12” emblems integrated into the flanks, the crystal-effect headlights and even the paintwork, which has a real sparkle to it. The bodywork appears to be tautly stretched over the supersized wheels, which are pieces of art themselves. At the rear, the oval taillamps’ design is echoed by the shape of the exhaust outlets, and a thin LED braking strip light is mounted at the top of the rear screen.

Slip inside and there’s no doubting the Crewe-made machine’s “clubby” upmarket ambience. This particular test car features predominantly black trim, beautifully contrasted with a red secondary hide, plus plenty of piano black and chrome accents. More traditional options (and an array of wood trims) are, of course, available, but we particularly liked the gloss carbon-fibre finish of this car. Also fitted was optional mood lighting, which can be adjusted to various colours and which gives the cabin a truly spectacular ambience at night.

Other highlights include the chromed organ stops for the ventilation outlets (a Bentley tradition), lovely quilted leather on the doors and a rotating display – the latter endows the Speed’s cabin an almost James Bond-esque flavour when it deploys. Essentially, you can have your usual navigation/touchscreen infotainment setup or, at the press of a button, the entire system rotates to reveal a line-up of three analogue gauges, which is far more stylish and befits a car of this nature. It is optional, however.

The seats are superb – their cushioning is undoubtedly on the soft side, but offers enough firmness in the bolsters to keep you in place when the Bentley’s cornering quickly. This particular test unit also featured front comfort-seat specification and therefore, in addition to ventilation and heating, could perform a number of different types of massage.

We know South Africans love a sunroof, so some of you might be disappointed to hear that the Continental GT Speed doesn’t have one. Well, not one that can open, anyway. It has (as an option) a panoramic glass roof with a sliding screen, but that’s it. If you want the wind in your hair, then opt for the convertible variant.

As for the rear accommodation, we were expecting a little more space. After all, this is supposed to be a grand tourer, but the rear seat is really only for kids or smaller adults (and short trips only). We think it’s far more likely that the Speed’s rear seats will be used for extra storage. That said, the boot is of a decent size; its claimed capacity is 358 litres.

Performance and Efficiency

With 900 Nm of torque on tap, sufficient acceleration is always at hand.

Underneath that long and broad bonnet of the Continental GT Speed is the marque’s trademark twin-turbocharged 6.0-litre W12, which is mated with an 8-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission that drives all four wheels. In Speed trim, the engine develops an almighty 485 kW (from 5 000 to 6 000 rpm) and a crunching 900 Nm of torque from 1 500 to 5 000 rpm, so suffice to say the performance is explosive, although it’s delivered in an undramatic (almost serene) manner.

Fire up the big motor and the transmission pre-selects “Bentley” mode – a middle-ground setting between Comfort and Sport that suits the car well. It’s worth noting that, even when shifting manually in Sport mode, the transmission will shift up by itself when the revs reach the red line, so if a truly engaging drive is what you’re after, you have to concentrate.

It’s also not a car that likes its accelerator to be mashed. Given the coupe’s lofty peak outputs, you may anticipate an immediate response when you put “pedal to the metal”, but there is a lag while all that torque gets apportioned. Once the Bentley hooks up, however, acceleration is akin to being teleported to the horizon while squished into a lounge chair.

No, to get the best responsiveness out of this drivetrain, you have to be somewhat delicate with your throttle inputs… Ensure you’ve selected the right gear and then lean on the long pedal… Bentley claims a 0-100-kph time of 3.6 sec, which is pretty rapid for a vehicle that weighs around 2.3 tonnes, and a 335-kph top speed. Serious numbers indeed, but the most impressive aspect of the Speed’s performance is its overtaking punch at cruising speed – that’s what makes it such a wonderfully impressive cross-continent crusher.

Efficiency? Honestly, does it even matter? For the record, Bentley claims an average fuel consumption figure of 13.5 L/100 km. Pah, in their dreams.

Comfort and Features

There’s a multitude of buttons in the cabin (more than in most modern cars), which is why the centre console looks cluttered.

