No more Chev, Citroen... SA's car industry turmoil affects car prices

Johannesburg - The 2017 Kinsey report has been released, listing the cheapest vehicles in their respective classes  to service or repair in South Africa.

The report, compiled by veteran journalist Malcolm Kinsey, covers 62 vehicles divided up into nine categories, and compares the prices of 35 common parts needed in servicing, repairs and crashes.

The 28th edition of the Kinsey Report reflects the considerable turmoil affecting the motor industry in South Africa with some manufacturers and importers withdrawing from the country, old established brands which are no longer being imported and many dealer networks negotiating for new vehicles to replace old products. 

No more Citroen, Chevrolet in SA

Citroen was the first brand to exodus the country this year when Peugeot SA deciding to concentrate on the Peugeot range and stop importing the sister vehicles. Then Peugeot also acquired the Vauxhall and Opel brands from General Motors worldwide.

The French shock wave had barely subsided when General Motors, with a 90-year old history in South Africa, announced they were withdrawing from the country – curtailing the importing of mainly Korean-assembled Chevrolet vehicles and closing down their manufacturing facility in Port Elizabeth.

However, customers will not be left in the lurch by these developments – Citroën customers will still be able to have their vehicles serviced by Peugeot SA and buy parts from Peugeot outlets, while Opel owners will still have a network of service centres throughout the country to care for their needs. 

What about Opel?

The Williams Hunt Group, part of Unitrans which is owned by Steinhoff, now will handle new Opel sales and will be responsible for importing vehicles, parts and servicing.

While these momentous developments have impacted on this year’s report, hopefully once the dust has cleared an Opel or two might be included for next year.

Kinsey report - by category

On Sunday (Oct 1), Wheels24 published the 2017 Kinsey report . Click here for the full breakdown. We've listed the vehicles featured in the report by category below.

Here are the cheapest cars to maintain and repair in SA:

Entry Level and City Cars: 

1. Datsun Go 1.2 Lux  
2. VW Polo Vivo 1.4 Conceptline  
3. Hyundai i10 1.1 Motion
4. Ford Figo 1.5 Trend
5. Toyota Etios 1.5 XS
6. Honda Brio 1.2 Comfort
7. Renault Kwid 1.0 Expression
8. Suzuki Swift 1.2 GL
9. Tata Bolt 1.2T XT
10. Volkswagen Move UP 1.0

Superminis:  

1. VW Polo 1.2 TSi Comfortline
2. Renault Sandero 66kW Expression  
3. Renault Clio 66kW Expression
4. Ford Fiesta 1.0T Trend
5. Kia Rio 1.4 

Family Favourites: 

1.Toyota Corolla Quest 1.6   
2. Toyota Corolla 1.6 Prestige 
3. Nissan Almera 1.5 Acenta
4. Mazda3 1.6 Dynamic
5. Honda Jazz 1.5 Elegance
6. Ford Focus 1.5T Trend
7. Hyundai Elantra 1.6 Executive
8. Volkswagen Golf GTI 

Compact Crossover: 

 
1. Mahindra KUV100 K8
2. Peugeot 2008 D Active   
3. Ford Ecosport 1.0T Trend 
4. Mazda CX3 2.0 Active
5. Renault Duster 1.6 Dynamique
6. Hyundai Creta 1.6 Executive

SUV/Crossovers:  

1. Toyota Fortuner 2.8 GD
2. Toyota RAV4 GXC VT  
3. Ford Kuga 1.5 T Trend
4. Hyundai Tucson 2.0 Premium
5. Nissan X-Trail 1.6 dCi XE
6. Kia Sportage 2.0 CRDi EX
7. Mitsubishi ASX 2.0 GLS
8. Honda CR-V 2.0 Comfort

Executive SUVs:  

1. Toyota Prado 3.0DT VX   
2. Volvo XC90 D4 Momentum
3. Range Rover Evoque Td4 SE
4. Jeep Grand Cherokee 3.0 CRD Laredo
5. Audi Q7 3.0 TDI Quattro
6. BMW X5 xDrive 25d
7. VW Touareg TDI V6 Luxury
8. Mercedes-Benz GLE 250d 

Double Cabs:  

1. Toyota Hilux 2.8GD  
2. Nissan Navara 2.3dCi LE  
3. Isuzu KB300 D-Teq LX
4. Ford Ranger 2.2 Highrider XL
5. GWM Steed 6 2.0 VGT Xscape

Single Cabs: 

 
1. Nissan NP 200 1.6i    
2. Nissan 300 2.0   
3. Toyota Hilux 2.4GD
4. Isuzu KB250
5. Mahindra Scorpio 2.2 Pik-Up
6. Ford Ranger 2.2 D Hi-Rider
7. Volkswagen Amarok 2.0 TDI

Executive sedans: 

 
1. Volvo S60 T4 Momentum
2. BMW 320i   
3. Jaguar XE 2.0 D Prestige
4. Audi A4 2.0 TFSi 
5. Mercedes-Benz C200