Africa Automotive July-August issue 2022

Page 27

Africa Automotive News l 2022 1 July-August issue l 2022 Africa Automotive July-August issue 2022 Volume 4 issue no. 22 How to Determine If Your Passenger Brake Pads Need Replacement...pg 27 Why passenger cars remain the most prominent vehicle in the EV battery market...pg 18 Why Car Manufaacturers Should Rely on Hydrogen After all...pg 17 In this issue...... Passanger Tyres What to look for in Passenger Tyres

us:

774 288 100 Web: www.africaautomotivenews.com Follow us on: @ Autonews_Africa @ Africa Automotive News Stand Out. Be AdertiseMoreKnown.Business.Now!

Contact

Email:

info@africaautomotivenews.com

Tel: +254

Africa Automotive News l 2022 3 July-August issue l 2022 Contents Current Issue What to look for when buying Passenger Tyres & much more...enjoy the issue! NewsREGULARSBriefs 4 Events 8 Innovation 10 Opinion 16 Safety Tips 36 COVER STORY Passanger tyres: What to look for in Passenger Tyres Features How to Apply Automotive Protective Coatings and Overlays How to Determine If Your Passenger Brake Pads Need Replacement How to Avoid Privacy Risks from Third-party Automotive Apps Why Car Manufacturers Should Rely on Hydrogen After all How to Sell Your Car Privately How to Change Your Air Filter and Check Your Hoses and Belts ADVERTISER'S INDEX 30 Nailex Africa Publishing Ltd...................................................IFC Nailex Africa Publishing Ltd...................................................IBC Graphene Coating ................................................................OBC Nailex Africa Publishing Ltd.................................................pg 16 Madico films...........................................................................pg 22 Gislaved...................................................................................pg 26 Glinter.......................................................................................pg 28 Remsa.......................................................................................pg 29 Absa..........................................................................................pg 34 IGL Coatings...........................................................................pg 34 PFK............................................................................................pg 38 22 36 23 18 Managing Editor Augustine Mwita Editor-in-Chief Monica Robina Senior Editor & Marketing Lead Dorcas Kang’ereha Writer Violet InnocentIreneHarrietAmbaleMkhayeJosephMomanyi Sales Executives East UcheEmeldaNigeriaThembisaLisaSeanPaulSouthSheilaVincentCaiserLydiaJimmyAfricaMudasiaKamonyaMomanyiMuronoIng’ayitsaAfricaNyakeriMasangwanyiBrownNdlovuNjomboroMaxwel Designed and Published by: P.O. Box 52248-00100, Nairobi, Kenya. 27 Content The Editor accepts letter and manuscripts for publication from readers all over the world. Include your name and address as a sign of good faith although you may request your name to be withheld from publication. We can reserve the right to edit any material submitted. Send your letters to: info@africaautomotivenews.com NailexDisclaimer:Africa Publishing Ltd makes every effort to ensure the accuracy of the contents of its publications, but no warranty is made to such accuracy and no responsibility will be borne by the publisher for the consequences of actions based on information so published. Further, opinions expressed on interviews are not necessarily shared by Nailex Africa Publishing Ltd. Contact us Tel: 0774288100 Emaii: info@africaautomotivenews.com Web: https://africaautomotivenews.com

Nissan will acquire all the common shares of Vehicle Energy Japan held by INCJ, Ltd. and subscribe to common shares issued by Vehicle Energy Japan. Following the transaction, Vehicle Energy Japan will become a consolidated subsidiary of Nissan, in which it will hold shares alongside existing shareholders Maxell, Ltd. and Hitachi Astemo, Ltd.

Vehicle Energy Japan has an integrated production system from battery cells to packs, and advanced battery management system technologies. It develops, manufactures, and sells

According to the government agency, the introduction of the short messaging platform follows a series of complaints raised by buyers over purchasing cars only to find out that car’s mileages had been altered.

The code will also enable motorists to identify vehicles legally allowed to operate on Kenyan roads. While working with other agencies such as the National Transport Safety Authority (NTSA), the introduction of the SMS is meant to enforce the implementation of traffic rules.

in its ongoing electrification strategy under the vision. The investment will allow Nissan to secure a stable battery supplier and contribute to the development of next-generation batteries with a competitive edge in terms of both performance and cost. Vehicle Energy Japan will provide a stable supply of batteries to Nissan as well as broad range of other customers, with ongoing support from shareholders Maxell and Hitachi Astemo, along with Nissan.

certificate and the insurance policy certificate.

4 Africa Automotive News l 2022 July-August issue l 2022News

Nissan to acquire shares in Vehicle Energy Japan Inc

Nissan Motor Co., Ltd. announces that it has entered into a definitive agreement to acquire shares in Vehicle Energy Japan Inc., a company engaged in the automotive lithium-ion batteries business. Nissan will acquire the shares after the completion of regulatory procedures, including necessary approvals and permissions.

Buyers can confirm the car’s inspection authenticity and mileage by sending the chassis number to 20023. VIN, also known as the Chassis Number, is an exclusive car identification number allotted to a car by the manufacturer. The 17-digit number, which distinguishes it from other models and makes, is used by the registration authorities to register a car. It is usually encrypted on car boots, dashboard, rear wheel, registration

“Get to know how you can verify the authenticity of the vehicle inspection details and mileage by sending the chassis number to 20023,” the KEBS statement stated.

Bureau of Standards (KEBS) unveiled a short SMS code to help Kenyans seeking to buy motor vehicles to easily confirm their details. According to the KEBS statement, buyers can confirm the authenticity of inspection details and full information regarding the vehicle they intend to purchase, whether brand new or used cars. The short messaging code, 20023, also enables car buyers to verify mileage.

KEBS unveils SMS Code to verify car details and mileage

lithium-ion batteries, battery modules, and battery management systems for hybrid vehicles that are expected areas of growth.

How to Check

Nissan, in its long-term vision, Nissan Ambition 2030, aims to create significant value beyond mobility by placing electrification at the core of its business strategy and expanding the possibilities of journeys and society. As a key supplier to Nissan, Vehicle Energy Japan will play a crucial role

Kenya

The verification details come after KEBS banned the importation of used mini-buses, double-decker, and large buses into the country. The directive which took effect on July 1, was meant to promote and protect local assemblers.

According to Interior CS Fred Matiang’i, all motorists are required to replace their old number plates within 18 months. Matiang’i insisted that exercise is mandatory and urged all motorists to replace the plates within the stipulated timelines.

Kenya is racing against time to catch up with the rest of the world in the shift to clean mobility in efforts to reduce pollution of the environment. The country has more than 1,000 lowcarbon emission vehicles with dealers expecting an increase due to the high cost of fuel. Recent geopolitical tensions in Europe following Russia’s war in Ukraine have seen fuel prices spike out of reach for most motorists.

to address the security of our country. We want to help other agencies such as KRA to function properly, uplift the financial sector and improve transparency,” he stated.

Electric

Some of the security features will be visible to the naked eye whereas others will only be accessible to law enforcement agencies. Besides a unique template, they’ll feature a specially-imprinted national flag, hologram, watermark, unique and different serial numbers for rear and front plates that are linked to the vehicle’s chassis number and customized font.

adopt the new generational plates.

micropayments with the Internetof-Things (IoT) technology, M-KOPA enables underbanked customers to access a broad range of products and services without collateral.

“When the NTSA team calls on Kenyans to change the plates, let us obey and get it done within those 18 months. Issuance of new plates will begin with newly registered vehicles from the KDK series and replacement of existing ones to start from October 1, 2022,” Matiang’i stated. He added that the digital number plates would be synchronised with the Kenya Revenue Authority (KRA) systems to nab dealers who relent in paying

The

All automobiles, including motorbikes and three-wheelers, trailers and tractors, both private and governmentowned, and those used by diplomats and international organizations will

motorcycle companies are leveraging partnerships with lenders specialising in asset finance to drive sales in Kenya targeting boda boda riders. SwedishKenyan technology company Roam has partnered with M-KOPA to deliver a fleet of motorcycles by the end of 2022 in time for mass deployment in early 2023.

“M-KOPA will aid in the deployment of the motorcycles through its innovative ‘Pay-As-You-Go’ model, which allows customers instant access to products while building ownership over time through flexible micro-payments,” said Mikael Gånge, co-founder and chief

commercial officer, Roam.

Africa Automotive News l 2022 5 July-August issue l 2022

ARC Ride Kenya which launched a plant in Kenya producing 500 two and three-wheeled electric scooters and bikes each month also partnered with M-KOPA and Watu Credit to be able to offer the product through flexible financing terms. Kenya and the region are rapidly catching up on electric mobility but cost remains a big obstacle to abandoning fossil fuels for clean Manufacturersenergy. are turning to asset finance companies that offer flexible “pay as you go” terms that allow riders to acquire the units and pay as they earn an income. Roam said that by combining the power of digital

Kenyans will part with Ksh3,000 to replace the old motor-vehicle number plates with the digital ones equipped with security features to curb crime and theft cases. The digital plates were unveiled during the launch of the new number plates at the GSU Recce unit Headquarters in Ruiru, Nairobi on Tuesday, August 30.

Kenya introduces digital vehicles number plates to curb tax evation and crime

doing this because we want

Kenya Government has rolled out new generation number plates for all imported motor vehicles in a bid to curb tax evasion and theft. This is according to Dr. Fred Matiang’i, the country’s Interior Cabinet Secretary who also termed the move a dragnet of curtailing the tax evasion within the car importing business sector.

