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Strong used-car, aftermarket sales see Motus bounce back

By: Irma Venter Updated 7 hours ago A buoyant used-car market and strong aftermarket parts sales have helped mobility group Motus bounce back from the significant decline the group experienced owing to the Covid-19 pandemic in the last half of the previous financial year. Reporting on the company’s results for the first six months... →

Local advancement of electric vehicles must be accelerated, says Naamsa

By: Irma Venter 22nd February 2021 Electric vehicle (EV) sales are forecast to exceed internal combustion engine (ICE) vehicle sales by 2038, with sales in the European Union (EU) projected to comprise 40% EVs by 2030, and 80% by 2040, says the National Association of Automobile Manufacturers of South Africa (Naamsa) in its fourth... →

Naacam optimistic positive momentum seen at end of ‘tough 2020’ will be sustained this year

By: Irma Venter 19th February 2021 The South African component manufacturing sector had a tough 2020, says National Association of Automotive Component and Allied Manufacturers (Naacam) executive director Renai Moothilal. There is, however, hope that some of the positive momentum seen at the end of last year will be sustained in... →

Toyota projecting 21% new-vehicle sales increase this year

By: Irma Venter 19th February 2021 Toyota South Africa Motors (TSAM) believes the domestic new-vehicle market may grow by 21% this year, to about 460 000 units, following a decline of 29% in 2020. TSAM president and CEO Andrew Kirby says the recovery seen in the latter half of a Covid-19-hit 2020 bodes well for an increase in... →

New partnership to launch Cape Town eMobility Festival

By: Irma Venter 19th February 2021 Live Company Group has announced that it has, through E-Movement Holdings, its wholly owned subsidiary, partnered with Messe Frankfurt South Africa for the launch of the eMobility Festival 2021. The eMobility Festival will focus on electric vehicles (EVs) of all kinds, the future of e-mobility... →

Aura builds WhatsApp security chatbot in partnership with Tracker

By: Irma Venter 15th February 2021 Security and medical response platform Aura has launched a WhatsApp security chatbot in partnership with stolen vehicle recovery specialist Tracker. Powered by Aura, the Tracker CareGuard service promises rapid mobile emergency response anywhere, anytime within South Africa. →

Daimler to split into two; majority listing of Daimler Truck on the cards

By: Irma Venter 15th February 2021 German vehicle manufacturer Daimler says it plans a fundamental change in its structure, “designed to unlock the full potential of its businesses in a zero-emissions, software-driven future”. The supervisory board and the board of management of Daimler says they have agreed to evaluate a... →

Mercedes-Benz South Africa signs e-sports partnership with ATK

By: Irma Venter 12th February 2021 Mercedes-Benz South Africa (MBSA) and local electronic sports (e-sports) company ATK has announced the first-ever motorsport partnership to encompass e-sports teams, events and gaming spaces in the country. MBSA will be the first motorsport sponsor for a South African e-sports team, entering the... →

New owner sought for Bloodhound land-speed record project

By: Irma Venter 12th February 2021 The UK’s Bloodhound land-speed record (LSR) project is looking for a new owner to take the team through to its world LSR attempt in 2022. In 2019, the Bloodhound team deployed to South Africa to conduct high-speed testing, with the car hitting a peak speed of 1 011 km/h, thereby proving that the... →

Ford investing R15.8bn to build new Ranger in SA, mulling high-capacity rail corridor

By: Irma Venter 12th February 2021 Ford will invest R15.8-billion in its South African operations to produce the new-generation Ranger pickup at its Silverton assembly plant, in Tshwane, for the local, as well as more than 100 export markets, starting in 2022. The plant currently produces the current-generation Ranger pickup, also... →

Corolla Cross production at Toyota’s Durban plant to start in fourth quarter

By: Irma Venter 12th February 2021 Toyota South Africa Motors (TSAM) will start production of the Corolla Cross at its Prospecton plant, in Durban, in the fourth quarter of this year. The sports-utility vehicle will be produced in both left- and right-hand-drive variants for the local market, as well as markets in the rest of... →

Vehicle finance on cusp of revolution, says WesBank’s Msibi

By: Irma Venter 11th February 2021 The demands on financial institutions are changing rapidly as younger age groups start to actively participate in the acquisition of assets, says WesBank Motor CEO Ghana Msibi. “I expect the motoring industry, including vehicle finance, to evolve more in the next five years than it has in the... →

