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Automotive Components

Automotive aftermarket distributor looking to expand

By: Jessica Oosthuizen 5th October 2018 Automotive aftermarket distributor AfriPart is focusing on expanding its footprint into the sub-Saharan Africa market and on adding value for clients by improving its operating, product and technology platforms, says MD Andrew Sommerville and sales and marketing head Richard Berner. AfriPart is... →

Importers tightening control over logistics processes

By: Jessica Oosthuizen 5th October 2018 Amid government’s Automotive Masterplan support programme that targets 60% local component production and manufacturing, automotive businesses are tightening control over their logistics processes – where trade finance is being viewed as a broader import finance solution rather than a... →

TECHNOLOGICAL VISIBILITY Technology is becoming critical in the importing process

Reusable Packaging is the Game Changer in the Automotive Industry

27th July 2018 Never before has it been more crucial for automotive enterprises to review their packaging needs. Packaging is the one key element that is often overlooked when designing and investing in a new line of vehicle manufacture or moving parts in a closed loop system for processing. When packaging is... →

Industry buoyant owing to exports growth on automation adoption

By: Paige Müller 23rd March 2018 A high demand for automotive component exports has enabled the South African automotive components industry to remain stable, despite a local downswing in disposable income spending on cars, says fibre laser cutting and consumables supplier First Cut which supplies tier 1 and 2 manufacturers in... →

ANDREW POOLE Automotive component manufacturers which have aligned themselves with the export market have been doing reasonably well

Nitrogen inflation adoption grows despite market misinformation

By: Paige Müller 23rd March 2018 Despite misinformation on the benefits of nitrogen tyre inflation there is significant adoption of nitrogen tyre inflation in sectors such as mining and transportation, says nitrogen inflation systems manufacturer NitraLife sales director Tom Sowry. “The lack of industry-related information... →

NITROGEN GENERATORS AND INFLATORS WIDELY AVAILABLE Nitrogen generators and tyre inflators are widely available at petrol stations all over the country

S African battery market estimated to grow by 6%

By: Jessica Oosthuizen 23rd March 2018 The local battery market will grow by 5% to 6% a year as the second-hand car-part market grows, says battery and automotive electrical components importer and distributor Probe CEO Frank Rovelli. He says the market is still based on traditional batteries and that it will take some time for... →

Automation trend in automotive industry to boost exports share

23rd March 2018 Multinational factories are looking to standardise on application-specific equipment used in production lines, as well as quality and safety standards. With South African factories generally having caught up with global standards, most of the planned upgrades will be focused on automation,... →

SAFER AUTOMOTIVE PRODUCTION LINES Automotive manufactures are investing in safer capital equipment, owing to holding companies’ interest in reducing labour-related injuries

Industry trying to reduce reliance on imports

By: Robyn Wilkinson 6th October 2017 High quality, increased productivity and cost reduction are vital for success as the South African automotive industry works to reduce its reliance on automotive component imports while growing its export potential in a slow economy, says industrial equipment supplier Germ Africa director Robert... →

WELL-EQUIPPED Germ Africa provides high-quality filtration and dosing pump solutions that improve the automotive manufacturing process

Intra-industry dialogue crucial for components advancement

By: Robyn Wilkinson 6th October 2017 Given the multifaceted nature of South Africa’s automotive sector, intra-industry dialogue and collaboration are crucial to advancing the industry’s ability to provide high-quality products and much-needed employment in a rapidly evolving world, says Retail Motor Industry Organisation (RMI)... →

Photo by Bloomberg
KEEPING PACE Advancing education and training in the automotive sector is crucial for keeping up with changes in technology and the local demand for skilled technicians

Local innovation key for growing automotive industry

By: Robyn Wilkinson 6th October 2017 Key to realising the growth potential of South Africa’s automotive sector is local innovation, albeit with due consideration to conditions and operating environments, as local companies are not always able to use international innovations and technologies, says enterprise resource planning (ERP)... →