“Wetaxes.are

E-motorcycle firms banking on asset finance

News

On his part, Deluxe Trucks & Buses E.A. Managing Director, Mr. Ameet Shroff said, “The partnership targets individuals, Small Medium Size companies, and large commercial businesses for flexible financing of up to 95% of the vehicle cost. Delivering uptime to customers is our key objective and we will ensure that our customers are continuously served with complete satisfaction.”

boss said that in two months’ time, the company would be establishing the assembly plant, as well as an ultra-modern showroom, to be commissioned by the vice chancellor. “I have always believed in Nigeria and in the great talents and natural resources therein. I will not stop at doing anything within my disposal to make Nigeria a pride before the entire world. It is time for us to come together to return Nigeria to a producing nation and not a consumer nation,” he said.

Mr. Amandeep Singh, Head International Operations for Ashok Leyland expressed his pleasure at the tie up and noted that, “Ashok Leyland Trucks and Buses has a wide future ready portfolio in commercial vehicle categories ranging from 2.55 Ton GVW

Oluwatobi Ajayi, chief executive officer, NORD Automobiles Limited, expressed delight at the development, noting that it was his little way of contributing to the country’s Accordingdevelopment.tohim, there is a need to continuously encourage the youths, especially students in tertiary institutions, by making them understand that they have a future in engineering especially. The NORD

expressed delight that with the coming of the auto plant, Engineering students of the university would be able to gain first-hand experience, but also students of Architecture, Finance, Marketing, as well as those in Creative Arts.

to us, therefore, is that they will start assembling the car in this University of Lagos, putting into consideration the economic situation of this country,” he Ogundipesaid.

The signing of the MoU is a bold step in the right direction that is positioned to further intensify the university’s quest to equip students with all the necessary skills before graduation, said Oluwatoyin Ogunleye, vice chancellor, University of Lagos.

Ashok Leyland customers will now be able to access flexible financing options in a deal from Kenya Commercial Bank. The partnership will see customers enjoy up to 95% financing with an extended repayment period of 72 months as well as a comfortable 60-day payment holiday.

Ashok

Leyland’s authorized distributors, Deluxe Trucks and Buses in Kenya have signed a partnership with Kenya Commercial Bank to jointly promote the Ashok Leyland Brand of Vehicles. Kenya Commercial Bank (KCB) is one of the largest financial institutions in the region offering an array of services.

to 55 Ton GVW and buses suited for all applications. The Ashok Leyland range of vehicles offers the best-inclass mileage in all these categories. This partnership with KCB will enable customers to avail financing options to purchase Ashok Leyland commercial vehicles at industry best terms and Speakingconditions.”during the event, KCB Bank Director of Corporate Banking, Esther Waititu said, “We are delighted to partner with Deluxe Trucks & Buses, for financing Ashok Leyland products.

It is a reflection of our commitment to supporting key customers to derive value from their long-standing loyalty.”

Ashok Leyland channel partner Deluxe Trucks and Buses inks agreement with Kenya Commercial Bank for vehicle financing

Nord

Automobiles Limited, an indigenous automobile company, has signed a memorandum of understanding with the University of Lagos (UNILAG) to establish an automobile assembly and manufacturing hub in the institution.

6 Africa Automotive News l 2022 July-August issue l 2022

Ogundipe said that this would also stimulate research and development activities in the area of automobiles among members of staff, adding that any nation with the quest for development must look inward.

News

“This is the first time any university is bringing an automobile company into its campus in Africa. What this means

Nord Motors, UNILAG sign agreement to build Africa’s first on-campus auto plant

Kenyan Government to Set up a National Automotive Council

Kenya Power to set up electric car charging hubs by September

Clean mobility is fast gathering pace in Kenya, with several companies already piloting electric-powered buses and motorcycles, placing Kenya Power at the centre given the need for electricity supplies.

Power will, from next month, start constructing electric charging systems for homes, businesses and the public across the country as the shift to clean transport gathers momentum. The State-owned power utility is seeking a firm to build an e-mobility network infrastructure system (ENIS) in Nairobi and Nakuru to pilot the charging stations.

Thesaid.Head of State encouraged stakeholders in the industry to continue working with the

Government to ensure it achieves its objectives of reviving and stabilizing the automotive sector.

He thanked Mitsubishi, Associated Vehicle Assembly (AVA) and Simba Corporation for being true partners in the country’s efforts in growing the “Iindustry.reallyappreciate the partnership that we have had that has led to a revival of this industry that was oncemoribund and for me to give you my

Africa Automotive News l 2022 7 July-August issue l 2022 News

“Iindustry.takenote

“Kenya Power intends to implement an e-mobility network infrastructure system. The system will ensure that e-mobility customers in Kenya can be served in a seamless manner countrywide where Kenya Power has grid presence.”

Uhuru Kenyatta has confirmed the Government will set up a national automotive council to facilitate implementation of the National Automotive Policy that is geared towards boosting the local assembling of motor Speakingvehicles.whenhe

Kenya is racing against time to catch up with the rest of the world in the shift to clean mobility in efforts to reduce pollution of the environment. The European Commission wants to ban the sale of diesel and petrolpowered vehicles by 2035, signalling a global shift that is prompting Kenya to set the ground for its e-mobility.

The State utility has floated tender

assurance and my commitment that we shall continue to work together to reach the targets that we envisioned way back in 2019.

of the issue of getting the council established and that is something we shall see if we can do before we leave office to ensure that we create that enabling environment for the necessary institutions that will see this particular industry continue on its growth trajectory and becomes once again predominant part of the Kenyan economy,” President Kenyatta

launched the locally assembled Euro 4 Mitsubishi L200 pickup at State House, Nairobi, President Kenyatta reiterated the Government’s commitment to creating an enabling environment for the growth of the country’s automotive

“our determination to ensure that future Government also continue with the same policy because this is not only good for increasing the manufacturing capacity of the country but also good in terms of skills transfer, in terms of creating jobs for our people and in terms of creating new opportunities,” he said.

inviting bidders who will build the infrastructure that will also allow customers to pay via M-Pesa and credit like in the traditional fueling stations.

President

Kenya, like the rest of the world, is pushing for clean mobility to reduce environmental pollution from fossil fuels, placing Kenya Power at the centre of the shift due to the need for electricity supplies for motorists.

Clean mobility

Kenya

HeIbadan.said: “This car is assembled in Nigeria by Nigerians and is environmentally friendly, with 50 per cent lower carbon emissions than the average car.”

Technology Solutions Limited, popularly known as Africar, in partnership with the National Automotive Design and Development Council (NADDC), has introduced a new ridehailing service to ease transportation difficulties across the country.

He added that the company and NADDC developed the Bajaj Qute cars purposely for the new ride-hailing taxi for Nigeria and would be taken to other states in the country, after

Africar, operating under a conglomerate known as Stallion Group, is a platform that has the potential to transform the transportation industry by providing both employment opportunities and low-cost rides.

Vasco

Africa and six markets in MENA, Asia and Europe, and its customers have completed over 7 million trips in Moove-financed vehicles.

NADDC, Africar unveil Nigeria-Assembled Mini-cars for Taxi Services

Aliyu, represented by the Director, Industrial Infrastructure Department, Dr. Nua Omisanya, said the Council had worked tirelessly to ensure the survival and growth of the Nigerian automotive industry, with a view to enhancing the industry’s contribution to the national economy.

8 Africa Automotive News l 2022 July-August issue l 2022News

Signed at the eighth Tokyo International Conference on African Development [TICAD] conference, the tri-party agreement is one of the first to involve an African fintech company and underscores the opportunity to leverage technology to improve the livelihoods of millions of people in emerging markets. Moove’s alternative credit scoring technology will enable access to vehicle financing to mobility entrepreneurs, backed by the

According to him, the newly introduced mode of transportation will enhance basic mobility for all, including

visitors, easing mobility for students, workers and communities from various suburban areas to the city centre. “NADDC continues its unwavering dedication to the support of local automotive production, and also continues to promote some of the latest technologies being developed,” he Alsoadded.speaking, the chief executive officer (CEO), Africar, Sahil Vaswani, said all the cars being used for the project were assembled at Stallion Group’s Von Plant in Lagos.

Launched in Lagos, Nigeria in 2020, Moove is a mission-led company committed to empowering mobility entrepreneurs to be productive and successful through providing access to vehicle financing and other financial services. Moove has since scaled to seven markets across sub-Saharan

Speaking during the launching, the director-general of the National Automotive Design and Development Council (NADDC), Jelani Aliyu, said the launching of the mini-cars, which is of international standards, is, therefore a step in the right direction.

M

Moove signs agreement with MUFG and Suzuki to promote financial inclusion for Mobility Gig Workers across Africa

oove, the world’s first mobility fintech, has announced the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding [MoU] with MUFG, one of the world’s leading financial groups and Suzuki, one of the world’s leading suppliers of vehicles to mobility businesses. Through this MoU, Moove, which provides revenue-based financing to mobility entrepreneurs, aims to advance financial inclusion and job creation as well as upskilling opportunities in the sector.

strength of MUFG’s financial services capabilities and Suzuki’s expertise in supplying durable, high performance and fuel efficient vehicles.

Reports indicate that no fewer than 115 Nigeria-assembled mini-cars have been launched by the Minister of Trade and Industry, Otunba Niyi Adebayo, for shuttle services in Ibadan, Oyo State capital.

The MoU creates a framework for the parties to work closely together on solving other challenges in mobility, including providing access to finance for more female customers as well as improving road safety and training support for mobility entrepreneurs.

continues to be Bentley’s retained Middle East, Africa and India PR agency, the appointment of a new lead global agency partner for creative and strategic marketing communications is the latest stage of this innovative

a digital bank powered by VFD Microfinance Bank has partnered with Autochek, an automotive technology firm to make it easier and quicker for customers to access loans at the most competitive interest rates to purchase

“This automated process improves the efficiency of the loan process and ultimately enhances the overall experience for individuals and businesses. The goal is to continue to build on this to create the first Autoloan securitization product in subSaharan Africa,” they said.

