SA Car Buyers Pull Back as Confidence Crashes

Cars.co.za’s Alan Quinn unpacks the digital trends shaping South Africa’s car market — from value migration and tax‑driven pricing distortions to the rise of Chinese and Indian brands. We explore what consumers really need to know when navigating one of the most complex buying environments in years.

Absa’s Fulufhelo Mandane reveals new data showing a surge in new‑car purchases among young South Africans, despite affordability pressures. We explore shifting preferences, longer repayment terms, and the rise of value‑driven models reshaping the future of SA’s vehicle market.

Ford’s Kevin Heunis discusses the growing shortage of critical technical skills, the need for vocational pathways, and how programmes like Ford’s Autotechnician Apprentice Scholarship are preparing young people for a tech‑driven automotive future. A Youth Month conversation on skills, opportunity and industry readiness.

Old Mutual’s Ndumiso Zulu and Lula’s Clinton Thomas unpack the real funding landscape for South African SMEs — from cash‑flow pressure to investment readiness, construction‑sector bottlenecks, and why only 6% of SMEs access formal finance. They explore how blended support, alternative lending models, and faster payment cycles can unlock the…

Michanic founder Lesetja Dikgale shares how a simple moment of frustration with a delayed car repair sparked a national mobile‑mechanic platform. He unpacks the early mistakes, the operational rebuild, the financial model overhaul, and how the Impact Finance Network helped him become investor‑ready. A masterclass in starting lean, scaling smart,…