AutoForum September / October 2016

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September / October 2016

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I N N O V A T I V E

Autoforum Online

SCAN ME!

I N F O R M E D

Show Stoppers

Automechanika Frankfurt 2016 The SA Festival of Motoring Mustang finally goes thoroughbred

FORD’S mustang runs free in mpumalanga

In This issue: STATE OF The COLLISION REPAIR SECTOR EMPOWERING women truckers

B o dysh op

CAR recalls - Why your workshop is key

SA proudly features in R-M’s Best painter competiTIon

AutoForum - September / October 2016

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PAGE 2

September / October 2016

CONTENTS

6

Cover Stories Mustang finally goes thoroughbred

28

Automechanika Frankfurt

40

SA Festival of Motoring

47

SA at R-M Best painter

59

12

Trade Talk Editorial The past few months have seen some fascinating develoments and events in the international motor sector and we have been very fortunate to attend many of them in person.

Apart from the very well staged Festival of Motoring in Johannesburg, we were delighted to once again attend Automechanika Frankfurt, where the future collaboration of NACE and AM Chicago was announced. Of course it also featured a well of new technology and the opportunity to meet and learn from the best.

Wesbank announces COTY finalists and new sponsor

6

VW to produce Polo Vivo in Kenya

6

Snap-on’s mobile showroom hits the road again

10

ISO /IEC 17025:2005 for Federal-Mogul Braking Division test centre

10

3M and SANTACO join forces to curb road accidents

12

GMSA names top technicians

14

16

Industry News NUMSA signs new 3 year wage agreement

16

And we just had to hold the presses on this issue to add the very breaking news of the R-M Best Painter competition held in France - well done Monique, you did us proud!

More electric charging than fuel stations in the UK by 2020

18

Vehicle recalls – why your workshop is key to keeping the roads safe

20

Enjoy the read!

Clare

Why shops should encourage recall repairs

20

AAAM aims to develop African automotive sector across the continent

24

Audi unveils new shock absorber system that saves fuel and increases comfort

26

Mustang goes thoroughbred

28

7 series wins for its remote control parking system

30

NAAMSA President discusses auto sector’s future

32

EDITOR: CLARE RUTKIEWICZ 6813 Jan/June 2016 CONTRIBUTORS: AUSTRALIAN BODYSHOP NEWS ROBERT KAISER Warwick robinson Roy Cokayne grant west

EMAIL: INFO@AUTOFORUM.CO.ZA

28

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35

Commercial Vehicles UD names the top SA driver

34

Isuzu Trucks empowers women in trucking sector

35

Truck driver training extends beyond fuel efficiency and goods handling

36

Making fleets more efficient

37

Commercial vehicle insurance - Some innovative solutions on the rise

38

PAGE 3

AutoForum - September / October 2016

www.AutoForum.co.za

I N F O R M E D

Showtime Automechanika Frankfurt 2016

40

Automechanika showcases Innovations Award winners

44

The NAACAM Show dates announced

46

Festival of Motoring shakes up the format

47

Aftermarketplace

A N D

I N N O V A T I V E

Advertisers Guide AAAS - Motopart AAAS –Parts Inc - Arrow

5 19

AAAS - Parts Inc - Pegasus

25

Aer-O-Cure

OBC 33 50 22-23

Tech Tips

48

Monroe new part release for VW Polo and new catalogue available

Alfa AMR AUDI Parts

49

Autocosmos – Electrolog

33

Festool’s secure connection for mobile dust extractor

49

Continental – RAM

15

Garage Trade Supplies

15

Highveld Garage Equipment

17

Ital Machinery

4, 33

Iveco

39

John Bean

IFC

Leaderquip

7

Monroe Tenneco

11

PCL

31

Robert Bosch – Parts

21

Robert Bosch – Robinair Robert Bosch – WSC VW Parts Wheelquip

13 IBC 8-9 27

BodyShop News The role of MSO’s in the US and beyond

52

Automechanika Chicago & NACE combine for 2017 staging

54

I attended NACE 2016 and this is what I learned

56

Fault code diagnosis – Is it a necessity?

58

R-M’s Best Painter Competition wraps up in France

59

Status of the autobody repair industry – An overview

60

Don’t Know what this is?

Download a QR code reader for your Smart Phone or Tablet from the Apple or Android app stores, and you can use it to scan this code & go direct to our online edition at www.autoforum.co.za – it is free and updated DAILY! Follow us on Twitter and Facebook: AutoForumZA 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 arise there from. The opinions expressed by contributors to this magazine are not necessarily shared by the editor or the publishers.

PAGE 4

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Trade Talk

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WesBank announces SA COTY finalists and new sponsorship The South African Guild of Motoring Journalists announced recently that it had added a new sponsorship partner to the WesBank South African Car of the Year competition, or WesBank SA COTY. Automotive classifieds site AutoTrader has confirmed its secondary sponsorship of the WesBank SA COTY competition as digital and marketing partner, providing digital and online support for the influential competition.

Just a few weeks later at an interactive reveal event in Johannesburg, the finalists - as selected by a 28-member jury – were unveiled.

The finalists are (in alphabetical order): • • • • • • • • • •

Audi A4 Sedan Honda Civic Hyundai Tucson Jaguar F-Pace Mazda Cx-3 Opel Astra Renault Kadjar Toyota Fortuner Volkswagen Passat Volkswagen Tiguan

VW to produce Polo Vivo in Kenya Volkswagen confirmed in early September that it is planning to start production of the Polo Vivo in Kenya at the end of this year, by signing an agreement in Nairobi together with by the Kenyan Government and H.E.Uhuru Kenyatta, President of Kenya.

VW explains that this is a an important step towards engaging further in new emerging markets - with the right products and know-how from the region. The project which will be jointly realised with the importer DT Dobie, will be Volkswagen’s third production facility in Africa - alongside the South African factory and a local production facility in Nigeria. It is planned to build up to 5,000 units of the Polo Vivo per year at the plant operated by Kenya Vehicle Manufacturers (KVM) from 2017.

The project will also see the establishment of a local training centre to qualify production workers and provide further training. The centre will initially focus on the needs of the Volkswagen production team. Later on it is planned to provide basic training for young people to learn general industrial skills, thereby increasing employment opportunities in the region in general.

PAGE 6

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Beetle 2003 – 2010 Caddy 2004 – 2011 T5 2007 – 2010 Golf 2002 – 2006 Jetta 2002 – 2006 Passat 2001 – 2005 Polo Sedan & Classic 2003 – 2010 Polo Playa 2003 – 2010 Sharan 2001 – 2010 Touareg 2003 – 2007 Transporter 2003 – 2010 Price: R 295,03

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Beetle 2003 – 2010 Golf 1998 – 2006 Jetta 1999 – 2006 Passat 2001 – 2005 Polo 2005 – 2010 Sharan 1999 – 2010 Price: R 694,53

Tooth Belt Part no: 078-109-119-J

Brake Pads Part no: 1J0-698-151-J

Control Arm Part no: 7L0-407-021-B

Dashboard (not illustrated) Part no: 6QS-857-003-A-NNK

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Polo Classic & Playa 2003 – 2010 Vivo 2010 – 2014

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Trade Talk

AutoForum - September / October 2016

AutoForumwww.AutoForum.co.za - September / October 2016

ISO/IEC 17025:2005 for Federal-Mogul Braking Division test centre The Federal-Mogul Motorparts – Braking Division Test Centre in Prospecton, has been accredited for ISO/IEC 17025:2005 for Performance & Safety Testing by the South African National Accreditation System (SANAS). The test centre is thus recognised as a SANAS accredited test laboratory for the testing of light vehicle brake pads and commercial vehicle linings to the SA Regulatory Braking Standards (SANS 20090:2010).

The ABTI is manned by technically proficient engineers and supported by Federal-Moguls’ Global Technology and Braking teams. The centre is fully equipped with dynamometers to meet various customer needs and is located near one of the busiest ports in the Southern Hemisphere.

Test Centre General Manager Mervin Paideya explains that the main driver for pursuing the accreditation is the interests of safety in the South African automotive braking sector, as all friction materials have to comply with local braking regulations (SANS 20090:2010). These have been established by the National Regulator for Compulsory Specification (NRCS), which is affiliated to the Department of Trade and Industry.

Paideya also highlights that the flood of imported automotive components has raised questions about the certification and accreditation of such international manufacturers. “It is the mandate of the NRCS to ascertain if all such imported products conform to all of the necessary requirements. We therefore decided to take the lead by extending our own testing capabilities in this regard.” In future, this will enable an efficient compliance testing process that could be of great assistance to the NRCS teams based here.

Snap-on’s mobile showroom hits the road again Snap-on has announced that its Mobile Showroom - a shop-fitted High-Roof Sprinter (519) - has undergone it’s 6th revamp in 3 years, and has now started its tour of the country.

The revamp took place at head office in Durban, and the company’s KZN based Authorized Dealers have hired the van to visit many of their customers, to show off the contents of the showroom on wheels.

This time around the range includes, but is not limited to, an array of OEM specific specialized tools. It also showcases a number of examples of customized tool storage units with drawer panels & trim, which can be added as an option to the base colour units - to give customers the opportunity to own a storage unit to suit their own colour preferences. These units consist of our Snap-on standard 7 drawer roll cabinets & 4 drawer top chests as well as samples of the new Blue-point 6 drawer standard and wide roll cabinets.

A new concept on offer and promoted on the van is the ability for businesses or individuals to brand selected tool storage units, and even personalize these.

The range of modular tool sets in foam has expanded, which is testimony to the popularity of this tool control programme initiated some 7 years ago. There are over 100 complete modular tool sets available to view in the van, which are neatly stored in the tool storage units. Other products on display include diagnostic units, air conditioning service equipment, cordless power tools and products currently on promotion as part of the company’s featured tools programme.

All items showcased are available to purchase directly off the van. To take a Virtual Tour of the Mobile Showroom visit this address http://www.snapon.co.za/Content/Virtual_Tour/.

To find out when the Mobile Showroom will be in your area contact your authorized Snap-on Dealer, or representative, or e-mail enquiries@snapon.co.za

PAGE 10

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Trade Talk

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3M and SANTACO join forces to curb road accidents 3M has confirmed its partnership with government and the South African National Taxi Council (SANTACO) at the launch of the 3M Taxi Safety Campaign.

The Gauteng-based campaign commenced in mid August and will see the partners extensively involved in the road safety campaign. The programme aims to increase visibility by assisting road users to react in time to road hazards especially in low light conditions. Friedah Skhosana, the marketing manager at 3M Traffic Safety Division has been pleased by the reception from taxi owners and drivers, as well as the leaders within these taxi ranks.

“The role of 3M and SANTACO in this initiative is to ensure responsible engagement with the industry, whilst raising awareness of road accidents and highlighting the negative effects of not adhering to Government commercial vehicle regulations. In addition, we hope that this kind of industry education will save as many lives as possible, especially since the festive season and busy road travel are soon approaching once again.”

3M’s partnership with SANTACO will see training programmes for Queue Marshals take place once the campaign gets under way in the various taxi ranks. Zweli Mtuze, the spokesman of

PAGE 12

SANTACO says 3M has always been “fantastic partner” and friend of the South African Taxi Industry.

“3M has always assisted the taxi industry to be in line with commercial vehicle regulation and the saving of lives by supplying the industry with the correct and stipulated high visibility tape as well as educating our drivers and owners through sound and sustainable partnerships,” explains Mtuze.

Mtuze concluded: “Currently, the focus is on Gauteng based taxi ranks due to logistical reasons. However, we do have ambitions to roll out the 3M Taxi Safety Campaign to other parts of the country and we will appreciate support from all our stakeholders to make this dream a reality.”

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PAGE 13

Trade Talk

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GMSA names top technicians Gawie Engelbrecht (30), of Williams Hunt Port Elizabeth, has been named the winner of the General Motors South Africa (GMSA) Top Technician Skills Awards.

The runners up were Hendre Hulscher of Reeds N1 City (32) in the Western Cape and Sujit Munnisunker (47) of South Coast Motors in Kwa-Zulu Natal, who claimed second and third place respectively.

The three top technicians were the last men standing after a total of 327 technicians across GMSA’s 132 dealerships participated in the first knockout round. This was followed by round two where 67 technicians competed for a place in the top 10. During the semi-finals the top five remained and they competed in the final round during two days of gruelling diagnostics and problem solving.

Engelbrecht, who has been working for Williams Hunt Port Elizabeth for the past 11 years, described the competition as challenging and tough. “I just concentrated on fixing the problems. Throughout the competition I stayed focused and gave it my best,” he said.

The young man was also recently promoted to service manager, but said he remains hands-on in the workshop, often working long hours to diagnose vehicle issues. “Winning the competition and having your skills and abilities recognised is a huge honour. I must admit that I feel very proud of myself. Our Chevrolet, Opel and Isuzu customers are everything and they deserve technicians that are trained to the highest standard.”

PAGE 14

Ian Nicholls, President and Managing Director of GM South Africa and Sub-Saharan Africa, congratulated the technicians for delivering service excellence. He said one of the company’s core values is putting the customer at the centre of everything they do. “The Top Technician competition is proof of this commitment to our customers, where the focus is on ensuring that our technicians meet and exceed our customers’ expectations, “Our technicians play a critical role in determining the level of satisfaction which our customers experience with their vehicles,” said Nicholls.

GMSA provides approximately 60 000 hours of regular and extensive training per annum for all service personnel. “We want to ensure that we continuously improve service levels at our dealers. All Chevrolet, Opel and Isuzu service centres are equipped with a complete range of equipment and analytical systems to carry out maintenance and repairs,” Nicholls added.

A joint initiative of the Service Division of GMSA and the National Dealer Council, the competition complements the company’s Complete Care programme and aims to promote excellence in customer service, technical expertise, and support GMSA’s technological innovations in vehicle manufacturing.

The top technician takes home a prize of R30 000 and the runners up receive R12 000 and R10 000 respectively. In addition the first and second prize winners jet off to Thailand in November, to attend the international Isuzu 1 Grand Prix.

