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What is a Range Extended Electric Vehicle? Understanding the technology behind the Changan Hunter REEV
For decades, South African motorists have had a fairly simple choice when buying a vehicle: petrol or diesel. Those two powertrains have dominated the market for generations, especially in the bakkie segment where diesel engines have become the go-to option thanks to their torque and efficiency.
The 9th-Generation Toyota Hilux: Has the ‘Kannie-Dood’ Legend Finally Gone Soft, or Just Gotten Smarter?
Namibia is arguably the ultimate proving ground for any bakkie. With our vast stretches of corrugated gravel, demanding agricultural sectors, and sprawling distances between towns, a vehicle here needs to be more than just transport; it must be an absolute “kannie-dood” workhorse. For decades, the Toyota Hilux has been the default answer to this brief, leaning heavily on a reputation built entirely around uncompromising reliability.
As die naam Changan bekend klink, maar jy dit nie heeltemal kan plaas nie, onthou jy hulle waarskynlik as “Chana” van ‘n dekade of wat gelede. Vandag fokus Chana hoofsaaklik op kleiner kommersiële voertuie. Vanaf 2025 het Changan egter weer Suid-Afrika betree onder die Jameel Motors-vaandel en in byna al die hoofsegmente meegeding.
Tata Motors back with a bang
Tata Motors has re-entered the Southern-African passenger vehicle market with the 2025 Tiago, a budget-oriented hatchback positioned as an affordable and practical option for urban commuters and first-time buyers. Launched in September 2025, the Tiago targets the likes of the Renault Kwid, Suzuki Celerio and the Toyota Vitz starts at R184 900 for the base 1.2 XM five-speed manual variant, making it one of the most accessible new cars available.
Changan may be a relatively new name to South African motorists, but globally it is anything but. The Chinese manufacturer is one of the oldest automotive companies in the world, operating 30 global manufacturing plants and innovation centres across Italy, the United States, China, Japan and the United Kingdom. Today, the brand counts more than 30 million drivers worldwide.
In 2024, the arrival of the Volvo EX30 extended an already long and somewhat agonising search for a “problematic” car from the Swedish brand. Throughout nearly a decade of motoring journalism, finding an ‘ugly duckling’ in the Volvo range has remained an impossible task — a sentiment shared by many in the industry.
Isuzu is no stranger when it comes to the bakkie market in Southern Africa, boasting one of the widest ranges on offer. The manufacturer also recently toppled Ford’s Ranger to become the second highest bakkie seller in South Africa; and with good reason.
The facelifted Hyundai Tucson quietly moved into Southern Africa in April 2025 without a big fuss, which is strange, considering that the model line-up has been updated quite a lot from its 2023 predecessor. Another important factor is that the new facelift also comes into the market with reduced prices and a more modern interior. We spent a week with the flagship N-Line diesel AWD.
Ford se Transit Custom Sport veel meer as net ‘n bus met vinnige strepe
Top Gear aanhangers mag dalk die episode onthou, waar Jeremy Clarkson die destydse Ford Transit getoets het en verwys het na die bank rowe in die 60’s en 70’s. Die Transit was gesien as die perfekte voertuig vir hierdie misdade, siende dat dit relatief rats was vir sy grootte, en natuurlik spasie gehad het om als in te gooi. Vroeg in 2025, het Ford weer hul Transit en Tourneo reeks opgedateer; die keer met die toevoeging van ‘n “sport” model.
With all the technologies one could think of, remarkable warranty offerings, as well as unbeatable prices, Chinese car makers are causing a negative ripple effect for others. Take our recent test unit, the new Honda Fit Hybrid, as a prime example. Logically, the Honda Fit (Hybrid) is the perfect car to own, yet it has one reason for its potential downfall in our local market.