Rob Yao joins us again for episode 2 of this series we've decided to call China Chat. It focuses on everything automotive occurring in China, where Rob has fantastic insights being an interpreter for some Chinese automotive companies. In this episode, Ciro and Rob discuss how many new models brands like Haval and Chery are making in the next few years as well as which models could be introduced in SA. Then they look at some of the wild and crazy vehicles, particularly in the bakkie segment, that have potential to threaten the likes of the Hilux and Ranger locally. Let us know what your thoughts in the comments below and as always, like and subscribe so we can get this content out to as many people as possible.

The Chinese car industry has evolved rapidly over the last decade. What started out as a copycat culture has developed into a global machine that is penetrating the world's automotive industry. How have Chinese cars developed and what is the culture that has led them to such speedy growth? Rob Yao has unique insights into the Chinese culture as a professional translator. Rob has been the in-between voice for the Chinese manufacturers wherever they have looked to expand. His unique insight provides an interesting take on what to expect from the Chinese moving forward as well as where the Chinese plan on leading the way.

In this exclusive podcast, Ciro de Siena sits with Naamsa CEO Mikel Mabasa on the state of the SA car industry. Naamsa (National Association of Automobile Manufacturers of SA) is the trusted voice for and on behalf of the South African automotive industry. Its job is to support the local industry through engagement with the government on behalf of the automotive industry in South Africa. Its CEO, Mikel Mabasa chats with Ciro De Siena in this tell-all podcast ranging from its endorsement of the Cars.co.za Consumer Awards to dealings with the government surrounding EV taxes and local production. If you enjoy digging into the behind-the-scenes of big business as well as the politics that go with it then this one is definitely worth a watch/listen.

We were grateful to be joined by Martina Biene, MD of Volkswagen SA, for a wide-ranging and candid interview with Ciro De Siena in our Cape Town podcast studio. Martina offered us tonnes of info about the future of Volkswagen in South Africa, including plans for hydrogen, plug-in hybrids, the cost of new Polos, the challenges around the the theft of Polo, the secret new model that they will be building in Kariega, the possibility of a half-tonne bakkie and the widely discussed delay of the Golf 8 R launching in South Africa.

In our latest podcast, Ciro De Siena is joined by Kabelo Rabotho, from Nissan South Africa. What does the future hold for this Japanese brand in SA? What’s the future of Nissan? Wide-ranging chat with Kabelo Rabotho, Country Director Nissan SA What do you want to know about the Nissan brand in South Africa? You’ll probably find the answer in this interview. Join us in the Cars.co.za podcast studio where Kabelo Rabotho joins Ciro De Siena for an in-depth discussion of Nissan’s future both globally and particularly in South Africa. Kabelo Rabotho was candid in his answers and gave us some exclusive insight into the future of the brand, and what they have planned for South Africa.

With the comprehensive EQ portfolio, Mercedes-Benz SA is confident that it can make inroads into the premium EV segment. We also chat about the Mercedes-Benz facility in East London and the challenges facing the South African EV landscape.

South Africans love to travel by road. Many of us have fond memories of family trips to holiday destinations, or to visit family across the country. But with the motoring world increasingly heading over to electrification, will we still be able to travel across our beautiful country in our electric vehicles? Winstone Jordaan, MD of Gridcars, along with his team, has been spearheading the electrification of South Africa’s road network. If you’ve seen a fast charger somewhere along the N1, N2, N3 or N4, it’s most likely a GridCars charger We were delighted to be joined by Winstone in our Cape Town podcast studio for a lengthy chat, hosted by our video guy Ciro De Siena.

Audi South Africa has made a bold move and announced the launch of 6 electric cars onto the South African market. The MD of Audi South Africa Sascha Sauer reveals all the details! We cover the new models arriving in 2022 and Audi’s plan for the future. We also discuss how Audi’s conversations with the South African government have progressed in helping move South Africa into a new era of electric motoring. Mr Sauer also discusses what the plans will be in terms of Audi’s traditional range of cars, particularly the Audi RS models and how long they will be available in South Africa for.

Is there a hotter topic right now in the world of motoring? Ciro De Siena and Alex Parker dive into the subject in our latest podcast. Give it a listen! The electric revolution is gathering serious pace in some markets, but in South Africa, there is great concern amongst the public as to just how electric cars are going to work in our country. Whenever you mention driving an EV in South Africa, the first word on everyone’s lips is “Eskom”. Yes, load shedding is not exactly ideal. But as we discuss in this podcast, it’s not as big a problem as motorists perceive it to be. Alex Parker is an award-winning author, car journalist, and communications specialist who is currently working in the environmental communications space.  In this podcast, he joins Ciro De Siena to help answer the question, will electric cars work in South Africa? We also cover the most popular electric car in China, what happens to South African manufacturing of cars if all of our export markets go electric, and Alex introduces us to the complicated world of CBAM – cross border adjustment mechanisms, which is going make trading with the EU quite tricky indeed.

