Tesla Planned 2026 SA LaunchBut Political Tensions, Tariffs, and BYD Put Brakes on Rollout

South Africa was at the top of the list of new markets where Tesla planned to launch its cars in 2026, a source close to the carmaker’s plans has told MyBroadband.

However, the political tension and war of words between the United States and South Africa put a damper on those ambitions.

A Decade of False Starts

A decade ago, Tesla’s vehicles launching in South Africa seemed a certainty. In March 2016, the company started taking pre-order deposits from locals for its Model 3 sedan.

The first units were originally set to arrive in early 2018. That did not happen.

In late 2019, Elon Musk said a Tesla store would “probably” open in South Africa before the end of that year. It didn’t.

The Tariff Barrier

Musk has said that South Africa’s high vehicle import duties are preventing entry.

• 25% import duty on vehicles from outside the EU and UK

• EVs attract a 25% tariff regardless of origin (petrol cars from the EU/UK get 18%)

• Ad valorem luxury goods duty calculated using a formula not adjusted in three decades

BYD’s Role

A source in the local e-mobility sector said Tesla was ready to launch in 2026.

But there’s a glaring gap in the data: BYD has refused to share its sales figures with Naamsa after nearly three years in the country.

The source estimated BYD was selling several hundred units per month by early 2026. Some BYD dealers have been set targets of 100 units per month.

The source believes BYD may be deliberately withholding sales figures to delay Tesla’s market entry for as long as possible.

The Political Spanner

The source said the tumultuous diplomatic situation between South Africa and the US since Donald Trump’s re-election had thrown a spanner in the works.

Trump has alleged “bad things” are happening in South Africa, referring to expropriation without compensation, BEE laws, and debunked “white genocide” rhetoric.

The US government has put forward five specific “asks” of South Africa to help rebuild relations.

Musk has repeatedly criticised many of the same policies, particularly BEE, which has blocked Starlink from obtaining licenses.

The Bottom Line

Tesla wanted 2026. Tariffs, politics, and BYD’s secrecy got in the way.

The company’s minimum EV sales targetwhatever it ismay now be met. But the diplomatic climate has soured.

For now, South Africans will have to keep waiting. And BYD keeps sellingwithout sharing its numbers.

{Source: Mybroadband}

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