Given its lofty asking price, the Speed is a feature-loaded vehicle even at base specification (as one would expect), but we doubt that you would ever find such a thing as a “poverty-spec” Continental GT. Once you start shopping at this price level, part of the allure is to configure your machine to your heart’s content, after all.

So, let’s just discuss some of the highlights. As mentioned before, the seats are fantastic and can be specified with a massaging function which, in our view, is one of the best we’ve experienced. Also on offer is a “Naim for Bentley” audio system, which features speakers placed strategically to make it feel like the music is coming through the chairs! It certainly provides an “immersive” experience.

In terms of infotainment features, we’d rate the Continental GT Speed as (gasp!) okay. It features digital instrumentation, but there’s a distinct lack of design flair and adjustability. Sure, you can have the navigation or night-vision displayed in front of you, but there are far more affordable cars that offer more “entertaining” instrumentation displays/options.

The 12.3-inch touchscreen infotainment system is comprehensive and similar to the one used in the Porsche Panamera (also part of the Volkswagen Group) and there are enough physical buttons for those drivers who don’t like pressing on a screen. This, however, can be somewhat of a chore, because the menu system is not as intuitive as it could be.

Ride and Handling

Bentley Continental GT Speed tracking rear

Bentley has used a few tricks to make its grand tourer handle better.

In terms of dynamic ability, the Continental GT Speed has a particularly tricky selection of boxes that it needs to tick. On the one hand, it needs to deliver a crushingly comfortable and refined ride – it is, after all, a “grand tourer”. On the other hand, it is also a “Speed”, which means the Bentley needs to be reasonably sharp and engaging (enough) to pilot when its driver is in the mood to have fun. And it must do all that while managing the physics that come part and parcel with being a bit of a Heffalump (by sportscar standards).

The Speed is underpinned by Bentley’s three-chamber, adaptive damping air suspension system. It also sports the British marque’s Dynamic Ride 48V active roll bars, as well as a four-wheel-steering system that’s similar to what is utilised in the Flying Spur, but with different tuning. Rear-wheel steering virtually reduces the car’s wheelbase and tightens the turning circle at lower speeds, but at higher speeds, it works to move the “pivot point” closer to the centre of the car, which, of course, makes the Speed feel more manoeuvrable.

Also part of the exceedingly high-tech dynamics package is torque vectoring – the four-wheel-drive system can shift as much as 70% of the torque to the rear axle, but the ratio can change continuously through a corner to actively manage the dynamic response of the car. In theory, all of this exists in an effort to provide the driver with greater responsiveness.

The reality? Well, let’s deal with the car’s general ride quality first. Many times in the past, cars with a combination of massive (22-inch) wheels and air suspension have been, um, lumped with hobbled ride qualities. The Continental, by contrast, impressively irons out smaller imperfections – it’s as if they’re not there – and absorbs bigger bumps with aplomb.

Even when the less-than-petite Speed is tasked with delivering, shall we say, ungentlemanly performance, it delivers a level of road-holding that simply beggars belief. Impressively, it also resists understeer very well for such a hefty, all-wheel-drive machine, but it never really feels “rear-biased” as the reading material might lead you to expect.

Given the kind of car the Bentley is, neutral handling is about as good as it’s going to get when you’re cornering hard – you’d have to be driving at a ridiculously high speed to get the coupe unstuck. Perhaps predictably, the steering doesn’t offer much feel. Driving enthusiasts would appreciate a weightier twirl – it feels a bit too generic for such a special car.

Price and After-sales Support

The base price for a Continental GT Speed Coupe in South Africa is R5 045 000 (May 2022), but the options list is long and enticing. Bentley includes a 3-year/unlimited km warranty and a 3-year/100 000 km maintenance plan. Services are scheduled once every 12 months/15 000 km.

Verdict

A Bentleys is an item of desire, not something to compare to rivals spec-for-spec.

An evaluation of a car such as the Continental GT Speed based on consumer-journalism criteria would miss the point of Bentley’s W12-engined coupe entirely. For the money, there are cars that are faster, more technologically advanced, more spacious and, subjectively speaking, prettier. Ultimately, the Bentley Continental GT Speed is its own yardstick; rationality does not apply to this product; it’s a car that you instinctively want, rather than need. And if you’re in a position to act on that desire, you’re very fortunate indeed!

