Latest news with #NAAMSA
The South African
12-06-2025
- Automotive
- The South African
AUTO ambitions: 2025 Suzuki Fronx 1.5 GLX 4AT review
While the 2025 Suzuki Fronx may not be one of the Japanese manufacturers best-sellers in its lineup, it's certainly one of the most compelling. Moreover, the 2025 Suzuki Fronx 1.5 GLX 4AT keeps all the good stuff from the slope-roofed, coupe-styled crossover that impressed us last year. Let's also not forget how well the humble Japanese carmaker is doing in a contracting South African economy. The firm continues to set sales records, seemingly each month, according to NAAMSA sales data. As a result, the high-value marque is comfortably ensconced in third position for South African new-car sales in the passenger segment. There's no practical situation the 2025 Suzuki Fronx GLX 4AT doesn't handle with aplomb. Image: File Now the brand has brought a 2025 Suzuki Fronx 1.5 GLX 4AT to market. Clearly, it's aimed at motorists who'd rather not bother with a manual gearshift and third pedal. And as excellent as the 5MT Fronx is, we totally accept South Africa's unique market demands. Chat to any layperson in the street about commuting and the vast majority will say they just want something easy in traffic. Nevertheless, Suzuki's slope-roofed crossover joined the market somewhat late. But launching back in 2023 did at least allow the brand to survey the segment and make appropriate provisions. Key of which was the introduction of the 4AT in top-wrung GLX spec, retailing for R362 900. It hails from India – like most of Suzuki's cars sold in SA – because the Indian government gives tax breaks to cars manufactured that are shorter than four metres. Which, in turn, means savings are passed onto the consumer at the end of the day … Suzuki Fronx GLX 5MT model pictured. Image: File Accordingly, the 2025 Suzuki Fronx 1.5 GLX 4AT measures 3 995 mm long to adhere to the Indian restriction. It is 1 765 mm wide and stands 1 550 mm tall, with a wheelbase of 2 520 mm. Inside, there is no issue with head and shoulder space. The boot is rated at 304 litres, which is par for the course for compact crossovers nowadays. And you can fold the rear seats really easily for plenty of extra utility space. What we most enjoy is that the GLX is the highest-spec Fronx on offer. So, there's the contrasting black roof that gives it a sleek silhouette. Gunmetal alloy wheels, distinctive two-tier LED headlamps and the largest 9-inch touchscreen available comes with wireless Apple CarPlay. Plus, a 360-degree reverse camera, 4.2-inch LCD driver-info display, automatic climate control and cruise control, mean you'll want for nothing in the 2025 Suzuki Fronx GLX. The Fronx is yet another impressive offering built in India for Suzuki. Image: File As before, there's only one engine available in the 2025 Suzuki Fronx range. It's the bomb-proof naturally aspirated 1.5-litre, 4-cylinder petrol, which is good for 77 kW and 138 Nm of torque. It's a rev-happy engine that combines comfortably with the easy-shifting, four-speed automatic gearbox. Unfortunately, like in the CVT Swift and auto Jimny models we drove recently, going for two pedals instead of three does have its downsides though. Against the stopwatch the 2025 Suzuki Fronx 4AT is a bit tardier to 100 km/h, coming in slower than 10 seconds. Likewise, you'll be using more fuel to commute around. Our average eventually settled on 6.9 l/100 km, when the three pedal was closer to 5.9 l/100 km. Despite this, it accelerates in a linear fashion and is suitably easy-going and quiet at moderate throttle. You'll spot a 2025 Suzuki Fronx GLX by the contrasting roof and gunmetal alloy wheels. Image: File On the evidence of our review, we think the 2025 Suzuki Fronx 1.5 GLX 4AT will find plenty of happy homes in South Africa. The high-spec 9-inch infotainment and other bells and whistles is worth the R362 900 price of admission alone. Likewise, the build quality for the sub-continental offering really impressed us. Perhaps, the only slightly divisive issue is the name: Fronx. 'Yes, I just brought a new Fronx!'. Which you can explain to your mates is a portmanteau of 'Frontier' and 'Crossover,' just by the way. However, when you experience its peppy drive and composed road manners, you'll care less what it's called. 2025 Suzuki Fronx 1.5 GLX 4AT Engine: 1.5-litre petrol 1.5-litre petrol Transmission: 4-speed automatic 4-speed automatic Power: 77 kW 77 kW Torque: 138 Nm 138 Nm 0-100 km/h: 10.20 seconds (tested) 10.20 seconds (tested) Top speed: 170 km/h 170 km/h Consumption: 6.9 l/100 km (tested) 6.9 l/100 km (tested) Price: R362 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.
