Press Releases
The Automobile Association (AA) advocates for consumer rights. It also provides useful information to consumers on all aspects of mobility and road use. Read our articles below for more information.
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Fuel set to climb on Saudi attacks
South African fuel prices are set to climb in October in the wake of the mid-September drone attacks on the Abqaiq oil refinery in Saudi Arabia. This is according to the Automobile Association (AA), which says that although oil prices ticked up in the first two weeks of September, the impact of the attacks caused a further sharp price spike. The current picture predicts an increase of around 19...
More people keeping their cars for longer
More than 90 percent of South Africans say they are keeping their vehicles for longer due to the current economy, with just over 40 percent saying they are keeping their cars for between five and ten years. These are among the findings in the Automobile Association’s (AA) latest research conducted earlier this year entitled “Going Further”. “The purpose of the research was to determine if...
Fuel picture mixed as oil, Rand take a breather
Fuel prices are showing a mixed picture for November, with some prices predicted to climb and others falling. This is according to the Automobile Association (AA), which was commenting on unaudited mid-month fuel price data released by the Central Energy Fund. In an indication of how flat the month has been to date, the AA notes that different fuels are heading in different directions. 93 octane...
AARTO amendments introduce more ‘stealth taxes’
The Automobile Association (AA) says government is adding ‘stealth tax’ to the Administrative Adjudication of Road Traffic Offences (AARTO) Act, with the introduction of a so-called Infringement Penalty Levy, which is provided for in the recently published draft regulations for the AARTO Act. “With regards to the Infringement Penalty Levy, the regulations directly imply the imposition of a tax....
Transport Month, law enforcement & what needs to be done
Watch now: A long-form interview on SABC News aired on 6 October relating to Transport month, law enforcement and what needs to be done.
Our commentary on road safety in SA
Watch now: In an interview on road safety on SABC News on 6 October 2019, the AA comments on road safety in South Africa.
Consumers have sent a clear message on e-tolls
The Automobile Association (AA) says the Ministerial Task Team deliberating on the future of e-tolls in Gauteng must consider from the outset that the current model of funding for the Gauteng Freeway Improvement Project (GFIP) has failed, and is doomed to remain a failure if pursued. The Association says research from its newly-released Road Funding Report is clear that Gauteng road users have...
Mixed picture again for fuel price
Fuel prices for August are set for changes with petrol up and diesel down. This is according to the unaudited month-end fuel price data released by the Central Energy Fund. International oil prices have steadily trended upwards since the start of June, although there has been a slight pullback since a peak on July 11. Since then, diesel prices have edged higher while petrol remained flat,...
Plan ahead for motoring peace-of-mind
Do you know the difference between a service plan and a maintenance plan? What about a factory warranty, and an extended factory warranty? For many consumers, particularly first-time car buyers, understanding these options can be confusing, and stressful. Many buyers also don’t know what their rights are and whether these products are optional or mandatory. “When buying a vehicle, it’s important...
Rand weighs heavily on fuel picture
Sudden Rand weakness after a lengthy period of stability has put pressure on the fuel price and left South African fuel users at the mercy of international oil markets. This is according to the unaudited mid-month fuel price data released by the Central Energy Fund. Based on the current data, petrol is showing an increase of up to ten cents a litre, illuminating paraffin 12 cents, and diesel as...
Focus on e-tolls in second open letter from the AA to Minister of Transport
Dear Minister Mbalula, In June we congratulated you on your appointment and outlined several areas of our transport environment we believe need urgent attention. These included road safety, the AARTO legislation, law enforcement, and pedestrian safety. In this spirit of playing an active role as a partner to the Department of Transport, we would like to engage with you on the issue of road...
Mixed picture for fuel price
Variable international oil prices, and an equally unpredictable Rand/US dollar exchange rate, have combined to provide a mixed picture for fuel prices in June according to the unaudited month-end data released by the Central Energy Fund. International oil prices have been up and down in May. The basic petrol price has traded between 740 and 780 cents a litre, which averages out 19 cents lower...