Latest news with #R271
TimesLIVE
6 days ago
- Automotive
- TimesLIVE
How South Africans are adapting to the rising price of car ownership
Car ownership remains an important goal for many South Africans, even as the landscape continues to evolve. According to WesBank, the cost of owning a vehicle in South Africa has increased by 50.6% since 2021, placing further strain on consumers. While new vehicle prices continue to rise — for example, the starting price of a Polo Vivo now stands at R271,900 — drivers still have a range of options, even as factors such as fuel costs, interest rates and insurance premiums fluctuate. For those seeking more accessible options, there are still paths to vehicle ownership, including pre-owned choices, flexible financing and innovative subscription models. According to AutoTrader research, about 60% of financed vehicles in South Africa are used cars, indicating consumers are seeking more cost-effective solutions. 'The South African automotive landscape is undergoing a significant evolution driven by affordability,' said AutoTrader CEO George Mienie. 'Our data reveals a clear consumer shift towards the used car market, highlighting the resilience and adaptability of local buyers in the face of economic challenges. This trend underscores the industry's responsibility to provide accessible and reliable mobile solutions for South African consumers.' This is reflected in the finance application data from Standard Bank, which shows that though new car finance applications dropped by 30% in February 2025, used car applications remained stable. 'While this might not seem like a sharp decline, it's staggering when you consider 35% to 40% of cars we financed a decade ago were new,' said Derick de Vries, head of automotive retail at Standard Bank Vehicle and Asset Finance. Used vehicles have become increasingly attractive to South African buyers, with used car price inflation easing to 1.7% in 2025, down from 5.6% two years earlier. This shift positions used vehicles as a more value-driven option, particularly as AutoTrader reports a growing interest in older models, specifically those with an average registration age of six years. Which vehicles are they buying? While the Ford Ranger and Toyota Hilux continue to dominate the used vehicle sales chart, notable shifts show consumers are increasingly looking at more affordable vehicles. There has been a noteworthy decline in the sales of premium vehicles, with used cars such as the Suzuki Swift, Toyota Starlet and Nissan NP200 seeing an increase in recent months. Last month, AutoTrader data showed these models were in the top 10 best-selling used cars, while premium vehicles such as the BMW 3 Series have dropped off. Aside from the cost benefits of buying more affordable, fuel-efficient vehicles, several other reasons exist for this shift in buying behaviour. While used cars offer immediate cost savings compared with their new counterparts, buyers must weigh this against the costs of servicing and potential maintenance, especially for models that have passed their warranty period. Smaller cars, such as the Swift and Polo Vivo, typically offer lower running costs compared with used luxury and premium cars. Image: Supplied AutoTrader offers several resources to help prospective buyers make informed decisions. The online automotive marketplace features price ratings to help consumers compare the prices of used vehicles with those of similar cars available. Additionally, they offer tools such as an affordability calculator, which enables customers to determine suitable vehicle options based on their monthly budgets. However, when it comes to new cars, affordability constraints have forced consumers to enter new vehicle finance agreements with longer loan terms (72-96 months) and opt for balloon payments, which lead to higher overall costs and an increased risk of repossession.
The Citizen
7 days ago
- Automotive
- The Citizen
Embattled Volvo slashes new car prices for a limited time
Savings of up to R271 095 offered on a wide range of XC40, C40 and XC60 electric and hybrid SUV models. The Volvo XC40 Recharge is now offered at less than a R1-million. Picture: Supplied Volvo Car South Africa recently announced its intentions of closing 12 out of its 19 local dealerships as part of a 'long-term brand strategic realignment'. Now the Swedish carmaker is slashing 15% off selected new models until 31 May where buyers can save as much as R271 095. This limited-time offer includes award-winning XC40, C40, and XC60 electric and hybrid SUVs. It includes flexible finance and added-value perks available exclusively through participating Volvo dealerships nationwide. ALSO READ: Volvo revives Cross Country name for all-electric EX30 This initiative reflects the Swedish brand's commitment to making premium, sustainable motoring more accessible. Engineered for everyday life, each model brings together thoughtful Scandinavian design, trusted safety features, and the refinement and performance expected from a Volvo. No better time to buy a Volvo 'At Volvo, we believe in creating cars that enhance the way we live, with a focus on sustainability and safety,' commented Gresham Pillay, commercial manager at Volvo Car SA. 