This week’s news you need to know (November 2021, Week 1)

In this week’s automotive news you need to know: fuel levies and taxes contrive to inflate the fuel price to almost R20 per litre, Toyota officially launches its most anticipated vehicle in years, Hyundai opens the doors for a flood of N models in 2022 and Mini may miss a golden opportunity with its new model.

Fuel Price Increase – The belt tightens

In the latest instalment of the doccie series on how South African consumers get shanked, prison-style, we see the petrol price increase to its highest-ever level (R19.54). Motorists just can’t catch a break. Other nations may peacefully protest this, but in our country, we just grin and bear it. Sounds familiar, right? Our fuel price is regulated; take a long hard look at it – it’s a monopoly disguised as regulation.

> Read more: Huge fuel price spike for November 2021

For the sake of comparison, our neighbours in Botswana pay 11 Pula per litre of unleaded petrol. That’s the equivalent of R14.74, so where does the rest go in Mzansi? Levies and taxes. That’s where. And regardless of how fuel-efficient cars have become and will get in the future, I fear that we will still face that same regulation hanging over our heads and be squeezed even more. The madness needs to end.

Toyota Corolla Cross – Advantage, Toyota

By commencing production of hybrid vehicles, not least of the compact family-car variety (the hottest segment of the passenger vehicle market), Toyota SA has bolstered its future prospects and, when you get none other than President Cyril Ramaphosa to sanction the move, it’s kind of a big deal. Behind the fanfare, however, lies a smart decision to repackage the petrol-electric powertrain (and its gubbins) from the tragically ungainly Prius in mainstream cars such as the Corolla sedan and its Cross variant; this way, buyers have reasonably affordable options with which to take that first step away from ICE.

> Read our local launch review of the brand new Corolla Cross here

Meanwhile, Toyota’s competitors (at least in the domestic market) have yet to show their hands as to how they will do their part to facilitate the electrification of the South African new-vehicle market. VWSA continues its Vrrr-pah! narrative while flirting with the idea of introducing the ID.3 and ID.4, Ford is, um, focusing on the new Ranger and, as for the aspirational brands (like Audi, BMW and Benz), their EVs are just too expensive to achieve notable sales volumes. Apart from a range-topping Honda Fit, Toyota’s hybrid options are the only ones that seem attainable. The Corolla Cross Hybrid is a gamechanger.

Hyundai Kona N & Staria – Building blocks

Last year’s local introduction of the i30 N hot hatch was, unfortunately, doomed from the get-go, but that was hardly surprising, given local buyers’ brand loyalty to the Golf GTI, the Hyundai’s manual-gearbox-only configuration and uncompetitive (even for a niche model) pricing. The South Korean manufacturer has, however, got quite a bit right too; its small crossovers are selling briskly, the new i20 seems good value and 22 377 units of the H1, which the Staria has now replaced, were sold in the past 11 years. So that’s 22 377 Toyotas, Volkswagens and maybe even Benzes that weren’t bought.

> Read more: Hyundai Kona N Confirmed for SA

Okay, the Staria’s sci-fi styling isn’t for everyone, but the newcomer’s pricing is competitive – Hyundai may gobble up big chunks of market share with this bus/van. Such a bullish pricing strategy would also benefit the upcoming Kona N and facelifted i30 N and, who knows, give Hyundai SA the gumption to pull the trigger on the i20N and revive the supermini hot-hatch market. A boy can dream, can’t he?

New Mini Hatch – Let’s return to the blueprint

For a brand whose (initial) sole purpose was to produce affordable, economical 4-seater cars, Mini has strayed far from the path throughout the years; the once humble Mini has morphed into an exclusive plaything (not unlike the cars of its owner, BMW). There aren’t any more “I paid R4 000 for my Mini” stories and that’s a crying shame. Mini’s creator – Sir Alec Issigonis – must be turning in his grave.

> Read more: New Mini Hatch Teased

But perhaps there is an opportunity for BMW to redeem itself by realigning Mini with its original ethos in the EV age. Sure, we may have to sacrifice some creature comforts, but it will mark a return (of sorts) to the original blueprint for the brand. Those who want a Mini (and there are many), might actually have a fighting chance of attaining one in future. Sure, the Sixties are gone and won’t return, but what’s wrong with wanting fun-to-drive cars that are also quite affordable? The major manufacturers are unlikely to build cars like those in future, but niche brands, such as Mini could… and certainly should.