South African ingenuity is highly regarded in the realm of armoured vehicles design, especially when it applies to bakkies.
Combining the inarguable ruggedness of Toyota’s Land Cruiser 70-Series platform with an innovative new cab design, the SVI Max 3 is South Africa’s latest armoured all-terrain offering. And best of all, you can operate one with a standard driver’s licence.
Available in all three 70-Series configurations (single-, double-cab and station wagon), the Max 3’s steel cab is designed and manufactured in South Africa, by SVI. The claim is B6 level ballistic passenger protection, which means it should resist large calibre assault rifle bullets from an AK-47 or R1/FN FAL.
SVI can reinforce the steel cab and its glass elements even further, to a B7 grading, if an owner requires even more blast protection.
The design is completely utilitarian, with squared proportions and surface edges designed to offer excellent bullet resistance, instead of crumple zones or slick aerodynamics. A curious feature is the lack of a conventional front bumper, with the Max 3 featuring a deep grille, framed by edge bumpers at each side.
To compensate for the Max 3’s increased mass, SVI has fitted an appropriate suspension component upgrade and tyres with a greater load rating.
Powering this Land Cruiser platform armoured vehicle is the proven Toyota 4.5-litre V8 turbodiesel, boosting 151 kW and 430 Nm. Perhaps the most appealing element of this SVI Max 3 product concept, is that all the core mechanical service items can be purchased from your local Toyota dealer.
SVI is marketing the baseline SVI Max 3 at R1.6m. And yes, that is quite a bit more than a Land Cruiser Namib edition double-cab.
South Africa’s largest automotive retail group has launched motus.cars, which lists all the new, demo and pre-owned cars, available from its 246 dealerships countrywide at a single, online location. What's more, the brand-new portal includes various services and calculators to help buyers make the best-informed purchasing decisions…
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motus.cars significantly simplifies vehicle buyers’ online shopping experiences. All the listed vehicles (including commercial vehicles, motorcycles and more than 10 000 dealer-certified pre-owned cars) are owned by the Motus Group, making it a safe place to shop for your next wheels.
What is Motus?
The name Motus might be new but it comes with heritage. Previously known as Imperial, which was established in 1948, the Motus group incorporates dealerships that represent 26 respective vehicle brands in the market. Suffice to say it’s a trusted retail brand in South Africa.
With the rebranding of Imperial to Motus in 2018, the new firm’s business interests were consolidated to create an automotive retail group with a countrywide dealer footprint; motus.cars is the culmination of the rebrand that’s been rolled out over the past 2 years.
“The world is changing and the way people buy cars is continuously changing too. The launch of motus.cars is an investment in future-proofing our business while offering customers a safe and convenient way to buy their next car, SUV and bakkie” says Osman Arbee, Motus Group's CEO.
In an industry-first for an automotive dealer group, motus.cars offers consumers everything they should need in order to make best-informed vehicle purchasing decisions in a simple, safe, and convenient manner in one place. Once interested buyers have decided what they’d like to buy and initial contact has been made, the next step can be taken, such as arranging a test drive at a convenient Motus dealer or applying for vehicle finance.
“motus.cars is the first automotive retail group to launch a true, online brand in its totality,” adds Corné Venter, the chief executive of Motus Retail and Rental SA division.
A new site for a changing market
In a rapidly changing market, automotive retailers need to adapt to a new way of selling cars. Prospective buyers used to visit multiple dealerships when shopping for a car, but lately, would-be purchasers tend to visit one or two showrooms, but conduct most of their car research online…
According to Motus’ data, more than 75% of its customers start their car buying journey online and more than 50% of all Motus Group car sales originate from an online platform.
Shopping for a vehicle no longer needs to be limited to customers’ local areas. They can shop a wide variety of vehicles on motus.cars, which are available at Motus dealerships across South Africa and have their chosen vehicle delivered anywhere in South Africa.
