Latest news with #VolkswagenPoloVivo
TimesLIVE
07-07-2025
- TimesLIVE
Police nab robber in Muizenberg car chase
Gunshots and sirens were heard in the Cape Town suburb of Muizenberg on Monday afternoon as police apprehended a suspected robber attempting to flee in a white Volkswagen Polo Vivo. According to a report by CapeTownEtc, the incident unfolded at Sanderling Circle on Baden Powell Drive, opposite Sunrise Beach. Video footage filmed from a nearby apartment balcony shows members of the South African Police Service surrounding the vehicle and arresting the suspect after it came to a stop, apparently due to extensive engine damage. This is a developing story.
The Citizen
07-07-2025
- Automotive
- The Citizen
South Africa's top 20 best-sellers of mid-year 2025 revealed
Although largely dominated by imports, the 10 best-selling models were split evenly between imported vehicles and those locally assembled. Having so far failed to record a downturn since October last year, South Africa's new vehicles ended the first six months of 2025 on a total of 232 474 vehicles sold compared to the 287 167 sold 12 months ago. Positive outlook While down, despite having breached 40 000 units every month, the lowest being 42 401 in April, the industry still seems on track to overtake the projected 500 000 mark this year in what will be the third consecutive year since the global pandemic. '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,' the National Association of Automobile Manufacturers of South Africa (Naamsa) said in its projection report for 2025 at the end of last year. ALSO READ: New vehicle sales finish first half of 2025 on a noteworthy high 'The South African Reserve Bank stated that risks to the country's growth outlook are assessed to be balanced, but that growth could be higher from 2025 onwards, given ongoing reforms, especially in the network sectors, such as electricity and transport. '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,' the statement concluded. With half the year gone, The Citizen now takes a look at the top 20 best-selling vehicles between January and June thus far, as well as the 10 performing brands. Mid-year top 20 best-selling vehicles POS MODEL TOTAL BEST MONTH 1. Toyota Hilux 16 526 June – 3 035 2. Ford Ranger 12 398 June – 2 318 3. Suzuki Swift 11 948 January – 2 628 4. Volkswagen Polo Vivo 11 310 January – 2 549 5. Isuzu D-Max 9 846 April – 2 250 6. Toyota Corolla Cross 9 576 June – 2 318 7. Hyundai Grand i10 8 581 March – 1 504 8. Toyota Starlet 7 330 January – 2 180 9. Chery Tiggo 4 Pro 7 297 June – 1 538 10 Suzuki Fronx 6 466 May – 1 219 11. GWM Haval Jolion 6 385 June – 1 113 12. Toyota Starlet Cross 5 225 January – 1 050 13. Mahindra Pik Up 5 079 March – 1 215 14. Nissan Magnite 5 072 March – 1 443 15. Kia Sonet 4 955 February – 877 16. Volkswagen Polo 4 809 March – 932 17. Toyota Urban Cruiser 4 247 January – 890 18. Suzuki Ertiga 4 349 June – 840 19. Toyota Fortuner 4 242 June – 878 20. Toyota HiAce 3 758 February – 711 Mid-year top 10 best-performing marques Toyota – 67 938 Suzuki – 34 461 Volkswagen Group – 29 366 Hyundai – 18 100 Ford – 16 662 Isuzu – 12 221 Great Wall Motors (GWM) – 11 835 Chery – 11 687 Mahindra – 9 611 Kia – 8 234 ALSO READ: New vehicle sales extended winning streak for a fifth time in May
IOL News
03-07-2025
- Automotive
- IOL News
Cars priced below R400,000 are driving the growth in SA's new vehicle market
Affordable vehicles such as the Chery Tiggo 4 Pro, which entered the top three this month, are driving growth in the market. Image: Supplied The good times are rolling in South Africa's new vehicle market, with nine consecutive months of sales growth putting the industry 13.6% ahead of where it was this time last year, Naamsa figures show. June was a particularly strong month for the motor trade, with year-on-year sales growing by 18.7% to 47,294 units, as both passenger cars and light commercial vehicles made solid gains of 21.7% and 14.9% respectively. But household budgets remain tight and much of the growth is currently concentrated at the lower end of the vehicle market. 'The majority of the growth we're seeing is centred in the sub-R400,000 segment,' said Brandon Cohen, chairperson of the National Automobile Dealers' Association (NADA). 