It's next level comfort in a BYD Sealion 6
Renowned for its electric vehicles, BYD, is also one of the largest EV battery manufacturers in the world, with its innovative, durable, and safe blade battery found in a variety of passenger, commercial, and rail vehicles.
The brand is hoping to build its presence in South Africa and as it stands order books are filling up fast.
The BYD Sealion 6 is now available at BYD South Coast in Margate, a plug-in hybrid SUV in three variants – Comfort, Dynamic and Premium AWD.
Customers can choose from four exterior colours, and premium trim between full-black or brown-and-black combination of synthetic leather upholstery for the interior.
All models feature LED headlights, tail lights and a panoramic sunroof. Complementing the trimmings is a 15.6-inch rotating infotainment screen and audio system that consists of either 6-speakers Dirac or 10-speaker infinity audio system. All models support Android Auto and Apple Car Play.
There are seven airbags and a host of advanced driver assistance systems, including adaptive cruise control, automatic emergency braking, lane departure warning, lane keep assist and automatic collision avoidance braking.
Visit BYD South Coast and speak to a friendly sales executive.
HAVE YOUR SAY
Like the South Coast Herald's Facebook page, follow us on Twitter and Instagram
At Caxton, we employ humans to generate daily fresh news, not AI intervention. Happy reading!
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
TimesLIVE
7 hours ago
- TimesLIVE
BYD to nearly triple its South African dealer network by next year
Chinese electric vehicle (EV) giant BYD plans to nearly triple its dealership network in South Africa by next year as it looks to grow its market share in the country, a senior executive told Reuters. BYD's move comes while competition in Africa's largest automotive market is growing, where sales of new energy vehicles are rising and other Chinese companies — such as GAC, Chery and GWM — are also making inroads. Launched in 2023, with its BYD battery electric ATTO 3 vehicle, the carmaker has about 13 dealerships. 'By the end of the year we will have about 20 dealerships around the country. The aim is to expand that to about 30, 35 the next year,' Steve Chang, GM of BYD Auto South Africa told Reuters in an interview on Wednesday. BYD offers six models in the South African market, with its plug-in hybrid Shark pickup, hybrid SEALION 6 and pure electric SEALION 7 SUV models launched in April, completing its hybrid and electric dual-powertrain strategy. The dealership expansion will help BYD become a known brand and capture more buyers in a country slowly transitioning to EVs. In 2024, sales of new energy vehicles (NEVs) — a term that describes battery-powered fully electric vehicles and plug-in hybrid cars — rose to 15,611 units from 7,782 units in 2023, according to data from automotive industry body Naamsa. While the share of NEVs to total car sales is still low, BYD is hoping to capture the market early on, in preparation for a meaningful transition, Chang said. 'We want to educate and cultivate the market of South Africa and make sure South African consumers can catch up with the rest of the world.' The uptake of EVs and investment in Africa is slow relative to emerging market peers due to limited charging infrastructure, unstable power supply and high import duties compared with fossil-fuelled cars. But BYD sees potential. 'South Africa is one of the most important automotive markets in the southern hemisphere. It's probably the biggest market in Africa, so it's a market we have to look at and see how we can develop the market,' Chang said.
The South African
a day ago
- The South African
Amid Scandals and Silence, Rheinmetall Expands in South Africa
Rheinmetall Denel Munition (RDM), the South African arms manufacturer jointly owned by Germany's Rheinmetall AG and South Africa's state-owned Denel, is expanding again. On June 2, Rheinmetall announced the formation of a new company: Rheinmetall Resonant, following the acquisition of a majority stake in local firm Resonant Holdings. In recent years, RDM has been at the centre of investigations, protests, and legal action over its role in exporting weapons to conflict zones. Much of the backlash stems from findings by Open Secrets, a South African civil society group, which previously documented how RDM-manufactured weapons were used in the Saudi-led war in Yemen. Critics argue that when Germany imposed export restrictions on Saudi Arabia over human rights concerns, Rheinmetall turned to its South African subsidiary as a loophole. With South Africa's arms regulations seen as more relaxed and oversight comparatively weaker, the company was able to continue supplying Gulf allies via RDM. This model of using foreign subsidiaries to bypass national restrictions has become a deliberate strategy. A report by Investigate Europe showed how Rheinmetall systematically relies on companies like RDM not just to manufacture weapons, but to build entire ammunition plants abroad often with limited transparency or scrutiny. This practice has raised serious concerns about how little control South African authorities exert over what happens to weapons once they leave the country. That concern surfaced again last year, when a major order of RDM's 155mm artillery shells destined for Poland was reportedly delayed over fears they might ultimately be sent to Ukraine. Although South Africa maintains a formal stance of neutrality in the Russia-Ukraine war, the incident raised uncomfortable