BAIC South Africa made headlines at the 2025 Festival of Motoring with the official unveiling of the all-new BAIC B30 SUV during the media day on Thursday, 28 August. The reveal gave journalists and industry insiders the very first look at the brand’s latest midsize SUV.
South Africans had the opportunity to experience the B30 up close for the first time. Over the course of the Festival, visitors at the Kyalami Grand Prix Circuit explored the B30 in person and enjoy an engaging line-up of BAIC experiences.
The BAIC B30: A Festival Highlight
The B30, comparable in size to the Toyota RAV4 and Volkswagen Tiguan, stands out with its bold styling, generous ground clearance and versatile design tailored for both city living and weekend escapes.
The B30 will be offered in four versions in South Africa – two featuring 1.5-litre turbocharged petrol engine with 138kW and two hybrid versions that feature the same petrol engine with the addition of electric motors that push up power to 301kW in the top of the range hybrid model. Pricing will start at around R550,000, with the flagship AWD hybrid model expected at approximately R700,000.
Inside, the B30 offers a high-tech cabin complete with a fully digital instrument cluster, a 14.6-inch infotainment system, advanced driver assistance features, and comfort options such as dual-zone climate control, ambient lighting, and a panoramic sunroof. Lifestyle features like flat-folding front seats create additional versatility for South African families and adventurers alike.
“Festival of Motoring 2025 is about energy, excitement, and giving the public hands-on experiences. For BAIC, it was the perfect moment to reveal the B30 to South Africa and showcase what our brand represents today,” said Ameena Hassan, Brand & PR Manager at BAIC South Africa.
Interactive Experiences at Kyalami
BAIC’s participation at the Festival went beyond the unveiling. Visitors experienced the rugged BAIC B40 Plus Honor Edition on the 4×4 track, demonstrating its off-road capabilities, while the stylish BAIC X55 Plus was available for dynamic test drives on the handling circuit.
At the BAIC stand, festival-goers flocked to experience the new B30’s interior and features first-hand. Enthusiastic crowds also engaged with BAIC’s existing models and showed strong interest in the brand’s expanding range. BAIC’s presence was a focal point of the festival.
Commitment to South Africa
The B30’s November launch will be followed by local assembly at BAIC’s Coega facility in Gqeberha, an investment that not only strengthens the brand’s South African roots but also contributes to job creation and economic growth.
By introducing the B30 and broadening its SUV line-up, BAIC is positioning itself as a competitive, value-driven brand committed to meeting the needs of South African drivers.
The 2025 Festival of Motoring concluded on Sunday, 31 August, at Kyalami. BAIC South Africa thanks all attendees who visited the stand to explore the new B30 and experience the brand’s exciting line-up first-hand.