In episode 7 of the Cars.co.za podcast, we're joined by consumer journalist Wendy Knowler.   Wendy has an incredible track record of fighting for consumer's rights. In this podcast, she and Ciro de Siena go through car purchasing and what recourse consumers have if they have issues. They also look at your rights regarding dealerships, voetstoets purchases, and much more.   https://www.miosa.co.za/  https://www.gov.za/documents/consumer-protection-act https://www.dekraauto.co.za/

We were joined in-studio by the big boss of Ford SA, Mr Neale Hill, who insisted that we call him Neale, which is a testament to his character. Renowned as an accessible, relatable and as we found out, rather entertaining, Neale is a thoroughbred petrolhead and certainly has his finger on the pulse of the South African motoring industry. In this wide-ranging interview with our video guy, Ciro De Siena, Neale discusses: - Why he daily-drives a Ranger Raptor (how cool is that) - The efforts Ford has made to improve customer service in South Africa - the effects on price pricing when a car is made locally - the problems that arise when owners customise their Ford Rangers using fake parts - his first-ever car, a Mk2 Ford Escort - the story of Basil Green and the legendary Capri Perana, one of which we are restoring at Cars.co.za - the future of the South African motor industry and Ford's place in it - the future of EVs in South Africa We hope you enjoy this special podcast and we'd love to hear your thoughts in the comments

Juliet McGuire is a stalwart of the local motoring media industry, having worked for multiple magazine titles, as well as holding the title of editor of Women on Wheels. For the last four years, she has been freelancing, and it has been quite a ride.   She joins Ciro De Siena in the studio for a very frank and honest discussion about the challenges facing freelancers, and especially female freelancers hoping to get into the industry.

Ciro was delighted to be joined in studio by popular SA Youtuber Niyaaz Isaacs, the face and voice behind the Liberebil Youtube channel.   In this wide-ranging interview, Ciro and Niyaaz discuss the unreliability of BMW M cars, why Honda fans love model codes so much, why Maseratis need to look like Monica Bellucci, how to fix engines before they break, why he wants to buy his mom a Mercedes SLK, driving an electric Golf, what Niyaaz might buy next and of course his new venture, a build shop in Paarl focusing on American muscle trucks.

We've spent a little while building a custom podcast studio in our office and we'll be bringing you weekly episodes featuring journalists from Cars.co.za, motoring industry personalities, racing drivers, car builders and just about anyone we think you'd be interested in hearing from.   In this episode, Ciro de Siena is joined by Cars.co.za content creator Dave Taylor and they chat about driving the SentiMETAL fleet’s 325 iS, the bonkers Renault Megane RS300 Trophy, buying a Subaru Forester as well as a crazy piece of Cold War era military hardware called an Ekranoplan.   Read the Renault Megane Trophy review here: https://www.cars.co.za/motoring_news/...  Search for a new or used Subaru Forester here:  https://www.cars.co.za/usedcars/Subar...  Incredible photos of the Russian Ekranoplan parked on a beach, awaiting transportation to its museum destination: https://www.instagram.com/p/CDlqdzpgnpp/  Sneaking aboard the Russian Ekranoplan and taking photos. This article is in Russian, but the Google Chrome browser can automatically translate it: https://zen.yandex.ru/media/lanasator...

In this episode, motoring Oracle Hannes Oosthuizen joins Ciro de Siena for a chat and quick game of 80s Trump cards. We chat about the Porsche GT3 RS which we tested, South African car price increases, and 7-seater buying advice. Buy our model cars and completely unique 80s Trump cards here: www.sentimetal.shop   Use our compare tool here: www.cars.co.za/compare-cars   Watch our Honda BR-V review here: https://youtu.be/BY7X23hGGts Watch our Toyota Rush review here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2lcQNYock8U

In this episode, anchored by our Youtube guy Ciro De Siena, our in-house race ace Ashley Oldfield joins Ciro to chat about the incredible new Gordon Murray Automotive T.50 hypercar, as well as Gordon Murray's impressive collection of tropical shirts. You can read more about that car here: https://www.cars.co.za/motoring_news/10-cool-things-gordon-murrays-t50-hypercar/49023/ We then move on to the Ineos Grenadier, which just last week won a court case against Jaguar Land Rover, which will pave the way for the car's launch in 2021. You can read more about the Grenadier here: https://www.cars.co.za/motoring_news/ineos-reveals-defender-rival/49265/ Ash and I provide some solid buying advice for those looking for a good used car under the R80 000 mark, and finally we review the Mercedes-AMG GT 63 S 4-door, a car which confused us no end. You can watch our video review of that car here: https://youtu.be/nQSdqLyXOig