Nissan SA boss hints at hybrid power for next-gen Navara
The head of Nissan South Africa says he thinks it would be “quite easy” to convince local bakkie buyers of the benefits of a next-gen Navara with a hybrid powertrain…
The man at the helm of Nissan South Africa says he believes it would be “quite easy” to convince local bakkie buyers of the benefits of a next-gen Navara with a hybrid powertrain.
Maciej Klenkiewicz, Nissan South Africa and Independent Markets Africa Managing Director made the comments to Cars.co.za during an interview at the South African Auto Week 2024 in Cape Town.
When asked whether Nissan was indeed working on electrifying the next-generation Navara, Klenkiewicz was initially somewhat cagey.
“You’ll see the news. Everyone is working on electrification for the future. Is it going to be a hybrid solution or full EV [electric vehicle]? It depends on the brands. We have our proposals and it’s coming,” he said.
But when quizzed further on whether the typical South African bakkie buyer would be interested in an electrified pick-up of some sort, Klenkiewicz was a bit more forthcoming.
“I think it’s going to be quite easy to convince customers about the advantages that solution will bring, especially when the load-shedding issue disappears and the price of electricity becomes stable – it’s the perfect solution. If you need to drive 20 km or 50 km, definitely a … hybrid solution would be much better.
“And, if you need more power or if you need, for example, longer [range], you will be equipped with the normal ICE [powertrain]. So, I think we will not go, within that segment, straight to the EV solution – sometimes that happens with passenger cars – but there will be a step forward with the hybrid solution,” Klenkiewicz said, seemingly referring to a plug-in hybrid electric vehicle (PHEV) powertrain.
The next-generation Navara – which is expected to share much with the new Mitsubishi Triton under the global Renault-Nissan-Mitsubishi Alliance – seems likely to be unveiled at some point in 2025, though Nissan has yet to confirm a reveal date.
While official information on this new model is decidedly thin on the ground, the Japanese automaker did suggest in March 2024 that its “next-gen 1-tonne pickup” would be available in both plug-in hybrid and fully electric forms – seemingly in addition to a conventional turbodiesel powertrain.
Though Alliance partner Mitsubishi has yet to confirm a plug-in hybrid option for the new Triton – which is expected to launch in Mzansi at some point in November 2024 – it’s thought to be in the brand’s planning. And it’s likely this powertrain that the Navara range will eventually inherit, too.
As a reminder, the local bakkie market already includes a 48V mild-hybrid option offered in the Toyota Hilux range as well as a parallel-hybrid GWM P-Series P500 HEV, while the plug-in hybrid BYD Shark is set to launch in South Africa early in 2025. Ford, meanwhile, will soon start building the new Ranger PHEV at Silverton for export, though this derivative has technically yet to be confirmed for Mzansi.
4×4 Test! New Tank 500 vs New Toyota Prado | Comprehensive offroad comparison
Jacob Moshokoa takes the new Tank 500 and new Toyota Prado offroad for a comprehensive 4×4 test. He also takes a look at the cabins and features of these two family SUVs.
GWM has experienced remarkable success in South Africa and the Chinese giant has now made a bold move and launched its most expensive model yet, the Tank 500, a large luxurious 4×4 aimed squarely at the Toyota Land Cruiser and Ford Everest.
In this video, we consulted and drafted in a highly experienced 4×4 specialist to help us compare the cars on an offroad 4×4 course designed to thoroughly test these sorts of vehicles.
So this was our idea in a nutshell…two premium 4x4s, similarly priced, head to head, offroad! One key difference however is that while the Prado uses the tried and tested 2.8-litre diesel motor from the Hilux, the Tank features a thoroughly modern 2.0-litre turbo petrol hybrid drivetrain.
We also take a thorough look at the interiors of both vehicles and on-road comfort and fuel consumption.
The Mercedes-AMG EQE 53 SUV has finally reached South Africa, arriving as the Affalterbach-based performance division’s first electric SUV. Here’s what it costs…
Revealed back in October 2022, the Mercedes-AMG EQE 53 SUV has finally made local landfall, arriving in South Africa as the Affalterbach-based performance division’s first fully electric SUV.
