Dealer industry news from around Southern Africa
The Automobile Association of South Africa (AA) has been highly critical of government proposals to amend the Road Traffic Act to reduce the legal alcohol limits to zero, claiming the proposals - if they become law - will criminalise innocent motorists and are unlikely to have the results authorities think they will.
The Ford Motor Company of Southern Africa (FMCSA) has commenced with the first phase of its Project Blue Oval renewable energy programme, which aims to make the plant 100% carbon neutral and energy self-sufficient by 2024.
The automotive industry has contributed to a much faster than expected recovery in manufacturing output in South Africa.
Motus, the vehicle business of Imperial Holdings that was unbundled and separately listed on the JSE, has launched its dedicated vehicle shopping website.
Mzansi’s parts guru, Malcolm Kinsey, has sound advice for dealers who inflate their parts and services prices but he says by and large, the perception that dealers charge exorbitant prices is misplaced.
The CEO of BMW Group South Africa and sub-Saharan Africa, Tim Abbott, has quit after six years at the helm and will be replaced by South African born Peter van Binsbergen at the start of the new year.
New to South Africa but not new to Audi’s business in South Africa. Sascha Sauer is the new Head of Audi Africa and will lead the Four Rings locally taking over the reins from Trevor Hill.
A promising future awaits the Dutch truck manufacturer, DAF in South Africa, especially with the establishment of a local assembly plant within two years.
South African motorists can expect a further drop in the fuel price during November.
Dealer principals were not surprised that Finance Minister Tito Mboweni did not even mention a call by the auto trade to lower taxes on new vehicles in his 2020 medium-Term Budget Policy Statement.
Springbok rugby will again be driven by Land Rover with the announcement that the premium brand will be the official vehicle partner and associate sponsor of the Rugby World Cup Champions.
Trading is tough, especially after the hard lockdown, which has created a perfect breeding ground for scams and schemes by syndicates and individuals.
The uptick in new vehicle sales since June 2020 is very encouraging, says National Automobile Dealer Association (NADA) chairperson, Mark Dommisse.
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A light on my car’s dashboard came on, and instead of fixing the problem, I waited for the bulb to burn out. Crisis solved.
Jarod Kintz