
Leap Motor: A Fresh Name in a Crowded Market
By Aurelia Mbokazi-Kashe With the influx of new car brands entering South Africa, it’s easy to lose track of who’s who. So, when Stellantis announced its partnership with China’s Leapmotor

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By Aurelia Mbokazi-Kashe With the influx of new car brands entering South Africa, it’s easy to lose track of who’s who. So, when Stellantis announced its partnership with China’s Leapmotor

By Prashirwin Naidu Volkswagen has come out guns blazing with the new Transporter T7, and if you ask me, it’s a bold and daring move. Why daring? Well, remember the

By Mabuyane Mabuza Audi South Africa has been in hibernation these past few years, but that’s about to change, if the brand’s head honchos are to be believed. Last week

By Aurelia Mbokazi Stellantis SA is an exciting player in the motoring industry, boasting a diverse portfolio of nine brands that cater to different markets and driving needs. At their

By Mabuyane Mabuza South African car consumers seem to be catching up to the plug-in hybrids. On the other hand, car manufacturers are also expanding on this attractive engine offering.

By Prashirwin Naidu The Suzuki Dzire has quietly become something of a phenomenon in South Africa. It’s been flying under the radar, yet consistently delivering, selling in bucketloads and earning

By Prashirwin Naidu I had been looking forward to the refreshed Isuzu Mu-X launch in the Western Cape — and it didn’t disappoint. Isuzu has given the Mu-X a smart

By Aurelia Mbokazi-Kashe Hyundai has come a long way since it first entered South Africa during the country’s early days of democracy. Back then, it was a newcomer met with

By Mabuyane Mabuza Volkswagen Golf is no stranger to many, myself included. So when the invite to the launch of the new Golf 8.5 came through, I didn’t hesitate. After

Hello Mabs I have been shopping around for a used car because my budget is tight. I recently found the car of my dreams, brand new for R3 999 a

Hello Mabs I drive long distances for work and recently realised I grip the steering wheel so tightly that my shoulders ache afterwards. I think I am becoming anxious behind

Hi Mabs My husband says I service my car too often and waste money. I would rather fix problems before they happen. Can you actually over-service a vehicle? Ask Mabs

Hello Mabs This feels embarrassing to admit but I do not know how to change a tyre. I am in my thirties. Everyone assumes women should know less about cars

Hello Mabs I bought my first car six months ago and suddenly it feels like I am always paying for something. Be it insurance, petrol, service or tyres. Was I

Hello Mabs. My partner always checks their phone at red robots and says it’s harmless because the car is not moving. The other day, a car nearly rolled into us

Hello Mabs My friend drives like she’s qualifying for Formula 1 but refuses to pay speeding fines because ‘the camera flashed too early.’ Should I still accept lifts? I’m now

Hello Mabs I feel nervous driving long distances alone. Any advice? Mabs Answers First of all, that is perfectly normal. Preparation builds confidence. Service your car on time, check your

Hello Mabs My dad recently handed me his older VW Polo so that I do not have to rely on public transport since I work mostly the night shift. How

By Staff Writer Tomorrow is Youth Day. For many South Africans, that means a rare opportunity to slowdown. Some have headed out of town for the long weekend, while others

By Staff Writer Every weekday morning, thousands of South African parents load children into vehicles, navigate familiar roads and pull up outside school gates to drop them off before continuing

By Aurelia Mbokazi-Kashe Youth Month is a time when we celebrate energy, ambition and possibility. But it should also be a time when we confront a difficult reality: too many

By Staff Writer There is a strange confidence that settles in when we drive roads we know well. It lives in the school run through Fourways on a busy morning

By Staff Writer Last week’s sudden shift in weather caught much of South Africa off guard. One day it was business as usual, the next it was bitterly cold, with

By Staff Writer Tyres are easy to ignore. Until something goes wrong. For many drivers, tyres are only checked when they go flat. But long before that happens, they may

Staff Writer With Freedom Day and Workers’ Day falling so close together, many South Africans turned the past week into a well-earned road trip. From long-haul getaways to quick family

By Staff Writer In the space of a week, South Africa has been shaken by two road rage incidents that ended in tragedy. In one, a teenager lost his life

By Staff Writer Every day, millions of South African children rely on scholar transport to get them to and from school. For many families, this is not a choice but

By Prashirwin Naidu When the invite for the facelifted Renault Kiger launch landed on my desk, I was keen, caffeinated, and ready for another escape into the world of new-car

By Mabuyane Mabuza If Volvo XC90 were a person, it would be that quiet, beautiful girl in class, the one who says less and lets her beauty speak for her.

