South Africa‘s new vehicle sales have continued their upward trend, defying economic headwinds, though a recent US import tariff has impacted export figures.

In a testament to the resilience of the South African automotive market, new vehicle sales have demonstrated sustained positive momentum. This performance underscores the confidence in the country’s economic trajectory and the strategic importance of a stable macroeconomic policy environment,according to naamsa CEO Mikel Mabasa.

While overall sales figures remain robust, the sector is facing challenges from international trade policies.The implementation of a 25% US import tariff has resulted in a 1.9% decrease in new vehicle exports,dropping from 36,056 units to 35,379 units for the month. This progress has drawn sharp criticism from Naamsa, with Mabasa expressing deep disappointment and concern over the potential for severe socio-economic fallout without urgent trade remedies. Naamsa is actively engaging with the government to advocate for a fair and reciprocal trading relationship, emphasizing the long-standing automotive ties between South Africa and the US.

The domestic market,however,shows strength across different vehicle segments. Medium-duty commercial vehicles saw a significant increase of 13.9%,with sales rising from 617 to 703 units. Conversely, heavy-duty trucks and buses experienced a slight decline of 1.3%, falling from 2,103 to 2,076 units.

Dealer sales remain the dominant channel,accounting for 83.1% of the total 51,383 vehicles sold. The remaining sales where distributed among rental agencies (11.1%), corporate fleets (2.7%),and government purchases (3.1%).

Looking ahead, Naamsa is exploring strategies to mitigate the impact of the US tariffs. These include deepening regional trade, expanding market access in Africa and Asia, and accelerating the adoption of new-energy vehicle technologies to attract investment and safeguard production capacity.

Top 10 Best-Selling Marques

The performance of leading automotive brands in south Africa, compared to the previous month, is as follows:

toyota – 12,694 (No change)
Suzuki – 6,257 (No change)
Volkswagen – 5,738 (No change)
Hyundai – 3,161 (Up 1 position)
Ford – 2,877 (Down 1 position)
GWM – 2,436 (No change)
Isuzu – 2,427 (Up 1 position)
Chery – 2,160 (Down 1 position)
Kia – 1,891 (Up 3 positions)
Mahindra – 1,441 (Down 1 position)

Facelifted Volkswagen Golf 8.5 Arrives, But Does the Price Tag Fit?

The latest Volkswagen Golf 8.5 has arrived in South Africa, marking the 50th anniversary of the Golf in Europe. However, the cost of this “garden variety” Golf may surprise potential buyers, especially in a market favoring SUVs.

Return of a Classic

In 2024, Volkswagen celebrated the Golf’s golden anniversary, and South Africa welcomed the return of the “normal” Golf derivative after the Mk 7.5 production ceased in 2019. The Mk 8.5 facelift model comes with its own considerations, particularly the price point compared to its sportier GTI and R siblings.

The Golf 8.5, which features the 1.4 TSI engine, bypasses the particle filter issues that affect the GTI and R models. This compatibility makes it suitable for regions with lower fuel quality. The focus of this version centers on design upgrades rather than performance.

Design and Interior Enhancements

The Mk 8.5 showcases external design changes, including new headlight clusters with standard LEDs, a revised front bumper and grille, a redesigned bonnet, and the addition of an illuminated logo bar. The rear also sees updates with new LED light clusters, which are reminiscent of the Mk 7.5. These changes provide a cleaner aesthetic, avoiding the criticism the Mk 8 initially received.

Inside, the Golf 8.5 boasts notable improvements, most notably the replacement of the touch-sensitive steering wheel controls with more intuitive physical buttons. The updated 12.9-inch infotainment system, using Volkswagen’s MIB4 software, is also significantly enhanced. All models include a 10-inch Digital Cockpit instrument cluster.

Part of the Golf 8.5’s facelift involves new light clusters seemingly modeled on that of the Golf 7.5. Image: Hanro Venter

On the Road

The Golf’s primary appeal comes from its refinement and the performance of its 1.4 TSI engine. Generating 110kW/250Nm, the engine delivers strong performance for its weight, and the eight-speed Tiptronic transmission, activated by a toggle switch, works well, avoiding low-speed issues. While some hesitation exists when downshifting, the overall driving experience is smooth.

The suspension setup effectively balances comfort and control. The steering provides good feedback, making the Golf engaging to drive. The test unit showed an indicated fuel consumption of 7.2 L/100 km. This is somewhat higher than Volkswagen’s claimed 6.3 L/100 km, but still remains fuel-efficient.

Price and Value Proposition

The most notable drawback is the Golf 8.5’s cost. With a sticker price of R604,500, the Life+ test model, when fully equipped, costs R737,200. As a comparison, this price is only R49,100 less than the top-spec R-Line+ without options. Despite these numbers, the Golf 8.5 offers a superior driving experience compared to similar models, with high comfort and refinement levels. Data from the South African Car Market shows that the average price for a new Golf is R650,000 (Source 2024).

Volkswagen Golf 8.5 1.4 TSI asks ‘why want a GTI, R or an SUV?’ — Instead of a GTI badge, the Golf nameplate resides underneath the Volkswagen logo on the bootlid. Image: **Hanro Venter**

Ultimately, the return of the Golf 8.5 caters to loyal enthusiasts who appreciate a more understated style and may not need the high-performance characteristics of the GTI or R models, or the increased bulk of an SUV. Whether this niche appeal will be enough remains a question.

Volkswagen(VW)

South Africa Vehicle Sales Surge, But Tariffs Raise Concerns