Slotting in above the Mercedes-Benz EQE 350 – which costs R2 185 050 in standard form and R2 304 080 in AMG Line guise – the Mercedes-AMG EQE 53 SUV is priced from R3 038 512 (big thanks to the ever-helpful folks over at duoporta.com for the heads-up on this derivative’s quiet arrival).
The 53-badged EQE SUV is effectively the 3rd all-electric Mercedes-AMG model in the local market after the EQE 43 Sedan (R2 271 451) and EQS 53 Sedan (R3 424 901). So, what do you get for the significant outlay?
Well, featuring 4Matic+ courtesy of an electric motor on each axle, the EQE 53 SUV generates peak outputs of 460 kW and 955 Nm. Should you select the AMG Dynamic Plus package (for an additional R79 217, that is), those figures rise to 505 kW and 1 000 Nm.
Such equipped, Mercedes-Benz claims the EQE 53 SUV will complete the 0-100 kph sprint in 3.5 seconds, with maximum speed pegged at 240 kph (these figures come in at 3.7 seconds and 220 kph, respectively, should you opt against the AMG Dynamic Plus option). Thanks to a 90.6 kWh (usable capacity) battery pack, the claimed range tops out at 454 km.
AMG-specific features include a special roll-stabilisation system, suspension tune, braking system (plus a ceramic composite option for R80 000) and sound animation. From the outside, you’ll notice the black panel grille (with hot-stamped vertical struts in chrome), the AMG emblem on the bonnet and the front apron painted in body colour.
Inside the EQE 53 SUV, you’ll find a flat-bottomed AMG Performance steering wheel (in Nappa leather), silver-coloured aluminium paddles, AMG sports pedals, AMG floor mats and door-sill panels featuring the brand’s lettering.
In Mzansi, the newcomer is available with a choice of 4 equipment packages: Advanced (standard), Advanced Plus (R19 652), Premium (R60 609) or Premium Plus (R98 174). The AMG Night Package is also on offer for an extra R18 870.
While 21-inch alloys ship standard, Mercedes-AMG furthermore offers 22-inch items (R40 609), along with individual options such as a heated windscreen (R10 435), climatised front seats (R 13 826), heated rear seats (R6 522), additional steering-wheel designs (up to R15 652), a head-up display (R19 652), a Burmester surround-sound system (R12 870) and red-painted brake callipers (R13 478).
How much does the Mercedes-AMG EQE 53 SUV cost?
Mercedes-AMG EQE 53 4Matic+ SUV – R3 038 512
The price above includes the brand’s 5-year/100 000 km maintenance plan, which Mercedes-Benz SA says the buyer “shall be entitled to exclude from the purchase” of the vehicle.
GWM South Africa’s sales director says the Chinese firm is “thinking” about setting up a local production facility, adding such a move is “on the cards” but still in its infancy…
Is GWM South Africa – which has had a presence in the local market for more than 17 years – thinking about setting up a production facility right here in Mzansi? Based on comments from the Chinese firm’s local sales director, the company certainly seems to be strongly considering it.
During Naamsa’s recent South African Auto Week 2024 in Cape Town, we asked Desmond Els, Sales Director at GWM South Africa, whether the brand’s long-term strategy included any plans to manufacture vehicles in South Africa.
GWM’s Chongqing factory in China.
“That’s a tricky question, because I might let something out that we’re busy [with] – it’s definitely something on the cards,” he told us.
Then, making reference to discussions that took place at SA Auto Week 2024 between automakers on the topic of increasing local production of new-energy vehicles in particular, Els added: “It is a plan, I think, for any of us to invest into the country”.
It’s not yet clear which vehicles GWM might want to build in SA.
“At this stage, it’s still very ‘infant’ – we’re in ‘thinking’ stage; I won’t say even ‘planning’ stage at this moment. So, it’s definitely a consideration for us as a brand, in order for us to invest as well as to … create a difference between us and the other OEMs [original equipment manufacturers] as well as Chinese importers,” he explained.