Affordable Electric Volkswagens On the Cards

Volkswagen Group is preparing a massive investment into electrification with a new facility in Spain. With the new factory will come a new wave of affordable electric Volkswagens, addressing one of the major issues with EVs.

The 10 billion Euro investment will see the assembly of a battery gigafactory in Spain, which will aid the production of more electric vehicles at the Pamplona and Martorell factories. “This investment of 10 billion euros will electrify Spain and Europe’s second-largest automotive manufacturer, creating a battery Gigafactory in Sagunto, enabling the production of electric vehicles at the Martorell and Pamplona plants, and building-up a comprehensive supplier ecosystem. This is the biggest industrial investment ever made in Spain”, said Herbert Diess, CEO of the Volkswagen Group.

This new gigafactory will have an annual production capacity of 40 GWh, employ more than 3000 people by 2030 and construction begins in the first quarter of 2023. Production of batteries will start in 2026. Impressively, construction of a photovoltaic plant was also approved and this will supply the new gigafactory with green electricity.

One of the biggest issues around going green and electric cars is the price of the vehicles themselves. There is simply no such thing as a cheap or affordable new electric car. While calculations show that you’ll eventually recoup the costs by not having to buy petrol or diesel, the barrier to entry is far too high for the majority of consumers. As it stands currently, SA’s cheapest electric car is the Mini Cooper SE, which comes in at R710 000.

In comparison, none of the passenger cars in the top 10 best selling cars in the country are over R500 000, indicating we are a price-sensitive market. Granted, there are other factors at play like an unfavourable tax and duty system that punishes importers and more so for electric cars.

So, what can be done? Volkswagen SA has already given us a taste of both the e-Golf and the ID.3, but neither will go on sale to the public. There’ll be a testing fleet of the Volkswagen ID.4 during 2022, but we expect that to be priced close to R1 million if it is approved for sale. As part of the Spanish gigafactory announcement, Volkswagen Group confirmed there will be smaller electric cars that will be built in Spain from 2025.

While we don’t get SEAT or Skoda models, the little Volkswagen teaser image has us excited. A Polo-sized EV with 350 km of range costing under R500 000 is the dream! Could this model be the Volkswagen ID.1? Fingers crossed we see some affordable electric Volkswagens in SA sooner rather than later.

Want to buy an electric vehicle? See your options for sale here.

Will I Am Creates One-Off AMG

Musician Will.I.Am and Mercedes-AMG have collaborated on a one-off project, called The Flip.

This extraordinary-looking vehicle is the result of a colab between Mercedes-AMG and musician Will.I.Am. With the AMG GT 4-door coupe serving as the base for the project, there have been some interesting enhancements, like the front from a Mercedes-AMG G-Class and rearward opening doors.

It will be shown at the Formula One race that takes place in Miami, Florida. The vehicle was built to help disadvantaged communities gain access to science and art education. Other subtle details are the Will.I.AMG badges and retro-styled five-spoke alloy wheels. From what we understand, the engine was left untouched.

“I didn’t touch the engine, because AMG really does make the best engines,” will.i.am said in a statement. “I grew up in a ghetto. I grew up with hip-hop. I watched legendary hip-hop artists rap about Mercedes, so it was always a dream to own a Mercedes,” the star said. “For a lot of inner-city kids, owning a Mercedes is a symbol of progress and advancing out of struggle. Now I’ve reached my goal and pushed even higher by reimagining and creating my own vision of an AMG model.”

The AMG GT 4-door supercar is one impressive machine. We spent some time behind the wheel of the 470 kW/900 Nm twin-turbo 4.0-litre V8 model, but there’s an even faster plug-in hybrid derivative with 150 kW and 500 Nm more.

Want to buy an AMG? Browse stock for sale here.

Lexus LX (2022) Specs & Price

The new Lexus LX has finally touched down in South Africa. Here’s a closer look at the expanded local range, including pricing…

Keen on the Toyota Land Cruiser 300 but want even more luxury and a posher badge? Well, the new Lexus LX has finally arrived in South Africa, though the Japanese firm’s local division warns it is still experiencing “acute supply constraints”.

