How Fuel Prices Are Changing Car Buying in SA

South Africa’s new vehicle market surged 13% year-on-year in April, even as exports slipped and fuel-driven cost pressures rose. Naamsa Chief Economist Dr. Paulina Mamogobo unpacks the data.

Taxi fares across SA are increasing by R2–R6 locally and up to R30 on long‑distance routes. SANTACO spokesperson Rebecca Phala discusses the pressures on operators, commuter impact, and what further hikes could mean.

Discovery Insure data shows a dramatic 35% drop in fuel spend and a 28% fall in transactions as motorists respond to April’s price hikes. CEO Robert Attwell explains the behavioral shifts, the rise of ride‑hailing, and what this means for mobility and affordability in SA.

Bridgestone SA MD Jacques Rikhotso warns that South Africa’s industrial foundations are eroding fast, with tire production falling sharply and imports surging past 10 million units. We explore what this means for jobs, competitiveness, and the urgent interventions needed to rebuild industrial resilience.

Prof. Siphamandla Zondi explains why the global rules-based order is collapsing—and how South Africa is being squeezed between BRICS+ ambitions and Western market dependence. We unpack foreign‑policy incoherence, localization strategy, EV transition risks, and what a future‑proof trade strategy should look like.