Toyota LC79 cracks top 5! SA’s best-selling bakkies in December 2024
Toyota’s Land Cruiser 79 climbed into the top half of the list of South Africa’s 10 best-selling bakkies in December 2024. Here are the sales figures for the final month of the year…
In December 2024, South Africa’s new-vehicle market improved 2.5% year on year to 41 273 units. While the passenger-vehicle segment was yet again the driver of this overall industry growth, sales in the light-commercial vehicle (LCV) space slid 10.3% year on year to 9 136 units.
So, what happened on the list of Mzansi’s best- and worst-selling bakkies in December 2024? Well, the Toyota Hilux ended the year right where it started – at the very top of the list. In 2024’s final month, Toyota registered as many as 2 926 units of the Prospecton-built bakkie around SA, representing an 8.3% increase over November 2024‘s effort.
Toyota’s Hilux enjoyed an 8.3% month on month increase in sales.
Meanwhile, local sales of the Ford Ranger dipped 14.4% month on month to 1 924 units in December, meaning the Silverton-manufactured contender found itself more than 1 000 units off the pace in 2nd place. However, the Isuzu D-Max’s month-on-month decline was even more marked, with sales of the Struandale-made model – which nevertheless retained 3rd position – falling a considerable 38.4% to 1 086 units in December 2024.
Though local registrations of the KwaZulu-Natal-assembled Mahindra Pik Up plummeted 44.2% month on month to 390 units, the Indian brand’s bakkie still managed to retain 4th place. However, the Toyota Land Cruiser 79 (352 units) range – which recently welcomed a manual-gearbox version of the 2.8-litre GD-6 powertrain – was hot on its heels, moving up 2 places to crack the top 5 in December.
The Ford-built Volkswagen Amarok (315 units) remained in 6th spot last month, while the Rosslyn-produced Nissan Navara (300 units) slid 2 rankings to finish in 7th. Despite a slow-down in sales compared with November, the GWM P-Series (which will soon gain a facelift, with the standard models adopting the “P300” badge) managed to keep hold of 8th place, with 169 units registered.
Interestingly, the Chinese-made Peugeot Landtrek breached 3 figures for only the 3rd time this year, with its December tally of 126 units representing its 2nd-best effort of 2024 and proving enough for it to return to the top 10 and snaffle 9th. As a reminder, Stellantis SA plans to commence local assembly of this bakkie from completely knocked-down kits at a new facility in Gqeberha towards the end of 2025 or the beginning of 2026.
Mitsubishi’s new Triton retained 10th place in the final month of 2024.
Finally, the Mitsubishi Triton – which moved into a new generation locally in November 2024 – closed out the table with 65 units, retaining 10th place. Though this figure represented a decrease compared with the 82 examples sold in the preceding month, it was indeed enough to keep the Japanese contender inside the top 10.
Best of the rest in December 2024: bakkies outside top 10
The GWM Steed was knocked out of the top 10 in December 2024.
What about the bakkies that didn’t crack the top 10 in December 2024? Well, the JAC T-Series – the Chinese firm unfortunately reported only a combined figure for its T6, T8 and T9 line-ups, so we technically can’t rank these individual nameplates in the top 10 – managed 86 units.
Meanwhile, the GWM Steed – which had placed 9th in November – finished on 52 units, while the Mahindra Bolero ended the month on 19 units. Next came the Jeep Gladiator (8 units), a facelifted version of which is expected to launch locally at some point in 2025, with the since-discontinued Nissan NP200 (production ceased at Rosslyn back in March 2024) bringing up the rear on just 3 units.
2025 will be a big year for Jaecoo, as it looks to expand its product line-up and dealer network. For now, the brand offers only the J7, which makes a strong 1st impression, but does it stand up to closer scrutiny? Read our extended review of the 1.6T Glacier!
A standard Cars.co.za review is thorough (we conduct it over a 7- to 14-day period), but if we hope to discover a model’s granular details, talents and quirks, an extended test over the December holiday period is the ideal opportunity to form a more in-depth understanding and appreciation of a vehicle.
For the 2024/2025 period, this author got behind the ‘wheel of a Jaecoo J7, tested here in the mid-spec Glacier trim grade. Jaecoo is a new Chinese brand that began operating in South Africa in 2024 and, in case you didn’t know, the brand forms part of the Chery Group‘s O&J division, along with Omoda.
Fundamentally, all the Chery Group vehicles make use of common platforms and share powertrains, but have different exterior designs, cabin layouts, and market positionings.
Many onlookers said the J7 had Range Rover design cues. We expected it: the Chery Group builds JLR products in China.
The Jaecoo J7 is the brand’s only model (for now) and priced from R549 900 (January 2025), with new arrivals like the compact J5, the boxy, all-electric J6 and J8 7-seater earmarked for South Africa in 2025.
The R500k-R600k family car segment is awash with excellent offerings. However, when you look at the technical data, you will see the Jaecoo J7 is a little smaller than traditional medium SUVs, so you can rule out the Toyota RAV4, VW Tiguan, Kia Sportage, Hyundai Tucson and Mazda CX-5 as possible rivals.
As like-for-like rivals, which are very similarly sized to this striking Chinese newcomer that purposely resembles a luxury British car brand’s SUV, we’ve singled out the Kia Seltos and Volkswagen T-Roc.
It’s not a road trip until you stop at an obscure padstal for biltong!
Things To Like about the Jaecoo J7
An abundance of standard features
The J7 1.6T Glacier is one of those vehicles where it is simply easier to list the features that are missing – otherwise, we’d fill this entire page and take up far too much of your time detailing each and every item.
A heated steering wheel, privacy glass and all-wheel drive are the only items left off – they’re reserved for the 1.6T Inferno AWD flagship variant, which costs a notable R80k more than the 1.6T Glacier.
Wireless Android Auto works well on the massive portrait-oriented infotainment screen.
Highlights (features we used extensively) include the ventilation function for the front seats (they can also be heated) – it was very welcome on hot summer days, integrated dashcam, head-up display, 360-degree parking camera, wireless Android Auto and Apple Carplay, Sony audio system, 14.8-inch portrait touchscreen, and 50W wireless charging (which is genuinely effective, not all cars’ inductive pads are).
Most car wireless charging pads have outputs ranging from 5 to 10W. This is 50W!