PAULO DE MATOS South Africa is no laggard when it comes to the uptake of new technologies, especially in the automotive sector

Mobile workshop enhances interactions with automotive OEMs

By: Robyn Wilkinson 6th October 2017 Science and technology company 3M South Africa has launched its new mobile workshop – Abrasive Solutions On the Move – which will provide easy access to its technologies and services for its original-equipment manufacturer (OEM) clients in the automotive sector. →

ON THE MOVE 3M’s mobile unit features a full test laboratory, training facilities and capabilities for providing all of the company’s abrasive solutions on site

Supply chain management key to industry success

By: Robyn Wilkinson 6th October 2017 The effective management of financial and physical supply chains is a key differentiator for South African automotive companies wanting to survive in an uncertain market, with access to technologies that can assist in streamlining these functions critical to success, says import and working... →

GREG CLINE Automotive aftermarket imports are growing owing to the depressed state of the economy shifting buying behaviour

Auto components manufacturer launches portable drill winch

24th March 2017 Automotive component manufacturer Torre Parts and Components has launched the WARN Drill Winch, which runs off a standard portable drill that turns it into a versatile pulling tool. →

WARN DRILL WINCH The portable WARN Drill Winch makes rigging fast and easy

Company offers joints for plastic content in auto manufacturing

24th March 2017 Germany-based mechanical engineering company Haag + Zeissler says the automotive industry is planning to increase the present plastic content in electric vehicles by around 25% to enable a necessary saving in vehicle weight. →

9001 SERIES ROTARY JOINT The automotive industry wants to increase the present plastic content in electric vehicles by around 25%

Peugeot vehicles to be assembled in Kenya

24th March 2017 French multinational automotive manufacturer General Motors and Peugeot-Citroen (PSA Group) and motor dealer Urysia Limited Authorised Peugeot Dealers, will begin in June with supplying a yearly volume of over 1 000 Peugeot units in order to meet the expectations of the Kenyan market. →

PEUGEOT 3008 Kenya will start assembly of the new Peugeot 2008 sports utility vehicle in June

Global car manufacturer tests 3D printing for production

24th March 2017 Automotive manufacturer Ford Motor Company is testing three-dimensional (3D) printing of large-scale car parts using the Stratasys Infinite Build 3D printer at the Ford Research and Innovation Centre in Dearborn, in the US. →

THREE-DIMENSIONAL PRINTING Ford has started testing 3D printing technology for more efficient low-volume production

Smart tyre for future urban fleets designed

24th March 2017 Tyre manufacturer Goodyear unveiled the Goodyear IntelliGrip Urban concept tyre at the Geneva International Motor Show 2017, in Switzerland, on March 7. →

INTELLIGRIP URBAN Goodyear announced its smart-tyre technology aimed at improving ride-sharing vehicles

S African company wins Japanese award for the first time

24th March 2017 Automotive safety systems manufacturer Autoliv South Africa (SA) has been awarded the coveted Japan Institute of Plant Maintenance (JIPM) Total Plant Maintenance (TPM) Excellence Award for 2017. →

NCPC-SA to emphasise efficiency at Naacam show

By: Marleny Arnoldi 24th March 2017 The National Cleaner Production Centre of South Africa (NCPC-SA) will share its knowledge regarding resource efficiency and cleaner production methods to assist industry in lowering costs through reduced energy, water and material use during this year’s National Association of Automotive... →

JOHNSON MATTHEY FACTORY Johnson Matthey South Africa joined a flagship energy-management project of the National Cleaner Production Centre of South Africa

Authorities help to curb counterfeit car part imports

By: Marleny Arnoldi 24th March 2017 The South African Police Service (SAPS), the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) and the South African Revenue Service’s Customs offices are committed to reducing the number of imported counterfeit spare parts for motor vehicles, says law firm Spoor & Fisher. →

PAUL RAMARA Counterfeit components coould be tracked through market investigation by checking car part agents that import goods from Asia, the Middle East

Components packages in marketing stage

By: Aarifah Nosarka 30th September 2016 The Marken range label holder, used to hold documentation onto component boxes and stillage in the automotive sector, is actively being marketed, says custom designer and manufacturer of packaging systems Conceptainer MD Ken Mouritzen. He says it is a robust and durable pouchless label holder to... →

POUCHLESS HOLDER The product is designed for attaching control documentation to bins, crates and racking in diverse industries.