Assured quality of used vehicles
All pre-owned cars listed on motus.cars undergo a stringent quality control process, which verifies histories and eliminates the chances of any stolen or rebuilt vehicles being offered for sale. A comprehensive used-car inspection report is available on selected used cars that ensures that customers are spared unwelcome surprises post-purchase.
motus.cars also stocks ex-rental vehicles, giving customers the opportunity to take advantage of this large volume of pre-owned stock. The inventory includes a vast variety of quality budget cars and the majority of vehicles less than years old, which means mileages are reasonable; in many cases, a service or maintenance plan is still in effect.
Shop for new and used simultaneously
motus.cars offers buyers information about new vehicles from all brands in one place, which eliminates the need to visit various manufacturers’ websites; the models that are of interest can be compared with each other using various comparison tools and filters.
Details of as many as 255 new-car models are available, with detailed visuals of the cars’ exterior and interior, specifications and standard features. Shoppers often start their car buying journey thinking about a new car and then migrate towards a demo or used car when comparing different cars. This is only possible on a website where visitors can compare new, used and demo vehicles across various brands, all on one screen.
The search box on the motus.cars homepage allows visitors to start with a broad vehicle search before using the 13 additional filters (including, but not limited to, province, body type, price, colour, features, transmission, and fuel type) to refine their search.
Users can add cars to their Favourites, which makes browsing easier when narrowing their search. This is an example of functionality that shoppers have become accustomed to when shopping online. The static menu bar at the bottom of the mobile screen, for example, allows quick links to popular search results on the website, while filter buttons and sliders were designed to simplify the use of filters.
Various ways to make an enquiry
Enquiring about a car on motus.cars is easy thanks to 4 contact methods. Car shoppers can choose their preferred channel from an enquiry form, a WhatsApp chat, a phone call or a please-call-me request. Or ask the Live Chat agent to connect them directly with the selling Motus dealer.
Live Chat agents are able to assist visitors in real-time by answering any questions relating to their vehicle needs and wants and will aid in narrowing down their vehicle options in line with their requirements and budget limitations. They are also able to assist visitors by answering any questions relating to all factors of buying a car, the finance documents required and vehicle specifications.
Helpful online tools
To help consumers to make the best-informed car-buying decisions, motus.cars further offers prospective car buyers a number of online calculators to help them determine the respective costs of finance and -ownership. Finance applications are sent to all major banks to ensure customers get the best deals in terms of repayments and interest rates.
The vehicle ownership cost calculator may be particularly helpful to first-time buyers, who can calculate the true cost of owning a car and avoid over-reaching their budget. First-time car buyer tips and tools will assist rookie shoppers in their purchasing decision. In addition, a comprehensive Frequently Asked Question section covers questions ranging from website functionality to finance terms and buyer tips.
“motus.cars is ready to meet the needs of consumers whether that is in the new or used market. If the used car business grows further, we are ready for that market. Motus has the stock, the outlets and the staff to meet those demands,” Venter concludes.
For existing customers, motus.cars allows for the convenient booking of a service or repair appointment at a franchised dealer of their choice.
2021 Mercedes-Maybach S-Class Brings New Levels of Luxury
Is the standard Mercedes-Benz S-Class not good enough for you? Want the ultimate luxury limousine? Say hello to the 2021 Mercedes-Maybach S580.
For those high net worth individuals who think driving is archaic and insist on a chauffeur, the reveal of the latest generation of Mercedes-Maybach is likely to grab your attention. The Mercedes-Maybach takes the already spacious and luxury-focused S-Class and enhances it to focus on passenger comfort.
Physically, the Mercedes-Maybach S-Class boasts a longer wheelbase, with an additional 18cm resulting in even more legroom for the rear passengers. For the first time, the rear doors can opened at the push of a button and passengers benefit from cool tech like the active noise cancellation that overrides outside noises in favour of a whisper-quiet interior. Rear passengers get heated, cooled and massage seats, plus these seats can recline flat into beds. The options list is extensive. The Executive Rear Package features tray tables, more wood trim as well as a champagne fridge with matching glasses. There are no less than 5 infotainment screens as well as a removable tablet.