Eager performance
Under the bonnet is a 145 kW/290 Nm 1.6-litre 4-cylinder turbopetrol engine mated with a 7-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission. Those peak outputs suggest the J7 should be brisk in a straight line, but seeing as the test unit arrived with very few kilometres on its odo, we delayed the 0-100-kph test a while.
The front end of the Jaecoo J7 is distinctive, it looks bigger than it is!
But once the odometer nudged past 2 000 km, we hooked up our test gear for 1st first acceleration run of 2025. The 1.6T Glacier bucked its name by zipping to 100 kph from a standstill in a spirited 8.04 sec; Jaecoo doesn’t state an acceleration time for the J7, but it feels punchy for a not-so-small crossover.
Three drive modes are available: Sport, Eco and Normal.
Like in other Chinese brands’ models, the throttle calibration isn’t perfect – we found the J7’s powertrain tended to respond to gentle (to firmer) accelerator pedal inputs with nothing, nothing again, and then all of the torque at once (often accompanied by a chirp from the front tyres), but we solved that by driving exclusively in Eco (the other drive modes are Normal and Sport), which is smoother and more relaxed.
Usually, you’d knock a transmission lever to the side to access the manual override mode, but not here.
The transmission, which shifts smoothly and exactly when you expect it to, is excellent. Granted, there are no ‘shift paddles on the ‘wheel and the manual override function is unconventional because you use the standard shift movement from Park-Reverse-Neutral-Drive to change up/down, which is quite novel.
Safety Features
Considering the 1.6T Glacier’s price point, it’s fitted with a staggering (but impressive) level of safety equipment. In Glacier trim, the Jeacoo J7 comes fitted with 8 airbags (including a driver’s knee bag and 1 positioned between the seats), autonomous emergency braking, adaptive cruise control, traffic-jam assist, lane-departure warning/prevention, rear cross-traffic alert/assist, and much more.
We also discovered a pair of interesting features. First, the blind-spot assist works in conjunction with the rear passenger doors when the Jaecoo is standing still. If a vehicle is approaching, a subtle warning light will flash to alert passengers that it is unsafe to exit the vehicle. Second, when you’re sitting in traffic and not paying attention, the 1.6T Glacier will beep to let you know the car in front of you has moved. Clever!
Dislikes?
Iffy electronics
Because an increasing number of new-car buyers are more concerned with new vehicles’ packaging than their mechanical configurations, most car manufacturers now endow their products with a bristling assortment of high-tech features… but getting them to work together seamlessly is no easy task.
Software specialists often talk about UX (user experience, including intuitiveness, efficiency, utility and so on) and it’s a bit frightening to think about how much computing power new cars have. But even if cars have become increasingly connected, bugs/glitches commonly occur – especially on new models.
In our case, a week before the J7 was due to be collected, its blind-spot detection system stopped working. A quick reset (turning the car off and on again) didn’t resolve the problem. We drove to the office and a few hours later, when we returned to the car to drive home, the glitch had vanished. It was weird, but such issues are becoming common – another car in our December fleet had a similar problem.
When Integrated Cruise Control is active, the road markings turn blue. The red dots are the driver monitoring system
Integrated Cruise Control is Jaecoo’s propriety name for its assisted-driving program, which utilises adaptive cruise control and lane-keep assist to perform semi-autonomous driving. You have to keep your hands on the wheel – if you don’t, the car will detect a lack of resistance on the rim and sound an alert.
The system works adequately, but there were a few times when the integrated cruise control actuated overly harsh steering inputs and applied automatic braking force VERY late, so some fine-tuning or polishing is required. For what it’s worth, if you crave this sort of tech, then look to Volvo’s Pilot Assist.
Located atop the steering column is a small rectangular sensor, which tracks your eye moment. If you’re not paying attention to the road in front of you, an alert will sound. It quickly becomes overbearing – and intrusive. It CAN be switched off, yes, but it will reactivate itself once you restart the vehicle.
Clumsy ergonomics
There’s no shortage of safety features in the J7 – very impressive!
Yes, the sizeable portrait-orientated touchscreen boasts excellent graphics and visibility (day and night, in all types of weather), but it does seem as if Jaecoo has impeded the user-friendliness of the J7’s infotainment system by integrating, no, jam-packing way too much functionality into it.
Here’s an example of digital clunkiness: if you want to change the cabin temperature while Android Auto is running, you have to exit that application, push the home screen button, open the climate control menu (to make the adjustment), then push the home button, before you can open Android Auto again.
There are very few buttons in the Jaecoo J7, there are (pretty much) all you get.
All that faff, just to change the cabin temperature? A simple climate control shortcut button would solve that, but to be fair, so would more familiarisation: there is a discreet AC on/off button located adjacent to the drive-mode selector, which will call up the climate menu. The rest of the screen’s ergonomics are quite un-car-like – they incorporate a smartphone- or tablet-esque user flow with swipes and flicks.
If you swipe downwards from the top of the screen, you get access to the menu shown above, from which you can deactivate the start-stop system – it took us 10 days to find that setting! You’ll notice that you can also adjust the screen brightness and volume with sliders, much like a smartphone/tablet. Great for the younger generation, but it’s likely to be a steep and intimidating learning curve for older buyers.
Mediocre fuel economy
Even when we utilised the most conservative drive mode (Eco) frequently and adopted a measured driving style while travelling long distances with the 1.6T Glacier, we couldn’t get the test unit to consume less than 7.9 L/100 km (Jaecoo claims 7 L/100 km and we travelled about 2 500 km). In our opinion, when compared with similarly-sized rivals, the J7 is on acceptable. We expect that if you drive with a care-free attitude in Normal or Sport mode, the average consumption will nudge – or eclipse – 9 L/100 km.
We achieved 7.9 L/100 km in Eco mode in combined driving conditions.
The Jaecoo J7 range will gain a plug-in hybrid version in 2025, which should address any fuel economy concerns. It’s likely to be the priciest derivative (due to its more sophisticated powertrain), but tests in China have claimed an average consumption of 3.3 L/100 km, as well as a pure electric range of 125 km.
Prices include a 5-year/70 000 km service plan and a 5-year/150 000 km mechanical warranty, as well as an “additional engine warranty valid for 10 years/1 000 000 km,” Omoda & Jaecoo South Africa says.