'This price point remains critical for volume, affordability and trade-ins, with a direct knock-on effect on pre-owned sales performance,' He added that the used vehicle market was also benefiting from improved affordability metrics, driven by softened interest rates, favourable vehicle pricing, and the rollout of the two-pot retirement savings reform. Most telling is that 24 of the 30 best-selling new passenger vehicles in South Africa last month (see IOL's top 50 list here) have a starting price of below R400,000. In fact, four of the five top-sellers, namely the Volkswagen Polo Vivo, Chery Tiggo 4 Pro, Suzuki Swift, and Hyundai Grand i10, all have starting prices of less than R300,000. Many buyers continue to face budget constraints, said Lebo Gaoaketse, marketing head of WesBank, and at a finance level this is being seen through longer contract terms and lower credit amounts. "These are two major indicators of affordability pressure to reduce monthly installments within the need for new replacement vehicles,' Gaoaketse added. 'In short: South Africans want new cars – but they're spending less on them.' According to late-2024 data from TransUnion, the average loan amount on a new car in South Africa is currently R401,000. Yet, regardless of how much South Africans are spending, it seems evident that lower interest rates have had a positive effect on new vehicle sales. Video Player is loading. Play Video Play Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration -:- Loaded : 0% Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. Advertisement Next Stay Close ✕ 'South Africa's new vehicle market growth has an uncanny alignment to the start of interest rate cuts,' Gaoaketse added. 'Interest rate reprieve since September 2024 has lifted some burden on indebted consumers and stimulated demand for credit and consequently new vehicles. The South African Reserve Bank has lowered rates 0,75% over the past nine months but may become more cautious with further cuts given global economic turmoil.' Absa's new vehicle application figures show a 13% year-on-year increase in June compared to the same period last year. 'The decreasing interest rate and the stable inflation rate have provided a welcome boost to consumers. As a result, consumers pay less on home loan and other debt instalments, increasing their ability to purchase new cars,' said Henry Botha, strategy executive at Absa Vehicle Finance. IOL Motoring
Daily Maverick
29-05-2025
- Automotive
- Daily Maverick
The true price of owning a car
Most prospective buyers of a vehicle tend to focus on its purchase price when figuring out if it's affordable. But there are many other factors to consider because they will inflate your monthly costs. Having recently bought a new car, I've found it quite a big adjustment getting used to a vehicle loan instalment going off my bank account after not having to pay one for eight years. That said, buying a car is about so much more than its financing. I found WesBank's recent calculations about car ownership costs incredibly helpful. These calculations look at the estimated total monthly expenses associated with owning and maintaining one of the top-selling hatchbacks locally. The data also shows how the total cost of ownership has changed over time. 'Despite the recent improvement in passenger car sales, South Africa remains a price-sensitive market,' says Lebo Gaoaketse, head of marketing and communication at WesBank. 'This means when they decide to buy a car, new or used, most buyers base their decision primarily on the purchase price. But it's important to look beyond just that and consider the total cost of ownership, which is influenced by several other factors.' Cost breakdown For a mid-range hatchback with a retail price of about R294,000, including VAT, you can expect to pay an estimated monthly instalment of R5,554.80. Cars in this price range include the Volkswagen Polo Vivo 1.4 Comfortline, Kia Picanto 1.2 EX manual, Suzuki Swift 1.2 GLX, Toyota Starlet 1.5 XS and the Fiat 500 Cult. The instalment is influenced by the interest rate linked to the vehicle financing contract, which in turn is influenced by factors such as your credit score and the loan term. It's important to note that the interest rate will vary between customers, depending on their credit profile. Insurance options If you're financing your car through a bank, insurance is compulsory before you drive it off the showroom floor. But even if your vehicle is not financed, insurance protects you against losses that might result from an accident or theft. Insurance premiums vary depending on factors such as the make and model of the car, as well as the driver's history and location. For the model in question, a comprehensive insurance premium of R1,827.24 monthly can be expected. It's