In terms of engine offerings, will be a choice of two powertrains, but it appears this is market-dependent. In S580 4Matic, there's a 4.0-litre twin-turbocharged V8 with 370 kW and 700 Nm driving all 4 wheels via a 9-speed automatic, while there's talk of the V12 motor soldiering on, badged as an S650. There will also be a plug-in hybrid model, featuring a 3.0-litre inline 6-cylinder motor mated to an electric setup. The Mercedes-Maybach is not a small car, and it now features rear-wheel steering which radically reduces its turning circle as the wheels on the rear axle can turn up to 11 degrees.
In the Mercedes-Benz Maybach, it's all about the passengers in the rear.
Cars.co.za Consumer Awards, powered by WesBank, Concludes Testing at Gerotek
The final phase of the 2020/21 Cars.co.za Consumer Awards, powered by WesBank took place at Gerotek in early November when judges convened at the world-class testing facility to evaluate the finalist vehicles.
The judging panel, which included the Cars.co.za editorial team and a host of judges from all walks of life, tested 39 vehicles in 13 categories.
Their scores are being tabulated by auditors PwC and combined with the feedback of thousands of South African vehicle owners from the Cars.co.za Ownership Satisfaction Survey to decide each category winner (the judges' scores and the survey data will have an equal weighting). The consumer feedback has been compiled in partnership with vehicle information specialists Lightstone Auto.
The Cars.co.za Consumer Awards, powered by WesBank, made waves 6 years ago when the awards programme was launched as a comprehensive and statistically significant evaluation of the thousands of models available on the South African new-vehicle market.
The new Entry Level category includes some of the cheapest cars on sale in SA such as the S-Presso and Atos.
Unlike other automotive award programmes, the Cars.co.za Consumer Awards, powered by WesBank considers all vehicles that are on sale on a given date (1 October 2020, in the case of the 2020/21 instalment). From this pool, the judges pick semi-finalists and finalists using a rigorous set of criteria, including the feedback from owners and market insight from Cars.co.za’s deep knowledge of the automotive market.
The finalists are then pitted against each other over 2 days at Gerotek, with specific judges assigned to each category. Their inputs are weighted, based on the category, and combined with the customer data from the Ownership Satisfaction Survey to truly find the best vehicle in each category.
This process means that if a manufacturer offers poor service support or sub-par durability, it will show up in the Ownership Satisfaction Survey and act as a counterbalance to excellent on-track and -road performance at Gerotek. Similarly, a car brand may prove to offer exceptional service and durability (based on the gathered survey data), but if its product doesn't stand out above its peers on merit, it could fall short in the final phase.
Toyota's brand new Fortuner was put to the test in off-road and on-road conditions. It passed the slalom test too…
For this year’s programme, 2 new categories were added. Entry Level was the first category to be added and caters for first-time buyers looking to get the absolute best bang for buck. “Budgets are extremely tight in 2020 more so than usual so it made sense to add a category that offers advice at the lowest end of the market, below our usual Budget Car category,” said Ashley Oldfield, Cars.co.za Content Manager.
The price threshold for the Crossover category was lowered, which allowed for the creation of a Premium Crossover category. With demand for crossovers and SUVs increasing every year (because a growing number of buyers seek vehicles that are capable of taking them on adventures by offering increased ground clearance and a modicum of off-road ability), it made sense to split the Crossover category to reflect the market better.
With very little movement in the Performance Car world and prices rocketing to stratospheric levels, the category was removed for 2020/21. Fear not, petrolheads, it may return next year, depending on how many new contenders are added to the segment in the next 10 months or so.
The other category that was removed this year was Premium Hatch, which has also seen little movement in terms of new introductions in 2020, but it could also make a return next year with the Volkswagen Golf 8 and Audi A3 Sportback scheduled to be introduced locally in the near future.
The Cars.co.za Consumer Awards, Powered by WesBank is now into its 6th year and has cemented its place as the premier vehicle awards programme in South Africa, combining real public input on the vehicles that they own (less than 5 years old) and a multi-faceted judging process.
Three of the best hot hatches money can buy. It will be tough to pick a winner here.
“As South Africa’s leader in vehicle and asset finance, it is important to us to align our brand with impactful industry initiatives, particularly those that add value to consumers. There are many aspects to consider when making a major budget-impacting decision such as buying a car. As such, consumers should have access to credible opinions and objective data on the models of cars and features available in the market, to assist them in making an informed purchasing decision,” says Ghana Msibi, CEO of WesBank Motor.
