Wheels & Deals November 2021 by Far North Bulletin

LIMPOPO

November 2021

ROBUST

NAVARA P4 Double trouble

P6 New adventure for Holgate

P19 Seven decades

November 2021

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Jeff Jackson’s fascinating motoring facts Here are some interesting facts to get you motor running as we head into the final stretch of arguably the worst year of the last two decades. Well, second worst at least. So far. Speaking of far, the average British driver will spend around 99 days of their life stuck in traffic, which if you think about it, is a bit of an ironic statement as you are never really stuck in traffic – you are the traffic. Anyway, moving onto some other interesting “didyou-knows” to entertain your fellow passengers on your next road trip. The world’s first speeding ticket was issued in 1902 to a road hog who endangered the lives of every other road user by screeching through the streets at a scandalous 62km/h. In the UK, there are currently an estimated 35 million cars on the roads; a quarter of which are produced in China. Around the globe, 60 million cars are produced every year which equates to 165 000 a day, 6 875 an hour and 115 vehicles in a minute — crazy right? Want to know what else is crazy? You could drive to the moon in a regular family sedan, traveling at the speed limit of 120km/h and the trip would take you less than a month. The highest total mileage clocked by a single car is 4 586 630 million kilometres, which is equivalent to driving around the Earth 100 times. It probably wouldn’t cost you as much as the most expensive speeding ticket ever issued. In Sweden, tickets are proportionate to the amount

you earn and one of those viking street racers was fined €1 000 000 for traveling 275km/h on a highway. The German motor manufacturer Volkswagen owns twelve well-known car brands from seven European countries including Volkswagen Passenger Cars, Audi, Seat, Skoda, Bentley, Bugatti, Lamborghini, Porsche, Ducati, Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles, Scania and MAN. So you think you’re uncle Steve is pretty handy around a car? The world record for removing and replacing a car engine is 42 seconds. That’s less than a minute. This record was set by mechanics working on a Ford Escort on the 21st of November, 1985. The man who invented cruise control was blind. His name was Ralph Teetor, and he was inspired to invent cruise control by his lawyer, who was apparently a very poor driver. Not helping the situation for Mr Teetor are the odds of dying in a car accident which are around 1 in 5 000. Compare that to the odds of dying in a plane crash which is 1 in 11 million, and driving sounds pretty dangerous. Last on the Jeff ’s List of fascinating facts is the fastest car in the world. The Hennessey Venom GT is the world’s fastest production car with a top speed of 436 km/h, making it faster than the Bugatti Veyron by around 0.8 of a second.

November 2021

Fans gets to point out favourite F1 driver, team Formula 1’s most popular team and driver have been revealed after fans from 187 countries took part in the sport’s biggest-ever survey, conducted by Nielsen and Motorsport Network. The survey offered an opportunity for fans to tell Formula 1 what they want and what they value about the sport to enable the championship to make strategic decisions for the future. Which is a nice initiative to get the fans also involved regarding the future of Formula 1. Nielsen said the sample of 167 302 responses was the largest and most diverse sample ever, with female participation doubling and the average age of a participant dropping four years, since the last survey was conducted in 2017, to 32 years. The number one brand attribute for Formula 1 is “exciting”, up 7% from 2017. “Competitive” and “entertaining” made it into the top five for the first time, while fans also say F1 has improved in terms of providing “exciting racing”, “fast cars”, “close competition” and having “the best drivers”. Fans were asked to select their five favourite races, with Monza, Spa, Silverstone and Monaco retaining their spots in the top four, with Japan slotting into fifth. Baku was a big mover, up from 1% of the fans’ vote in 2017 to 13%. The McLaren team have risen to the top of the pile when fans were asked to name their favourite team with 29.5% of the vote, ahead of Red Bull (19.8%), with Ferrari (17.9%) dropping from first to third and Mercedes (11.9%) down to fourth. Aston Martin have doubled their support since its rebranding from Force India. On the driver front, Max Verstappen came out on top with 14.4% of the vote. The Dutch audience hasn’t appeared decisive here, with a strong following interna-

Say what! Max Verstappen tionally from especially the USA and Japan. is the most popular driver The McLaren driver Lando Norris was second with according to the survey. 13.7% but was the highest ranked among the female audience and number one in all age groups under 24. Lewis Hamilton was number one in the UK and in all the 35 and over age groups and second in the US but ranked third overall. There was also a net positive reaction to F1 Sprint, and there was strong awareness regarding sustainable fuels. A total of 55% of the fans believe F1 should be a world leader in the development of 100% sustainable fuels, with 65% aware of F1’s plan to introduce 100% sustainable fuels by 2025. “We are hugely grateful for all the fans that have given their time to share their views in this huge survey. Their views are very valuable to us, and we are extremely pleased with what we have seen in the results,” said Stefano Domenicali, President and CEO of Formula 1. “We are privileged as a sport to be truly international, racing in continents and countries around McLaren F1 Team was voted by fans as the most popular team for the 2021 season. the world with a global fan base. We reach every corner of the globe “The results of the survey show we are doing the right through our events, tv broadcast and social media and media content. This is a blessing, things and we will continue to be focused on creating to have such a platform, but it is also a responsibility. We excitement and entertainment on and off the track must protect what we have, grow it, reach more fans, which is what all our fans want. We are hugely excited about our future, and we know our fans are too.” and ensure those blessings remain and get stronger.”