worth noting that even if you have comprehensive insurance, the amount you owe the bank includes interest and is usually significantly more than the value of the car, especially in the first four years of ownership. Credit shortfall insurance is a valuable add-on to your policy. I made a point of letting my family know that I had taken this option in case I end up dying in a car accident, because I wouldn't want them stressing about the debt. Nor would I want to be stuck paying off the debt if my car is written off. Fuel costs Fuel is one of the largest recurring expenses for car owners. Gaoaketse recommends that you estimate your monthly fuel costs, determine your car's fuel consumption rate and the distance you travel each month. The average monthly fuel costs for the vehicle in this scenario are R3,902.50. This is where your choice of car can make a massive difference. Although I didn't have a car instalment previously, I was forking out between R4,000 and R6,000 a month on fuel – the 'perk' of living two hours away from the city. Swapping my gas-guzzling SUV for a hybrid car has been an absolute game-changer, and the difference at the fuel pumps still astounds me two months later. Continuing maintenance Routine maintenance is important to ensure the safe and reliable operation of your vehicle. In the WesBank example, you could expect to pay in the region of R475.75 per month, or R5,709 annually, for running costs, including routine maintenance and general upkeep. Total monthly mobility costs When combining the monthly instalment, fuel, insurance and running costs, the total monthly cost for one of the bestselling hatchbacks in South Africa comes to R11,760.29 – marginally higher than the average total cost of ownership in 2024, which was R11,578.70 per month. Historical data Reviewing historical data, the increase in the total cost of vehicle ownership becomes apparent. For instance, because of vehicle price inflation, the estimated monthly instalment for the study model has jumped from R2,417.03 in 2012 to R5,554.80 in 2025. Insurance premiums have increased from R802.66 to R1,827.24 over the same period, and fuel costs have ballooned from R1,856.75 to about R3,902.50 per month. 'Viewing the cost of vehicle ownership from this perspective is important and underscores the need to objectively and honestly evaluate one's affordability level before signing a long-term vehicle finance contract to ensure a fulfilling vehicle ownership experience,' says Gaoaketse. DM PS the numbers in this story were hypothetical and not what Neesa Moodley is paying for her car.
TimesLIVE
27-05-2025
- Automotive
- TimesLIVE
Suzuki SA breaks ground on new headquarters
Suzuki Auto SA, in partnership with real estate group Fortress, has officially broken ground on its new head office and distribution centre at Longlake Logistics Park in Gauteng. The sod-turning ceremony was held on May 21, marking a milestone for the Japanese carmaker, and reinforcing its long-term commitment to the SA market. The company will relocate from its headquarters at Linbro Business Park to a custom-designed, 24,507m² facility that will accommodate operations and workforce. Construction is scheduled for completion by mid-2026. The new facility will include 2,900m² of office space and 19,100m² of warehousing, along with advanced training facilities, boardrooms, a workshop and a 100-seater canteen. The warehouse will feature a clearance height of 15m for optimal vertical storage, and large yards and easy vehicle access to support efficient logistics operations. Suzuki has been the brand to watch over the past few years. Local sales have been rising steadily, with the brand netting 5,977 unit sales in April 2025, claiming the number two best-seller spot below Toyota's 10,363 sales. The best-selling Suzuki model during the period was the Swift with 2,053 units, making it SA's best selling passenger car in the same period. The latest Suzuki Swift has replaced the rival Volkswagen Polo Vivo as the country's best selling hatch. Image: Supplied It's also important to note Suzuki's contribution to Toyota's dominance. The brands have a partnership that sees Suzuki supply Toyota-badged models. The nameplates make a big portion of the larger Japanese brand's April sales wins. 'The move marks a significant chapter in our journey,' said Berto van der Lith, vice-president and CFO of Suzuki Auto SA. 'Our new headquarters will allow for further improvements in our operations and support the growth we foresee in the coming years.'