By Mabuyane Mabuza When I found out what BYD stands for, I chuckled and thought, here we go again, the Chinese are on brand. You cannot expect anything but a

By Aurelia Mbokazi-Kashe Parys is the kind of place that invites you to slow down and sink into its laissez-faire charm. By day, the “big boys and girls” head for

By Prashirwin Naidu This one’s for the lovers of big-bodied SUVs — the segment South Africans know, love, and trust. These three are perennial favourites, each with its loyal fan

By Mabuyane Mabuza “You have been distracted, please pay attention.” Take your eyes off the road for more than two seconds, or even grip the steering wheel awkwardly, and you’ll

By Aurelia Mbokazi-Kashe Over the years, Renault has quietly carved out a space for itself at the affordable end of South Africa’s motoring market. From the Clio and Megane to

By Aurelia Mbokazi-Kashe In a world where SUVs dominate the roads and new models arrive thick and fast, it’s easy to feel unmoved. That was my first reaction to the

By Mabuyane Mabuza Geography was one of my favourite subjects back in primary school. I was fascinated by the mighty rivers and mountains. My young mind travelled to places only

By Prashirwin Naidu Mahindra South Africa is on a roll! In fact, it easily owned the month of February. Hot on the heels of its 20-year celebration in the country,

By Aurelia Mbokazi-Kashe The automotive landscape is shifting, and South Africa is navigating its unique path within this global transformation. As the global automotive industry evolves, South Africa is charting

By Aurelia Mbokazi The year began with a sharp focus on the motoring industry’s future at Toyota South Africa’s eighth annual State of the Motor Industry (SOMI) event, held on

By Prashirwin Naidu In what could be viewed as a bid to drive sales and get vehicles off showroom floors and into consumers’ garages, GAC Motor South Africa, a recent

With the country’s electricity supply seemingly stabilising, South African motorists are showing a growing interest in electric vehicles, according to various studies. As the EU’s 2035 ban on new petrol

By Prashirwin Naidu Volkswagen’s Head of Marketing, Bridget Harpur, made a major impact last Friday at the Loeries, winning the prestigious Marketing Leadership and Innovation Award. This award recognises individuals

By Prashirwin Naidu With the right products and a solid sales strategy, the South African automotive market is full of possibilities and opportunities. This was evident when we welcomed Jetour,

By Prashirwin Naidu From crime and court journalist at the Sowetan newspaper, Nomaswazi Nkosi is now breaking barriers as head of public relations at the world’s most iconic automotive brand,

A new joint venture between Toyota Tsusho Africa (TTAF), Ogihara (Thailand) Corporation (OTC), and Toyota South Africa Motors (TSAM) is set to create 250 jobs in South Africa’s automotive sector

Revved Up With Itu Motuba I have owned two cars in my life, and they both had names. My Ford Focus was Dorcus. To be clear, I didn’t name her. A friend did because he liked...

By Aurelia Mbokazi Insurance is something most of us only think about when something goes wrong. Discovery Insure, however, believes that the relationship should begin long before an accident, a burst tyre or even a claim....

By Mabuyane Mabuza When Jetour arrived in South Africa in 2024, it quickly established itself as one of the country’s fastest-growing automotive brands. The Dashing and X70 Plus stood out by offering bold styling, generous specification...

By Aurelia Mbokazi Being a motoring journalist is a huge flex, but it can also be a disadvantage. One week, there is a premium SUV in your driveway. The next, something with more power than you...

By Mabuyane Mabuza These days, the question is no longer whether you like SUVs or not. That debate has long been settled. The real question is: which SUV do you prefer? Are you chasing affordability and...

By Mabuyane Mabuza Sometimes I chuckle at the questions I still get after so many years of being immersed in the world of cars. The three most common ones are always the same: What is your favourite...

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