IOL News
12-05-2025
- Automotive
- IOL News
The impact of Trump's tariffs on South Africa's automotive industry
Trump's April 2 'Liberation Day' announcement saw duties being levies across the world with South Africa attracting around 30%. Image: Kamil Krzaczynski / AFP US President Donald Trump's frightening import duties into that country are already pushing down sales of cars made locally for the export market and his moves effectively nullify benefits under the African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA). However, South Africans are nothing if not resourceful and are already planning how best to target alternative auto markets. The National Economic Development and Labour Council (Nedlac) provides figures that indicate that more than local 360,000 vehicles 'set sail' for more than 150 countries across the world in 2023. Of these, the best sellers were the Volkswagen Polo, followed by the Mercedes C-Class, the BMW X3, and then what it called a 'bakkie' tussle between the Ford Ranger and the Toyota Hilux, with the former winning out. Most locally produced vehicles for export go to Europe, where sales are already under threat due to that bloc's increasingly strict carbon emission requirements. Nedlac added that Isuzu and Nissan are also slowly making inroads into African markets. In 2024, however, exports dropped some 22.8%, which could be likely linked to the fact that 2023 was an all-time high, figures from NAAMSA (the Automotive Business Council) showed. Of South Africa's top export destinations in this sector, OEC noted that most vehicles produced in 2023 went to Germany, followed by the US, and then the UK. Now South Africa's exports to America are under threat, with Trump's sweeping tariffs already having an adverse impact. Smart Procurement stated that the South African automotive sector 'is particularly vulnerable' to tariffs. Its figures show that vehicles account for about a fifth of all exports to the US each year, amounting to about R33 billion annually. Trump's April 2 'Liberation Day' announcement saw duties being levies across the world with South Africa attracting around 30%. Although Trump walked back many of these taxes in the coming days and is in talks with several countries to negotiate better trade conditions, the local automotive industry has already been hit with a 25% export tax, and there could be more in the wings depending on which way the US President moves. Dr Paulina Mamogobo, the Automotive Business Council chief economist at NAAMSA said that US tariffs already had a rather pre-emptive impact on first quarter sales as exports to the US reduced from 6% in 2024 to 2% in the first three months of the year. Before the implementation of the new regulations, 99% of vehicles and automotive components from South Africa entered the US under the AGOA agreement, benefiting from duty-free treatment. Jenny Tala, director for Southern Africa at Germany Trade & Invest, said that the US' tariffs effectively nullify the benefits of AGOA, which poses a threat to South Africa's automotive manufacturing competitiveness. Tala said the solution is to diversify export markets by expanding regional and international trade relations. 'As we navigate shifting trade agreements, tariffs, and international relations, South African automotive businesses are actively seeking new partnerships and market opportunities," said Michael Dehn, MD at trade fair company Messe Frankfurt. Local companies are 'repositioning themselves within evolving trade frameworks' such as withing the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) and other BRICS+ countries: Brazil, Russia, India, China among others, said Dehn. Mamogobo stated that the AfCFTA is a strategic response to many challenges, and it has opened up access to a $3.4 trillion economic market across 44 African countries by eliminating tariffs and boosting intra-regional trade. Yet, infrastructure gaps remain a significant challenge to fully realising this potential, she said. Ronel Oberholzer, head of sub-Saharan Africa Economics at S&P Global Market Intelligence, explained that the global automotive landscape is further complicated by China's oversupply of vehicles, especially EVs, potentially getting into African markets, creating direct competition for South African manufacturing, while India's low-cost advantage intensifies competitive pressures. As a result, she believes that BRICS countries may not be new markets so much as a source of further investments into Africa. IOL