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Industry News

AutoForum - September / October 2016 Local and global automotive industry and aftermarket news

Numsa signs new 3 year wage agreement The automotive manufacturing sector and the National Union of Metalworkers of SA (NUMSA) in September successfully concluded their negotiations for a new three-year wage agreement in Port Elizabeth.

The agreement will be in force until 2019 and holds the promise of a longer term and stable investment planning horizon for South Africa’s seven vehicle manufacturers. It also offers a further enhanced and competitive wage structure and benefits for the automotive industry’s hourly paid workers.

Among the highlights of the agreement is the creation of a plant-based housing solution that will seek to provide access to more housing for employees at the various manufacturing plants.

The signing marks the first time since 2007 and only the fifth time in the history of the sector’s collective bargaining process that it has been successfully negotiated without any disruption or work stoppages. The negotiations are held between the Automotive Manufacturers Employers’ Organisation (AMEO) and NUMSA. “The signing of our new agreement is testament to the value of proactive negotiations between AMEO and NUMSA,” says Mike Whitfield, CEO of Nissan South Africa and President of Naamsa.

PAGE 16

“Formal negotiations were preceded by several consultative industry indabas and a fact finding mission to the Australian automotive industry by Naamsa, NUMSA, the Department of Trade and Industry, the Department of Labour and others.

The preparations also started earlier this year, giving both parties ample time to prepare and consult their constituents,” says Whitfield.

The negotiations were held amidst very trying times for the local automotive industry. New vehicle sales in South Africa have declined significantly over the past year and global export contracts remain exposed to a highly volatile local currency and increasing competition from other manufacturing hubs across Europe, the USA, Asia and Africa.

Increased global competition and the possible impact of an unstable planning environment were the main themes of the fact finding mission to Australia. Once a large vehicle manufacturer and exporter, Australia has seen all of its vehicle manufacturers close their manufacturing plants or prepare for closure in recent years.

“The new wage agreement gives us a platform on which we can plan further investment in the sector and it sends a clear signal to our international parent companies of our serious intent to nurture and grow the automotive manufacturing industry in South Africa.”

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INDUSTRY NEWS

AutoForum - September / October 2016

More electric charging than fuel stations in the UK by 2020 There will be more public locations to charge electric cars in the UK than there are petrol stations by the summer of 2020 – that is according to new analysis by Nissan.

At the end of 2015, there were just 8,472 fuel stations in the UK, down from 37,539 in 1970. Assuming a steady rate of decline, Nissan predicts that by August 2020 this will fall to under 7,870.

In contrast, the number of public electric vehicle charging locations is expected to reach 7,900 by the same point in time.

However, the accelerating adoption of electric vehicles means this crossover could happen a lot sooner.

Nearly 100 years since the first fuel station opened – November 1919 at Aldermaston in Berkshire – the number in the UK has peaked, declined and is expected to be overtaken by charging stations designed for battery, not combustion, powered cars.

More than 75% of UK petrol stations have closed in the last 40 years, whilst the number of electric vehicle charging locations has increased from a few hundred in 2011 to more than 4,100 locations in 2016, as electric car sales take off.

According to Go Ultra Low, the joint government and car industry campaign in that country, more than 115 electric cars were registered every day in the UK in the first quarter of 2016, equivalent to one every 13 minutes. The campaign also believes electric power could be the dominant form of propulsion for all new cars sold in the UK as early as 2027, with more than 1.3m electric cars registered each year.

Edward Jones, EV Manager, Nissan Motor said: ‘As electric vehicle sales take off, the charging infrastructure is keeping pace and paving the way for convenient all-electric driving.

Combine that with constant improvements in our battery performance and we believe the tipping point for mass EV uptake is upon us.

As with similar breakthrough technologies, the adoption of electric vehicles should follow an ‘S-curve’ of demand.

PAGE 18

A gradual uptake from early adopters accelerates to a groundswell of consumers buying electric vehicles just as they would any other powertrain.’

Nissan was the first manufacturer to introduce a massproduced electric vehicle and has sold more EVs than any other car brand worldwide. The company has also been a strong advocate of supporting a convenient charging infrastructure – even so far as to partner with Ecotricity last year, calling on the UK government to introduce official EV charging point road signage.

Whilst the vast majority of electric vehicle owners charge at home, 98% of UK motorway services have charging stations, including rapid connectors that can charge a LEAF’s battery to 80% in just 30 minutes. The 30kWh Nissan LEAF, launched in January, delivers up to 155 miles on a single charge – a range that covers more than 90% of the average daily commuting requirements.

Nissan also recently announced the joint development of an atomic analysis methodology that uses amorphous silicon monoxide (SiO) to increase the energy density of its lithium-ion batteries. This development alone could the increase driving range of future Nissan electric vehicles by 150%.

Nissan’s recent partnership with world-renowned architects Foster + Partners, provided a conceptual vision for the Fuel Station of the Future. The result isn’t a conventional forecourt at all, but a combination of Vehicle-to-grid, battery storage, wireless charging, autonomous drive technology and over-theair connectivity all combining to revolutionise how energy is used and distributed across Europe’s major cities.

Nissan believes these technologies, run in tandem with allelectric vehicles, will play an increasingly important role in helping major cities like London reduce harmful emissions.

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INDUSTRY NEWS

AutoForum - September / October 2016

Vehicle recalls – why your workshop is key to keeping the roads safe The number of vehicle recalls has increased significantly over the last few years and the sad fact is that although the recalls are publicised and owners contacted personally, the number of vehicle owners bringing in their vehicles for the necessary repairs is nowhere near what it should be. That is according to Vishal Premlall, Director of Motor Industry Workshop Association (MIWA). “This means that there are potentially millions of dangerous vehicles on our roads.”

Over the last few years several leading car brands have announced local or global recalls for safety critical aspects such as airbags, brakes, steering wheels, emissions and more. So why the shortfall on vehicle recall repairs?

Premlall believes this can be attributed to several reasons some of which include dealerships not being able to track down drivers; parts in short supply; repairs restricted to dealers only and so on. “As it stands, customers out of warranty that don’t go back to dealerships, have no idea when a product recall takes place.”

He points out however that the aftermarket workshop industry deals with many of these out of warranty vehicles and would therefore could assist with reaching as many affected cars as possible. “The reality of the situation is that the Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEM) do not make recall information available to the aftermarket workshops. The fact that customers don’t go back to franchised dealers after warranty does not mean that the responsibility for the product recall is rendered ineffective,” he adds.

The Right to Repair Campaign is advocating that this information as well as the information needed to repair the vehicle is made available. “Aftermarket workshops have the capabilities to service as wide a customer network as possible to ensure that affected cars are rectified to the exacting standard as envisaged in the product recall.” Referring to defective components and replacement parts, Premlall points out that a product recall is often triggered as a result of a defective component fitted by the OEM, often relating to poor procurement. “This means that a new component provider will need to be sourced which puts customers at a disadvantage as they have to wait for the part to be provided to the franchise dealer before it can be fitted. This wait is often a deterrent and a reason why many drivers just don’t get the problem fixed. Once again this decision compromises the safety of the vehicle and other drivers on our roads. It appears that in many of the recall cases in South Africa and globally cost of parts has won in the quality versus cost debate.”

“Consumers need to realise that parts issues are not isolated to used cars. There is also no truth in the generalisation that the aftermarket uses sub-standard parts. Recalls show that even new cars can be fitted with defective components.” Premlall strongly believes that the answer to safer roads and more effective recalls lies in opening up the access to information to the aftermarket.

“We all want safer roads. Making all vehicles roadworthy needs to be the goal of all industry players. This can only be achieved if all players are given a fair and equal chance to service vehicles,” he concludes.

Why Shops Should Encourage Recall Repairs - Richard Mackeon

If you think you’ve been hearing more and more about vehicle recalls, you’d be right – recalls were up 45 percent between 2014 and 2015. And the recalls aren’t just for Takata airbags. In the past five years, at least 189 separate software recalls have been issued, impacting more than 13 million vehicles.

Of these recalls, 141 presented a risk of crashing and 44 had a potential consequence of injury. Recalls represent a significant safety threat to drivers, and it’s important to let your customers know about any recalls that affect their vehicles.

Over-the-air software updates are now being used by manufacturers such as Tesla to perform remote vehicle fixes, but it will be a while before this method is widespread. Keep in mind that as software over the air (SOTA) becomes more popular, independent shops will lose out on the business of performing recall repairs for their customers to dealerships.

Although advances in vehicle software are convenient and can reduce recall costs, they currently are doing more harm than good.

PAGE 20

So far this year, consumers have filed 202 formal complaints with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) regarding vehicle software, according to J.D. Power.

Enough complaints eventually can become recalls.

For now, shops still should make it a priority to educate customers about recall repairs because SOTA upgrades can be unreliable.

The J.D. Power 2016 Vehicle Dependability StudySM (VDS) found that one-third of owners reporting a navigation system problem had a software upgrade within the past six months, but 55 percent of these consumers said the upgrade did not fix the problem at all. This leads to unhappy customers and can damage their relationship with the dealership. These customers may turn to independent shops, who should seize the opportunity to educate customers and build trust.

This article was originally published online: http://blog. automechanikadubai.com

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INDUSTRY NEWS

AutoForum - September / October 2016

AAAM aims to develop African automotive sector across the continent According to the African Association of Automotive Manufacturers (AAAM), its strategic guidance is providing new impetus to drive the development and promotion of a cohesive automotive strategy for the African continent.

AAAM was inaugurated on 25 November 2015 by founding members BMW, Ford, General Motors, Nissan, Toyota and Volkswagen, focusing on key markets of the African Continent.

its automotive sector is relatively small, with an estimated 44 vehicles per 1 000 inhabitants, according to Deloitte Africa’s Automotive Insights, published in April 2016.

In August, an AAAM delegation, led by Jeff Nemeth, the organisation’s Chairman and President and CEO of Ford Motor Company Sub-Saharan Africa Region, visited Nigeria’s capital city, Abuja, to engage with government and industry leaders.

“This is far below the global average of 180 vehicles per 1 000 inhabitants, and lower than other developing regions such as Latin America (176) and Asia, Oceania and the Middle East (79),” the report indicates.

The programme included high-level discussions with President Muhammadu Buhari, along with government ministers and representatives from Nigeria’s National Automotive Design and Development Council (NADDC) and the National Automotive Manufacturers’ Association (NAMA) – all with the aim of creating the framework for policy development, to support the growth of the local industry.

“The aim of the African Association of Automotive Manufacturers is to unlock the economic potential of the African continent by promoting a policy environment that is conducive to the development of the automotive sector,” said Nemeth.

“As the African continent becomes increasingly important within the global economy, it is crucial that we develop an auto sector strategy backed up by incremental investments in infrastructure, skills development and in-market localization programmes. This will make new vehicles more affordable, boost the industrialisation of the economy and lead to the growth of middle income households, which will be the main driver for new vehicle sales.”

Outside of South Africa, which has a well-developed worldclass automotive industry, Nigeria is recognised as a strategic market over the long term due to its demographics. Despite the country being recognised as Africa’s largest economy,

PAGE 24

“One of the biggest challenges we face in Africa is the lack of reliable data on the number of new and second-hand vehicles sold on the continent, as very few countries have formal reporting or legislative structures to monitor the automotive sector,” Nemeth added.

“This is exacerbated by the large number of secondhand imports, with only a small proportion of new cars sold due to the high import duties and lack of affordable financing options.”

AAAM’s mandate, thus, is to engage with government, industry bodies and representatives from the motor sector to provide advice on opportunities to formalise, develop and grow all aspects of the local automotive industry.

This includes promoting an investor-friendly regulatory framework that will support the development and implementation of policies to establish a viable automotive manufacturing industry on the continent that includes both assemblers and suppliers.

“To unlock this market potential will require greater government and private sector partnerships to develop a formal legislative environment that is conducive to longer-term growth. It needs a more robust automotive strategy that promotes a sustainable and stable environment in support of local manufacturing operation”.

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INDUSTRY NEWS

AutoForum - September / October 2016

Audi unveils new shock absorber system that saves fuel and increases comfort The recuperation of energy is expected to play an increasingly important role in future cars – even within the vehicle’s suspension. Audi has announced its involvement in developing a prototype called “eROT,” in which electromechanical rotary dampers replace the hydraulic dampers used currently – and provides an even more comfortable ride.

The principle behind eROT is easily explained: “Every pothole, every bump, every curve induces kinetic energy in the car. Today’s dampers absorb this energy, which is lost in the form of heat,” according to Stefan Knirsch, Board Member for Technical Development at AUDI AG. “With the new electromechanical damper system in the 48-volt electrical system, we put this energy to use. It also presents us and our customers with entirely new possibilities for adjusting the suspension.”

The eROT system responds quickly and with minimal inertia.

As an actively controlled suspension, it adapts ideally to irregularities in the road surface and the driver’s driving style.

A damper characteristic that is virtually freely definable via software increases the functional scope. It eliminates the mutual dependence of the rebound and compression strokes that limits conventional hydraulic dampers.

With eROT, Audi configures the compression stroke to be comfortably soft without compromising the taut damping of the rebound stroke. Another advantage of the new damper system is its geometry. The horizontally arranged electric motors in the rear axle area replace the upright telescopic shock absorbers, which allows for additional space in the boot.

The system enables a second function besides the freely programmable damper characteristic: It can convert the kinetic energy during compression and rebound into electricity.

PAGE 26

To do this, a lever arm absorbs the motion of the wheel carrier. The lever arm transmits this force via a series of gears to an electric motor, which converts it into electricity.

The recuperation output is 100 to 150 watts on average during testing on German roads – from 3 watts on a freshly paved freeway to 613 watts on a rough secondary road.

Under customer driving conditions, this corresponds to a CO2 savings of up to three grams per kilometer (4.8 g/mi).

Audi explains that the new eROT technology is based on a high-output 48-volt electrical system. As currently configured, its lithium-ion battery offers an energy capacity of 0.5 kilowatt hours and peak output of 13 kilowatts.

A DC converter connects the 48-volt electrical subsystem to the 12-volt primary electrical system, which includes a highefficiency, enhanced output generator.

Initial test results for the eROT technology are promising, thus its use in future Audi production models is certainly plausible. A prerequisite for this is the 48-volt electrical system, which is a central component of Audi’s electrification strategy.