Summary
Visiting one of our favourite wine farms on a particularly scorching hot day near Citrusdal.
Jaecoo (and parent company Chery) is well aware that it has no legacy (and therefore, little brand cachet) in South Africa and is in the early stages of building a reputation in the local automotive market.
Buying a new car isn’t a cheap exercise – there are precious few bargains out there – and convincing potential customers to look past legacy brands to choose something brand new – and unproven – is a tough ask. Yet, when you look around on our roads, the uptake of new Chinese brands’ cars is high!
First impressions count for a lot. The keen pricing, extensive after-sales support, abundance of standard equipment, impressive infotainment screen and punchy driving performance outweigh the drawbacks.
Happily, these issues can, and should, be resolved with running updates and given the Chery Group’s rapid pace of manufacturing, short lifecycles and vast parts bin, we won’t have to wait long. The devil is in the details: better English grammar and syntax in the menus will also bolster the brand’s credibility.
Overall, despite its quirks, we enjoyed getting to know Jaecoo’s J7 and can understand why it is selling as strongly as it is (soon there will be more Jaecoos to choose from, which will also benefit the model). It offers ample space for families, plenty of performance and more gadgets than you’re ever likely to need.
Chery climbs! SA’s new-vehicle sales for December 2024
December 2024 represented the SA new-vehicle market’s 3rd consecutive month of year-on-year growth. Here’s your overview, including Mzansi’s best-selling automakers…
South Africa’s new-vehicle market recorded its 3rd consecutive year-on-year increase in monthly sales, with local registrations in December 2024 growing 2.5% to 41 273 units*. As expected, however, the year’s final month – which is traditionally a relatively low-volume sales period – was down markedly (some 15%, in fact) compared with November’s high of 48 585 units.
Ultimately, despite the uptick experienced in the final quarter, Mzansi’s new-vehicle sales for 2024 overall fell 3.0% year on year to 515 712 units. In addition, for the first time since 2020, the country’s new-vehicle exports declined, falling 22.8% year on year to 308 830 units (after dropping 4.3% year on year to 25 931 units in December*).
*On 27 January 2025, Naamsa issued an erratum revising December 2024’s total downwards by 181 units to a “corrected total” of 41 092 units (shifting the year-on-year gain to 1.9%). In addition, Naamsa revised the month’s export figure upwards, saying it actually increased 10.5% to 29 935 units. We’ve adjusted the chart below accordingly.
Naamsa says 88.4% of the total reported industry figure of 41 273 units in December 2024 represented dealer sales, while 8.1% were sales to the vehicle-rental industry, 2.1% to government and 1.4% to industry corporate fleets.
Yet again, the new passenger-vehicle market proved the driver of the industry’s year-on-year growth in December, gaining 8.2% to 29 775 units (10.9% of which came courtesy of the rental channel). The new light-commercial vehicle (LCV) segment, however, slipped 10.3% year on year to 9 136 units.
Brandon Cohen, Chairperson of the National Automobile Dealers’ Association (NADA), suggested a key contributor to the overall decline in LCV sales was “the pullback of SA Taxi Finance, which prompted other financial institutions to follow suit”.
“This led to a sharp decline in taxi sales, which fell from well over 1 000 units per month to just a few hundred since March. Despite this, other LCV segments showed growth, partially offsetting the impact,” Cohen pointed out.
He futhermore noted that sales figures for December and January often “lacked clarity” due to variations in reporting cut-off dates. “To gain a more accurate understanding of end-of-year trends, it is generally better to combine the figures for both months and calculate an average,” Cohen explained.
That said, the NADA executive described December’s performance as a “disappointing conclusion to a year in which we had hoped for growth. However, the last 3 months showed positive momentum, with overall sales improving each time, led by passenger car sales”.
New-vehicle sales summary for December 2024
Aggregate new-vehicle sales of 41 273 units increased by 2.5% (1 011 units) compared to December 2023.
New passenger-vehicle sales of 29 775 units increased by 8.2% (2 246 units) compared to December 2023.
New light-commercial vehicle sales of 9 136 units decreased by 10.3% (1 052 units) compared to December 2023.
Export sales of 25 931 units decreased by 4.3% (1 158 units) compared to December 2023.
10 best-selling automakers in SA in December 2024
Toyota stayed firmly on top in the final month of the year, registering 11 422 units (including Lexus and Hino sales) across the country in December. That represented the 9th time the Japanese giant cracked 5 figures in 2024, a feat no other automaker managed even once. The Volkswagen Group (4 832 units, including Audi sales) retained 2nd place last month, with Suzuki (4 514 units) just 318 registrations behind in 3rd.
Hyundai (2 826 units) climbed a ranking to 4th, pushing Ford (2 607 units) down a place to 5th. Meanwhile, Chery (1 867 units), GWM (1 686 units) and Kia (1 496 units) each moved up a position to 6th, 7th and 8th, respectively, thanks to Isuzu’s (1 364 units) slide down to 9th. Finally, Renault (1 105 units) again closed out the table.
For the record, December represented the 2nd time this year that Chinese firm Chery ranked 6th overall after having first achieved this position in April (when it registered its best month of 2024 with 2 009 sales).
Indian automaker Mahindra (1 054 units) again found itself just outside the top 10, ahead of the BMW Group (990 units) in 12th and Nissan (807 units) all the way down in 13th. Omoda & Jaecoo (655 units) retained 14th, finishing ahead of Stellantis (554 units), with Mercedes-Benz again failing to crack the top 15.
1. Toyota – 11 422 units
2. Volkswagen Group – 4 832 units
3. Suzuki – 4 514 units
4. Hyundai – 2 826 units
5. Ford – 2 607 units
6. Chery – 1 867 units
7. GWM – 1 686 units
8. Kia – 1 496 units
9. Isuzu – 1 364 units
10. Renault – 1 105 units
Sales outlook in South Africa for 2025
According to Naamsa, the “confluence of positive economic indicators and the resilience of the volume passenger-car segment during the last quarter of 2024 suggests a potential rebound for the new vehicle market in 2025”.
“The South African Reserve Bank’s 2 interest-rate cuts towards year-end, the first in 4 years, coupled with easing inflation, has created a more favourable economic environment,” says Naamsa, adding that “lower fuel prices have bolstered consumer confidence and disposable income” (with petrol prices “at the lowest point they have been in nearly 3 years in 2024”).