This isn’t the first time a GWM SA executive has suggested to Cars.co.za that local production is a possibility. Late in 2022, for instance, GWM SA’s Chief Operations Officer (COO) Conrad Groenewald told us it would be a “wasted opportunity” not to pursue local production.
GWM also owns a full-scale production facility in Thailand.
“I think as GWM Global is growing their footprint outside China, the South African market and our manufacturing capabilities in South Africa can play a greater part in their global strategy,” Groenewald said at the time.
In addition to its several full-scale manufacturing plants in China, GWM also has a production facility in Thailand, with a Brazilian plant expected to come online in 2025, too. The firm furthermore runs KD factories (which assemble vehicles using “knocked-down” kits) in countries such as Ecuador, Malaysia, Pakistan, Tunisia and Bulgaria.
A wholly owned subsidiary of the Chinese group, GWM South Africa is responsible not only for the GWM marque but also the Haval, Ora, P-Series and Tank sub-brands. It’s not yet clear which vehicles GWM might consider building in South Africa.
A pre-facelift Mercedes-Benz A124 is a relatively rare model, but a local collector kindly offered us a sunset drive in his 300CE Cabriolet along one of the most picturesque roads in the country.
It is hard to believe that there was a time when a 4-seater cabriolet ‘Benz was not available. But that was, in fact, the case throughout the 1970s and the 1980s. That changed for the better at the Frankfurt Motor Show in 1991, when the A124 (code name) Mercedes-Benz 300CE Cabriolet was unveiled.
However, buyers had to be patient as the car only went into series production 6 months after it was unveiled (an aeon by contemporary standards). This is understandable as Mercedes-Benz had to first put it through its usual rigorous development test procedures to be sure of its dynamism and safety.
Background of the 300CE Cabriolet
Based in the Winelands town of Stellenbosch, the owner of this Mercedes-Benz 300 CE Cabriolet has numerous ‘Benzes in his collection. However, this is one of his favourites – for a variety of reasons.
Back in the ’90s, this particular car was imported to South Africa for the German ambassador who resided in Pretoria. That also explains why it is a left-hand drive unit in a right-hand drive market.
When the ambassador moved back to Germany, the car was sold and the new owner gave it to his son who lived outside Cape Town. Here it was stored in a garage under blankets for years and was rarely driven. It then found its way into the possession of a Mercedes-Benz specialist. He took it upon himself to recommission the car since it needed some work following so little use.
The current owner saw the Mercedes-Benz 300CE Cabriolet when the specialist attended club meetings and reminded him that if he ever wanted to sell the car to please keep him in mind. The rest is history.
The W124 (of which the A124 is a variant) is one of the earliest Mercedes-Benz models that started the evolution from the squared-off design theme we associate with earlier models. Even so, the relatively angled lines of this Blauschwarz exterior colour make it stand out – it’s unmistakably a Mercedes-Benz.
Specifications:
Model: Mercedes-Benz 300 CE-24 Cabriolet (A124)
Engine: 3.0-litre, 6-cylinder, petrol
Power: 162 kW at 6 400 rpm
Torque: 264 Nm at 4 600 rpm
Transmission: 4-speed automatic, RWD
Weight: 1 710 kg
0-100 km/h: 8.8 sec (claimed)
Top speed: 230 kph (claimed)
Behind the wheel
There is no better way to end a weekend than with a sunset drive on a pristine piece of tarmac. The R44 runs through the Winelands to and then along the coast – the road is perfectly tarred and complements the silky smooth and simply effortless nature of the early-Nineties Mercedes-Benz 300CE Cabriolet.
First in the passenger seat and then later behind the ‘wheel, I’m first and foremost reminded of how solidly these cars were built. There are no squeaks or rattles in the cabin and overall the car feels remarkably fresh. Even over speed bumps the suspension works perfectly and the car feels sturdy. The fact that the car is fitted with plump 205/60 tyres on 15-inch wheels helps with bump absorption.
