Description
Is brand loyalty really dead in South Africa’s car market?
With brands such as Chery, BYD, Jaecoo, Haval and GWM rapidly gaining traction, it is easy to assume that South African buyers no longer care about the badge on the bonnet.
But what does the data actually say?
In the first Cars.co.za BizPod Industry Report Short Edition, Alan Quinn, Chief Product and Innovation Officer at Cars.co.za, digs into findings from the Cars.co.za Industry Report launched at DealerCon 2026.
Using data from active South African car shoppers, Alan explores:
Why fewer than half of shoppers describe themselves as brand loyal
What that means for new and challenger automotive brands
Why brand loyalty isn't actually dead
The surprising difference between Gen Z, Gen X and Boomer shoppers
Why younger consumers can be more committed to one badge
How older buyers develop a trusted group of brands
Whether men really are more brand loyal than women
What these changes mean for OEMs, dealers and marketers
The key insight?
For established brands, loyalty can no longer be assumed. They have to earn and maintain it.
This is the first in a series of shorter Cars.co.za BizPod episodes unpacking insights from the Cars.co.za Industry Report and what they mean for South Africa's automotive industry.
Download the full Cars.co.za Industry Report for free and explore the data behind the conversations shaping the industry.
https://www.cars.co.za/reports/industry-report-2026/
This episode is brought to you by MyCars on Cars.co.za.
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https://www.cars.co.za/reports/industry-report-2026/