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Ford enters fourth month of face shield production

By: Irma Venter 10th July 2020 As the number of recorded Covid-19 cases continues to climb in South Africa, Ford Motor Company of Southern Africa (FMCSA) has entered its fourth month of producing protective face shields at its Silverton assembly plant, in Pretoria. To date, the vehicle manufacturer has assembled 285 000 face... →

VW’s Lionesses Den initiative seeks business pitches from female entrepreneurs

By: Irma Venter 10th July 2020 Volkswagen and Lionesses of Africa are on the hunt for three winning business pitches to win a total of R175 000 in cash to support their businesses. As part of its partnership with Lionesses of Africa, the one-million-plus-strong all-female business network in Africa, Volkswagen has introduced... →

Barloworld to exit logistics, shed 2 500 jobs in auto, logistics unit

By: Irma Venter 10th July 2020 Barloworld will be exiting the logistics sector, says CEO Dominic Sewela. Announcing the company’s financial results for the six months ended March 31, he said that the business had been given a three-year period to turn around, with a decision on its future scheduled for September. →

Pandemic encourages larger project scope

By: Cameron Mackay 10th July 2020 The effects of the Covid-19 pandemic have encouraged inter-country trade organisation the Competence Centre for Mineral Resources (CCMR) to increase the scope of its Health & Safety on South African Mines project. “It’s important to remember that if you are running a project over three years, you... →

RENÉ ZARSKE It is a win-win situation. We have many German companies that want to invest into South Africa, while local mining operations are looking for investors

S Africa crucial for centre’s growth into SADC

By: Cameron Mackay 10th July 2020 South Africa is vital for inter-country trade organisation the Competence Centre for Mineral Resources’ (CCMR’s) goal of expanding its network into the Southern African Development Community (SADC) region, according to CCMR head René Zarske. “South Africa is an important gateway for this, and the... →

VITAL ECONOMIC PARTNERS Last November the CCMR invited eight South African companies to Germany to liaise with equipment suppliers, with follow-up delegations planned once travel restrictions are lifted

Germany to become major source of platinum demand for fuel cell EVs, says WPIC

By: Marleny Arnoldi 8th July 2020 As much of Europe prepares for a rapid green energy transition as part of the region's Covid-19 recovery strategy, Germany, in particular, could be the gamechanger that makes widespread adoption of fuel cell electric vehicles (FCEVs) in Europe a reality, says the World Platinum Investment Council... →

EVs are starting to buoy the global metals market

By: Bloomberg 7th July 2020 The market gloom over the metals that will power the cars of the future is starting to lift. Supply overhangs and then the coronavirus pandemic had crushed short-term prospects for the minerals used to make rechargeable batteries. But new government commitments to green transport in China and... →

Host of new tech sees Merc trucks save up to 5% on fuel

By: Irma Venter 3rd July 2020 The new Actros heavy-duty truck launched in South Africa comes with a host of “next-level innovations”, says Daimler Trucks & Buses Southern Africa (DTBSA) CEO Michael Dietz. These include the absence of outside mirrors in favour of in-cab screens (mounted on the A-pillars) that are linked to... →

MirrorCam debuts in South Africa

Jaguar Land Rover, partners to launch wireless charging taxi project in Oslo

By: Irma Venter 3rd July 2020 In a programme known as ‘ElectriCity’, Jaguar Land Rover (JLR) will join Nordic taxi operator Cabonline (NorgesTaxi), the region’s largest charge point operator Fortum Recharge, US technology developer Momentum Dynamics and the City of Oslo to build wireless, high-powered charging infrastructure... →

June new-vehicle sales decline by 31%, exports down 39%

By: Irma Venter 2nd July 2020 The South African new-vehicle market returned to its first full month of sales in June since the Covid-19 lockdown started. However, this did not mean a return to the level of sales seen before the pandemic, as the domestic market remains under pressure. →

New study pushes for safer used vehicles to be imported into Africa

By: Irma Venter 1st July 2020 A new study by the Automobile Association of South Africa (AA), funded by the Fédération Internationale de l’Automobile (FIA) Region I, shows that the unregulated importation of cars into many African countries has had a negative effect on the continent’s environment, health, society and economy.... →

VW’s Lionesses Den initiative seeks to reward female entrepreneurs

By: Irma Venter 1st July 2020 Volkswagen and the Lionesses of Africa are on the hunt for three exceptional business pitches to win a total of R175 000 cash. As part of its partnership with Lionesses of Africa, the one-million-plus-strong all-female business network in Africa, Volkswagen has introduced 'The Lionesses Den' and... →