This road is one of the best and prettiest driving roads on the continent, snaking along the rugged coastline of False Bay. On the opposite side of the bay, you have the Southern suburbs of Cape Town. Incidentally, this road also formed part of the route that was used during the international launch of the (in hindsight, quite controversial) Mercedes-Benz SLR McLaren supercar back in 2004.
Behind the ‘wheel, there are a few elements that immediately remind you of the fact that this is a W124-based Mercedes-Benz variant. This includes the view over the bonnet, the near-square, compact side mirrors and then several aspects of the cabin itself.
Luxury items include heated seats and, to the left of the transmission lever, there is the familiar shift button which you can select between “E” and “S”. I don’t see the point of driving this car in any other setting than in its default “drive mode” (which it isn’t) though. As I settle behind the ‘wheel and close the door, the quaint little arm behind my left shoulder hands me the seatbelt so it easily falls to hand.
With the roof and windows permanently down for the entire afternoon (except for a single shot before the sun sets) we experience the best the A124-series ‘Benz has to offer. There is the option to raise the windows and put the wind deflector in place, but on a perfect afternoon, some wind entering the cabin is quite welcome. The deflector unfortunately also does the lines on the car no favours, in my opinion.
There are long stretches of open road where the Mercedes-Benz 300 CE Cabriolet is only too happy to stretch its proverbial legs. Here I notice how the car will easily cruise at an indicated 160 kph. Press the accelerator pedal past its stop and you activate the kickdown function.
From a relaxed 2 500 or 3 000 rpm, the powertrain suddenly gears down, the revs jump by, oh, about 1 000 rpm and the car accelerates in a relatively linear fashion, accompanied by a throaty roar from the double exhaust pipes. I’m treated to a more intense 6-cylinder aural symphony as the sound bounces back to us in the car while travelling right next to the vertical rock faces that abound on our route.
By the time the revs rise to 5 000 rpm, the engine still has another 2 000 rpm left. As peak power is delivered at 6 400 rpm, there is little use in revving the engine much past six grand. However, it is in the middle of the rev range that I find that the Mercedes-Benz 300CE Cabriolet offers a good level of torque with plenty of shove left in reserve should you need to summon brisk overtaking acceleration in a hurry.
The next stop before we turn around is Kleinmond where we head to the small launch pad in the harbour. A handful of people pay attention to the A124 as it is not a car you see often. If it was the W124 sedan, no one would likely have noticed.
Owner’s thoughts
As we make our way back, the owner and I discuss the car, which he bought in November 2015, intently.
“I’ve done regular trips with the car, usually around 200 to 300 km return journeys to towns in the Boland or Overberg. Of the few cars I own, this will be the absolute last car I’ll sell,” he says.
“Why? First, it is genuinely an affordable car to maintain. You don’t necessarily need a specialist to work on the car. There are tens of thousands of W124s made, so parts are easy to source. Secondly, it drives like a modern car without all the modern technology. Moreover, it’s also fairly practical.”
“It is also a solid and safe car. On the open road, it is an exceptionally comfortable grand tourer. Finally, if you want to drive fast you can, although that is not the most important feature of the car for me.”
The owner points out a couple of aspects of the interior that are not standard, as well as the grille and bumper which need to receive a correcting layer of paint. Other than that, the car is near-perfect.
As the owner says, the car has thankfully never been mistreated, but it has been used (which is evident from minor stone chips in the front-end paintwork). That matters little as the car has been maintained properly and the 160 000 km on the odo, shows that it has also been used regularly throughout its life.
In the pouch containing all the booklets of this car are the service book, the owner’s manual and the original warranty document. When you purchase a classic, make sure to collect and file provenance.
Summary
As the sun almost dips behind the horizon, we raise the Mercedes-Benz 300CE Cabriolet’s (still original) roof (complete with its glass screen). Having seen the car the entire afternoon with the roof and windows down, it does look momentarily less desirable “with its hat on”, but you only need to drive it in this guise if the weather doesn’t allow you otherwise. For the rest of the time, lower the roof and head for the coast!
