DBSA is investing R100m in EV charging stations
The funding will enable the rollout of charging stations every 150km along national roads. Each site is fully off-grid, powered by solar energy and supported by battery storage. The company's first off-grid EV charging station opened in Wolmaransstad in the North West in November.
The station boasts up to six DC fast-charging points for EVs and two AC charging points for plug-in hybrid vehicles. The DC fast-chargers with hardware provided by Chinese technology partners Greencore Energy Solutions and Magic Power are claimed to charge an EV in about 25 minutes. A total of 120 solar-powered charging facilities will be rolled out at 150km intervals on national highways in 2025.
The Cape-based company has developed an app for Android and iOS for transactions at its EV charging stations. Motorists will be able to enjoy a cup of coffee and a bite to eat at the farm stall located at the station. Landowners who allow Charge to install the charging stations receive 5% of annual electricity revenue.
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Tata names four initial products heading its return to South Africa
Brand will relaunch on 1 September with 40 dealers. An additional 20 will be added throughout 2026. Its return to South Africa after a six-year absence announced last month, JLR parent company, Tata, has officially named the product line-up it will, initially, resume operations with from next month. Partnering with Motus Reviving only its passenger vehicle division as its truck and bus operations never departed the country, the Mumbai-based automaker will have its products sold by the Motus Group from 40 dealers under the name Tata Motors Passenger Vehicles. By end 2026, an additional 20 dealers will look to be added, as well as more still be announced products. ALSO READ: We reveal Tata models that will showcase brand's Mzansi return 'Our return to South Africa marks a significant milestone in Tata Motors' global journey. We are excited to bring our new-generation of vehicles – designed with cutting-edge technology, uncompromising safety, and modern design – to a market that values quality and innovation,' Tata Managing Director, Shailesh Chandra, said at the launch held in Johannesburg on Tuesday evening (19 August). 'With Motus as our preferred partner, we are confident in delivering a superior ownership experience that resonates with South African consumers and contributes meaningfully to the local economy'. Models Describing its product portfolio as 'marking the beginning of a new era for the company', the brand will bring four products to South Africa, a five-door hatch, two crossover SUVs and one compact SUV, priced from a reported R200 000 to R600 000. Tiago Opening the range, the Tiago will serve as the hatch offering and rival for the Suzuki Celerio/Toyota Vitz, Hyundai Grand i10, Kia Picanto and to a probable extent, the locally made Volkswagen Polo Vivo. The replacement for the Bolt that had been Tata's starting model before its withdrawal, the Tiago arrives on the back after undergoing its second facelift in January this year as sales in India have been taking place since 2016. Tiago will serve as Tata's only hatch and opening product model. Image: Tata India Based on Tata's X1 platform, the Tiago measures 3 767 mm long, 1 677 mm wide and 1 537 mm tall with its wheelbase length being 2 400 mm. Although powered by petrol and diesel engines in its home market, for South Africa, only the former has been approved, namely the 1.2-litre three-cylinder Revotron that powered by the Bolt, though in the case of the Taigo, without the turbocharger. Standard is a 10.25-inch infotainment system and physical switchgear. Image: Tata India Producing 63kW/113Nm, the unit will be paired either to a five-speed manual gearbox or a five-speed automated manual. Set to be offered in four trim grades, neither divulged, confirmed specification items comprise dual front airbags, a reverse camera, wireless smartphone charger, a cooled glovebox, ABS and EBD and a seven-inch or 10.25-inch infotainment with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. Punch Introduced four years ago, the Punch opens Tata's crossover range. Punch will open Tata's SUV/crossover range. Image: Tata India A runaway success since its market debut, the Punch rides on Tata's Arc platform, with dimensions of 3 800 mm, a wheelbase of 2 445 mm, height of 1 615 mm and width of 1 742 mm. The same underpinnings as the Altroz hatch, the Punch also uses the Revotron engine, but with slightly more power and torque at 65kW/115Nm. Sending this to the front wheels is the same transmission options as the Tiago. Buyers will have a choice of two infotainment sizes. Image: Tata India In terms of features, the Punch will be equipped with a seven or 10.25-inch infotainment system, cruise control, a Harman Kardon sound system, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, dual front airbags, ABS and EBD, and a reverse camera. Curvv Revealed as Tata's newest product in its Indian line-up last year at the Delhi Auto Expo, the coupe-styled Curvv will become its mid-range model in South Africa, measuring 4 308 mm, 1 810 mm wide and 1 630 mm tall. Riding on a 2 560 mm long wheelbase, the Curvv will derive motivation from the updated 1.2-litre Revotron called Hyperion, and in turbocharged form only as no normally aspirated option is available. Curvv's rear design has seemingly been derived from the BMW X6. Image: Tata India Producing 88kW/170Nm, the three-pot will be paired either to a six-speed manual gearbox or a seven-speed dual-clutch. As with the Punch, Tata won't be offering the Curvv with its 1.5-litre Revotorq turbodiesel in South Africa. Interior is headlined by a 10.25-inch infotainment display. Image: Tata India Noted specification will comprise the same infotainment options as the Punch, ABS, EBD and Electronic Stability Control, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, a 10.25-inch digital instrument cluster, Blind Spot Monitoring, voice recognition, a panoramic sunroof and a 360-degree surround-view camera system. Harrier Positioned as Tata's flagship, the Harrier will be the sole turbodiesel offering, but without four-wheel drive as drive is routed to the front wheels only. Revealed in 2018 as the step-down from the Safari, which had been expected to be one of the models heading the return, the Harrier provides seating for five and underneath, uses the same D8 platform as the Range Rover Evoque and 'Land Rover' Discovery Sport. Measuring 4 605 mm long, 1 922 mm wide, 1 718 mm high and 2 741 mm long on the wheelbase front, propulsion comes from Tata's 2.0-litre Kryotec mill, which is based on Fiat's Mulijet as part of a long-standing licence agreement between the two brands. Harrier will be Tata's flagship model and SUV initially. Image: Tata India In India, the unit is mated to a six-speed manual gearbox or a six-speed automatic, though it remains unknown whether both will be sold locally. Updated two years ago, the Harrier's spec sheet will include wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, a seven-inch digital instrument cluster, a 360-degree surround-view camera and a 10.25-inch or 12.3-inch infotainment display. Furthering the list are dual-zone climate control, a cooled glovebox, ventilated front seats, hands-free electric tailgate, a Terrain Mode selector, six airbags and up to 20 safety and driver assistance systems. 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IOL News
