By Mabuyane Mabuza
Though the world has changed and is changing rapidly right before our eyes, for both good and bad, one can never take away the best changes or transformations taking place in the motor industry.
For some of us who have been around long enough, it is a marvel to watch. What an incredible time to be engaging with automobiles.
Like I said before, soon we will be writing car reviews without talking about EVs as if they were UFOs. They’d be as mainstream as ICE vehicles. The beauty of being a part of this transition is that we get to experience it in real time.
The Drive
Malobanyana mo I was strolling around in the Omoda C9 PHEV, yes the one that is insanely fuel efficient. I had no long distance trip to take, but drove enough and still could not move the fuel needle.
I got blown away by how efficient that hybrid engine was and getting the best of both worlds, electric and petrol at the same time.
For the everyday family, this is more than a car; it’s a companion that smooths the small chaos of daily life: school runs, weekend grocery hauls and you can even do impromptu drives to the coast. I could have taken a trip to Durban.
The hybrid powertrain slips seamlessly between electric and petrol, trimming trips to the pump and turning city commutes into almost serene stretches of silent motion. For some of us who live in the countryside, this was a perfect match.
Fuel economy becomes less of a calculation. Let me tell you I did not refuel once during my week long test.
Dealers multiply, owners recommend, and cars like the C9 PHEV become familiar sights from Cape Town’s suburbs to Johannesburg’s bustling arteries. That upward curve speaks to value and trust: a brand that understands local tastes and delivers on promises.