Pricing for the Mercedes-Maybach EQS SUV in South Africa has been quietly released, with this vehicle arriving as the Maybach division’s first fully electric model…
Revealed back in April 2023, the Mercedes-Maybach EQS SUV is seemingly on the verge of making local landfall, with pricing having been quietly released. This model will touch down in South Africa as the Maybach division’s very first fully electric vehicle.
So, how much will this battery-powered ultra-luxury SUV cost you in Mzansi? Well, we can confirm that pricing for the EQS 680 SUV will start at R4 052 983. As a reminder, the “standard” (that is, non-Maybach) 265 kW version kicks off at R2 731 951 in EQS 450 SUV guise.
Interestingly, that makes the newcomer the most “affordable” (for lack of a better term) Maybach model currently on the local market, coming in below Mercedes-Maybach’s petrol-powered S 580 (R4 172 437), GLS 600 (R4 651 874) and S 680 (R5 199 173).
The EQS 680 SUV features an electric motor on each axle, resulting in all-wheel drive. These permanently excited synchronous motors draw their urge from a 118 kWh (usable) battery pack and offer combined system outputs of 484 kW and 955 Nm.
According to the German firm, the electric SUV can complete the 0-100 kph sprint in 4.4 seconds, before topping out at 210 kph. Single-charge range tops out at a claimed 611 km, while the battery pack’s maximum DC charging capacity is listed as 200 kW.
So, besides the beefier powertrain, what sets this Maybach version apart from the Mercedes-Benz EQS SUV on which it’s based? Well, the Maybach-specific grille is perhaps the most obvious styling change, while this model is also available with the firm’s signature 2-tone paintwork. Other design elements include the Maybach wheels, the hand-applied filigree pinstripe and a multitude of Maybach logos, inside and out.
In addition, the Mercedes-Maybach EQS SUV’s 2nd row features 2 individual reclinable seats, each complete with ventilation and massage functions. This vehicle furthermore boasts several model-exclusive features, including automatically opening doors, the standard MBUX Hyperscreen (with Maybach specific start-up animations), rose-gold interior trim, a pair of 11.6-inch rear passenger displays, the MBUX rear tablet and plenty more. Full local specifications, however, have yet to be released…
How much does the Mercedes-Maybach EQS SUV cost in SA?
Mercedes-Maybach EQS 680 SUV – R4 052 983
The price above includes the brand’s 5-year/100 000 km maintenance plan, which Mercedes-Benz SA says the buyer “shall be entitled to exclude from the purchase” of the vehicle.
Mitsubishi SA boss hits out at ‘damaging’ new Chinese brands
The head of Mitsubishi SA says new Chinese brands could easily exit the country when times get tough, “damaging” the industry and potentially leaving buyers high and dry…
The man at the helm of Mitsubishi Motors South Africa says the barriers to entry in the local automotive market are too low, allowing Chinese brands to come and go “very easily” and ultimately “damaging” the industry.
Thato Magasa, Managing Director of Mitsubishi Motors South Africa, made the comments during an interview conducted in Cars.co.za’s custom-built podcast booth at Naamsa’s recent South African Auto Week 2024 in Cape Town.
Mitsubishi Motors SA MD Thato Magasa.
Over the past few years, Chinese firms such as GWM and Chery have made significant inroads into the local market, sparking an influx of other brands (most offering high levels of standard specification at comparatively attractive prices) from the world’s second-most populous nation. Recent examples include BYD and GAC Motor, along with Chery subsidiaries such as Jaecoo, Omoda and Jetour, with yet more in the pipeline.
“What we need to start talking about is not necessarily the ‘threat’ of Chinese brands coming into the country, but the low barriers to entry that we have in South Africa, in which brands are able to come in very easily, without making tangible investments into ‘SA Inc’ – and when times are tough, easily exit the country as well,” Magasa told us.
Mitsubishi’s new Outlander Sport is due in SA in early 2025.
