Toyota to enter South Africa's EV market with three models in 2026
Volvo currently dominates EV sales in South Africa, followed by BMW and Mercedes-Benz, but Chinese EV makers are starting to flood the market too as they seek new markets amid restrictions on exports to the United States and Europe.
Toyota currently only sells hybrid electric vehicles in South Africa, but leads with a commanding 67 per cent of the market for hybrids and plug-in hybrids in 2024, with models like its Corolla Cross.
"We're launching battery electric vehicles at the beginning of 2026, so we will have three new battery electric vehicles," Toyota South Africa CEO Andrew Kirby told Reuters on the sidelines of an auto components conference, without providing further details.
"We do not believe that one powertrain is going to dominate in the future. So we'll have internal combustion engines, hybrids, plug-in hybrids, battery electric vehicles, fuel cell electric vehicles and potentially even a carbon neutral internal combustion engine."
Low incomes, high import duties, unreliable power availability and a lack of sufficient charging infrastructure have long hampered manufacturers' efforts to sell EVs in South Africa, whose share of total sales is still very low.
On Chinese competition, Kirby said while he welcomes competition, "it's a very strategic concern for us and we need to make sure that we respond in the right way and as quickly as possible. It's a big challenge."
South Africa's automotive sector "is at an inflection point," he added, with fairly flat production volumes, a drop in local content and a surge in imported vehicle sales.
This has prompted the big local seven car manufacturers, including Toyota, BMW, Isuzu and Volkswagen, to put together a policy recommendation document sent to the trade and industry minister, on how to support and protect the local industry, Kirby said.
"We do have some taxation structures that are a little bit counterproductive and so we've made some fiscally neutral policy proposals," Kirby said, adding that proposals also include the restructuring of the rebate system.
"We are hoping that in the next six months there will be some short-term interventions that can be announced."
Toyota has production operations in South Africa but its fully EV models will be imported initially, with the aim of making some in South Africa eventually.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Straits Times
9 hours ago
- Straits Times
Fast Lane: Batmobile, BYD, Zeekr, Rolls-Royce, BMW Motorrad
Sign up now: Get ST's newsletters delivered to your inbox Holy smokes, Batman: A recreation of the Batmobile from the 1966 Batman TV series is on auction until Aug 24. Batmobile tribute on auction A recreation of the Batmobile that pays tribute to the 1966 Batman television series is now on auction at online marketplace Catawiki. The vehicle has been used in events in Europe and the Middle East, including an appearance with Adam West, the late American actor who portrayed the Caped Crusader on the show. The conversion from American coupe to crime-busting convertible was commissioned in 1988 by an English collector of replica cars from famous TV series. The car is estimated to be worth €80,000 (S$120,000) – a fraction of the US$4.2 million (S$5.4 million) that the original Batmobile changed hands for at an auction in January. The car's current condition is described as rust-free, with some small cracks and marks. However, the television on the dashboard and some decorative lights are not working. The running gear comes from a 1973 Lincoln Continental with a 7.5-litre V8 engine – good for 208hp – and a three-speed automatic transmission. Since the steering wheel is on the left, it would not be possible to register the car in Singapore, even under the Classic Vehicle Scheme. This is open to right-hand-drive vehicles that are at least 35 years old, starting from the original registration date. The auction closes on Aug 24. Find out more at Top stories Swipe. Select. Stay informed. Singapore Power fault on Sengkang-Punggol LRT line brings trains to a halt Singapore Owners call for stronger management rules in ageing condos, but seek to avoid being overburdened Asia Johor authorities seize four Singapore-registered vehicles over illegal e-hailing Singapore More families in Singapore using childminding and elder-minding services Life How do household bomb shelters in Singapore really work? Business US Treasuries a draw as yield gap with S'pore govt bonds widens, but analysts urge caution Asia Beijing-Manila row over collision of Chinese ships chasing Filipino boat a reminder of geopolitical risk BYD's new starter model Priced to thrill: The compact electric crossover is the most affordable model in the BYD line-up. PHOTO: BYD Launched at $159,388 with a guaranteed certificate of entitlement (COE), the Atto 2 is BYD's newest and most affordable model in the brand's local line-up, priced a notch below the Dolphin hatchback. The electric crossover, which is slightly bigger than the Toyota Yaris Cross, is generously equipped. Its suite of active safety features includes lane departure warning and front collision warning, along with comfort features such as ventilated front seats and an electrically operated tailgate. Zeekr's electric SUV to launch Ready to launch: Sales of the Zeekr 7X will officially begin in September. PHOTO: ZEEKR The Zeekr 7X electric sport utility vehicle (SUV) has been approved for sale in Singapore and is slated to be officially launched in September. This is an upmarket SUV that measures 4,787mm long with a wheelbase of 2,900mm, approximately the size of the Porsche Macan Electric. Based on the published information from the Land Transport Authority (LTA), two versions of the Chinese electric car will be available: a dual-motor AWD Performance (Stargate) with 475kW of power, and a single-motor RWD (Standard) with 310kW. Zeekr's European website says the 475kW car has a 0-100kmh timing of 3.8 seconds and an operating range of up to 543km. The 310kW version takes six seconds for the century sprint and has either 480km or 615km range, depending on the size of the battery. Watercolour exhibition at Rolls-Royce Auto and art: Catch the works of watercolourist Ong Kim Seng at the Rolls-Royce showroom until Aug 31. PHOTO: ROLLS-ROYCE MOTOR CARS SINGAPORE A selection of eight works by Singapore artist Ong Kim Seng is on display at the Rolls-Royce Motor Cars Singapore showroom at 11 Kung Chong Road. Ong is among the most acclaimed watercolourists in Asia. The Cultural Medallion recipient's accolades include nine awards from the American Watercolor Society in New York. His artworks on display depict scenes from Singapore, Nepal and Bali, created between 2024 and 2025. The show is part of the luxury car brand's National Day celebrations. Open from 9am to 6pm from Mondays to Saturdays, and noon to 6pm on Sundays, the exhibition ends on Aug 31. Caffeine kick with a motorcycle engine Strong brew: The Big Coffee Boxer is a beautifully crafted espresso machine with more than a bit of motorcycle influence. PHOTO: ECM The Big Coffee Boxer is a limited-edition espresso machine made from BMW Motorrad's largest boxer engine – the two-cylinder 1,802cc unit used in the R18 cruiser. Created in partnership with German espresso machine maker ECM, only 80 Big Coffee Boxers will be produced. The machine looks like a boxer engine set on a frame, with a pressure gauge mounted on each cylinder. Instead of making 91hp and a redline of 5,750rpm, the machine has two independent water circulation systems for users to prepare coffee and milk foam simultaneously. Available at selected ECM coffee machine retailers in Europe, the luxe coffee maker is priced at €7,900.
