Latest news with #AutogroupInternational
The Citizen
21-06-2025
- Automotive
- The Citizen
PODCAST: Toyota Tundra in Mzansi can shake up the bakkie game
American bakkie's hybrid powertrain produces 325kW of power and 790Nm of torque. South Africans love driving bakkies, the bigger the better. This love-affair can soon grow more intense with the imminent arrival the Toyota Tundra in right-hand drive. The Toyota Tundra is an American truck-styled bakkie built for the North American market manufactured at two assembly plants in Indiana and Texas. While it is built exclusively in left-hand drive (LHD), Australian-firm Autogroup International (AGI) imports them and then convert them into right-hand drive. Durban-based Rospa International has now entered into a partnership agreement with AGI which could soon lead to the Toyota Tundra making its way to Mzansi via Down Under. Toyota Tundra makes a Pitstop On this week's episode of The Citizen Motoring's Pitstop podcast, we discuss the bakkie's potential in South Africa. The Toyota Tundra is offered as a hybrid in the US. A 3.5-litre twin-turbo V6 petrol engine hooked up to an electric motor and battery pack combines to deliver a monstrous 325kW of power and 790Nm of torque. These numbers, along with its outlandishly big dimensions, are exactly the reasons local bakkie fans would crave to hav a Toyota Tundra standing in their driveways. Rospa International has a solid reputation for importing classic and sports cars, mainly from Japan. These include Nissan GT-Rs, Honda NSXs, Toyota AE86s and Mazda RX-7s. Its partnership with AGI will also see its portfolio expand to a range of American cars. These include the likes of the Dodge Challenger, Hummer EV and Camaro. ALSO READ: Importer to offer right-hand-drive Toyota Tundra in Mzansi Experienced converters 'AGI firmly believes in right-hand-drive markets and the opportunities they present,' says Rob Hill, CEO of AGI. 'Since the early 1990s, we have carefully re-engineered over 5 000 LHD vehicles for export all over the world. We can now add South Africa to that list through Rospa International, a company that shares our vision and passion.' Rospa International will offer finance on the imported cars, as well as three-year/100 000km warranties with after-sales back-up.
IOL News
13-06-2025
- Automotive
- IOL News
Exciting news: Right-hand drive American pickups and muscle cars now available in Mzansi
The Chevrolet Camaro can now be ordered in right-hand drive. Like America, there's nothing small about them, and thanks to a venture between Rospa International and Autogroup International (AGI), South African American car fans can now legally register and own them. Looking for a right-hand drive American pickup or muscle car, fancy a Dodge Challenger or Charger, perhaps a Chevy Camaro or Toyota Tundra? Classics Durban-based Rospa International has built a reputation for importing classic and sports cars into the local market. Until now they have mainly been sourced from Japan for local enthusiasts and include Nissan GT-Rs, Honda NSXs, Toyota AE86s and Mazda RX-7s. AGI was founded in Australia more than 30 years ago. They started off by converting a 1993 GMC Sierra pickup truck from left to right-hand drive. That started a worldwide business that converts American-made SUVs, muscle cars, and pickup trucks. Desirable Many desirable cars in right-hand drive markets like ourselves are not available, mostly because the demand is not high enough for manufacturers to justify spending millions of dollars in research and development and reengineering and retooling components. The only right-hand drive Muscle Car available in South Africa is the Ford Mustang GT and Mustang Dark Horse. The partnership between AGI and Rospa means that many American pickup trucks, SUVs as well as muscle and sports cars will be available for potential buyers. These range from the latest Hummer EV and Toyota Tundra Hybrid to super pickups such as the GMC Sierra and many more.
The Citizen
12-06-2025
- Automotive
- The Citizen
Importer to offer Toyota Tundra in right-hand drive in Mzansi
Other American cars which will be available include the Dodge Challenger and electric Hummer. Rospa International has built a solid reputation for importing classic and sportscars to South Africa. The cars have, until now, mainly been sourced from Japan for local enthusiasts. Among the rare imports are Nissan GT-Rs, Honda NSXs, Toyota AE86s and Mazda RX-7s. American muscle cars like the Dodge Challenger or an American bakkie like the Toyota Tundra will soon join that list. The Durban-based firm has just announced a partnership agreement with Autogroup International (AGI). 'We are pleased to make public this exciting new chapter in the Rospa story. Joining forces with Autogroup International will open a wider market for us. It will enable us to make the dreams of a whole new group of car enthusiasts come true,' enthused Rospa International founder and director, Himal Chris Paul. ALSO READ: Brawny all-new Land Cruiser 300 based Toyota Tundra bows Australian operation 'AGI firmly believes in right-hand-drive markets and the opportunities they present. Since the early 1990s we have carefully re-engineered over five thousand LHD vehicles for export all over the world. We can now add South Africa to that list through Rospa International, a company that shares our vision and passion,' said CEO of AGI, Rob Hill. ALSO READ: Toyota Tundra gets right-hand drive approval but… AGI was founded in Australia over thirty years ago. The company started off by converting a 1993 GMC Sierra pickup truck from left- to right-hand drive. That single action has flourished into a worldwide business that converts American-made SUVs, muscle cars and bakkies from left- to right-hand drive. AGI is a global leader in vehicle conversions, with a focus on innovation, compliance, and customer satisfaction. From Toyota Tundra to Camaro The partnership between AGI and Rospa International means that many American bakkies, SUVs and muscle- and sportscars will be available to local buyers. These range from the latest Toyota Tundra hybrid and Hummer EV to mega bakkies like the GMC Sierra and many more. Of course, it is the performance options that will be of particular interest to petrolheads. Fancy a Dodge Challenger or Charger? How about a Camaro. These will all be available soon. 'As part of the collaboration with AGI, we will also be able to offer financing deals on the freshly imported vehicles. Each import is brand new so they can be financed through any major bank as with any other new car. Each vehicle will be offered with a three-year/100 000km warranty. It also includes full after sales back-up from trained technicians in all three major cities of SA,' concludes Paul.
