This Week In The News

NEWS IN SHORT

• The Toyota group’s proposal to privatize Toyota Industries is drawing criticism from investors and analysts, who argue the ¥4.7 trillion (R586 billion) deal significantly undervalues the company.
  The buyout was previously valued at ¥6 trillion (R750 billion), people familiar with the matter said last month.
  
  
• The Volvo EX90 was released in March of this year and is the seven-seater counterpart to the popular Volvo EX30, as well as the flagship of the brand’s local catalogue.
  Currently offered in a single “Ultra Twin Performance” specification, the EX90 is priced starting at R2,650,000 and, since its launch, has sold 30 units in South Africa.
  This sales performance places it as the fifth best-selling EV in the two-month period and helped cement Volvo’s lead in the electric vehicle segment. Supporting this performance, Volvo’s latest Guaranteed Future Value (GFV) offer makes it easier for customers to experience the benefits of electric driving without concerns over resale value, with a guaranteed trade-in value after 48 months.
  
  
• The gazette of new IT procurement rules means that government departments and state companies can finally access top-shelf services without being forced to use the State Information Technology Agency (SITA).
  According to Business Leadership South Africa (BLSA) chief executive Busi Mavuso, this is a huge step in allowing the government to build a capable state and breaks down another state monopoly.
  Minister of Communications and Digital Technologies, Solly Malatsi, recently gazetted allowing government departments to conditionally procure services outside of SITA.
  
  
• The 8th Annual Festival of Motoring, scheduled to take place from 29 to 31 August 2025 at the iconic Kyalami Grand Prix Circuit in Johannesburg (www.safestivalofmotoring.co.za).

• In March 2025, South Africa's South African Revenue Service (SARS) introduced a new tax-free rate per kilometre for motor vehicles, setting it at R4.76 per kilometre for the period starting March 1, 2025. This rate is effective for the year of assessment beginning on or after March 1, 2025. This new rate is outlined in an income tax notice issued by SARS, specifically related to the fixing of rates per kilometre for motor vehicles, as per Section 8(1)(b)(ii) and (iii) of the Income Tax Act.

• Gauteng’s plan to launch new license plates seems more like a money-making exercise than a real attempt at improving traffic enforcement and crime prevention. That is according to the civil action group Organisation Undoing Tax Abuse (Outa) and an experienced road laws expert at Driving.co.za. During the pilot number plate launch event last week, Gauteng’s transport MEC Kedibone Diale-Tlabela refused to field questions about plate costs, arguing that the benefits outweighed the price tag.
  “This is a great idea, please get your new number plates. Don’t ask me about the price, just go and do it,” she said. (Or go to India)
  https://mybroadband.co.za/news/government/597901-red-lights-for-new-number-plates

• Volkswagen Group South Africa has notified the National Consumer Commission (NCC) of a recall affecting the Polo hatchback and its crossover counterpart, the Taigo.
  The recall, which applies to Polo and Taigo models purchased between 2022 and 2024, concerns a fault with the front passenger airbag that may pose a safety risk.
  According to the automaker, there is a flaw in the gas generators of the front passenger airbag module, which prevents it from properly deploying in an accident.

• Road safety awareness organisation Arrive Alive has issued a warning to South African motorists to take extra caution when driving over the weekend
  This follows the South African Weather Service issuing a level 9 warning about disruptive weather conditions in parts of the Eastern Cape and KwaZulu-Natal.
  This warning is for heavy rain that could cause flooding, as well as severe thunderstorms and snowfall.

 

Goodyear shutting down factory.

Goodyear has announced the shutdown of its Kariega tyre manufacturing facility in Nelson Mandela Bay as part of a restructuring of its operations in South Africa.

The factory, which has been in operation since 1947, employs around 900 workers and supports thousands of other jobs in secondary industries, such as catering and security.
Goodyear South Africa will continue to maintain a sales and distribution, and Hi-Q retail presence in South Africa.”

