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Turbodiesel Manual And Petrol Automatic The first thing that strikes you about the BAIC B40 Plus when you get up close and personal with this brand-new SUV contender at BAIC dealerships is how well it appears to be built. The doors open with a smooth action and close with a reassuring “thud” that speaks of solid construction, proper design, engineering and attention to detail in terms of build quality.​ All this may sound a bit patronising, but as South Africa has often been seen as “virgin territory” for some rather questionable motoring conveyances in the past few decades, it is worth pointing out that this comparatively unknown quantity from China is not a Johnny-come-lately on the motoring manufacturing block. This was reinforced in the launch presentation at Hartbeespoort Dam this week, when we learned that BAIC has been building SUVs like this for some six decades, even though BAIC dealerships in SA are only seeing them now. It has its roots in military go-anywhere vehicles, wh...

BAIC South Africa was launched in 2016 with the IDC Joint Venture company and is the single largest investment in SA in 40 years. Fast forward four years and they boast a local manufacturing and assembly plant in Port Elizabeth and a network of fourteen dealerships nationwide. Two of their key models, the D20 Hatchback and Sedan, and the X25 SUV have directly created 1000 jobs and indirectly created 5000 jobs in South Africa. BAIC SA was set to dramatically advance the economy of Nelson Mandela Bay through investment, as well as offering the BAIC Group a strategic geographic manufacturing and export base in SA to realise its global strategy. The BAIC South Africa plant project was officially launched in December 2015. The factory construction kicked off in August 2016. The first production units of SKD vehicles came off the assembly plant floor in July 2018. In 2020, BAIC proudly announced the first shipment of proudly South African assembled units to their dealerships, with the first...

  As we know by now, Chinese vehicles have been on a constant rise in South Africa which is indicative of more of them flooding our roads as they constantly evolve and improve. Offering sleek modern designs at affordable prices, the new brands from the Far East are starting to get into their strides with BAIC dealers getting X55 SUVs produced in South Africa!  The X55 is a compact SUV and the new flagship model for the BAIC brand. The stylish newcomer boasts a seamless and elegant design which demonstrates how BAIC has prioritised aesthetics and the pursuit of the original design. The exterior is reminiscent of other vehicles on the market but one that particularly stands out is the Kia EV6 which it shares many similarities with. Power comes from a 1.5-litre turbo petrol engine that produces 130 kW of power and 305 N.m of torque paired to a 7-speed DCT transmission, sending power to the front wheels. The Beijing X55 will go from 0-100 km/h in 7,8 seconds. Book an X55 SUV test...

It's yet another sign that Chinese manufacturers are preparing to dominate the local auto market. Absa has entered into a vehicle finance alliance agreement with Chinese carmaker BAIC SA, the local subsidiary of the Beijing Automotive Group Co. BAIC recently launched their highly regarded X55 luxury SUV and established a state-of-the-art manufacturing and assembly plant in the Coega Industrial Development Zone near Gqeberha. With the growing popularity of Chinese cars, Absa is hoping this finance partnership with BAIC will see an increase in its share of financed vehicles sold in the country, a distinct possibility given that the aforementioned BAIC X55 was the South African Guild of Mobility Journalists' 2023 'SA Car of the Year' in the Compact SUV category. Test drive the X55 at  BAIC Alberton ! "We are honoured to partner with an automotive player that has invested in the growth of our Continent, aligned with our values as a purpose-led pan-African bank. We look...

In a bid to offer premium automobiles at a reasonable cost, BAIC SA announced its latest partnership with Absa. The joint venture between the two entities aims to introduce opulent vehicles to the market that would be accessible to a wider audience. With a state-of-the-art manufacturing and assembly plant located in the Coega Industrial Development Zone near Gqeberha, BAIC is well-positioned to make a significant impact in the country’s auto industry. Moreover, the automaker’s Beijing X55 model has been named a finalist in the highly coveted 2023 SA Car of the Year contest, which is a testament to the quality and innovation of the vehicle manufactured by BAIC . Undoubtedly, this news will be music to the ears of the 29 BAIC dealers operating across South Africa , as it is expected to boost their sales significantly. Meanwhile, for Absa, this alliance represents an exciting opportunity to increase its share of financed vehicles sold in South Africa, as the demand for affordable luxury...