New components can grow automotive sector

By: Aarifah Nosarka 30th September 2016 The depth in component production capacity in South Africa’s automotive sector must be ratcheted up, and ways of attracting wider automotive value chain activities, as seen in competitor economies, need to be found, says the National Association of Automotive Component and Allied Manufacturers of... →

Components supply remains stable despite unstable industry

By: Aarifah Nosarka 30th September 2016 The availability and supply of imported automotive equipment components during the first quarter of 2016 remained stable despite continually being affected by exchange rate movements, says financial services provider Investec Import Solutions head Adam Orlin. In its May 2016 quarterly review of... →

ADAM ORLIN Belt tightening is a trend likely to continue

Healthy components industry needed to drive local content

By: Aarifah Nosarka 30th September 2016 The drive toward local content in respect of South Africa’s automotive industry production could support the components industry, says National Association of Automotive Manufacturers of South Africa (Naamsa) president and Nissan South Africa MD Mike Whitfield. “We have committed to support the... →

Scope for increased localisation of auto components

By: Mia Breytenbach 2nd October 2015 South Africa’s light vehicle production has increased only marginally in the past five years – 533 000 units were produced in 2014 – with local content of automotive components also stagnating at a low 35%, compared with levels of more than 80% in countries such as Thailand and Brazil, says the... →

Photo by Bloomberg
LOCAL INITIATIVE A developed local supply chain could enable component manufacturers to buy more reliable and cost-effective subcomponents and materials, locally

French manufacturer receives International Engine of the Year award

2nd October 2015 French multinational automobile and motorcycle manufacturer PSA Peugeot Citroën received the International Engine of the Year Award for its three-cylinder Turbo PureTech engine, which ranked top in the 1-litre to 1.4-litre category, in June. PSA Peugeot Citroën notes the award “crown[ed] a... →

Photo by Bloomberg
FITTING PART The PureTech family of three-cylinder engines is fitted on several Peugeot models

Tyre brands awarded top spots in auto magazine tests

2nd October 2015 Three of tyre manufacturer Goodyear’s tyres, namely the Wrangler MT/R with Kevlar, the EfficientGrip SUV tyre and the Eagle F1 Asymmetric 2, were all awarded first place in their respective categories in recent motoring magazine tests. “Tested against several other brands, all three tyres came... →

TOP SPOT Goodyear’s premium EfficientGrip SUV tyre came out top across 15 wet and dry disciplines

Manufacturer ramps up automotive composites production

By: Mia Breytenbach 2nd October 2015 Western Cape-based aircraft and automotive composites products manufacturer AAT Composites is ramping up production of several automotive component composite parts for a UK-based, high-end automotive manufacturer. AAT Composites, which was awarded the contract of undisclosed value in April, will... →

LIGHTWEIGHT DESIGN The composite parts are made using laminate construction of advanced carbon weave-epoxy material

Market uncertainty drives need for efficient auto imports

By: Mia Breytenbach 2nd October 2015 As the volatile rand rate causes a flux in the logistics and import market, there has been a definite paradigm shift in the market as the industry moves towards a more integrated and, therefore, cost-effective solution for the automotive import process, reports import and working capital... →

Photo by Bloomberg
MARKET IMPERATIVE Automotive components imports remain vital as these parts are needed for the aftermarket sector

