Where Joburgers like to top up petrol and their favourite fuel station shops
The findings are based on aggregated and anonymised telemetry data from Tracker which spans more than 600 service stations in Johannesburg and more than 5,000 nationwide.
'Engen emerged as the most visited fuel station brand by Johannesburg drivers in March 2025,' the report said.
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The Citizen
10-07-2025
- The Citizen
Combating theft & hijacking in South Africa
Despite a welcome drop in reported incidents, vehicle theft and hijackings remain a primary concern for South Africans. According to the latest SAPS's quarterly crime stats, hijackings decreased by 15.1% between January and March 2025 compared to the same period in 2024. However, with 4,533 hijackings recorded in only three months (about 50 vehicles hijacked per day), the risk remains uncomfortably high. This aligns with Santam's 2025 Insurance Barometer, which found that 50% of consumers surveyed cited crime (including burglary, mugging and hijacking) as one of their top risks, second only to the rising cost of living. 'It's encouraging to see the numbers trending down, but hijacking and theft are still far too common,' says Atang Matebesi, CEO of Santam Client Solutions. 'What's important is that we're now seeing what works, particularly when it comes to proactive interventions like enhanced tracking systems in high-risk vehicles.' Here are five key takeaways Matebesi believes every vehicle owner should keep in mind: Hijackings remain high While theft and hijacking trends are down nationally, hotspots remain. Tracker's most recent crime data shows that Gauteng, KwaZulu-Natal and the Eastern Cape remain high-risk zones, with the Eastern Cape recording a shocking 8:1 hijacking-to-theft ratio. In terms of metros, Midrand, Honeydew, and Roodepoort recorded the highest number of hijackings in early 2025. Not to dissuade people from being less vigilant during other times, but it's important to note that most hijackings occur on Friday evenings between 4pm and 9pm. Hijackings are replacing traditional theft According to Tracker, criminals are increasingly choosing hijackings over theft because modern vehicles are harder to steal when parked. Matebesi notes that hijacking gives criminals immediate access to the vehicle and its contents without having to bypass sophisticated ignition and security systems. This shift means owners need to be more vigilant when entering or exiting vehicles, particularly in driveways, traffic queues and poorly lit areas. Installing multiple tracking devices is proving effective, and it could reduce your insurance premium Santam's own claims data shows a noticeable decrease in hijacking and theft claims for vehicles fitted with two tracking systems. With two devices, the chance of vehicle recovery by tracking companies' increases – if one device is tempered with by hijackers the second device may still be functioning. 'These underwriting interventions are making a measurable difference,' says Matebesi. 'Fitting a dual tracking system doesn't guarantee your vehicle won't be targeted, but it significantly increases the chances of recovery. A win for everyone.' Comprehensive insurance and more affordable alternatives are available With hijackings and vehicle theft still an everyday reality, comprehensive vehicle insurance has become more critical than ever. 'It's not just about replacing the car,' Matebesi explains. 'It's about protecting yourself financially against the ripple effects of a loss. It all adds up, from car hire costs and excess payments to potential debt obligations if the vehicle is financed,' he says. In many cases, he says claims related to hijacking are not limited to the car alone. They may even include damaged property, trauma counselling, or legal processes. Matebesi's advice is to have proper cover in place to help reduce the long-term impact on your life and finances. Comprehensive insurance may not be affordable to everyone, so individuals should consider taking more affordable cover types such as Third Party, Fire and Theft as an alternative. This kind of insurance policy does not cover accidental damage, but it can be significantly cheaper than comprehensive insurance and you'd be fully covered if your car is hijacked or stolen. Extra layers of protection go a long way Insurers and security providers are constantly evolving their offerings to stay ahead of criminals. For businesses, this includes AI-powered dashcams, cargo door sensors, and panic-alert buttons that link to rapid response teams. For personal vehicles, Matebesi says it's worth investing in: Multiple tracking devices (GPS plus RF) – confirm with your tracking company that it runs on the 5G network Early warning alerts for unauthorised movement Remote immobilisation features Parking in well-lit, secure locations – especially overnight 'Insurance is just one part of the equation, prevention and recovery should be a joint effort between the vehicle owner, the insurer and security providers. With smart technology and better awareness, we can keep closing the gap between risk and safety,' says Matebesi. At Caxton, we employ humans to generate daily fresh news, not AI intervention. Happy reading!
TimesLIVE
01-07-2025
- TimesLIVE
More young women are financing cars — see which makes are their top pick
The company said while financing trends have shifted, the top brand choice for young buyers hasn't. 'Volkswagen's position as the No 1 choice has been a constant, though 14 brands have held a position among the top 10 brands,' said Lightstone Auto. Ford was the second most popular brand in 2015, but was overtaken by Toyota in 2020 and has since slipped behind Suzuki, which only entered the top 10 in 2020 but has quickly gained favour. 'Nissan has moved between positions four and seven, and is now at number five, while Haval and Chery find themselves in the top 10.' Luxury brands still hold sway. 'There is a demand for premium brands among younger consumers as Audi and BMW have retained spots in the top 10 over the past decade, though they have slipped slightly from where they were in 2015.' Younger buyers are also spending more. 'Since 2015 there has been a gradual increase in the average price point at which younger buyers were prepared to finance a vehicle purchase. In 2015 a buyer under 35 was prepared to finance a vehicle purchase at an average of just under R200,000, but in 2025 this has jumped to R321,500.' The data shows the average price of a used vehicle financed for a woman rose from R172,600 in 2014 to R297,800 in 2024. For new vehicles, the jump was steeper, from R252,000 in 2014 to R440,000 in 2024.
TimesLIVE
30-06-2025
- TimesLIVE
Where Joburgers like to top up petrol and their favourite fuel station shops
A study by Lightstone Auto has found Engen has cemented its position as South Africa's leading fuel station brand, according to Johannesburg motorists. The findings are based on aggregated and anonymised telemetry data from Tracker which spans more than 600 service stations in Johannesburg and more than 5,000 nationwide. 'Engen emerged as the most visited fuel station brand by Johannesburg drivers in March 2025,' the report said.