Whereas the outgoing LX line-up comprised just two derivatives (the 450d at R1 968 600 and the 570 at R2 040 200), the box-fresh J310-generation range features as many as five variants (including, for the first time on the LX, a raft of F Sport models), with pricing starting at R2 206 600 and running through to R2 627 500.

Engine options mirror those of the Land Cruiser 300, which means oil-burning duties are taken care of by a 3.3-litre turbodiesel V6 delivering 225 kW and 700 Nm to all four wheels via a 10-speed automatic transmission. The petrol-fed 3.5-litre V6, meanwhile, generates 305 kW and 650 Nm. Both top out at 210 km/h, though the diesel sips at a claimed 8.3 L/100 km compared with the petrol’s listed figure of 11.3.

Riding on the latest GA-F platform (so, still a tough-as-nails ladder-frame construction), the fresh-faced LX gains all-new front and rear adaptive variable suspension. Lexus bills the newcomer as the most capable LX yet, both on-road and off. All models feature open front and rear differentials and a locking Torsen centre differential.

Interestingly, only the LX 600 comes with seven seats, with the LX 500d, LX 500d F Sport and LX 600 F Sport each featuring five. The LX 600 VIP, meanwhile, accommodates four.

Here’s what the new Lexus LX looks like without the F Sport trimmings…

The LX 500d and LX 600 ship standard with items such as fingerprint verification for the start button, a 12.3-inch touchscreen, wireless smartphone charging, wood interior trim, a digital rear-view mirror, four-zone climate control, heated front seats, a 25-speaker Mark Levinson surround sound system, adaptive LED headlamps, a hands-free powered tailgate, a moonroof and plenty more.

F Sport models furthermore gain model-specific exterior styling, such as the black mesh grille, more aggressive bumper design and 22-inch F Sport alloy wheels, along with “race-inspired” updates inside, including the alloy pedals, special gauges and the requisite smattering of F Sport logos. The F Sport trim level furthermore adds a rear Torsen limited-slip differential, front and rear performance dampers and a unique electric power steering tune.

Finally, the flagship four-seater VIP model – which is available in petrol guise only – features second-row reclining captain’s chairs and ottomans that Lexus claims “position and hold passengers in their natural, relaxed state”. These individual pews (which are heated and ventilated, and boast a massaging function) recline to a maximum of 48 degrees at the click of a button, while the front passenger seat features an extra front slide mode to further increase space for those at the rear.

How much does the Lexus LX cost in South Africa?

Lexus LX 500d – R2 206 600

Lexus LX 500d F Sport – R2 215 200

Lexus LX 600 F Sport – R2 247 000

Lexus LX 600 – R2 260 400

Lexus LX 600 VIP – R2 627 500

The new Lexus LX ships standard with a 7-year/100 000 km warranty and a maintenance plan of the same length.

Toyota RAV4 Hybrid E-Four Review – Is a hybrid the best solution to cut fuel costs?

The Toyota RAV4 range was updated at the beginning of 2022 and now features Hybrid E-Four versions in GX-R and VX spec. Ciro De Siena drives it and reports back on what the hybrid is like to live with.

Looking for a used RAV4 in South Africa? Browse current stock here

Toyota South Africa launched the first-ever hybrid RAV4 in South Africa last year, at a very impressive price point of around R550 000. However, that front-wheel-drive model has been taken off the market and replaced with this, the all-wheel-drive RAV4 Hybrid E-Four.

The E-Four now means that buyers looking for the sure-footedness of all-wheel-drive are catered for, and the new Hybrid is much more comprehensively specced than the outgoing hybrid model, but the price has risen by around R100 000, which seems to put the model a bit further out of reach for the South African consumer.

But with fuel prices soaring, many South Africans are looking for ways to cut their transport costs, and Toyota thinks hybrid is the answer, at least in the short-to-medium term.

Join our video guy, Ciro De Siena, for a thorough review of the newcomer, and he also tries to answer the big question: should you buy a hybrid vehicle at all?