Aluminium auto panel production expected to accelerate

By: Mia Breytenbach 2nd October 2015 The automotive industry’s shift from manufacturing vehicle body panels in steel to manufacturing them in aluminium is a trend that is expected to significantly accelerate, says aluminium industry representative body the Aluminium Federation of South Africa (Afsa). Afsa executive director Mark... →

Photo by Bloomberg
ACCELERATING TREND The amount of aluminium used in vehicles is expected to increase by about 100% or more in North America and globally

First auto incubation centre programme participant graduates

2nd October 2015 Broad-based black economic-empowerment (BBBEE) automotive supplier Zig Enterprise owner Caiphus Mokotedi met the minimum criteria required to graduate from the Automotive Industry Development Centre’s (AIDC’s) automotive incubation centre, making him the first graduate of the programme. The... →

CAIPHUS MOKOTEDI Mokotedi is one of the first black economic-empowerment entrepreneurs who joined the incubation programme in 2011

Brake reduces vehicle stopping distance by up to 40%

2nd October 2015 Sweden-based automotive safety systems manufacturer Autoliv is showcasing a new vacuum braking system – the Torricelli brake – developed to significantly reduce the stopping distance for autonomous emergency braking (AEB) in vehicles. The Torricelli brake is a vacuum-induced plate below a... →

FUTURE INNOVATION The brake’s patented solution uses a 0.3 m2 vacuum plate below the vehicle, which activates in 0.1 seconds and produces a downforce of 15 000 N

Tandem axle lift enables enhanced road traction, fuel savings

2nd October 2015 The new tandem axle lift function of Swedish vehicle manufacturer Volvo Trucks’ vehicles makes it possible for a truck to disengage and raise the second driven axle during operation, thereby providing a better road grip and lowering fuel consumption when a truck is driven without a load. “Volvo... →

NEW FUNCTION Volvo Trucks’ tyres can now be lifted 140 mm off the road surface when the second driven axle is disengaged

Possible labour issues a challenge for automotive industry

By: Mia Breytenbach 2nd October 2015 In addition to mitigating rising manufacturing input costs, a potential prolonged strike in 2016 is the most significant challenge the automotive components sector could face, avers professional services firm KPMG. “The previous strike created considerable negative sentiment towards South Africa.... →

Photo by Duane Daws
RISK FACTOR South Africa’s automotive industry, government and labour are continuously engaging to avoid another strike to protect the industry and retain employment

Auto production needs to be streamlined, says control specialist

By: Mia Breytenbach 2nd October 2015 As the timeframe needed to produce automotive vehicles is becoming increasingly shorter and the process significantly more efficient, the design and implementation of automotive components and assembly production equipment must also be completed in shorter timeframes, says motion-control... →

Industry committed to green development

By: Dylan Slater 20th June 2014 Owing to significant increases in the cost of energy over the past four years, some sectors, such as the automotive component manufacturers and high-intensity energy users, have made a commitment to improving energy efficiency at plants, according to government programme the National Cleaner... →

SAVINGS INCURRED Feltex is reaping the rewards of an NCPC resource efficiency and cleaner production assessment done in 2011

Exports drive local manufacturing capabilities

By: Dylan Slater 20th June 2014 Hot-forge-based components manufacturer SP Metal Forgings currently has a large contract to supply South African commercial vehicle manufacturers with more than 500 000 vehicle components a year, including drive-train parts, the company reports. →

KEN MANNERS The local development and manufacturing of automotive components is the primary driving force behind the success of SP Metal Forgings

Counterfeit parts threaten motorists’ safety

By: Dylan Slater 20th June 2014 The greatest risk for the automotive components industry is counterfeit critical parts, such as brake pads and shoes, fuel pumps and suspension components, which put the lives of drivers and passengers at risk, says legal firm Spoor & Fisher. →

PAUL RAMARA Counterfeiters are constantly becoming more skilled in copying genuine parts

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