'This 15% discount reflects our commitment to delivering value alongside cutting-edge innovation. With our electric vehicle offers, there really isn't a better time to buy a Volvo.' In addition to the 15% discount on select new models, Volvo Car SA is making electric vehicle ownership even more accessible by introducing Guaranteed Future Value (GFV) offers across its electric range. The EX30 s available from just R9 999 per month, with the GFV plan locking in a guaranteed trade-in value after 48 months. This flexible approach allows customers to upgrade, keep, or return the vehicle at the end of the term, making the switch to electric driving simpler. Added goodies for EV buyers As South Africa's best-selling electric vehicle (EV) brand in 2024, Volvo understands the importance of long-term value and affordability. Particularly for first-time EV buyers. The current GFV offers include the XC40 Recharge from R12 674 per month and the C40 Recharge from R17 158. Each offer is backed by added value including a GridCars home charger and installation up to R7 500. Plus a R12 000 public charging voucher, valid for two years and complimentary in-car data from Vodacom for three years. To qualify, vehicles must be purchased and delivered before the offer ends. Purchases can be made in cash or financed through Volvo Car Finance or any other financial institution. The offer applies only to qualifying model variants and excludes accessories or additional value-added products. Discounted pricing Original price in brackets followed by the discounted price:
The South African
22-05-2025
- Automotive
- The South African
SA's favourite small car tested: 2025 Suzuki Swift 1.2 GLX MT
Since the start of the year, the 2025 Suzuki Swift 1.2 GLX MT has reigned supreme as the nation's best-selling passenger vehicle. And, after spending a week with the top-spec Suzi, we can confirm it's not difficult to understand why. Taking over the mantle of the people's car, it has practicality, efficiency and great value to its core. The 2025 Suzuki Swift 1.2 GLX MT is instantly recognisable, even while the firm introduced subtle refinements to keep it fresh. Specifically, the GLX model benefits from 15-inch polished alloy wheels, LED headlights with the larger 9-inch touchscreen infotainment. As a result, the new Swift's design strikes a fine balance between sturdiness and youthful appeal. A neat and tidy interior with everything where you expect to find it. Image: Suzuki Likewise, its compact footprint (3 840-mm long and 1 735-mm wide) ensures it's an ideal urban runaround. Tight parking spaces hold no mystery and, somehow, the Swift doesn't feel cramped inside at all in the head, leg and shoulder department. In fact, for a mere R271 900, the 2025 Suzuki Swift 1.2 GLX MT is one of the most generously equipped cars on the market. The high-resolution 9-inch display offers seamless Apple CarPlay connectivity. Better still, it integrates instantly with your iPhone and the interface responds quickly to inputs. A big shout out to Suzuki Auto South Africa for the cloth seats the GLX offers. Even for someone over six foot, the seats offer ample support for daily driving. Rear passenger space is reasonable for the segment and storage solutions are well-thought-out, with adequate door bins, a reasonably sized glove compartment and easy-access cup holders. Furthermore, the neat 265-litre boot capacity (seats up) makes way for more space with the rear seats folded flat. All told, there was no practical situation that found the new Suzi wanting. Generous dimensions for a compact hatch don't detract from parking lot ease of use. Image: Suzuki However, as sensible as all that sounds, the true magic of the 2025 Suzuki Swift 1.2 GLX MT becomes apparent when you're behind the wheel. At the heart of this success story lies a fundamental engineering principle that many manufacturers seem to have forgotten. Light weight! With a kerb weight of just 920 kg, it demonstrates how weight reduction can transform the driving experience across multiple dimensions. For example, the 1.2-litre 3-cylinder petrol engine produces a modest 61 kW and 112 Nm of torque. Sure, these figures might appear underwhelming on paper. However, when paired with the featherweight construction, the result is surprisingly spirited performance. Likewise, the five-speed manual gearbox features a precise, short-throw action that makes rowing through the gears a pleasure. And a fun necessity to maintain zip, like any good, small car. As such, we can report that the 2025 Suzuki Swift 1.2 GLX MT feels nimble and darting through traffic. Light yet precise steering offers enough feedback, and body roll is a non-event when you press on. Similarly, on South Africa's sometimes less-than-perfect roads, the Swift rides with composure. No matter how heavy your foot, the Suzi only knows to sip fuel. Image: Suzuki Better still, in an era of ever-fluctuating fuel prices, the 2025 Suzuki Swift 1.2 GLX MT is remarkably