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How much does the Toyota RAV4 cost in South Africa?

The updated Toyota RAV4 range is sold with a 6 Services / 90 000 km service plan with intervals every 12 months / 15 000 km and a 3-year / 100 000 km warranty.

RAV4 2.0 GX-R CVT AWD – R606 600

RAV4 2.0 VX CVT 2WD – R617 000

RAV4 2.5 GX-R CVT Hybrid E-Four – R644 100

RAV4 2.5 VX AT AWD – R702 300

RAV4 2.5 VX CVT Hybrid E-Four – R723 200

BMW Teases New M4 CSL … Then Deletes Post

BMW released the first official teaser images of its long-rumoured M4 CSL via Facebook but then bizarrely deleted the post just a few hours later…

BMW has finally explicitly confirmed the new M4 CSL is indeed on the way, announcing the upcoming model’s reveal date on social media before deleting the post (including a pair of shadowy teaser shots).

In the post on its official BMW M Facebook page, the Munich-based firm said the new M4 CSL coupé would enjoy its world premiere in Italy at the Concorso d’Eleganza Villa d’Este 2022, which kicks off on 20 May 2022.

The first teaser image shows the front of the vehicle and gives us a decent look at its model-specific lighting signature, which gains yellow accents (yes, similar to those applied to the M5 CS). Peer closely and you might also be able to spot elements of the more aggressively styled front facia, such as the front splitter.

The second shot depicts the M4 CSL’s rear end, which features an interesting array of thin lighting elements as well as what appears to be a ducktail-style spoiler (surely in a nod to the E46 M3 CSL). Of course, this is in contrast to the towering wing applied to the previous-generation (F82) M4 GTS and M4 DTM Champion Edition.

Of course, we’ve seen spy shots of the newcomer before, as well as reported on rumours the M4 CSL’s uprated twin-turbo 3.0-litre straight-six will boast in excess of 400 kW (up on the M4 Competition’s peak of 375 kW). The same reports claim the CSL will be available only in rear-wheel-drive guise, fitted with an 8-speed automatic transmission as standard.

It will surely also benefit from a raft of weight-saving measures (perhaps even ditching the rear seats) and sport oodles of carbon-fibre and Alcantara. Production is unlikely to exceed 1 000 units, ensuring a suitable degree of exclusivity.

The new M4 CSL is expected to be at the very centre of the BMW M division’s 50th anniversary celebration. Indeed, the German firm’s own “50 years of mean machinery – BMW M cars and their ancestors” judging class will be documented at this year’s Concorso d’Eleganza Villa d’Este. We’ll have more details for you then…

10 best-selling bakkies in South Africa: April 2022

We’ve sorted through Naamsa’s detailed monthly sales figures to pick out South Africa’s best-selling bakkies for April 2022. Let’s take a look at the figures…

Though South Africa’s overall new-vehicle sales showed a marginal year-on-year increase to 37 107 units in April 2022, the light-commercial segment (which includes bakkies) shrunk by nearly 12% to 9 558 units. At least some of that drop can be attributed to the deadly KwaZulu-Natal floods, which not only disrupted supply chains but also saw the shuttering of Toyota’s Prospecton factory, where the Hilux is produced (along with the Corolla Cross, Corolla Quest, Fortuner, Hi-Ace Ses’fikile and some Hino models).

Despite this, the Toyota Hilux managed to hold onto its title of the best-selling bakkie in South Africa in April 2022, with 2 788 units registered (a month-on-month fall of more than 1 700 units). It will be interesting to see how the Hilux fares in May considering Toyota SA Motors admits it is “anticipating stock challenges” with its locally produced models in the coming months as it grapples to restart production.

The outgoing Silverton-built Ford Ranger (1 140 units) climbed two places to reclaim a more familiar second spot, while the Rosslyn-produced Nissan NP200 (966 units) held steady in third. That saw the Isuzu D-Max drop two places to fourth, though we suspect the switch over to the new-generation model ultimately impacted its relatively disappointing final tally of 777 units. We’re keen to see how the latest D-Max – as well as the prolonged lifecycle Gen 6 – performs in its first full month on sale in May.