Cars.co.za has more than 65 000 vehicles listed on its site and it welcomes over 5 million monthly visitors. It also hosts South Africa’s top-ranked YouTube channel, while its vehicle restoration programme and car-enthusiast sub-brand SentiMETAL celebrates SA’s automotive heritage.
The 2019/20 #CarsAwards finalists in their respective categories are:
Drag Race! Volkswagen GTI TCR vs Renault Megane RS300 Trophy
The hot hatch mega drag race compilation continues with the Renault Megane RS Trophy up against the Volkswagen Golf GTI TCR.
In a world where flappy paddles reign supreme, some manufacturers still offer the challenge and driver involvement of a third pedal and an odd stick-shaped mechanism in the middle of the car, which enables the driver to change gears and control the torque delivery to the wheels the old-fashioned way.
This however, is a terrifically terrible setup when attempting to win a drag race.
And so this race was never going to be entirely fair; a Volkswagen TCR sporting a lightning quick dual clutch gearbox, versus a manual Megane Trophy.
Even though the VW is outgunned here, the driver of the Megane would have to shift absolutely perfectly if he had any hope of securing victory.
Luckily, we have just the man for the job.
In this race, flappy paddle expert Ciro De Siena takes on someone who can actually drive: Ashley Oldfield.
Enjoy and be sure to nitpick the video for all the wrong reasons.
Italian supercar specialist, Lamborghini, has revealed the Huracan Super Trofeo Omologata (STO) which succeeds the Huracan Performante.
Just when you thought the Huracan Performante was all it, Lamborghini ushers in the Huracan STO.
The Huracan STO slots in above the Huracan Evo and retains the marvellous 5.2-litre V10 which produces 470 kW and 565 Nm in this application with those numbers exclusively directed to its rear rubber. Its purposeful look is met with equal performance and the zero to 100 kph sprint will take just 3 seconds while zero to 200 kph is claimed in 9 seconds with a top speed of 310 kph. Three new drive modes are on offer too, including STO (road), Trophy (track) and Rain. Stopping power is provided courtesy of upgraded CCM-R carbon-ceramic brakes which are derived from F1.
The Huracan STO’s performance is made possible not only by its powertrain but also by meaningful weight reduction and aerodynamic efficiency. The extensive use of carbon fibre (more than 75%) for the bodywork has contributed to an overall weight reduction of 43 kg compared with the Performante. The Huracan STO weighs in at only 1 339 kg. Aerodynamically, the Huracan STO is 37% more efficient than the Hurcan Performante while the combination of a rear fin and adjustable spoiler contributed to a significant 53% increase in downforce.
Buyers will have a near-endless choice of colour combinations for the Huracan STO and the images here show off the Huracan STO with a combination of Blue Laufey and California Orange.
The all-new Subaru BRZ has been revealed. Check out all the changes.
Thankfully the recipe for the Subaru/Toyota sportscar hasn't changed dramatically. It still features low weight, low centre of gravity, direct steering and coupe good looks. For the new model, there's enhanced styling, more power and an updated interior. The previous generation's styling has made way for a fresh and modern coupe.
The main criticism of the 86/BRZ was a lack of power and this has been addressed by a new engine. The new 2.4-litre horizontally-opposed 4-cylinder motor now produces 170 kW and 250 Nm, and the engine is capable of revving to 7 000 rpm. Customers can opt for either a 6-speed manual or a 6-speed automatic. For those wanting the true enthusiast experience, Sport mode gives you throttle blipping. The suspension and chassis have been given a rejigged and the car boasts near-perfect weight distribution.
Inside, the 2022 Subaru BRZ features a new driver-focused cabin. There's a digital dashboard and an 8-inch infotainment touchscreen that features the latest Subaru Starlink system with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. The cabin layout is a 2+2, meaning you can in theory take passengers, but as before, we suspect rear legroom will not be great. The rear seats can be folded down and Subaru claims there's enough boot space for a mountain bike or a set of golf clubs.
