Features | Automotive Industry| Motor Vehicles

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Automotive Industry

Manufacturers to profit from ‘connected life’ concept

By: Nadine James 22nd July 2016 Technological developments relating to high-speed connectivity, smart sensors and cloud-based computing, present vehicle manufacturers with an opportunity to develop services based around connected cars and devices. This has provided new impetus to the “Connected Life” concept, says computer... →

Crash test dummy range now includes child models

22nd July 2016 Japanese automotive manufacturer Toyota last month expanded its range of virtual crash-test dummies by adding three new new models to replicate the physical characteristics of children aged three, six and ten. The simulation software, known as Total Human Model for Safety (Thums), maps and mimics... →

Specialised bushings used for tyre testing rig

By: Nadine James 22nd July 2016 Self-lubricating polymer bearings and bushes manufacturer Vesconite Bearings – a division of VescoPlastics – has supplied specialised thermoplastic Vesconite bushings for a tyre test rig at the University of Pretoria’s (UP’s) Vehicle Dynamics Group (VDG). The test rig, manufactured and assembled... →

TYRE TEST RIG The rig forms part of a master’s degree project by University of Pretoria students

Manufacturers to exploit emerging automotive markets

By: Nadine James 22nd July 2016 Original-equipment manufacturers (OEMs) are aiming to expand their client bases and establish automotive manufacturing facilities in emerging market economies, owing to the current saturation in European and US automotive markets, says auditing and consulting firm KPMG. KPMG industrial and... →

Photo by Duane Daws
MISFIT TOYS? Recent trends suggest that demand for vehicles is depressed, even if the desire tow own a vehicle has not finished

Toyota topped seller charts in January

19th February 2016 Japanese automotive manufacturer Toyota have built on good form to once again be crowned the top-selling brand in the South African Automotive Industry for the month of January after selling 6 463 units. A slower start to the auto market in January has not hindered the Midrand-based company,... →

8TH GENERATION HILUX Toyota’s Hilux bakkie was the topselling light commercial vehicle in 2015 with 35 684 units

Hyundai extends warranty to seven years

19th February 2016 Korean motor vehicle manufacturer Hyundai Automotive South Africa (HASA) has extended its manufacturer’s warranty to ensure a better resale value. The Bedfordview-based company has implemented a long, five year/150 000 km warranty period since 2007. Moreover the company, which sold around... →

EXTENDED WARRANTY Hyundai’s face lifted H1 Bus also falls under the seven year/200 000 km warranty

Ford donates shipping containers for housing units

19th February 2016 By means of renovating, converting and subdividing five shipping containers from Detroit-based vehicle producer Ford, Struandale engine plant has been able to provide housing for ten destitute families from the Vastrap informal settlement in Booysens Park, Port Elizabeth. The five containers... →

SOCIAL DEVELOPMENT Five containers were converted to safe and secure housing along with a sixth container that was converted into a community centre

Swedish motorcycle brand launches 701 bike range in SA

By: Simon Sonnekus 19th February 2016 Swedish motorcycle manufacturer Husqvarna launched its 701 Enduro and Supermoto models at wholesaler Puzey’s Biker’s Warehouse, in Gauteng, last month. The range will spearhead the new range of Husqvarna road motorcycles. The company, which was acquired by Austrian motorcycle company KTM from... →

HUSQVARNA 701 ENDURO Husqvarna has introduced the flagship models the 701 Enduro and Supermoto

Used-car market rises while new-car sales decline

19th February 2016 Sales data released by South African automotive industry information provider the National Association of Automobile Manufacturers of South Africa (Naamsa), has noted that while new-vehicle sales have declined by 6.9% since January 2015, data from vehicle finance and insurance provider Wesbank... →

SIMPHIWE NGHONA Cash-strapped and budget-conscious consumers atempt to address affordability

Bumpy ride for South African motorists

By: Simon Sonnekus 19th February 2016 The expected rise in Brent crude oil prices, and geopolitical decisions by South Africa will influence the petrol price and vehicle prices in 2016, says the Automobile Association (AA) of South Africa. According to audit, advisory and tax services firm KPMG automotive sector partner Gavin Maile,... →

Photo by Duane Daws
PETROL PRICE HIKE Motorists could pay about R20/ℓ for petrol this year

