It's an all-out bakkie war in Mzansi with German automakers Mercedes-Benz and Volkswagen keen on challenging the dominance of perennial favourites Toyota and Ford. 

A panel of expert judges has put a fleet of 39 vehicles under scrutiny as part of the testing phase for the fourth annual Cars.co.za Consumer Awards powered by WesBank.

A great many people live for keeping score. Football league tables. Rugby scores. Cricket statistics. But there's only one collection of numbers that really matter when you are a South African and interested in automobiles: Which is the best-selling bakkie of all?

Domestic new-vehicle sales faced a second consecutive month of decline this year, dropping by 6.5% in February, to 43 251 units, compared with the same month last year.

Though 2018 has come and gone, the auto industry will remember the year that was as pretty tough, especially for local new vehicle sales. 

South Africa’s vehicle production is expected to expand by 6.2% in 2019, to roughly 648 000 units, compared with 2018, says the National Association of Automobile Manufacturers of South Africa (Naamsa) in its latest quarterly business review.

The resale value of any vehicle – bakkies included – is significant when shopping for wheels. More so when it comes to companies that often operate pick-up fleets.

Expectations. Normally it is a good thing. But it can also be counter-productive; especially when the final product does not live up to the initial hype created around it. 

Volkswagen has finally launched the 190 kW version of its Amarok V6 in South Africa. So, we thought it prudent to update our list of the country’s most expensive double-cab bakkies.

The next few months are going to be very busy with a host of new and updated bakkies, making their way to local showroom floors.

- As far as bakkie sales are concerned, Toyota’s Hilux has a stranglehold on the South African market, as it has for decades now, but that has never stopped its rivals from stepping up to the plate with some compelling alternatives.

Whether you intend to drive a vehicle for five years or fifteen, its durability matters. After all, the average new model costs an average of more than $41,000 these days, and even used cars can represent significant automotive investments.