Autoforum 2010 October Issue

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OCTOBER 2010

I N F O R M E D

Strike action

But at what cost?

A N D

I N N O V A T I V E

PAGE 21

NEWS AFRICA

NEWS AFRICA

IN PARTNERSHIP WITH AUSTRALIAN BODYSHOP NEWS

New Kia Sportage Fresh, fun and affordable

I NNOVA T I ONS

Inside

MULTI-SPEED EV GEARBOX

Tyre cartel scandal jam-packed Innovations section state of aftermarket manufacturing

AUTOMECHANIKA FRANKFURT 2010 REPORT

PAGE 1

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October 2010

CONTENTS 18

Cover Stories Strike action but at what cost?

16

New Kia Sportage - fresh, fun and affordable

19

Multi-speed EV gearbox

40

Automechanika Frankfurt 2010 report

66

Trade Talk Highlights of global and local industry news

38

News Forum Legal tussle looms for cartel tyre makers

46

6

Vehicle designers see the light

10

NOx reduction focus to drive exhaust after-treatment technologies

12

US consumers cautious about buying

14

Impact of strikes on motor industry far reaching

16

UK researchers unveil plan to get tough on emissions

18

The sleek new Kia Sportage

19

New US fuel economy labels proposed

20

BodyShop News Matte clearcoats for small series production

22

The big conversion – part 4

26

Business Forum 56

Thank you to KIA SA for our cover photo.

8

Automotive aftermarket manufacturing sector: now and going forward

32

The importance of basic education

34

Editorial

It is the second last issue of the year but that does not, however, mean a slowdown in happenings within the industry. The recent Automechanika Frankfurt show, together with a jam-packed Innovations section, is testament to the fact that technology never stands still. And neither does the scandal - be sure to catch up on the current status of the RTMC and tyre cartel debacles as well as the impact of the recent strikes in this October edition. Also not to be missed are the opinion piece from Len Whiteley on the importance of basic education and the interview with AAMA Chair Malcolm Perrie. So much to read and so little time‌ EDITOR Clare Rutkiewicz

Assistant EDITOR Bridgette Scheelke

CONTRIBUTORS: australian bodyshop news Michel Malik Dave Scott Robert Kaiser David Cook ROY COKAYNE Len whiteley Warwick robinson ADVERTISING: Grant West Warwick Robinson C: 076 727 8161 C: 082 855 7750 Greg Surgeon T: 011 706 0277 C: 083 449 6137 F: 011 706 9653 PRODUCTION:

Kaz nel

DESIGNERS:

Marianka els kevin bracegirdle

OPERATIONS MANAGER: Bianca Christodoulou Email: info@autoforum.co.za PUBLISHER: Swift Publications & Olympic Park Trading Suite 446, Postnet X033, Rivonia 2128

60

AutoForum has an ABC circulation of 14 318 ABC (January 2010 to June 2010)

www.AutoForum.co.za I N F O R M E D

A N D

I N N O V A T I V E

Advertisers Guide

Innovations Car2gether takes carpooling to a whole new level

38

BASF receives international environmental award

39

AA Academy Abro

A shift in the right direction for EVs

40

ACD/Midas Group

‘Thinking’ car key means no more locking yourself out

42

Real-time vehicle appraisal device

44

Aer-O-Cure Alfa International

Chevrolet first with sales app tool

44

An extra eye on the road

45

Automechanika South Africa

New fuel saving oil pump

46

Autocosmos (Electrolog) AutoZone Behr Hella Bosch Erlemanns Federal-Mogul First National Battery Harrack Highveld Garage Equipment Hofmann Megaplan Hurricane/Silver Falcon

Alert Engine Parts Auto Maintenance and Repair

Auto Safety New head protection system for convertibles

50

Possible motorcycle cancer risk exposed

54

Lighter, safer and cheaper crash components

56

TRW’s DLT enhances seat belt system performance

58

New rating system for safety technologies

60

Imcomex

Commercial Vehicles Isuzu launches FX range

62

Cost of ownership – from assembly cradle to scrap yard concept

64

Integrated Marketing Ital Machinery

Leaderquip Macs Automotive MISA

Monroe (Tenneco) Motor Electrodiesel (MED)

Showtime Show report: Automechanika Frankfurt 2010

66

Messe Frankfurt joins Iberian market

68

Phoenix Exchange Parts Incorporated Africa/Midas Group RAM

Safeline Snap-on Equipment/John Bean Tuff Floors Turbo Exchange

After-Marketplace Directory Directory listings

70

Victor Rienz

64

7 63 59 24-25, OBC 53 11 29 68,69 39 33, 36-37, 61 54-55 13, IBC 17 49 51 41 58 53 30-31 63 15 17, 39 43 15 42 48 2-3, 23 19 57 27

45 9, 41 21 34-35 47

While reasonable precautions have been taken to ensure the accuracy of the advice and information given to readers, neither the editor, nor the publishers, can accept any responsibility for any damages, injury or loss which may arise there from. The opinions expressed by contributors to this magazine are not necessarily shared by the editor or the publishers.

Trade Talk

AutoForum - October 2010

www.AutoForum.co.za

GM and US university create tyre test facility Better fuel economy and lower emissions are two reasons why General Motors has decided to invest $5 million to help create the National Tyre Research Centre at Virginia Tech Transportation Institute (VTTI). Other funding for the $14 million centre will be donated by Virginia Tech and that country’s national tobacco settlement.

CEE the place to be Should current trends persist, rapidly increasing numbers of cars will be made, sold and exported by Central and Eastern European (CEE) countries in the coming years. That’s according to a new report, which found that a still avid demand for light vehicles, better export opportunities, relatively low labour costs, a well-developed logistics infrastructure and the presence of leading local automotive suppliers, make the CEE region very attractive for investors.

According to the study, Russia can expect dynamic growth in the light vehicle sector if the economic situation improves, however, ultimately in that region, market growth will hinge largely on the recovery of the car loan market.

The ‘Russian and CEE Automotive Industry Outlook’, finds that light vehicle sales in CEE reached 1.5 million passenger cars and light commercial vehicles last year – a figure that is expected to increase to 2.5 million units by 2015. Dynamic development of each country’s key competencies in strategic automotive segments like R&D and telematics, combined with sustainable government support, are highlighted as key factors in enhancing the region’s position as a European automotive production hub.

Farewell M friends BMW recently announced the end of production of the BMW M6 Coupé and Convertible, two vehicles that are described as providing “the most exclusive opportunity to experience the hallmark athleticism of M vehicles combined with drive and chassis technology inspired by the world of motor racing – on normal roads”.

In total, 14 152 examples of these high-performance sports cars were built: 9 087 units of the Coupé, which launched in 2005; and 5 065 Convertible models, presented the following year. The automaker will also now cease production of the unique V10 high-rev engine. The models are noted as having represented significant technological strides in production vehicles, garnered from motor racing, such as electronically-controlled individual throttle valves, an ionic current control system and lateral force-controlled oil supply, as well as design principles of chassis technology and lightweight construction.

PAGE 6

“This facility will be the only one of its kind in the world and will generate world-class tyre research data while generating significant revenue and high tech jobs in Southside Virginia,” said Tom Dingus, VTTI Director and Principal Investigator for the centre proposal. The National Tyre Research Centre will incorporate state-of-the-art rolling resistance machinery, enabling tyre and automotive manufacturers to accelerate the development of their technology, reproduce real-world emergency events, and improve vehicle highway safety.

GM engineers and scientists, together with Virginia Tech faculty, will conduct the research and tests to speed up the introduction of vehicles with advanced tyre technology.

VTTI is known for its ‘Smart Road’, a 3.2 km two-lane road with the ability to replicate rain, snow and fog as well as other driving conditions and collect data from test vehicles on site.

PAGE 7

AutoForum - October 2010

Legal tussle looms for cartel tyre makers

- By Roy Cokayne

Audi on track to being even greener Companies worldwide are aiming to make greener products in a more environmentally friendly manner. German carmaker Audi is no exception, producing no less than 22 engine and transmission variants that would easily sneak in below our government’s 120 g/km CO2 emissions tax threshold.

Now the company is even using trains powered by ‘green electricity’ to transport Audi cars from the production line to the docks for shipping. “CO2-free rail transport is an important element of our environmental efforts and is of great interest to us,” explains Ernst-Hermann Krog, Head of Audi Brand Logistics.

In August, the automaker began operating its transport trains on the Ingolstadt – Emden route with electricity from renewable energy sources. This allows the company to eliminate around 5 250 tonnes of CO2 emissions per year, which translates to more than 35 kg per car transported. The line to the North Sea loading port of Emden, the hub for overseas exports, is the brand’s most important transport route. Three trains loaded with Audi models travel this route each day and carry around 150 000 cars a year.

PAGE 8

A

legal tussle is looming in the Competition Tribunal between the four major tyre manufacturers in the country, following the uncovering of a cartel in the tyre industry by the Competition Commission. Bridgestone South Africa applied for and was granted conditional immunity from prosecution in terms of the commission’s corporate leniency policy after admitting it held telephonic discussions and met with its competitors between 1999 and 2007 to agree in principle that they should cooperate to ensure stability in the market.

Goodyear and Continental have, however, indicated that they will defend themselves against the allegations, while Apollo Tyres and the SA Tyre Manufacturing Conference (SATMC) are still consulting their lawyers and have not yet decided how they will handle the allegations. A date has not yet been set for the tribunal hearing. The commission has recommended the Competition Tribunal impose an administrative penalty of 10% of turnover on Apollo Tyres SA, formerly Dunlop; Goodyear SA; Continental Tyre SA; and the SA Tyre Manufacturers Conference (SATMC) for collusive tendering, price fixing, information exchange and market allocation. Tyre importers Yokohama Southern Africa and Michelin Tyre Company SA were found not to be involved in the cartel conduct.

Keitumetse Letebele, a commission spokesperson, was unaware of any discussions taking place with any of the companies alleged to be part of the cartel about a possible consent agreement with the commission on the alleged offences and penalty. The commission’s investigation found that the SATMC was used as a platform for “coffee table discussions” to determine price increases and general coordination in the market among the tyre manufacturers.

Chris Charter, a director in competition and regulatory practice group at Cliffe Dekker Hofmeyr business law firm, said the allegations in the tyre industry relied in part on the leniency applicant’s characterisation of the Roy Cokayne is the Transport Editor at Business Report, the Independent Newspaper Group’s daily finance and business supplement.

The commission’s investigation was prompted by a complaint alleging tyre manufacturers simultaneously adjusted their prices at about the same time and within the same parameters. This led to the commission conducting a search and seizure operation at the premises of Bridgestone, Apollo and the SATMC on April 4 2008.

Lize Hayward, a Goodyear spokesperson, said it had strict business conduct policies which prohibited anticompetitive activities and had conducted its own internal investigation but found no circumstances indicating there had been any wrongdoing by the company. “Goodyear has always been committed to abide by all competition regulations and always aimed to do so in good faith. We will defend our position as such,� she said.

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Dieter Horni, MD of Continental Tyre SA, said they had taken note of the referral of the complaint of the commission but “rejects the reproach and is planning to defend at the competition tribunal�. At the same time, Apollo CE Luis Ceneviz, said it had cooperated fully with the commission investigation to date and were transparent in submitting all information requested. But Cenevis said they had yet to receive full details of the allegations and were taking legal advice.

Etienne Human, Executive Director of the SATMC, said they had given their full cooperation to the commission but were unable to comment on what they were going to do because they were still consulting with their lawyers National spokesperson for the National Union of Metalworkers of South Africa (Numsa) Castro Ngobese, said the actions of these big four tyre manufacturers were “nothing less than theft from the consumers, who have been hardest hit by exorbitant and excessive tyre prices�. But Ngobese said the commission’s recommendation to the tribunal to impose a fine was “toothless and ineffective�. “Any fine on the four companies, whatever the quantum, does not hit those directly responsible for the price-fixing.

The fine will come from the companies’ coffers and could even be recouped by increasing prices, which makes the whole exercise a mockery.� Numsa is demanding that individual company directors and their chief executives be dismissed and face prosecution for colluding and price fixing.

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PAGE 9

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relevant interactions and “it remains to be seen if the remaining respondents paint a different picture�. Charter said the commission’s willingness to entertain leniency applications, even after it had gone so far in its investigation as to conduct a dawn raid, was also worth noting.

The cartel involved the manufacture and supply of passenger tyres, light truck/commercial tyres, trucks and bus tyres, off the road tyres, agricultural tyres and earthmover tyres in South Africa. The main customers of the cartel members are tyre dealers, vehicle manufacturers and the government.

NEWS FORUM

AutoForum - October 2010

Toll fees or toll fines It has been ruled by a Taipei traffic court that a Taiwanese motorist who managed to clock up over 3 000 traffic tickets worth over $250 000 (around R1.8 million) will have money deducted directly from his paycheck.

Besides the sheer cheek of it, what makes this case interesting is that 90% of his fines were issued for unauthorised use of the ETC (Electronic Toll Collection) systems on that country’s highways.

Taiwan’s ETC systems allow vehicles with onboard units and ETC cards to pass through ETC booths without having to stop. However, motorists who pass through the checkpoints in vehicles without these units are subject to receiving fines. This raises interesting questions about how our own tolling systems will be managed once they come online, especially considering our country’s rather dismal record when it comes to the payment of traffic fines.