The new 2022 Subaru BRZ will be assembled in Japan and go on sale globally towards the 3rd quarter of 2021. According to Subaru South Africa, the BRZ is currently only available in the US market. "The introduction of the BRZ in SA will be determined by a number of factors such as pricing and the model's viability in the market. We also need to consider that Toyota will bring in the 86 at a much lower price point which would make selling the BRZ more difficult. We therefore will consider bringing this model closer to the time once it’s made available for our market. Unfortunately, there are no timelines on when the model will be available for SA but Subaru SA suspects it would either be late 2022 or 2023."
BMW is celebrating the heritage of the legendary 325is – affectionately known as the Gusheshe – by introducing 230 units of the limited-edition 330is Edition, which is also exclusive to the South African market!
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Why does the 330is Edition exist? Well, BMW South Africa is not trying to replace the iconic 325is, of which it produced two versions in Rosslyn during the early '90s. For those who don't know, the 2.7-litre straight-6-engined BMW 325is was the ultimate iteration of the E30-generation 3 Series Coupé that was built in South Africa (although another locally-built special model – the 3.2-litre straight-6 333i – had been introduced due to the unavailability of the original, left-hand-drive M3, a few years before that). The limited-run 330is Edition serves to express BMW's respect for the legacy of the Gusheshe 325is and to offer buyers a truly exclusive 3 Series derivative that's not available anywhere else – in the world.
Whereas the 333i was effectively South Africa's right-hand-drive substitute for the E30-generation M3, the 325is was bred for the racetrack. The principal reason why it came to be was that BMW needed to build 500 units of the Gusheshe to enter it in Stannic Group N production car racing, where the German brand’s cars were locked in a heated battle with Opel’s Kadett 2.0 GSi 16V “Big Boss” and 2.0 GSi 16V S “Superboss”.
Now, nearly 30 years later, manufacturers rarely develop bespoke models for the sheer purpose of gaining the upper hand in motorsport and, if they do, the cars are well beyond the reach of ordinary consumers. The 325is, by contrast, was based on the aspirational E30-generation 3 Series – if you were lucky, you could either see (or, even better, hear) one of these alloy-wheeled and be-spoilered Bimmers in the street or at car meetings.
Cars.co.za’s lifestyle and enthusiasts' brand SentiMETAL has two examples of the BMW 325is (the first example of the original version, known as the “EVO 1”, plus an EVO 2) in its curated fleet of iconic cars that were built and sold exclusively in South Africa and we’ve produced plenty of content (including Track Memories: BMW 325iS & Opel Kadett Superboss) and merchandise that celebrate the rich history of the Gusheshe.
The direct descendant of the revered 325is is technically the new BMW 4 Series Coupé, which was recently launched in South Africa, but the G20-generation 3 Series preceded its 2-door sibling and besides, BMW SA produced 5 generations of the sports executive sedan at its Rosslyn plant.
BMW SA’s homage to the 325is is the exclusive 330is Edition, but, unlike the Gusheshe that appeared 30 years ago, the newcomer is not based on the top-of-the-range 3 Series derivative. Instead, it is related to the middle-of-the-range 330i, which is powered by a BMW TwinPower Turbo 2.0-litre 4-cylinder petrol engine that produces 190 kW and 400 Nm and drives the sedan’s rear wheels via an 8-speed automatic transmission.
The Munich-based manufacturer claims that the 330is Edition can accelerate from a 0 to 100 kph in 5.8 seconds and go on to an electronically limited top speed of 250 kph. In terms of economy, BMW claims an average fuel consumption figure of 6.4 L/100 km for the newcomer, which works out to a theoretical range of 922 km from a full (59-litre) tank of fuel.
But the 330is Edition won’t easily be mistaken for a stock standard BMW G20-generation 3 Series… The newcomer’s exterior execution specifically emphasises the exclusive model’s sportiness and, as such, comes kitted out in an M Sport package (note the blacked-out double-kidney grille with matching trim surround, for example). The M Aerodynamic kit includes an M Performance -front splitter, -skirts in body colour and -boot spoiler.
