5 important things that happened in South Africa’s auto industry this week

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

VW factory facing shutdown in South Africa

Reports regarding VW potentially closing its local manufacturing plant in Kariega drew widespread concerns from the greater automotive industry.

VW South Africa did, however, respond to these reports, explaining that it had no plans to close down the plant any time soon.

The German automaker is committed to remaining in South Africa, and sees 2026 as “an important year for Volkswagen”.

R14.5 billion upgrades for Africa’s busiest airport

Upgrades at the O.R. Tambo International Airport are underway, as the airport continues with its R14.5 billion five-year Capital Expenditure (CAPEX) programme.

These upgrades form part of an investment that began in 2024, aimed at modernising key airport infrastructure and delivering a more comfortable experience for travellers.

Current upgrades are aimed at areas of high passenger traffic within the airport, including refurbishing the escalators and travelators.

Chinese cars pose potential security risk 

A think tank has warned that the European Union needs to implement regulations to manage the growing security risks posed by intelligent vehicles, particularly Chinese cars.

These vehicles allow for expansive data to be collected, including geospatial and personal data, the Warsaw-based Centre for Eastern Studies said.

According to the centre, this leaves European countries vulnerable to cyberattack and exposed to the risk that information collected by cars can unintentionally reveal sensitive military and economic activities, it said.

Why petrol isn’t R14 per litre in South Africa

Eighteen months after Mineral and Petroleum Resources Minister Gwede Mantashe issued a statement claiming that petrol and diesel should cost no more than R14 per litre, this has not been realised.

In October 2024, Mantashe announced that the government would review the fuel price formula as part of an effort to find ways to alleviate the financial burden households are facing.

Despite these promises, petrol costs R19.99 per litre as of February 2026, while the wholesale price of diesel is currently sitting at R17.95 per litre.

Why South African drivers don’t need to worry about new driving rules

After Transport Minister Barbara Creecy announced that the rollout of the AARTO had been delayed, it seems no closer to implementation.

The Portfolio Committee on Transport noted the minister’s decision to delay the AARTO implementation, calling it unfortunate.

Creecy informed the committee of her decision, stating that the AARTO regulations would remain suspended for six months for municipalities to prepare for the first stage of rollouts.