Limited edition Bentleys for SA Bentley Motors will be launching two unique Continental models that have been engineered and designed exclusively for the South Africa market. The Continental Flying Spur Africa and the Continental Flying Spur Speed Africa are said to retain all the performance of the company’s Continental Flying Spur and Spur Speed, the world’s fastest luxury four-door saloon, but with a range of additional exterior and interior features developed for the African market.

PAGE 10

Vehicle designers see the light

J

ust as lighting in an office can influence the productivity and wellbeing of workers, a vehicle’s interior lighting can change the mood and perceptions of drivers. According to research published in SAGE’s journal Lighting Research and Technology, today’s car designers have started to incorporate gentle ambient interior lighting, potentially enhancing night driving safety as well as increasing the feel good factor about vehicle interiors.

The study was carried out by engineers based at BMW in Munich, Germany, as well as researchers from the Lighting Engineering Group at Ilmenau University of Technology, also in Germany. Together they tested a variety of different lighting set ups on drivers. The test took place in a driving simulation environment where 31 people ‘drove’ a real stationary vehicle on a virtual highway with the driving environment projected onto three screens around the front and sides of the car. The light levels on the simulated street were between 0.1 cd/m² and 1.5 cd/m². The researchers tested twelve different lighting scenarios, with varying light colour, luminance and position. The drivers were then questioned on space perception, perceived interior quality and attractiveness, perceived safety, functionality and alertness. The drivers’ emotional states were also measured before and after the simulations. It was found that the use of ambient lighting while driving improves the driver’s whole perception of the car interior. In addition, ambient lighting intensifies space perception, enhances the perceived quality of materials and design, helps drivers find controls and enhances their orientation in the car, and makes them feel safer.

Despite all these positive results, vehicle lighting designers do need to exercise a degree of restraint. Less is definitely more, with a sprinkling of ambient lights just as effective as larger numbers in giving an impression of space and quality. Brightness also doesn’t help much to enhance impressions of the interior or help the driver, and actually resulted in the drivers complaining of distraction due to discomfort or glare. Possibly the most important finding of the study is that ambient lighting did not influence the driver’s performance (although this was restricted to staying within a lane in this test). Interior vehicle lighting, which hasn’t garnered too much interest in the past, is certain to see increased attention in the years to come. More research is still needed on the effect of car interior materials on lighting (shiny vs. matt), as well as the extent to which ambient lighting helps with tasks such as finding controls or using a SatNav device.

Another possibility for the future is interior lighting that responds dynamically to inputs from the car, the environment and the passengers.

PAGE 11

NEWS FORUM

AutoForum - October 2010

NOx reduction focus to drive exhaust aftertreatment technologies Car soundtracks go old school UK vehicle information company HPI is well known in that country for its database of registered vehicle descriptions and histories.

Now, however, it has surveyed its customers and compiled a list of the UK’s favourite summer driving songs.

Lynyrd Skynyrd’s ‘Sweet Home Alabama’ was voted as the top choice in car trip music from a list that included more golden oldies than current chart-toppers.

“It seems like summer is a time for the good old classics, rather than whatever ray of sunshine the charts may be producing. Our top 10 is dominated by songs from the 60s, 70s and 80s,” explains Nicola Johnson, Consumer Services Manager for HPI. “Seventies classic, Sweet Home Alabama was a clear favourite with 52% of the respondents putting the song in their top ten, followed closely by Walking on Sunshine by Katrina and the Waves, with 48% of people placing this in amongst their top summer songs.”

“However, 1966 song, Good Vibrations by the Beach Boys, that classic sound of summer, came in at a very respectable fifth place, proving that many drivers really do wish they all could be Californian. Surprisingly, the only song made in the last 10 years that makes it onto the chart is the less than summery ‘Mr Brightside’ by The Killers.”

HPI’S TOP TEN SUMMER DRIVING SONGS 10. Sun is Shining - Bob Marley: 19% of people surveyed 9. Lovely Day - Bill Whithers: 27% 8. Rio - Duran Duran: 30% 7. Love Shack - The B52s: 33% 6. Good Vibrations - The Beach Boys: 33% 5. Club Tropicana - Wham!: 36% 4. Mr Brightside - The Killers: 40% 3. Summer of 69 - Bryan Adams: 43% 2. Walking on Sunshine - Katrina and the Waves: 48% 1. Sweet Home Alabama - Lynyrd Skynyrd: 52%

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A

ccording to a new report from research house Frost & Sullivan, the need to meet Euro 6 regulations which focus on the reduction of nitrogen oxide (NOx) emissions - is expected to result in increased growth in petrol exhaust aftertreatment technologies within the European market. Original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) are predicted to adopt particulate matter (PM) filters for petrol engines by 2014, with a 15% penetration by 2016, and, with the increasing penetration of direct injection in petrol engines, there should be a greater need for PM filters.

The report, ‘Executive Analysis of the European Market for Gasoline Engine Exhaust After-treatment Technologies’, finds that the future trend is clearly use of the the tri-metal catalyst, a calculated ratio of precious metal group (PMG) metals to be used with rhodium, which is most suitable for expelling NOx. “The requirement to reduce NOx emissions in gasoline (petrol) engine exhaust drives the European market for gasoline exhaust after-treatment technologies,” says Frost & Sullivan Research Analyst Hariher Balasubramanian. “Emission regulation norms such as Association des Constructeurs Europeens d’Automobiles (ACEA) carbon dioxide (CO2) norms have created a need for emission reduction technologies such as gasoline direct injection (GDI), resulting in PM and NOx issues that, in turn, enhance growth in this market.”

NOx concerns arising from lean combustion GDI, downsizing, and turbocharging are expected to drive demand for exhaust gas recirculations (EGRs) and PM count in GDI engines, catalysing the growth of PM filters.

Greater sales volume of small-segment vehicles is also predicted to boost demand for tri-metal catalysts. The report asserts however, that as petrol engines have a higher exhaust temperature than diesel engines, materials used in their exhaust after-treatment systems need to be more temperature resistant, resulting in higher costs. The research house predicts that there will be an increasing need for high temperature-resistant materials with downsizing and turbocharging of petrol engines.

“The costs pertaining to the development and manufacture of exhaust systems are high,” adds Industry Manager Kaushik Madhavan. “An end consumer will pay more for a hybrid vehicle, but not more for a regular petrol vehicle fitted with an extra PM filter.” The study recommends that market participants develop and fit nano metal catalysts in catalytic converters to reduce costs. Nano technology-based applications are said to reduce the price of exhaust system by about 70% - a strategy that will help manufacturers optimise the extra cost associated with PM filters.

“With the anticipated introduction of PM filters, suppliers should tap the potential by developing efficient filters and establishing strategic original equipment manufacturer (OEM) relationships,” concludes Madhavan.

PAGE 13

NEWS FORUM

AutoForum - October 2010

US consumers cautious about buying

A

Joule nears volume production It was recently announced that South Africa’s very own electric car, Optimal Energy’s Joule, has completed the prototype phase and is nearing the start of volume production.

The prototype phase came to a close with the completion of the HT4 test vehicle, designed to be the next generation testing vehicle. The HT4’s sole purpose was to give feedback to the engineers regarding battery performance, drive, handling and software.

The information gained from the HT4 test vehicle has been implemented into the production of the marketing fleet, which is currently underway. The marketing fleet will be used to gauge media and customer feedback, with input being used to implement changes for the production version of the Joule. Full-scale production of the vehicle is scheduled to begin at the end of 2013, with the first Joules making their debuts in showrooms by the middle of 2014.

For those wondering what to expect from the EV, think big. According to Optimal Energy, its key design goals for the finished product include a range of 230 kilometres based on the New European Driving Cycle (NEDC) or 300 km using the Urban Dynamometer Driving Schedule (UDDS), integration with existing charging infrastructure, a genuine freeway cruising capability, seating for five, a 5-star NCAP safety rating and a retail price that will place Joule in a competitive position in the c-segment of the automotive market.

The local company has partnered with a number of international specialists to ensure the best outcomes in terms of industrialisation, safety and battery technology.

PAGE 14

ccording to the latest Kelley Blue Book Market Intelligence survey data, US in-market car shoppers indicate they are feeling the economy’s strong influence with regard to their attitudes about financing and purchasing vehicles.

Most in-market shoppers in that country are planning to spend a relatively small amount of money on their next vehicle purchase and are more likely to buy used versus new. In addition, more than one-third of in-market car shoppers say they plan to pay the entire cost of their next vehicle purchase in cash and they are not influenced by incentive offers.

Nearly three-quarters (74%) of those surveyed said they plan to purchase within the next six months, and more consumers said they are in the market for a used car (67%) than a new car (33%). In addition, 42% of used-car shoppers and 20% of new-car shoppers said they plan to pay the entire cost of their next vehicle in cash. The majority (82%) of used-car shoppers and more than half (51%) of new-car shoppers in that country said that incentive offers have no effect on the timing of their next vehicle purchase. In addition, 81% of used-car shoppers and 48% of new-car shoppers said that the availability of incentives have no effect on their specific vehicle choice (make/model). “In-market car shoppers are taking a decidedly conservative approach to car buying right now, which we think can be directly attributed to low consumer confidence in the current economy,” said James Bell, Executive Market Analyst for Kelley Blue Book’s kbb.com. “It seems people are re-assessing their financial situations and deciding to spend less, buy used and pay more often with cash.

Incentives have loosened their tight grip on the American consumer, with more people deciding to purchase what they can truly afford versus what they can get with over-extended credit lines and incentive offers on the hood from manufacturers.”

Of those who intend to finance their next vehicle purchase, zero-percent financing was listed as the most appealing incentive offer at 30%, followed by low monthly payments at 21%. In addition, women were twice as likely to find low monthly payments the most appealing incentive offer when compared to men (32% of women versus 16% of men). Interestingly, both new- and used-car shoppers feel that negotiating is a crucial part of the car-buying process, with 62% indicating they prefer negotiating to having a single set price. That number increases more among younger car buyers when examining the data demographically, as 73% of respondents age 34 and under feel that negotiating is a crucial part of the process, compared with 59% of respondents in the 35-54 and 55+ age categories. The Kelley Blue Book Market Intelligence data is based on a survey of 338 in-market car shoppers on Kelley Blue Book’s kbb.com from June 18 - 21, 2010.

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NEWS FORUM

AutoForum - October 2010

Road traffic (mis)management corporation When it comes to safety on our roads, South Africa has an appalling track record. We are, sadly, a nation of speeders, jaywalkers and drunk drivers. Sadder still is our culture of corruption, which so often allows for inebriated drivers to be let off by the cops with nothing more than a bribe.

The Road Traffic Management Corporation (RTMC) is assigned to improve law compliance and enhance road safety in South Africa. In fact, the organisation’s own website talks about its “efforts to change the hearts and minds of the citizens of the country to voluntarily obey the law and respect the rights and needs of other road users”. But when large-scale corruption is uncovered in the very body mandated to instill compliance and enforce road traffic laws, one has to worry about the future of road safety in our country.

Things started to unravel at the RTMC in February this year when an independent task team was appointed to investigate allegations of mismanagement within the organisation. The allegations included irregular expenditure, inappropriate procurement procedures and unauthorised use of eNatis transaction fees.

Following the task team’s investigation, Transport Minister and Chair of the RTMC Shareholders’ Committee Mr Sibusiso Ndebele announced “the total value of confirmed irregular expenditure actually incurred at the RTMC is currently estimated at R144 million”. He went on to say that the Department of Transport has adopted a zero tolerance stance when it comes to fraud, corruption and mismanagement and that any person found guilty of such acts must face the consequences of their actions. However, in the same statement Ndebele said that those found guilty are liable on conviction to a fine, dismissal or imprisonment. Being fired but still free to embezzle elsewhere or being slapped with a token fine doesn’t sound very ‘zero tolerance’, does it now?

PAGE 16

Impact of strikes on motor industry far reaching

- By Roy Cokayne

S

outh Africa’s seven vehicle manufacturers and allied automotive component manufacturing sector have been buffeted by three strikes this year, severely denting the image and reputation of both the industry and country as a reliable supplier to global export markets. Motor manufacturers slowly started production again from about the middle of September after a 16-day strike in the automotive component manufacturing sector paralysed production at vehicle plants, largely because of a shortage of component stocks.

The vehicle production and automotive component manufacturing sectors were also hurt earlier in the year by the Transnet strike, which disrupted imports and exports through the ports, and a strike in the vehicle manufacturing industry over improved wages and working conditions. New three year agreements have now been signed in the vehicle manufacturing industry and the automotive component manufacturing sector. It will, however, take time for the industry to recover from the damage caused by the strikes.

Leo Kok, a spokesman for Toyota South Africa, said it had lost production of a total of 10 000 units because of the strike in the automotive component manufacturing sector. Kok said Toyota SA would not be able to catch up this lost production until the first quarter of next year, because it had already used all the available overtime and weekends to recoup production lost during the industry’s own strike and the Transnet strike. He continued that Toyota SA had not only been hurt through lost production of fully built up vehicles - it had also taken a lot of pain because of its inability to fulfil component contracts.

BMW SA spokesperson Guy Kilfoil, said the two strikes in the vehicle and automotive component manufacturing sectors had cost it more than 4 000 cars in lost production. He said shortly before the strike BMW SA had been asked to take on additional volume and, because of it, had lost the 4 000 units of production plus the additional volume, which went to other plants in BMW’s global network.

Jeff Osborne, CE of the RMI, said the costs of the strikes was huge and probably ran into billions of Rand. Osborne believed there were also longer and medium term costs, because the strikes and inability to supply would have compromised investor confidence. However, he said the fact that a three-year agreement had been secured at the motor industry bargaining council “bodes well for the restoration of investor confidence”.

