IN4RIDE

BREAKING: April 2026 new car sales! The Mzansi automotive industry sold a total of 47 979 new vehicles during the holiday-infested month of April. Fewer buying days always means fewer new vehicles sold. This number is down from 58 064 units sold in March 2026, but is higher than the 42 467 sold in April 2025. At this average rate, the industry is on track to reach 630 000 sales for the whole of 2026. Below are the numbers, listed from best-selling company to the least: 1. TOYOTA (including Lexus and Hino) - 10 188 2. SUZUKI - 5 363 3. VOLKSWAGEN GROUP (including Audi) - 4 814 4. HYUNDAI - 2 857 5. FORD - 2 702 6. GWM (including Haval, Tank and Ora) - 2 485 7. CHERY - 2 462 8. JETOUR - 1 804 9. OMODA AND JAECOO - 1 383 10. BMW GROUP (including MINI) - 1 366 11. ISUZU - 1 319 12. KIA - 1 242 13. RENAULT - 1 216 14. MAHINDRA - 1 098 15. NISSAN - 875 16. BYD - 705 17. STELLANTIS – 687 18. TATA MOTORS – 535 19. MG – 526 20. FAW TRUCKS - 517 21. FOTON - 508 22. MERCEDES-BENZ - 490 23. JAC – 325 24. DAIMLER – 238 25. BAIC – 216 26. SCANIA – 197 27. MAZDA – 191 28. MITSUBISHI MOTORS – 185 29. UD TRUCKS - 178 30. VOLVO GROUP (commercial vehicles) - 177 31. JLR (including Jaguar, Land Rover and Range Rover) – 175 32. HONDA – 153 33. MAN – 129 34. PORSCHE – 108 35. POWERSTAR - 99 36. CHANGAN – 94 37. SINOTRUK – 84 38. VOLVO CARS – 76 39. TATA (commercial vehicles) – 54 40. SUBARU – 35 41. SHACMAN – 31 42. IVECO – 20 43. BABCOCK – 17 44. SCUDERIA (Ferrari) - 8 45. PROTON – 7

Some of BYD's super tech and rich history (f3) is showcased at their "green" Di-Space Museum in Zhengzhou. The company's "blade battery" tech (f2) for example, forms the basis of its automotive products. Of late, BYD has introduced flash charging tech (f1), which can take a car battery from 5% to 100% full in a record 11 minutes.

In Beijing I got to spend a couple of minutes chatting to Stella Li, Executive Vice President of BYD Africa, Americas, Europe and Middle East. She's probably the most ambitious automotive industry leader in the world right now.

Right back on your radio! Dial into Radio 2000 after 16:00 as Paul, Lonwabo, Isaac and I delve into very interesting Motoring content.

Volvo's "green" ambitions continue unabated, with the introduction of the EX30 Cross Country (315kW/ 543Nm/ 427km range/ R1 165 000). We've had it on test over the past week, and while its main selling point is a raised suspension, rugged looks and roof rack, it's not a serious off-roader.

I know South Africans have recently shunned sedans in favour of SUVs. But come on! The BYD Seal 07 fully electric sedan has so much going for it. Check: 5 seats, 5 metres long, large boot, 240kW, 305Nm, up to 700km range. What's not to like?

It's definitely gaining momentum here as well. Remember, the home market is always the test market. If it works there then it has a chance of working elsewhere.

Essentially BYD can use any of its brand names to rebrand its cars for specific markets. They do this where a different brand is stronger than the original.

Fangchengbao. A mouthful for us "foreigners", but another growing BYD brand. This particular model is called Fangchengbao Tai 3, although in some regions it's sold under BYD's Denza brand. Fully electric (EV), with 160kW or 310kW options, the Tao 3 makes an interesting sub-compact SUV proposition.

Ethiopia has an impressively burgeoning electric car market, completely outselling Mzansi in 2025 and so far in 2026. In Addis Ababa I saw what I estimated to be 40% of all cars on the road being EVs. Mzansi has far lower EV numbers on the roads. Why? Government taxes and anti-"green" policies.

BYD's Yangwang U8 is not just for "swimming" 1.6 metres deep. Seems like it has serious off-road attributes too. South Africans are not used to non-diesel off-roaders, so "rev it to 1 800rpm" doesn't work with plug-in Hybrids. We need to familiarise ourselves with this new tech.

BYD's Denza is not just about the mid premium segment. With the Denza N9 they're stepping into quite a high-end market, where exterior design and interior comfort are key. If you were spending around R1.5 million, would you look at this 7-seater Denza N9?

BYD's Denza Z electric convertible is just itching to challenge established European and American supercars. With around 745kW and over 1 000Nm, the Z should go on sale within 12 months, boasting an expected 0-100km/h time of under 2 seconds.

Fangchenbao - a fourth BYD brand - stunned attendees at the Beijing Auto Show, after unveiling 3 new cars: Formula X, Formula S and Formula SL. Formula X is still a concept, while S and SL are 4-door sedans whose production future is almost certain.

The only BYD bakkie currently selling in Mzansi (and elsewhere) is the Shark 6. We got to witness how this SA 2026 Car of the Year Finalist is manufactured firsthand. That orange colour will soon join the Mzansi colour palette.

Devastating on a straight line, composed around corners, BYD's Yangwang U9 electric hyper car is nothing less than mind-blowing. Check out these staggering numbers: • 960kW, 1 680Nm • 4 electric motors • 0-100 in 2.4s • 390km/h top speed • 450km range • 2.4 tonnes

Finally met the "swimming car", BYD's amazing Yangwang U8. One of the most incredible automotive feats in the industry. BYD South Africa must do the right thing, especially for Centurion people.

I know y'all Mzansi people have been shunning MPVs lately. But hear me out... ...Denza - another BYD brand - is not playing here. It's called the D9 D-Mi, a seriously premium plug-in Hybrid with 260kW and 960Nm. And that 950km range would definitely get you to the Durban July.

Got to hang out with one of my good mates @yiannimize at the BYD Gala dinner last night. Good to see you bro. Enjoy that big milestone birthday that's coming up soon.

Yangwang - a BYD brand - showed off this stunning e4 Concept based on the U8 SUV, which basically stripped off all the body panels to showcase some of the car's rigid frame elements. All I'm saying is, I see it rocking the Dakar and other off-road competitions.