Ghana Msibi

Mercedes-Benz SA postpones the launch of its first EV to 2022

By: Irma Venter 8th February 2021 Mercedes-Benz South Africa (MBSA) has postponed the local introduction of its first fully electric vehicle (EV), the EQC. “The market introduction and start of sales of the EQC was set to take place in 2020, but due to the significant disruption of Covid-19 and other contributing factors, we took... →

The Mercedes-Benz EQA

Ford adds armoured Rangers to its local product portfolio

By: Irma Venter 5th February 2021 Ford Motor Company of Southern Africa (FMCSA), together with SVI Engineering, have announced the availability of Ford-approved armoured protection for the Ranger pickup. “The Ranger is among the best-selling vehicles in South Africa, and the introduction of armoured protection will help establish... →

Despite Covid-19 hazard, auto industry hopeful of 2021 sales recovery

By: Irma Venter 5th February 2021 This year should see the South African automotive industry claw back some of the losses experienced in 2020, despite the second wave of Covid-19 raging across the globe. Market commentators believe the 2021 South African new-car market should improve on last year, and that the used-car market... →

Naacam hopes momentum seen at the end of 2020 carries through to the new year

By: Irma Venter 4th February 2021 The South African component manufacturing sector had a tough 2020, says National Association of Automotive Component and Allied Manufacturers (Naacam) executive director Renai Moothilal. There is, however, hope that some of the positive momentum seen at the end of last year can be sustained in... →

Renai Moothilal

E-hailing platform Bolt launches women-only service

By: Irma Venter 2nd February 2021 E-hailing platform Bolt has launched a women-only service that enables women passengers to request rides from women drivers only. Women passengers who request the service will only connect with women drivers on the Bolt platform, with their request for a ride not visible to male drivers. →

Nada calls on government to reduce vehicle taxes

By: Irma Venter 1st February 2021 The automotive industry needs a “significant financial stimulus package” from government to allow it to accelerate its recovery, says National Automobile Dealers’ Association (Nada) chairperson Mark Dommisse. “The most effective way to increase sales will be to make new vehicles more affordable... →

Italy’s Energica electric superbikes make their debut in SA

By: Irma Venter 29th January 2021 The Electronia group has signed an exclusive deal with Italy’s Energica Motor Company (EMC) to become the official local agent for its Energica electric superbikes. Electronia is an electrical, solar and home automation company based in the Vaal Triangle, whose CEO, Kobus Janse van Rensburg, is... →

The Ego super bike

Toyota expects 2021 new-vehicle market to grow by 21%

By: Irma Venter 29th January 2021 Toyota South Africa Motors (TSAM) believes the domestic new-vehicle market may grow by 21% this year, to around 460 000 units, following a decline of 29% in 2020. TSAM president and CEO Andrew Kirby says the recovery seen in the latter half of a Covid-19-hit 2020 bodes well for an increase in... →

TSAM president and CEO Andrew Kirby discusses the new Corolla Cross that will be produced at the Durban plant from the end of the year.

Electric truck refrigeration manufacturer eyeing global market

By: Irma Venter 29th January 2021 South Africa’s Maxwell and Spark is ready to go global, says CEO Dr Clinton Bemont. Maxwell and Spark is a Durban-based lithium-ion (li-ion) battery and systems manufacturer, responsible for producing the world’s first li-ion truck refrigeration unit – called the Fridge.Li. →

German automotive industry strengthens links with Africa

By: Irma Venter 29th January 2021 The German Association of the Automotive Industry (VDA) has joined hands with the African Association of Automotive Manufacturers (AAAM) as part of the ‘PartnerAfrica’ project of the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development. The AAAM is an automotive association with a... →

Toyota South Africa to produce Corolla Cross at its Durban plant

By: Irma Venter 28th January 2021 Toyota South Africa Motors (TSAM) will start production of the Corolla Cross at its Prospecton plant, in Durban, in the fourth quarter of this year. The sports-utility vehicle will be produced in both left- and right-hand-drive variants for the local market, as well as markets in the rest of... →

Bloodhound project up for sale

By: Irma Venter 26th January 2021 The UK’s Bloodhound land-speed record (LSR) project is looking for a new owner to take the team through to its world land-speed record attempt in 2022. In 2019, the Bloodhound team deployed to South Africa to conduct high speed testing, with the car hitting a peak speed of 1 011 km/h, thereby... →

Death of diesel looms as carmakers accelerate to electric future

By: Reuters 26th January 2021 The world's biggest diesel engine factory in Tremery, eastern France, is undergoing a radical overhaul - it's switching to make electric motors. From less than 10% of output in 2020, electric motor production at Tremery will double to around 180 000 in 2021, and is planned to reach 900 000 a... →

Kia unveils new corporate name, strategy

By: Irma Venter 25th January 2021 Kia has revealed a strategy it says will see the Korean car maker reach beyond vehicle manufacturing to “sustainable mobility solutions”. Signalling this break-away from its traditional manufacturing-driven business model, Kia has also announced a new corporate name and slogan. →

Kia CEO Ho Sung Song

Digital Key Plus technology with ultra-wideband technology coming to the BMW iX.