“But everyone has paid – workers, employers and the economy.”

According to Mark Roberts, convenor of the component manufacturing sector at the motor industry bargaining council, the three-year agreement reached with the National Union of Metalworkers of South Africa (Numsa)

Nico Vermuelen, Executive Director of the National Association of Automobile Manufacturers of South Africa (Naamsa), described the impact of the strike on the new vehicle manufacturing industry as “a disaster”. “The fragile industry track record as a reliable supplier of automotive products, including new vehicles and components, to international markets has been severely compromised.”

Vermeulen stressed the industry’s ability to supply its customers in the domestic and export markets had been hurt by the Transnet strike in May, its own 10-day strike in the vehicle manufacturing industry and had also been paralysed by the automotive component manufacturing sector strike. “The reputational damage is severe and the strike will do absolutely nothing for further investment in this industry. It will have serious medium and long term consequences for the industry,” he said.

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included a 9% increase in actual wages in the first year and wage hikes of 8% in the following two years. Roberts said the strike had a big impact on the entire automotive industry, adding that it would take a week to 10 days for component manufacturers to catch up on the production lost during the strike. However, he believed companies in the sector would come up with expedited plans to “catch back” lost production through scheduled production on weekends and overtime.

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AutoForum - October 2010

NEWS FORUM

UK researchers unveil plan to get tough on emissions

R

esearchers at the Stockholm Environment Institute at the University of York in the UK have announced new research that shows how to make drastic cuts in carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions from transport.

The study goes beyond the science and paints a picture of what a low carbon transport future would look like. What emerges, they claim, is vision of a less stressful, quieter, healthier, more resilient and confident society. Transport is a source of greenhouse gases (the percentage contribution thereof is, however, a debated topic – see AF September issue) and according to many scientists, it is increasing emissions faster than any other sector of the economy, thanks to growing levels of car use, road freight and flying.

This project marks a significant break with traditional thinking that regards transport as too hard to deal with when it comes to greenhouse gas reduction The York project has, however, shown a phased programme of technological, financial and behavioural changes that it says could secure the massive potential decreases in emissions: 100% in road transport (cars and trucks) and rail transport; 56%in aviation; and 49% in shipping. It foresees an overall reduction for transport in the UK by 2050 of a whopping 76%. The project took an evidence-based approach that meant reductions were included only if there was already-available experience showing that they could be achieved.

The research suggests that if the measures were implemented, there would be substantial economic benefits for individuals and businesses as well as a significant fall in road deaths and injuries. There would also be large reductions in noise and air pollution and dramatic changes in urban design and planning to provide substantially improved opportunities

PAGE 18

for walking, cycling and community cohesion.

Professor John Whitelegg of the Stockholm Environment Institute and co-author of the study said: “This project marks a significant break with traditional thinking that regards transport as too hard to deal with when it comes to greenhouse gas reduction. We have shown that the potential is much greater than anyone previously thought and that reductions in emissions go hand in hand with improvements in air quality, health and economic success.”

The project specifies the reduction potential from spatial, technological, fiscal and behavioural changes, and identified the maximum degree to which these can be applied in a phased programme of action over the next 40 years.

The policy recommendations include a number of radical but achievable measures, such as: Spatial planning to create neighbourhoods and communities where it is possible to reach destinations on foot or by bicycle and public transport; New approaches to the regionalisation of production and consumption to bring about reductions in road freight; Increases in the cost of transport to implement the so-called “polluter pays principle”; Full de-carbonisation of the UK electricity supply system (as envisaged by the Climate Change Committee); and Full conversion of all cars to Plug In Electric Vehicles or Hydrogen Fuel Cells utilising de-carbonised electricity.

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Over the last few years, however, Hyundai/Kia has fought hard to earn the respect of the automotive industry and motorists alike – and succeeded. Now it appears the Korean automaker has another winner on its hands with the third-generation Kia Sportage. Featuring dynamic new styling, the latest Sportage deserves a second, perhaps even a third, look. It’s longer, wider and lower than the previous version and delivers everything that a compact SUV customer expects in terms of driving position, sense of security and road presence. Built in Korea, the Sportage will be available to South African customers with a choice of three engines (two petrol and one diesel) and a choice of two-wheel or all-wheel drive and manual or automatic transmission.

Safety features include ESC (Electronic Stability Control) with a new Rollover Sensor (that deploys the side airbags, curtain airbags and seatbelt pretensioners when required), Hill-start Assist Control (to prevent roll-back when starting on an ascent) and Downhill Brake Control (to limit speed during a steep descent). A new rear-view safety camera, which transmits an image to an LCD colour display integrated into the interior rear-view mirror, is standard on all all-wheel drive models.

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NEWS FORUM

AutoForum - October 2010

New US fuel economy labels proposed

A

s a new generation of cars and light trucks start appearing on the market, the US Department of Transportation (DOT) and Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) are jointly proposing changes to the fuel economy labels consumers see on the window of every new vehicle in dealer showrooms in that country. The public have been asked to comment on the process, via the two organisations’ websites. “We are asking the American people to tell us what they need to make the best economic and environmental decisions when buying a new car,” said EPA Administrator Lisa Jackson.

“New fuel economy labels will keep pace with the new generation of fuel efficient cars and trucks rolling off the line, and provide simple, straightforward updates to inform consumers about their choices in a rapidly changing market. We want to help buyers find vehicles that meet their needs, keep the air clean and save them money at the pump.” As US Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood explains, with the introduction of increasing numbers of battery electric vehicles and plug-in hybrids “we need to provide consumers with labels that include fuel economy and environmental information so that buyers can

PAGE 20

make better informed decisions when purchasing new vehicles.”

The goal of the new fuel economy labels is to provide consumers with simple, straightforward energy and environmental comparisons across all types of vehicles, including electric vehicles (EV), plug-in hybrid electric vehicles (PHEV), and conventional petrol-powered vehicles. DOT and EPA aim to provide enhanced information on efficiency and environmental performance – including information about air pollutants, such as smog, that impact public health. The Energy Independence and Security Act of 2007 specifically calls on the two organisations to rate available vehicles according to those very criteria. Two new label designs have so far been proposed for comment.

One prominently features a letter grade to communicate the vehicle’s overall fuel economy and greenhouse gas emissions performance. The new design will also provide consumers with an estimate of the expected fuel cost savings over five years compared to an average gasoline-powered vehicle of the same model year. The second proposed label retains the current label’s focus on miles per gallon (MPG)

and annual fuel costs, while updating the overall design and adding the required new comparison information on fuel economy and emissions.

Both, however, expand on the content of the current label by including new information on fuel consumption, exhaust carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions and smog-related emissions. Additionally, the new labels would provide information on a new web-based interactive tool that can also be accessed by smart phone, allowing consumers to personalise the information about a vehicle’s performance. For EVs and PHEVs, the agencies propose showing energy use by translating electricity consumption into a miles per gallon equivalent. The proposed label designs for EVs also include energy use expressed in terms of kilowatt-hours per 100 miles.

The agencies are proposing that the label only present information on vehicle tailpipe emissions. Upstream emissions, which are associated with electricity generation or refining fuel, would not be displayed on the label. To enable access to such information a website is planned. The new label is expected to begin appearing on the windows of 2012 model year vehicles.

NEWS AFRICA

Vehicle repair insight NEWS AFRICA

Contents 22

Mercedes okays APC’s waterborne basecoat

22

BASF walks away with three more awards

22

Matte clearcoats for small series production

26

THE BIG CONVERSION – PART 4

In association with BodyShop News Asia and Australian BodyShop News

NEWS AFRICA AutoForum - October 2010

NEWS AFRICA

Mercedes okays APC’s waterborne basecoat AkzoNobel Automotive Plastic Coatings (APC) has received the thumbs up for its primerless waterborne basecoat system from Daimler Benz. The automaker has approved the system for use on plastic bumpers and rocker panels produced by China-based supplier JJ/Minghua.

According to AkzoNobel APC’s Marketing Director, Thierry Paulhan, Daimler set the bar quite high with its strongly stated preference for the two-layer coating system consisting of the waterborne basecoat and clearcoat, but AkzoNobel APC was up to the challenge. AkzoNobel APC is the first coatings supplier to win approval of a primerless system.

“This is a state-of-the-art system that is quite difficult to implement,” said Paulhan. “But with the expertise of our technical services people already familiar with the system in Germany, and solid support from our APC team in China, we were able to demonstrate our capability and win Daimler’s approval. It’s a major opportunity for us.” The system was first launched in early October 2009.

BASF walks away with three more awards BASF Coatings recently scooped three supplier awards in India from prominent automakers Tata Motors, Mahindra & Mahindra and Honda Motorcycle and Scooter India (HMSI).

The chemical company received the ‘Best Supplier Award’ for the fourth time for its superior performance in the 2009 ‘Paints’ category from HMSI. Tata Motors Limited awarded it the ‘Best Supplier Award’ for its outstanding performance in the paints category for the year 2008-2009, considering parameters such as quality, cost, delivery, and development.

Finally, Mahindra honoured BASF with the ‘Best Performance Award’ in Value Addition and Value Engineering category for the year 2009-2010.

PAGE 22

Matte clearcoats for small series production

W

ith increasing numbers of automakers creating vehicles with the unique visual style afforded by using matte clearcoats, BASF has announced the introduction of its current colour collection, in which matte clearcoats also play an important role.

Previously only used with custom paint jobs, matte clearcoats are increasingly being used in smaller production runs as well. Functioning as the top layer of an automotive coating, clearcoats provide extra protection and scratch resistance. While glossy finishes have something untouchable about them, the coating company believes that a matte clearcoat makes you want to run your hand over the silky, smooth surface.

“Matte clearcoat changes the effect of the coating. The muted-looking finish has something of a plastic look to it. They give silver colors in particular a cool, high-tech feel and create almost haptic effects,“ said BASF Colour Designer Eva Höfli. “The resulting contrast between matte and glossy automobile add-on parts is particularly striking.”

The material used to produce the matte look has the consistency of a fine powder and is mixed with a standard clear. “Chemically it is like sand or glass, but extremely fine and highly porous,” explains Dr Holger Krumm, Lab Manager at the BASF Automotive Clearcoat Competence Centre. The more matting agents are stirred into the clear, the greater the effect. “It is thus possible to have differing degrees of gloss in the hardened finish,” says Andrea Rump, Product Manager.

Matte clearcoats are used in OEM coating and for coating add-on parts, and they are available in a variety of clearcoat technologies. “The look of a matte clearcoat is also heavily influenced by the underlying layer of paint, i.e. the basecoat,” Rump emphasises. “The matte shimmer remains even after years. The products have been sufficiently tested with regard to this in weathering tests.”

The application of matte clearcoats is a sophisticated procedure that differs from standard OEM coating – which is why in the past it has only been used in smaller circulation lines for individual series. BASF matte clearcoats are described as robust and easy to care for, making fingerprints and bits of dust less noticeable than on a glossy finish. Another benefit is that smaller scratches are also very hard to detect, and running the car through a car wash is also no problem. The clearcoat must, however, not be polished, since that will make it look glossier.

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AutoForum - October 2010

THE BIG CONVERSION – PART 4

- By David Cook

Surface Preparation and Paint application

T

here are a lot of myths about waterborne basecoat and its application – many of which are not true or are, at best, highly inaccurate – but the core message with preparing a surface for painting and applying the paint is care and cleanliness.

throughout the job. Therefore, it is vital that you have a quality filtration system on your air supply lines to trap any oil or other contaminants.

Waterborne basecoat is more susceptible to contamination, therefore a two step pre-cleaning process is recommended. This is required as contaminants are either solvent or water (salt residue) soluble. Pre-cleaning should be undertaken firstly with a solventbased cleaner, followed by the recommended water-based cleaner. This will ensure that all contaminants that could impact the waterborne basecoat, have been removed.

Preparation should always be as near as possible to 100% perfect in any paint job, but one issue which requires longer term care is the capacity for waterborne to hide imperfections in the preparation. Solvent-based paints, especially silvers, can highlight scratches in poorly prepared surfaces. The capacity for waterborne – with its higher solids content and its non-aggressive nature – to hide imperfections can lead some painters to over apply the product. This approach will cause extended flash-off and if clearcoated too early, can lead to drop in gloss.

This also applies to air quality in the compressor system. Oil can be present in compressed air, and as is well known, water and oil don’t mix. The presence of oil in your compressed air during the application of waterborne basecoat will result in defects such as ‘fisheyes’ and other imperfections

One aspect that does require special care is the mixing process. The higher solids content means accurate colour formulation mixing is a must, as it will take very little overpour of tinting base to alter the accuracy of a colour. While product usage is reduced, consideration should be given to how much tinting

PAGE 26

base is required to make an actual mix. With most brands of waterborne basecoats 100% tinting base is used during this process, but with Glasurit waterborne 70% of the mix is binder, so you use less tinting base in the final job.

Going hand in hand with this is the viscosity of the paint, which relates to the ‘sprayability’ of the product. This is influenced by ambient air temperature in the booth or area where it is being applied. It is this ambient temperature which governs reduction of the basecoat, not that of the air passing through the spray gun. There is no point mixing paint in a paint room at 18° and then spraying it in a booth at 25°. Ideally, both areas should be at the same constant temperature. Most systems’ technical data sheets suggest the ideal spraying viscosity measured at 20°. The viscosity will determine the mixing ratio of the paint and the reducer. For most waterborne paints the mixing ratio will be in the order of 10 to 15% of demineralised (distilled) water, but can vary up to as much as 50% with Glasurit, using its special viscosity adjuster.