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BRICS+ Series: Thailand's Economic Integration with BRICS
Effective January 1, 2025, Thailand became a BRICS Partner Country, a culmination of a decade of strengthening economic and bilateral ties through strategic partnerships in trade, investment, infrastructure development, and regional integration, solidifying its role as a vital Southeast Asian representative within the BRICS bloc. Image: / Effective January 1, 2025, Thailand became a BRICS Partner Country, a culmination of a decade of strengthening economic and bilateral ties through strategic partnerships in trade, investment, infrastructure development, and regional integration, solidifying its role as a vital Southeast Asian representative within the BRICS bloc. China: Thailand's Largest Trading Partner and Strategic Investor China stands as Thailand's most significant BRICS partner, a position it has held as Thailand's primary trading partner for over ten years. In 2023, the trade between the two nations reached US$135 billion, representing more than 18% of Thailand's total trade volume. Thailand's key exports to China include rubber, electronic components, processed food, and agricultural goods, while its main imports consist of machinery, electronics, and steel. In 2022, China invested 77.4 billion baht in Thailand's automotive, electronics, and renewable energy sectors. The China–Thailand High-Speed Rail, part of BRI, will connect Bangkok to the Laos-China Railway, supporting Thailand's EEC strategy to become an innovation hub. Thailand has actively collaborated with China on initiatives aimed at digital economy integration and facilitating e-commerce. Through joint efforts between the Thai Ministry of Commerce and Alibaba Group, thousands of small and medium-sized Thai enterprises (SMEs) have gained access to the Chinese market via cross-border platforms. Video Player is loading. 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Advertisement Next Stay Close ✕ Ad loading India: Rising Trade and Investment Connectivity Within BRICS, India stands out as a key economic partner for Thailand. Bilateral trade between the two countries reached US$17.7 billion in 2023, a significant increase from US$14.9 billion in 2021. Thailand's primary exports to India include electronics, gems and jewelry, chemical products, and automobiles, while its imports are mainly composed of refined petroleum, machinery, and pharmaceuticals. India and Thailand participate in the India-ASEAN Free Trade Agreement and are negotiating a CEPA. Indian businesses are increasing investments in Thailand's manufacturing and food processing, with Tata Group expanding its automotive operations, making Thailand a regional hub. Strong air connectivity and cultural connections also bolster commercial ties. In 2024, more than 1.8 million Indian tourists visited Thailand, significantly boosting the local economy and strengthening the people-to-people bonds that often pave the way for increased trade. Russia: Trade, Energy, and Agri-exports In 2023, Thailand-Russia trade reached US$1.5 billion. Thailand exports processed foods, rubber goods, and automotive components to Russia, while importing fertilizers, metals, minerals, and energy products. Thailand is also a key agricultural exporter to Russia, supplying rice, seafood, and tropical fruits. Energy cooperation between Thailand and Russia is expanding, with Russian energy companies showing interest in investing in Thailand's LNG infrastructure. This aligns with Thailand's strategy to diversify its energy sources. Additionally, both nations are discussing the use of national currencies for trade settlements, which would further strengthen financial cooperation within the BRICS framework. Tourism forms another crucial economic connection. In 2024, Russian visitors to Thailand surpassed 1.5 million, significantly boosting revenue for local businesses and the hospitality sectors, especially in popular destinations like Phuket, Pattaya, and Krabi. Brazil: Agribusiness, Machinery, and Biotech Bilateral trade between Thailand and Brazil, reaching US$5.3 billion in 2023, demonstrates a complementary relationship focused on food and industrial inputs. Brazil's primary exports to Thailand include soybeans and poultry feed, while Thailand reciprocates with electronics, rubber, and automobiles. Thailand and Brazil are increasing collaboration in agritech and biotechnology, focusing on sugarcane biofuel, food safety, and agricultural machinery, aligning with Thailand's food security and energy resilience goals. A 2024 MoU between Brazil's Embrapa and Thailand's NSTDA will boost biotechnology research cooperation. South Africa: Gateway to Africa Within Sub-Saharan Africa, South Africa is Thailand's most important economic partner. In 2023, the two countries' bilateral trade volume reached US$1.1 billion. Thailand primarily exported electronics, motor vehicles, rice, and plastics, while South Africa's main exports were minerals, wine, and fruits. Thailand is utilising its connection with South Africa to gain entry into the larger African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA), a market encompassing over 1.3 billion individuals. Thai conglomerates such as CP Group and SCG are actively seeking collaborations and investment prospects in Southern Africa, particularly in the sectors of logistics, agro-processing, and retail distribution. Thailand is keen on expanding trilateral cooperation with BRICS nations in Africa. There's an expectation that South-South infrastructure financing, particularly through the New Development Bank (NDB), will significantly increase from 2025 onwards.