In the next version planned for 2017, the 48-volt system will serve as the primary electrical system in a new Audi model and feed a high-performance mild hybrid drive. It will offer potential fuel savings of up to 0.7 liters per 100 kilometers.

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INDUSTRY NEWS

AutoForum - September / October 2016

The wild Mustang gets tailored into a thoroughbred - Warwick Robinson

So here is the thing: When customers lucky enough to be in that segment of the market are considering a GT car, the German manufacturers have been able to firmly lodge themselves into popular thinking as the logical choice, and the TV shows and car mags have long lamented the “straight line only” American muscle. But ask yourself who redefined the performance car for the everyday driver? Yip, if that is what you are looking for - look no further than a pony car.

Ford’s Mustang, initially released in 1964 was the car that defined an entire category. It its hey day it out sold, out performed and out priced every competitor. The legendary car’s performance and appeal were tweaked repeatedly until suddenly the ‘Stangs of the 80’ and even 90’s became somewhat forgettable – in looks, in performance, in everything.

Then with the resurgence of muscle cars back into popular culture partly due to the gaming and movie industries, the Mustang’s revitalised enigma re-surfaced with number of late 60’s car updates. The “pimped” versions, most notably represented by Chip Foose’s “Eleanor” GT 500 from Gone in 60 Seconds lead the charge, and then Ford jumped in with a serious leap forward in 2005’s “new”, old shape. Arguably a great tribute to the original concept, but the car’s performance received mixed reviews and it has undergone a few iterations since then that did little to change the perceptions.

In 2015 Ford launched the “new”, new Mustang. A completely revised concept from the floor up, smoothed off edges, a new chassis, for the first time with fully independent rear suspension, and the best part? Available for us ex-colonial right-hand drivers! Well, it has taken some time to get one

PAGE 28

under our grubby paws, but after a few weeks testing their latest bakkies, I jokingly lamented that they replaced the wonderful Ranger XLT with a single horse!

But what a horse it is! That familiar aggressive fastback coupe and silent V8 was lurking outside our office waiting to be let out for run. I couldn’t possibly do any work.

And that was when it first happened. First the neighbours, then security guards at the gate, the petrol attendants, pedestrians, passing drivers, school kids walking home – they all stopped and stared. I have been fortunate enough to test some particularly exotic cars and while they have a special place in my motoring memories, very little can compare to the spectacle that this car delivers to the crowds. Even the proud new owner of a Porsche Carrera S grinned excitedly as he sat inside and started the GT’s engine.

Now lets not get Ford too excited here, I do have a few gripes to get out of the way. The cabin is a bit noisy, there are some poorly aligned body panels and some irritating omissions that one expects as standard in a car at this level. Why the seatbelt anchor point can’t be adjusted for instance? Or why the panicky software (admittedly across all the latest Ford models) insists on chiming an alarm every time a door is opened, or why there is no navigation included? I am not a fan of the infotainment system and find the design clunky at best. You also can’t possibly see the front of the car and there is no front facing PDC - so pulling in and out of parking spaces can be worrying. The rear seats are also designed only for persons under 10 years of age - or petrolhead hobbits.

Above - A classic shape updated perfectly, pictured on Long Tom pass in Mpumalanga.

Inset - Its the small details that make you smile as an illuminated Mustang logo beams onto the pavement from the rear view mirror at night.

Opposite page - The Mustang may have you questioning the real meanings behind certain road signs

The Mustang GT is not directly comparable to its German rivals. But that’s not entirely a negative - I don’t think it is intended to compete with them one on one. I think that this is the car that Ford needed the Mustang to be, its beautiful, its massively powerful and it is accessible. It doesnt park itself, drive itself or take itself too seriously. I think those are all elements of the original car’s very successful pitch to the market. And while it is by no means cheap, at R850K it is almost R300K cheaper than the M4, or than Mercedes’ mad C63. That value for money means that you will need to wait for your Mustang though, and even though Ford is delivering in excess of 50 cars a month, buyers may be tempted to look around at other options in the waiting period.

However I really don’t believe that when you drive down the road in one of the rivals you will get anywhere near the same reaction, or have ether same feeling of pure automotive joy in your heart. From tannies crossing the road, grinning and staring, in Graskop, grey-bearded fishermen encouraging misbehaviour on the main street through Dullstroom, to schoolchildren waving with their arms in the air as you roll the muted thunder past their soccer fields, the reaction that this car gets is overwhelming. The kids I refer to see cars with values in the multiple millions pulling into their exclusive private school carpark everyday - Porsches, high end performance Mercs and BMW’s and even a few Ferraris. (But I smugly note that I never saw a soccer game stopped for whooping and arm waving before!) Maybe its that they are far rarer and perceived differently to the cars we see everyday. Maybe 10 year old boys jump up excitedly due to the mystique that only comes after 50 years of recognisability. Maybe because it makes the 10 year old in me feel that way too. Whatever it is, it puts a big smile on your face. And that is before you make it sound angry…

Driving the car around town is intimidating at first. In the back of my mind I was constantly aware of pulling off too fast out of an intersection and accidentally becoming more to stare at, while doing a bad Jeremy Clarkson driving impression. I did also mention to a friend that it may want to kill me on the first day. But as I got used to the feel of the throttle I realised that the power its actually extremely smooth, and the car is truly easy to drive.

It has very good clearance so speed bumps and steep driveways are nothing to worry about. Stamp your right foot down however, and all hell bellows from those exhaust pipes, ( I did feel that they could be a bit noisier to be honest)while world begins to move past very quickly. As soon as possible I gave the streets of JHB a skip and headed out to the lowveld area around White river, Graskpop and Hazyview.

The roads are really spectacular for appreciating a car like this – long swooping curves that you lose count of as you scarper around the contours of the hills ascending or descending the escarpment. Truth be told while mischief may have been on the mind, this car does not have to be blasting along to be enjoyed. After some googling, and fiddling with the wonderfully race-retro switches and settings a bit I got the car into the Sport plus mode, set the steering feel to Sport, and pulled the gear shift on the 6 speed autobox into “S”. The throttle is suddenly much more responsive, the steering tightens up and the upshifts and downshifts make music through the hills.

I found that the real fun is to be had between 2500 and 3500RPM, flicking between 3rd, 4th and 5th gears on the steering mounted paddle shifters. You can accelerate through the bends and then use the engine to steady your speed and pick a line into the next curve. Then repeat, repeat and repeat as you get all the thrills without the prison time. Of course when the need arises to overtake just stamping down your right foot gets the job done in no time at all. On the long straights in 6th gear you need to be careful, as anything over 2000RPM could get you into some legal troubles. Pulling into the next town requires pushing back into D as I found the uneven roads really make you aware of the throttle response – any little bumps have the car lurching forward and definitely taking your cool factor down a notch or two.

Stopping to fill up is also not quite as scary as I presumed it would be. Our trip of just under 2000kms used an average of 11.2l per 100kms, and that was with all the playful driving and crowd pleasing pull offs. It’s pretty much about the same as an average SUV, and comes with a whole lot more fun.

All in all I really can make only one statement in conclusion Ford, take my money.

PAGE 29

INDUSTRY NEWS

AutoForum - September / October 2016

Latest 7 series wins for its remote control parking system, but that’s not all it does BMW has been awarded the CarIT-Award 2016 for its remote control parking system, which celebrated its world premiere in the new BMW 7 Series recently. The awards celebrate technologies which saw their debut in the year prior to the ceremony and are sposored by German specialist magazine “CarIT”.

On receiving the key in your hand, one might be tempted to ask how to dial a number from it. It looks like a teeny little smartphone and is the first clue to what level of specification the car has availabe. From a distance, the driver can access information on whether the car is locked, whether the windows are all closed, and start up the climate control remotely.

When, at a recent event I mentioned our coverage on driving autonomy and the pro’s and cons of the technology moving into the next decade of motoring, BMW SA offered to drop off a 2016 7.50iL for us to test and experience the systems first hand. Well, how could we turn that down?

The 6th generation 7 Series is by far the best looking to date, especially with a more eye pleasing rear. Getting inside is slightly intimidating at first - the whole dash feels like one massive tablet, not only from the touch display infotainment system, but even touch-screen type controls for the temperature settings.

The remote control parking option allows the car to be driven into and reversed out of garages or perpendicular parking spaces, without a driver at the wheel, and is activated by the driver using the likewise newly developed BMW display key.

The systems execute a semi-automated process while the driver stands outside, watching out for obstacles.

The whole parking procedure is monitored by the park distance control (PDC) system, the parking assistant and the surround view sensors. It seems to me that the main purpose of the system would be to enable drivers to park the sizabel car in standard parking spaces and garages - as extra door opening room is no longer needed. To activate remote control parking, the car just has to be positioned centrally and squarely in front of the selected parking space or garage. The driver can interrupt the progress of the car into or out of the space in a controlled manner at any time.

The model we received, sadly did not have the parking feature, which was recently presented with an award at the CarITCongress 2016, during the IAA Commercial Vehicles show in Hanover. But there are plenty of other features that fall into the autonomous driving category and which really talke some getting used to.

PAGE 30

From a user interface point of view, different driver preferences are catered for. You have the choice of how to interact with all the features - from using the mouse like control dial, or alternatively using the touchscreen, or by using the core features accesible on the steering wheel. The car also recognises voice commands and even gestures - although I have to say it does feel (and look) a little weird and more like using “the force” than I am used to.

As you can imagine, the market being catered to will naturally consist of owners who actually don’t drive themselves around - so all the car’s entertainment, climate control and other nondriving features are accesible via its own tablet housed in the rear armrest. It is amazing how much control is offered over items as extensive as the lighting colour and luminosity of the interior.

Passengers ensconced in the adjustable rear seats (fitted with massage finctions et al) can spend time toying with features if the individual entertainment screens really don’t provide enough for them to do.

Driving the massive 2 tons of gleaming Bavarian beauty around is really effortless and you could even say “sporty”. The power delivered from the M badged V8 is as smooth as it gets and even under harsh acceleration there is minimal body roll however, I felt that the sport mode - which lowers and stiffens the suspension - could have been even harder for those owners that want to enjoy some of that power themselves.

After getting a personal demonstration of the car’s features from product manager Michelle de Jager at BMW SA, I set out to experience the vehicle’s driving features. Many manufactureres offer lane assist and adaptive cruise control, but somehow the manner in which they are presented in the 7 is remarkable.

For the average motorist the 7.50iL is over the top in terms of virtually every aspect, from the technology and luxury, to the sheer size of the longer wheel base test vehicle - all apart from its ease of use. The autonomous aspects of the the car are really intuitive and easy to use. However, after driving the car for a few days questions do arise. From a driving point of view, for instance when following a car in traffic, conditions change constantly. When I followed a car through a 4-way stop, the system wanted to pull off automatically.

The system can be enabled simply by pressing the buttons on the steering wheel and both the dashboard and heads-up display inform you of what level of engagement you have with the autonomous features.

The fact that none of these systems work without at least the driver’s hands on the steering wheel is the counter to this type of problem, but you have to wonder if standards and conditions for use will become necessary. The other aspect to consider is the longevity and repairability of all of the technology. How will the aftermarket and collision repair industries cope with the number and level of technological systems in cars like this one?

How happy will insurers be to pay for the associated costs of any collision repair?

After driving around Johannesburg, and then out to Pretoria and back on the highways, it does not take long to get used to the features and it definitely takes away much of the stress of driving in traffic. Try things at night and a whole new level of tech takes over with night vision, which includes obstacle detection and laser headlights that corner with the car.

Either way it is inevitable that this technology will one day become ubiquitous in the majority of higher end modern cars and the manufacturers and aftermarket players who want to work on these vehicles will have to solve these types of questions. Many thanks to BMW SA for the test vehicle and a look at how the other half live!

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PAGE 31

INDUSTRY NEWS

AutoForum - September / October 2016

NAAMSA President discusses auto sector’s future at CAR Conference Mike Whitfield, the President of NAAMSA and Managing Director of the Nissan Group of Africa, painted an encouraging picture of the future of the South African motor industry when he was one of the keynote speakers at the CAR Conference held recently. He spoke on the topic “The automotive industry in 2020 and beyond; moving with the times.’

Whitfield was also able to give an insight into the industry in Africa following a recent visit to Nigeria as a member of a delegation from the African Association of Automotive Manufacturers (AAAM).

In view of Nissan’s extensive involvement in the development of electric vehicles it was understandable that Whitfield focused on this form of alternative power when discussing the rapidly changing landscape in terms of vehicle technology.

He stressed the importance of the local motor industry’s contribution to SA’s overall economy where it accounts for 7.5% of GDP and a massive 33.5% of the country’s manufacturing output.

Although the take up of electric vehicles has been slow in SA, Whitfield says he believes the expanding network of charging stations being established jointly by Nissan and BMW will increase sales of these vehicles in the future.

SA now ranks 21st in the world in terms of annual vehicle production, but this figure of 650 000 units manufactured locally last year accounts for only 0,7% of total global output.

The industry objective is to lift this to 1% by 2020.

Whitfield presented some interesting views on the growth of alternative mobility options with changing vehicle ownership patterns, shrinking dealerships, virtual sales, an emphasis on low cost fleet servicing and the ongoing development of mobility technology by the OEMs.

Whitfield said the business environment currently was both tough and complex, with macro-economic factors such as high interest rates, a weak rand and ongoing fluctuations in the fuel price. Other major influencers affecting the industry were rapid advances in technology, new players in the automotive industry, such as Uber, Google and Tesla, as well as changing consumer behavioural patterns.

Whitfield, in his position as Vice Chairman of AAAM made interesting observations in his presentation about the situation of the motor industry in the rest of Africa.

“Fortunately we enjoy ongoing support and stimulation from the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI), highlighted by the Automotive Production and Development Programme (APDP), which runs to 2020, and its predecessor, the Motor Industry Development Programme (MIDP), both of which has contributed to the local motor industry’s growing international competitiveness.

He said there were challenges in terms of unclear automotive policies, high levels of ownership of vehicles by fleets, strong used car markets together with large numbers of so-called grey imports, while finance to purchase vehicles was a major stumbling block due to the high interest rates charged.

