South Africa, Johannesburg, Cars.co.za has been named Automotive Media House of the Year at the 2026 naamsa Accelerator Awards, powered by WesBank. Ryan Bubear also received the Automotive Journalist of the Year award.
SA Auto Week 2026 in Durban unveiled this double honour, where Cars.co.za played a key role as official media partner. The awards spotlight those driving innovation, growth, transformation and progress throughout South Africa’s automotive value chain.
The Automotive Media House of the Year award reflects Cars.co.za’s broader approach to industry coverage. Through initiatives such as DealerCon, Dave News, BizCars, and detailed reporting on the automotive economy, Cars.co.za connects manufacturers, dealer groups, finance partners, policymakers and consumers, offering insight into a rapidly changing sector.
DealerCon, hosted by Cars.co.za, brings together automotive retail leaders to discuss key trends such as changing consumer behaviour, digital retail, financing, vehicle affordability and the growth of new-energy vehicles. Dave News and BizCars provide industry-focused reporting and analysis on commercial, economic and policy developments shaping mobility in South Africa.
“Being named Automotive Media House of the Year is a proud moment for the entire Cars.co.za team,” said Nicole Capper-Austin, Chief Marketing Officer at Cars.co.za. “It recognises the value of building platforms where the industry can engage honestly with the issues that matter, from retail transformation and electrification to economic policy and consumer trust. We do not want to simply report on the automotive industry; we want to help create the conversations that move it forward.”
At SA Auto Week, Cars.co.za’s role as official media partner helped facilitate discussions among government, manufacturers, investors, dealers and other stakeholders about the future of automotive manufacturing, trade, mobility and economic growth in South Africa.
Ryan Bubear’s Automotive Journalist of the Year award recognises his clear, data-driven reporting on vehicle sales, imports, electrification, and the broader automotive economy. His work makes complex industry developments accessible while maintaining accuracy and editorial independence.
“Receiving this recognition is a huge honour,” said Ryan Bubear. “As AI-generated content becomes increasingly common in automotive journalism, I’m determined to continue delivering independent, credible and ultimately truthful reporting. My goal remains clear: prioritise the reader above all else, while providing industry information and analysis they can trust.”
These awards highlight the importance of quality journalism in the automotive industry. Accurate reporting, analysis and trusted platforms for discussion support, better decision-making across the value chain, from OEMs and dealers to financiers, policymakers and consumers.
About Cars.co.za
Cars.co.za is one of South Africa’s leading automotive marketplaces, connecting consumers, dealers and automotive brands through trusted vehicle listings, motoring content, reviews, research and digital tools. The platform helps South Africans make more confident decisions when buying and selling vehicles while celebrating the people and communities that shape the country’s automotive culture.
