Local automotive icons honoured at Naamsa Accelerator Awards

The Naamsa Accelerator Awards distinguishes itself by being rooted in factual data rather than public or industry perceptions. This year's awards were even more significant as they recognised the best-performing new-energy vehicles, aligning with the transformation of the automotive industry forecasted for the coming decade.

The range of Accelerator Awards, which encompasses passenger vehicles, commercial vehicles, and more, was meticulously determined on vehicle sales, dealer performance, brand performance, media coverage, and customer feedback.

The following list of awardees is presented in no particular order:

Passenger car of the year: The nominees were the Suzuki Swift, Toyota Corolla Cross, and VW Polo Vivo, with the winner being the Polo Vivo.
Biggest achiever of the year (passenger segment): Honda BR-V, Suzuki Baleno, and Suzuki Dzire, with Suzuki Baleno the winner.
Light commercial vehicle of the year: The nominees included Ford Ranger, Isuzu D-Max, and Toyota Hilux, with Toyota Hilux being the winner.
Biggest achiever of the year (LCV Segment): Ford Transit Custom, Kia Picanto Runner, and VW Caddy, with the Kia Picanto Runner securing victory.
Medium commercial vehicle of the year: Hino 300 Series, Isuzu N-Series, and Iveco Daily, with the Isuzu N-Series taking home the award.
Heavy commercial vehicle of the year: The nominees were FAW CA 15, Hino 500 Series, and the Isuzu F-Series, and the winner was the Hino 500 Series.
Extra-heavy commercial vehicle of the year: Mercedes-Benz Actros, Scania G-Series, and Volvo FH, with the Mercedes-Benz Actros the winner.
Bus of the year: MAN Bus, Mercedes-Benz Bus, and Scania Bus, and the MAN Bus claimed the award.
New energy vehicle of the year for plug-in models: The nominees included the BMW iX, BMW iX3, and Mini Hatch 3-Door, with the BMW iX3 the winner.
New energy vehicle of the year for traditional hybrid models: Haval H6, Toyota Corolla Cross, and Toyota RAV, with the Toyota Corolla Cross securing victory.
Top locally manufactured vehicle of the year: The nominees were Ford Ranger, Toyota Hilux, and VW Polo, with the VW Polo being the winner.
Top exported vehicle of the year: The nominees included BMW X3, Toyota Hilux, and VW Polo, with the VW Polo taking home the award.
Top imported vehicle of the year: The Suzuki Swift, Toyota Starlet, and Toyota Urban Cruiser, with the Suzuki Swift emerging as the winner.
Dealer of the year for passenger vehicles: Durban South Toyota, Hatfield VW Pretoria, and Suzuki Bassonia JHB, with Bassonia JHB being named the winner.
Dealer achiever of the year for passenger vehicles (performance year-on-year improvement): Bidvest McCarthy Nissan Woodmead, Broadway Toyota Mahalapye, and Mariental Toyota, and the winner was Bidvest McCarthy Nissan Woodmead.
Top imported vehicle of the year: Suzuki Swift, Toyota Starlet, and Toyota Urban Cruiser, with Suzuki Swift the winner.
Top business journalist of the year: David Furlonger.
Top auto journalist: Roger Houghton.
Top emerging auto journalist of the year: Reba Semakane.
Top media house of the year: Dealerfloor.
Long service award: Johan van Vreden, ombudsman of the Motor Industry.
NAAMSA value creator of the year: Hendrik Moolman.
Women empowering OEM of the year: VW SA, Isuzu SA, and Ford Motor Company of Southern Africa, with Ford Motor Company of Southern Africa as the winner.
Youth empowering OEM of the year: Toyota SA Motors, BMW SA, and Mercedes-Benz SA, with Toyota SA Motors taking home the award.
Women and youth empowering importer of the year: Stellantis and Hyundai, with Hyundai emerging as the winner.
Women and youth empowering MHCV OEM of the year: UD Trucks, Daimler Trucks, and Volvo Trucks, with UD Trucks securing victory.
Job creator of the year: BMW SA, Toyota SA Motors, and Ford Motor Company of Southern Africa, with BMW SA as the winner.
Most improved BBBEE compliant OEM of the year: Mercedes-Benz SA, BMW SA, and Nissan South Africa, with Nissan SA being named the winner.
Most improved BBBEE compliant importer of the year: Volvo Cars and Motus Group, with Motus Group securing victory.
Most improved BBBEE compliant commercial vehicle OEM of the year: Scania South Africa, Daimler Trucks, and UD Trucks, with UD Trucks taking home the award.
Most improved BBEE compliant manufacturing OEM: Isuzu SA, Toyota SA Motors, and Mercedes-Benz SA, with Isuzu SA as the winner.

These awards recognised and celebrated outstanding achievements in the automotive industry and the ongoing transformation of the sector. By basing these awards on concrete industry data, Naamsa ensures a fair and factual recognition of excellence within the automotive realm.

Source: MotorPress

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