David Cook is the Editor of our associated publication, Australian BodyShop News

Next, the painter will need to consider relative humidity.

Humidity effects the drying of waterborne basecoat. By adjusting spraying conditions within your spray booth, the processing and painting of waterborne basecoat is made simple.

An issue which will take a little time to get used to is the amount of paint you prepare for each job. Most body shops find that when they start using waterborne they are using more paint than when they used solventborne paint. This is contrary to all the publicity, but comes about as a result of uncertainty about the amount of product required. Most painters, when new to the waterborne system, tend to prepare more paint than they need and the surplus is wasted, but as they become more efficient with the use of the product and experienced at assessing their needs, consumption will lower.

One way around this is to use a tintable primer, which can be adjusted to suit the colour of the basecoat. This can eliminate the need for a basecoat in a similar colour and eliminate one step of the painting process and the time for it to flash-off. This applies most especially to reds. Tintable primers and waterborne basecoat go hand in hand. Application techniques for waterborne can vary from brand to brand and the colour to be used can also have an impact on the way in which you will apply it.

Glasurit 90 Line has been developed to be sprayed in the same manner as a solvent-based paint so that there is very little required for the painter to adapt to their waterborne paint. In that case the application technique is still structured around a cycle of half coat – flash-off, full coat – flash-off – and then a control coat for colour reproduction. There is some fine tuning around that in relation to how much product is used and how wet a coat should be applied with the full coat or control coat. That’s something that will come to the painter with hands-on experience with the product and its use.

“By the time you get to the control coat there’s very little flash-off time required because of the flash-off which has gone on before,” said Glasurit Australia’s Technical and Sales Support Manager Ian Johnson. “And there’s very little time required before you start clearcoating because of all this.”

“With other brands of waterborne, most required to be painted around a cycle of half coat and full wet coat in one application, followed by a full control coat dropped on top then an extended flash-off before clearcoating. This is despite some manufacturers promoting the claim that there is no need for intervening flash-off.”

Whatever the product or process required, the important thing is to allow the basecoat to fully flash-off before clearcoating. There is a danger of trapping water which can result in loss of gloss and other problems if you do not get that final big flash-off right.

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, wanted to in Ophirton, Johannesburg ofbro Auto Body CC, based 2 g. Aerldin bui its m basement area in make better use of the 475 ise xim ma to s unique specialised design O-Cure provided one of its p. to create a new speed sho the efficiency of this area a complete ut and design plans, with Aer-O-Cure’s concept, layo ir installation of the basement to meet the upgrade and refurbishment 2 Shop. It ed in an innovative 475 m Spe requirements, has resulted one of and flow s with a customised work accommodates 20 vehicle th boo ay spr side-by-side downdraught Aer-O-Cure’s specialised, ck qui for s ising customised slide rail and oven combination, util n. ove re -O-Cu lateral access into the Aer

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Vehicle on custom slide rails in Aer-O-Cure spraybooth.

Vehicle moving laterally on slide rails between the combination Aer-O-Cure spraybooth and oven.

the entrance to . vel lifts at ep aration area Two low le-O pr p re -P 4 bay Aer

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PAGE 29

AutoForum - October 2010

PAGE 30

PAGE 31

Business Forum

Business insight

AutoForum - October 2010

Is new always better?

The Automotive Recyclers Association (ARA) in the US has come out in defense of repairers using recycled vehicle components recovered from collision vehicles and is strongly criticising original equipment parts manufacturers that it feels are aimlessly attacking quality parts alternatives.

According to the Automotive Recyclers Association, automakers and original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) have a long history of erecting barriers to further their substantial hold on the vehicle parts replacement market. The Association has stated: “From withholding essential Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) information on the parts compatibility of various vehicle makes, models and years to the full court negative press campaign on the integrity of recycled parts, automakers stand as a road block to a more robust auto parts recycling network.”

Automotive aftermarket manufacturing sector: now and going forward - by Robert Kaiser

And, it seems, the OEMs do have reason to be worried – in the second quarter of 2008, a US Mitchell Repair Collision Data report found that 74.4% (by value) of parts specified by Mitchell-equipped estimators in that country were OEM parts. The most recent version of that report shows the numbers dropping to 67.9%, showing a steady movement away from new OEM parts as consumers and the collision repair industry become better educated on the quality part alternatives available.

The ARA has slammed the vehicle manufacturers for “hammering” their own parts and misleading consumers about the environmental impact created by not recycling/reusing parts that are in perfect working order.

“One would think that automakers that continue to try to promote themselves as being ‘green’ would have a more progressive view of recycled OEM parts use,” says Automotive Recyclers Association’s (ARA) Chief Executive Officer Michael E. Wilson. Wilson added: “The recovery, reuse, and resale of quality recycled parts must remain readily available to consumers, who may not want or be able to financially afford ‘new’ OEM parts, and require access to these alternative part choice for their vehicle repairs.”

PAGE 32

W

hat is the current “state of the nation” in the automotive aftermarket manufacturing sector and what are the expectations of this industry sector going forward, given the challenges and opportunities in the SA motor industry and specifically in the automotive aftermarket manufacturing sector?

Valuable insight into this question was gained during an early September informative interview with Malcolm Perrie, Managing Director of FederalMogul South Africa and Chairman of the Automotive Aftermarket Manufacturers’ Association (AAMA). “The country is still under the influence of a measure of post-World Cup euphoria which is happily now waning, and our expectation is that the uptick in business activity, which is currently being experienced in our industry sector, will gain additional momentum during the next few months,” Perrie stated. He added: “There is no doubt that the World Cup event has not only enhanced the image of South Africa as a fantastic tourist destination, but has also made an enormous contribution towards international commercial awareness of South Africa and what this country and its industry has to offer in business terms. We have witnessed this first hand in the interface we have had with international business leaders who visited South Africa during the event, many of them for the first time. Virtually without exception their experiences were most positive and have already translated into serious engagement with local industry and we are rising to the challenge.”

What makes South Africa unique in the world market? “South Africa, although in world economic terms a small economy, is a giant in continental Africa. I believe that Africa, with its enormous natural resources and growth potential, is set for spectacular economic growth in the next 10-15 years. It is widely recognised that SA as the largest economy in Africa with its First World-standard infrastructure, is the gateway to the rest of

Robert Kaiser has been intimately involved in the motor industry for the past 25 years. He established Retail Motor Consultants in 2002, a consultancy providing relationship management, marketing and staff recruitment services as well as apprenticeship management programmes and through an associated company, unique Black Economic Empowerment transformation programmes for both large and SME businesses.

the African continent and this provides us with a unique positioning which, if we grasp the opportunities this offers us, will handsomely reward us in terms of business opportunity and growth.

Federal Mogul SA is already serving markets throughout the African continent and we see this rapidly developing division of our business as possibly the greatest growth area in our business going forward,” says Perrie.

In commenting on a question about his perception concerning the recent SA flirtation with the BRIC (Brazil, Russia, India, China) countries as inter alia evidenced by President Zuma’s recent visits to these countries, Perrie came out in full support: “There is no doubt that the BRIC countries represent a substantial economic force in world markets and that South Africa’s trade with these countries is growing in leaps and bounds. It is also a fact that, economically speaking, there are many similarities in the economic fundamentals of the BRIC countries and South Africa, more so than is the case with some First World trading partners.

This translates into higher levels of mutual understanding that underpin the development of mutually beneficial trade relationships.”

AAMA activities According to Perrie, AAMA is growing from strength to strength, having recently added Control Instruments and NGK Spark Plugs to its membership ranks. “The continuing growth in our membership through the addition of influential market players is an important factor in strengthening the Association’s role and influence as a representative of the automotive aftermarket manufacturing sector and enhances the value proposition represented by membership,” he stated.

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• Partinform events Insofar as AAMA activities are concerned, Perrie indicated that a primary focus of the Association remained the running of the wellknown Partinform local trade events held annually countrywide. These events provide valuable networking opportunities for members who interface with users of their products on operational level. The next Partinform events are scheduled to take place in Rustenburg, Northwest on 19 October and in Soweto, Gauteng on 9 November respectively .

• Industry norms and information A new initiative being planned by AAMA is the setting up of an industry e-commerce portal for Association members, which would offer a number of functionalities aimed at enhancing communication between Association members and their respective customer bases. “This is an exciting new venture that we have embarked upon which is set to add huge value to our members’ operations and the way they interact with customers,” says Perrie. “Watch this space!”

• Counterfeiting and compliance

Perrie remains bullish about the future: “The strikes we have been experiencing over a wide spectrum in our economy during the past two months are to a large extent a function of political and associated dynamics and should not deter us from looking at the medium and long term future of our wonderful country,” he explains. “There is a myriad opportunities for this country and its business sector and we should remain focused to grasp these and realising them into real economic growth. I personally am greatly encouraged by the growing entrepreneurial flair and business acumen which we are experiencing among our Black customers in South Africa and the African countries in which we do business. It is a wonderfully positive indicator that business is on the right track. Let us not forget that we are in Africa and that we should not try to emulate and import so-called First World business cultures into our environment that may not always be of help to us but rather build on who we are, a uniquely African economy set to serve and grow into Africa.”

with compulsory standards AAMA continues to pursue its mission to eradicate the scourge of counterfeit parts and is planning the establishment of an anti-counterfeiting unit which will be provided with full time staff resources to drive the Association’s activities in this area.

Complementing these activities is AAMA’s drive to help in achieving proper compliance with Standards Act requirements, the enforcement of which is lacking in many areas and in this connection the Association seeks to cooperate closely with the SABS on an ongoing basis.

• Training issues AAMA also regards training of manpower as a critically important issue and the Association is endeavouring to obtain MERSETA support for the accreditation of the substantial training courses already offered by some AAMA members which are not only aimed at product training but also the transfer of skills to technical staff, enabling them to stay abreast of modern technological developments and the demands that this places on the aftermarket.

Wise words indeed...we are African, aren’t we...?

7/19/10 11:29:28 AM

PAGE 33

AutoForum - October 2010

Len Whiteley is the National Training Manager for the Retail Motor Industry Organisation.

The importance of basic education

A

lmost every forum I attend on training, someone will bring up the issue of us as the Motor Industry, not attracting the right candidates to train in the designated trades of the Industry. The days of having a Grade 9 or 10 school certificate and entering an apprenticeship are gone, despite these being the minimum legislated qualifications required.

Motor Industry has moved into the realm of competing with unrelated industries such as Insurance, FMCG Retailing, Banking, as well as learning institutions such as Universities and Colleges for the potential candidate’s attention.

Technology has moved forward at such a rapid rate, and continues to do so.

Costs too, have risen to a point where an error in employment or a simple mistake by an apprentice on a vehicle, can cost the company tens of thousands of Rand. This is forcing employers to revise their own employment criteria, to ensure only candidates with the potential of successfully completing an apprenticeship are employed.

There has always been a limited number of candidates with Grade 12 maths and science and the entry of the Motor Industry into this market has just exacerbated the situation - so much so, that some merSETA projects aimed at reducing the skills shortage in South Africa are not reaching their candidate targets because of the lack of suitable candidates to enter into project programmes. So, if programmes that provide subsidised learning interventions cannot find suitable candidates in

The challenge therefore, is that at this high entry level of what is generally a Grade 12 with maths and science, the

- by Len Whiteley

sufficient numbers, how are normal motor businesses, inexperienced in recruitment markets at this level, expected to find them and compete?

To my mind there is only one solution: we need more Grade 12 maths and science learners and/or the FET College NCV 4 equivalents, produced by our

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education systems. I use the word systems, because grade schooling is part of the Basic Education Ministry under Minister Angie Motshekga and FET college education falls under Minister Blade Nzimande at the Department of Higher Education and Training (DHE&T), two different departments entrusted to produce candidates of equivalent education levels, suitable for initial employment in business and industry.

“It is also clear that some of the assumptions behind the NCV were not adequately considered and canvassed” Yet both streams are not producing the required numbers at the desired subject and quality levels to satisfy the current needs of business and industry, never mind the needs required to sustain the economic growth plans of the Government as put forward in the Industrial Policy Action Plan (IPAP). The Basic Education Ministry will probably

get away with this under-performance, because industry has to pick up the tab for rectifying the poor schooling of their employees before such employees can be trained in their chosen vocation.

The DHE&T will not have it so easy, as what they do not achieve in the FET College environment will cost them in the SETA environment as both fall under the DHE&T. Business and industry however, will bear the brunt of the costs associated with having to employ people below the desired entry level standards. Ideally, there should be no gap between business and industry requirements and the Grade 12/NCV 4 standards, if there is to be a seamless transition from learner to worker for South Africa’s youth.

Reading through Minister Blade Nzimande’s speech to the FET College Summit on 3 September 2010 and sifting through some of the oft repeated political rhetoric, the Minister can be quite candid in his comments and although I don’t support all of his views, I find many refreshingly accurate. Here

are some from the speech: “We are prepared to acknowledge that some of the planning assumptions in recent years have been erroneous…”; “It is also clear that some of the assumptions behind the NCV were not adequately considered and canvassed”; “…it is essential that FET Colleges increase their responsiveness to the needs of their local economies and communities”. And lastly: “…the FET College sector also has to ask itself how it must compensate for some of the weaknesses in our schooling system.”

In my humble opinion, some rather startling admissions from the Minister. It would be interesting to know what this poor schooling/college system is actually costing the South African economy.

