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The ex-pie guy who could sell you a Rolls-Royce over the phone

The ex-pie guy who could sell you a Rolls-Royce over the phone

LET'S be honest. When you think "car salesman," you probably picture a man in a slightly-too-shiny suit, hovering at the showroom door like a heat-seeking missile, armed with a handshake that's just a little too firm and a smile that's had professional coaching. You brace yourself. You keep your hands in your pockets. You say "just looking" before he's even opened his mouth. Asanda Nogantsho is not that man. For starters, he doesn't even need a showroom. Or a suit. Or, apparently, a quiet room. Twelve months ago, Nogantsho was navigating the streets of Johannesburg, selling pies. Good honest work,…
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A son of Africa at the Green Hell: Jonathan Mogotsi set to make history at the Nürburgring 24-hour race

A son of Africa at the Green Hell: Jonathan Mogotsi set to make history at the Nürburgring 24-hour race

THERE is a road in the Eifel highlands of western Germany that has swallowed the ambitions of the boldest drivers in the history of motorsport. Carved through pine forests and fog-draped ridgelines, the Nürburgring Nordschleife - 25.378 kilometres of blind crests, savage compressions, and corners that punish the slightest lapse in concentration - has earned a name that needs no translation in any language: the Green Hell. On the weekend of 18 and 19 May 2026, a young South African will line up on that storied asphalt for his 24-hour race debut. Jonathan Mogotsi, 26, Volkswagen Motorsport driver, former Driver…
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Wheels of Change: Volkswagen plants half a million rands into the soul of Nelson Mandela Bay in SA

Wheels of Change: Volkswagen plants half a million rands into the soul of Nelson Mandela Bay in SA

THERE is a factory in Kariega that produces more than cars. Every year, from the same industrial heartland where Volkswagen Group Africa (VWGA) has assembled vehicles for South African roads and export markets for decades, a quieter kind of output rolls off the line - investment in people, in nature, in the survival of the most vulnerable. In the latest expression of that commitment, VWGA has pledged R500 000 in support of four non-governmental organisations operating in and around Nelson Mandela Bay. The funding, channelled through the VW Community Trust over the next 12 months, targets three of the most…
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From the assembly line to the showroom floor: How Two brands are putting women in the driver’s seat

From the assembly line to the showroom floor: How Two brands are putting women in the driver’s seat

LET us begin with a confession: the South African automotive industry has, for most of its existence, treated women approximately as it has treated GPS navigation -- as a nice-to-have that nobody quite trusted until they absolutely needed it. For decades, the grease-stained gospel of the workshop held that this was man's work: heavy, technical, loud, and emphatically not for the ladies. Then International Women's Day 2026 arrived, and two of South Africa's most prominent motor brands -- Hyundai Automotive South Africa and Tata Motors SA -- stepped forward to politely, enthusiastically, and in one case quite movingly, announce that…
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Chery Tiggo 7 Pro scores two stars in Africa safety test – AA raises alarm

Chery Tiggo 7 Pro scores two stars in Africa safety test – AA raises alarm

Global NCAP #SaferCarsForAfrica crash tests, with the Automobile Association (AA) warning South African consumers that they are being sold a vehicle that falls short of international safety standards. The poor result was attributed primarily to the absence of standard side head protection for front and rear occupants -  a gap that Global NCAP says exposes occupants to the risk of severe head injury even in a low-speed side impact with a pole or tree. Child occupant protection fared marginally better at three stars, but the Child Restraint System failed installation tests for all front rearward-facing positions, and the vehicle lacks…
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Senior leadership moves shape South Africa’s automotive sector as industry navigates transformation

Senior leadership moves shape South Africa’s automotive sector as industry navigates transformation

SOUTH Africa's automotive industry is witnessing a wave of strategic leadership appointments as manufacturers and industry bodies position themselves for sustained growth amid evolving market dynamics, technological disruption and heightened stakeholder expectations. Ford South Africa Appoints Award-Winning Communications Leader Dustin Chick Ford Motor Company of Southern Africa has appointed Dustin Chick as Communications Director, effective 1 March 2026, signalling the automaker's recognition of communications as a strategic function in an era of increased scrutiny and rapid change. Chick joins Ford following six years as CEO of communications agency Razor, which he launched in early 2020 and grew into Africa's most…
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Two Rugby World Cup winners, one legendary bakkie, and zero reverse gears

Two Rugby World Cup winners, one legendary bakkie, and zero reverse gears

IN a match made somewhere between the scrum and the showroom, Mitsubishi Motors South Africa has assembled what might be the most formidable front row off the rugby field: Springbok legends Ox Nché and Trevor Nyakane, paired with the Next-Gen Triton. And yes, the vehicle is almost as wide as they are. When you're in the business of moving immovable objects for a living, your choice of wheels matters. These aren't men who do things by halves – whether it's defending a World Cup title or picking a bakkie that can handle their larger-than-life presence both on and off the…
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Hyundai gets its hands dirty – So women don’t have to… unless they want to

Hyundai gets its hands dirty – So women don’t have to… unless they want to

IN a refreshing departure from the tired old stereotype of women drivers being mystified by anything under the bonnet, Hyundai Automotive South Africa has put its money where its mouth is. On 21 November, the brand rolled out its "Heels on Wheels" initiative at the Fourways dealership, where spanners met stilettos and oil dipsticks got demystified. And before you roll your eyes at the cheeky name, consider this: women make up a whopping 55% of Hyundai's South African customer base. That's not a niche market segment – that's the main event. From Dashboard Panic to Dashboard Pro The interactive workshop…
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GAC Motor partners with Real Madrid Foundation to transform young lives through football in South Africa

GAC Motor partners with Real Madrid Foundation to transform young lives through football in South Africa

IN a groundbreaking partnership that transcends traditional corporate sponsorship, Chinese automotive manufacturer GAC Motor South Africa has joined forces with the legendary Real Madrid Foundation to invest in the nation's youth, embodying their "Go and Change" philosophy through tangible action. At the heart of this collaboration is nine-year-old Tyler Swarts, a soft-spoken football prodigy from Cape Town whose journey exemplifies how sport can become a vehicle for social transformation. Tyler has been selected for comprehensive sponsorship through GAC Motor, receiving housing, education, nutrition, and access to the prestigious Real Madrid Foundation Educational Football Programme - a holistic support package designed…
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NISSAN Africa crowns continental champions as brand accelerates growth drive

NISSAN Africa crowns continental champions as brand accelerates growth drive

NISSAN has rolled out the red carpet for its stellar African dealer network, crowning champions from across sub-Saharan Africa who are driving the Japanese manufacturer's ambitious continental expansion. In a ceremony celebrating excellence across one of the world's most dynamic automotive markets, Nissan Africa announced that Anciens Comptoirs Ries of Djibouti claimed top honours in the Small National Sales Company category, while Motus Zambia emerged victorious as Medium NSC of the Year. Ghana's Japan Motors Trading Company secured the coveted Large National Sales Company crown, cementing its position as a regional powerhouse. The prestigious Nissan NIMA Ignition Awards 2024 spotlight…
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