IOL News
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China, US extend tariff hike suspension: Stability amid uncertainty
After weeks of speculation, the US has extended the suspension of higher tariffs on China for another 90 days, following crucial trade talks. Image: VCG After about two weeks of delay in making the announcement, White House officials confirmed on Monday that US President Donald Trump had signed an executive order to extend the suspension of higher US tariffs on China for another 90 days. The decision was hardly a surprise. It followed the July 28-29 China-US economic and trade talks in Stockholm, where both sides reaffirmed their commitment to maintaining the suspension of the 24-percent reciprocal tariffs, along with China's corresponding countermeasures. This marks the third such extension since the Geneva talks in May 2025, reflecting the shared goal of giving negotiators more time to bridge their differences. The continuation of the suspension is the expected result after over four months of intense negotiations. Through repeated rounds of talks and strategic moves, each side has gained a clear understanding of the other's options and likely outcomes. They have realised that cooperation brings shared benefits, while confrontation causes damage to both. However, despite this common understanding, political and structural limitations still exist. The Trump administration has long relied on tariffs as its main bargaining tool, and domestic political pressures are increasingly making it difficult for Washington to implement significant, large-scale tariff cuts on Chinese products. Aside from maintaining the current tariff ceiling and assuming the 24 percent additional tariff can be avoided, the only notable concession the U.S. might consider is a targeted 20-percent reduction specifically related to the fentanyl issue. However, the Trump administration's demands on this matter are even more demanding than during his first term. As a result, the current negotiations are deadlocked, with both tariff hikes and cuts facing major obstacles. In this context, extending the suspension appears to be the most practical and mutually advantageous option. If the two sides do not reach a comprehensive agreement by mid-November, another 90-day extension could easily happen — a scenario that US Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick has already hinted at. Video Player is loading. Play Video Play Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration -:- Loaded : 0% Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. 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Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. Next Stay Close ✕ While sweeping changes to the overall tariff system are still unlikely, more targeted measures remain possible. This could involve exemptions for specific sectors or, alternatively, the addition of tariffs on certain industries. These sector-specific actions could be the next opportunities — or flashpoints — for breakthroughs in the upcoming phase of negotiations. However, the outlook remains unstable. The wider economic effects of tariff hikes on most countries are only now starting to appear in the US market. Additionally, some economies that have signed so-called "framework agreements" with Washington may not see real benefits anytime soon. Countries like Japan and the European Union, for instance, are still largely making empty promises — offering vague, aspirational commitments in exchange for temporary relief from US tariffs, hoping that by the time they need to take real action, it is already close to the end of Trump's term. These tactics buy them time but provide the US with little immediate economic gain. This means the inflation trend in the third and fourth quarters will be crucial. If consumer prices in the US rise sharply — especially during the key Christmas shopping season after Thanksgiving — ordinary Americans might start feeling the impact of Trump's tariff policies. If the political cost becomes too high, Trump could be forced to change his approach or at least find a face-saving way to soften his stance. Another potential "game-changer" lies in high-level diplomacy. On June 5, in the phone talks initiated by President Trump, Chinese President Xi Jinping welcomed him to visit China again. Trump places considerable emphasis on leader-to-leader diplomacy and the cultivation of personal rapport with China's top leadership. Should such a meeting take place and go smoothly, the potential for a significant breakthrough cannot be dismissed. Nevertheless, experience from Trump's first term tempers such optimism. Even if the two countries were to reach a meaningful, phased agreement, Washington could reverse course shortly afterward and resume applying pressure. The pattern of negotiating, reaching partial deals, and then escalating demands has been a hallmark of Trump's approach.