Business and industry should not have to regress to basic education ‘gap filling’. We need to fix our basic education system now, so that it produces the required number and level of candidates business and industry require. Maybe it is time that Ministers Angie and Blade sit at the same table and start discussing things like seamless transition.

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AutoForum - October 2010

INNOVATIONS

The latest automotive technology

Car2gether takes carpooling to a whole new level

F

ollowing the successful launch of its car2go programme in the US city of Austin – a flexible mobility solution that allows registered users to make use of one of 200 modern, serviced and fueled car2gos in that city, spontaneously or with a reservation - Daimler AG has now developed a further concept for urban mobility: car2gether.

The new project is in pilot phase in the German city of Ulm, and according to the automaker, it will also provide an innovative solution to the question of how flexible and independent mobility can be achieved without car ownership. car2gether is a web-based ride sharing community arranging incoming offers and requests for lifts. The system takes advantage of the increasing use and acceptance of, and the many different communication possibilities offered by, mobile internet. Rides can be arranged via smartphones while out and about, or from a PC at home – almost in real time. The idea for this concept was developed by the Business Innovation division at Daimler AG which, as the name suggests, identifies business areas with future potential.

The division is aimed at presenting a complementary solution for the advancing changes in individual mobility.

Futurologists quoted by the company expect that due to the living conditions in cities, an increasing number of people will not own a car at all in future (‘zero-car households’) – a concept

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that cannot be heartwarming for an organisation that produces cars. So rather than wait for their extinction, the innovations experts have decided to welcome the news and adapt accordingly. Project Manager Michael Kuhn explains: “There is still a need for flexible, convenient and inexpensive mobility. With car2gether, we offer these advantages and also encourage the more efficient use of resources.”

The system works like this: users register on the car2gether website free of charge and create a profile with their photo, mobile phone number and other personal information. Users can then enter the desired starting time and the destination using their smartphone or PC. The system uses a complex algorithm to bring together rides offered and wanted and sends details of suitable drivers or passengers to the user.

Users can then confirm the journey and once both parties have agreed, the journey details will be shown to both participants. Users can also receive text message or e-mail notifications.

The ride offers and searches are also displayed in the form of a ‘live ticker’ on the car2gether web portal. This ticker, which is similar to the microblogging service Twitter, displays all offers and searches in a short form and is automatically updated every 15 seconds. If interested, users can get further details of the ride from the live ticker and directly opt for it.

Costs are not based on the distance travelled, but rather on the calculated driving time and charged by the minute.

The recommended price to be paid by passengers to the driver is 9.5 cents per minute. During the pilot phase passengers will pay the driver in cash –

but for the future an automatic, cashless payment procedure is planned.

The concept is touted as an ideal addition to car ownership and other means of transport, and if a suitable ride share is not found, car2gether is also able to show other ways of reaching the destination.

Daimler is the first car company to trial this form of mobility in a pilot project that tests intelligent and contemporary use of a ride sharing system especially for urban areas. Findings from the pilot phase will be incorporated in the further development and optimisation of car2gether, and later this year the company will extend the project to an additional city in Germany.

The sub-500 kg car This year’s Los Angeles Auto Show Design Challenge will see design studios envisioning a 1 000 pound (around 454 kg) vehicle that is comfortable, secure and beautiful, while still delivering satisfactory driving performance. For the first time, design studios from not only the US, but also Germany and Japan, will compete against each other to showcase their ideas.

BASF receives international environmental award

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hemical’s giant BASF has been given an ÖkoGlobe international environmental award for its energy-efficient solutions used in the ‘i-flow’ concept car project. The award is issued for groundbreaking concepts, innovations, products and production processes in the area of mobility.

BASF was granted third prize in the Supplier Innovations category for its contributions to the i-flow concept car, which the company designed in cooperation with Korean carmaker Hyundai. The i-flow was unveiled at the International Geneva Motor Show earlier this year.

Due to a number of innovative solutions, the i-flow achieves carbon emissions of just 85 g/km, far less than those achieved by comparable conventional cars. It is estimated that BASF’s innovations account for almost half the reduction.

“The i-flow is impressive proof of the chemical industry’s crucial contribution to the environment-friendly car of the future,” commented Dr Wolfgang Hapke, Head of BASF’s Performance Polymers division. “BASF is the chemical industry’s top automotive supplier and helps carmakers achieve their sustainability goals.”

Just some of the innovations incorporated into the i-flow include encapsulating the diesel engine with a rigid foam polyurethane insulation system to protect the engine and the environment; a new catalyst from BASF that combines four emission-cutting technologies in just two components; a seat frame concept made of lightweight construction materials; and a variety of infrared-transparent and infrared-reflecting pigments in the car interior that result in cooler plastic surfaces for the dashboard, seat and centre console.

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INNOVATIONS

AutoForum - October 2010

A shift in the right direction for EVs

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World’s first 8 speed front wheel drive

eroshift, a privately owned British company specialising in power transmission and electronic control solutions, has developed a multi-speed gearbox for electric vehicles (EVs) that does not make use of a clutch.

Zeroshift’s concept employs a damper inside the gear hubs while electronic control of the motor makes ratio changes seamless.

For EVs, being able to have more than one gear ratio and shift without interrupting torque means that the motor can run more efficiently; this extends the vehicle’s range and increases the life expectancy of the batteries by up to 10%.

This new system has been made possible by using Zeroshift’s proprietary gear-shifting system and would enable manufacturers to downsize EVs’ electric motors, while allowing them to run longer at the medium loads and speeds. In fact, the company predicts that its gearbox could achieve peak efficiency of over 95%. Zeroshift’s

Valeo’s new wipers are smaller and lighter Earlier this year, Valeo began equipping the Mercedes SLS AMG with its new dual direct drive wiper system – which is described as offering four major benefits in terms of volume, weight, safety and optimised wiping.

One of the key differentiators in the new system is the absence of linkage. By eliminating the linkage, the system requires far less space and enables greater under-bonnet packaging possibilities, while offering automakers greater freedom for installation and assembly. The wipers are directly powered by the output shafts from two motors, each located under the bonnet near the windshield. The size and weight of the system is also reduced by around 30% compared to a

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Managing Director, Bill Martin, commented: “Our studies suggest that by using a compact, multi-speed transmission and a smaller electric motor, manufacturers can gain an operating efficiency of up to 10%. You can use that 10% to improve EVs’ range or reduce the size, weight and cost of battery packs.”

Zeroshift’s concept eliminates torque interruptions during ratio changes, a problem that has resulted in many EV manufacturers opting for single-speed transmissions that result in the motor spending more of its time outside of its optimum efficiency range.

“The benefits of Zeroshift’s transmission would be greatest for electric delivery vehicles where the compromises in efficiency are greatest,” says Martin. “To be able to pull away fully laden on hills requires low gearing, but the motor then runs too fast and too inefficiently on the highway.”

Zeroshift is working with several vehicle manufacturers in developing its compact transmission. The company is also currently working with consultancy firms and manufacturers on the integration of its technology into the next generation of seamless layshaft automatic transmissions for hybrid medium-duty trucks, buses and passenger cars.

traditional system, equivalent to a gain of 0.17 g/km CO2. The lighter weight and the location of the two motors on either side of the vehicle also improve pedestrian safety by reducing the effect of the impact in the event of a frontal collision.

Other benefits include electronically controlled and synchronised wiping and wiper speed for optimised performance.

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AutoForum - October 2010

INNOVATIONS

'Thinking' car key means no more locking yourself out

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Buick LaCross

t has probably been a while since it happened to you but the truth is, there are very few out there who have not experienced it at least once. You can’t find your keys anywhere and when you peer through your car window you see them in plain view – unfortunately the door is locked and you needed to be somewhere 10 minutes ago. When Dave Proefke gets locked out of his car, however, it’s called “research.”

Proefke, a General Motors Technical Fellow, leads a team that has developed an advanced wireless car key that automatically knows when to lock and unlock the doors on the automaker’s 2011 Buick LaCrosse and selected other GM models.

“It does a lot of the thinking for you,” said Proefke. “It tries to determine your intended action and perform that action for you.”

THE INTELLIGENT ALTERNATIVE

The new key doesn’t require a button press or even a keyhole. Instead it sends out a constant stream of data to the vehicle that includes where the key is located. That helps the car decide whether the doors should be locked or unlocked, based on pre-programmed behavioural scenarios. The LaCrosse can be equipped with push-button

start with smart key technology. It also knows whether or not the key is present inside the car. If it is, theft-deterrent encrypted coding allows the vehicle to start. The highly sophisticated system removes many of the mechanical systems such as wiring and cylinders that can make a vehicle easier to steal.

“With push-button start available on the CXL and standard on the CXS, LaCrosse owners can enter the vehicle, push a button to start the car and away they go,” said Proefke. “No more fumbling for keys.” Buick’s thinking car key knows when it has been left behind in a vehicle. Automatically sensing a lockout situation, it will alert the driver that the keys are still inside the vehicle.

If the driver attempts to manually lock the doors, the fob system will keep the doors unlocked.

One of the common key fob myths is that someone could capture its signal and use it to steal a car. With advanced key fob technology, its creators point out, signals are encrypted and change with every button push. Stealing signals is virtually impossible. Proefke, who grew up around cars, has been working on vehicle security systems for Buick for more than 20 years, and he holds several patents in the area.

“In the future, the functions that are on the key fob could be built into smartphone apps,” Proefke said. “Also, key fobs will become smaller and more jewelry-like and could even be worn.”

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INNOVATIONS

AutoForum - October 2010

Real-time vehicle appraisal device

S

elig Technologies in the US recently unveiled what it believes is a revolutionary vehicle appraisal device for use by car dealers, independent vehicle brokers and auction houses in that country.

The VIN Viper is a mobile device with a built-in VIN scanner that instantly returns live, real-time data from proprietary North American sources, making valuing vehicles in that country a painless procedure.

“We designed VIN Viper with a simple philosophy - save time, save money, sell cars,” said Jason Seligman, President of Selig Technologies. “VIN Viper is the fastest, most reliable appraisal system on the market. It instantly retrieves

real-time data from our data providers and is updated automatically with each VIN scan. This is the one vehicle appraisal system that combines all the industry’s top auto value providers into one instant and easy to use application because in today’s competitive automotive marketplace, it’s important to know more than the person next to you.”

The device boasts the intuitive interface of a smartphone with enhanced accuracy and speed. Users can literally scan a hundred cars in minutes and share scanned data with others via email or manage it with the uniquely designed desktop suite application.

The latter allows users to manage the mobile device, create new appraisals, sync VIN scans and create custom reports. The VIN Viper is also claimed to return used car data and history reports up to five times faster than any competitor.

Chevrolet first with sales app tool

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hevrolet in the US has become the first automaker to pilot a sales app for the iPhone, iPod touch and iPad. The Chevrolet Dealer app features the company’s entire line of cars, trucks and crossovers and allows a salesperson to work with a customer to pick interior and exterior colours, search for a matching vehicle in the dealership’s inventory and look up special offers that can be applied to the purchase or lease.

“Chevrolet Dealer allows us to spend less time behind our desks and more time on the showroom floor with our customers,” explains Joel Smith, Retail Operations Manager at the North Carolina Chevrolet dealership where the pilot began in July. “Our customers have been wowed when we are able to show them video and help them

PAGE 44

choose options, all on the iPhone.”

The app also allows salespeople to submit and retrieve quotes so they can help customers find and buy the vehicle they want anywhere in the showroom or even when they aren’t in the dealership.

“We continue to look for smart ways to use technology to help our salespeople sell vehicles,” said Alan Batey, Vice President, Chevrolet US Sales. “With more and more salespeople and customers using mobile technologies, this makes sense as our next step.”

Chevrolet also recently announced the Chevrolet Showroom shopping app for the iPhone, iPod touch and iPad, which allows users to research and locate vehicles. Once a vehicle has been found, users can then save it to their device and share it with friends and family via e-mail or Facebook.

An extra eye on the road

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obileye, a Dutch company specialising in advanced image sensing and processing technology for automotive applications, recently released a new system that enhances a driver’s ability to prevent collisions. Dubbed the Mobileye C2-270, the system’s EyeQ2 vision chip is able to detect pedestrians, vehicles, bicycles, and lane markings that the driver may not. The product is available globally as an off-the-shelf product and is suitable for all vehicles.

21873 Safeline ads -Autoinsight 1/20/09 12:20 PM Page 4

“The Mobileye C2-270 has unprecedented alert capabilities for drivers,” says Isaac Litman, CEO of Mobileye Products, “and best of all, drivers can drive reassured that an extra eye is constantly at work in the car, giving them another line of defense in an increasingly dangerous road environment.”

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The Mobileye C2-270 camera is mounted behind the vehicle’s windshield and constantly monitors the road in front of the vehicle while the car is in motion.

The camera is connected to a display unit placed within the driver’s field of view. Should a hazard be identified, the display flashes bright colour-coded icons and sounds a warning to alert the driver up to 2.7 seconds before impact – hopefully giving the driver enough time to avoid the danger.

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Image courtesy wynandvanpoortvliet, flickr

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AutoForum - October 2010

INNOVATIONS

New fuel saving oil pump

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hevrolet has announced the development of a new oil pump that will debut on its 2011 Cruze model (available in the US), which delivers the precise amount of oil needed during all driving conditions – meaning the engine has to work less while saving p fuel. m pu l oi riable

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A standard feature in the Cruze’s Ecotec 1.4L turbocharged engine, the variable displacement oil pump reduces the displacement during engine warm up and high speed conditions. The volume of oil from the pump varies with rpm by changing the pump’s displacement through a pivoting control chamber mechanism and sliding vanes - a fixed

displacement pump on the other hand typically bypasses the extra oil internally.

