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Jetour to launch more new models after strong start in SA

Jetour to launch more new models after strong start in SA

The Herald3 days ago
The T2 is 93mm shorter with a more upright, Land Rover Defender-esque styling and a similar off-road driving disposition. It will compete with the GWM Tank 300 and BAIC B40 as prime examples.
My walkabout at the company's parts warehouse in Waterfall, Midrand, this week revealed parts boxes labelled T1 and T2, confirming the VP's commitment for an October 2025 debut for the new pair.
With South Africa a changed landscape from when Jetour arrived in 2024, with new buyer trends, a struggling economy and US-imposed import tariffs, d oes Campbell support the call that more Chinese brands should start to assemble cars locally to safeguard the local automotive industry?
He said there are no plans to build Jetour cars locally, and he is aware of unconfirmed reports claiming group brand Chery has been looking at taking over Nissan's plant in Rosslyn, Pretoria. However, Campbell said plans to manufacture locally need a viable export programme.
Jetour SA supports the local industry through partnerships with local suppliers of aftermarket accessories such as tow bars, and Campbell said he would be willing to support the three remaining tyre manufacturing companies operating in the country after Goodyear announced its exit.
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Chery Tiggo 7 plug-in hybrid ready to shock the SUV segment
Chery Tiggo 7 plug-in hybrid ready to shock the SUV segment

The Citizen

time18 minutes ago

  • The Citizen

Chery Tiggo 7 plug-in hybrid ready to shock the SUV segment

Sprints from 0 to 100km/h in just 5.4 seconds and won't break the bank at the pumps. Chery made big noise about its hybrid technology at the Shanghai Auto Show in April. After spending some quality time in two of the Chinese carmaker's new energy offerings, we understand Chery's sentiment. Along with the Tiggo Cross self-charging hybrid, Chery last month rolled out the Tiggo 7 plug-in hybrid (PHEV) locally. Two PHEV models head the revised Tiggo 7 line-up, which has dropped the Pro and Pro Max monikers from before. We recently had the Tiggo 7 Plus CSH, short for Chery Super Hybrid, on test. The Plus at R619 900 slots in underneath the R679 900 Ultra CSH and are marked down a full R20 000 as an introductory special offer. And even better, it still includes comprehensive after sales backing which features a 10-year/unlimited mileage battery warranty. ALSO READ: Hybrid warfare as Chery Tiggo 7 takes swipe at Jaecoo J7 Performance-like power Apart from the price, the standout feature of the PHEV model is its power outputs. Numbers so impressive that it will qualify as a performance offering in many other stables. The manufacturer's familiar 1.5-litre turbo petrol engine teams up with an 18.3kWh battery hooked up to a single electric motor to form the CSH setup. Together they produce a total of 265kW of power and 530Nm of torque. This is a significant power bump from the 145kW/290Nm produced by the 1.6-litre blown mill model. Even better than the extra oomph is the difference the single-speed Dedicated Hybrid Transmission (DHT) makes compared to any other gearbox Chery has to offer. The DHT means the typical Chinese throttle calibration issues are all out the window, with the power delivery being buttery smooth. The steering is a bit light, but still better than what the Tiggo Cross hybrid feels like. ALSO READ: Newly facelifted Chery Tiggo 7 range priced with more features Throttle calibration issues sorted Chery claims the Tiggo 7 CSH will sprint from 0 to 100km/h in a mere 5.4 seconds and we have no reason to doubt them. The torque is so instantaneous when flooring the accelerator, that it behaves much more like a fully electric car than anything mechanical burdened by turbo lag. The Chery Tiggo 7 Plus CSH rides on 18-inch alloys. Picture: Jaco van der Merwe The twist is routed to the front wheels as Chery do not offer the hybrids as – or any Tiggo 7 for that metter – with all-wheel drive anymore. When you flatten the accelerator, the amount of torque on the front wheels is so great that it leads to wheelspin on any surface with the slightest tinge of dust about it. The Chery Tiggo 7 plug-in hybrid's claimed electric range is 93km. Some logistical issues meant that The Citizen Motoring were unable to charge the car at home or a DC fast charger to put this claim to the test. It did however give us a chance to observe the intricacies of the hybrid system. Chery Tiggo 7's clever system Unlike some brands' PHEV technology, the CSH system does not allow the battery to run flatter than 20%, which is very similar to the BYD Shark bakkie. The engine, along with power restored by regenerative braking, keeps the battery level around the 20% mark. In other words, it then functions like a self-charging hybrid, sans the benefit of a pure electric range. We were unable to determine the accumulated consumption for the car's weeklong stay, but a trip-by-trip readout never exceeded 6.4 litres per 100km, with 5.4L/100km being the lowest. This would indicate that Chery's claimed range of 1 200km with a full tank and full charge is within reach. In terms of styling, the Chery Tiggo 7 CSH adopts the upgrades that have been applied to the entire range. The front end now features a diamond-studded chrome grille and revised LED headlights. We really like the new rear styling, which is a lot more authoritative with its muscular lines. Loads of space and tech Inside, the CSH is as plush and comfortable as we have become used to over the years. Two 12.3-screens features on the dash which is rounded off by the generous use of leather, faux carbon, brushed chrome and veneer. The light emitted through the 1.1 square metre panoramic roof makes the already generous space in the cabin look even bigger. The Chery Tiggo 7 has two 12.3-inch screens. Picture: Jaco van der Merwe The infotainment system features six speakers and is geared with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. It also features the 'Hello Chery' voice assistant and 540-degree camera. There is also a 50W wirelessly charging tray and multiple Type-C USB ports. One feature that will take getting used to is the absence of a push start button. You can't help yourself looking for the button before realising that there isn't one. Once inside, you simply put it in gear and off you go. Providing your seat belt is fastened of course. Chery Tiggo 7 PHEV guns for glory Boot space is rated at 626 litres, with plenty of leg and headroom in the second row. The Chery Tiggo 7 Plus CSH comes standard with front and rear parking sensors and six airbags. Advanced safety systems include blind-spot monitoring, rear collision warning, rear cross-traffic alert. Chery has been hurting the heritage brands in the C-SUV segment and will continue to do that pridct like this. No buyer in this segment can ignore the attractive pricing and the comprehensive package that comes along with it.

