Absa and Cars.co.za join forces for the 7th annual Cars Consumers Awards, a renowned event celebrating excellence in the new-vehicle market.
This collaboration marks Absa’s strategic commitment to the automotive industry, aiming to enhance the car-buying experience by fostering inclusive engagement among buyers, dealers, and manufacturers.
The #CarsAwardsAbsa celebrate excellence across the board with 13 distinct vehicle categories spanning various budgets and lifestyles, ensuring that every South African finds their perfect match on the road. An esteemed panel of 20 judges meticulously evaluates each finalist through real-world reviews, extensive test drives, and expert knowledge to crown the best in each category.
Highlighting the significance of this partnership, Charl Potgieter, Managing Executive of Absa Vehicle and Asset Finance said collaboration with the Cars Consumers Awards amplifies accessibility and engagement within the automotive landscape, fostering connections between manufacturers, dealers, and consumers. “This synergy marks a pivotal contribution towards enriching the industry’s dynamic environment,” he added.
The awards culminated in a grand gala in Sandton City on Thursday (February 29), where the winners across the categories were revealed.
In a gesture of goodwill, Absa contributed R50,000 to the following charitable organisations selected by audience members who discovered hidden keys under their seats:
- Trees for Africa: Focuses on environmental preservation and sustainable livelihoods.
- Door of Hope: Dedicated to saving abandoned babies and building better futures.
- Cancervive: A survivor-driven cancer awareness project that utilizes performing arts for education.
- Woodrock Animal Rescue: Action not Words
- Stepping Stone Hospice: Provides high-quality, specialist palliative care to people whose life-limiting conditions no longer respond to curative treatment – from diagnosis to death.
Following the event, organisers, together with the event’s esteemed partner, Absa, extend the celebration to South African consumers at the Sandton City Mall Consumer Awards Roadshow from March 1 to 3 March 2024.
In an innovative approach, visitors at the activation will experience a unique immersion into the world of automotive excellence, with all 39 finalists on display under one roof. From inspecting the top picks to test driving their dream vehicles, consumers will get to engage with Cars.co.za advisers and Absa dealership partners for a first-hand encounter with automotive brilliance.
The partnership goes beyond recognition—it embodies Absa’s newly announced tagline, “Your Story Matters.” Empowering individuals to share their car journeys and aspirations, Absa has introduced the “Your Ride, Your Story” podcast, inviting consumers to narrate their car stories on-site in Sandton City Mall during the activation on Sunday, March 3, between 12noon and 3pm. This inclusive environment resonates with Absa’s dedication to bridging gaps and celebrating each unique story, epitomising that every journey, from first cars to dream cars, carries significance because #YourStoryMatters.
7th Annual Cars Consumers Awards: winners
The 14 recipients of the 2023/24 #CarsAwardsAbsa are as follows:
- Entry-level Hatch: Suzuki Swift 1.2 GLX
Runners up: Suzuki Celerio 1.0 GL, Renault Kiger 1.0 Zen
- Budget Hatch: Suzuki Baleno 1.5 GLX
Runners up: Toyota Starlet 1.5 XR, Renault Clio 1.0 Turbo Zen
- Compact Hatch: Volkswagen Polo 1.0 TSI 85kW R-Line
Runners up: Honda Fit 1.5 Elegance, Opel Corsa 1.2T Elegance
- Entry-level Crossover: Suzuki Grand Vitara 1.5 GLX
Runners up: Haval Jolion 1.5T Premium Auto, Chery Tiggo 4 Pro 1.5 Elite Auto
- Compact Family Car: Toyota Corolla Cross 1.8 XR
Runners up: Haval Jolion S Super Luxury, Renault Duster 1.5dCi Intens
- Family Car: Kia Sportage 1.6CRDi EX
Runners up: Haval H6 1.5T HEV Ultra Luxury, Chery Tiggo 8 Pro Max 2.0TGDi 390 Executive
- Premium Crossover: BMW X1 sDrive18d M Sport
Runners up: Volvo XC40 B4 Ultimate Dark, Audi Q3 Sportback 40TFSI quattro S Line
- Executive SUV: Mercedes-Benz GLC220d 4Matic Avantgarde
Runners up: BMW X3 xDrive20d M Sport, Lexus NX 350h F Sport
- Premium SUV: BMW iX xDrive40
Runners up: BMW X5 xDrive30d M Sport, Land Rover Defender 110 D250 SE County
- Adventure SUV: Ford Everest 3.0 V6 Wildtrak
Runners up: Toyota Fortuner 2.8GD-6 4×4 VX, Isuzu MU-X 3.0TD Onyx 4×4
- Performance Car: Toyota GR Yaris Rally
Runners up: Toyota GR Corolla Circuit, Honda Civic Type R
- Leisure Double Cab: Ford Ranger 3.0 V6 EcoBoost Raptor 4WD
Runners up: Ford Ranger 3.0 V6 Wildtrak 4WD, VW Amarok 3.0 TDI V6 Aventura 4Motion
- Electric Vehicle: BMW iX1 xDrive30 M Sport
Runners up: Volvo XC40 Twin Motor Ultimate, GWM Ora 03 Super Lux - Brand of the Year: Toyota/Lexus
Runners up: Suzuki, BMW/Mini