As Mike Katerberg, Assistant Chief Engineer for the 1.4L explains: “By lowering the volume of oil we reduce the amount of energy, or torque, required to pump the oil, without taking necessary lubrication away from the engine. Reducing the torque demand reduces fuel consumption. It’s a simple, durable, maintenance-free design that we have used in our transmissions for years and more recently in our hybrid vehicles.”

The benefits of the variable displacement oil pump increase when used with other technologies such as variable valve timing, which operates using oil pressure. Variable valve timing adjusts the engine valves’ opening and closing timing for optimal performance, fuel efficiency and emissions across the rpm band – including greater lowrpm torque.

Failure of PTFE oil seals

as FE sealing lip Damaged PT e of failure us ca the

Grea sed P the ca TFE seali n use o f failu g lip as re

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Damaged PTFE sealing lip The most frequent cause for failure is damage to the PTFE sealing lip during assembly.

If the seal is installed without the help of a sleeve or special tool, and is shifted or even turned inside out, reliable sealing will hardly be possible.

Similarly, the use of oil or grease - as with classical oil sealing rings - will result in total failure of the PTFE oil seal immediately after installation.

You can trust the Victor Reinz specialists The advantages of PTFE technology set new standards in the development of oil seals.

Modern engine concepts require solutions for dynamic seals, which are able to withstand the high loads lastingly. Thanks to outstanding properties, PTFE meets these demands - the best prerequisites for series use in modern engines.

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AutoForum - October 2010

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AutoForum - October 2010

Auto Safety

Cadillac also envisions crash-proof car Its not the first time automakers have talked about making cars crash-proof, but now John Capp, Director of Global Active Safety for Cadillac, says such vehicle are not that far off.

He explains that future Cadillac technologies could include in-vehicle Doppler radar to spot obstructions or traffic jams ahead, and that looking further out, autonomous vehicles that can communicate with each other, traffic signals and buildings, point to a world where cars may actually drive themselves.

“We see things moving toward a point in the future where perhaps vehicles won’t crash,” said Capp. “We work on developing advanced safety technologies for Cadillac that alert drivers to potential dangers around them.” Some of these active safety technologies already in place in current models include: Lane departure warning - a camera-based lane detection system that warns the driver when he or she leaves their lane without signaling. The camera, mounted near the inside rearview mirror, identifies traffic lane markings and provides audible alerts.

New Head Protection System for Convertibles

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ith spring in full swing and convertibles coming out of hibernation, the question of cabriolet safety will again become top of mind. TRW, the leading player in active and passive vehicle safety systems, recently unveiled its second generation Head Protection System for Convertibles (HPSC II) that will further enhance safety in future drop-top models. And with no less than 18 convertible models launched in Europe so far this year, consumer demand for this type of car is clearly growing.

Dirk Schultz, Global Engineering Director for TRW’s Inflatable Restraint Systems, explains: “Safety is an increasingly important factor in the decision making process of the consumer and the industry needs to continuously improve the protection of occupants of such vehicles, with affordable solutions.”

Fully integrated into the backrest bolster, this new airbag technology eliminates the need for an integrated headrest, making it compatible with a wider range of convertible vehicles, which results in marked cost reductions. The system works together with the torso protection system and both can be tuned individually.

Blind spot alert - twin radar beacons that detect an object in a vehicle’s blind zone and provide a visual warning in the outside side mirror.

Schultz continues: “HPSC II is compact and comprises light-weight component parts resulting in a lower mass module overall. Like the first generation HPSC, the second generation also takes into account different load cases and passenger sizes. This adaptability improves the airbags’ position in relation to the occupant in the event of a side crash situation.”

Adaptive cruise control - sensors detect objects in a vehicle’s path and slow the vehicle down to avoid a collision.

TRW’s first generation HPSC is still in production with a major European vehicle manufacturer and the second generation of this airbag module concept will be ready for vehicle launches in 2013.

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Truck diagnosis With ESI[tronic] for Trucks, Bosch offers diagnosis for commercial vehicles from vans, buses and trailers to heavy lorries. The modules KTS Truck and KTS 800 Truck are new.

For several years Bosch has offered an extensive range of products for commercial vehicles. It included, for example, starter motors, generators, windscreen wipers, filters and brakes for vans. Bosch is also well positioned for batteries, diesel equipment, sensors and accessories for commercial vehicles. In the area of test equipment, Bosch now offers a new, tailormade range of products for commercial vehicle workshops with ESI[tronic] for Trucks, consisting of KTS Truck and KTS 800 Truck.

The new KTS Truck is a special variant of the familiar KTS modules with a 37 pin socket to connect the diagnostic cable.

The KTS module is equipped with a Bluetooth wireless network system which provides a range of up to 100 metres.

This has the advantage that the user can move freely around the vehicle while he carries out the diagnosis. The module communicates with the new tablet PC, the DCU 130, or with any other computer in the workshop. Bosch offers KTS Truck both as a simple module version and in the version KTS 800 Truck which consists of the module and the tablet PC / DCU 130 with preinstalled software.

Universally adaptable In addition to a standard universal adapter cable, KTS Truck also has special adapter cables for some trucks.

KTS Truck is supplied in a case with all necessary accessories, i.e. an OBD cable, a cable to bridge the Bluetooth connection if the wireless network fails, a USB Bluetooth stick and a universal adapter. With the universal adapter, the KTS Truck can be adapted to every possible pin assignment of the diagnostic connector. This means that a workshop can solve any problems which arise because it does not have the right adapter cable for a specific application.

Robust diagnostic hardware Bosch KTS 800 Truck is the KTS Truck module with a touchscreen tablet PC which is fully suitable for use in the workshop and is known as the DCU 130 (Diagnostic Control Unit). This device provides a number of sophisticated detailed solutions. For example, it complies with safety class IP 54, i.e. it is completely protected against dust and splashing water, and it can survive a fall from a height of 80 cm unharmed.

All connections are protected with rubber caps. Another carefully designed detail is the retracted USB connection.

This enables a dongle to be attached without protruding out of the housing where it can be damaged. Like a

modern notebook, the DCU 130 of the KTS 800 Truck has all standard connections such as Ethernet, two normal USB ports, an audio outlet, a microphone and a card port. A special feature is that it can work with only one of the two removable Li-Ion batteries. This means that one battery can be used for work while the other recharges in the optional charging unit. A charged battery can be inserted while the unit is turned on, and the almost empty battery can then be removed. So work with the DCU 130 can continue uninterrupted. Incidentally, the batteries come with an integrated charge display and are designed so that they can be changed even with working gloves. The new DCU 130 of the KTS 800 Truck weighs about 2.7 kg with both batteries. If only one battery is inserted, it weighs 200 g less. Of course the DCU 130 can also be used later for other applications in the workshop, for example all ESI[tronic] information types can be implemented on request.

Extensive accessories available The DCU 130 is initially offered in a package with the new ESI[tronic] for Trucks, but later it will also be available individually. An optional extra is a docking station which provides the connection to networks and printers and at the same time charges any batteries that are inserted. The diagnosis connectors in commercial vehicles differ considerably from one vehicle to another, so Bosch offers a range of diagnostic connection cables. They will be available for DAF, Iveco up to model year 1996 and from model year 1996, MAN TG, MAN series 2000, Mercedes-Benz, Renault, Scania and Volvo. In addition, diagnostic connection cables are available for individual systems of buses such as the Volvo bus ABS, the Volvo bus ESC and ZF systems. The diagnostic connection cables for trailers cover the systems ABS Modal, ABS Modular, Wabco/Knorr trailer ABS/EBS, EB+ and ISO 7638. There will also be special diagnostic connection cables for vans. They will cover the Iveco Daily, the Volkswagen LT / T5, the CitroĂŤn Jumper and the Peugeot Boxer.

ESI[tronic] for commercial vehicles The new ESI[tronic] for Trucks was designed especially for vans, trucks, trailers and buses, and from the outset it covers a high proportion of the vehicles on the European market. For the first time, Bosch offers the depth of software for commercial vehicles which ESI[tronic] users in the car sector already know.

ESI[tronic] for Trucks has an impressive range of functions, offering ECU diagnosis, system information, wiring diagrams, data for servicing and repair, the catalogue for Bosch parts and the

KTS 800 Truc tablet kP workshop-com C (DCU 130) patible

ZF parts catalogue. The structure and operating philosophy of ESI[tronic] for Trucks correspond with the successful software KTS 340 which was presented two years ago and is characterised by a clear structure and ease of operation.

The control unit diagnosis, the technical information and the maintenance data are available via a consistent operating concept. At the market launch, seven languages will be available in ESI[tronic]: German, English, Spanish, Italian, French, Swedish and Polish.

One of the major suppliers for commercial vehicle systems is ZF. In ESI[tronic] for Trucks Bosch therefore offers the ZF catalogue and service information for manual and automatic transmissions, suspension, steering systems and clutches. The assembly instructions for these systems are also provided.

Increased range of training From the outset, ESI[tronic] for Trucks therefore offers not only comprehensive diagnostic functions, but also a wide range of information about the maintenance and repair of commercial vehicles.

Bosch will also offer training courses on exhaust gas after-treatment in commercial vehicles, with an emphasis on complex urea injection. The subject area of KTS Truck and ESI[tronic] for Trucks will also be supported by corresponding training courses which will cover topics such as signal detection and networking. The extended range of courses for personnel from commercial vehicle workshops will be supplemented by courses on the subject of brake systems.

They will focus on safety testing, ABS, EBS and CAN networking with trailers.

ESI[tronic] for Trucks will be available in South Africa from early 2011. For more information contact Dereck Knight on 011 651 9600 or dereck.knight@za.bosch.com

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AutoForum - October 2010

AUTO SAFETY

Possible motorcycle cancer risk exposed

A

ccording to concerned Canadian motorcyclist Randall Dale Chipkar, resolutions are needed to reduce rider health risk from cancer-controversial ELF EMF radiation emissions penetrating up through motorcycle seats.

In fact he is so worried about riders exposing themselves to harmful radiation, he has even developed the Electromagnetic Pro-Ionization Principle for motorcyclist safety worldwide.

“Cancer-controversial electromagnetic pollution is becoming ubiquitous regarding cell phones, smartphones, Wi-Fi, laptops, antenna towers, hydro tower power lines, dirty electricity, etc.,” says Chipkar. He explains that extremely low frequency electro-magnetic field (ELF EMF) excessive radiation has now been exposed above motorcycle seats and is detectable up to six feet away.

“Various ELF EMF exposures are linked to adverse bioeffects, including melatonin compromise, promoting illness over time. Concern includes prostate cancer, testicular cancer, colon cancer, bowel cancer, bladder cancer, breast cancer, uterine cancer, ovarian cancer, liver cancer, stomach cancer, pancreatic cancer, pancreatitis, melanoma, osteoporosis, bone marrow compromise, hypertension, heart disease, diabetes, depression, gastric ulcers, colitis, impotence, infertility, inflammation, immune deficiency, etc.,” says Chipkar.

Chipkar has a number of suggestions to reduce the risk to rider. “One option is the repositioning of excessive ELF EMF

magnetic field producing components (spark-coils, oscillating-current electrical systems, etc.) from immediately beneath motorcycle seats. Innovative component technology reducing motorcycle ELF EMF magnetic radiation is another option. Motorcycle seat labelling or publishing of ELF EMF radiation emission levels would enable consumers to evaluate exposure,” he says.

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PAGE 54

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Contact details: Hans Soonalal 011 538 7500 • Cell: 082 888 3648 • Dial: 0861 CAR AIRCON www.behrhella.co.za PAGE 55

AUTO SAFETY

AutoForum - October 2010

Lighter, safer and cheaper crash components

I

n the event of a collision, a vehicle’s crash components are designed to absorb energy in order to protect the occupants inside. German researchers have now developed a method of mass-producing a particularly safe class of materials for the automotive industry for use in such critical safety components. Known as thermoplastic fibre composite components, this material offers a number of benefits over more traditionally used materials.

It has been decades since steel was the number one material in car construction, with a mixture of steels, aluminium and fibre-reinforced plastics now making up the structure of the vehicles on our modern roads. Composites using a thermoset matrix are widely used for load-bearing structures and crash components; these composites are designed to buckle on impact to enhance safety but present a number of drawbacks, which the newly developed thermoplastic fibre composite promises to address.

For instance, traditional thermoset composites can be challenging to implement efficiently in a mass production

PAGE 56

environment. The researchers from the Fraunhofer Institute for Chemical Technology ICT have now developed a process suitable for mass production which makes it possible to manufacture up to 100 000 thermoplastic parts a year. “Our method offers comparatively short production times,” explains Dieter Gittel, a Project Manager at ICT. “The cycle time to produce thermoplastic components is only around five minutes.

Comparable thermoset components frequently require more than 20 minutes.”

single step and the most ingenious part is that the researchers can select the system and the processing temperature in a way that enables them to set the minimum required processing time.

Another advantage of the new material is that it doesn’t delaminate into sharp-edged splinters in a collision like traditional thermosets tend to, allowing the new material to perform better in crash tests. Also unlike currently used thermosets, thermoplastic components are recyclable, a feature that is becoming increasingly important to manufacturers.

A part produced for demonstration purposes has confirmed the benefits of this new class of material; a thermoplastic boot liner for the Porsche Carrera 4 weighs up to 50% less than the original aluminum part. By calculating the optimum fibre placement of the part, the ICT engineers have managed to improve the crash behaviour of the vehicle’s overall structure.