CNA
20 hours ago
- CNA
Toyota to enter South Africa's EV market with three models in 2026
GQEBERHA, South Africa :Toyota plans to introduce three fully-electric models in South Africa in 2026, a senior executive said on Thursday, entering a nascent EV market where Chinese rivals such as BYD are already competing with European carmakers. Volvo currently dominates EV sales in South Africa, followed by BMW and Mercedes-Benz, but Chinese EV makers are starting to flood the market too as they seek new markets amid restrictions on exports to the United States and Europe. Toyota currently only sells hybrid electric vehicles in South Africa, but leads with a commanding 67 per cent of the market for hybrids and plug-in hybrids in 2024, with models like its Corolla Cross. "We're launching battery electric vehicles at the beginning of 2026, so we will have three new battery electric vehicles," Toyota South Africa CEO Andrew Kirby told Reuters on the sidelines of an auto components conference, without providing further details. "We do not believe that one powertrain is going to dominate in the future. So we'll have internal combustion engines, hybrids, plug-in hybrids, battery electric vehicles, fuel cell electric vehicles and potentially even a carbon neutral internal combustion engine." Low incomes, high import duties, unreliable power availability and a lack of sufficient charging infrastructure have long hampered manufacturers' efforts to sell EVs in South Africa, whose share of total sales is still very low. On Chinese competition, Kirby said while he welcomes competition, "it's a very strategic concern for us and we need to make sure that we respond in the right way and as quickly as possible. It's a big challenge." South Africa's automotive sector "is at an inflection point," he added, with fairly flat production volumes, a drop in local content and a surge in imported vehicle sales. This has prompted the big local seven car manufacturers, including Toyota, BMW, Isuzu and Volkswagen, to put together a policy recommendation document sent to the trade and industry minister, on how to support and protect the local industry, Kirby said. "We do have some taxation structures that are a little bit counterproductive and so we've made some fiscally neutral policy proposals," Kirby said, adding that proposals also include the restructuring of the rebate system. "We are hoping that in the next six months there will be some short-term interventions that can be announced." Toyota has production operations in South Africa but its fully EV models will be imported initially, with the aim of making some in South Africa eventually.
CNA
a day ago
- CNA
VinFast founder to inject another $1.5 billion in exchange for R&D assets
VinFast's founder Pham Nhat Vuong has agreed to buy the EV maker's research and development arm for $1.52 billion, his latest cash injection into the loss-making Vietnamese company as it strives to break even by the end of 2026. The deal will involve Novatech Research and Development JSC, a Vietnam-incorporated entity, being carved out of VinFast Trading and Production JSC (VFTP), its domestic manufacturing arm, VinFast said in a filing to the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission. Novatech will hold investment costs tied to completed R&D projects, while VFTP will continue to lead EV production and future research in Vietnam. VinFast, which debuted on the Nasdaq in 2023, has faced challenges including weak consumer demand and stiff competition. It made a net loss of $712.4 million for the first quarter, although revenue jumped 150 per cent to $656.5 million. VinFast's shares were up 1.4 per cent to $3.59 in pre-market trade. Since its launch in 2017, the company has relied heavily on support from Vuong, who holds about 98 per cent of shares in VinFast and its parent company Vingroup, where he serves as chairman. The transfer of shares in Novatech to Vuong, valued at nearly 40 trillion dong ($1.52 billion), comprises a fair value assessment of 17.25 trillion dong plus a premium. Intellectual property linked to Novatech's assets will be leased back to VinFast for manufacturing purposes as needed. VinFast has said it has completed the development of its first generation of EVs. Research and development costs were $81.2 million in the first quarter of 2025, down 22.3 per cent year-on-year. The EV maker has set a delivery target of 200,000 cars for 2025, more than double its deliveries in 2024. Most of VinFast's deliveries are in the Vietnamese market. ($1 = 26,230.0000 dong)