Government announces start date for driving licence demerits
Government announces start date for driving licence demerits

The Herald

timean hour ago

  • The Herald

Government announces start date for driving licence demerits

The government has confirmed that the Administrative Adjudication of Road Traffic Offences Amendment Act (Aarto) will be rolled out across the country in phases, starting on December 1. The national implementation of the long-delayed system was gazetted on Friday when President Cyril Ramaphosa signed the proclamation. The first phase will be rolled out on December 1 in 69 municipalities, with the remaining 144 municipalities to follow on April 1 2026. The demerit points system comes into effect countrywide on September 1 2026. The points demerit system is not operational yet anywhere in the country, including in Johannesburg and Tshwane where Aarto has been piloted for more than 12 years. Aarto is the government's plan to replace the existing criminal system with an administrative one. With Aarto, drivers will lose points for offences and face suspension or cancellation of their licences if they lose too many, in addition to any fine. The controversial act, originally passed into law in 1998, has been delayed numerous times and affected by legal disputes. In July 2023 the Constitutional Court ruled in favour of the government's plan to introduce a demerit system for traffic offenders, overturning an earlier high court ruling that had declared Aarto unconstitutional and invalid. The challenge was brought by the Organisation Undoing Tax Abuse (Outa), an outspoken critic of Aarto which said the new system, rather than improving road safety, would impose an undue burden on motorists, especially those who rely on driving for their livelihoods. Outa and the AA both argued that the new law would make it easier for authorities to make money from traffic fines but won't rid the roads of dangerous drivers without proper enforcement, an area where traffic authorities have failed given the country's appalling road safety record. South Africa's road deaths average more than 10,000 a year and the cost of road crashes to the economy topped R1-trillion over the past seven years. The government maintains Aarto will be a vital tool in strengthening laws for road traffic compliance and making roads safer. It replaces the country's fragmented traffic enforcement, with different municipalities having their own bylaws. The core of Aarto is a demerit system where points are allocated for infringements, which will lead to driver's licence suspension or cancellation if too many points are accumulated. The act aims to streamline the process for adjudicating road traffic infringements by replacing courts with the Road Traffic Infringement Authority (RTIA), which is now responsible for managing the process. Aarto also allows for electronic service of notices and documents, establishing an appeals tribunal to hear appeals against decisions of the RTIA and removes the option of electing to be tried in court for an infringement. RTIA spokesperson Monde Mkalipi said: 'Aarto looks at promoting a culture of voluntary compliance, [where drivers] are ... mindful there will be consequences if they fail to change their behaviour. And these consequences are going to happen faster in that your licence will be suspended or taken away, and you'll not be able to drive.'