“Further interest-rate cuts in 2025 would support vehicle affordability across all the various segments. The domestic outlook for 2025 is expected to improve, driven by a revival in business and consumer sentiment stemming from improvements in the country’s key economic indicators,” says the industry representative body, stating that “with an improved GDP growth rate of around 1.5% projected for 2025, the new-vehicle market would likely improve by single digits compared to the level of 2024”.
NADA’s Cohen, meanwhile, agrees that “annual vehicle sales in South Africa typically align with the country’s GDP, and this was again the case in 2024”. Still, he suggests “meaningful growth is unlikely until the overall economy is revived, and we transition into a growth phase for our GDP”.
“The coming year will be intriguing, with local industry wage negotiations and changes in the US administration adding to the complexities. Managing consumer demand amid rising cost pressures remains challenging for our retail dealers. Consumers are increasingly opting for smaller, more affordable vehicles or high-quality pre-owned models to navigate economic constraints, which, in turn, places pressure on retailers’ bottom lines,” Cohen points out.
He adds that stabilising inflation, potential further reductions in interest rates and easing energy constraints might offer some relief for both consumers and businesses. However, global factors such as volatile oil prices, geopolitical tensions and ongoing conflicts remain “potential disruptors” to the sector in the months ahead.
Cohen furthermore remarks that dealerships offering flexible financing options and aligning inventory with affordability trends will maintain a competitive edge. “We are also seeing some OEMs [original equipment manufacturers] adjusting pricing to counter more affordable Chinese alternatives, and I expect this trend to continue into 2025,” he concludes.
The Suzuki Swift is a hugely successful hatchback in South Africa but with the recent introduction of an all-new Swift, we were interested to find out exactly how much the new Swift differs from the previous Swift. Jacob Moshokoa investigates… Watch the video!
The previous version of the Suzuki Swift became a top seller in the local market, challenging the Polo Vivo for the title of best-selling hatchback in the country. The new Swift aims to build on that success, but are the engine and design changes likely to yield better sales and success, or has Suzuki gone down the wrong path?
Jacob Moshokoa drives both the new and old Swift back-to-back to give his verdict on whether this new Suzuki will be a hit or not.
Let us know in the comments below what your thoughts are on the new Suzuki Swift.
Chinese brand GAC Motor, which entered the South African market in mid-2024 and expanded its line-up to 2 models with the launch of the Emkoo model, has significantly reduced the prices of its family car’s derivatives – by R80k and R100k respectively!
To recap, GAC is the abbreviation for Guangzhou Automobile Group Motor Company – the 5th-largest automaker in China. Its products are distributed in South Africa by the Portuguese-based Salvador Caetano holding company and GAC Motor South Africa (SA) launched the GS3 Emzoom in July 2024, followed by the larger Emkoo in September. More model introductions are scheduled for 2025.
GAC Motor SA has begun the new year by announcing “a strategic price reduction” for the 2 models. It attributes the price drop to “a better forex rate through the end of 2024”, as well as “scaled global cost reduction initiatives, allowing (the Bryanston-based importer) to pass the benefits… to the consumer.”
GAC Motor SA, which is said to be increasing its dealerships and service centres to 40 outlets, further says the adjustment is not “temporary sales support or promotional tactics”, but “a response to market conditions” and underlines the firm’s “transparency in pricing and commitment to fair… practices”.
As opposed to the GS3 Emzoom – a small crossover with boutique appeal – the larger Emkoo is a more soberly styled medium SUV, but there’s little chance that one could mistake it for anything but a GAC!
By the South African family-car segment’s historically conservative standards, the GAC Emkoo’s exterior design is arguably at the more expressive end of the spectrum (think of the Jetour Dashing, Hyundai Tucson and Kia Sportage), as opposed to more buttoned-up offerings (such as the new Volkswagen Tiguan and Haval H6), with the Chery Tiggo 7- and 8 Pro/Pro Max sitting somewhere in the middle.
Still, the GAC Emkoo is distinguished by its stylised grille design (with 12 bars arranged in a V shape, decorated with titanium-tungsten alloy strips), ornate LED headlamps and hidden electric door handles.
The newcomer’s rear end, in turn, features “lightsabre-inspired” X-pattern LED taillights – GAC Motor says that they include a music-sync function! – plus a Mecha-style rear bumper and tailgate spoiler.
The GAC Emkoo is based on the Chinese marque’s MegaStar platform: 4 680 mm long, 1 901 mm wide and 1 670 mm tall. Its suspension comprises MacPherson struts up front, with a multi-link arrangement at the rear and GAC Motor claims the model, which has a 2 750-mm wheelbase, offers 1 059 mm of legroom for front- and 990 mm for aft occupants.
Power comes courtesy of a 130 kW/270 Nm 1.5-litre 4-cylinder turbopetrol that is mated with a 7-speed dual-clutch (wet-type) automatic transmission and the model is said to consume an average of 6.4 L/100 km (although note that that is an NEDC figure and not based on the more realistic WLTP cycle).
The GAC Emkoo is offered in Executive and Executive Plus guises and, as opposed the GS3 Emzoom, there is a relatively small difference in the respective derivatives’ features lists.
For a start, all variants come equipped with auto headlamps (with high-beam assist) and -wipers, auto-folding and heated side mirrors, panoramic sunroof with sunshade, keyless entry/start, a multifunction steering wheel (4-way adjustable), a 6-way electrically adjustable driver’s seat (with lumbar support), dual-zone climate control, adaptive cruise control with integrated cruise assist (which works in conjunction with traffic jam assist and -sign recognition), imitation leather trim and contrast stitching.
The interior has a largely conventional layout, but features a few tasteful – some might say “fashion forward” – design touches, such as the circular (and metallic) elements on the door- and floating centre console – they are complemented by the fascia-mounted centre ventilation, well, “cylinder”. And, for the obligatory touch of bling, the GAC Emkoo’s shift-by-wire transmission lever is festooned with a crystal!
Tech-wise, the front of the GAC Emkoo’s cabin features a 7-inch digital instrument cluster, 10.1-inch touchscreen infotainment (compatible with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto), a surround-view camera system, a wireless charging pad, as well as Type A and -C USB ports for streaming or recharging.