Yahoo
01-04-2025
- Automotive
- Yahoo
South Africa seeks meeting with US on auto tariffs
JOHANNESBURG (Reuters) - South Africa will seek a meeting with U.S. authorities on auto tariffs, Trade Minister Parks Tau said on Tuesday, noting the levies are a concern as the country has preferential trade status with the United States. South Africa, whose exports of vehicles and parts into the United States is estimated at over $2 billion, could take a severe hit from a planned tariff of 25% on automobile imports unveiled last week by U.S. President Donald Trump. Tau said in a statement that the U.S. Section 232 tariffs are expected to apply to imports of cars and car parts from countries, including South Africa, that benefit from the U.S. African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA). AGOA provides duty-free access to the U.S. market for most agricultural and manufactured products, such as cars and parts exported by eligible African countries. "Automobile exports from South Africa accounted for 64% of South Africa's exports under AGOA in 2024, and are therefore a significant component of products currently benefiting under the preferential programme," Tau said. While South Africa's car exports to the United States go duty-free under AGOA, U.S. imports into South Africa also enjoy rebates under the country's Automotive Production Development Programme. South Africa's exports of automobiles accounts for only 0.99% of U.S. total vehicle imports and 0.27% of auto parts "and thus do not constitute a threat to U.S. industry", Tau added. "South Africa will seek a meeting with the United States authorities to discuss these developments, given the potential negative effect on the South African economy," Tau said. The representative body of South Africa's automotive industry, NAAMSA has said that it was actively assessing the potential impact of these tariffs and that it was engaging with its members and other key stakeholders. Among the car brands that South Africa exports to the U.S. are Mercedes-Benz and BMW.
Yahoo
01-04-2025
- Automotive
- Yahoo
South Africa seeks meeting with US on auto tariffs
JOHANNESBURG (Reuters) - South Africa will seek a meeting with U.S. authorities on auto tariffs, Trade Minister Parks Tau said on Tuesday, noting the levies are a concern as the country has preferential trade status with the United States. South Africa, whose exports of vehicles and parts into the United States is estimated at over $2 billion, could take a severe hit from a planned tariff of 25% on automobile imports unveiled last week by U.S. President Donald Trump. Tau said in a statement that the U.S. Section 232 tariffs are expected to apply to imports of cars and car parts from countries, including South Africa, that benefit from the U.S. African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA). AGOA provides duty-free access to the U.S. market for most agricultural and manufactured products, such as cars and parts exported by eligible African countries. "Automobile exports from South Africa accounted for 64% of South Africa's exports under AGOA in 2024, and are therefore a significant component of products currently benefiting under the preferential programme," Tau said. While South Africa's car exports to the United States go duty-free under AGOA, U.S. imports into South Africa also enjoy rebates under the country's Automotive Production Development Programme. South Africa's exports of automobiles accounts for only 0.99% of U.S. total vehicle imports and 0.27% of auto parts "and thus do not constitute a threat to U.S. industry", Tau added. "South Africa will seek a meeting with the United States authorities to discuss these developments, given the potential negative effect on the South African economy," Tau said. The representative body of South Africa's automotive industry, NAAMSA has said that it was actively assessing the potential impact of these tariffs and that it was engaging with its members and other key stakeholders. Among the car brands that South Africa exports to the U.S. are Mercedes-Benz and BMW. Sign in to access your portfolio