“These programmes have resulted in huge amounts of capital investment over the years, including R24-billion between 2011 and 2015, with R7.6-billion slated for investment this year,’ said Whitfield. “The focus on efficiencies has also resulted in the number of vehicle platforms manufactured in South Africa being slashed from 42 in 1966 to only 12 in 2016.”

However, there were also opportunities, including viable automotive assembly sectors, inter-regional trade, selfsustainability and an entry into the global automotive industry.

Already the DTI has appointed a technical team to assist in the development of a post 2020 master plan aimed at ensuring the long-term sustainability of the industry in terms of policy and support mechanisms. Other objectives are to increase investment, production and exports while creating more job opportunities.

Whitfield summed up by saying that for the SA motor industry to flourish until 2020 and beyond it was vital that all the players moved with the times in terms of innovation, new thinking, finding creative solutions and different ways of doing things.

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AutoForum - September / October 2016

UD names the top SA driver UD Trucks Southern Africa recently announced the winner of annual its annual Extra Mile Challenge driver competition.

KZN local Alfred Ngilo took top honours out of the 21 participants, and was named the most efficient and productive driver after a day of evaluations and challenges at the Gerotek Vehicle Testing Facility.

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Ngilo has therefore also qualified to represent South Africa in the global Extra Mile Challenge competition. That event will take place in Japan in November 2016 at UD Trucks’ headquarters in Ageo, and will see drivers from various markets compete in the recently-launched Quester range.

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“With our brand promise of Going the Extra Mile in mind, we put the challenge to our fleet customers to see whose driver would become the best of the best,” said Gert Swanepoel, Acting Vice President of UD Trucks Southern Africa. “Truck drivers play such a vital role in the success of any fleet company and in the country’s economy, so it is a privilege to recognise and celebrate these valuable skills in this manner.”

In the SA finals, drivers - all using the same UD Quester construction models - were put through their paces in various challenges that

measured revenue generated, fuel efficiency, uptime and maintenance costs, as well as safe driving skills. Drivers first had to complete a pre-drive inspection on the vehicles to ensure the roadworthiness and safety of the trucks.

The participants also had to perform some challenging handling and parking tests, where accuracy and efficiency were key to success.

UD Trucks’ experts continuously evaluated each team out on the various tracks, and once the course was completed, technicians downloaded and scored the drivers’ fuel efficiency and driving styles according to information retrieved from the trucks’ on-board telematics system.

“The results of the Extra Mile Challenges has bolstered our belief in the level of driving skills available in South Africa. We wish Alfred every success with the global competition in November, we are with you every step of the way.”

UD Extra Mile Challenge 2016 Results: Alfred Ngilo – Clover Pinki Chuduku - Vital Distribution Khumalo Vusumusi - Shoprite

Isuzu Trucks empowers women in the trucking sector Isuzu Truck South Africa is hoping to move the trucking sector away from a predominantly male dominated sector, by shifting misconceptions, negative connotations and stigma mounting over women being inadequate to take on various roles in the business of trucking.

Kas Govender, Human Resources Manager explains: “Embarking on a mission to introduce and enrol women into the business of trucking, Isuzu Truck South Africa joined forces with the Training Transport Academy to facilitate learnership and provide in-classroom training through qualified assessors.” After receiving 58 awe-inspiring applications for the learnership, only five women made the cut to the sought-after course that would see the women gain a holistic knowledge of all aspects in the business of trucking, whilst earning the recognised National Certificate: Professional Driving qualification accredited by the Transport Education and Training Authority (TETA).

The Training Transport Academy opened its doors to the first female-only intake in February 2016. Six months into the course, the programme had already begun to yield a new breed of truck drivers armed with extensive knowledge of not just the art of driving, but in-depth expertise on the logistics of the industry.

Neziswa Dungayezi is one of the inaugural five women to be enrolled in the Isuzu Truck “women in the trucking business” initiative. After witnessing a female driver (whom she only remembers as S’mangele) drive up in a truck from KwaZuluNatal to carry out deliveries in the local Spar she worked in, Neziswa was filled with admiration that a woman could effectively and effortlessly take on a male role that until then, she had never seen any women venture into. “Sadly, being in the industry was also met with a lot of resentment from our male counterparts, who concluded that taking on a career in the trucking industry was an act of defiance to men and that women only wanted to take on their jobs,” adds Nesizwa.

driving trucks, dismissing them as preposterous. Now Cynthia boasts of the potential brighter future when she receives her National Certificate in Professional Driving at the end of the 12-month course in 2017.

The Training Transport Academy is led by female CEO Nicola Scott, whose vision has always been to up-skill women in the industry. Though established in 2012, this is the first time the academy has seen a female-only enrolment. The course funded by Isuzu Trucks has also seen the women master the skill of writing business plans. “This project has been a resounding success and we look forward to the women graduating in February 2017 with a National Certificate: Professional Driving qualification. The course will benefit these women and change perceptions positively in their communities and break barriers that stop women in believing that they are worthy of contributing to society in a way men can,” says Govender. She concludes by mentioning that Isuzu Trucks will continue to invest in empowering women to take on various roles in the industry, with the ultimate goal of contributing to the economy of trucking.

Daphney Prens was brought up by a father who set an unshakable rule that his daughter should never take the seat behind a steering wheel. Defiant to her father’s rule and aided by a neighbour, Daphney took stolen moments to learn how to drive, earning herself a Code 10 licence. She later met an old acquaintance who encouraged her to take on the Isuzu Truck course. “I am thankful to Isuzu Trucks for opening a platform that allows women like me to take on jobs that they have always dreamt of. I’ve always wanted to drive long distances and see the rest of Africa from a truck. I do not believe that there are jobs that women are incapable of doing and are solely designed for men. I want to be the one who tears down all walls of stigma that discourage women from living their full potential,” she says.

Cynthia Mali was encouraged by her husband and pursued her dream of eventually co-owning their own trucking business. He does not believe in any negative ideas associated with women Pictured above clockwise from top: Cynthia Mali, Nesizwa Dungayezi, Daphney Prins

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AutoForum - September / October 2016

Truck driver training extends beyond fuel efficiency and goods handling According to the latest statistics from eNaTIS, there are 4,9 million licensed heavy-duty drivers - Code C1 to Code EC – in SA. But as there are only 418 000 heavy-duty vehicles in the same area, there is an over-supply of licensed truck drivers.

That means that there are in an estimated 500 000 active heavy-duty drivers in South Africa, including extra-heavy-duty drivers, and a safe assumption is that there are around 100 000 Code EC (old Code 14) extra-heavy-duty drivers moving freight over long distances every day in our country.

But stress levels, health issues and occupational challenges among the various drivers are not equal - it is the 100 000 extra-heavy, long-distance drivers that are the most challenged when it comes to heart-health issues.

Internationally, truck driving is ranked as being one of the most dangerous occupations in the world and the trucking industry is ranked as having the greatest number of injuries and illnesses among commercial drivers.

And this is even more true in South Africa, where truck driving can be very stressful for a number of reasons.

• Drivers must master diverse skills in order to be able to manage and control a heavily loaded tractor/trailer.

• In addition to this, the driver must deal with the various hazards of the road. This includes weather, accidents, road construction, traffic congestion and other situations, such as road rage and drivers who do not respect a truck’s stopping distance to fill up the gap a truck driver leaves in following traffic to stop safely.

• Furthermore, there are ever-increasing pressures to adhere to demanding pick-up and delivery schedules.

Consequently, drivers have increased stress levels due to work-related pressures.

• And then there is a ‘fear factor’ – there are an everincreasing number of local and foreign drivers ‘waiting at the gate’ for driving work. Any default could be construed as an opportunity to lose the job to someone who is prepared to drive for less. Professional long-distance SA truckers report only hiring three out of 100 applicants as suitably qualified drivers. We all need a little stress to perform well, but fear and stress combine to result in distress, one of many root causes of high blood pressure.

For many drivers, the reaction to this stress, with monotonous and unmonitored long hours on the road, is the use of smoking.

Compared to non-smokers, smokers are two to three times more likely to die from a heart attack and twice as likely to die from a stroke.

The lifestyle of long-distance drivers may differ greatly to local distribution work, but the negative effects of smoking apply to all drivers and adds to the load on their health.

Obesity is also a major problem in the trucking industry, caused in part by the sedentary lifestyle of many truckers – it is a major factor in coronary artery disease known to increase the risk of heart disease and strokes.

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Obesity is also caused by the consumption of poor-quality foods many drivers consume on a regular basis. This includes foods which contain excessive amounts of saturated fat, transfat and sugar. Also, people under stress may overeat more than they otherwise would.

An important factor in the perpetuating cycle of Diabetes and Hypertension is that once diagnosed with the condition, because the drivers are on the road so often they fail to follow up at medical appointment to monitor the condition and to collect their medication.

Factor in sweet and sugary drinks and food to keep them going for extended hours and the result is an accident waiting to happen – in more ways than one.

While the education of drivers on how to eat correctly and maintain alertness while on the road is obviously key, so too are teaching them the warning signs of impending illness. As extreme fatigue and tiredness may be the forerunner of a heart attack, drivers must also be trained in recognising the signs of a heart attack, which can include the following: • Chest pain or discomfort – pain or pressure in the chest centre that spreads up into throat or jaw could be a sign of a heart attack; • Shortness of breath, especially when walking up an incline or stairs; • Pain or discomfort in the arms or shoulder – a classic heart attack symptom is pain that radiates down the left side of the body; • Swollen legs, feet and ankles – when the heart can’t pump fast enough, blood backs up in the veins and causes bloating; • Breaking out in a cold sweat for no obvious reason could signal a heart attack.

As a fleet owner or manager, training drivers extends beyond efficient driving. It must include lifestyle training. And simply measuring both blood pressure and blood sugar levels is a sure-fire way of spotting developing or serious health problems that need control.

Making fleets more efficient Fleet efficiency is the product of countless tweaks to all the aspects of the operation and, according to Standard Bank Fleet Management, now is a good time to check your arsenal of cost-saving methods. Dr David Molapo believes that the following are sure ways to improve fleet efficiency: Exception reporting Information technology and telematics have revolutionised fleet efficiency, resulting in a wealth of information that becomes available. Without filtering, millions of bytes of data can flow by the fleet manager’s desk unused, simply because it will take too much time to go through it all, and the technology ends up to a large degree wasted, says Dr Molapo.

Some of the most productive hours that a fleet manager can spend are on thinking how to structure reports so that they flag the exceptions rather than merely listing all the events and sometimes it requires getting to know the systems of service providers better.

For example, a GPS tracking service could allow you to draw a virtual border around a region and capture alerts when your vehicles cross the line, or could automatically create a report that lists stops longer than a certain period. Set up in this way, a clear pattern emerges from the ocean of information produced by a GPS tracking system.

Following the same principle, even something as basic as a vehicle log book can be structured in a way that it requires staff to highlight exceptions.

Route optimisation software Algorithms that figure out the shortest route between a series of stops or delivery points are now available to any fleet through various websites that provide the service.

The effectiveness of a route optimisation service can be proven when comparing the estimated distance and time that the algorithm comes up with, and the real distance travelled and time taken by your driver using your usual routeplanning methods. The difference between the two would tell you whether the monthly subscription to the route optimisation service is worthwhile.

Transaction authorisation A service that has exception reporting built into it is Standard Bank Fleet Management’s Transaction Authorisation system, which is available to any user of Standard Bank’s fleet cards.

Essentially, the system reports every transaction done with a

fleet card to fleet managers, even on their mobile phones if they prefer. But rather than swamp the fleet manager with a list of transactions, it reports intelligently.

Working in the background, the system assesses each transaction against a set of rules some of which can be determined upfront by the fleet manager, for example, use of the card may be limited to specific time frames. If the driver tries to use it more frequently, the transaction is declined automatically and the fleet manager notified. The fleet manager can then decide whether to approve the transaction due to special circumstances.

Transaction authorisation, which can decline a transaction automatically based on as many as thirty different rules, has saved millions of rands for fleet managers by helping to cut down on fuel-card fraud.

Preventative vehicle maintenance For fleet operators whose vehicles are used exclusively to generate revenue for their business, any vehicle downtime means that no money is coming into the business. The fleet operator may be tempted to skip vehicle services or to postpone repairs on a vehicle.

This could prove more expensive over time as mechanical breakdowns and even accidents may occur as a result.

Vehicles must therefore be kept in good running condition at all times and services and even repairs can be planned for quiet times.

Always understand the running costs of your vehicle fleet. This includes cost of fuel, oil, tolls, services and repairs, tyres and accident repairs. In tough economic times this becomes even more important, but it must become a habit to monitor these costs on a daily basis.

Find a service provider that can supply a means to pay for these expenses (for instance fleet fuel cards), but more importantly offers an easily accessible reporting system that shows you as and when expenses occur. In addition, make use of expert services supplied by such service providers that will help you to for instance minimise maintenance expenses.

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AutoForum - September / October 2016

Commercial vehicle insurance – Some innovative solutions on the rise According to Standard Bank Insurance Brokers, the trucking industry’s insurance sector continues to develop in sophistication and become more tailored to specific needs. This as owners are seeking innovative options to help reduce operating costs caused by rising fuel and maintenance costs, as well as competition for loads.

The industry has moved far beyond the boundaries of conventional vehicle insurance and now the emphasis is on policies being written to manage the risk on behalf of transport owners, driven by prevailing market circumstances.

As Nigel Pillay, Head of Corporate and Business Insurance at Standard Bank Insurance brokers explains: “Besides traditional comprehensive coverage, many owners are opting to assume some of the risk themselves to reduce premiums. One of the most common of these policies is those that offer aggregate limit cover, which stipulate the most an insurance company will pay for all covered losses over a year. This enables the company concerned to cap its premiums at set level to the benefit of the trucker who assumes a fair portion of the risk.”

“The economic downturn has also had the effect of making insurance cover extremely price sensitive. As pressures to contain costs have mounted, so more customers are relying on strong relationships with their insurer or broker to keep premium and excess costs in check.

“As control of insurance premiums is one of the costs that can be tailored or reduced, it is usually one of the first expenses examined when operating costs have to be reduced to maintain margins. Of course, one of the dangers is that values and cover can be excessively reduced-adding substantially to costs if a major accident or disaster occurs.”