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November 2021

Double Binder-trouble for 2022 MotoGP season Darryn Binder joins RNF MotoGP team rider line-up for 2022 The Yamaha Motor Co., Ltd. is delighted to announce that Moto3 talent Darryn Binder will be joining Andrea Dovizioso in the rebranded RNF MotoGP Team. The South African will race for Yamaha‘s satellite team in 2022 with an option to stay on for the 2023 MotoGP season. This announcement is of course great news for the Binder-brothers fanatics. Binder will be joining the grid next year with his older brother, Brad, who is currently in his second season with the Red Bull KTM team, having scored two victories so far. These victories were also the first for a South African rider competing in the MotoGP championship. “I‘m extremely grateful for this opportunity, as it has been a lifelong dream to race in the MotoGP category. I definitely did not expect to make the jump straight from Moto3 to the highest class, but I do believe I‘m up for the challenge, and I‘m ready to put in all the hard work for 2022.” “My target at the beginning will be just

to find my feet in the big class and learn as much as possible to get stronger and stronger throughout my rookie season.” “I would like to say a really big ’Thank you‘ to Yamaha and the RNF MotoGP Team for everything they have done to make this possible, as well as everyone who has been involved in getting me to this point.” “I‘m now just looking forward to riding the Yamaha YZR-M1 for the first time at the end of this season.” Binder will be on a 2021 factory spec Yamaha M1 for next season. Early indications predicts that he will most likely ride the bike of the legendary Valentino Rossi which he has raced with this season. The ‘Doctor’ as Rossi has become known over the years because of his dominant performances, is retiring at the end of the 2021 season having won multiple world MotoGP championships. Or better, it could be the championship winning bike of Fabio Quartararo. But think more likely to be Rossi’s current bike.

Darryn Binder will be joining Andrea Dovizioso in the rebranded RNF MotoGP Team.

BEHIND THE FAMOUS CAR LOGOS

November 2021

Road trip ready - essential fluid checks Take care of your car this holiday, and your car will take care of you. Our hot South African summers can pose a challenge to making holiday road trips safe, stress-free and enjoyable. However, there are some fluids that you can check to help avoid any motor-mishaps. Here are Bosveld Smeermiddels’ essential fluid checks to make sure your holiday road trip goes off without a hitch: Check your oil Not topping up your oil levels regularly could cause costly damage and leave you stranded. It only takes a minute to check and top off if necessary, and it might add years of reliable, powerful and economical driving to the life of your engine. Choosing the right oil for your car is important too, so feel free to contact our technical experts at Bosveld Smeermiddels for product recommendations.

part - about 40% of all engine problems originate within the cooling system. Taking care of the cooling system reduces downtime and the inevitable cost of repairs. Check your brake fluid Your brakes are only as good as your brake fluid. Over time, brake fluid goes bad. It absorbs water from the air, which has a much lower boiling point than brake fluid. If you are braking really hard, the water might boil in the lines carrying the brake fluid to the brake components, and you could “lose” your brakes. On top of that, if the level is too low, your car is not safe to drive.

Check your coolant Engine coolant, also known as anti-freeze, is an important fluid to check year round. It has a higher boiling point than water, so it is quite useful during hot summer days. The coolant system on a car is often the most neglected

Tips for safe driving on wet roads As South Africa prepares for the Summer, heavy rainfall will become a norm in parts of South Africa. This might be a good time to ensure that you are prepared for the wet roads lying ahead, especially during the upcoming December holiday. The first rainfalls especially present extra challenges for drivers as grease and rubber accumulated during the dry winter months. The coming rain is likely to start washing this away creating even more slippery roads than normal. Skidding on wet roads can be a frightening experience that often needs a specific reaction from drivers. The most important part is to gradually reduce your speed. Don’t brake harshly and suddenly. Keep both hands on the steering wheel. Also, look where you want to be. While this may seem counterintuitive, the instinct is to steer in the direction that we are looking. Thus, if there is tree in front of you, don’t look at the tree, rather look at where you want to be on the road. Follow these additional tips for the best way to handle the roads in wet conditions: Check your wiper blades to ensure