To ensure that the 330is Edition has a purposeful stance, the M Sport Package lowers the sedan's ride height by 10 mm by virtue of the integral sport suspension. BMW has also fitted 20-inch M Performance wheels and M Performance exhaust tips that produce a more urgent exhaust note.
The M Sport brakes have 4-piston fixed callipers at the front and single-piston floating callipers at the rear, in blue with the M designation and features large brake discs to ensure outstanding stopping power.
The 330is Edition’s Adaptive M suspension, meanwhile, can be electronically adjusted by the driver to suit various driving and road conditions. The suspension characteristics can also be adjusted via the Driving Experience Control to suit an individual's driving style (from Comfort to Sport).
The newcomer's variable sport steering creates direct and agile steering responses in circumstances when dynamic handling is required. This is complemented by the Steptronic Sport transmission, which allows the driver to actuate manual gear shifts via the 330is Edition’s steering-wheel-mounted shift paddles or the transmission lever.
The BMW Individual high-gloss Shadow Line (inspired by the BMW 325i Shadow Line that was introduced in the late Eighties and paved the way for the arrival of the 325is in subsequent years) extends from the black grille and side-window trim to the sedan’s darkened headlights. Each BMW 330is Edition also carries an authentic boot-lid badge that’s unique to the vehicle.
To spark nostalgia, the 330is Edition is available in a choice of colours – from classic Glacier Silver, striking Melbourne Red and timeless Alpine White (which is shown here) to the sophisticated Black Sapphire.
One-of-a-kind interior
For such an expressive newcomer to BMW’s model line-up, the 330is Edition would not be complete without sporty interior accoutrements that add a distinct sense of occasion – and theatre – to the driving experience.
From the ornate door sills that bear the 330is insignia (on both the driver and front passenger’s side) to the similarly-branded interior trim finisher, the 330is Edition’s interior execution is indeed exclusive.
The cabin is trimmed in classic Black “Vernasca” leather with decorative stitching and is specified with M seat belts, an M leather-trimmed sports steering wheel, ambient interior lighting and an anthracite roof lining.
The sport seats for the driver and front passenger provide the additional lumbar support with their raised side bolsters and extra adjustability.
The 330is Edition comes standard with features such BMW Live Cockpit Professional, Connected Package Professional, Comfort telephony with wireless charging, Gesture Control, as well as Park Assist. However, to further enhance the purchasing proposition, BMW SA has added a glass sliding sunroof and a Harman Kardon Surround Sound system to the package.
BMW 330is Edition price in South Africa (November 2020)
The special edition BMW 330is Edition costs R899 999, which includes a 2-year/unlimited kilometres warranty and a 5-year/100 000 km maintenance plan. Services are determined by an onboard indicator.
How industry tax savings from the government could help you buy the same car, for less money, in the near future.
Many years ago, before Uber or Instagram existed, a prominent South African car company boss was badly misquoted. It's a quote that has taken on even greater meaning with the passage of time…
Months before the global financial crisis of 2008, when the South African economy was on a tear, analysts started talking of the mythical "million- car" market. The idea that local buyers would demand a million new vehicles a year. Of course, that never happened.
The best year on record was 2006, which ended at a total of 714 135. With all the disruption and economic malaise that 2020 has visited upon us, the local industry might only achieve half of that record number by the time this wretched year ends.
South African new-vehicle sales are expected to trend down between 25- to 30% year-on-year. We are not an isolated tragedy. The global pandemic has decimated all planning and demand projections for 2020, but it's telling that our local market has regressed dramatically since 2006.
Monthly sales data over the last 25 years shows SA's vehicle sales decline over the last 5 years.
As the demand for new vehicles has waned, the market offering has, paradoxically, grown in diversity. Hmm, more choices… but fewer customers. Although the last 5 years have seen some notable brands depart (Chevrolet and Daihatsu), South Africans are still offered a dazzling array of models and derivatives. But how are all the brands managing to survive in a market that has halved in the last 15 or so years?
The truth is, they aren’t. Losses are being absorbed with the hope of a turnaround and the situation has become so challenging, that the local industry’s representative body (Naamsa) is now lobbying government for support – and it's something that could soon trigger price reductions.