Rear occupants benefit from a dedicated ventilation outlet, a flat rear-seat passage (GAC Motor says), as well as reclining seatbacks. The model’s claimed load-bay capacity is 420 litres, but that can be increased notably if you fold the standard 60/40-split seatback down.
In terms of safety, all variants have front-, side- and curtain airbags, ABS with EBD, electronic stability- and hill-descent control, autonomous emergency braking, forward-collision warning, lane-keep assist and -departure warning, ISOfix anchor points, tyre pressure monitors and rear parking sensors.
Whereas the 1.5T Executive is fitted with 18-inch alloys, the 1.5T Executive Plus rides on 19-inch wheels. It additionally features a power tailgate, both front seats are electrically adjustable, heated and ventilated (with memory function for the driver), ambient interior lighting, a head-up display, blind-spot detection and lane-change assist, rear cross-traffic alert and -collision warning, as well as a self-park function.
GAC Motor South Africa said in a statement (January 2025) that it “is sensitive to (its) valued customers who have purchased a GAC Motor model in 2024 and in the interests of a fair and equitable relationship, (the company) invites these customers to contact the distributor through its website or contact numbers to discuss any potential concerns regarding the price reduction and how they will be accommodated.”
Prices include a 5-year/150 000 km manufacturer’s warranty, as well as an impressively long (distance-wise) 5-year/100 000 km service plan.
Chinese automotive brandGAC Motor, which entered the South African new-vehicle market in 2024, has significantly lowered the asking prices of its models (in January 2025), including those of the arrestingly styled GS3 Emzoom compact family car.
GAC Motor, a subsidiary of GAC Group, was founded in 2008. The fledgling brand signed a strategic agreement with the Salvador Caetano Group to handle its distribution and retail operations in Mzansi and its first offering on local soil, the GS3 Emzoom, competes in the small-crossover segment of the market.
GAC Motor South Africa (SA), which launched the GS3 Emzoom in July 2024, followed by its Emkoo family car sibling in September 2024, has now announced “a strategic price reduction” for the models. It attributes the price drop to “a better forex rate through the end of 2024”, as well as “scaled global cost reduction initiatives, allowing (the Bryanston-based importer) to pass the benefits… to the consumer.”
GAC Motor SA, which is said to be increasing its dealerships and service centres to 40 outlets, further says the adjustment is not “temporary sales support or promotional tactics”, but “a response to market conditions” and underlines the firm’s “transparency in pricing and commitment to fair… practices”.
Like its fellow Chinese-made small crossovers – the Omoda C5, Jaecoo J7 and BAIC X55 Beijing – the GS2 Emzoom is distinguished by strikingly futuristic styling cues, including sharp lines, hidden door handles, ornate taillights and – on the Sports Pack-equipped 1.5T R-Style – even a sportscar-inspired rear diffuser with a pair of centrally positioned exhaust ends, along with a sizeable panoramic sunroof.
The GAC GS3 Emzoom’s “flying-mecha” front-end design features LED headlights with LED DRLs, while a double waistline element accentuates the model’s flanks. The 3D-effect tail-light clusters, which are said to incorporate 66 LEDs, are complemented by the sporty rear wing; 18-inch alloys are standard.
The GAC GS3 Emzoom is 4 410 mm long, 1 850 mm wide and stands 1 600 mm tall; it rides on McPherson front and a torsion-beam rear suspension, and GAC Motor claims the small crossover’s load bay can hold 341 litres (and up to 1 271 litres when the rear seats are folded down).
With its stylish, upmarket and tech-laden cabin, the GAC GS3 Emzoom seems to straddle the small family car and boutique crossover segments; it has as many as 21 storage compartments (helped by its floating centre console design, no doubt) and a host of connectivity options via its 10.25-inch touchscreen infotainment system, which supports wired Android Auto and wireless Apple CarPlay.
Even the entry-level GS3 Emzoom 1.5T Comfort comes equipped with electrically folding side mirrors, keyless entry/start, a multifunction ‘wheel, cruise- and dual-zone climate control, Type-A front USB ports, one-touch anti-pinch electric windows, a reverse-view camera and 3 drive modes (Eco, Comfort and Sport).
But whereas the 1.5T Comfort has fabric and synthetic leather upholstery and a 3.5-inch driver info display in its instrument cluster, the 1.5T Executive has leather trim on the ‘wheel and seats, a 7-inch LCD digital instrument cluster, adaptive cruise control, 2nd-row ventilation outlets and rear reading lights.
As expected, the range-topping 1.5T R-Style has the most comprehensive spec, which includes rain-sensing wipers, 6-way power adjustment for the driver’s seat, a crystal-detailed transmission lever, a wireless charging pad, a surround-view camera system, Type-C front USB ports, a rear centre armrest and -headrest, ambient cabin lighting, as well as an electrically operated tailgate.
In terms of standard safety equipment, all variants come fitted with dual-front airbags, ABS with EBD, an electronic stability programme, hill-hold control, an electronic parking brake, tyre pressure monitors and ISOfix child-seat safety anchors.
However, you have to upgrade to the 1.5T Executive to benefit from additional safety items (and ADAS systems) such as dual front side airbags, automatic emergency braking, forward-collision warning, traffic-sign recognition, intelligent speed-limit control and lane departure warning.
On top of the 1.5T Executive’s safety spec, the 1.5T R-Line range-topper further adds curtain airbags, hill descent control and high-beam assist.
All GAC GS3 Emzoom derivatives are powered by a 1.5-litre 4-cylinder turbopetrol engine that produces 130 kW/270 Nm and is mated with a 7-speed (wet) dual-clutch automatic transmission.
The Chinese manufacturer claims GS3 Emzoom variants (all of which are equipped with electric power steering) can accelerate from zero to 100 kph in 8 sec, while consuming an average of 6.2 litres of fuel per 100 km on the combined cycle.
Warranty & Service plan
The GS3 Emzoom was the first of 3 GAC models (the 2nd being the Emkoo family car, with the Aion Y electric crossover also in the pipeline) to be launched in South Africa. All variants come with a 5-year/150 000 km warranty and a 5-year/60 000 km service plan, with service intervals every 15 000 km.
