Cars.co.za recognised for its role in shaping South Africa’s automotive industry

Cars.co.za has been named Automotive Media House of the Year at the 2026 naamsa Accelerator Awards, powered by WesBank. Ryan Bubear also received the Automotive Journalist of the Year award.

SA Auto Week 2026 in Durban unveiled this double honour, where Cars.co.za played a key role as official media partner. The awards spotlight those driving innovation, growth, transformation and progress throughout South Africa’s automotive value chain.

The Automotive Media House of the Year award reflects Cars.co.za‘s broader approach to industry coverage. Through initiatives such as DealerCon, Dave News, BizCars, and detailed reporting on the automotive economy, Cars.co.za connects manufacturers, dealer groups, finance partners, policymakers and consumers, offering insight into a rapidly changing sector.

DealerCon, hosted by Cars.co.za, brings together automotive retail leaders to discuss key trends such as changing consumer behaviour, digital retail, financing, vehicle affordability and the growth of new-energy vehicles. Dave News and BizCars provide industry-focused reporting and analysis on commercial, economic and policy developments shaping mobility in South Africa.

“Being named Automotive Media House of the Year is a proud moment for the entire Cars.co.za team,” said **Nicole Capper-Austin, Chief Marketing Officer at **Cars.co.za. “It recognises the value of building platforms where the industry can engage honestly with the issues that matter, from retail transformation and electrification to economic policy and consumer trust. We do not want to simply report on the automotive industry; we want to help create the conversations that move it forward.”

At SA Auto Week, Cars.co.za‘s role as official media partner helped facilitate discussions among government, manufacturers, investors, dealers and other stakeholders about the future of automotive manufacturing, trade, mobility and economic growth in South Africa.

Ryan Bubear’s Automotive Journalist of the Year award recognises his clear, data-driven reporting on vehicle sales, imports, electrification, and the broader automotive economy. His work makes complex industry developments accessible while maintaining accuracy and editorial independence.

“I’m deeply honoured by this recognition,” said Ryan Bubear. “Good automotive journalism should do more than tell readers what is new. It should help them understand the economic, regulatory, and consumer forces shaping the industry and give them information they can trust. In an environment where AI-generated content and

misinformation are increasingly common, credible, independent reporting matters more than ever.”

These awards highlight the importance of quality journalism in the automotive industry. Accurate reporting, analysis and trusted platforms for discussion support, better decision-making across the value chain, from OEMs and dealers to financiers, policymakers and consumers.