The locally assembled Mahindra Pik Up (458 units) and Rosslyn-built Nissan Navara (435 units) retained their fifth and sixth places respectively in April 2022, while the GWM P-Series (263 units) and GWM Steed (231 units) swapped seventh and eighth. All four, however, experienced significant month-on-month reductions in volume.

As is so often the case, the evergreen Toyota Land Cruiser 79 (205 units) took the penultimate spot on the list, with the outgoing Volkswagen Amarok (162 units) completing the top 10 table. Interestingly, only the Ranger and Amarok experienced any sort of month-on-month growth.

Best of the rest in April 2022

What about the smaller players? Well, the Mahindra Bolero (78) was yet again the best of the rest in April 2022, while the Mitsubishi Triton almost doubled its previous month’s tally to end on 63 units. The JAC T8 finished on 48 units, with the JAC T6 settling for 11 registrations. The Peugeot Landtrek grew nine units to end on 36, while Mazda’s total of BT-50 sales dropped to a mere 12 units.

Export winners in April 2022

Ford exported 5 038 units of its Ranger from local shores in April, enough to put it right at the sharp end of the bakkie export table. Toyota’s Hilux export figure, meanwhile, fell to 3 411 units, again largely thanks to the flooding disaster. The Isuzu D-Max (409), Nissan Navara (241) and Nissan NP200 (37) made up the numbers.

10 best-selling bakkies in South Africa for April 2022

1. Toyota Hilux – 2 788 units

2. Ford Ranger – 1 140 units

3. Nissan NP200 – 966 units

4. Isuzu D-Max – 777 units

5. Mahindra Pik Up – 458 units

6. Nissan Navara – 435 units

7. GWM P-Series – 263 units

8. GWM Steed – 231 units

9. Toyota Land Cruiser 79 – 205 units

10. Volkswagen Amarok – 162 units

New vehicle sales in South Africa: April 2022

South Africa’s new-vehicle sales figures for April 2022 have been released, with the industry achieving a marginal year-on-year increase despite the devastating impact of the KwaZulu-Natal floods. Here’s everything you need to know…

According to Naamsa, South Africa’s new-vehicle market “continued its road to recovery” in April 2022 despite facing a number of disruptions, with the monthly sales total of 37 107 units representing an increase of 4.3% compared with the same month in 2021.

Although markedly down on March 2022’s impressive total of 50 607 units, April’s year-on-year growth was achieved despite the deadly KwaZulu-Natal flooding disaster, which not only caused supply-chain and transport disruptions but forced Toyota South Africa Motors to halt production at Prospecton (and damaged a number of freshly built vehicles, too). In addition, renewed COVID-19-related parts shortages and the global repercussions of Russia’s invasion of the Ukraine as well as SA’s usual string of April public holidays impacted the local market last month.

Still, Naamsa revealed the passenger-vehicle segment was largely responsible for keeping the industry in the positive, with this sector of the market’s 26 653-unit contribution representing a 12.9% gain compared to April 2021. The car rental industry played a key role here, accounting for 12.5% of car sales during the month. Domestic sales of new light-commercial vehicles, however, fell 11.9% to 9 558 units in April 2022. Export sales, meanwhile, recorded a year-on-year increase 16% to 30 788 units.

WesBank, meanwhile, advised the market “shouldn’t be dismayed” by April’s results, pointing out the industry faced a “few more challenges than usual” in its attempts to maintain pace.

“Volatility is the only constant within the market, especially impacted by erratic supply beyond the manufacturers’ control. April’s volumes remain on the high end of last year’s performance and therefore shouldn’t be cause for any alarm,” says Lebogang Gaoaketse, Head of Marketing and Communication at WesBank.

New vehicle sales summary for April 2022

Aggregate new-vehicle sales of 37 107 units increased by 4.3% (1 516 units) compared to April 2021.
New passenger-vehicle sales of 26 653 units increased by 12.9% (2 924 units) compared to April 2021.
New light-commercial vehicle sales of 9 558 units decreased by 11.9% (-1 291 units) compared to April 2021.
Export sales of 30 788 units increased by 16% (4 248 units) compared to April 2021.