These restructurings highlight the heavy strain tyre manufacturers now face in South Africa.
Lack of municipal service delivery, inadequate and unreliable electricity supply, and above-inflation cost for essential services have all contributed to this circumstance. The arrival of cheap tyre imports from China that do not necessarily comply with the required standards, has also further escalated the problem and placed more strain on South African tire manufacturers.

 

2026 Formula 1 calendar announced – South Africa misses out

The 2026 Formula 1 calendar has been published, confirming what was largely already known: there will not be a South African Grand Prix next year.

A major change to next year’s calendar is the exclusion of the iconic Imola track in Italy, which has been replaced by a Grand Prix in Madrid.

The new Madrid race will be one of two to take place in Spain in 2026, with Barcelona hosting its usual Spanish Grand Prix earlier in the year.

Another item of interest from the new calendar is the reordering of several races – including the return of the Australian Grand Prix as the opening race of the year.

The reordering is seemingly focused on grouping Grand Prix races geographically. For example: all European races are grouped together in an uninterrupted period spanning 5 June to 13 September.

Asian and North American races are also grouped together throughout the year.

 

Jaecoo launches new 1,200km hybrid SUV in South Africa

The new Jaecoo J7 SHS has been launched in South Africa, taking the Chinese automaker’s total local vehicle lineup to four models.

The new SHS plug-in hybrid (PHEV) version of the J7 SUV comes in at R689,900 – only R10,000 more than the previous range-topping Inferno AWD model.

As the flagship of the J7 series, the new SHS is generously equipped.

It comes with model-specific 19-inch alloy wheels and PHEV badges, as well as automatic LED headlights, LED taillights, and a panoramic sunroof.

Customers have a choice of four colors, consisting of Moonlight Silver, Carbon Black, Olive Grey, and Khaki White.

On a practical note, it offers a 500-litre boot that expands to 1,265 liters with the rear seats folded down.
The interior is decked out in black leather upholstery, and the front seats are electronically adjustable with heating and ventilation functions.

The SUV also comes with keyless entry and start, an electric tailgate, dual-zone climate control, a center armrest with a refrigerated storage compartment, ambient lighting, an eight-speaker Sony stereo, and a 50W wireless charging pad with a ventilation vent.

The dashboard then features a 10.25-inch digital driver display and a 14.8-inch infotainment screen with voice commands, onboard navigation, and wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto.

Additionally, the Jaecoo is fitted with driver assistance functions such as adaptive cruise control, automatic emergency braking, pedestrian and bicycle recognition, forward collision warning, lane-keep assist, blind-spot detection, rear cross-traffic alert, and traffic jam assist.

It also has a 540-degree camera, front and rear parking sensors, and eight airbags.
The new Jaecoo J7 SHS is sold with a 7-year/200,000km warranty, a 10-year/200,000km electric drive component warranty, a 10-year/1-million-kilometre engine warranty, and a 10-year/unlimited-kilometre hybrid battery warranty for the first owner, which defaults to a 10-year/200,000km warranty for subsequent owners.

It also comes with a 5-year/75,000km service plan and a 7-year roadside assistance plan.
In short, the Jaecoo comes with so many features, it’s practically a luxury spaceship disguised as an SUV. With enough tech to make a smartphone blush, more safety systems than a bank vault, and a boot that could swallow a small couch, it’s ready for anything—from daily commutes to spontaneous road trips. So, whether you're navigating traffic or just trying to impress the neighbours, rest assured: this car does everything... except make your morning coffee. (But give it a year.)

 

Happy Father’s Day to the Legends of the Lot!!

To all the dads in our Blue-Chip Dealer Group—
You’ve mastered the art of negotiating bedtime like a trade-in,
Change diapers faster than a trade price, and somehow manage to close deals and toy boxes with equal precision.
May your Father’s Day be filled with high mileage naps, low-pressure conversations, and no check engine lights. You deserve a day off...
Stay driven, dads! You’re the real classic models.