By: Irma Venter 25th January 2021 German car maker BMW says it will continue with the development and popularisation of its digital key feature. In line with this goal, the group says it will introduce the Digital Key Plus, which allows BMW drivers to unlock and start their vehicles without taking their iPhones out of their bags... →

BMW iX with UWB key

Electric truck refrigeration manufacturer looks to global market

By: Irma Venter 25th January 2021 South Africa’s Maxwell and Spark is ready to go global, says CEO Dr Clinton Bemont. Maxwell and Spark is a Durban-based lithium-ion (li-ion) battery and systems manufacturer, responsible for producing the world’s first li-ion truck refrigeration unit – called the Fridge.Li. →

Green energy a macroeconomic imperative, says VW’s Kamuhinda

By: Irma Venter 22nd January 2021 Green technology, electric cars included, are coming to Africa not just because of the Paris Climate Change Agreement, but because Africa has a problem of energy supply, says Volkswagen Africa business development director Serge Kamuhinda. “For a country like Rwanda, fuel imports account for 12%... →

Volvo Group and Daimler Truck sign agreement for new fuel cell JV

By: Irma Venter 22nd January 2021 The Volvo Group and Daimler Truck have signed a binding agreement for a joint venture (JV) to develop, produce and commercialise fuel cell systems for use in heavy-duty trucks as the primary focus, as well as other applications. Both partners say they hope to make the new company a leading... →

New batteries launch for sector

By: Cameron Mackay 22nd January 2021 Following local automotive battery manufacturer AutoX’s 18-month research and development process at its manufacturing plant, in Port Elizabeth, the company launched its gel-based batteries for the local automotive industry at the end of last year. Vehicles, from passenger cars to commercial... →

POSITIVE FEEDBACK AutoX launched its gel-based batteries for the local automotive industry at the end of last year, after the company received feedback from field trials

Study points to ‘cutting-edge’ South African firms in lithium-ion value chain

By: Irma Venter 15th January 2021 A study into the possible development of a lithium-ion (li-ion) battery value chain in South Africa has just been completed. The study was undertaken by Trade and Industrial Policy Strategies (TIPS), on behalf of the Department of Trade, Industry and Competition (DTIC). It was funded by the... →

Volvo Trucks to test LNG trucks for possible South African debut

By: Irma Venter 15th January 2021 Volvo Trucks Southern Africa has brought two liquefied natural gas (LNG) trucks to South Africa to test their performance under local conditions. The trucks have specifically been developed for heavy regional and long-haul operations. →

South African-made MellowVan ready for global roll-out this year

By: Irma Venter 15th January 2021 The South African conceived and developed MellowVan will enter commercial production in 2021, says MellowCabs founder Neil du Preez. The electric three-wheeler, aimed at the last-mile delivery market, is currently the subject of a number of advanced large-scale proof-of-concept projects with... →

Motus launches its own digital vehicle marketplace

By: Irma Venter 15th January 2021 The JSE-listed Motus group has launched its own digital vehicle marketplace, called motus.cars. This platform ties together all the Motus business entities in one digital location, with the aim to provide a simplified online shopping experience. →

Live Company and Messe Frankfurt SA partner for Cape Town eMobility Festival

By: Irma Venter 14th January 2021 Live Company Group has announced that it has, via E-Movement Holdings, a 100% subsidiary of Live Company Group, partnered with Messe Frankfurt South Africa for the launch of the eMobility Festival 2021. The eMobility Festival will focus on electric vehicles of all kinds, the future of e-mobility... →

UCT launches open-access, African-centric research platform

By: Sane Dhlamini 12th January 2021 University of Cape Town Libraries director of research and learning services Dr Reggie Raju revealed on Tuesday, the institute’s newly developed continental platform for open access publishing in Africa. The African research community can now create and share its own scholarly content – open... →

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