Brands such as Haval, Chery, and Mahindra are gaining ground rapidly, challenging long established players like Toyota, Volkswagen, and Ford.

According to recent market insights from Cars.co.za, South Africa’s pre-owned vehicle market continues to grow, driven by rising new-car prices and improved buyer confidence in certified used models.

Isuzu South Africa has hinted at the arrival of its new 2.2-litre turbodiesel engine for the popular D-Max bakkie and MU-X SUV, but the company is taking a measured approach before launching locally. According to Cars.co.za, Isuzu’s local CEO, Billy Tom, emphasised the need to thoroughly test the engine for reliability and durability before making it available to South African drivers.

After several years of recovery, the South African automotive market is gearing up for a strong year ahead. Industry analysts predict that new vehicle sales could exceed pre-pandemic levels in 2025, signalling renewed consumer confidence and growing demand for value-driven vehicles.

South Africa’s motoring landscape is about to change. Toyota, one of the most trusted brands on our roads, has announced plans to introduce three electric vehicles (EVs) to South Africa in 2026. According to a recent Reuters report, this will be Toyota’s first major step into the local EV market, where hybrids currently dominate.