Premium market expected to decline by 20%, says BMW SA boss

By: Irma Venter 30th June 2020 The South African premium new-car market will probably decline by around 20% in 2020, says BMW Group South Africa and Sub-Saharan Africa (BMW SA) CEO Tim Abbott. Although he expects a slight improvement in the second half of the year from the first half, “we don’t see a recovery better than that”. →

Tim Abbott

Hino developing heavy-duty fuel cell truck

By: Irma Venter 26th June 2020 While there is a swing towards electrification for many forms of transport, Toyota Motor Corporation is continuing its development of hydrogen fuel cell vehicles, and also bringing Toyota group electric vehicles to market. One of the Japanese company’s latest fuel cell projects is a joint... →

Auto sector facing shock at all levels, says Deloitte report

By: Irma Venter 25th June 2020 The African automotive sector is facing major volatility at all levels of its value chain as a result of the ongoing Covid-19 global crisis, says a Deloitte Covid-19 survey, titled The Economic Impact of the Automotive Value Chain (AVC). “Stakeholders across the sector, from traditional original... →

Motus cuts deep into its car rental business as tourism grinds to a halt

By: Irma Venter 23rd June 2020 Automotive group Motus will reduce its vehicle rental fleet by 40% and will close 20 sites within its rental business, says CEO Osman Arbee. Motus operates the Europcar and Tempest vehicle hire brands, operating through 100 car rental outlets in South Africa and 17 outlets in neighbouring countries. →

Osman Arbee

Component makers face cash crunch, demand imbalance

By: Irma Venter 22nd June 2020 The National Association of Automotive Component and Allied Manufacturers (Naacam) is not aware of any dedicated automotive component company that has closed its doors following the Covid-19 lockdown period, says executive director Renai Moothilal. “But, I don’t think the full impact of the... →

Photo by Donna Slater
Renai Moothilal

Electric vehicle rally to maintain demand for battery metals despite Covid-19

By: Donna Slater 19th June 2020 Although subdued as a result of Covid-19, demand for battery metals, including cobalt, lithium and copper, will remain strong as a result of growth in the global electric vehicles (EV) market, business intelligence company CRU UK cobalt, lithium and battery markets senior analyst George Heppel... →

Naamsa expects 25% drop in vehicle exports, production and sales

By: Irma Venter 19th June 2020 The National Association of Automobile Manufacturers of South Africa (Naamsa) expects a drop of roughly 25% in the production, sales and exports of new vehicles in and from South Africa, says Naamsa CEO Mike Mabasa. “This is a huge number. When we started the year, the outlook was for a 5%... →

Metair clinches multibillion-rand contracts as Ford expands in South Africa

By: Irma Venter 19th June 2020 Metair has secured multiple contracts from Ford Motor Company of Southern Africa (FMCSA) as the local arm of the US vehicle maker prepares to launch new vehicles for the local and export markets. The new launches form part of a fresh investment and production expansion programme at Ford to meet... →

African car market can grow materially despite Covid-19 setback

By: Irma Venter 19th June 2020 Despite the Covid-19 pandemic, new-vehicle sales in sub-Saharan Africa, outside South Africa, can grow from about 100 000 a year to about two-million a year in the next 15 years – and this is a “very, very conservative” estimate, says African Association of Automotive Manufacturers (AAAM) CEO... →

New refinery offers hope on clean fuels; Toyota SA to start hybrid production in 2021

By: Irma Venter 12th June 2020 There has been no progress on introducing cleaner fuel to South Africa since government withdrew the regulations regarding the Clean Fuels Two (CF2) programme in 2017, says Toyota South Africa Motors (TSAM). CF2, first published by government in 2012, was originally scheduled to come into force... →

The Lexus UX 250h EX hybrid

Nissan plant rolls out INTUboxes to hospitals in bid to curb Covid-19

By: Irma Venter 12th June 2020 Local arm of Japanese vehicle maker Nissan and the University of Pretoria (UP) have partnered to create and manufacture INTUboxes. These are transparent vessel boxes that protect health professionals who have to intubate and treat acutely ill Covid-19 patients. →

Ford, Volkswagen to join hands on EV, bakkie projects

By: Irma Venter 11th June 2020 US car maker Ford Motor Company and its German counterpart Volkswagen have signed agreements that will expand their global alliance to medium pickups (one-ton bakkies) and other commercial and electric vehicles (EVs). The companies anticipate continued growth in global demand for commercial... →