10 best-selling car brands in South Africa for April 2022

Despite being hit with the full force of the KZN floods, Toyota remained the most popular brand in South Africa in April, though its tally fell by more than 6 000 units (from its best effort yet) in March 2022 to 8 952 units. Suzuki, meanwhile, climbed back up to a strong third, setting yet another monthly sales record (its fourth on the trot) of 3 696 units. Renault moved up one place to fifth, while Kia improved two spots to seventh. Ford and Haval each dropped a spot to eighth and ninth, respectively.

1. Toyota – 8 952 units

2. Volkswagen Group – 5 084 units

3. Suzuki – 3 696 units

4. Hyundai – 2 847 units

5. Renault – 2 400 units

6. Nissan – 2 148 units

7. Kia – 2 019 units

8. Ford – 1 962 units

9. Haval – 1 393 units

10. Isuzu – 1 038 units

10 best-selling vehicles in South Africa for April 2022

Another month (even one with production interruptions), another instance of the Toyota Hilux topping South Africa’s new-vehicle sales charts. However, there was plenty of movement on the table below. The Suzuki Swift, for instance, enjoyed what must surely be its best monthly effort yet (with 650 of its 1 621 units coming courtesy of the rental channel) to climb eight spots to second, beating even the Volkswagen Polo Vivo, Toyota Corolla Cross and VW Polo hatchback to the title of the country’s best-selling passenger vehicle. The Ford Ranger returned to the table to grab sixth, while the Renault Kiger snaffled ninth. Toyota’s Suzuki-built Starlet and Urban Cruiser, meanwhile, tumbled out of the top 10.

1. Toyota Hilux – 2 788 units

2. Suzuki Swift – 1 621 units

3. Volkswagen Polo Vivo – 1 547 units

4. Toyota Corolla Cross – 1 421 units

5. Volkswagen Polo (hatch) – 1 320 units

6. Ford Ranger – 1 140 units

7. Toyota Hi-Ace – 1 126 units

8. Nissan NP200 – 966 units

9. Renault Kiger – 931 units

10. Isuzu D-Max – 777 units

Top 5 vehicles exported from South Africa in April 2022

The Kariega-built Volkswagen Polo hatchback was again far ahead in the export race in April 2022 with more than 8 300 units leaving local shores, while the Silverton-produced Ford Ranger improved to in excess of 5 000 units. The number of Toyota Hilux units shipped from Prospecton fell to 3 411, while the Isuzu D-Max and Nissan Navara both again settled for three figures. We should point out, of course, that BMW and Mercedes-Benz did not submit detailed figures for April 2022, so it’s unclear how many new X3 and C-Class sedan units were exported from SA during the reporting period.

1. Volkswagen Polo (hatch) – 8 349 units

2. Ford Ranger – 5 038 units

3. Toyota Hilux – 3 411 units

4. Isuzu D-Max – 409 units

5. Nissan Navara – 241 units

Sales outlook

So, where to from here for South Africa’s new-vehicle market? Well, Naamsa says the domestic automotive industry is expected to “continue a stop-start recovery in 2022” in view of prevailing COVID-19-related supply-chain disruptions, insufficient stock, and escalating energy and transportation costs.

In terms of vehicle exports, the industry representative body further says prospects for 2022 “remain optimistic on the back of further new locally manufactured model introductions during the year”. However, it warns the economic damage from the Russia-Ukraine conflict will “contribute to a significant slowdown in global growth in 2022” and add to inflation. As SA’s automotive volumes are “predominantly driven by export demand”, Naamsa says the industry is “highly vulnerable to changes in demand in export markets”, in particular Europe and the United Kingdom.

WesBank’s Gaoaketse, meanwhile, says the year-to-date picture “continues to look positive”, showing growth of 14.8% compared to the same period last year. Indeed, new-vehicle sales to the end of April totalled 173 299 units compared to the 151 022 sold during the first four months of 2021.

“While this is largely thanks to the strong first quarter, the market is expected to continue to its erratic recovery throughout the year,” points out Gaoaketse.