Reality programme used for welding training at AIDC

By: Simon Sonnekus 19th February 2016 Students who want to work in the production sector of the automotive industry can submit their curriculum vitae to the Automotive Industry Development Centre’s (AIDC’s) Gauteng Automotive Learning Centre to participate in an augmented-reality welding programme. Eight Soldamatic welding simulators... →

SOLDAMATIC WELDING SIMULATOR
Trainees will be able to practise more than 93 different welding lessons on the simulators

Photo by Simon Sonnekus
SOLDAMATIC WELDING SIMULATOR Trainees will be able to practise more than 93 different welding lessons on the simulators

Support services drive expansion into Africa

By: Simon Sonnekus 19th February 2016 German truck and bus manufacturer MAN has added support services in the form of a new service centre and a workshop in Kenya and Zambia respectively. MAN’s resolve to expand into Africa has come after its steady rise in sales across Eastern and Central Africa. “Our partners have provided a... →

$MODULAR DESIGN WORKSHOP The new modular design workshop allows for quicker workshop construction at a fraction of the cost of regular brick-and-mortar workshops$

MODULAR DESIGN WORKSHOP The new modular design workshop allows for quicker workshop construction at a fraction of the cost of regular brick-and-mortar workshops

Volvo upgrading its sedan segment with new S90

19th February 2016 Swedish premium automobile manufacturer Volvo will be shaking up the premium sedan segment with the new S90, an executive class sedan, which was launched last month at the North American International Auto Show (NAIAS) in Detroit in the US. The luxury sedan, which has made its first public... →

COMPETITION IN THE EXCUTIVE SEDAN SEGMENT The S90 will be powered by a T8 Twin Engine plug-in hybrid emitting 298 kW of power

Affordability and function key in buying a new car

19th February 2016 While a first car might mean freedom for both a newly licensed child and the taxi-operating parents, Japanese motor vehicle manufacturer Datsun believes that parents should consider the vehicle’s form, function and affordability before over hastily purchasing. Datsun South Africa GM Des Fenner... →

CHEAP, ECONOMIC AND RELIABLE The running and maintenance costs of an old car can easily outweigh the costs of buying an affordable, new economy car

Donaldson filters ensure seamless Dakar

19th February 2016 With racing taking place in high altitudes during the Dakar rally, trusted filtration systems, such as those provided by filtration company Donaldson Filtration Solutions, are key for bakkies attempting to conquer the race. Owing to this, Midrand-based racing outfit Toyota Gazoo Racing Team... →

FILTRATION FOR FLUID RACING Donaldson Fuel filters, used by Toyota Gazoo racing during Dakar 2016, insured that the direct injection engines were fed the cleanest fuel possible

Automotive industry highly unlikely to show growth in 2016 – KPMG

By: Simon Sonnekus 19th February 2016 The lacklustre economy, consumers’ desparate financial position and affordability of vehicles are three key areas that will stunt the growth of the South African automotive industry this year, says audit, advisory and tax services firm KPMG. According to KPMG automotive sector partner Gavin... →

GRIM YEAR AHEAD FOR MOTOR INDUSTRY
The weakened economy has made the auto motive market less conducive for buying and even operating vehicles

Photo by Duane Daws
GRIM YEAR AHEAD FOR MOTOR INDUSTRY The weakened economy has made the auto motive market less conducive for buying and even operating vehicles

New Suzuki transmission given green light for SA market

19th February 2016 Japanese vehicle producer Suzuki has unveiled their refined hybrid version of an automatic and manual transmissions to be used in its range of motor vehicles. →

AGS TRANSMISSION Suzuki keeps the cost of this auto-shifting option low while also ensuring that repairs and maintenance remain easy and cost effective

Kimmo

20th August 2015 Paperboard and corrugated pallet manufacturer Kimmo, which previously traded as CX Pallets, manufactures honeycomb paperboard, an extremely thick and sturdy material for use in protective transport packaging. Having invested in state-of-the-art honeycomb paperboard manufacturing technology, Kimmo... →