“Reducing costs by accepting lower premiums with high excess payments is usually a ‘defensive’ response to rising costs by smaller operators. This strategy contains significant risks, as the transport owners have to make sure that their cash flows are strong enough to carry the higher excesses that need to be paid.”

One of the major problems facing road users across the country is that up to 70% of commercial vehicles on SA roads either have inadequate insurance or no insurance at all, adds Pillay.

The voluntary adoption of standards such as the Road Transport Management System that commits a truck owner to the adoption of various safety and quality standards can also impact on premiums. “The present economic situation adds further complexities to an industry that faces a myriad of risks whenever a vehicle takes to the road.”

“The fluctuating value of the Rand means that the price of imported vehicles and the parts required to repair them are constantly changing. Most of this risk is assumed by insurance companies.”

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He continues that the majority of routine insurance coverage written in South Africa usually includes: • Coverage for goods in transport • Cross-border coverage for vehicles and load travelling through sub-Saharan Africa • Third-party liability • Accident assistance that also covers the cost of wreckage removal and environmental damage caused by spilled loads that can range from oil and fuel to chemical spills • Sasria insurance which covers vehicles and loads for damage caused by civil unrest.

He cautions that although these categories seem to cover most eventualities, the reality is that the industry is never free of risk - even when a majority of the fleet is parked in a controlled area. Additional hazards, such as fire, can reduce a multimillion Rand fleet housed in a secure site to ashes.

“Risks only increase when vehicles take to the roads and face hazards that can vary from inclement weather to crime and the fact that many drivers do have the requisite skills required to handle large rigs. Although telematics were playing a role in reducing hazards by closely monitoring driver behaviour, abuse of vehicles and fraudulent activities, insuring South Africa’s heavy fleets-the lifeblood of the economy in the absence of a comprehensive rail network- will always remain a challenge.”

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AutoForum - September / October 2016

Showtime Automechanika Frankfurt 2016

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Warwick Robinson The bi-annual visit to Frankfurt is normally a jacket and scarf kind of event to get to and leave from - for the most part anyway - but this year Automechanika was officially hot! The unseasonally warm weather really made hitting the halls even more appealing in the search for a little air conditioning and respite from the outside heat.

Messe Frankfurt’s official figure for the show attendance was marginally less than 2014’s staging of the event (136 000 vs 137 900) but they simultaneously reported that 80% of the 4820 exhibitors felt that the quality of the visitors was higher, with 95% of visitors feeling satisfied based on the interviews and surveys in between the halls.

Showtime

The official theme for this year’s event was ‘Tomorrow’s Service & Mobility’ and businesses representing various sections of the industry,

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parts manufacturers, tool and equipment producers and workshop concepts offered impressive demonstrations of the ways in which the industry is changing as connected cars come to the fore, and how their solutions will cater to this growing requirement. Messe Frankfurt launched a new format called “Connected Mobility”, which emabarked on an international road show with stops in Shanghai and in Texas. One of the keynote speakers was Jeep hacker Chris Valasek, who is now the Security Lead at the Uber Advanced Technology Center. In his presentation, he addressed the tremendous importance of software security in connected cars. Developing the systems is only part fo the issue - making sure that data is secure is a whole hidden side to the technologies becoming prevalent in modern vehicles.

In spite of 3D glasses, virtual classrooms and interactive training elements, personal

encounters are still essential. The show still enables one on one meetings to replace smartphones with handshakes.

“The aftermarket and workshops are on the brink of a new era with connected mobility as the wave of the future.

Themes of networking, digitalisation and augmented reality were in particular demand at our stand this year and we are showcasing the latest trends and technologies, as well as demonstrating how Bosch can make workshop operations more efficient for the future.” said Dr. Uwe Thomas, President of the Automotive Aftermarket Division at Bosch.

The Bosch stand was highly interactive and I was fortunate enough to get a guided tour through the highlights by Grant Palliser and Gary Kaiser of Bosch SA. On demonstration were many of the technologies that Bosch has pioneered over the last century and the latest braking, steering and of course electronics including telematic solutions offered as original equipment and as aftermarket items.

Their latest diagnostics and workshop equipment ranges were also on display including many features to increase efficiency and ease of operation specifically in the wheel alignment and tyre changing categories.

Mahle’s press conference centred on their acquisitions in air conditioning and thermal management, in an effort broaden their range and to avoid only centering it on pistons. Their

belief is that the future of combustion engines, and thus their pistons, will require serious development specifically to remain compliant with ever tightening legislation, so this remains an important area of the business.

They have also produced more than 500 000 electric motors to cater to the growing market segment and have 2 dedicated sites for this range. Heat exchangers for batteries, compressors for hybrids and mechatronics are also high on the company’s agenda in preparing for the growing electromobility market Along with a delegation from AAAS, I attended the launch of the OESpectrum shock from Tenneco, which replaces their top of range shocks. The revolutionary valve technology, which allows for a less jarring and smoother through the addition of valves, plus new oil and light weight are all touted as class leading and vast improvements on existing systems.

The product is designed to deliver a premium product to the aftermarket at a level previously reserved for original equipment, and attempts to asist the wholesale distributors and workshops generate revenue.

According to Philip Lutz, 30 part numbers will be immediately available and the new catalogue will have many more, catering initially to the top of range vehicles and growing the range as capacity becomes available.

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SHOWTIME Mario Da Silva and David Barendse also lead me through a number of products on the Snap-on stand, specifically the new V1200 wheel aligner which has no front camera post, thus freeing up space against the wall or for a drive through application. The systems sensors are connected via bluetooth negating the need for any cables and the 18V Lithium Ion battery is chargeable directly from the dock.

With more than 1,000 people taking part, the ‘Schadentalk’ (damage talk) drew more visitors than any other event at Automechanika Academy. This noteworthy event saw leading representatives from the accident damage sector discussing the topic of invoices being reduced by independent inspection services for loss assessments, automotive services and claim control.

Among those taking part in the discussion were ZKF President Peter Börner, Gerhard Witte (ControlExpert), Stefan Artz (Allianz Insurance / Service Partner Network) and Thomas Geck (HUK-COBURG), as well as other representatives from the Innovation Group, Global Automotive Service, German Association of Partner Workshops (BVdP) and paint manufacturers Axalta Coating Systems. For the first time, renowned industry suppliers exhibited products and solutions for process optimisation as part of the special showcase called ‘Schadenstrasse’ (collision street).

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AutoForum - September / October 2016 I also had a discussion with Alex Leaonarts of Aerocure on the Car-O-Liner stand on the danger of the trend with local South African assessors to write off cars instead of using chassis and body straightening tools. The danger is that cars which have been technically written off are available for unscrupulous businesses to repair and so re-enter the used vehicle market.

These cars are often repaired with dangerously low levels of compliance to manufacturer specified repair techniques as well as inferior, or even incorrect materials (steel instead of aluminium for example) resulting in a number of concerning dangers to unwary buyers and road users in general.

The fair also attracts the niche players, often small businesses who have taken their expertise in a particular field and produced equipment that can take on some of the biggest players in the industry in terms of their design, efficiency and ease of use. Naturally this level of specification often comes at an increased cost, but the effort and enthusiasm that they put into their products is interesting to see.

One of these was a small Italian firm who produce tyre changing equipment of a level I have not seen before. 8mm steel components, specifically engineered to avoid failure with specifically increased strength versus weight were all considered on tyre changer demonstrated. It featured ergonomic design and intuitive user controls which enable

electronic bead breaking, to reduce noise for waiting customers and other businesses located near the tyre shop, where armatures swing in at a particular rate to allow for accurate and gentle control, but then also retreat at a faster rate - to get the next wheel into position faster and easier.

Other concepts aim at catering to workshops and wheel service operations from a practicality and revenue generation viewpoint. An opportunity for collision repair shops and wheel service companies is quick, on site basic rim clean ups. While not suitable for straightening, crack repair or welding, many shops could generate exponential income, onto their average sale per customer, by simply offering a wheel touch up service - executed on site, while the wheels are already off the car.

to customers, and on top of this operator’s businesses are sustained through new value added services, higher levels of efficiency and ultimately with better profitability and longevity.

This show was also the first time that Autoforum and Bodyshop News got to interact with our customers on our own stand, and had the South East Asia, Australia and South African teams all together - See you at Automechanika JHB next year or count on me being back in Frankfurt for 2018!

The systems allow for cleaning and touch up painting on a specially designed mini spray booth, freeing up paint shop’s large spraybooths, and fitting reasonably well into existing tyre shops, while extracting the fumes and overspray and connecting to drying systems.

These are the small but important developments, that the variety of exhibitors, both large and small, at a show such as Automechanika enable to take hold in the greater market.

Developments that add value to the businesses and their customers, where services are improved, value is delivered

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SHOWTIME

AutoForum - September / October 2016

Automechanika Frankfurt showcases Innovations Award winners In late August, the winners of the Automechanika Innovation Awards 2016 were announced, following the independent jury of nine experts assessing and agreeing on eight award winners. The chosen innovative solutions and futureoriented products were presented in an interactive special show in the ‘Festhalle’ during the recent Automechanika Frankfurt event.

The award winners were selected from a total of 130 entries, 58 of them from Germany and 72 from other countries – an increase of around 30% of international entries compared to the previous fair. Entrants were invited to submit their innovations in the following eight categories: Parts & Components, Electronics & Systems, Accessories & Customizing, Repair & Diagnostics, Repair & Maintenance, Management & Digital Solutions, Car Wash, Care & Reconditioning and OE Products & Services.

Parts & Components Robert Bosch GmbH: M Li-Ion Motorcycle Battery (12 V starter battery, LTX12-BS) Ultra-light motorcycle battery with lithium-ion technology: four times longer life span and significantly greater cycle resistance than comparable lead-acid batteries. Reliable performance even at high temperatures. Contains no acid.

Leak proof and can be installed in any position. Completely maintenance free.

This year marked the first time the jury awarded a ‘Green Award’ to the most sustainable innovation of all entries.

This year’s winner is Continental Reifen Deutschland GmbH for the WinterContact TS 850 P tyre made of ‘Taraxagum’ dandelion rubber, the winner of the Automechanika Innovation Award in the Accessories & Customizing category.

The expert jury that judged the entries included amongst others: Hartmut Abeln, Board Member, TÜV NORD Mobilität; Prof Willi Diez, Director of the Institute for the Automobile Industry (IFA); Dr Axel Glanz, CEO, Innovations Institute and Spokesman of the Innovation Association for the German Industry (IDWI); Edwin Grabowski, Publisher of Car Wash Info; Wilhelm Hülsdonk, Federation of the German Motor Vehicle Trade (ZDK); Wolfgang Michel, Editor-in-Chief, ‘kfz-betrieb’, Vogel Business Media GmbH & Co. KG; Burkhard Riering, Editor-in-Chief ‘Automobilwoche’, Crain Communications GmbH The winners for their respective categories are:

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Repair & Diagnostics NGK Spark Plug Europe GmbH: NCEM® (NTK Compact Emission Meter) NCEM® is the world’s most compact and lightest multi-gas meter. It supports engine / vehicle testing facilities and the emission test under realistic conditions. The product has the following winning properties: 1. Compact and light 2. Easy to use and short start-up times 3. External power supply 4. 8 module slots (flexible and expanded functions) 5. Data collection via USB memory function

Electronics & Systems Portector is a professionally installed, tamper-proof device that prevents vehicle theft without a key. Portector prevents all non-authorised communication with the vehicle’s systems using the on board diagnostic (OBD) port. Portector is connected to a model-specific port protector to make hardwiring impossible.

Accessories & Customizing Continental WinterContact TS 850 P with ‘Taraxagum™ dandelion rubber Together with several partners, Continental has developed an alternative to the traditional cultivation of natural rubber: Taraxagum™ dandelion rubber from the root of the Russian dandelion. In the case of the WinterContact TS 850 P tyre, the tread is made completely of Taraxagum dandelion rubber.

Repair & Maintenance CORGHI S.p.A.: UNIFORMITY UNIFORMITY is the first tyre fitting machine with a diagnosis function. With press roll and laser sensors, it detects rim and tyre defects and supports the operator during the radial-rimtyre fitting and thus eliminates general vibration problems arising from geometric defects of material irregularities.

Management & Digital Solutions AVL DiTEST GmbH: AVL DiTEST Smart Service 4.0 Solve problems before they arise – supported by completely new service interfaces. Developments in the field of device networking mean that service can be redefined. The analysis of device information guarantees product orientation fully in line with customer requirements.

Car Wash, Care & Reconditioning WashTec Cleaning Technology GmbH: MultiFlex Side Washing System The MultiFlex Side Washing System pivots backwards when washing the rear of the vehicle. It adapts flexibly to the contours of the vehicle and washes them with maximum contact, including under the rear spoiler, in bumper depressions and around the C pillars.

OE Products & Services VALEO: Valeo SCALA™ Laser scanner The Valeo SCALA™ is the first laser scanner for automobile mass production. The technology is a key factor for automated driving and operates by scanning the environment in front of the vehicle and detecting with extreme precision any obstacles in its path.

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SHOWTIME

AutoForum - September / October 2016

The NAACAM Show dates announced The National Association of Automotive Component and Allied Manufacturers of South Africa has announced that it will be hosting industry and government at the NAACAM Show in April next year – in an effort to drive manufacturing growth in the sector.

NAACAM President Dave Coffey said that the show will be held every two years on a rotational basis in the manufacturing centres of the country, and was aimed at accelerating the extent of localisation (locally made components used in the assembly lines of South African based OEMs) and volumes of exported locally made components.

Higher volumes are central to South Africa’s manufacturing output and trade balance indicators and a key pillar of the industry’s growth plan, detailed by its Automotive Supply Chain Competitiveness Initiative (ASCCI), says Coffey.

The inaugural NAACAM Show will take place at the Durban ICC from April 5-7, 2017. Coffey said the automotive sector’s collective strategy was to increase local vehicle production to volumes that justify deeper levels of localisation. “NAACAM fully supports government’s long-term objectives for the South African automotive industry, namely the production of highvolume, high-quality vehicles at a competitive cost and with deeper levels of local content. The NAACAM Show, which will showcase the total supply chain - NAACAM members and non-members alike - is designed to assist in achieving these objectives.’’ Coffey said.

