TOYOTA South Africa Motors (Tsam) has led the way in terms of sales of new cars in South Africa for 46 consecutive years.
Since it is just at the top, the companies behind it want to reach the top by striking new cars that they hope will attract buyers.
In 2026, Tsam sold 148,124 cars. This year they want to sell more than 153,000.
The company’s marketing and sales officer, Leon Theron, said frankly that they are not afraid of their competitors when he spoke at their State of the Motor Industry Address conference, in Johannesburg, in February.
Their fearlessness was proven by the Toyota Matsuri event which was held at the Kyalami Grand Prix Circuit on Friday and ended on Sunday when the company was enjoying the arrival of its new cars. The media, their garage workers, special customers and others are invited.
Matsuri is a Japanese word that means festival
The new Hilux has been revealed and will go on sale in June.
It comes with a very different front as well as a redesigned interior. Under the bonnet is still the legendary 2.8 GD diesel engine. I drive it slowly and notice the softness of the steering wheel.
The opportunity to experience the power will come next month and I will return with a full report.
One of the cars I will be back with a full report on next week is the Land Cruiser FJ which was also there.
Toyota is looking to embrace all buyers of the Jetour T2 and others with it. This mountain bike is full of all-wheel drive.
The installed 2.7 liter petrol engine with a power of 122kW is known by others from the Hilux. Its price starts from R714 000.
RAV4 lovers will be pleased to know that there is a brand new one that looks to attract many with its beauty. When you are inside, you can look at the sky since it has a sunroof.
Under the bonnet there are different petrol, hybrid, plug-in hybrid and GR-S Hybrid engines. Its price starts from R770 500 for the 2.5 HEV GX. At the beginning of June we will have a chance to feel the power and I will come back with a complete report on it.
Toyota also used the Matsuri to promote its first battery-electric vehicle, the bZ4x.
We also had the opportunity to test this SUV in small dirt and mud. It proved to be powerful as it spits out 255.3kW and even if you go down the hill it is able to hold its brakes as it has Downhill Assist Control.
The bZ4X has a 73.1 kWh battery that can travel up to 480 kilometers on a full charge.
I-bZ4X ibiza u-R1 182 800.