GAC Motor South Africa said in a statement (January 2025) that it “is sensitive to (its) valued customers who have purchased a GAC Motor model in 2024 and in the interests of a fair and equitable relationship, (the company) invites these customers to contact the distributor through its website or contact numbers to discuss any potential concerns regarding the price reduction and how they will be accommodated.”
The thought of driving a new car is enticing, but new cars aren’t cheap and buyers need to exercise financial awareness before committing to a new car purchase. There is however great value to be found in the used car market and depending on what car you have your eyes on, opting for a used car will not only solve your need for mobility but often makes more financial sense too. Here are 2 major reasons you should consider buying a used car…
Cars, especially new cars, exert a strange and powerful force on humans. They have the power to cripple our common sense and manipulate our decision-making process. Before you know it, you could be driving your dream car off a showroom floor, forgetting, perhaps just for a moment, that you can’t afford it. Does this sound like you?
New car prices have risen sharply, so much so that many buyers are unable to afford the new car of their choice and are forced to shop down.
For those willing to forego buying a new car, the used car market has much to offer buyers in terms of value but due to the high demand for quality used cars, used car prices have also risen as a result.
Even so, choosing to buy a used car is a sensible choice and here are 2 major reasons why!
Two Major Reasons to Consider Buying a Used Car
1. Affordability
Affordability is the main reason to consider buying a used car, but it’s by no means the only factor. A used car is considerably cheaper than a new car because (in most cases) the brunt of depreciation has already been absorbed by the previous owner.
Here’s a nice example; to buy a brand new, base spec Volkswagen T-Cross 1.0TSi Life costs R362 200, but if you opt to buy a used VW T-Cross, you can jump into a low mileage, 2-3-year-old top-spec T-Cross R-Line for under R300k. That’s a big financial win!
More than this, it will also be cheaper to finance and insure a used car (due to the lower purchase price) and in some cases you may even benefit from the carry-over warranty and maintenance plan.
There is a perception that used cars are of sub-standard quality, and in some cases this might be true, but the reality is that there are thousands of quality used cars on the market and if you take the time to find the right car for you, you can save a lot of money!
Also keep in mind that very often the value of optional extras are not accurately reflected in used car prices, so you may actually get more than you bargained for.
Top Tip: Find a used car that’s 2-3 years old with low mileage for the best value.
2. More Choice
The used car market opens up a wide range of options to the used car buyer. Couldn’t afford that glitzy SUV you’ve always wanted? Well, now you possibly can. Just take your time and shop around…
The fact that used cars are cheaper than new cars gives buyers much more choice and freedom. At Cars.co.za, we have well over 70 000 used vehicles to choose from, anywhere in South Africa.
Our new Used Car Search Tool with “Quick Search” functionality will allow you to find the car you are looking for — fast!
Need advice on what car to buy? We have an experienced and dedicated team who are ready to offer the best car buying advice. Feel free to ask us questions on Facebook or X and we will gladly assist you.
Seemingly a fixture on the endangered species list, the sportscar segment will be several models poorer in 2025. The following 5 models will quietly fall off new-car price lists and depart showrooms this year (if they haven’t done so already…)
Primarily and increasingly, emissions legislation is forcing automotive product strategists to shift their focus towards alternative sources of propulsion, which is anathema to the barrel-chested bark of octane-powered speed machines (yes, the sportscars we know and, most of us, love).
BMW will soon discontinue the Z4 – the GR Supra’s German cousin – so will the Toyota coupe follow in its smouldering tracks?
Secondly, for all the thrills they offer, sportscars are expensive to develop and build. Also, even if they’re more profitable than bread-and-butter models, they only comprise fractions of car companies’ product portfolios, except for exotic brands, such as Ferrari, Lamborghini,McLaren and a few others.
The sad reality is that vehicle production efficiency, and platform- and engine sharing powers profits. Specialised low-volume halo models – known to increase the overall car park’s CO2 figure when government regulations are doubling down on internal combustion engines (ICE) – don’t.
Farewell, fast ones.
Nissan GT-R
The sheer cache of trivia surrounding the R35-gen Nissan Skyline-that-was-no-longer-called-a-Skyline only adds to its myth.
A brainchild of Carlos Ghosn, the former Renault, Nissan and Mitsubishi boss who later fled Japan in a music equipment box, the GT-R was the PlayStation hero with which the initially-messianic CEO wanted to re-establish Nissan’s appeal.
The target? A 300 kph-plus 4-seater capable of a sub-8-minute Nürburgring lap time. The development team duly nailed the brief; “Godzilla” emerged as 1 of the most rapid production sportscars of its era.
It took 7 years to develop before launching in 2007 in Japan (and 2 years later in South Africa). First models developed a modest 353 kW from the hand-built 3.8-litre twin-turbo V6, but Nissan’s never-ending massaging saw the all-wheel-drive road rocket’s output peak at 441 kW in its twilight years.
The R35-gen Nissan GT-R was equipped with active suspension, a twin-clutch transmission and launch control – which is common today, but unheard of in those days – and was the 1st independently-suspended all-wheel-drive vehicle equipped with a weight distribution-aiding transaxle.
With a kerb weight of nearly 1.8 tonnes, it was never a flyweight, yet few sportscars could bend physics or hide their weight with the same voodoo-like vigour as the virtually shape-shifting GT-R on a flying lap.
However, technological advancement hasn’t been kind to the now 18-year-old Nissan, as the very superlatives that once characterised it, turned tame over time and many of its records were exceeded.
Few sportscars before (or since) have captured the world’s imagination like the GT-R, which stole MUCH of its 370Z sibling’s thunder. Beyond its supercar-humbling performance and space-age engineering, the acclaimed Nissan will be immortalised for democratising performance in a way no other car could.
The GT-R sold initially for a mere R1 175 000 (although Nissan SA did command a ludicrous R50k per service at the time, I recall) – yet it could humiliate interlopers costing 3 times as much without breaking as much of a sweat. The world had never seen anything like it – and, probably, never will again.
The GT-R’s demise leaves Nissan once again with a line-up devoid of emotional appeal, even if its claimed EV replacement may – or may not – rewrite some of its predecessor’s admirable achievements.
Not unlike the Nissan GT-R, the Audi R8 – which saw the light in 2006 and arrived in Mzansi in 2007 (the initial variant cost R1 255 000!) was an everyday supercar built by a non-specialist manufacturer.