A large-scale exhibition, industry conference, learning tour and The Durban Automotive Cluster’s (DAC) National Localisation Indaba are key features of the effort, says Coffey. He added that Buyer-Supplier Linkage meetings will be facilitated free of charge to all SA domiciled manufacturers and buyers who are registered to attend the NAACAM Show incorporating the DAC National Localisation Indaba.

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The meetings (facilitated between OEMs, Tier 1s, Tier 2s and Tier 3s) facilitate both short and long term localisation opportunities. They will take place in private meeting rooms throughout the duration of the NAACAM Show. Automotive manufacturing is a mainstay of South Africa’s industrial base, contributing 7,2% of GDP, 30,2% of manufacturing output and 11,7% of SA exports (source – AIEC). While the sector produces around 600,000 vehicles a year, supporting more than 100,000 manufacturing jobs, NAAMSA President Mike Whitfield has forecast its contribution to GDP to rise to 10% by 2020.

In partnership with the Durban Automotive Cluster (DAC) and the National Localisation Indaba, The NAACAM Show organisers say that the event provides South African component suppliers the opportunity to demonstrate their capabilities, network and do business with local and foreign, existing and potential customers. It also promises to provide buyers with the opportunity to communicate their localisation needs and source automotive products from world class component manufacturers. The conference will host leading speakers and panellists talking on issues critical to industry performance and development, with industry members sharing on their localisation and operational challenges and successes.

Coffey said since the NAACAM Show was launched in July, it has received the support and participation of a wide range of organisations, including the DTI, NAAMSA as well as Tier 1, 2 and 3 suppliers and their service providers.

“We are very pleased at the response and cohesion that is building to enable the Show make a tangible difference to the manufacturing supply chain, when it is hosted next year.’’

Festival of Motoring shakes up the auto show format

- Warwick Robinson

Kyalami racetrack hosted the inaugural Festival of Motoring recently and I hope that this is the first of many in years to come. The show, put on by SA Shows Messe Frankfurt, shook up the tired format that motor shows have become. In my opinion it moves back to what enthusiasts want to experience at a show, where not only can you see the cars on display but actually experience them. Visitors could witness the raw spectacle that comes from roaring engines starting up in the pits and screaming past down the main straight. The venue enabled a smooth flow of visitors around the various sections of the show, and had ample space for enjoying the variety of offerings, from the excitement of the pit lanes and demonstrations to the manufacturer static displays and central concessions and grandstand entertainment.

The festival also provided an opportunity for the organisers to officially launch the 2017 edition of Automechanika Johannesburg to the trade. At a press conference in the newly renovated central building, Konstantin von Vieregge, the CEO of Johannesburg-based SA Shows Messe Frankfurt and Michael Johannes, Vice President for the Business Field of Mobility and Logistics, Messe Frankfurt GmbH, presented the facts and figures of the Automechanika brand, which now boasts a total business-to-business figure of 600 000 visitors per annum.

The 2017 JHB show, from 27-30 September 2017, will have two co-located b2b fairs. The first being Futureroad, which gives focus on the links into the aftermarket for the truck, bus and commercial vehicle body sectors. In addition the Scalex show will cater to the logistics solutions, transport solutions and infrastructure aspects. “Joining the shows is based on our strategy of increasing the show’s value proposition, to appeal to trade visitors from around the region who get maximum value for in a single visit” explained Johannes.

Economist Azar Jammine was the guest speaker at the event – he opened the address with apology for any out of date

aspects in his pre-loaded presentation. This in a lighthearted reference to the enormous instability that out local economy is having to deal with of late, with all the political shenanigans that our government insists on inflicting on the business community.

As with other economist presentations that we have attended recently, the message however is not all doom and gloom. Our auto sector provides 7.5% of our Gross Domestic Product, 33% of our total manufacturing output - and all this on only 0.6% of the total workforce. We contribute only 0.68% of total world car market - but the important thing to take note of is that this represents no less than double our national contribution across all GDP. According to Jammine’s figures our overall growth may seem dire but the corruption and waste of our treasury’s resources is our easiest place to change that. By his calculation if only 25% of the corrupt activities are stemmed, a total of R40 Billion will be saved annually. In the bigger scheme of things that sounds small when compared to our GDP but it in fact translates to a full 1% of the total - that means that it would effect our growth rate by the same figure.

That has serious impact on how we as a country, as business and a society need to view our problems of corruption.

While we are by no means out of the woods, it is important to maintain perspective and examine how aligned our growth is to the worldwide economy. “The automotive sector is strong and resilient and Africa needs to remain a focus. From the infrastructure to the vehicles that need to travel throughout the region Africa remains the worlds largest “untapped” market, and the next decades should show continual growth” says Jammine who remains optimistic that there is only a 15% chance that the ratings downgrade will happen at year end of 2016. He maintains that fiscal consolidation, an improvement in the management of State Owned Enterprises to limit government’s liabilities, and structural reforms to increase growth figures and theoretically keep deficits under the growth rate are key aspects to prevent that downgrade.

PAGE 47

Aftermarketplace

AutoForum AutoForum--September September/ /October October2016 2016

Tech Tips For the next few issues we will be running a series of technical tips articles sponsored by Driko Henningse of DC Diagnostics.

Here is part 1: Vehicle: VW Golf Symptom: Rough running, MIL on after driving a few Km’s Trouble code: O2 sensor We have all had one of these in our shops.

Af ter the vehicle had been to a variety of independent shops, and even couple of dealerships, a number of items were replaced including the ECU, crank angle sensor and even the oxygen sensor.

This is what we found and what eventually cured the problem: • An oscilloscope was used to test the injector pattern and Ignition primary pattern, while the car was driven. At first all was fine, but then the problem reared its nasty head.

• The primary ignition pattern was incorrect, missing spark at times and also showing varying dwell angle.

• The injector signal was measured with the ignition signal, injector good and ignition unstable, this explains the O2 sensor fault code.

• Bad spark = bad combustion = bad mixture = O2 sensor fault code Second test – the vehicle is equipped with both Crank (CKP) and Cam (CMP) sensors – it can happen that if the CMP sensor fails, injection will still be fine but the Ignition side might be affected.

• After scoping the CMP sensor it was found to be in good condition. This took us back to the trace pattern and the unstable dwell angle we saw.

• To explain the dwell angle and how it works is a whole session all on its own, but basically what was seen from the trace pattern was that there was a stable 12 volt at the ignition coil at the time that it was misfiring.

• This led us to believe that we were getting a bad signal from the ignition module to the coil, so the next step was to test the signal to the module from the ECU. • This was again tested in conjunction with the injector pattern to have a clear comparison and it was found that the signal to the module from the ECU was again varying.

• Next step was to test the signal going into the ECU, the CMP sensor had already been tested and found to be good so we went to the CKP sensor.

• We tested both together and the following was found: Although both sensors were found to be working and even the TDC gap was visible, a fluctuation was seen on top of both patterns.

• These are both HALL type sensors and HALL sensors always switch powered lines to ground when activated and when not functioning properly the 0 volt will be incorrect, the high level of the output signal is generated by the ECU and a problem there can be caused by a faulty ECU or power supply to the ECU. • It could be seen that the sensor properly switched to ground when compared against battery negative, so the focus was moved to the power supply side.

• After looking at a few wiring diagrams and testing a few circuits a voltage drop to the ECU supply was found which caused the fluctuation.

• A quick test of the main ignition relay revealed it to be faulty, this was swapped out and the vehicle was again test driven with no faults found and even after re-scoping the sensors they were all given a clean bill of health.

The lesson here is that you need the right equipment, the right technical information, a good knowledge of the vehicle - and of course a good understanding of the components you are working with.

Driko Henningse is from DC Diagnostics and is availabel for assistance with these types of inconsistent diagnosis - his e-mail is driko@dcdiagnostics.co.za, or reach him by telephone: 086 1911333

Alfa launches new catalogue Alfa the drum and disc specialists has announced the launch of its latest light and heavy duty catalogues – which are now available online. This 18th edition of the catalogue is updated daily with new range additions and makes ordering the perfect part that much easier.

View the catalogue yourself at alfabrakes.co.za

PAGE 48

Monroe new part release for VW Polo and new catalogue available Monroe, part of the Tenneco Group, has released a new part number for repairers working on 2010 onwards models of VW Polo Cross and Polo Sedan. The Monroe original gas rear part #GT1231 is sold individually under the barcode 5412096536052.

For more information contact your nearest Monroe supplier or get the update of their new electronic catalogue – available in both the Google play and Apple iTunes stores, as well as available for PC.

Festool boasts secure connection between mobile dust extractor and power tool Festool has announced that it is expanding its Cleantec connecting system and will start delivering more tools with the new system interface. Whether you’re sawing or sanding, sudden suction hose slippage is not just annoying; it also takes up valuable time because the hose needs to be reattached again and again.

Undesirable, escaped dust also makes the final cleaning process in renovation work more difficult and costlier.

The new connecting sleeve with integrated bayonet fitting makes time-consuming interruptions a thing of the past. The sleeve can be attached to the tool’s extractor connector and tightened with ease. This is the simplest way to form a long-lasting, robust connection between the extractor and power tool, and its tensile strength is up to 2.5 times higher than that of the old system interface.

Starting in September, the brand will equip further tools with the newly-introduced Cleantec connecting system as standard, in addition to the tools which have already been converted to the new system interface and can be retrofitted to all D27 suction hoses and is completely compatible with them.

For more information contact Vermont Sales on 011 314 7711 or visit their web site www.vermontsales.co.za.

PAGE 49

Complimentary accomodation on offer via AutoForum.

Mail info@autoforum.co.za for details.

Body repair insight in association with BodyShop News International September / October 2016

Making SA proud

AT R-M’s BEST PAINTER COMPETITION IN FRANCE Contents AUTOMECHANIKA AND NACE THE ROLE OF MSO’s Fault Code Diagnosis – Is It A Necessity?

AutoForum - September / October 2016

BODYSHOP NEWS

The role of MSO’s in the US and beyond - Karen Fierst

In retrospect, it seems the pioneering visionaries of US collision repair shop consolidation were ahead of their time. The first round of US collision repair shop consolidation took place in the 1990s. Round one consolidators assumed they would be able to achieve company-wide efficiencies in management and procurement economies of scale.

They strove for, but fell short in, across-the-

Gerber Collision Body & Glass, Caliber

board repair and operational consistency.

Collision and Service King. Smaller regional

Those pioneers also speculated that they

MSO examples are Cooks Collision in

would be able to negotiate higher labour

California, Nagy’s Body & Frame Shop in

rates, at least to some degree. Twenty years

Ohio and Pride Auto Body in California.

ago most of their assumptions were proven wrong and they were unable to illustrate

National franchise operations examples are

to insurers that working with consolidators

CARSTAR Auto Body Repair Specialists and

was the most cost effective and safe way to

MAACO. In the franchise model, there is an

repair policy holder vehicles.

owner operator who has signed a contract

BODYSHOP

with the corporate franchise. Assured

PAGE 52

However, while the timing wasn’t right, at

Performance Network, CARS Co-op and

least to some degree, the vision was. With

1 Collision are examples of independent

new technology, management

networks. The owner operators in these

and training mechanisms, as well as

programmes also sign contracts with the

significant outside investment, round two

network service providers, but the business

is going strong, with no end in sight. Today

relationship is not set up as a franchise.

it is nearly impossible to pick up a trade publication without reading about at least

Each of these business models and

one consolidator, franchise organisation or

companies is structured slightly different

independent network or another adding to

from the other and each has its strengths

its network of shops.

and weaknesses. However, for the purpose of this article all of these business models

The main drivers of this trend are insurance

will be referred to as multi-shop groups.

company attitudes towards consolidation, a

Direct advantage offerings of a multi-shop

realisation by outside investors that collision

group business model can include bulk

repair is a viable investment, and ‘cheap’

discounts for paint, equipment, materials,

money. Once referred to as ‘Consolidators’,

negotiated DRP relationships, training –

multiple shop owners are commonly referred

both technical and management –

to as Multi-Shop Operators or MSOs today.

opportunities, branding, data management,

This business model involves a corporate

collection and analytics software, vendor

structure which most often includes

rebate programmes, marketing and other

corporate ownership.

economies of scale. Each model and company has its own set of requirements

No one has an exact number of MSOs in

with regard to business practices, level of

the US since owning more than one shop

shop sophistication/equipment, training and

generally meets the definition. MSOs

standard operating procedures.

increase their number of shops through acquisition, brownfields and greenfields.

Suspicious during the first-round attempts

The strong national MSO players in North

at consolidation, insurers have finally

America are ABRA Autobody & Glass, Boyd/

embraced multi-shop groups in

a way they didn’t 20-plus years ago. That change in

rental, customer service and more are the DRP norm –

attitude is significantly influenced by the ability of

insurers are keenly aware that multi-shop groups need the

shops in these business models to illustrate that their

direct repair fl ow of business in order to survive.

technicians can achieve consistent levels of repair quality across the shop network. Also, working with a multi-

There are rumblings that multi-shop groups may be given

shop group, an insurance company expects one point

more latitude to monitor their own performance as a way

of contact for multiple shops, making management of all

of minimising insurance company costs. If it happens,

aspects of the collision repair shop/insurer relationship

it will be on an insurance company by company basis

much easier. These improvements generally result in an

at some time in the future and likely viewed as less

effective “partnership”.

insurance company intrusion on shop operations and a huge win by involved shops.

