South Africa, Oct. 19 -- The report, produced by Rogerwilco CEO Charlie Stewart, Julia Ahlfeldt of Julia Ahlfeldt CX Consulting and Amanda Reekie of ovatoyou, points to a shift towards value for money as consumers reassess their spending amid rising living costs.

According to a 2026 industry report by Cars.co.za cited in the release, 52.5% of respondents ranked fuel efficiency above traditional considerations such as brand loyalty and resale value.

"The value of brand still matters but it increasingly has to earn its premium by proving value," says Stewart. "While once the type of car you drove either provided functionality, brand preference or status, today the cost to run its engine matters more."

Fuel costs reshape buying decisions...