The BMW 7 Series clinched the coveted 2024 SA Car of the Year (COTY) title at the gala event held on 8 May 2024 in Johannesburg.
- Amidst stiff competition from 18 finalists, the BMW 7 Series emerged as a standout contender.
- The line-up of winners impressed COTY jurors from the South African Guild of Mobility Journalists (SAGMJ) throughout a rigorous evaluation process.
- The 2024 COTY competition showcased 18 finalists meticulously selected from a pool of 80 qualifying vehicles representing various fiercely contested categories.
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The BMW brand shone brightly, clinching the overall COTY victory along with three category wins at the annual SA Car of the Year (COTY) awards. Notably, the BMW 7 Series received the COTY Jurors Excellence Award, recognizing the jurors’ admiration for its exceptional driving experience, vehicle quality, and craftsmanship.
The 2024 SA Car of the Year (COTY) categories encompassed Budget/Compact, Compact Family, Family, Premium, Adventure SUV, 4×4 Double Cab, Luxury, and Performance segments. Notably, this year’s competition witnessed a greater representation of EVs across different categories, leading to the elimination of the previous New Energy category.
Among the category winners were the Suzuki Fronx, Toyota Urban Cruiser, BMW X1, Mercedes-Benz GLC, Mahindra Scorpio-N, Volkswagen Amarok, BMW 7 Series, and BMW M2. Additionally, the Mahindra Scorpio-N secured the ‘Motor Enthusiasts Choice’ award, a category determined by public votes in a social media campaign led by OMI.
The Category Winners of the 2024 COTY Competition Are:
- Budget/Compact: Suzuki Fronx
- Compact Family: Toyota Urban Cruiser
- Family: BMW X1
- Premium: Mercedes-Benz GLC
- Adventure SUV: Mahindra Scorpio-N
- 4×4 Double Cab: Volkswagen Amarok
- Luxury: BMW 7 Series
- Performance: BMW M2
Charles Nortje, Managing Director of Old Mutual Insure (OMI), a key sponsor of COTY for the past two years, expressed his delight at the outcome of this year’s competition, highlighting the industry’s rapid advancements, particularly in automotive safety.
With ever-heightening competition levels year on year, and with new technology and better value-for-money offerings from the different brands, the winners of this year’s contest should feel immensely proud of achieving top honours.
// Managing Director of Old Mutual Insure (OMI), Charles Nortje
After the formal vehicle evaluation and jury scoring, Lightstone Auto, COTY’s competition partner, contributed data-driven insights and online market intelligence, allowing for an objective assessment of factors such as market relevance and product value relative to competitors.
Mabuyane Mabuza, Chairperson of the SAGMJ, congratulated the winners and emphasized the automotive industry’s dedication to providing high-quality, technologically advanced products across all categories to meet modern buyers’ mobility needs.
The eight category winners underscore the industry’s intense competition and manufacturers’ dedication to producing outstanding products across all price ranges, particularly in the changed automotive market post-COVID-19.
// Managing Director of Old Mutual Insure (OMI), Charles Nortje
With its seventh win in the COTY competition, BMW solidified its position as a leader in automotive excellence, having previously triumphed in 1988, 1990, 1993, 1997, 2001, and 2011. As the 2024 COTY competition draws to a close, the SAGMJ remains committed to upholding the esteemed reputation of the nation’s premier car competition, marking yet another successful chapter in the annals of South Africa’s automotive history.
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