Revered for its looks, handling, speed and soundtrack, the TT’s big brother was an Audi like no other, but its easily accessible all-paw performance was a double-edged sword – it achieved instant success, but was also deemed less of a blue-blooded driver’s car than some of the more, let’s say, storied supercars.
Capping the R8’s sense of occasion, was that early derivatives utilised the then (B7-gen) RS4 sedan’s sonorous 4.2-litre V8. However, as the R8 shared much of its DNA with the Lamborghini Gallardo, which was succeeded by the Huracan, a free-breathing (naturally aspirated) 5.2-litre V10 was also launched.
The abominable R-Tronic automated manual option was replaced by a dual-clutch version in 2012 and a 2nd-gen R8 emerged in 2015 – henceforth only available with a decaplet of cylinders, which was no bad thing. The ultra-rare GT (rear-wheel-drive only with 456 kW/565 Nm on tap) is surely highly collectable.
Throughout its 17-year tenure, the R8 saw Audi’s love affair with Hollywood blossom (it was favoured by the Tony Stark character in the Iron Man films, remember?), but like the stars it appeared next to, in its last days, the freshness of its future-first and centrespread-friendly countenance had started to wither; rendering it no longer an equal for its contemporaries in terms of ultimate performance or desirability.
As part of Audi’s electrification strategy, the Ingolstadt-based brand is reducing the internal combustion products in its line-up and, unsurprisingly, the 95-unleaded-loving R8 has to go. Whichever way the next model is re-imagined, the death of the R8 puts 1 foot of the VW Group’s V10 petrol engine in the grave.
Soon, the group’s other V10-powered supercar – the Lamborghini Huracan – will also roar off into the sunset; it will be replaced by an as-yet-unnamed model with a twin-turbo hybrid V8 with a rumoured 10 000-rpm redline.
Okay, so 2-seater drop-top sportscars have never been volume sellers, but there’s no doubt the G29- gen Z4, which was launched in 2018 and went on to move between 10 000 and 12 000 units per year across the United States and Europe in the years that followed – was a sales disappointment.
And 1 that BMW saw fit to correct by terminating the range.
One can blame the Covid-19 pandemic, or the fact that across 3 generations the Z4 was never really a proper Porsche Boxster rival (the E89-gen Z4 M Coupe came the closest) and that, in the face of falling profits, the Z4 is one of several less profitable line-ups that BMW simply won’t replace once it’s run out.
BMW discontinuing the Z4 means that it’s equally likely that the hard-top, 5th-gen Toyota Supra with which it is twinned, will probably also disappear from showroom floors at some point during 2025.
Issues at Maserati – admittedly a minuscule cog in the 14-brand Stellentis machine – run far and wide. The 6 500s units the brand sold between January and June 2024 amounted to half of its H1 2023 sales, which weren’t stellar anyway. And that’s despite major advertising campaigns that include the Super Bowl, a David Beckham ambassadorship and a lairy purple Ghibli appearing in Netflix’s The Penguin.
Hoary and unreliable as they were, the Ghibli – and its SUV sibling, the Levante – were Maserati’s biggest sellers, but now they’re gone, without any imminent replacements in the pipeline. This leaves just the Grecale, (mercifully, the new-generation) GranTurismo coupe/cabrio and the MC20 supercar.
Maserati insists its line-up is spot-on and that only its marketing is to blame for the firm’s underwhelming new-car sales figures. By contrast, Ferrari doesn’t spend a cent on traditional advertising.
2024’s poor performance and little prospect of any new products, let alone sportscars until 2027 (other than next year’s electric and highly niche MC20 Folgore) has even led to rumours of Stellantis looking to jettison the Maserati brand. Which, of course, have been denied, but the cat is out of the bag methinks.
Watch Ciro De Siena’s video review of the Maserati Ghibli S
Furthermore, as the remainder of the Stellentis group pushes for EVs, Maserati’s former trademark Ferrari-sourced V8 engine has also been confined to history.
Mirroring Aston Martin’s former management misfortunes, Maserati has forever been the stepchild of the Italian motor industry. Stellantis wanting out is one thing in the current climate; finding a suitable long-term buyer is quite another.
This perfect storm has seen the slow extermination of modern-day sportscars. Yes, the Nissan GT-R and Audi R8 served for over a decade and a half and succumbed to obsolescence, but the rest have been prematurely sacrificed at the altar of resource allocation, evolutionary necessity and economic sensibility.
While Jaguar can be commended for sticking to its 2021 promise to be a full EV brand by next year, one can’t help but imagine a sense of quiet remorse lurking in the shadow of their steadfastness.
With production of all ICE-powered Jaguars – the XF, E-Pace, F-Pace, F-Type – halted, and the electric I-Pace not carrying over into 2025, the company has to rely on any remaining run-out stock at least until mid-year, amidst declining EV sales globally and counterparts re-visiting hybrid technology instead.
Watch Ciro De Siena’s video review of the 2020 Jaguar F-Type R
Porsche is taking similarly a phased approach and has introduced a hybrid version of the 911; while the Macan SUV, as well as the 718 Boxster and Cayman sportscars, will return as EV-only models soon.
Watch Ash Oldfield cane the F-Type SVR around Kyalami
So did the Leaping Cat leap too early?
The 11-year-old F-Type with its boisterous V8 was a sight to behold and sang a song to savour. Occasional cheesy special editions aside, in spirit, it was the closest thing to “an E-Type successor”, although Jaguar arguably knew the model was conceived with the ICE hourglass already upturned.
The freshly-revealed Porsche 911 Carrera S has been confirmed for South Africa. Here’s a pricing and what’s changed for the 992.2 generation.
Following on from the Carrera GTS with its T-Hybrid tech comes the Porsche 911 Carrera S and the good news is it has already been confirmed for our market, with prices starting from R3 037 000. Pricing and plan details can be found at the bottom of this article.
The Carrera S is positioned between the standard 911 Carrera and the aforementioned GTS T-Hybrid and the facelift includes an upgraded powertrain and a longer list of standard equipment. The new Porsche 911 Carrera S is available in coupe and cabriolet derivatives, with all-wheel-drive models following later.
