Chinese brands have gone from fringe players to a fifth of South Africa’s new-vehicle sales.
Browsing: Naamsa
From kilowatt-hours to charging costs, two EV veterans answer the questions new buyers actually ask.
South Africa’s automotive body insists local car output still leads the continent, even as the country’s electric ambitions lag.
Battery-electric sales jumped 96% year on year in the first quarter, yet they remain a sliver of the market.
Mikel Mabasa was among the most vocal advocates for a coherent South African new energy vehicle policy.
Government is seeking to boost local automotive manufacturing while Chinese brands weigh investment versus market risks.
South Africa’s new vehicle market staged a decisive recovery in 2025, with total sales climbing above pre-pandemic levels.
The influx of Chinese vehicles into the South African market is having a profound impact on the local industry.
Naamsa has warned that new US tariffs on South Africa could decimate the local vehicle manufacturing export industry.
Tensions between South Africa and the US continue to rise, with Agoa set to expire later this year.