BMW to cut 20% of managers using AI, and Jetour responds to concerns about its most popular SUV

Ford has launched the new Tourneo Custom Kombi in South Africa, which replaces the outgoing long-wheelbase Trend.

The Kombi shares a name and platform with the VW Transporter Kombi, as the two models are built under a joint venture between the American and German carmakers.

The new Kombi is equipped with a 2.0-litre turbocharged diesel engine and can carry up to eight people, including the driver, in a fixed seating arrangement.

Prices for the Kombi start at R996,000, making it the entry-level model in the revised Tourneo lineup.

Meanwhile, oil prices fell again today as crude flows from the Middle East continue to approach their pre-war levels. However, fuel suppliers have yet to recover to the same extent.

Brent Crude dropped below $97 per barrel, down from a high of $108 per barrel in mid-September; though prices are still much higher than they were a month ago when oil was trading at $86 per barrel.

Washington and Tehran have failed to make headway toward a lasting peace agreement that would reopen the Strait of Hormuz. US President Donald Trump said the US has total control of the waterway and will have an answer to Iran shortly.

5 important things

Chinese auto giant responds to AA concerns about its most popular SUV: Jetour has responded to the AA’s recent flagging of the T2’s payload capacity, which the association said was lower than claimed. Jetour backed its claim, clarifying how it calculated the original and updated payload figures for the SUV. [TopAuto].

BYD takes a hit in South Africa: BYD’s monthly sales declined in August 2026, the first time since the brand started reporting sales six months ago. It sold 608 units in August, down 27% from 834 units in July. It is speculated that one reason for the decline is the growing popularity of Geely, BYD’s main rival in South Africa. [MyBroadband].

R140 for a full charge or R200 for a full tank in 2000: It costs roughly the same to charge South Africa’s most affordable electric car in 2026 as it did to top up a 45-litre fuel tank in 2000, highlighting the massive savings to be had with an EV in light of the recent fuel price hikes. [MyBroadband].

Lamborghini Urus SE Performante pricing revealed: The newest addition to Lamborghini’s Super SUV series is the most powerful to date, featuring a plug-in hybrid powertrain with a V8 engine that generates 596kW. It will cost R5,500,000 in South Africa. [Cars.co.za].

BMW to shed 20% of senior managers with AI help: BMW is planning to use artificial intelligence to eliminate a fifth of management roles by the middle of next year as part of an agreed buyout plan intended to cut costs and boost profitability. The company has 65 senior vice presidents and 400 senior positions below them. At least 100 high-level jobs are set to be cut. [Bloomberg].