efficient. During the one-week test period, tried as we may, we simply could not drain the 37-litre fuel tank. The brand claims 4.4 l/100 km on a combined cycle. And while this is somewhat optimistic, our real-world testing yielded 5.0 l/100 km on the dot. Impressive across varied conditions and driving styles. This exceptional efficiency stems directly from the 2025 Suzuki Swift 1.2 GLX MT's lightweight philosophy. Less mass to move means the small petrol engine doesn't need to work hard and doesn't impact drivability. Safety wise, you'll want for nothing either. For the asking price, you get dual front airbags, ABS with EBD, electronic stability control, and rear parking camera/sensors as standard. The newest Suzi represents an excellent-value proposition for cash-conscious South Africans. Image: Suzuki There you have it, just like the car, a neater and tidier road test of the 2025 Suzuki Swift 1.2 GLX MT you will not find. Priced at R271 900, the 2025 Suzuki Swift 1.2 GLX MT represents outstanding value in today's economically sensitive market. That's a huge win for people, being able to simply afford the thing. Then you factor in Suzuki's famously low running costs (5-year/200 000 km warranty and 2-year/30 000 km service plan), providing peace of mind for new buyers. Never mind excellent equipment levels, and the intangible satisfaction derived from how it drives. Combine this trinity and it's easy to understand why it's captured the top spot in South Africa's passenger-car sales charts. The 2025 Suzuki Swift 1.2 GLX MT proves that sometimes less really is more. So much more … Model: Suzuki Swift 1.2 GLX MT Engine: 1.2-litre petrol 1.2-litre petrol Transmission: 5-speed manual 5-speed manual Power: 60 kW 60 kW Torque: 112 Nm 112 Nm Performance: 0-100 km/h: 10.35 seconds (tested) 0-100 km/h: 10.35 seconds (tested) Fuel economy: 4.4 l/100 km (claimed) / 5.0 l/100 km (tested) 4.4 l/100 km (claimed) / 5.0 l/100 km (tested) Price: R271 900 Let us know by leaving a comment below, or send a WhatsApp to 060 011 021 1. Subscribe to The South African website's newsletters and follow us on WhatsApp, Facebook, X and Bluesky for the latest news.
The South African
17-05-2025
- General
- The South African
The ONE province with no loadshedding in South Africa
Eskom announced a fresh round of power outages this past week, however, one province with no loadshedding remained. That, of course, is the Western Cape. In fact, even during the height of load reduction back in 2023 (330 days out in the year), the province was regularly able to get away with significantly lower stages than the rest of the country. Now, Eskom has detailed why the province with no loadshedding is able to perform the way it does. And the discrepancy between it and other provinces. Specifically, the state-owned entity cites fewer illegal electricity connections and less theft/vandalism. Joburg areas to have continued power outage in May 2025. Image via Instagram @Eskom_holdings Eskom introduced loadshedding as a system-wide measure when there's insufficient capacity to meet overall electricity demand, says the utility. In so doing, it is able to protect important infrastructural equipment. Therefore preventing more extensive outages – like substation fires, which are common in Gauteng – by temporarily preventing overloading. Moreover, Eskom's group executive Monde Bala, says illegal electricity connections, meter bypassing, theft/vandalism also contributes to overloading the network. Combine that with typically higher consumption during winter, when consumers use heaters and geysers to keep warm, and you have higher chances of loadshedding. 15 Johannesburg suburbs will experience a power outage this month. Image: iStock As you can see from the Eskom graphic (up top), Gauteng is 30% more likely to suffer from loadshedding than Western Cape. Likewise, Limpopo and Mphumalanga are 22% higher. Which is ironic considering this is the heart land of South Africa's coal-fired energy reserves. Meanwhile the province with no loadshedding is working hard to draw energy sustainably and remove itself from the Eskom grid all together. In response, Eskom says it will install 7.2-million 'smart meters' to help reduce losses and enable safer 'loadlimiting' across the country. Provincial Commissioner welcomes copper bust worth about R3 million in Kimberley. Image: SAPS In turn, theft and vandalism remain significant threats to the continuous supply of electricity in South Africa. Between April 2024 and February 2025, Eskom says infrastructure vandalism and theft cost R221 million. Thankfully, this is down from R271 million in the same period stretching from 2023-2024. On average, Gauteng experiences the highest loadshedding – 179 MW . . Mpumalanga ranked second with 132 MW . . Limpopo places third with 103 MW. While the lowest levels are in the Western, Eastern and Northern Cape respectively. Let us know by leaving a comment below, or send a WhatsApp to 060 011 021 1. Subscribe to The South African website's newsletters and follow us on WhatsApp, Facebook, X and Bluesky for the latest news.