The Fraunhofer researchers have named their technique thermoplastic RTM (T-RTM). It is derived from the conventional RTM (Resin Transfer Moulding) technique for thermoset fibre composites. The composite is formed in a

Last, but certainly not least for the number crunchers at the vehicles producers, the cost of the thermoplastic matrix material and its processing are up to 50% less than the equivalent costs for thermoset structures.

“We insert the pre-heated textile structure into a temperature-controlled moulding tool so that the fibre structures are placed in alignment with the anticipated stress. That enables us to produce very lightweight components,” Gittel explains.

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PAGE 57

AUTO SAFETY

AutoForum - October 2010

TRW’s DLT Enhances Seat Belt System Performance

A

ctive and passive safety technology company TRW Automotive, has started equipping seat belt systems on vehicles in the US with its new Dynamic Locking Tongue (DLT) technology.

The lightweight and compact design consists of a seat belt tongue (the plate that fastens into the buckle) with a rotating cam and a concealed spring.

The DLT allows webbing to pass freely through the tongue when buckling - and in normal seat belt use, to ensure comfort and convenience for everyday use. In the event of hard braking or a crash resulting in greater than about 45 Newtons of force on the belt, however, the DLT clamps the webbing and works with other seat belt technologies to help reduce loads on the occupant’s chest.

As Norbert Kagerer, VP Engineering at TRW Occupant Safety Systems explains: “The Dynamic Locking Tongue

is a simple and effective way to help manage the energy of an occupant in a crash.

It works in concert with other seat belt technologies such as pretensioners and load limiters, and its ability to reduce chest compression loads is of TRW DLT se benefit in complying at belt system with the more stringent test criteria now in pelvic region, improvements in place for the Euro NCAP and USNCAP chest deflection and load have been ratings systems.” shown across a range of vehicle types and sizes.

The producing company’s testing has shown that the DLT is very effective in The DLT has already launched into preventing the webbing from slipping production in North America, and through the tongue when in the locked vehicle manufacturer interest globally is mode. By using the DLT to better said to be high. couple the occupant to the seat in the

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PAGE 59

AUTO SAFETY

AutoForum - October 2010

New rating system for Safety Technologies

A

s automakers continue to make new safety technology breakthroughs, so indeed does the automotive safety landscape broaden. Features such as Lane Departure Warning, Blind Spot Monitoring, Attention Assist, Autonomous Braking and Emergency Call are increasingly offered as options by carmakers on their newest models.

And while the technologies are aimed at making the driving experience that much safer, the decision to purchase new models with the various features becomes a lot trickier. With so many technologies entering the market, and with no independent advice on the safety benefits they offer, many consumers are left feeling confused.

The recently launched Euro NCAP Advanced aims to provide car buyers with clear guidance about the safety benefits of the new technologies on offer, while making it clear what they provide for the drivers and their passengers. The new reward system, complementing Euro NCAP’s existing star rating scheme, will recognise and reward manufacturers who promote those new safety technologies that have a scientifically proven safety benefit.

PAGE 60

By rewarding technologies which may currently only be fitted on luxury models or as options, the organisation hopes to provide an incentive to manufacturers to accelerate the standard fitment of important safety equipment across their entire model ranges, bringing the safety benefits to all.

Part of the problem has been that many of the technologies are so new that no accepted standards exist to assess them. With this in mind, the safety rating organisation has developed a unique methodology which allows the potential safety benefits of any new technology to be determined. Unlike Euro NCAP’s well established assessments involving physical tests at a crash laboratory, the new process is based entirely on the assessment of scientific evidence presented by the vehicle manufacturer.

It works like this: an independent panel of experts looks at the extent of the safety problem which a new technology aims to address. Through a logical and rigorous analysis of the way in which the technology has been developed, tested and validated, and from any realworld experience that may exist, the

system’s performance and its expected effectiveness can be determined. Euro NCAP is quick to point out, however, that recognition of the potential benefit of these new technologies in no way undermines the importance of basic crash safety. Cars are eligible for a Euro NCAP Advanced reward only if they have already achieved a creditable three star rating in the overall rating scheme.

At the recent eSafety Challenge, Dr Michiel van Ratingen, the organisation’s Secretary General, said “With these rewards Euro NCAP will add a new dimension to its mission. From now on consumers will be able to learn more about the benefits of advanced safety systems in their car and consult Euro NCAP for advice before deciding on purchase. Collectively we can make another step forward in effectively reducing traffic fatalities and injuries on European roads.”

The association will reward the first set of manufacturers for their new advanced safety features at this month’s Paris Motor Show.

PAGE 61

AutoForum - October 2010

Isuzu launches FX range Australian body calls for EV training VACC, the peak Automotive Industry body in Victoria, Australia, has called on the Federal Government in that country to urgently address concerns about hybrid and Electric Vehicles (EVs), before there is a death in a workshop.

VACC represents 5 500 small businesses in the Victoria and Tasmania regions in the automotive retail, service and repair (RS&R) sector. With support from the newly formed Australian Automotive Industry Association (AAIA), VACC has called for immediate action to address critical issues relating to hybrid and electric vehicles. Their demands include: Repair and service information to be made available to repairers immediately; National standards to be discussed, implemented and enforced; National training packages to be discussed, implemented and enforced; A national forum called to provide all interested parties with an opportunity to share information and develop a coordinated approach for these vehicles.

“Cars know no boundaries. That is why any discussion on hybrid and electric vehicles has to be national,” said ACC Executive Director, David Purchase. The Victorian Government has made some progress with an EV trial, but the next Federal Government has to take the lead on safety and standards. In our ‘Issues for the 2010 Federal Election’ we have called for a high level national conference to discuss this matter.”

“Repairers are crying out for the appropriate hybrid and EV training. They are professionals who regularly retrain in order to keep up with developments in the automotive industry. But they are being held back because their role in this issue has been underestimated.” He continued: “If we do not address these issues, consumers will be limited in their choice of which repairer they can use and mechanics, panel beaters, auto-electricians, towing operators, dismantlers and recyclers will not be able to do their jobs properly. We are concerned that if these matters are not addressed there could be a death in a workshop.”

“And if that happens, the Federal Government will not be able to say VACC, you did not warn us, because we have.”

PAGE 62

F

illing the gap between Isuzu Truck South Africa’s F-Series and its Gigamax extra-heavies, the newly launched FX-Series is positioned as the heavy-duty end of the F-Series range. There are five new FX models, taking the F-Series range to more than 18 models with gross vehicle masses (GVM) from 10 000 kg to 28 000 kg, and gross combination masses (GCM) from 16 000 kg up to 45 000 kg.

Craig Uren, Isuzu Truck South Africa COO, explained: “The new Isuzu FX-Series at the top of the F-Series range now completes our model line-up. We are able to offer GVM and matching power for every application and terrain. There are many areas of Southern Africa where trucks need the additional torque, GVM and GCM that our new FX-Series models offer – it’s all part of a transport solution where our real focus is on parts and service. The new FX-Series really places Isuzu’s product offering in a formidable position.”

Isuzu FX-Series model line-up:

Isuzu truck model

FXR 17-360

FXZ 26-360

FXZ 28-360

GXR 35-360

GXR 40-360

Application

Freight carrier

Freight carrier

Compactor

Truck tractor

Truck tractor

Axle drive configuration

4X2

6X4

6X4

4X2

4X2

Gross vehicle mass

16 500 kg

25 500 kg

27 900 kg

16 500 kg

16 500 kg

Gross combination mass

36 000 kg

45 000 kg

45 000 kg

34 500 kg

40 500 kg

The FX range is powered by an Isuzu common-rail turbo-intercooled engine that provides 265 kW (360 hp) @2 000 rpm and 1 422 Nm @1 400 rpm. This translates to 61% more torque than the standard F-Series. The engine exceeds the South African Euro 2 specification and is classed as a Euro 3 unit as part of Isuzu’s environmental care package.

The FX-Series range is fitted with a 9-speed standard gearbox, the ZF 9S1310. Designed as an 8-forward speed transmission for normal use, it incorporates a ‘crawler’ gear for abnormal situations where an extra-deep ratio is required to get out of a steep gradient from start-up when fully loaded. Standard features include air-conditioning, radio and electricpowered windows, as well as a driver’s airbag.

The 400 litre fuel tank provides adequate range for medium-haul applications and the range offers an oil-change interval of 20 000 km to minimise servicing downtime. Other standard features include air-conditioning, radio and electric-powered windows, as well as a driver’s airbag and Isuzu’s class-leading warranty.

1/2 page vert

Tel: 021 945 1419 Fax: 021 946 1789 Cell: 082 558 2652 E-mail: autobalance@mweb.co.za

AutoForum - October 2010

COMMERCIAL VEHICLES

Cost of Ownership – from assembly cradle to scrap yard concept - By Dave Scott

E

nthusiasm over price and discount always masks the final view of what it costs to own a truck, or any product for that matter. A truck is an ‘investment’ in a working machine.

This requires a paradigm shift from the ‘purchase only’ approach to forecasting a return on investment - difficult? For sure! Forecasting a truck’s residual value is an art in itself, requiring a very objective understanding of the industry. Any financial return on asset disposal can be deducted from lifetime, accumulated expenses including depreciation in particular – the remaining balance reflecting actual cost of ownership. And comparable lifetime cost measurements can be broken down into any unit – cents per kilometre/per tonne/per cubic metre/ per litre delivered including Rands per day or hour.

while the multiplying effect is massive over time and across a fleet.

Pitfall #2 - inaccurate cost consolidation The problem in assessing lifetime costs is that vehicle expenses lie scattered around the company general ledgers, especially ancillary operators who do not haul for profit. Security, management time, apportionment of rental, cleaning, and many other fixed costs are often overlooked. A good starting point for any fleet owner is found in finding the answer to the following question: “How would we present our balance sheet and income statements if transport were removed entirely from our operation as an owned and managed asset base, and contracted out to a service provider?”

Pitfall #3 - poor vehicle selection Pitfall #1 - overlooking cumulative effects Trucks incur cumulative costs that can be punishing. 500 kg in excess tare mass dragged around for a truck life of eight years impacts on fuel consumption, tyre wear and licence fees. 500 mm of excess in cargo body height above the cab increases frontal area that will use fuel every day. A cargo deck that is too thin will ripple to damage goods in transit and need premature replacement with downtime and lost productivity. The list is endless

PAGE 64

The outcome of lifetime cost depends very much on an accurate vehicle application forecast. This is the art of truck salesmanship – really understanding transport owner needs. Defining current and future applications of truck, body and trailer equipment allows selection of gross vehicle and gross combination mass that can last both first and second vehicle economic lives. Cost of ownership needs vary according to vehicle application: • A coastal municipality seeks longest cab and truck body life – municipal operations are not distance but

time-based. Lack of kilometre utilisation has to be made up by availability over long periods of time, in some cases over 15 years. This in turn means that rust prevention in both vehicle design and maintenance has to be of the highest quality to avoid the costly replacement of truck cabs and bodies. Time and rust are copartners in scrapping of truck cabs.

Parts for 15-year old vehicles also become an important consideration in cost of ownership.

• Professional carriers on the other hand depend on distance utilisation for generation of income. One million kilometres is easily achieved within five years and in these applications fuel consumption becomes a major cost item to cost of ownership.

Fuel costs in long distance haulage can make up more than 40% of total annual costs. Parts availability becomes even more accentuated in high kilometre operations as wheels cannot stop turning – even for the lack of the smallest part. It is not the price of a part that counts as much as it’s availability when needed.

Vital definitions for sub-group costs In understanding total cost of ownership, there are sub-group costs in transport operations requiring definition and tracking: • Fixed costs – these are annual expenses incurred whether fleet wheels

Dave Scott is a member of the S.A. Guild of Motoring Journalists, and is a monthly contributor to the press on transport and trucking related subjects. In 2002 and 2003 Dave Scott was the S.A. Guild of Motoring Journalists winner of the category ‘Business Motoring’. As a member of the S.A. Institute of Tribology he takes a keen interest in the application of lubricants to road transport maintenance and the cost of ownership.

His key writing focus is on fleet management including the technology of trucks and road transport.

roll or stand. It is in this area that the majority of ownership costs are not counted. Typical costs are realistic depreciation, driver/assistant wages, administration/management fees, rentals, security, insurance, vehicle tracking systems and licences.

• Variable costs – also more aptly named operating expenses, these costs are easiest to track because they are generated by actual vehicle operations. Fuel heads the list followed by service and parts, toll fees, tyres, accident damage and lowest of all, lubrication topping up. Provisions for major component overall - e.g. engine, gearbox and axle - can be included here.

• Lost opportunity costs – tracking these expenses is difficult as they are not represented by cash flows, nor are they allowable for taxation purposes.

Lost opportunity costs must, however, make up a portion of information in management accounts, for they represent manageable road transport incidents. A most important factor is

downtime due to vehicle servicing, lack of parts or on-road breakdowns – lost revenues and productivity should not go unnoticed. Imputable interest is another lost opportunity factor, being the difference between actual returns of owning and operating transport compared to a direct, interest-bearing bank investment.

US truck manufacturers really explore this subject and who better than PACCAR in web-based document entitled ‘White Paper On Life Cycle Cost - Kenworth Truck Company’. The extra-ordinary detail in this 27-page white paper shows how important it is to place the price issue at the end of research and not as the main purchase decision. They even offer a comprehensive method of calculating the impact and cost of driver turnover in a fleet, an issue which is glossed over all too frequently.