The motor insurance business is extremely competitive in the US, so point of sale brand promotion is extremely

Like the concerns expressed about DRP programmes

important and easier for an insurer to measure with a

in the 1990s, controversy surrounds multi-shop groups.

multi-shop group. While single-shop operations will never

There are those that accuse multi-shop groups of

completely disappear, today successful multi-shop groups

undermining the industry by giving price concessions to

are the preference of insurers because of cost savings,

insurance companies and cutting corners, resulting in

administrative and management efficiencies/convenience,

poor-quality repairs. A number of local TV news shows

and brand protection.

have undertaken investigative reporting about a single multi-shop location in their area. These investigations

With low interest rates and the realisation that, at least

have often been triggered by competing collision repair

until accident avoidance technology can be found on

shops or anti-insurance independent repair auditors.

most passenger vehicles on the road, private equity

There is no doubt that poor repairs have been conducted.

investors see the collision repair industry as a viable

What is difficult to quantify is whether single-shop, non-

medium term investment opportunity. In today’s market,

DRP shops do a similar percentage of poor repairs.

insurers need the MSOs, franchises and networks as much as these multi-shop groups need insurers. Insurer

Rapid growth of multi-shop groups seems to have slowed

direct repair business relationships (Direct Repair

in 2016. The main reason for this is that the major national

programmes – generically known as DRPs) effectively

MSOs, ABRA, Boyd/Gerber, Caliber and Service King, as

guarantee a shop ongoing business. So, with a captive

well as the top franchise groups CARSTAR and MAACO

revenue stream, private equity investors anticipate

have already acquired a significant number of high-quality,

increased profitability in a few years, when the business

single-location or smaller regional MSOs.

will be sold to another private equity group. An exception to the private equity investment phenomenon is Boyd/

However, each of these national multi-shop groups

Gerber which is a publicly held company listed on the

indicates long-term expansion plans. Caliber, for example,

Toronto Stock exchange.

currently with close to 400 locations, has indicated a goal of 500 locations. The next obvious step for these national

While private equity investors anticipate profitability, it is

multi-shop groups is to acquire strong regional MSOs.

not necessarily from increased severity or the number of cars being repaired. Ironically, rather than earning a higher

Some experts predict that eventually one of these large

labour rate, multi-shop groups – and the majority of

players will acquire another. To some degree this has

direct repair program participants – are often contractually

already happened. In 2015, Roark Capital acquired Driven

obligated to provide discounts to their insurer partners.

Brands, which is one of the top automotive franchise

So, the only way to attain higher profitability is to keep

companies in the US. It owns about 10 significant auto

the stream of repairable cars coming through the door

repair related franchise brands in the US including

and maximise efficiencies at every operational level.

MAACO, Meineke and 1-800-Radiator. In the last quarter

Insurance company leverage has increased over the past

of 2015, Driven Brands acquired CARSTAR in the United

two decades as a result of mandated, sophisticated in-

States and a few months later it acquired CARSTAR

shop technology enabling insurers to very closely monitor

Canada. All indications are that this will not be the

the activities of their DRP repair shops. Measurement

last mega private investment acquisition in the North

thresholds (KPIs – key performance indicators) such

American collision repair industry. Stay tuned.

as severity, cycle time, alternate parts usage, length of

PAGE 53

BODYSHOP NEWS

AutoForum - September / October 2016

Automechanika Chicago & NACE combine for 2017 staging Automechnika Frankfurt provided the perfect setting to announce to the global industry that its US franchise Automechanika Chicago will next year share the stage with NACE - the International Autobody Congress & Exposition – from 26-29 July, 2017 in Chicago.

The two entities working in collaboration are expected to create an unprecedented partnership focused on training and product discovery for the automotive technicians, shop owners and parts distributors.

Dennis Smith, President and CEO, Messe Frankfurt North America commented at the announcement: “We are extremely pleased with this alliance. The industry has been asking for this and we listened. By combining the expertise of two undisputed market leaders, Automechanika Chicago and NACE, we are confident of our ability to offer a comprehensive platform for companies interested in reaching collision and mechanical repair shops en masse.”

The inaugural Automechanika Chicago took place in April 2015 in partnership with UBM, formerly Advanstar Communications, training more than 2,000 technicians and shop owners. NACE has served the automotive repair and collision market for more than 30 years.

“By combining resources, this collaboration will provide the market with a unique opportunity to connect each segment of the industry thus serving the entire automotive collision and service repair audience,” said Dan Risley, President and Executive Director of the Automotive Service Association (ASA).”

New Axalta EMEA headquarters in Basel Axalta Coating Systems has opened its new Europe, Middle East and Africa (EMEA) headquarters in Basel, Switzerland.

Members of Axalta’s EMEA leadership team, who had been located in different offices, have all been in the new Swiss premises as of July 1, when the regional headquarters became fully operational.

Matthias Schönberg, Axalta Vice President and President of EMEA, said: “This move reflects our commitment to have a truly regional vision. By having our EMEA leadership team, who set the strategic direction of the EMEA businesses, in one location, we can leverage synergies and focus fully on driving growth in our markets.

This in turn allows our country management teams to concentrate on the all-important daily local operations.

PAGE 54

But ultimately, this change is designed to make all of us in the region even more focused on our customers through improved cross-functional collaboration.”

Switzerland was chosen because of its central location in Europe and an accommodating environment and talent pool for international business.

The Basel area also has easy access to two international airports that provide a gateway to the entire EMEA and global community.

SAMBRA announces B-BBEE strategy SAMBRA recently engaged a consulting partner to support a transformation roll-out that aims to support its members comply with B-BBEE regulations. Through this initiative, the association will play a vital role in capacitating the transformation credentials of its member network so that customers are able to benefit from strong BEE credentials as they engage with members.

SAMBRA says that it is concerned about increasing

Stakeholder Management

pressure from corporate clients, from the insurers and from external parties that demand improved

To address the pressure from insurers and corporate

transformation of the sector and in response to

clients for only “black ownership” for optimum

this, the following tiered approach is considered for

compliance and/or a certain “prescribed” level of

implementation:

compliance. SAMBRA therefore believes it is key to publish an industry report which will clarify compliance

An Industry Strategy or Industry Transformation Plan

to the Act, its intentions and commitment to comply. The aim is for key stakeholders to agree on the intention of

This plan will consider all of the requirements and options

the B-BBEE legislation and to adhere to the principles

for compliance and the role that the organisation can

enshrined in the constitution of South Africa.

play in co-ordinating activities specifically around skills development; enterprise & supplier development and

The organisations says that it has embarked on

socio economic development.

engagements with the relevant stakeholders in order to present the proposed strategy for consideration and

A Member Support programme

possible approval and members will be kept informed of progress accordingly.

An educational drive to create an understanding of the requirements for compliance. This would demystify the

For members who have not yet submitted their

legislation; give practical examples of what needs to be

B-BBEE documentation, please do so as soon as the

done to achieve compliance, resulting in the development

documentation is at hand.

of a member toolkit to make compliance easy. Remote and onsite support by a consulting team to introduce all of the reporting and measurements.

Business fraud alert Businesses are once again warned to be on heightened

Nonetheless, please be reminded of the importance of

alert for cases of fraud.

ensuring that you include your banking details on all invoices.

SAMBRA was recently informed by an Eastern Cape member that fraudsters created exact replicas of their

It is even suggested that perhaps attaching a bank letter

company e-mail (including legitimate looking Company

confirming the details on the invoice, in order to avoid

e-mail signatures) and Company letterhead and

payments that are actually due to you, being paid into

communicated the fact that the Company in question’s

foreign bank accounts is advisable - this way you will

banking details had changed.

have recourse should a payment be made into an account not belonging to you.

The debtor in this instance accepted the very legitimate looking communication stating that the banking details

Please be vigilant.

had changed and didn’t call the Member to verify same.

Fortunately the relevant attempted EFT was rejected which prompted the debtor to follow-up with the member.

PAGE 55

AutoForum - September / October 2016

BODYSHOP NEWS

I attended NACE 2016 and this is what I learned - Brad Mewes

I spent a week in early August at NACE in Anaheim California. For those of you unfamiliar with NACE, it is the only US industry trade show dedicated to the collision repair industry. In the past I have done video updates from the floor during the week, but this year I was so busy that I just couldn’t find the time. at Axalta Coatings Systems.

Between presenting on growth strategies in a

MSO Panel – The Value of Experience

consolidating industry to hosting the super successful

One of the most popular sessions at the symposium

inaugural MSO Craft Beer Tour (already planning next

was a panel discussion simply titled “MSO Panel”. On

year’s in Atlanta) to client meetings and the MSO

stage were a number of owners of successful MSOs.

Symposium I was running around like a man on a mission.

Of particular note was Rick Wood of Cook’s Collision.

Hey – even my own father showed up to say “Hi” at NACE

Cook’s is the largest privately held pure play collision

this year! By Friday I had already begun to lose my voice.

repair organization in the country and Rick and his brother

But I would have it no other way .

Don co-own Cook’s Collision. Their father founded the business in a single location decades ago, and the two

The highlight of the week for me, was by far, the MSO

brothers grew up in the business, growing it to what it is

symposium. I have attended nearly every MSO symposium

today.

since 2012 and find them incredibly valuable. The level of talent in the room is unmistakable. The attendees are

Throughout the panel all the participants had amazing

business owners and executives who run some of the

insights, but Rick’s insights stood out to me in

best businesses in the industry. They are business owners

particular. When asked about his success, he continually

who are focused on the future and looking to grow. I really

emphasized the importance of the people surrounding

enjoy being part of that environment. If you were at NACE

him. Never once did he take take sole credit for the rapid

hit reply and tell me what you enjoyed most about the

growth of his organization. For the leader of the 5th

week.

largest collision repair operator in the country, I found that quite impressive.

PAGE 56

Brad Mewes is the principal at Supplement - Financial Insight for the Automotive Industry and presented at the 2016 staging of NACE. This story originally appeared on his website http://supp-co.com/author/bradmewesgmail-com/.

Specifically, there were two comments that really stuck

by how consolidation is impacting the entire collision

out in my mind. When asked about his growth, Rick said

repair segment. Some of these analysts were looking at

a key factor in the growth of this business was hiring an

collision repairers like Boyd, Caliber, Service King and

attorney who understood how to get business deals done.

ABRA. Others were looking further downstream at the

Unfortunately, we so often think of attorneys as obstacles

big 5 paint companies such as PPG, Axalta, AkzoNobel,

instead of enhancers. But one of the key areas we advise

BASF, and Sherwin/Valspar (yes, there is consolidation

our clients early on, whether buying or selling a business,

in paint manufacturing as well). Still others were simply

is to find a transaction attorney licensed in your state

new to the industry and looking to get up to speed and

that understands business deals and can help get them

understand general consolidation trends industry wide

done quickly rather than slow them down. For a buyer,

to take that knowledge back to their respective firms.

the sooner you get a deal done the sooner you can start

Regardless, all were very interested in how the industry is

generating a return on your investment. For a seller, that

changing.

means the sooner you get the deal closed the sooner you

a

get paid (the longer a deal drags out the greater the risk it

For some time I have discussed the ongoing investor

never closes).

interest in the collision repair segment. I think this is generally a good thing, as it implies capital will continue

The other comment that caught my attention was the

to flow into the industry. That means the large players

importance Rick placed on hiring a CFO that understood

will continue to grow. But it also means there is great

his business. Rick said that Cook’s was currently on its

opportunity for business owners that are looking to grow

fourth CFO and that the current CFO was the best CFO he

as well. I had a conversation with a business owner who

has had to date…and also “by far the most expensive”.

was shocked to see his company listed as one of the top

While that comment drew a number of understanding

10 largest collision repairers in the country. He had no

chuckles from the crowd Rick was very clear that

idea.

experience delivered value well in excess of the cost.

But getting into the top 20 in the industry is an attainable Investors Investors Investors

goal for owners with a growth oriented mindset and the

In addition to the fantastic insights from the MSO

appropriate timeline. If your goal is to join this group, let’s

symposium, I noticed another trend – increased investor

talk about how we can help you get there using the same

and analyst interest in the industry. I spent time with

tools and methodology as the large consolidators.

equity research folks a NACE that were very intrigued

AutoForum - September / October 2016

BODYSHOP NEWS

Fault code diagnosis – Is it a necessity?

- Mark Czvitkovits

The modern vehicle is equipped with immense computing power that is providing the motorist with unprecedented levels of safety and technology. These include driver aid systems and safety features that even ten years ago were considered to be futuristic.

With the large number of sensors currently installed into

code scan to clear diagnostic trouble codes will become

vehicles, the estimator and technician today are faced

normal practice after repairs are completed.

with the task of ensuring the advanced systems work after collision repair work has been completed. The electronic

Let’s look at blind spot alert systems that provide

systems require accurate diagnosis before the estimate

information from radar detectors in the rear of the car

is written to ensure a complete blueprint of any repairs

to sense the location of a vehicle in a blind spot. This

required. It is not just SRS safety systems that can be

information is sent to an indicator in the door mirror and

affected but also the new features such as lane detection,

illuminates a light in the mirror alerting the driver of the

adaptive cruise control, blind spot and other collision

approaching vehicle. If a door is removed during repair

warning systems that are increasingly more common in

and the vehicle is then moved around the shop, a fault

the South African car parc. The use of cameras, radar

code is recorded.

sensors and the integration of a vast array of sensors is providing challenges to collision repairers, even those

On completion of repairs there can be a disconnect in the

who have been repairing cars for 30 years and more.

system if the fault code is not cleared and the system may not work as it is designed. This type of occurrence

During the estimating process it is important to ascertain

is a normal procedure that often goes undetected, but

if any electronic systems have triggered a fault code

the fact is, a problem has been caused in this driver alert

during the collision as a missed diagnosis can result

system.

in delays at the end of the repair. Understanding how to calibrate cameras and radar systems that sit behind

There is an abundance of electronic systems in today’s

grilles or bumper covers once they are removed

vehicles and the scope for error is increasing daily. As a

is becoming an everyday task in even the most minor of

repairer we are required to return the car to the vehicle

collisions.

owner with all systems working as designed. It is not only the structure we need to pay attention to, but also the

Without a correct analysis of any faults in electronic

electronic system diagnosis which will play a larger role in

systems, cycle time delays may result, or even worse, the

the future repair of vehicles. If you are still sitting on the

systems may not deliver the safety they were designed to

fence and pushing fault diagnosis to the side because you

when they are needed.

do not see a warning light appearing on the vehicle dash console, you are potentially endangering your customer,

Unfortunately, not every fault code will bring up a

yourself and other vehicles on the road.