BMW SA restarts exports from its Rosslyn plant

By: Irma Venter 11th June 2020 BMW Group South Africa (BMW SA) has restarted exports following the national lockdown to slow the spread of Covid-19. The local arm of the German car maker has dispatched almost 2 000 BMW X3 vehicles to European export markets, in response to global demand, with an approximate value of... →

Metair clinches multibillion-rand contracts as Ford expands in South Africa

By: Irma Venter 5th June 2020 Metair has secured multiple contracts from Ford Motor Company of Southern Africa (FMCSA) as the local arm of the US vehicle maker prepares to launch new vehicles for the local and export markets. The new launches form part of a fresh investment and production expansion programme at Ford to meet... →

South Africa broke auto-export records pre-Covid-19, but outlook is stifled

By: Irma Venter 5th June 2020 The nearly 100% decline in April new-vehicle sales and export figures serves as barometer of the impact of Covid-19 on the domestic automotive industry and the economy at large, says National Association of Automobile Manufacturers of South Africa and Automotive Industry Export Council executive... →

Covid-19 to exact heavy toll on SA’s production of vehicles in 2020

By: Irma Venter 5th June 2020 Taking into account an anticipated 6.1% decline in South Africa’s economic growth, owing to the Covid-19 pandemic, new-vehicle sales will probably fall by between 20% and 30% in 2020, says a report issued by the Automotive Industry Development Centre (AIDC), titled ‘Re-gearing the Gauteng... →

Hino, BYD to collaborate on development of electric trucks

By: Irma Venter 2nd June 2020 Japanese truck manufacturer Hino Motors has signed a strategic business alliance with BYD Commercial Vehicles, of China, to collaborate in developing battery electric vehicles (BEV). The objective is to find best-fit solutions for the customers of both companies while promoting low-carbon... →

ERG says cobalt market can only benefit from EU’s green plan

By: Marleny Arnoldi 2nd June 2020 Diversified miner Eurasian Resources Group (ERG) says the European Union’s (EU’s) green plan to make electric vehicles (EVs) a centrepiece of the continent’s economic recovery has injected confidence into the global cobalt market. CEO Benedikt Sobotka says the green plan has also renewed... →

Battery metals traceability project launched to enhance sustainability of industry

By: Donna Slater 2nd June 2020 Finland-based research, development and innovation organisation VTT says the success of electric vehicles (EVs) may be determined by production methods and information on the origins of battery materials in the future. VTT and the Geological Survey of Finland GTK, there, have launched a battery... →

Nissan plant rolls out INTUboxes to hospitals

By: Irma Venter 1st June 2020 Local arm of Japanese vehicle maker Nissan and the University of Pretoria (UP) have partnered to create and manufacture INTUboxes. The INTUbox is a transparent vessel-box which protects health professionals who have to intubate and treat acutely ill Covid-19 patients. →

Reopened Merc plant gears up for face-shield, breathing-aid production

By: Irma Venter 29th May 2020 Mercedes-Benz South Africa (MBSA) will manufacture three-dimensional- (3D-) printed recyclable plastic face shields for use in the mass screening for Covid-19, and for use at clinics and hospitals. In addition, and pending quality assurance regulatory approval, the local arm of the German auto... →

Cartrack says there has been no spike in cancellations owing to Covid-19

By: Irma Venter 29th May 2020 Cartrack CEO Zak Calisto is confident the asset management and workforce optimisation company will be able to weather the current Covid-19 storm, provided “the storm doesn’t last forever”. “We have been able to deliver a high level of service to all our customers, despite the economic disruptions... →

Auto industry to face up to 30% job, production losses, says AIDC report

By: Irma Venter 27th May 2020 Taking into account an anticipated 6.1% decline in South Africa’s economic growth owing to the Covid-19 pandemic, new-vehicle sales will probably fall by between 20% and 30% in 2020, says a report issued by the Automotive Industry Development Centre (AIDC), titled Re-gearing the Gauteng... →

Festival of Motoring postponed to August 2021

By: Chanel de Bruyn 26th May 2020 Event organiser Messe Frankfurt South Africa is postponing its Festival of Motoring event to August 2021. The Festival of Motoring, presented by WesBank, is the largest automotive show on the African continent and the only national industry-supported event endorsed by the National Association of... →

Rear-eject body production expanded to Brazil

15th May 2020 Last month, off-highway truck customisation solutions provider Philippi-Hagenbuch (PHIL) announced that the production of its patented rear eject body will begin in Brazil in the second quarter of this year. The expansion of services in South America will better serve the construction and mining... →

TOUGH HAULING PHIL’s line of rear eject bodies are engineered to offer the ideal productivity-enhancing solution for challenging hauling applications

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