Bentley Motors announced its Beyond100 strategy in 2020 – a reinvention of every aspect of its business, to become an end-to-end carbon neutral organisation and one of the world’s leading luxury lifestyle

Bentley

Senior Vice President, West Africa at Autochek, Mayokun Fadeyibi, said: “We are really excited to unveil this game-changing product, which is the result of a long series of conversations between the Autochek and VFD teams. We wanted to create a product that would make the most of our combined expertise to deliver real change in how people across Nigeria access financing for their vehicles. By combining VFDs exciting range of financing products with our process, we are confident that we will be able to connect more customers to the financing they need to access the vehicles they desire, which should in turn catalyse more growth across the automotive sector.

Motors has announced plans to transform its agency partners across the marketing mix, which will help the brand evolve and transform its entire marketing communications strategy as it prepares for full electrification across its product range by 2030 and diversifies its offering to be one of the world’s most well-known luxury lifestyle brands.

Vbank

Communications

their desired vehicles. This partnership, the duo said, streamlines the loan origination process, with all paperwork and documentation run through an automatic underwriting algorithm for loan processing.

programme and includes the evolution of its digital-first strategy, paving the way for Web 3.0.

Steven de Ploey, Director of Strategy, Product and Marketing said: “This announcement marks an exciting new phase in our Beyond100 strategy, which will transform every aspect of the Bentley Motors business as we enter our second century as a global luxury brand.

“Our approach to marketing is central to our transformation; and we are delighted to have new partners on board to galvanise our progress. Our plans go far beyond our products, to innovative brand extensions and exciting partnerships. It will also see us put people front and centre in our communications to engage new audiences as we move towards becoming a sustainable, wholly ethical role model for modern luxury.”

Africa Automotive News l 2022 9 July-August issue l 2022 News

Bentley Motors announces global agency overhaul

Whilebrands.Performance

Vbank, Autochek partner on auto loan product

10 Africa Automotive News l 2022 July-August issue l 2022Automitive apps

by the vehicle manufacturer. The thirdparty applications analysed by Kaspersky cover almost all major vehicle brands, with Tesla, Nissan, Renault, Ford and Volkswagen in the top-5 cars most often controlled by such apps. However, these By Zintle Nkohla

How to Avoid Privacy Risks from Third-party Automotive Apps

M

obile applications for connected cars provide various features to make life easier for motorists, but they can also be a source of risk. Kaspersky experts have analysed 69 popular third-party mobile applications designed to control connected cars and defined the main threats drivers may face while using them. They found out that more than half (58%) of these applications use the vehicle owners’ credentials without asking for their consent. On top of this, one in five of the applications have no contact information, which makes it impossible to report a problem. These and other findings are published in the new Kaspersky Connected Apps report.

Connected automotive applications provide a wide range of functions to make drivers’ lives easier. For example, they allow users to remotely control their vehicles by locking or unlocking the doors, adjusting climate control, starting and stopping the engine, etc.

Even though most car manufacturers have their own legitimate applications for the cars they make, third-party apps designed by mobile developers are also very popular among users as they may offer unique features that have not yet been introduced

“The benefits of a connected world are countless. However, it is important to note that this is still a developing industry, which carries certain risks. When downloading a third-party application to control your car remotely, users should be aware of possible threats. We entrust a lot of private information and personal data to connected technology,” Sergey Zorin, Head of Kaspersky Transportation Security at Kaspersky says.

of enhanced protection against outside interference.

Kaspersky Hybrid Cloud Security meets developers’ needs. It secures Docker and Windows containers and provides a ‘security as code’ approach, with containerisation host memory protection, tasks for containers, image scanning, and scriptable interfaces.  So, you can integrate security tasks into CI/CD pipelines without impacting the development process. Implement protection mechanisms into the application. Kaspersky Mobile SDK provides data protection for customers as well as malware detection, secure connectivity, and more.

applications are not entirely safe to use, claim Kaspersky researchers.

Kaspersky experts recommend that users:

Check the permissions of the apps you use and think carefully before permitting a process, especially when it comes to high-risk permissions such as access to Accessibility Services. The only permission that a flashlight app, for example, needs is access to the flashlight functionality. Adopt a reliable security solution to help detect malicious apps and adware before they can start behaving badly on your Don’tdevice.forget to update your operating system and all software regularly. Many safety issues can be resolved by installing updated versions of software.

is not necessarily a bad thing, however, such developers don’t have to care about your vehicle’s safety and data security like regulated vehicle manufacturers do.

It is also worth noting that 46 of the 69 applications are either free of charge or offer a demo mode. This has contributed to such applications being downloaded from the Google Play Store more than 239,000 times, which makes you wonder how many people are giving strangers free access to their cars.

“We urge application developers to make user protection a priority and take precautionary measures to avoid compromising their customers and themselves,” Zorin advises.

Adopt solutions that secure the software development process through application control at runtime, scanning for vulnerabilities before deployment, routinely conducting security vetting of containers, and anti-malware testing of production artifacts. With supply chain attacks through public repositories becoming more frequent as of late, the development process is in need

Africa Automotive News l 2022 11 July-August issue l 2022 Privacy Risks

For application developers, Kaspersky experts recommend the following advice:

Some developers advise using the authorisation token instead of a username and password to look more credible. The tricky part here is that, if a token is compromised, malefactors can get access to the cars the same way they would by using victims’ credentials. This means that the risk of losing control over the vehicles is still high. Users should be aware that everything is at their own risk and using authorisation tokens does not ensure total safety. Despite this, only 19% of developers mention this and warn the user without hiding it in several layers of fine print.

Only download apps from official stores like the Apple App Store, Google Play or Amazon Appstore. Apps from these markets are not 100% failsafe but they at least get checked by shop representatives and there is some filtration system in place, meaning that not every app can get into these stores.

Moreover, every seventh (14%) application does not have information on how to contact the developer or give feedback, making it impossible to report a problem or request more information on the app’s privacy policy. The absence of official contact information and social network pages makes it clear that most of these apps are developed by enthusiasts, which

Scorpio-NMahindraXUV700andlaunchedinSouthAfrica

New Model

ith the launch of the Mahindra Scorpio-N in the country, the Indian carmaker also revealed the Scorpio-N and the XUV700 in South Africa. To be manufactured in India and exported to several global markets, both the SUVs will soon be launched internationally.

W

12 Africa Automotive News l 2022 July-August issue l 2022

Mahindra XUV700

The Mahindra XUV700 made its debut in India last year in August. Available at a starting price of Rs

New Model

The ex-showroom prices of the automatic and 4×4 variants will be revealed on 21 July while the bookings for the SUV will open on 30 July. Here’s our first-drive review of the new Mahindra Scorpio-N.

Africa Automotive News l 2022 13

Coming to the newly launched Scorpio-N, the new generation model looks entirely new, gets a thoroughly revamped cabin, more tech, and added safety features with petrol and all-wheel-drive options. Available at a starting price of Rs 11.99 lakh (ex-showroom) across five variants, here are the variant-wise features and prices of all manual variants.

13.18 lakh (ex-showroom), XUV700 can be broadly had in MX and AX trims. It is offered in 2.0-litre petrol and 2.2-litre diesel engines with both manual and automatic transmissions. However, the fourwheel-drive setup is limited to the diesel automatic version. Presently, the XUV700 commands a waiting period of over one year, owing to the high demand and supply shortage of semiconductors. Here’s our detailed review of the Mahindra XUV700.

issue l 2022

Mahindra Scorpio-N

July-August

CAETANO LAUNCHES THE ALL-NEW KIA RANGE IN KENYA

aetano Kenya, the official distributor of various automotive brands in Kenya including Hyundai & Renault, has today launched the all-new KIA range in Kenya. The new KIA SUVs – Kia Sportage and Sorento – are powerful, progressive and versatile. They combine cutting-edge tech features with family-friendly practicality. The range of vehicles has been specifically chosen for Kenya to meet the local customer requirements. Each KIA SUV comes with its own unique features and strengths.

TheKenya.Kia

Sonet is designed to be bold and unforgettable. It spots key features that place it in a league of its own

New model

C

Seltos brings sophistication, cutting-edge technology and safety features to the global compact SUV segment. It is characterized by design details that lend it an air of understated sportiness. Smaller than the mid-sized Sportage, the Seltos packs a lot into its compact footprint, with more space for passengers and luggage than any rival B-segment SUV. It features the largest cabin and trunk of any B-segment SUV currently on sale, aided by the car’s subtly larger exterior dimensions and long wheelbase. The new model also offers a highly-efficient 1.6-liter petrol

14 Africa Automotive News l 2022

passionate about exploring the world as they are about fine finishes, and allure of luxurious statement vehicles. With its impressive suite of features, the Sorento is Kia’s most high-tech car ever and this is the first time it will be sold in

Theengine.KIA

The KIA Sorento is the first vehicle to be based on Kia’s new-generation midsize SUV platform. The Sorento is equipped with a larger body that comfortably seats 7 people; enabling drivers to maximize cargo and luggage space. Sitting at the heart of Kia’s refreshed SUV line-up, its redefined exterior and attractive cabin, set it apart as much more than a work of engineering efficiency. The new model promises practicality, comfort, and entertainment for the whole family, appealing to adventurous drivers who are as

Kia’s flagship SUV, the Sportage is as practical as it is compelling, offering ample space, and a modern suite of hi-tech features that cater to the interests and demands of seasoned drivers and passengers. The 2022 Kia Sportage is ringing in a new era for one of the brand’s most soughtafter models, with a comprehensive redesign that moves its identity to the next level while paying homage to its rich heritage. The fifth generation Sportage looks to the future with a sleek yet muscular and modern exterior design, cutting-edge interior blends ergonomic layout and the latest tech innovations to create an inspiring space.