“That is damaging for the industry at large and damaging for the SA consumer in the end. Because, at the end of the day, when these brands leave, what do they leave behind? They don’t support on the aftersales side. And it’s up to either the distributor that’s left in the country to do that or if they’re in South Africa on their own then you get quite concerned as to how that leaves the South African consumers in the end.”
Magasa was perhaps referring to Chinese brands like Geely, which exited the South African market about a decade ago. From what we understand, however, Geely is plotting a local comeback and could thus follow in the footsteps of Chery, which similarly rejoined Mzansi in 2021 after quitting the local scene in 2018. The SAIC-owned MG brand, too, is poised to make yet another return to the local market by the end of 2024.
The new Triton is scheduled to launch locally in November 2024.
“I think there are many businesses that are invested in South Africa for the long run, that have been here for decades – and that’s the heritage that we speak to. And what we say is that while we embrace competition and we’d like more competition in South Africa and we’d like consumers to have choice, it must be done with the right intent,” Magasa added.
“There are lots of conversations around the future of our industry here [at SA Auto Week 2024]. But I ask you to look around: how many new entrants are here, actively playing their part? It doesn’t help to just come in and just want to sell to South Africans – you can, because we have low barriers to entry – but how many of us are coming in and trying to actually grow this market?” he asked.
Year to date (at the end of September 2024), Mitsubishi sales in South Africa total 1 577 units, representing a 36.1% drop compared to the same period in 2023. However, the Japanese firm will in November 2024 launch its new Triton bakkie, with the new Outlander Sport set to debut early in 2025.
Meet the Kia Tasman – the South Korean brand’s new double-cab bakkie, which Kia South Africa aims to launch in our market during the second half of 2025.
After a lengthy teaser campaign, Kia finally unveiled its Tasman double-cab bakkie at the Jeddah Motor Show in Saudi Arabia this morning (October 29). Kia says it will introduce its bold newcomer in Africa (including Mzansi!), Australia and the Middle East, among other markets, next year.
“Kia’s first-ever pickup truck was created from the ground up to transform the market and respond to the growing preference for lifestyle-oriented trucks with advanced features,” said Ho Sung Song, President and CEO at Kia.
The new bakkie will be built in South Korea and features an all-new platform with a body-on-frame setup. It’s a clean-sheet design, but the grille and headlamps are interpretations of classic Kia design elements.
The Tasman will be produced in single and double-cab guises (including a specific off-road version), and for the commercial market, there will be chassis-cab variants as well.
I managed to make my way through the crowds for an up-close inspection of the newcomer. The design is very bold and quite unlike any other bakkie I’ve seen – it incorporates some interesting design details!
As for the interior, it looks excellent – the fascia is dominated by a panoramic wide display that includes a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster, a 5-inch climate control console and a 12.3-inch infotainment touchscreen. Other notable interior features include a large folding console table, dual wireless charging pads and hidden storage bins concealed beneath the rear seats that offer a storage capacity of 33 litres.
Moreover, it’s quite a spacious bakkie, especially at the back. The Kia Tasman is said to offer “best-in-segment headroom, shoulder room and 2nd-row legroom of 940 mm”, with the rear seatbacks able to recline between 22- and 30 degrees, the manufacturer says.
Engines and Transmission
The Kia Tasman will be powered by a 205 kW/421 Nm 2.5-litre turbopetrol engine, which is said to propel the bakkie from 0-100 kph in 8.5 sec, or a 154 KW/441 Nm 2.2-litre turbodiesel (it differs from market to market), and customers will be able to choose between an 8-speed automatic or a 6-speed manual ‘box.
Both the X-Line and X-Pro variants will be equipped with all-wheel-drive as standard, but the base version will be 2WD. Kia says the AWD system can switch automatically to the configuration required to provide optimum traction on different road surfaces and it offers 3 drive modes – ECO, Smart and Sport – with various terrain modes available within these settings depending on the relevant market.
Of course, being a bakkie means it has to be able to take on the toughest of terrain. Kia says the Tasman has 800 mm of wading depth and ground clearance of 224 mm (up to 252 mm for the X-Pro offroad trim). Higher-spec derivatives will have an automatically engaging rear electronic locking differential.
