Latest News
Mercedes-Benz to launch new electric SUV in South Africa
The German auto giant, Mercedes-Benz, will launch a new battery-powered electric vehicle (EV) in South Africa. The Mercedes-Benz EQC will go on sale in 2020, making it the fourth full-EV on the local market. Existing EVs currently on sale include the Nissan Leaf, BMW...
Top 10 most searched-for budget cars so far in 2019
Budget cars are immensely popular in South Africa due to their small sizes, affordable prices and fuel efficiency. These vehicles all cost under R140 000 and don’t break the bank when it comes to running costs and fuel. The budget car market is incredibly competitive...
Bell Equipment to launch South African-made truck in America
Machine and industry manufacturer, Bell Equipment, is planning to launch a new addition to its American product portfolio. The company will launch a South African-made off-road truck in Las Vegas in 2020. Bell chief executive officer (CEO) Leon Goosen says that the...
Ford recycles over one billion plastic bottles into vehicle parts every year
One of Formex Industries’ original equipment manufacturer (OEM) customers, Ford Motor Company, is paving the way for sustainability in the automotive industry. Ford recycles around 1.2-billion plastic bottles every year to manufacture underbody vehicle parts. The main...
New African car brand launches in South Africa
A brand new African car brand, named Mureza Auto Co, has been launched in South Africa. The vehicle brand made its debut at the Automechanika Johannesburg show in September 2019. Mureza has started a platform-sharing agreement with the SAIPA Group in Iran to share...
South Africa does not need a domestic market to produce EVs
The South African Minister of Trade and Industry, Ebrahim Patel, recently said that the country does not need a domestic electric vehicle (EV) market to start producing plug-in hybrid vehicles and EVs. There is an opportunity to start producing these...
More masterplans needed to boost South African manufacturing sector
The South African automotive industry has a guiding document that will take effect from January 2020. The South African Automotive Masterplan (SAAM) lays out the targets and goals for the entire industry until 2035. SAAM will guide vehicle and component manufacturers,...
What you need to know about the new Land Rover Defender
Land Rover recently announced the launch of its all-new Defender, over 30 years after the original Defender was developed in the 1980s. The new model has all the hallmark details of a Defender - two skylight windows at the top corners, a square rear end, round...
Manufacturing and engineering geared towards Industry 4.0
The Southern African Metals and Engineering (M&E) Indaba took place in mid-September in Sandton, Johannesburg. One of the major topics of discussion at the indaba was Industry 4.0 - how the power of the internet and connectivity will shape the future of the...
Localisation is key for local automotive manufacturing sector
The growth of South Africa’s automotive manufacturing industry lies in localisation and producing components within our own borders. This is the belief of the National Association of Automotive Component and Allied Manufacturers (NAACAM) commercial director, Shivani...
Formex Industries corporate social investment (CSI) totals R3-million
Over the past four years, Formex Industries has donated over R3-million into corporate social investment (CSI) initiatives in Nelson Mandela Bay. Our CSI responsibilities lie in improving the lives and education of residents of the Eastern Cape. Formex is based in...
Ford accounts for 1% of South African GDP
Ford Motor Company of Southern Africa is increasing its output significantly from its Pretoria-based manufacturing facility. The brand’s domestic turnover now accounts for 1% of South Africa’s total gross domestic product (GDP). Formex Industries supplies automotive...