Africa Automotive News l 2022 15

July-August issue l 2022

New model

KIA SPortage|image KIA

The launch event also marked the opening of the new KIA Showroom in Nairobi at the Crater Automobile Premises on Mombasa Road.

“Salvador Caetano Group arrived in Kenya in 2014 with the aim of becoming one of the major players in automotive industry. Caetano Kenya is reinforcing its presence in the aftersales market by growing its current network of workshops – Caetano Express – which is already in 23 locations of 8 Kenyan cities. Caetano will provide the after-sales services across the country for the KIA brand through its Caetano Express network. All the KIA cars will come with a 5-year warranty or a 100,000km mileage.” Mr. Campos concluded.

KIA Sonet|image KIA

KIA Sonet interior|image KIA

within the compact SUV segment. It comes encapsulated in a modern exterior, a confident and compact body, which includes a fresh interpretation of Kia’s signature ‘tiger-nose’ grille and a stylish front skid plate beneath. It is built for young, ingenious customers who crave simplicity and seamlessness in their lives.

“The models launched today are engineered and adopted for the Kenyan market. They are built through synthesizing customer insights, pioneering segment-leading features, and designed to naturally fit into the lives of the customers.” said Mr. Yaser Shabsogh, KIA COO Middle East & Africa

KIA SPortage interior|image KIA

Government has been working closely with the private sector organizations to drive policy implementation and create an enabling environment for investors in the automotive sector and beyond. During the launch of the KIA Brand, Mr. George Makateto, Director, State Department for Industrialization said, “This year after a long time, the Cabinet Secretary approved what is known as the National Automotive Policy and submitted it to parliament. The policy will assist in facilitating investment in the automotive industry in the country and this launch falls squarely within the policy. Another area the Government is looking at is sustainability in this sector, we are hoping the country will increase usage of electric vehicles; I am aware that Salvador Caetano has some electric vehicles under their brands, and we hope in the future they will consider locally assembled

about the launch, Caetano Managing Director, Mr Pedro Campos said: “Caetano Kenya is very excited to add KIA to its family of brands. In Africa and Middle East, KIA is now the fourth biggest brand and is fast moving up. This year alone, KIA is expected to sell more that 50,000 new units in Africa. In today’s launch, we have introduced four models, but we aim to go further by providing a more diversified range of products that can fit everyone’s mobility needs.”

Speakingones.”

He said the government should support local production by levying a development for tax on steel imported into Nigeria He said the government should raise fund or generate a fund for privatized Ajaokuta Steel with incentives to guarantee its completion. He added:

16 Africa Automotive News l 2022 July-August issue l 2022

“In the past planning of 1958 and the postindependence, it was only government that has financial muscles to fund steel projects. “Now private sector can conveniently undertake such investment to fund steel complexes but in PPP model. Federal Government of Nigeria should not own more than 40 per cent equity in such “Governmentpartnership. should raise fund or generate a fund for privatised Ajaokuta Steel with incentives to guarantee its completion. “Government should thereafter support local production by levying a development for tax on steel imported into Nigeria during the resuscitation period to fund the establishment of steel development fund which is accessible to investors.”

“The new National Steel Council has to resist the temptation of using foreign consultants and the so-called development partners who are here to corrupt the officials and offers foreign travels as free meals to ensure that the country geopolitical interference and sectional partisan politics.”

T

He said Nigeria should not own more than 40 per cent equity in such partnership. Haruna, who made the submission in a presentation to the steel council in Abuja, said NASENI will invest in any venture, targeted at producing iron and steel products from Nigeria raw material, with the private sector and the steel council.

He assured the council that NASENI will seek its board’s approval to invest in any venture, targeted at producing iron and steel products from Nigeria Raw Material, with the private sector and the council

us: www.africaautomotivenews.com+254774288100info@africaautomotivenews.com Follow us on: @ Autonews_Africa @ Africa Automotive News STAND OUT. BE KNOWN. MORE BUSINESS.

Steel industry revival will boost ManufacturingAutomotiveManufacturingContact

he Executive Vice Chairman/ Chief Executive, National Agency for Science and Engineering Infrastructure (NASENI) Prof. Mohammed Haruna said the revival of the nation’s steel industry is a must for the development of automotive manufacturing in the country.

He said without fixing the steel industry, the nation’s automotive aspiration would not be realised. He said the Federal Government should adopt Public-Private Partnership (PPP) model to fund steel complexes.

Manufacturing

Whatcells.

Most car manufacturers are now also aware that e-fuels are an interesting but hopeless technology for mass mobility. However, there is still the basis on which e-fuels are produced: hydrogen.

To name just three of them: Synthetic fuel is expensive. It is also difficult to produce in an environmentally friendly way. In addition, e-fuels are very inefficient. Their energy balance is still far below the already poor carbon footprint of fossil fuels such as oil or natural gas.

Actually, the German car industry had already rejected the fuel cell drive some time ago. The fired VW boss Herbert Diess calculated that a hydrogen-powered vehicle would require three times more electricity than an electric car.

However, the turnaround at Bayern does not come by itself. Apparently, the narrow e-car range of the Munichbased company is not sufficient to comply with fleet consumption within the framework of future EU limits.

BMW is not alone in its considerations. Toyota and Hyundai are two manufacturers that have taken the lead worldwide in terms of fuel cells. The sudden interest of some manufacturers in hydrogen also stems from the fear of possibly missing out on a future technology. Nor would it be the first time that this would happen to the German auto industry.

Wide range of applications

For companies to do without this would mean becoming dependent on other countries again, as the solar industry once did. That must not happen.

Africa Automotive News l 2022 17 July-August issue l 2022

Above all, industry should be able to cover its energy needs with hydrogen. This, in turn, requires powerful fuel

Fuel cells will also be needed in industry in the future. The EU is planning a “green corridor” for Europe. This means that hydrogen is to be produced in Algeria and Morocco and transported via gas pipelines to the continent to Norway.

Rethinking at BMW

H

Instead of simply charging the electricity directly from the source into the car, the hydrogen must first be produced at great expense, which of course consumes additional electricity. To make matters worse, the efficiency of a fuel cell is only slightly higher than that of a combustion engine.

There are also some people on the board of the Bavarian car manufacturer BMW who do not yet want to write off the combustion engine. For them, however, the air gradually becomes thin. Because the arguments against e-fuels are diverse and serious.

Why ManufacturersCar Should Rely on AfterHydrogenall

ydrogen will not be the drive technology of the future. This is considered a foregone conclusion in the automotive industry. Nevertheless, some manufacturers are rethinking.

This should not obscure the fact that synthetic fuels will still have a correction of existence in the future. For aircraft or trucks, for example, there are only a few alternatives so far.

E-fuels could close an important gap in the long term.

The automotive industry has decided that the future belongs to e-mobility. Or maybe not? The designated VW boss Oliver Blume is a strong advocate of so-called e-fuels, i.e. synthetic fuels.

Nevertheless, there is a rethinking in the industry. BMW is now considering possibly relying on hydrogen in the future. On the one hand via a hybrid drive with a large storage battery, which can also be charged by cable, on

the other hand as a stand-alone drive.

In principle, fuel cells are also interesting for other areas of application in addition to their use in trucks. These include zeppelins, but also aircraft. Fuel cells are also used in residential buildings. The Berlin-based startup Home Power Solutions specializes in making homes self-sufficient from the power grid by means of solar systems that are coupled to a fuel cell.

does this mean for the industry and politics? Hydrogen should be at the top of the Federal Government’s agenda. At the same time, manufacturers should not completely write off the technology. Even though there will be no mass mobility with hydrogen in the near future, the further development of the technology is immensely important.

Image courtesy

A

Why passenger cars remain the most prominent vehicle in the EV battery market

18 Africa Automotive News l 2022 July-August issue l 2022Opinion

African economies like Ghana and Kenya are aiming toward high development and growth by the end of 2030. Even if the target is met halfway, the overall automotive market in the regions is anticipated to grow at a tremendous pace. The Automobile Association of Zimbabwe, along with the other members of the African Council of Touring and Automobile Clubs, revealed that the unregulated importing of cars in many African countries has a negative impact on the continent’s environment, health, society and economy.

The adoption of electric passenger vehicles in Africa has grown gradually over the years owing to the initiatives launched by African governments. They are increasingly investing in research and development activities

Environment-friendly initiatives by the African government to add immense growth

Additionally, there are a varied number of reasons why people and organisations from Africa are choosing to invest in electric vehicle-powered passenger cars rather than traditional passenger cars. In 2021, the UN Environment Programme (UNEP), along with the global electric facility, announced its plans to help South Africa to shift to zero-emission electric mobility. Through this partnership, the programme will focus on building electric charging stations, cutting down

Electric vehicles are highly dependent on the strengthto-weight ratio to perform efficiently on the road. Along with this, the increasing dependency on passenger cars for daily travel and commute along with the penetration of plug-in hybrid electric cars is playing a crucial role in the rapid adoption of the same. In this article, we will look at why passenger cars remain the most prominent vehicle type in the electric vehicle battery market.

frica is one of the top countries undergoing a major transition in the vehicle segment. The major shift from traditional cars to electric battery-powered vehicles has been an impressive and a major one. This dramatic inclination is a result of increased awareness of environmental issues and the need to fulfil greener ambitions set by African economies. Future Market Insights projects the electric vehicle battery market to surpass nearly $13 billion in 2027, likely to grow at a CAGR of 8.5%.

to cater to environmental issues, taking charge of spreading awareness of vehicle electrification. They are doing this by pointing out the positive impacts on climate change driven by a global tide in the use of electric vehicles (EVs).