Cost of ownership is also tied into the reputation of truck suppliers and support organisations. Initial purchase price is only around 20% of total cost

of ownership of a truck. Key questions that knock some truck manufacturers (OEMs) out of the ring: • Are you likely to still be around in ten years time? The answer will inevitably be ‘but of course’! A judgement call has to be made on such a response.

• What is the OEM parts/spares reputation? Even the best truck cannot stand for lack of parts availability.

Focus on real issues that forecast the sum total of fixed, variable and opportunity costs, not just initial purchase price. And never minimise the driver’s role – safe driving from a driver with a sound attitude will produce good results even if the truck is not ideal to the task.

The final word goes to Duncan Prince of Western Star in South Africa: “Customers never complain after they have purchased ‘too much truck’ but they are always bitter when it’s too small and not up to the task.”

Reference: Kenworth White Paper Lifetime Costs.pdf. TransSolve software suite developed by HTM.

Nissan Diesel changes name to UD Trucks The UD Trucks brand was officially unveiled recently at the truck assembler’s main production facility in Rosslyn. Brand ambassador Kobus Weise compered the event in which UD Trucks South Africa (UDTSA) CEO, Johan Richards, presented the new brand to press, management and, importantly, all their staff too.

The name change is part of a global rebranding campaign filtering down from the Japanese parent company, which changed its name to UD Trucks Corporation earlier this year. The new brand name will also aid the company’s push into the rest of the African continent, where it already has dealers in a number of countries including Angola, Namibia, Mauritius, Botswana and Nigeria.

As Nissan Diesel the truck assembler grew in South Africa to become the parent company’s top market outside of Japan. As UD the company will now be in a better position to

differentiate itself independently, with a singular focus on the trucking industry.

Simply, UD means ‘Ultimate Dependability’ and is underpinned by the company’s pledge to provide products and service that the customer can depend on 100%. From the beginning of September all trucks leaving the Rosslyn facility were sporting the dynamic new badge and the rebranding of dealerships will take place over the coming months.

The new brand’s big reveal was highlighted by a team of parachutists landing right on the UD head office driveway, flying flags of the new brand – a fitting introduction for a brand that is making confident inroads into the rest of Africa.

PAGE 65

AutoForum - October 2010

Show Time

Show report: Automechanika Frankfurt 2010

- By Warwick Robinson

A

utomechanika Frankfurt’s 2010 event took place from the 14-19th of September and, as usual, AutoForum was there.

For anyone who has attended the show, they can back me up on the sheer scale of the event, and the variety of exhibitors is really unprecedented. Most visitors have a specific focus at the show, and taking in the entire exhibition is always a formidable task from a magazine’s point of view.

The show obviously consists of a variety of halls catering to specific market segments, but the organisers also hold an aftermarket forum, list the green directory of innovations aimed at environmental issues, and have an innovation award. This year Bosch walked away with top honours in the latter for their Parallel strong hybrid system, which is the first system of its kind to go into mass production and enables established models to be ‘hybridised’ - most notably the recent Touareg and Cayenne conversions.

Bosch also reiterated its continued expansion in the aftermarket, with new diagnostic and testing equipment, some of which is aimed specifically at the truck market. I managed to spend some time with Ewald Faulstich and Dereck Knight, who explained in more detail which of the new offerings would soon be making a debut in SA. A notable upgrade on the KTS range includes features such as dual battery bays on one of the tablet tools – so you can charge one, while still using the machine with the other.

This type of innovation, aimed at making customers’ jobs easier, and ultimately more profitable, is what this expo is really about. Of all the South

PAGE 66

errie and Malcom P rphy u M lin Co

African visitors that I spent time with at the show, most ultimately had the same purpose for the week – not to find new products but rather to consolidate relationships with their suppliers and international partners.

One of the SA companies with its own stand at the fair was Spanjaard. “In addition to our important international customers, all right here in one place, we meet new clients all day on the stand,” said Graham Cort, Sales Director for the brand.

SA Pavilion ent Partinform ev

Some of the AAMA members (see our interview with the organisation’s Chairman, Malcolm Perrie, on page 32) also gathered at the SA Pavilion for a Partinform event, as an introduction to the concept and a nice networking and social break from official duties. Peter Newberry was the lucky draw winner and won a day driving a Ferrari 360 Challenge racing car.

The value of quality production and the strong stance on counterfeit products was another theme being acted upon during AM 2010. In the first days of the fair a number of stands were identified by exhibiting manufacturers, and German customs officials swept through the halls on Tuesday, actually confiscating goods and in some cases closing stands down. Talking to Malcolm Perrie at the Federal-Mogul stand he stressed how important these clamp downs are, especially in markets serviced out of SA. Philip Otto and Pula Dippenaar from Automechanika SA were also at the show, and attended a short introduction to the new Automechanika boss Michael Johannes, pictured here with outgoing Stephan Kurzawski and our publishing partner Michel Malik. This year’s show was hailed by the organisers as a great success with a total number of 4 486 exhibitors and 305 000 m2 floorspace sold, which effectively means that even through the recession, this show in particular is still growing.

Michae Jo hannes with Stephanl K urz Michel Maawski and lik

PAGE 67

SHOW TIME

AutoForum - October 2010

New transport and intermodal sector conference launched Terrapinn South Africa has announced the launch of Intermodal World Africa 2011, an annual conference for the transport and intermodal sector.

The inaugural event will take place from 27-30 June 2011 and will run alongside Africa Rail and the Africa Ports & Harbours Congress.

The event’s organisers are expecting to attract over 300 A–level executives from across Africa, including transport operators, infrastructure operators, cargo owners, major end-users, government, investors, distribution and logistics companies.

Intermodal World Africa 2011will also afford companies the opportunity to showcase their solutions to buyers and decisionmakers in Africa’s transport sector.

Messe Frankfurt joins Iberian market

G

erman trade fair organiser Messe Frankfurt and leading Spanish trade fair company IFEMA have announced that they will jointly organise Motortec Automechanika Ibérica. The new event will be held for the first time from 29 March to 2 April, 2011 at the exhibition grounds in Madrid, Spain.

Motortec is the leading trade fair in the Spanish and Portuguese automotive markets and has support from all automotive industry associations.

Automechanika Frankfurt is the flagship event in the automotive sector, with 13 similar events in key markets around the globe.

WATS Bloem happening this month If you haven’t pre-registered for the WATS (Workshop Aftermarket & Technology Show) in Bloemfontein on 21 October there’s still time. On show will be parts, tools and equipment, diagnostic scanning and training solutions. The show is open from 16:00 to 22:00, entrance and parking is free and beer and boerie rolls will be available – what more could you ask for? Contact 082 968 0214, admin@wats.co.za or visit www.wats.co.za for more information.

Book now:

Messe Frankfurt will bring to the operation its sales network in over 150 countries, as well as the worldwide presence of Automechanika, which has 13 events outside Germany. Motortec is the only trade fair geared towards the automotive aftermarket in the Iberian Peninsula, a position that it will strengthen by joining with the German brand.

Building on the experiences gained at Motortec Automechanika Ibérica, both trade fair organisers also intend to undertake further projects together in the future.

Spain is the second-largest market in Europe for automotive components, after Germany, with sales in the region of €30 billion. The Spanish industry consists of 950 companies employing around 210 000 people. Messe Frankfurt is Germany’s largest trade fair organiser, with €424 million in sales and more than 1 500 employees worldwide.

South Africa 2011

9.3. – 11.3.2011, Johannesburg Expo Centre Enquiries: amsa@sashows.com

PAGE 68

www.automechanikasa.co.za

Philip/ Karen: 011 494 5002/3

South Africa’s International Trade Fair for Automotive Parts, Equipment and Service Suppliers.

9.3. – 11.3.2011, Johannesburg Expo Centre

Be there

In the programme mix

Trade Only, strictly business-to-business Early in the year, not around December/ January shutdown period Association with very successful international brand Opportunity to tap into network of 60 agents worldwide

Automechanika Brand Events

One-on-One with Clients Opportunity to host clients at an industry breakfast presentation Present workshops /demonstrations for clients Host clients on your stand Host achievement awards such as best dealer, best distributor

Meet Your Objectives Present new products and inform visitors of future devleopments Gain a foothold in South Africa and further north into Africa Promote brand and corporate image Present new products, developments and innovations Cultivate exisiting and initiate new business contacts Initiate sales leads, prepare and conclude sales at the exhibition Expand specialist knowledge, exchange experiences, share demonstrations Achieve an overall impression of the current market climate Compare with competitors Tap into industry networking opportunities and guru forecasting

Green Directory Innovation Award Automechanika Academy

Industry Achievement Awards Automotive Photographer of the Year Automotive Trade and Technical Writer of the Year Motor Industry Marketer of the Year Motor Industry Entrepreneur Motor Industry Customer Satisfaction Index Winner Panel Beater of the Year Paint Specialist of the Year

RMI Conferences and Workshops South African Motor & Body Repairer’s Association Conference Training workshop and training demonstration area in association with the MERSETA Tyre Dealers and Fitment Centre Association Gauteng Road Show

Other Opportunities Panel Discussions and Forums Franchise operations are invited to host their franchisees to a dealer conference Business-to-business matchmaking

AIDC Workshop AIDC Achievement awards

Enquiries amsa@sashows.com Tel Philip/Karen: +2711 494 5002/3

www.automechanikasa.co.za

Automechanika South Africa has been licensed to Dogan Trading (Pty) Ltd by Messe Frankfurt Exhibition GmbH.

PAGE 69

AUTOFORUM

DIRECTORY LISTING

After-Marketplace Directory

To advertise your listing in AutoForum After-Marketplace Directory Contact us on 011 706 0277 or Email: info@AutoForum.co.za

AUTO ELECTRICAL Bosch

Parts, Accessories & Batteries

011 651 9600

First National Battery

Industrial & Automotive Batteries

011 741 3600

Motor Electro Diesel (MED)

Auto Electrical Parts & Accessories

021 505 4000

Parts Incorporated Africa

Automotive Components & Accessories

011 879 6000

Behr Hella

Air Conditioning Specialists

011 538 7500

Connoisseur Automotive

Approved A/c Equipment & UView Dye

021 419 7188

Highveld Garage Equipment

Air Conditioning Specialists

012 330 0540

Harrack Automotive Airconditioning

Air Conditioning Specialists

011 493 1400

Launch Technologies

Air Conditioning Equipment

011 397 3073

Macs Automotive

Air Conditioning Equipment

011 498 0700

Aer-O-Cure

Spray Booths, Chassis Straighteners & Welding Equipment

011 444 6454

Hurricane/Silver Falcon

Spray Booths & Chassis Straighteners

083 628 2288

Pressure Washers & Vacuum Cleaners

012 330 0540

Beissbarth

Wheel Alignment Equipment

011 651 9600

Bosch

Diagnostic Equipment

011 651 9600

Highveld Garage Equipment

Engine Analyser & Diagnostic Scanners

012 330 0540

Launch Technologies

Smartbox Super Scanner & Software

011 397 3073

Industrial Interlocking Floors

011 873 1292

Abro Global

Balancing Machines

021 945 1419

AutoZone

Aftermarket Parts & Accessories

0861 122 111

Beissbarth

Wheel Alignment Equipment

011 651 9600

Highveld Garage Equipment

Tyre & Lifting Equipment & Tools

012 330 0540

Hofmann Megaplan

Complete Range of Garage Equipment

011 472 7279/5954

iNLINE Distributors

Brake Recon, Engine Rebuild Machinery

011 824 1511

Integrated Marketing

Wheel Service & Workshop Equipment

011 974 2203

Integrated Garage Equipment

Sales, Service & Repairs to all Equipment

012 549 5845

Ital Machinery

Brake & Clutch Machinery

011 483 3737

John Bean - Snap-on Equipment

Wheel Service Equipment

0861 762 766

King Tony

Tools

011 316 3812

Launch Technologies

Jacks & Lifts

011 397 3073

Alert Engine Parts

Distributors of Quality Parts

021 590 8250

Alfa Brake Drums & Discs

Brake Drums & Discs

011 608 0801/3

AutoZone

Aftermarket Parts & Accessories

0861 122 111

Bosch

Parts, Accessories & Batteries

011 651 9600

Federal-Mogul

Aftermarket Parts Manufacturer

011 630 3033

GMSA

Parts Supplier

041 365 6170

Goodyear RAM

Timing Belts, Fan Belts, Radiator Hoses & Air Springs

011 248 9300

Midas

Aftermarket Parts & Accessories

011 879 6000

Motor Electro Diesel (MED)

Auto Electrical Parts & Accessories

021 505 4000

Parts Incorporated Africa

Automotive Components & Accessories

011 879 6000

Safeline

Brake Parts

011 549 7333

Silverton Radiators

Engine Cooling Specialists

011 538 7500

SKF

Bearings

011 821 3500

Victor Reinz / Intrade

Automotive – Gaskets & Sealing Products

011 432 2667

AA Training Academy

Training

011 347 9300

Auto Cosmos - Electrolog

Electronic Parts (Electrical) Catalogue

012 327 6210

Bosch

Automotive Training Courses

011 651 9600

Misa

Staffing Association

011 678 6328

Motor Books

Workshop Manuals

086 111 3947

AIR CONDITIONING

BODY REPAIR EQUIPMENT

CLEANING EQUIPMENT Highveld Garage Equipment DIAGNOSTIC EQUIPMENT

FLOORING Tuff Floors GARAGE EQUIPMENT & TOOLS

PARTS MANUFACTURERS & DISTRIBUTORS

SERVICES

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