A new Toyota appears in South Africa, a new problem for cars made in China, and a warning for motorists with children

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

New Toyota appearing in South Africa this week

Toyota is featuring a new car at the Naamsa AutoWeek currently taking place in Gqeberha.

The model in question is the bZ4x, the company’s first mass-produced electric vehicle.

Toyota South Africa Motors CEO Andrew Kirby previously confirmed that the automaker will launch three new electric cars in South Africa in 2026, one of which will undoubtedly be the bZ4x.

New problem for cars made in China

China’s automakers will need permits to export electric vehicles starting next year, adding to signs the country’s officials are tightening their management of the world’s biggest car market.

Beijing has tightened its grip on China’s auto market this year after a bruising EV price war pushed some manufacturers to the brink, raising concerns among officials about the industry’s longer-term health.

It’s not immediately clear how Beijing’s move will impact business for Western carmakers such as BMW, which produces the electric Mini Cooper and Aceman in China for Europe.

Major airline in hot water in South Africa

The Competition Tribunal has resumed hearings for the ongoing case against the South African Airline, Airlink, over accusations of predatory and excessive pricing practices.

The case is rooted in allegations that Airlink abused its market dominance on a route between 2012 and 2016 following the exit of Fly Blue Crane (FBC), a new entrant in the market that briefly competed.

Guy Leitch, an aviation expert, has stated that the case against Airlink could be a watershed moment for the South African aviation industry.

3 new Chinese cars coming to South Africa

The Chinese car brand Lepas is set to debut in South Africa later this year.

At launch, the carmaker will have two SUVs, the L4 and L8, with a third model, the L6, to follow in early 2026.

Lepas is another brand under the Chery Holding Group that is marketed as a premium alternative to its parent company’s Tiggo Pro SUVs.

Warning for motorists with children in South Africa

While most people are aware that infants and toddlers need to be strapped into a baby seat in a car, many do not realise that children under the age of 12 should also be using a booster seat.

While the terms are sometimes used interchangeably, a booster seat is meant for older children under 150cm, as they are too short for car seatbelts to function as intended.

There has been a renewed call for booster seat use in recent months in response to the harrowing statistic that car accidents are the single biggest killer of healthy children in South Africa.