The Kia Tasman’s load bay is 1 512 mm long, 1 572 mm wide (1 186 mm between the wheel housings), and 540 mm deep, which according to Kia, provides best-in-class cargo capability of 1 173 liters.
When will Kia Tasman come to South Africa?
“The all-new Kia Tasman presents an exciting new opportunity for Kia globally, and indeed in South Africa,” says Paul Turnbull, the CEO of Kia South Africa.
“We are hard at work to make the Tasman’s local introduction a reality, and based on current planning, we aim to do this in the second half of 2025.”
The difference between Comprehensive & 3rd-Party Car Insurance
Don’t focus exclusively on affordability when choosing between a comprehensive- and 3rd-party car insurance policy. Budget Insurance offers this guide to help you consider the level of financial risk you are willing to be exposed to as a vehicle owner.
Don’t make this decision without understanding the differences between the 2 types of insurance. This article – brought to you by Budget Insurance – will assist you in making the right choice for your needs.
What is covered under Comprehensive Car Insurance?
Comprehensive car insurance offers the most extensive coverage – and peace of mind, because you’ll know you’re protected against the widest range of risks and the financial stress that comes with them.
With comprehensive car insurance, accident damage to your vehicle is covered, regardless of who is at fault. Whether you’re involved in a minor fender bender or a more serious collision, you’ll be covered for repairs or even a vehicle replacement if necessary. Additionally, when you’re at fault in the accident, damage to someone else’s vehicle or property is covered.
Your car insurance coverage extends to fire damage, whether it was the result of an electrical fault in your car or an external fire. And while you’d never want your car damaged by flooding, hailstorms, or falling trees, you are covered if it does happen.
Depending on the insurer, comprehensive car insurance usually includes additional benefits that enhance the cover or offer some convenience. These might include:
Roadside assistance: If you’re ever stranded by a flat battery or tyre, or even an empty fuel tank, your insurer will arrange for assistance.
Towing and storage: If your car can’t be driven following an accident, your insurer may arrange to have it towed and stored until repairs are approved.
Medical assistance: Some insurers also offer access to emergency medical assistance for injuries caused by an accident.
As with any insurance policy, you should take the time to carefully review the Terms and Conditions so that you fully understand the scope and limits of the cover.
What’s covered under 3rd-Party Insurance?
Third-party car insurance offers basic cover. It is mostly intended to ensure that the financial burden doesn’t fall solely on the other party involved if you’re responsible for an accident.
This means 3rd-party car insurance covers the cost of damage/injury to another person or their property if you are at fault in an accident, but you would still be responsible for the cost of damage to your vehicle.
Here’s an example: Susan is driving down a busy street and collides with another vehicle. In the process, she loses control of her car and crashes through a glass storefront. The other vehicle is significantly damaged, as is Susan’s car and the business she also crashed into.
Susan only has 3rd-party Insurance, so her insurer will cover the cost of repairs to the other vehicle and the business.
If anyone other than Susan was injured during the incident, her insurance would also cover their medical expenses. In this scenario, Susan would still need to pay for repairs to her car. However, without 3rd-party car insurance, the financial burden on Susan would have been much worse.
You could also consider 3rd-party car insurance that includes cover for fire and theft as an insurance option. While this still leaves you responsible for the cost of accidental damage to your vehicle, it does offer protection against your vehicle being damaged by fire or if it is stolen.
Unlike comprehensive car insurance, it doesn’t cover the cost of damage to your car following an attempted theft. And if your windscreen is damaged by hail and needs to be replaced, you will need to pay for that (unless you included windscreen cover as an add-on to your policy.
Third-party car insurance is a budget-friendly option, but you must understand the limits of the cover and the risks you will be exposed to.
What is better – Comprehensive or 3rd-Party insurance?
There is no one-size-fits-all answer when asking which of the 2 types of insurance is better. By offering different levels of cover, each serves a different purpose. Which one is better for you depends on your circumstances and your risk tolerance.
