Good news for Ford Ranger fans, a warning for the taxi industry, and a new Chinese SUV for South Africa

These were the five biggest stories in South Africa’s transport industry this week.

Good news for Ford Ranger fans in South Africa

Ford has confirmed to TopAuto that the new Ranger Super Duty is under consideration for our market.

The Super Duty is an even tougher version of the standard bakkie that features a reinforced body and an increased towing capacity.

The Super Duty was previously limited to the F-150, but is finally being offered on the Ranger in select markets.

Transport minister coming after taxi industry in South Africa

Transport Minister Barbara Creecy recently outlined the government’s new strategy for transforming the public transit sector at the 2025 Southern African Transport Conference in Pretoria.

One of the areas of focus identified in the talks is the local taxi industry, which is being targeted for stricter regulation.

Creecy noted that there is a high level of criminality and lawlessness within the industry, which needs to be rooted out.

Big update for Gauteng’s new bullet train

The planned “bullet train” between Gauteng and Limpopo has taken another step towards its eventual completion.

The Gauteng provincial government recently confirmed that it has launched feasibility studies and environmental impact assessments, which will pave the way for the project’s construction.

This includes land acquisition, as the project’s leaders will need to negotiate with land owners and local communities along the train’s planned route.

Legal battle over new dashcam law in South Africa’s biggest city

The Organisation Undoing Tax Abuse (Outa) is taking the City of Johannesburg to court to challenge the legality of its new bylaw on private surveillance cameras, which includes everything from smartphones to car dashcams.

Outa labelled the new law as irrational, claiming that it was passed with insufficient public participation given the scope of the legislation.

It also argued that the law conflicts with the constitutional rights to property, privacy, and freedom and security.

The new Chinese SUV launching in South Africa very soon

The Omoda C7 SHS is set to make its South African debut any day now.

The C7 is a new mid-range SUV from the Chinese automaker, slotting between the existing C5 and C9.

It is also a plug-in hybrid, combining a 1.5-litre turbocharged petrol engine with an electric motor.