questions about whether its arms industry is undermining that position. The most politically explosive allegations now involve Israel. Following the outbreak of war in Gaza, activists have warned that South African-made munitions may be reaching Israeli forces indirectly, through NATO or European allies. While there is no confirmed evidence of direct sales to Israel, arms shipped to Germany or Poland could be passed on through defence cooperation agreements. The possibility alone has caused public outrage, especially given that South Africa has filed a genocide case against Israel at the International Court of Justice. The Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) have taken the lead in demanding accountability. Speaking on behalf of the party, Carl Niehaus accused the government of hypocrisy and called for a full inquiry into all RDM exports. He said South Africa cannot condemn Israel on the international stage while indirectly supporting its military through unchecked arms flows. He urged the government to shut down what he called a 'back door' route for weapons. Civil society organisations argue that South Africa's arms control system is outdated and effectively powerless. Once weapons are shipped, they say, authorities rely too heavily on end-user certificates—paper guarantees that mean little in practice, especially during war. Without transparent tracking or independent verification, the entire system rests on trust in a global industry notorious for secrecy and loopholes. Despite mounting concerns, Rheinmetall is tightening its grip on South Africa's defence sector. The launch of Rheinmetall Resonant underscores the company's confidence in using South Africa as a key manufacturing hub. But the expansion comes with no answers to deeper questions: is South Africa becoming a passive accomplice to foreign wars it publicly opposes? And who, exactly, is watching? As factories continue operating and new contracts are signed, the South African public is still waiting for clarity. According to a recent report by IOL, the National Conventional Arms Control Committee (NCACC) has yet to respond to formal requests from the EFF for an investigation into RDM's factory and the potential routes its shells may be taking. The silence, critics argue, is only deepening the trust gap.
The Star
2 days ago
- The Star
UK backs Morocco's autonomy plan for Western Sahara in strategic shift
The United Kingdom has formally endorsed Morocco's 2007 autonomy plan for Western Sahara as the most credible path towards resolving the long-standing territorial dispute, marking a significant diplomatic development during the 5th session of the Morocco-UK Strategic Dialogue held in Rabat. In a statement delivered on Saturday, UK Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs, David Lammy, declared that London views the Moroccan autonomy initiative as 'the most credible, viable, and pragmatic basis for a lasting settlement' to the Sahara conflict. The announcement, made alongside Morocco's Minister of Foreign Affairs, Nasser Bourita, was enshrined in a joint communiqué signed by both ministers. This endorsement signals a deepening of UK-Moroccan ties and aligns Britain more closely with a growing international consensus that sees Morocco's plan as a realistic path forward. The plan, first proposed by Morocco in 2007, offers the disputed territory of Western Sahara a form of self-governance under Moroccan sovereignty, while stopping short of full independence — a key sticking point with the Polisario Front, which seeks an independence referendum. The communiqué praised the 'positive momentum' initiated under the leadership of King Mohammed VI and acknowledged the centrality of the Sahara issue to Morocco's national interest. It also emphasised that a resolution to the conflict would bolster regional stability and integration across North Africa. 'The United Kingdom recognises the importance of a political solution to this issue, one that contributes to peace, stability, and development across the region,' the communiqué noted, adding that such a solution would give 'fresh impetus to regional cooperation and strengthen bilateral ties.' Lammy underscored the UK's commitment to actively support the UN-led political process, including the efforts of Staffan de Mistura, the Secretary-General's Personal Envoy for Western Sahara. As a permanent member of the UN Security Council, the UK pledged to contribute constructively to diplomatic efforts aimed at finding a consensual political settlement acceptable to all parties. In a significant economic gesture, the UK also reiterated its intention to support Morocco's development efforts in the Saharan provinces through UK Export Finance. This includes a readiness to mobilise part of a broader £5 billion commitment for new projects throughout Morocco, reinforcing London's view of the North African kingdom as a key partner and gateway to the African continent. The UK's declaration of support adds to a series of recent recognitions of the Moroccan autonomy plan by major global and regional powers. Observers view the move as a reflection of shifting geopolitical dynamics in North Africa, where stability and development are increasingly seen as intertwined with a resolution of the decades-long Western Sahara dispute. For Rabat, the UK's position marks another diplomatic win in its campaign to garner broader international backing for its autonomy initiative — a strategy that appears to be gaining ground in multilateral forums and bilateral partnerships alike.
