A Chinese vehicle has made history by winning the prestigious South African Car of the Year competition for the first time. The Jetour T2 has been crowned the 2026 Car of the Year, marking a significant milestone in the country’s automotive industry. This achievement is a testament to the growing presence of Chinese vehicles in the South African market, with seven out of the 18 finalists being from China.
The results of the competition, which is currently sponsored by Old Mutual Insure, were announced at a ceremony in Johannesburg. The Jetour T2 was followed closely by the Volkswagen Golf in second place and the Audi RS Q8 in third. German vehicles also dominated three of the six categories, showcasing their strong performance in the competition.
Category Winners
The category winners were selected from a pool of 18 finalists, which were put through a rigorous two-day physical evaluation event in Gauteng. The jurors, comprising 25 experts, including IOL’s Jason Woosey, evaluated the vehicles based on a comprehensive score sheet that covered aspects such as design, functionality, dynamics, and performance.
Evaluation Process
The evaluation process involved a thorough assessment of each vehicle’s capabilities, with the jurors instructed to score each finalist against its natural competitors rather than the other finalists. This approach ensured that the cheapest car in the competition had an equal chance of winning as the most expensive vehicle. The automated scoring process also took into account sales figures and value metrics to determine the final results.
Some of the key features of the Jetour T2 include its impressive performance, sleek design, and affordable price point. The vehicle is set to be built in South Africa from 2027, which is expected to further boost its popularity in the local market. Other notable winners in the competition included the Omoda C7, which also demonstrated the growing influence of Chinese vehicles in the South African market.
Here are some of the key statistics from the competition:
- Seven out of the 18 finalists were Chinese vehicles.
- German vehicles won three of the six categories.
- The Jetour T2 is the first Chinese vehicle to win the South African Car of the Year competition.
For more information on the South African automotive industry, visit the National Association of Automobile Manufacturers of South Africa website.