South Africa’s automotive industry is virtually the country’s only manufacturing success story. It has geographically dispersed assets (Gauteng, Kwa-Zulu Natal and the Eastern Cape) and supports a deep value supply chain. Local engineers and technicians build sophisticated vehicles for some of the world’s most fastidious markets, a sign of approval for local ingenuity, quality and technical discipline.
Limiting government influence – on what you pay for a new car
At R145 900 (Nov 2020), the Suzuki S-Presso is one of the cheapest cars on sale. It would be R137 146 with a 6% tax cut.
Vehicle exports remain healthy, but the domestic market is terribly weak. In an attempt to reduce prices, thereby stimulating demand, Naamsa is imploring the government to forego some of its vehicle tax revenue. The idea is simple: whatever government is willing to sacrifice in terms of its tax burden on the automotive industry, will result in discounted pricing for the consumer.
As part of a complicated trade and industrialisation strategy, our government levies a peculiar burden on new car sales, under the ad valorem policy. Ad valorem sounds like a special-edition paint colour, doesn't it? In fact, it is the technical jargon describing a luxury-goods tax applied to vehicles, and an issue Naamsa would like the government to address urgently.
The proposal is to reduce the new vehicle sales tax from 42% to a compromised figure of between 35- and 38%. For all vehicles, from the cheapest Suzuki S-Presso to AMG’s most outrageous Geländewagen, the savings will be marginal, but welcome nonetheless. Especially for those shopping in the sub-R200 000 segment, where any saving is often the difference between being able to purchase, or having to continue saving.
Sceptical consumers might rightfully ask: "Okay, so if the government could indeed be convinced to provide transactional taxation relief, will South Africa’s automotive industry be transparent in the way it recalculates new-vehicle prices?"
Some brands are in a much stronger financial position than others. Especially those who manufacture locally, earning valuable export credits. If the state relaxes its new vehicle tax regime, would a struggling low-volume imported brand not simply pocket the savings to bolster its cash position?
Toyota SA is by far the most influential local automotive brand and we asked the firm's Vice President of Marketing, Glenn Crompton, to clarify the company’s position: “In essence, the request was made with the intention of making vehicles more affordable and it would certainly be Toyota’s position to pass that reduction on to customers. You may find different strategies on how to pass on the benefit, for example adding more value.”
The result could be either a reduction in purchasing price or improved equipment levels for the same price. But wouldn’t that annoy customers who recently paid the full ad valorem new vehicle purchase price?
Crompton believes that the "broader South African car buyer" understands the issues at hand. “It is likely that a reduction in the price could potentially frustrate some customers, but it is not a guarantee it would have an impact on resale values. I would, however, expect that on balance customers would appreciate any effort to make vehicles more affordable,” he adds.
CO2 is a dirty tax without better fuel options
Poor quality fuel remains a problem in SA and often excludes certain modern engines from being sold locally.
If Naamsa does successfully trigger some sympathy for its position with national treasury, and a tax reduction is swiftly enacted, is that the only tool to influence pricing? No. The stealthy CO2 tax certainly warrants a revaluation as well.
In a country where all car brands are held to ransom by poor fuel quality due to the government’s frankly glacial pace of regulatory adherence, the CO2 tax is a bugbear. Without providing a fuel-quality incentive to allow the deployment of superior engine technology, government’s CO2 tax is environmentally pointless and simply a way of punishing customers who can’t choose a cleaner alternative anyway.
In smaller vehicles, CO2 tax can meaningfully affect price, as a few thousand Rand is often the difference between a deal or the deferment of a purchase. There is a substantive argument that government has no justification for the CO2 tax on private vehicle sales, as it has done nothing to enable customers to choose from the best possible global engines that emit the lowest CO2 emissions.
Beyond lower transactional and CO2 taxes, there is a 3rd factor that could reduce new vehicle prices in South Africa. And it is beyond the control of Naamsa, or even the national government.
The Rand has become your new car pricing hero
The currency is trading back at levels last seen pre lockdown.
At the peak of South Africa’s lockdown, our currency was trading beyond R19 per USD. With Democratic Party nominee Joseph Biden having prevailed in the US Presidential election, that position has strengthened appreciably, to below R16 per USD. And it is great news for car prices.