Author: Aditi Basu, the Marketing Head at Future Market Insights (FMI), an ESOMAR-certified market research and consulting Market Research Company

According to sources, SubSaharan African (SSA) countries are looking for alternative energy sources for reducing the growing burden of fuel dependency by leveraging their abundant renewable energy resources. Electric Vehicles (EVs), powered by batteries, offer a potential solution to such problems. Furthermore, there are many reasons why the increasing prices of fossil fuels are making difference in the whole market scenario.

Africa’s transport facilities are mostly fuel-based which has led to the creation of a financial burden on citizens and a fiscal burden on economies. Secondly, the demand for electricity in the region is projected to increase fourfold by the end of 2040. To cater to the demand, African countries are optimally utilising their available resources and putting them to use in the passenger vehicle segment.

Most of the top automakers based out of Africa are concerned about educating consumers and changing their perception of the benefits of vehicle electrification. They are doing this by offering them the chance to experience the enhanced performance of electric vehicles. For instance, in October 2021, Electric vehicle company Tesla deployed its first two Supercharger stations in Morocco, marking its first entry into the African market. Supercharger stations are generally the first step toward Tesla entering a new market, reports Electrek. The electric vehicle company has opened new stations at the Onomo Hotel in Casablanca and the Al Houara Resort and Spa in

uYilo eMobility programme was awarded funding within the Smart Energy Solutions for Africa project. The project started in October 2021 and will run till September 2025. Through this programme, Africa’s electric mobility solutions along with repurposing batteries utilised in electric vehicles will be extended. This, in turn, will drive the growth of passenger vehicles in the Lookingregion.

its first self-charging fourwheeler electric vehicle named the Agility-Go. The car has a travel range that can cover 300km if fully charged and also selfcharges, 1100p HD Reverse Camera with a large central screen, sensitive and quick response combined hydraulic brakes, Front & Rear impact guard with side protection for all occupants, Bluetooth hands-free calls, child lock Hill-Start assist control (HAC) and Automatic Gear.

on production and manufacturing costs and offering affordable plug-in hybrid electric cars. This, in turn, is expected to drive the sales of electric battery-powered passenger Furthermore,cars.the

Increasing the prices of fossil fuels to make a difference in the market

As the African region shifts its focus toward more cuttingedge technologies and forms strategic collaborations with automotive OEMs, the electric vehicle battery market will have brighter prospects. Mounting environmental concerns such as global warming and rising pollution levels have prompted manufacturers to propose alternative energy sources to power vehicles.

EV passenger cars

Conclusion

Africa Automotive News l 2022 19 July-August issue l 2022 Opinion

Top players venturing into the African market of

at the current scenario, Africa is dealing with the major issue of combating pollution. Thus, to penetrate the market, manufacturers of electric passenger vehicles are launching and introducing initiatives, driving the growth the same.

Across the globe, the electric vehicle battery market is expanding at a breakneck pace. As a result of the increased demand for EVs, major vehicle manufacturers are entering the African market, which is ultimately expected to stimulate demand for EV batteries in the long run. Future market insights project the demand for stored electricitybased EV batteries to gain significant traction, attributed to the fact that electric vehicles for travelling larger distances are acquiring popularity.

In February 2022, Agilitee Africa, one of the leading South Africabased Electric manufacturers,Vehicleslaunched

Over the years, a massive amount of transformation is happening in the African automotive industry. The players in the region are optimising as per the need and looking forward to making smart decisions necessary to achieve e-mobility. Looking at the way momentum is building, Africa is projected to adapt to newer technologies and change with time.

20 Africa Automotive News l 2022 July-August issue l 2022Technology

The

he SAF TRAKr electric trailer axle from SAF-HOLLAND is introduced on the market in stages: After the successful test phase over several years, pre-production has been in full swing in Bessenbach since June 2022. Standard production of the recuperation axle will start in 2022.

The use of electrified trailer axles is becoming increasingly important for low emis-sion transports, such as for refrigerated semitrailers technologythedriverinnovationAnotherapplications.inner-cityandforelectricare

also cater to the in-dustry trend towards ‘greener transport’,” says Olaf Drewes, Director Group Inno-vation EMEA at SAFHOLLAND.

regenerative braking to lower the emissions and fuel con-sumption of the overall vehicle. To do this, the centrally positioned high voltage generator unit converts the kinetic energy of the trailer into elec-trical energy. The generated energy is stored in a Li-ion battery and then used to run the electrical units in the trailer, such as the refrigeration units, on electricity alone.

the legal regulations: More than 50 zero emission zones are planned in Europe for the near future, including in Berlin, Paris and London. Stricter noise pollution standards also man-ufacturersencouragetoproduce vehicles that are significantly more quiet. To limit global warming as planned, CO2 emissions have to be lowered by up to 95 per cent by 2050. “We see great opportunities for electrified trailer axles here: They reduce CO2 and noise emissions and meet legal requirements, for example for night-time refrigerated transports on inner city routes. The electric axles

SAF TRAKr regenerative braking axle goes into production

SAF TRAKr lowers emissions and consumptionfuel

T

TRAKrSAFtraileraxleuses

The SAF TRAKr regenerative braking axle from SAF-HOLLAND is scheduled to go into regular production in 2022. Image credit: SAF-HOLLAND

The main areas of application are refrigerated semi-trailers, tank trucks and silo trailers. For the drivers, the purely electrical operation of the refrigeration unit pro-vides appreciable added comfort on the road, as they are exposed to significantly lower noise emissions. The regenerative braking axle is manufactured at the SAF-HOLLAND factory in Bessenbach in northern Bavaria. It is initially launched on the

For maximum flexibility and ease of maintenance, the operating strategy and the individual components of the SAF TRAKr are perfectly coordinated. Numerous components are permanently integrated into the electric axle. This allows vehicle manufacturers to install or retrofit the SAF TRAKr with only little effort while using standard interfaces. Maintenance is also easy and cost efficient: Neither the centrally installed gearbox with the flanged-on generator nor other HV components have to be removed to uninstall wheel ends and wheels. Wear parts such as brake pads or brake rotors are identical to the components for the non-electrified SAF-HOLLAND axles. This makes the spare parts supply easier and more reliable.

Africa Automotive News l 2022 21 July-August issue l 2022 Technology

during interventions by the ABS braking system or driving dynamics. For reasons of type approval, regenerative braking is currently not yet permit-ted for adaptive braking. The generator is deactivated at vehicle speeds below 15 km/h so the required start-up torque and therefore the fuel consumption of the tractor unit are not increased during these phases. Charging options are energy generation by the axle while driving (generator operation) and charging from the external power supply during standstill, for example when the vehicle is loaded or unloaded.

runs independently of the tractor unit and only while the vehicle is in motion, but not

Thesystems.generator

European market, before the SAF TRAKr will then also be introduced in other re-gions worldwide next year.

SAF TRAKr: modular design offers flexibility

Tested successfully together with part-ners, the SAF TRAKr electric axle from SAF-HOLLAND will go into standard pro-duction in 2022. Image credit: SAF-HOLLAND

Following successful tests together with partners, the SAF TRAKr electric axle from SAF-HOLLAND has now reached market maturity. Image credit: SAF-HOLLAND

The SAF TRAKr uses a high-voltage generator module for electric regenerative braking, with a maximum power of 20 kW by design. The axle is designed for axle loads from nine to ten tons. It is available with different disc brakes for 19.5” and 22.5” tyres and for the SAF INTRA and SAF MODUL suspension systems. SAF-HOLLAND is cooperating with external partners for the regenerative braking

Easy maintenance and reliable spare parts supply

Coatings & Overlays

I

The best way to protect your car’s paint from abrasion and other harmful elements is to use an automotive paint protection film. There are two types of urethane films. These are made of plastic and are often used on cars.

Overlays are protected from many environmental and manufacturing conditions. They are exposed to ultraviolet rays from the sun, chemicals, grease, and usage. Overlays will start to wear out over time and will need to be replaced. Fortunately, these types of protective covers are easy to remove and have a 3-6 year life span. Here’s how to apply them yourself. You should begin by applying a protective film over the surface of your car.

There are several different types of automotive protective coatings. The best ones are those that are UV resistant to chemicals. These films are a great choice for cars that are exposed to harsh environments. They also help to keep the paint on the car looking great longer. Most of them are OEM approved, meaning they will not cause any harm to the car. They can be removed easily and can last for up to six years.

While the material of an automotive overlay is durable, it is vulnerable to many environmental and manufacturing conditions that can damage it. Exposure to ultraviolet rays from the sun, chemicals, grease, and other substances can cause the cover to become damaged. Overlays can be protected with a protective coating to minimize these types of damages. Once applied, it can last up to six years and is maintenance-free. You can even remove them without damaging the surface.

f you have a new car or just want to protect the paint on your old one, you should consider applying a protective coating to it. Overlays and coatings bond with the surface of the vehicle’s paint to provide protection from chemicals, scratches, and dings. They are virtually permanent and will not require any maintenance. You can apply these on your car or truck yourself or hire a professional to do it for you.

Africa Automotive News l 2022 23 July-August issue l 2022

Overlays are not the only thing that protect your car. The exterior of your vehicle is exposed to many different conditions. From the weather to ultraviolet rays, from the sun to chemicals and grease, to the usage of the car, the outer coating of an automobile is vulnerable to damage. Luckily, there are a variety of products that can protect your car. The most effective type of protection is the one that keeps it looking new longer.