The powertrain and performance is enhanced with the 3.0-litre turbocharged six-cylinder boxer petrol engine now making 353 kW and 530 Nm. That’s an increase of 22 kW, thanks to new turbocharging and optimised cooling systems. As far as performance goes, Porsche says the S coupe is good for a 0-100 kph in just 3.3 seconds and will breach 300 kph. There’s an 8-speed dual-clutch gearbox driving the rear wheels.
Standard Equipment
Porsche claims the Carrera S’ standard loadout has been ‘significantly upgraded’ and the vehicle features 20-inch wheels at the front/21-inch at the rear, sports exhaust system, Porsche Torque Vectoring Plus (PTV+), new brake system with red callipers, black leather package, wireless smartphone charger and LED headlights.
Naturally, the options list is extensive, especially if you’re after additional performance and items like ceramic brakes, sports suspension, and rear-wheel steering should be worth forking out for. As a reminder, the folding rear seats are available as a no-cost option. Convenience features worth a second look include the lift system for those pesky speedbumps, HD-Matrix LED headlights and the Sport Chrono package.
How much does the updated Porsche 911 Carrera S cost in South Africa?
The below price includes a 3 year/100 000 km DrivePlan.
The Journeymen Workshop is a Cape Town-based specialist business that focuses on restoring Land Rover Defenders manufactured between 1999 and 2016.
IMAGES: Devin Paisley
Graham Webb and Harley Nash’s enthusiasm and interest in cars, engineering and what they have created, is abundantly evident. I first met them several years ago when they started coming together on selected week evenings to tinker with cars, restore them and, more importantly, enjoy them.
But that was a decade ago; they’ve progressed from rebuilding European classics! Established in 2024, The Journeymen Workshop restores Defender 90, 110 or 130 variants in any of the original bodies.
Background to the Journeymen Workshop
What does a restoration by the Journeyman Workshop entail? The pair sat down with us to explain.
“Although we focus on these years of Land Rover Defender (1999-2016), that is not to say we won’t restore the older Series models,” says Graham. “We don’t partially restore anything though, every single component is rebuilt. Irrespective of the condition of the car, we take it apart.
“Whether some form of the work, a restoration, or replacement of parts has been done in the past 6 months or 10 years, for that matter, we will take it apart anyway and go through all the respective parts. The result is that it doesn’t matter what the condition of the car is, the price will stay the same.
“We’ve tried to keep it simple for the customer and keep all the thinking out of it. The customer doesn’t need to have in-depth knowledge to make the right decisions during the restoration process.”
Harley elaborates: “We needed a new avenue where we could take our passion. It has been 10 years since we founded Journeymen, so Journeymen Workshop was the logical next step. The journey has been so great, it has been such fun to take something Graham and I have started with a bunch of guys that we weren’t sure would last maybe even one month. He always had the faith that it would work.
“After so many years we now just believe in whatever we do. We know we can make amazing cars, we love Land Rovers, we love South Africa and we believe in the local people and skill here. For me, all these different aspects are exciting, especially seeing an idea we have turn into a reality.
“If I think back now, it wasn’t that we wanted to do it, it was that we couldn’t not do it. We had all of the pieces and we’ve built so many cars (including other brands – ed) over the years. Our relationship is so close that we understand all the intricacies of working with each other. We have already been doing this for so long, so we just had to jump off the cliff and start with this new venture.”
Although the business is not even 6 months old, the orders have been coming in steadily.
Graham further explains that he visited Land Rover Classic Works in the UK last year, which is the official classic division of Land Rover. He said that he took a good look at the cars, and realised that there was nothing that this large OEM was doing, which they are not also doing with their cars right here in Cape Town. This further encouraged them to build the Land Rovers that they are now offering.
“Just know that you are going to build the best car possible, and if you don’t cut any corners and do everything correctly, it surely has to work.”
Adam Hues, an ex-Land Rover and Morgan employee from the UK, Adam Hues, is an integral part of the Journeymen Workshop team. “He has really been instrumental to getting us off the ground. He has a base level of skills and knowledge that allows him to direct his assistants for the optimum results.”
In explaining the connection and trust between him and Harley, Graham says: “Harley’s high attention to detail in terms of engineering underpins our business. Whenever we need to machine or engineer a part, he takes care of that. There is this blind trust I have that when he has done something it will be perfect.”
Harley continues: “(When we undertake a restoration) we also don’t want to lose the history of the original car. We don’t want to get rid of the 100, 200 or 300 000 km that car has already done. We love the fact that this car already had one life. This is why we make a little metal badge plate for each car with a QR code that has all the details about each respective car. These include details as well as photos of the rebuilding process. The result is that the history of the car will always remain with it.”
Graham delves a little deeper into the details and their approach. “We believe if you do a complete rebuild in a certain way, and there is evidence of everything along the line, you protect the value of the car in a way. We try and keep it authentic to the core. We use original materials and original parts – that authenticity is of value to us as well as the customers we have,” he adds.
“It is also quite cool that the Land Rover Defender was never perfect, but there is perfection in imperfection. For example, no 2 Land Rover doors will ever shut the same way – that is just how it is.”
The building process
Having been involved in this industry for a decade, Graham and Harley know where to go and who to contact to acquire the necessary parts. From stripping the cars, and galvanising the ladder frame chassis to the complete reassembly can be done in as short a time as 3 months.
“Once we’ve received the car, we roll out the build process in 6 steps. Stage 1 is fully stripping the car. Stage 2 is when every part has arrived back from powder coating, hot-dip galvanising and electroplating.
“The next stage (Stage 3) is building the rolling chassis, followed by putting the firewall and the rebuilt engine back into the car. Stage 4 includes assembling the painted body panels back on the car.
“At Stage 5, the car is tested for the first time, followed by Stage 6 – when it has travelled 1 000 km and we’ve ironed out every snag, we hand it to the customer. Only after the customer has driven 250 km do they make their final payment.”
What kind of after-sales support does the Journeyman Workshop offer with the vehicles it retails?
“We offer a warranty and service plan with each car, which is something that Land Rover didn’t offer from the (Solihull) factory at the time. We have been able to iron out the things that tend to go wrong on these cars, which is why we are confident in offering a warranty and service plan.”
Looking at one of their latest products, the quality of the workmanship is evident, not to mention alluring, considering that the car is probably “good to go” for another few decades.