As the world’s reserve currency, a lot of international car purchasing is done in Dollars. South Africa’s imported vehicle carpark, especially below R300 000, is increasingly sourced from India, but the purchasing certainly isn’t done in Rupees.
Many of Hyundai, Honda, Kia and Suzuki’s most popular local models are now made in India and some of those cars are bought by local distributors, in Dollars.
Recent Rand strength could support the most logical and significant price reductions for popular value models, that are fully imported. Although a broader industry reaction, if government relaxes its luxury and CO2 tax regime, would leverage the rate of discount, in a very welcome manner.
The prototype of the 11th-generation Civic may have been revealed on the world's leading live-streaming platform for gamers, which is novel, but whereas Hyundai and Toyota have incorporated edgier styling in their compact sedans, Honda has arguably made its newcomer appear less fussy (and more conservative) than the current model.
Make of the looks what you will – the sedan's design has split opinion in the Cars.co.za editorial team right down the middle – but Honda says the new model has (compared with the current sedan) an “even sportier, fun-to-drive” chassis, improved powertrains (although the firm didn’t divulge details), as well as multiple new Civic-first features and technologies, plus further advances in active and passive safety features.
In spite of its retina-searing paint finish, the Civic looks markedly reserved… perhaps that just leaves room for sportier versions.
The new Civic will make its North American debut in the 2nd quarter of 2021 (and in the rest of the world thereafter). The sedan version will come first, followed by the hatchback, including eventual performance-focused Si and Type R derivatives.
‘Most popular car in the US’
Honda has a significant presence in esports and its gaming platform includes a partnership with Twitch, which hosted the unveiling as well as Honda's Head2Head gaming channel. It’s a marketing strategy that has certainly paid dividends: the 10th-generation Civic might not be popular in the Republic (for a variety of reasons), but, for the past 4 years, the Japanese model has been the best-selling passenger car in America.
Even if you're not crazy about the overall design, the rear aspect represents the biggest improvement over the current model.
Did you know that the Japanese firm has sold 1.5 million units of the current model in the United States since it was introduced there in 2015 (it arrived in South Africa a year later). According to the firm, the Civic is “the most popular vehicle, car or light truck with Millennials, Gen Z, 1st-time new-vehicle buyers and a growing population of multicultural customers”, which shatters the myth that the brand appeals mostly to mature buyers.
Smoother styling
Whereas the look of the current-generation Civic features an array of sharp lines, creases and almost cartoonish detailing, its successor has a smoother overall shape. To Honda's credit, the Civic retains its swoopy profile and low bonnet, but the Japanese firm's designers focused on the sedan's glasshouse section, where the A-pillars have been moved forward (for better visibility), while the side mirrors now sprout from the doors.
The front-end styling is characterised by sleek, elongated headlamps on either side of the smaller grille, while the rear aspect looks broader by virtue of a wider track and the boomerang-shaped lighting signature of the chunky taillights; a subtle aerodynamic boot-lip completes the look.
The strip of honeycomb-pattern mesh serves as a major interior styling cue and it obscures the centre and side air vents.
Honda has only released a sketch of the newcomer's interior, but it blends old and new. The fascia has been decluttered; designers minimised cut-lines and the tops of the doors blend harmoniously with the profile of the dashboard. And, in yet another example of the current "hidden air vents" trend, a retro-looking strip of honeycomb mesh stretches the width of the fascia (between the climate control console and touchscreen panel).
Don't be fooled by the sketch, the instrument cluster will be all-digital, while the 9-inch infotainment system will offer a host of connectivity options.
The rear bumper features integrated exhaust ends, but we don't know whether they're genuine tips or design accoutrements.
To conclude, the new Civic will feature an advanced new version of Honda's Advanced Compatibility Engineering (Ace) body structure, which is said to offer both improved occupant and pedestrian collision protection. Honda says that its upcoming compact sedan (and its siblings) will also feature an upgraded suite of Honda Sensing safety and driver-assist technologies, as well as "multiple new airbag designs".
As soon as we have more details about the date of availability of the new Civic outside North America, we'll be sure to let you know.