Overlays are a great option for protecting your car from the harsh elements that can damage them. The most effective protective coating will keep the car looking great for much longer. The best way to protect your car’s paint from abrasion and other harmful elements is to use an automotive paint protection film. There are two types of urethane films. These are made of plastic and are often used on cars.

How to CoatingsAutomotiveApplyProtectiveandOverlays

What to look for in Passenger Tyres

24 Africa Automotive News l 2022 Cover Story

Y

ou may be unsure of what to look for in your Passenger Tyres. The sidewall of the passenger tyre shows the maximum load the tyre can carry. A P265/70R17 116 tire, for example, has a maximum load capacity of 2,756 pounds. These types of tyres are identified as light load (LL), standard load (SL), and extra load or high load. The load index of these tyres is the same in both P-metric and Euro-metric sizes, but the maximum load capacity may

Thediffer.tread

Passanger Tyres

pattern of passenger tyres can be either wide or narrow. SUV tyres are designed for off-road driving. While passenger tyres are designed for road use, they may differ from SUV tires. Aside from the tread pattern, the sidewall of passenger tyres is a crucial part of a vehicle’s handling. As the technology in cars and trucks continues to evolve,

Layers

The sidewall of a passenger tyre contains a significant amount of information. This information can be used to determine the purpose of the tyre, its dimensions, load capacity, and speed. The designation “OE” indicates that the tyre is factory fitted to a particular model. However, some manufacturers do not offer a tyre with OE characteristics. For this reason, it is vital to understand the specifications of passenger tyres to make a purchase decision. Whether it is a truck or passenger tyre, a tyre rack is an excellent way to store them. Many of these racks are stacked and interlaced to allow you to store as many as possible. The Barrel Stack & Lacing Tyre Rack is designed to store up to 100 interlaced passenger tyres. The barrel tyre rack has a fork guide for easy loading and unloading.

Africa Automotive News l 2022 25 July-August issue l 2022

The body of a passenger tyre is made up of several layers of textile material called plies. These plies add strength, resistance to wear, and directional stability. A majority of passenger tyre casings are multi-ply. Most ply materials are polyester, nylon, or rayon, each with its own distinct advantages. In addition to these, inner tubes are used in passenger tyres as an air seal. These tubes lie under the body plies and are filled with air when the tyre is inflated.

Passanger

tyre manufacturers must adapt to these changes. The key challenge for transportation companies is to reduce rolling resistance, which accounts for up to 50% of the fuel consumed by passenger vehicles. While it is possible to reduce rolling resistance by reducing the viscoelastic properties of the rubber compound, this comes at the cost of wet traction and grip. To achieve low rolling resistance, you need high tangent and high hysteresis.

A tyre’s tread is made up of various materials. While the tread is made up of rubber, other components are responsible for other important functions. These include rim designs, spoke orientation, and suspension. Passenger tyres are created from specific materials with specific properties and work together to meet these needs. If they are not properly maintained, the tires could be detrimental to the safety of passengers. Fortunately, modern vehicle manufacturers are beginning to take note of these factors.

Tread

tyres

July-August issue l 2022 Grip the Gislaved.precisionwith highroadAbrandofContinental. www.gislaved-tyres.com ULTRA SPEED 2 For compact-class and middle-class vehicles and SUVs. The ULTRA ❊ SPEED 2 masters rapidly changing summer weather, offering the best possible grip and precise handling even at high speeds on wet roads.

noises, they could mean your Passenger Brake Pads are worn. In most cases, the noise is from metal scraping against the brake rotor. When the pad is worn thin, it closes an electric circuit that will activate a dashboard warning light. These wear indicators can also alert you to imminent brake failure by squealing. These are some tips to check your Passenger Brake Pads.

How to Determine If Your Passenger Brake Pads ReplacementNeed

Y

ou should regularly check the condition of your Passenger Brake Pads. They can become worn out at a different rate on each side, causing your car to pull to one side or the other. Unchecked brake problems can put unnecessary stress on your steering rack, ball joints, replaceIfreplacement.padsyourwhetherdeterminehelpsomeHerewheelknuckles,steeringandbearings.aretipstoyoubrakeneedyouneedtothebrake

brakemetallicsemi-pads, but they are also less noisy. So, which one is best for your vehicle?

Africa Automotive News l 2022 27 July-August issue l 2022

are gentle on rotors, but tend to wear off quickly. Semi-metallic brake pads contain flaked metal and synthetic materials. They are more durable than non-metallic brake pads, but they also wear out faster and create more dust. They are more expensive than

If you have a newer vehicle, it may be time to replace your Passenger Brake Pads. This will save you money over time and may even save your life in an accident. Passenger vehicles are equipped with two types of brakes:

drum and disc brakes. The latter uses friction to slow the vehicle. For this reason, it is vital to regularly check and replace your brake pads. When you notice that your pads are worn out, you can purchase replacements

When choosing a brake pad, make sure to check the materials used. Organic brake pads are environmentally friendly. Non-asbestos pads are made of organic materials, which means they don’t pollute the air. Other types of brake pads are designed to be quieter. You should choose the type of brake pad that fits your driving style. If your vehicle is heavy, you might want to buy a lighter version of a brake pad.

pads on your car, consult your owner’s manual for recommended replacement methods. You can also schedule brake pad service online. To learn more about Passenger Brake Pads, please visit the manufacturer’s website. Just click on the ‘Service’ tab to find the information you need. The manufacturer of your car at times may provide you with a free estimate. Semi-metallic brake pads are made from synthetic materials. They

Ifimmediately.youhearbrake

Brake Pads

NEW PACKAGING STRONGER AND FUNCTIONAL DESIGNNEWfromtheoutside in QUALITYinsidetheBEST BRAKE PADS

abat’s recent announcement that it would soon sign an agreement for the construction of a “gigafactory” to make electric vehicle (EV) batteries has placed Morocco in pole position to become a green mobility leader in the Middle East and North Africa. A development of enormous significance for the kingdom, Morocco’s rise as a global-scale, EV manufacturing hub is as critical to Western supply chain resilience as it is to promoting carbon-free mobility to combat climate change. The focus on shortening supply chains to ensure the stability of European consumer markets has already fueled the rapid advance of Morocco’s automotive manufacturing sector and its development of more advanced manufacturing processes. Now, Morocco’s reserves of critical battery minerals are accelerating its entrance into EV manufacturing. With ample solar and wind energy resources along with utility-scale infrastructure already in place to utilize them, Morocco has the potential to drive a green mobility revolution by powering the production of EVs using renewable energy.

EV market

R

The factorsgeo-economicdrivingitsriseasanelectricvehiclemanufacturinghub

Morocco’s green mobility revolution

Nearshoring: The driving momentum behind Moroccan EV manufacturing

30 Africa Automotive News l 2022

On July 21, 2022, Moroccan Minister of Industry Ryad Mezzour informed the press that the kingdom was close to signing a deal with EV battery manufacturers to establish a massive local production facility. Without identifying any

By Michaël Tanchum

per year by 2025, with many of those being EVs. Already in November 2021, Morocco’s public finance bill for 2022 proposed a reduction of the import duty on lithium-ion cells from 40% to 17.5% to promote the local assembly of Li-ion batteries using cells imported from East Asia. The key to Morocco’s rise as a green mobility manufacturing giant will be expanding its automotive ecosystem to include local manufacture of Li-ion batteries, which represent 30% to 40% of the cost of the average EV. The new gigafactory could thus accommodate producing the targeted additional 300,000 vehicles as EVs.

Africa Automotive News l 2022 31

Rabat fueled the momentum for nearshoring in Morocco through its 2014-2020 Industrial Acceleration Plan and its concurrent development of high-speed, high-volume capacity transportation that saw the construction of Tanger Med Port, the Mediterranean’s largest, as well as the al-Boraq rail line (Casablanca–Tangier), Africa’s first highspeed rail system. Morocco’s linked state-of-the-art port and rail prompted Groupe Renault to establish a second Moroccan manufacturing plant and Groupe PSA (now part of the Stellantis conglomerate) to open a Peugeot manufacturing plant in Kénitra, north of Rabat. The Renault and Peugeot plants are supported by approximately 250 international suppliers from the U.S., Europe, Japan, and elsewhere that operate their own local manufacturing plants. For example, the Chinese firm CITIC Dicastal, the global leader in aluminum cast parts, built a $400 million plant in Kénitra that can produce 6 million pieces annually to supply Peugeot.

As a result of the nearshoring momentum, Europe’s two best-selling car models — the Peugeot 208 and Renault’s Dacia Sandero — are made in Morocco. Now, Rabat has its sights on manufacturing their EV versions. Starting in 2020, Renault shifted its entire production of the Dacia Sandero from Romania to the company’s plants in Casablanca and Tangier, where labor costs can be up to 50% lower. In 2021, Renault launched its Dacia Spring EV model in Europe, marketing it as the continent’s cheapest electric car. The car is manufactured by Renault in China, home to CATL — the world’s leading producer of EV Li-ion batteries, whose global market share reached 35% in the first quarter of 2022. The production of EV batteries in Morocco, with at least some of the major battery metals sourced locally, could represent a sufficient cost advantage to convince Renault to build the Dacia Spring or successor EV models

The production of EV batteries on such a scale would be appropriate for Morocco’s impressive automotive manufacturing ecosystem, which already has the capacity to produce over 700,000 vehicles per year. Now Rabat is aiming to increase Morocco’s output to 1 million vehicles

EV market

company, Mezzour said the plant would be a gigafactory and that Rabat hopes to sign a $2 billion deal for the plant before the end of this year. A term popularized by the pioneering American EV manufacturer Tesla, a gigafactory is an extremely large-scale battery manufacturing plant in which each production line has an annual output of around 3 gigawatt-hours (GWh) of lithium-ion (Li-ion) battery cells, sufficient to make batteries for 30,000-45,000 EVs, depending on the size and the model. While Mezzour has been vague about the number of lines and total capacity of the proposed Moroccan facility, Tesla’s successful $2 billion gigafactory in Shanghai, China, was originally intended to produce 500,000 EV batteries per year. It is possible that the output of Morocco’s gigafactory will be of a comparable order of magnitude.