Motor vehicle manufacturing to grow by up to 3% in 2015

By: Bruce Montiea 24th July 2015 The outlook for the South African motor vehicle manufacturing industry in 2015 is modestly positive, with an expected marginal volume increase of up to 3% in domestic sales, says National Association of Automobile Manufacturers of South Africa director Nico Vermeulen. This is mainly based on... →

Photo by Bloomberg
ASSEMBLY LINE Growth is expected in South Africa’s motor vehicle manufacturing industry

Survey reveals latest auto trends, innovations

By: Kimberley Smuts 24th July 2015 The automotive sector is feeling the pressure from the strict regulatory standards being enforced globally, as well as increasingly tech-savvy consumers who not only expect, but demand, new and innovative services, says professional services firm KPMG in its ‘Global Automotive Executive Survey... →

AUTOMOTIVE INDUSTRY PRESSURE The automotive sector is feeling the pressure from the strict regulatory standards being enforced globally

Luxury vehicle brand appoints local model to showcase new products

24th July 2015 Italian luxury vehicle manufacturer Maserati has appointed top South African model Genevieve Morton to present its model range in the company’s 2015 brochures and to feature in a worldwide social media campaign. →

EXUDING LUXURY Local model Genevieve Morton presents one of Maserati’s models in a recent relaunch of the luxury motor manufacturer's brochures

Small-capacity turbo engine wins Engine of the Year for the fourth time

24th July 2015 American automotive manufacturer Ford’s 1.0 ℓ EcoBoost engine won the 2015 International Engine of the Year Award for the fourth consecutive time. The award was presented by automotive publication Engine Technology International in Stuttgart, Germany, last month. →

BOOSTING ECONOMICALLY Ford’s EcoBoost engines employ turbochargers to increase power whilst maintaining small capacities

Child-seat concept redefines travelling comfort and safety

24th July 2015 With the launch of a new child seat concept, Swedish vehicle manufacturer Volvo Cars’ design team has completely reimagined how children can travel safely in the future. →

FOCUSED ON SAFETY A safe, rearward-facing seating position enables a child to keep eye contact with either the driver or the rear passenger

Company introduces new fuel management system

By: Kimberley Smuts 24th July 2015 Asset management solutions provider QCIC delivered and released its QIC-Fuel solution in February and is optimistic that it will have at least ten companies on its system before December. The fuel management solution works in conjunction with the company’s flagship QIC-Fleet global system for... →

BRIAN MCKENZIE The QIC-Fuel solution enables the user to monitor the fuel by taking a sample of each sensor as the vehicle moves

Local focus on attracting auto OEMs good for South Africa

By: Donna Slater 24th July 2015 South Africa’s ongoing focus on attracting and maintaining investment from foreign automotive original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) into South Africa is paying off, says logistic company DHL. →

ROB WILLIAMS Africa has the capability and the workforce to meet the demands of the global automotive industry

Private leasing of cars shows promise in South Africa

24th July 2015 Slow economic growth, more cautious lending by the banks, continued strains on consumer affordability and high inflation rates are some of the reasons why consumers are not buying cars, which is why specialist private leasing company Ariva MD Keith Watson sees a future in the leasing of cars in... →

Auto product range expands to meet local market demands

By: Kimberley Smuts 24th July 2015 Champion’s new wiper blades were launched globally this year and are specific to vehicle applications. Champion has been persistent in developing this product and hopes to be the first company to market wiper blades with this new technology. Meanwhile, global powertrain components and vehicle... →

AEROVANTAGE HYBRID BLADE Champion’s new wiper blades were launched globally this year and are specific to vehicle applications

Steel mezzanine floors boost auto dealers’ parking capacity

By: Donna Slater 24th July 2015 Steel mezzanine structures, manufactured by Linbro Park-based storage solutions company Pandae, are assisting automotive dealerships with easy-to-install additional parking space that will not result in downtime during construction. →

MEZZANINE FLOOR Super Mezzanine floors comprise iron beams for vertical and horizontal support, as well as galvanised steel grating

Growth unlikely for South Africa’s auto industry in 2015

By: David Oliveira 20th February 2015 Overall new vehicle sales in South Africa dropped 3% year-on-year in 2014, with 630 000 vehicles sold, compared with the 650 000 sold in 2013, says fleet administrator Imperial Fleet Management CEO Nicholas de Canha. “Despite the overall market being slightly down, the sales for bus, truck and... →