July car sales hit six-year peak
July car sales hit six-year peak

The Herald

time5 hours ago

  • The Herald

July car sales hit six-year peak

Despite the looming threat of tariffs, South Africa's domestic new-vehicle market continued full throttle in July, delivering the highest monthly sales since October 2019. In the tenth straight month of increased volumes, 51,383 units were delivered last month, up 15.6% from July 2024, which industry body Naamsa attributed to improving consumer confidence, favourable credit conditions and a steady recovery in disposable incomes. It firmly re-established pre-Covid-19 levels and momentum in the market's recovery. Passenger cars were the best performing segment last month at 36,248 units, the highest since January 2017 and a gain of 20.1% compared to July 2024. Car rental sales accounted for 14% of last month's figure. Sales of new light commercial vehicles, bakkies and minibuses at 12,356 units were 6.9% higher than July 2024. Medium trucks sold 703 units (+13.9%) while heavy trucks and buses dropped 1.3% to 2,076 units. The much-welcomed decision by the Reserve Bank in July to further reduce the repo rate by 25 basis points to 7% — its third cut this year — will further inject much-needed stimulus into the economy, said Naamsa CEO Mikel Mabasa. 'Encouragingly, household credit extension has continued to improve, while consumer sentiment is rebounding — especially among middle- and upper-income groups. The implementation of pension reforms has also unlocked additional liquidity for big-ticket purchases such as vehicles. This positive trend is further reinforced by improved logistics performance, a more stable electricity supply and a sustained demand for high-spec, cost-effective vehicles across market segments,' he said. Year-to-date sales of 330,274 new vehicles this year were 13.9% up on the first seven months of 2024. 'There remains a direct correlation between the rate-cutting cycle and the upturn in new vehicle sales,' said Lebo Gaoaketse, head of marketing and communication at WesBank. 'The market should continue to expect growth if interest rates remain lower.' 'The cumulative interest rate cut of 1.25% since the cycle started is saving a typical new car buyer about R257 per month. The sweet spot of the new vehicle market is a price point of R370,000 according to WesBank's book. More critically, the interest saving over the loan period could be over R18,500, which shows the impact lower rates have on stimulating the market and aiding affordability.' Vehicle exports have shown resilience in the face of the 25% automotive tariffs imposed by the US in April. Export volumes last month decreased 1.9% to 35,379 units compared to July 2024, but year-to-date exports were still 2.5% ahead of the same period in 2024. However, the 30% tariffs imposed on South Africa from this month are expected to cause economic headwinds for some local motor manufacturers. 'Despite global uncertainty and the looming threat of tariffs, South Africa's vehicle market continues to show remarkable resilience,' said Brandon Cohen, chair of the National Automobile Dealers' Association (NADA). A key contributor to the robust passenger market is the growing influence of Chinese and Asian vehicle brands, he said. Four Chinese importers are now among the top 15 best-sellers, including newer entrants such as Omoda/Jaecoo and Jetour. 'Financial institutions have also shown confidence in these brands by offering white-labelled finance packages, further supporting their market penetration. Meanwhile, manufacturers like Kia and Mahindra continue to feature prominently in the top 10, reflecting strong demand for affordable, value-driven options, a trend that has also underpinned Suzuki's consistent success. 'The rapid rise of Chinese and Asian brands reflects a shift in buyer preferences towards affordability and value. It's a trend we expect to intensify as more brands enter the market,' said Cohen. Toyota retained its lead as South Africa's most popular brand in July. The top 15 selling brands were: 1. Toyota — 12,694 2. Suzuki — 6,257 3. Volkswagen group — 5,738 4. Hyundai — 3,161 5. Ford — 2,877 6. GWM — 2,436 7. Isuzu — 2,427 8. Chery — 2,160 9. Kia — 1,891 10. Mahindra — 1,441 11. Renault — 1,320 12. BMW group — 1,249 13. Nissan — 1,190 14. Omoda and Jaecoo- 1,069 15. Jetour — 717

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