Nearshoring, combined with Rabat’s smart industrial planning and careful cultivation of foreign partnerships, is the engine of the self-reinforcing momentum propelling the advancement of Morocco’s automotive manufacturing sector. During the years immediately prior to the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic, global supply chains were already starting to shorten as companies and countries placed greater emphasis on resiliency than on the immediate cost efficiency of just-in-time inventories delivered from distant points across the globe. For Europe, this structural transformation meant bringing sourcing and manufacturing closer to European endmarkets. In order to maintain a competitive advantage in operating expenditures, international firms began to locate manufacturing facilities in Morocco.

Professor Michaël Tanchum

Stellantis, the parent company of Peugeot, is ahead of Renault. Peugeot’s Kénitra plant, established in 2019, manufactures the gas-powered version of the Peugeot 208. Since the all-electric Peugeot e-208 uses the same chassis, Moroccan EV battery production could incentivize Stellantis to shift production of the e-208 from Slovakia to its facility in Kénitra, likewise benefiting from labor cost reductions. Indeed, Stellantis’ German auto manufacturing subsidiary Opel has already initiated production of its Rocks-e EV model in Kénitra, at the plant of its sister company Peugeot. Morocco geared up for the move by developing semiconductor production capacity for EV microchips. Franco-Italian STMicroelectronics, Europe’s leading integrated device manufacturer, operates a sizeable automotive chip production facility in Bouskoura, on the outskirts of Casablanca and connected by rail link to the rest of the country’s auto manufacturing chain. In 2021, the company inaugurated a new production line in Morocco to manufacture electronic chips for Tesla.

at the company’s Moroccan plants. Prioritizing supply chain security for its European end-markets over justin-time inventories supplied by East Asia, Renault would likely start EV production in Morocco once Li-ion battery manufacturing gets under way.

Close is beautiful: Morocco’s cobalt reserves contribute to EV battery breakthrough

Cobalt extraction in the DRC is so-called artisanal and small-scale mining (ASM), conducted under harsh and toxic conditions by around 255,000 Congolese citizens using their own rudimentary tools and hands; among these workers are 40,000 children as young as 6 years old.

Geopolitical competition with China over supply chains, coupled with environmental, social, and governance concerns, are leading Western-headquartered EV manufacturers in particular to look for closer and less ethically problematic suppliers of cobalt. The need is intensified by the fact that Europe is likely to be one of the centers of immediate EV market growth, spurred by the European Commission’s July 2021 directive to phase out all fossil fuel-powered vehicles in the European Union by 2035. Similarly, Morocco cannot afford to lose its European market. As Industry Minister Mezzour explained, “Morocco has no choice, because 90% of our automotive exports go to Europe and Europe has decided to switch to all-electric by The2035.”proximity

of Morocco’s cobalt reserves to European EV manufacturing centers, which face high demand pressure for this critical metal and the ability to ensure that it is extracted through more palatable mining practices, has thus turned their attention to North Africa. This is despite the fact that Moroccan cobalt reserves are relatively small: only the world’s 11th largest. In 2020, the kingdom’s cobalt exports totaled $84 million, ranking Morocco the 13th-biggest exporter. Nonetheless, in July 2020, German automaker BMW signed a $113 million contract with Moroccan mining company Managem to supply 20% of the cobalt required to manufacture BMW’s next-generation electric drive trains. Renault, on June 1, 2022, signed a contract with Managem to supply 5,000 tons of cobalt sulfate annually for seven years. As the purchasing director for Renault explained, the deal with Morocco ensures “a supply closer to our ecosystem of manufacturing electric batteries in Europe.” Considering that Managem is supposed to start supplying cobalt to Renault in 2025, the company may also be eyeing local battery production in Morocco.

A further incentive for Renault is that the cobalt supplied by the North African state is expected to have a low carbon footprint, with up to 80% of the energy for production coming from renewable sources. The company has set carbon reduction goals for its EV batteries of 20% by 2025 and 35% by 2030, compared to 2020. The reduction in the carbon footprint of Morocco’s cobalt supply will also be achieved through the recycling of end-of-life batteries. Global mining and metal trading giant Glencore entered into a partnership with Managem in January 2022 to produce recycled cobalt from disused lithium-

Professor Michaël Tanchum is a non-resident fellow with the Middle East Institute’s Economics and Energy Program. He teaches at Universidad de Navarra and is a senior fellow at the Austrian Institute for European and Security Policy (AIES). The author would like to thank Rocco Schwerfel for his research assistance.

Li-ion batteries, the basis of modern EVs, require expensive and difficult-to-obtain metals, primarily lithium and cobalt, to discharge their electric current. A lithium-based compound acts as the anode, which donates the electrons that flow through the system, while the cobalt-based compound acts as the cathode to receive the electrons. The most common EV batteries are the energy-dense batteries that use a nickel manganese cobalt (NMC) cathode or sometimes a nickel cobalt aluminum (NCA) cathode. Energy dense Li-ion batteries with cobalt generally enable EVs to have longer driving ranges between charging.

Western technology companies and EV manufacturers are under increasing pressure to ensure that the cobalt they use is produced from safe and sustainable mining practices.

32 Africa Automotive News l 2022 July-August issue l 2022EV Market

Cobalt availability is a limiting factor for the widespread diffusion of passenger EVs. While a cellular phone battery requires 0.2-0.4 ounces (5-10 grams) of cobalt, an electric car battery requires 10-20 pounds (22-44 kilograms). Currently, there are about 12 million electric passenger cars on the road worldwide, but the number is expected to jump to 54 million as early as 2025, increasing the demand for cobalt. Over 50% of the world’s reserves of this crucial metal are located in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), which currently produces 70% of the world’s mined cobalt. China, the largest EV battery maker, is also the leading producer of refined cobalt, accounting for about 65% of the global output. Beijing seeks to dominate the DRC’s mining of the highly strategic metal, and, accordingly, Chinese production of mined cobalt in the DRC is expected grow 60% by 2024, compared to 2020.

ion batteries at Managem’s hydrometallurgical refining facilities operated by its subsidiary Compagnie de Tifnout Tighanimine (CCT), about 23 miles (37 kilometers) from Marrakech. Glencore will provide CCT with so-called black mass, processed from dismantled and shredded Li-ion batteries. In addition to cobalt, the partnership is also seeking to extract lithium carbonate and nickel hydroxide from the black mass supplied by Glencore. If extracted in sufficient quantities, Morocco could locally source all of the major metals used in NMC Li-ion batteries.

Conclusions

Due to these advantages, Tesla announced in its Q3 2021 report, “For standard range vehicles, we are shifting to Lithium Iron Phosphate (LFP) battery chemistry globally.” In speaking to the Moroccan press, Industry Minister Mezzour indicated that Morocco was looking at producing stationary batteries for the storage of renewable energy as well as for EV batteries. These stationary Li-ion batteries bear a clear resemblance to Tesla’s “megapack” line of utility-scale energy storage units that the company launched in 2019, suggesting that Tesla may be one of the international firms in negotiations with Morocco for the gigafactory.

Morocco’s phosphate reserves turbocharge EV battery manufacturing

In 2020, OCP mining operations produced 40.7 million tons of phosphate and exported 10.3 million tons of the raw material. From its phosphate supplies, OCP Group manufactured 7.1 million tons of phosphoric acid, exporting 1.9 million tons of the key input. Morocco will need to expand its phosphate and phosphoric acid production to make LFP EV batteries. In response to the global shortage of fertilizer due the Russo-Ukrainian war, OCP announced on May 17 that it would increase its 2022 fertilizer production by 10%, putting an additional 1.2 million tons on the global market. The figure reflects OCP’s ability to create a 1-million-ton-capacity fertilizer production line in six months, which entails commensurate increases in phosphate and phosphoric acid production.

For Morocco, the diversification of uses and markets for its phosphate output is highly desirable. At the same time, Rabat bears a responsibility to ensure that OCP does not develop insufficient phosphate production capacity, which would result in demand pressure competition between LFP batteries and phosphorus fertilizers, thus driving up fertilizer prices and consequently increasing the level of global food insecurity. Morocco’s Western partners, especially those whose companies are involved in the kingdom’s LFP battery production, should encourage and support Morocco to develop spare capacity in its phosphate sector. Analogous to the role Saudi Arabia’s Aramco plays in stabilizing oil markets, Morocco’s OCP should have the ability to bring spare phosphate production capacity online and take it offline as needed.

Morocco possesses considerable solar and wind resources. Phosphate production as well as other parts of Morocco’s EV manufacturing chain should become increasingly powered by renewable energy to ensure that its green mobility vehicles are produced in a sustainable and climate smart manner. OCP covers 89% of the energy needs for its phosphate and phosphorus fertilizer production through cogeneration (re-using exhaust energy to create cleaner and cheaper power from fossil fuels) and renewable sources. It plans to eventually cover 100% of its energy needs in this manner. Reliant on gas and coal imports, Morocco’s Western partners should work with Rabat to move the country’s EV manufacturing to be powered by locally available solar and wind resources to promote greater supply chain resilience as well as ensuring that its manufacture of green mobility vehicles is also green.

phosphate mining sector was established in 1921 to provide a source of phosphorus primarily for the manufacture of synthetic fertilizers. The kingdom’s massive phosphate mining and fertilizer manufacturing sector, run by the state-owned OCP Group (formerly Office Chérifien des Phosphates), has transformed Morocco into a gatekeeper of the world’s food supply. During the 1980s and 1990s, OCP began manufacturing phosphoric acid (H3PO4), the chemical input to phosphorus-based fertilizer, and the fertilizer itself. Phosphoric acid is also the input to make iron (II) phosphate Fe3(PO4)2, an iron salt of phosphoric acid. The iron (II) phosphate can then be used to make lithium iron phosphate (LiFePO4), now the increasingly preferred material for Li-ion cathodes in EV batteries.