STABLE INDUSTRY South Africa’s automotive industry is still profitable and will remain so even if sales drop by 2% to 3% this year

Photo by Bloomberg
STABLE INDUSTRY South Africa’s automotive industry is still profitable and will remain so even if sales drop by 2% to 3% this year

Record-breaking vehicle sales in December 2014

By: David Oliveira 20th February 2015 South African vehicle sales broke all records for the month of December in 2014, with 51 462 vehicles sold. Previously, the highest sales record for the month of December was in 2006, when 49 283 vehicles were sold, says advisory firm KPMG industrial, automotive and construction market partner... →

Photo by Duane Daws
BREAKING RECORDS South African vehicle sales broke all records for the month of December in 2014, with 51 462 vehicles sold

Counterfeiting threatens auto manufacturing

By: David Oliveira 20th February 2015 Every year about R362-billion in counterfeit products are sold in South Africa – of which a substantial number are counterfeit automotive parts, says specialist intellectual property law firm Spoor & Fisher. “This is a serious problem – the local economy loses a significant amount of money... →

Labour Relations Act amendments could cripple auto industry

By: David Oliveira 20th February 2015 The changes to the Labour Relations Act (LRA), which came into force in January 2015, could impact negatively on the profitability of manufacturing companies in the automotive industry, says business law and litigation firm Fasken Martineau labour, employment and human rights partner Ludwig... →

ICT solutions could mitigate auto industry challenges

By: David Oliveira 20th February 2015 Providing a platform for the development of future technologies, information and communication technology (ICT) could enable automotive companies to meet current industry challenges, which include the rise of new growth markets, changing consumer behaviour and the need for improved fuel... →

Photo by Duane Daws
THE AGE OF THE CUSTOMER Customers like to have some control over the final product, particularly in terms of customisation

First H100 rolls off local assembly plant

By: David Oliveira 20th February 2015 Hyundai Automotive South Africa assembled the first H100 light commercial vehicle (LCV) at its Apex plant in Benoni, Gauteng, earlier this month. Hyundai marketing director Stanley Anderson tells Engineering News that the company hopes to assemble about 3 000 units this year and will supplement... →

SA FIRST Hyundai Automotive South Africa assembled the first H100 light commercial vehicle at its Apex plant in Benoni, earlier this month

Photo by Duane Daws
SA FIRST Hyundai Automotive South Africa assembled the first H100 light commercial vehicle at its Apex plant in Benoni, earlier this month

Vehicle leasing company aims to extend brand offering

By: David Oliveira 20th February 2015 JSE-listed Imperial group affiliate and specialist vehicle leasing company Ariva is aiming to expand its vehicle brand offering for its leasing service provision, says Ariva MD Keith Watson. Currently, the company offers leasing agreements of up to 60 months on vehicle brands such as Kia,... →

VEHICLE LEASING Ariva offers individuals the opportunity to lease a new vehicle after three years without having to pay an expensive settlement price

Photo by Bloomberg
VEHICLE LEASING Ariva offers individuals the opportunity to lease a new vehicle after three years without having to pay an expensive settlement price

Toyota named January’s top seller

20th February 2015 South Africa’s automotive domestic market sales reached 52 306 units in the first month of 2015, with automotive manufacturer Toyota achieving 21% of overall sales, ending the month with 11 191 units sold. Toyota topped the log of overall sales for January 2015, and ranked the top seller for... →

Most technologically advanced Ford hits local market

By: David Oliveira 20th February 2015 The new Ford Fusion, which was launched in Cape Town last month, is the most technologically advanced Ford vehicle ever introduced in South Africa, claims Ford Motor Company Southern Africa marketing, sales and service VP Mark Kaufman. New technologies featured in Ford’s latest vehicle offering... →

Local supply chain service on a par with global leaders

20th February 2015 The management and reporting structure standards of South Africa’s supply chain services in the automotive sector are equal, if not better, than those globally, says logistics and express services provider DHL automotive and technology director Rob Williams. He stresses that, to improve the... →

Developed countries’ EV uptake strategies may be unsuitable for SA, owing to ‘significant’ wealth disparity, warns Frost & Sullivan

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