Malfunction Indicator Lamp (MIL) and quite often many faults go undetected. The problem is often compounded

As spray booths, spot welders, electronic measuring

when lights, doors, and other electronic components

and other new equipment became part of a collision

are unplugged and the vehicle is then moved around the

repair facility inventory, so will scan tools. The OEMs are

shop to complete repairs. All of these in-shop movements

requiring cars to be scanned before and after repairs to

create additional fault codes that can lead to features not

ensure the safety integrity of their vehicles is maintained.

working correctly.

This is 2016. Society is moving forward and the repair culture from last century does not work today.

Modern day vehicles require a scan tool diagnosis to ensure any accident-related faults can be addressed before the repair process – not after it. Fault codes can also be registered during the repair process so a full fault

PAGE 58

R-M’s Best Painter Competition wraps up in France with a great performance from SA R-M, BASF`s premium paint brand for the automotive refinish industry, has just finished its 12th search for the best young painters in the world. The 2016 edition began with international searches that took place in more than 18 countries from the regions Europe, South Africa, Asia and for the first time, North America.

The theme for the latest competition was innovative

bodyshop networks including DK, which paints the largest

thinking with state-of-the-art technologies and sustainable

volume of 100% electric Tesla vehicles in the world.

solutions, using the R-M’s ONYX HD waterborne paint line. The finalists identified through national competitions

Monique Swanepoel (23) from Pretoria proudly

represented their individual countries in the International

represented the South African refinishing sector in France,

Final held at the R-M Refinish Competence Centre in

having won the SA leg of the competition. Being the only

Clermont, near Paris, at the end of September.

female contestant in the SA competition did not worry her, as she says is used to working in a male-dominated

“Today more than ever, we support our customers in

industry. Swanepoel, who enjoys air-brushing in her spare

achieving excellence and increased productivity in

time, was also the first female to represent South Africa in

automotive refinishing through dedicated trainings on site

the International Best Painter Contest Final.

or in our Refinish Competence Centers. Not only with the best solutions to increase their productivity and business

After 3 days of competition and judging the results

success, but also with our customers to identify young

were finally announced. The winners for 2016 are Berry

talented painters who are able to think in an innovative

Kooijman from Netherlands who took top honours, 2nd

and sustainable way, like we do”, says Harald Pflanzl,

place went to Genya Yokota from Japan and 3rd place to

Senior Vice President Automotive Refinish Coatings

Myles Veljacic from Canada

Solutions Europe at BASF Group’s Coatings Division.

The winner of the last Best Painter Contest, held in 2013, was Ole Kristian Fureid from Norway. Ole now works as a technician, providing professional support to

PAGE 59

AutoForum - September / October 2016

BODYSHOP NEWS

Status of the autobody repair industry – An overview - Steve Kessell

The autobody repair industry at present is subject to issues of concern from a number of influences. These vary from sustainable trading terms to strategy in ensuring a lifeline is extended to allow for the continued existence of this vital niche market.

Concern should be communicated to potential job

Insurers currently are fixed on providing volume-based

seekers with technical aptitude that working life is not

deals to a small number of repairers, with the premise

always about wearing a suit and tie every day.

of cost saving - but this is to the detriment of treating customers fairly. In a democracy, the right to repair should

The passion those who have an affinity for motor vehicles

be provided to regulated and certified business owners

should definitely be encouraged, as the pleasure which

and protect current employment on a larger scale.

can be derived from reinstatement of accident damaged vehicles - through accredited and qualified standards and

Labour rates on offer barely cover the cost of wages

the subsequent return of these vehicles to road worthy

and salaries with no recovery on cost of investment or

condition, ensuring safe passage to the owner and other

overheads. Comparison to service charge out rates at

potential road users – cannot be underestimated.

dealers for simple services such as oil changes, command

Skilled Labour In Short Supply

charge out rates 4 times in excess of what is offered.

It is a common fact that accidents and the road death toll

The collision repair sector employs professional artisans

numbers in SA are higher than in most countries in the

who need to be compensated for their time in relation

world, and this figure is substantially influenced by repairs

to their skill. Reduced replacement part mark ups and

undertaken by unqualified operators, often charging

rebate offers being negotiated are taking the food from

unrealistic prices not comparable to the skill required by

the mouths of our bodyshops and we need to protect the

professional artisans.

interests of the broader spectrum and not just a select few.

The fact that skills required to become fully competent panelbeater or spraypainter can take four years or longer

In conclusion, to win the battle is going to require unity

to acquire should be viewed as complimentary to the

in membership. To ensure proper actuarial profitability

potential artisan. Earnings derived by these artisans can

review with provision of viable commercial terms and

assure a comfortable and sustainable living provision for

procurement offers can only happen if the sector stands

most families, at a level above the basic breadline. These

together.

facts can assure we attract the right calibre of young candidates - and also not just limited to the male gender.

The reluctance by business owners to commit to signing contracts bearing on commercial suicide is thus an

The sector employs female spraypainters successfully

important step in advancing these forums.

in a number of bodyshops , and these ladies show good aptitude and excellent results. However, the industry is

The CRA are committed to change and strategy planning

currently experiencing large shortages of skilled labour

is in place with relevant stakeholders from government

and the door is open to job opportunity.

departments etc. to roll out enterprise and skills development initiatives.

The Negative Inflationary Trend Current procurement offers from insurers have shown

These are currently focused on assistance to creating

the trend towards negative inflationary tendencies which

interim measures to support transformation, but

will promote lowering of standards and quality, in both

not forgetting the strong and long standing existing

the long and short term. The consumer under protection

businesses with track records on delivery via safety

of legislation has the right to choice of service provider,

through standards.

treatment by provision of fair and factual process and is not subject to inconvenience.

PAGE 60

Future painters – Preparing for the sector of tomorrow BASF Coatings Services recently hosted the first spray-

NF complements our current training initiatives we are

painting training workshop for NF Apprentices at the

involved with across the country.”

Refinish Competence Center (RCC) in Midrand. The apprentices, who are currently placed in various body

Following the week of training, NF Apprentices held a

shops in Gauteng, spent a week at the training facility

parents’ breakfast meeting at the RCC. “The purpose

with BASF’s technical trainers.

of engaging the apprentices’ parents and guardians is to ensure that their families get involved in the young

“The reason we partnered with BASF for the training is

adults’ journey to become qualified artisans,” explains

so that the apprentices get a solid orientation into the

Maile. “As NF, we offer support such as monthly site

industry,” explains Busi Maile, Programme Director for NF

visits, yearly programme outlines and counsel for shops

Apprentices. “This also ensures that the apprentices have

and the apprentices, however, we have discovered that

a sound foundation so that when they go to the panel

apprentices tend to cope better on the programme if they

shop, they immediately begin using best practices.”

also receive extra support from home.”

The week long training included theoretical aspects of the

The parents were given a brief account of what the

trade with a majority of the training focused on practical

programme entailed, whilst sited in the RCC’s workshop,

exercises. “We want to make sure that by the time an

which resembles the layout of a paint shop. A few

apprentice qualifies, they have learnt all there is to know

apprentices were then selected to spray paint a car shape

about the trade over and above the current curriculum

mould in front of the audience. This allowed the parents

requirements which do not cover the advancements in

to get a first-hand experience of what the apprentices do

technology and new innovations that have changed the

in a day’s work.“As NF, we are saying to the industry, we

face of the industry in the past decade,” notes Maile.

are trying to produce quality artisans for tomorrow. To the

Nico Krukenberg, Commercial Manager for BASF Coatings

young people coming through our initiative, we are saying

Services adds, “We are aware of the urgent need to get

we will not just put you in a shop for the sake of being an

more spray painters into the market and partnering with

apprentice, but we will make sure that you will

DIRECTORY LISTING

AutoForum - September / October 2016 Aftermarketplace Directory

To advertise your listing in AutoForum Aftermarketplace Directory contact us on 0861 222 878 or email: info@AutoForum.co.za

AUTO ELECTRICAL Auto Cosmos - Electrolog

Electronic Parts (Electrical) Catalogue

012 327 6210

Bosch

Parts, Accessories & Batteries

011 651 9600

AAAS - Parts Incorporated Africa

Automotive Components & Accessories

011 879 6000

Highveld Garage Equipment

Air Conditioning Specialists

012 330 0540

Snap-on Equipment

Diagnostics Equipment

0861 762 766

Aer-O-Cure

Spray Booths,Chassis Aligners, Compressors & Welding Equipment

011 444 6454

Allied Paint Solutions - Sikkens

Automotive Paints

012 940 0381

BASF - Glasurit

Automotive Paints

012 681 9200

Hurricane

Chassis Aligners, Compressors & Spray Booths

083 628 2288

Aer-O-Cure

Pressure Washers & Vacuum Cleaners

011 444 6454

Highveld Garage Equipment

Pressure Washers & Vacuum Cleaners

012 330 0540

AAAS - NAPA

Tools & Garage Equipment

011 879 6000

Aer-O-Cure

Electronic Chassis Straighteners

011 444 6454

Beissbarth

Wheel Alignment Equipment

011 651 9600

Bosch

Diagnostic Equipment

011 651 9600

Garage Trade Supplies

Wheel Service Equipment and Diagnostics

011 908 5199

Highveld Garage Equipment

Engine Analyser & Diagnostic Scanners

012 330 0540

Leaderquip

Wheel Alignment Equipment

011 334 1680

AAAS - Midas

Diagnostic Tools & Garage Equipment

011 879 6000

Snap-on Diagnostics

Diagnostics Equipment

086 176 2766

Tenneco - Monroe

Shock Absorber testers

011 574 5602

Aer-O-Cure

Tools & Garage Equipment

011 444 6454

Beissbarth

Wheel Alignment Equipment

011 651 9600

Bosch

Diagnostic Equipment

011 651 9600

Garate Trade Supplies

Tyre & Lifting Equipment & Tools

011 908 5199

Highveld Garage Equipment

Tyre & Lifting Equipment & Tools

012 330 0540

Hurricane

Tools & Garage Equipment

083 628 2288

Ital Machinery

Brake & Clutch Machinery

011 483 3737

John Bean - Snap-on Equipment

Wheel Service Equipment

086 176 2766

Leaderquip

Tyre & Lifting Equipment & Tools

011 334 1680

AAAS - Midas

Tools & Garage Equipment

011 879 6000

PCL - AEI

Workshop equipment & Tools

011 474 7480

Snap-on Tools

Tools & Garage Equipment

086 176 2766

Alfa International

Brake Drums, Discs, Linings & Pads. Clutches & Flywheels

011 608 0801/3

AUDI Parts

Genuine OE Parts

086 043 4838

Auto Magneto

Alternators, Starter motors, electric & electronic parts

021 531 8144

Bosch

Parts, Accessories & Batteries

011 651 9600

AAAS - Midas

Aftermarket Parts & Accessories

011 879 6000

Mahle

Engine parts, Filters & Thermal management

041 408 3598

AAAS - NAPA

Aftermarket Parts & Accessories

011 879 6000

AAAS - Parts Incorporated Africa

Automotive Components & Accessories

011 879 6000

Tenneco

Shock Absorbers

011 574 5602

VW Parts

Genuine OE Parts

086 043 4737

ZF Lemforder

Genuine Replacement Parts

011 457 0000

Auto Cosmos - Electrolog

Electronic Parts (Electrical) Catalogue

012 327 6210

Bosch

Automotive Training Courses

011 651 9600

AIR CONDITIONING

BODY REPAIR EQUIPMENT

CLEANING EQUIPMENT

DIAGNOSTIC EQUIPMENT

GARAGE EQUIPMENT & TOOLS

PARTS MANUFACTURERS & DISTRIBUTORS

SERVICES

PAGE 62

Secure the future of your workshop!

Bosch - your optimal workshop concept partner

Drive your business forward with Bosch through the automotive evolution and stay ahead of the pack. Bosch offers various workshop concept solutions meeting your individual needs. As a Bosch workshop concept partner you can offer your customer first class quality and you can profit from distinct advantages when partnering with Bosch: Internationally recognised brand Distinctive corporate identity Effective marketing and advertising programme Customer retention programme Comprehensive technical support portfolio, including ESI[tronic], Bosch diagnostics, technical training, hotline and field support Quality automotive parts at competitive prices National Deal Partner support programme Fleet Program Share the success of a strong brand in the workshop market, for more information, visit www.boschservice.co.za, or call Customer Careline 0861 267 247 *Terms and conditions apply

AutoForum - September / October 2016 Certified training programmes for

Enhancing skills and productivity in the automotive refinishing industry.

Personnel, the cornerstone of any business, drive a company and its development forward.

In collision damage, it is the repair team’s skills, know-how and training that ensure safe, highquality results. In the fast-moving automotive world, knowledge is often short-lived.

Only continuous updates and training will ensure a secure repair shop staffed by trained and motivated individuals and Aer-o-cure is equipped and geared to deliver that training.

COURSES FOCUS ON EFFICIENT PRODUCT USE AND PROCEDURE INCLUDING:

Aer-o-cure’s mission is to lead the development of South Africa’s collision repair technicians, providing industry staff with enhanced knowledge and up-to-date repair methods, resulting in: • • • • •

Greater productivity A higher level of repair quality Increased profitability Improved employee motivation An incentive for every participating individual

• •

• • •

•

Tailored courses to suit you and your company Courses at Aer-o-cure’s JHB-based training facility or on-site training at the customer’s premises Specialised training in small groups (3-5 people) A well-balanced mix of theory and practical exercises Courses suitable for repair technicians, apprentices, trainees, body shop managers, owners, insurance assesors or anyone thinking of utilising Car-o-liner’s range of equipment Courses are concluded with a written/practical test. On passing, participants are awarded a certificate of attendance for Car-O-Liner Academy’s global development programme.

CONTACT US TODAY FOR TRAINING.

For the full range visit: www.aerocure.co.za

Automotive Bodyshop Equipment

Welding Equipment

Tel: +27 11 444 6454 • Fax: +27 11 444 5677 • e-Mail: info@aerocure.co.za

Aer-o-cure (Pty) LTD • SADC Registered Manufacturer and Exporter. 8 Lees Street, Wynberg, 2090, Johannesburg, South Africa. PO Box 137 Strathavon, 2031 PAGE 64 GraphicWerx • AOC_Training_AutoForum_JN3161