You have a low tolerance to risk:Comprehensive car insurance is the better option when you value peace of mind and don’t want to worry about unexpected expenses.
You want extra benefits: If you travel frequently, it helps to have roadside- and medical assistance available, plus the cost of towing and storage being covered following an accident or breakdown.
When 3rd-Party Car Insurance might be appropriate
Your car is old, with a lower value: If the car you need to insure is old and has a lower market value, 3rd-party car insurance would offer essential cover at an affordable price.
Your tolerance of risk is high: If you’re comfortable assuming the risk of covering potential damages to your car, 3rd-party car insurance would offer lower premiums while still shielding you from the cost of damages to someone else’s property.
Your budget is constrained: There are times when your budget could be a little tight, and you need to adjust. Having no insurance is never ideal, and 3rd-party car insurance could suit your budget while never leaving you without any cover.
Top factors to consider when choosing a policy
You’ve carefully evaluated your needs and now know what type of car insurance you need. But there are a few other factors to consider before finalising your insurance:
Coverage: Regardless of whether you’ve settled on comprehensive- or 3rd-party car insurance, you should still carefully assess what is covered by the policy and what is excluded. Consider the impact on liability, collision, personal injury, and uninsured/underinsured motorists.
Premiums: Insurance premiums don’t only vary between policy types but also among providers. Look for the best value for your budget, which won’t necessarily be the cheapest. You don’t want to sacrifice the benefits you need just so you can save a few Rands.
Excess: Your excess — or deductible — is what you need to pay out of pocket when making a claim. Lower premiums usually mean a higher excess, so look for an excess you can comfortably afford.
Reputation: Look at reviews and ask colleagues for recommendations. You want an insurer that has a reputation for great customer service, reliability, and efficient claims processing.
GWM South Africa has confirmed the facelifted Haval H6 is set to make local landfall in the 2nd quarter of 2025. Here’s what we know about the refreshed crossover so far…
A high-ranking GWM South Africa executive has confirmed to Cars.co.za that the facelifted Haval H6 – which was revealed in China as recently as April 2024 – is scheduled to launch in Mzansi in the 2nd quarter of 2025.
Desmond Els, Sales Director at GWM South Africa, told us during a wide-ranging interview at Naamsa’s recent South African Auto Week 2024 in Cape Town that the refreshed version of the strong-selling crossover has been locked in for SA.
This is the updated H6 currently marketed in China.
“H6, as it stands today, is going to get a facelift. H6 has been the segment leader for, call it, the last 18 months. So, there are definitely plans on H6 within the 1st half – call it 2nd quarter – of next year [2025],” Els confirmed to us.
While GWM South Africa has yet to reveal exactly what the H6’s mid-cycle update will entail for the local market, initial details have already been released in Australia, a country against which the Chinese firm’s local division benchmarks itself.
The outgoing H6 on the left and the facelifted version on the right.
According to GWM’s Australian arm, the facelifted H6 will feature “a refreshed exterior design”, including styling revisions for the grille and taillamps, plus “significant interior updates”, from a new centre-console and a revised steering-wheel design to a “larger” central infotainment touchscreen running the brand’s latest operating system.
Though powertrain details have yet to be released, we’ve since determined that the mainstream derivatives will move to an upgraded turbocharged 2.0-litre, 4-cylinder petrol motor (offering more grunt than the current 150 kW/320 Nm version).
The styling revisions are most obvious up front.
Meanwhile, the flagship H6 hybrid electric vehicle (HEV) powertrain looks set to carry over unchanged, again combining a turbocharged 1.5-litre, 4-cylinder petrol mill with hybrid gubbins (and a continuously variable transmission), resulting in total system outputs of 179 kW and 530 Nm.
As a reminder, the H6 launched in South Africa in June 2021, with the HEV joining in September 2022. The current H6 line-up comprises 4 standard derivatives, alongside the HEV and GT. Over the opening 9 months of 2024, GWM SA reported 3 181 registrations of the H6.
