Photo: IC China’s financial data for March reflects a continuation of a familiar pattern: weak aggregate volume masked by distinct structural shifts. Constrained by a sluggish recovery in aggregate demand, the traditionally robust early-year credit expansion has been decidedly mild. Loan growth in the first two months of 2026 fell short of last year’s pace, signaling that the banking sector’s obse...
Photo: IC China’s financial data for March reflects a continuation of a familiar pattern: weak aggregate volume masked by distinct structural shifts. Constrained by a sluggish recovery in aggregate demand, the traditionally robust early-year credit expansion has been decidedly mild. Loan growth in the first two months of 2026 fell short of last year’s pace, signaling that the banking sector’s obsession with sheer scale is cooling. Instead, policymakers are pivoting toward smoother lending rhythms and structural optimization.
Mahindra & Mahindra Ltd. is at an advanced stage of assessing plans to upgrade its South African plant, according to people familiar with the matter, as India’s second-largest automaker looks to capitalize on rising demand for affordable vehicles. The company has been working with the state-owned Industrial Development Corp. to assess the feasibility of setting up completely knocked-down, or CKD, ...
Mahindra & Mahindra Ltd. is at an advanced stage of assessing plans to upgrade its South African plant, according to people familiar with the matter, as India’s second-largest automaker looks to capitalize on rising demand for affordable vehicles. The company has been working with the state-owned Industrial Development Corp. to assess the feasibility of setting up completely knocked-down, or CKD, production at its facility near the port city of Durban, the people said, asking not to be identified because the discussions are private. Mahindra already assembles semi-knocked down vehicles at the plant. The growth in South Africa’s mid-market segment has lured Chinese and Indian rivals that have eaten into the market share of companies including Ford Motor Co. and Mercedes-Benz Group AG . Expanded local facilities may allow Mahindra to sidestep potential import tariffs being weighed by President Cyril Ramaphosa ’s government to spur domestic auto manufacturing — the largest component of the nation’s factory output. Representatives for the Mumbai-based company and IDC didn’t immediately respond to requests for comment. The plan may also help Mahindra boost sales and compete with companies including Chery Automobile Co. , as well as Suzuki Motor Co. , which ships most of its cars from India. Toyota Motor Co. remains the nation’s biggest seller of cars. Chery, China’s top car exporter, earlier this year agreed to buy Nissan Motor Co. ’s plant in South Africa. Mercedes is considering sharing its manufacturing plant in the nation with Great Wall Motor Co. , people familiar with the matter told Bloomberg. Mahindra, which opened its assembly plant in 2018, manufactures its Pik Up light trucks at the facility. The vehicles are popular with local farmers and are also used by police in neighboring Mozambique. Century-Old Industry Buckles Under Asian Pressure: Next Africa Mercedes Mulls Sharing South Africa Plant With China’s GWM BYD Eyes Africa Growth as China Price War Intensifi...