By using phosphate and iron — Morocco is also a net exporter of iron ore — to make LFP batteries, instead of nickel, manganese, and cobalt for its NMC counterpart, Morocco could enjoy a cost advantage of upward of 70% per kilogram. Moreover, iron phosphate is nowhere near as toxic as cobalt oxide or manganese oxide. The LFP batteries have a longer cycle life, with a slower rate of capacity loss compared to NMC batteries. And LFP batteries are much safer as well: With higher thermal stability, LFP batteries emit significantly less heat than NMC batteries and are not as susceptible to exploding or igniting when an EV is

Morocco’s massive phosphate reserves are a critical factor in its transformation into a global-scale, EV battery production hub. A growing trend in electric passenger cars is to replace NMC Li-ion batteries with lithium iron phosphate (LFP) batteries, substituting expensive cobalt and nickel as well as manganese for relatively cheaper phosphate and iron. While not providing the same longer driving ranges as NMC batteries, phosphate-based LFP batteries are less expensive, safer, and last longer than their cobalt-based counterparts. The increasing utilization of LFP batteries favors Morocco for EV battery production as the country sits on over 70% of global phosphate rock reserves and is the world’s second-largest phosphate producer, after Morocco’sChina.

Africa Automotive News l 2022 33 July-August issue l 2022 EV Market

misused or suffers physical damage.

The kingdom possesses small nickel and manganese reserves that could supply domestic NMC cathode manufacturing. And Morocco may have its own domestic supply of lithium as well. Moroccan media reported in May 2022 the discovery of significant deposits of this alkali metal in the country’s disputed Sahara region near the Mauritanian border.

34 Africa Automotive News l 2022

While not mandatory, collecting extra documents like a vehicle history report, maintenance records and extended warranty details may make the vehicle more desirable, helping you get the most money for it or sell it faster.

2. Create an Ad to Connect With Shoppers

up a test drive, speak with the potential buyer over the phone, arrange a meeting spot in a public place and bring a friend along, if possible. If the shopper insists on taking the test drive alone, be sure to get a photo of their driver’s license information before handing over the Oncekeys.

Selling a car privately also involves more uncertainty than trading in or selling to a dealer. From meeting strangers for test drives to transferring ownership and taking payment for the vehicle, you’ll want to prioritize your own safety and security as well as the

Some private selling scenarios require a few additional steps to complete the transaction. In the case of an out-oftown buyer, you’ll need to arrange the vehicle pickup or consider using a vehicle delivery service to transport it. Prices vary based on the length of transport and the vehicle’s weight, but you can expect it to cost between $1,000-$2,000, on average.

vehicle to potential buyers. First, photograph the car and create an ad using online tools, sell-it-yourself option. Once you’ve highlighted your car’s strong suits in the ad, you’ll need to communicate with potential buyers via email and phone calls. Use this opportunity to screen shoppers, and beware of any red flags like a buyer that only wants to communicate through email or text and refuses to speak by phone. You’ll want to pitch your vehicle’s best attributes while being honest about its condition — shoppers don’t expect a used car to be in perfect shape, but they do expect its condition to match the description.

In most states, the vehicle’s license plates are required to stay with the seller, so you’ll want to remove them before handing over the vehicle to its new

4. Sell It Safely: Test Drives and Payment

you have an acceptable offer on the table, you’ll need to transfer ownership and take payment securely. Communicate your preferred method of payment to the buyer — a cashier’s check or cash is best since personal checks carry more risk. Never accept a check that is more than the asking price for the vehicle. A common scam involves the buyer sending a check for more than the purchase price and asking the seller to return the difference back to them (these checks are typically counterfeit). Do not transfer the vehicle’s title until you’ve received the full cash payment or the buyer’s check has cleared.

5. Tie Up Loose Ends

Next, you’ll need to advertise your

also require that the seller notifies the Department of Motor Vehicles within a specified number of days after the vehicle is sold privately. Check with your country’s DMV for any paperwork requirements for a private vehicle sale. Lastly, notify your insurance company and ask for the sold vehicle to be removed from your policy.

W

1. Determine Your Car’s Value

photo by Christian Lantry

Africa Automotive News l 2022 35 July-August issue l 2022

Someowner.countries

hether you’re looking to replace your car or offload an extra one to take advantage of elevated used-car values, selling a vehicle privately can get you more money than trading it in to a dealer. The financial gain comes with some tradeoffs, however. You’ll need to dedicate more time and effort to the selling process, and there are more risks involved from screening potential buyers, going on test drives and taking payment. Learn how to navigate each step of the process to ensure the extra effort pays off.

Automotive tips

By Jane Ulitskaya

Many factors influence a car’s value. The vehicle’s age, mileage and condition are important, but external variables including market conditions, fuel prices and brand appeal also play a role. For example, the inventory shortage has caused a spike in used-car values, especially for older vehicles: Among car dealers, the median price for a 10-year-old (modelyear 2012) used car was $16,331 as of July 2022. In comparison, the median price of a 10-year-old (model-year 2010) vehicle was just $8,995 in July 2020. To determine the vehicle’s value, look at comparable used-car listings or get the vehicle appraised by a dealer or used-car chain.

Whenvehicle’s.setting

3. Get the Paperwork Ready

How to Sell Your Car Privately

Selling privately takes more forethought when it comes to paperwork than trading in to a dealer who will usually handle this step. You’ll need to have all the key documents including the vehicle’s title and bill of sale, which serves as a receipt for the transaction; the bill of sale is recommended for a private car sale though requirements may differ from different countries. If you still owe money on the vehicle and the title is in the lienholder’s possession, you’ll need to contact your lender to get the payoff amount and instructions for completing the transaction.

W

Assess Its Condition and Replace

First, grab your car’s owner’s manual and pop the hood of your vehicle. Consult the manual to find the air filter assembly in the engine bay. The location will vary between vehicles, but it’s likely a large plastic box with a largediameter hose extending from it and into the engine. Undo the plastic clips or loosen the screws that secure the cover. You might also need to unlatch the hose or unplug some wiring to remove the cover and access the filter. (Pro tip: before removing any components or hardware, take a picture of the air filter area so you can later put it back together to match the pic.)

Locate Your Air Filter and Remove the Cover change air filter

While engines don’t have lungs, they do require a steady supply of air to power the combustion that keeps them running. Modern cars “breathe” through an intake system that features an air filter, which catches dirt and dust before it enters the motor, where it can cause damage. As you might imagine, over time, the filter gets dirty. Changing the filter will promote better airflow into your engine and keep it clean–and it’s one of the simplest automotive maintenance jobs you can do. When you change yours, it’s a prime opportunity to check your vehicle’s hoses and belts for wear.

Image courtesy

hat’s one thing you and your car have in common? You both need to breathe.

Once you’ve removed the cover, you should be able to see the air filter itself. Remove it and hold it up to a bright light to assess its condition. If it’s covered in a heavy layer of dirt and light doesn’t pass through easily, it’s time to replace it with a new one.

Image courtesy

36 Africa Automotive News l 2022 July-August issue l 2022Garage

By MICHAEL CHARBONEAU

How to Change Your Air Filter and Check Your Hoses and Belts

You can opt for a paper filter (the cheaper option) or a reusable one that you clean at set intervals (pricier but creates less waste). Whichever you choose, make sure you purchase one that will fit your specific car–auto part shops, and most online marketplaces will provide a way to search for the exact part you need. Put the new filter into the air filter housing, making sure you place the correct side facing down. Then replace the cover, use the screws or clips to secure it, and reattach any hoses or wiring you unplugged. Your new air filter is now installed, and your engine can breathe easier once more.

Make a note of anything that looks amiss with your belts–don’t put tape on them to mark wear. When you bring your car in for service, you can show your mechanic any worn hoses or belts to see if they need to be replaced.

for cracks, bulges, or fraying, and give them a squeeze. They should be firm with some give; if they feel brittle, spongy, or mushy, that’s a sign of wear. Mark damaged hoses with a marker or colored tape.

Also, with the engine off, inspect any belts, which are usually located on the front or side of your engine and connect a series of pulleys. Look for cracks, exposed threads, or separation between belt layers. Another sign of a bad belt: squealing or chirping noises when this e engine is running. (Also, see whether these belts have noticeable slack; if so, they may need a simple tightening. This is a relatively simple job, too, but will require other tools and specifics noted in a repair manual or a mechanic.)

Don’t close the hood yet— you should check your main hoses and belts, too. In addition to connecting your air filter to the engine, hoses also run to and from your vehicle’s radiator and heater. Visually inspect these hoses

Africa Automotive News l 2022 37 July-August issue l 2022 Air filter & Hose change

collapsed radiator-hose|Image courtesy

Check Hoses and Belts

Contact

+254 774 288 100 Web: www.africaautomotivenews.com Follow us on: @ Autonews_Africa @ Africa Automotive News Stand Out. Be AdertiseMoreKnown.Business.Now!

us: Email: info@africaautomotivenews.com

Tel:

Turn static files into dynamic content formats.

Create a flipbook
Issuu converts static files into: digital portfolios, online yearbooks, online catalogs, digital photo albums and more. Sign up and create your flipbook.