that they have not perished over winter. Give yourself more travel time so you do not have to rush in bad weather. Adjust your speed to suit the conditions, however, do not slow down unnecessarily as this is just as dangerous. Do not use cruise control. Turn on your headlights. Brake earlier and with more caution. Avoid water which has pooled on the roads. If you cannot avoid this, drive through it slowly in case there is hidden debris or potholes. Leave more following distance. Driving recklessly and speeding increases chances of aquaplaning. If you aquaplane, slowly lift the foot from the accelerator but do not brake harshly or move the steering wheel violently. Consider going for driver training on a skid pan to learn how to react if you do lose control during rainy weather. As many provinces face the first rains of the season, keep these tips in mind to make it to your destination safely. Always know how to respond to each driving challenge to emerge from it safely.

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November 2021

New adventure beckons for Holgate South Africa’s renowned Kingsley Holgate adventure team has revealed the launch date for its new, yearlong transcontinental expedition, which promises to be one of the team’s most challenging geographic and humanitarian journeys to date. Departing on 27 October from Cape Aghulhas, the expedition involves a 30,000km journey through 30 countries from the southern tip of the African continent to the most northern point of Europe, and then on to the mystical Isle of Anglesey in Wales. Named the Defender Transcontinental Expedition, it will be the first real-life expedition test for Land Rover’s new Defender outside of South African borders, across two continents and over some of the most extreme terrain on Earth, undertaken by an experienced team that has already completed 39 gruelling expeditions to every country on the African continent and beyond, many

of them world-firsts. The core Holgate team will be using two expedition kitted P400 Defenders for the entire journey, with other team members joining the expedition along the way in their own Defenders. The two Defenders are already well-travelled, having completed South Africa’s renowned Kingsley Holgate adventure team has revealed the launch date for its new, year-long transcontithe Holgates’ 80-day, nental expedition. 16,000km Mzansi Edge expedition to track South Africa’s land borders and deliver humanitarian aid in the height of South African lockdown in 2020. From Greece, the expedition will traverse eastern European countries and tackle exciting 4x4 terrain on its northerly journey through Russia and Finland to reach Nordkapp in Norway. The route then turns south through Sweden, Denmark and western Europe, before finally crossing the Channel into the UK and ending in Wales. The core Holgate team will be using two expedition kitted P400 Defenders for Four iconic ‘isivivanes’ (stone cairns) will be built at key the entire journey. points along the expedition route: Cape Agulhas, Alexandria, Nordkapp and Anglesey. ing glasses for the elderly in remote areas, the distriThe expedition will also be carrying a new Scroll of bution of insecticide-treated mosquito nets to mothPeace and Goodwill from the southern point of Africa ers and children, the delivery of two million meals to the northern point of Europe and on to Land Rover’s to creches, educational conservation work near elbirthplace in the United Kingdom. This scroll will colephant and rhino populations, and the supply of walect hundreds of messages of support from citizens of ter to communities with water shortages 30 countries for a new and more hope filled post-Covid • The expedition’s carbon footprint to be offset world. through the support of environmental initiatives Overview of the forthcoming transcontinental exin sub-Sahara Africa, including spekboom and tree pedition: planting • A 30,000km geographic and humanitarian expedi• A grueling real-world test of the new Defender’s offtion through 30 African and European countries road capabilities in some of the harshest terrains on • ‘Hot Cape to Cold Cape’ journey departs on 27 OctoEarth ber from Cape Agulhas and heads to Norway’s Nordkapp before finishing on the sands of Red Wharf Bay • Follow the expedition on the Kingsley Holgate Foundation’s Facebook page and on Land Rover South Afin September 2022 rica’s social media accounts. • Humanitarian objectives include eye tests and read-

Fuel price hike could be shattering Current data is predicting fuel price hikes of catastrophic proportions at the end of October for November. The current picture is showing petrol up by 99 cents a litre, and diesel and illuminating paraffin higher by a whopping R1.42 a litre. This will push 95 ULP inland above R19 per litre, and R17 per litre for diesel. Taking this potential increase into account, the price of a litre of fuel inland (95 ULP) will have increased from R14.86 per litre in January to R19.30 per litre in November, a 30% increase over 11 months. The hikes in diesel and illuminating paraffin would be the largest in South African history, bearing in mind that this is only based on half a month’s data. Paying R20 a litre for petrol is a realistic scenario before the end of 2021. The concern was first noted where it was generated in the USA, where President Biden was reported to have called on the OPEC+ cartel to increase oil output to stabilise prices. This has not generated a response from OPEC+, and the view is that a response is not likely, since the current price pressures are beneficial to the

cartel’s members. It is not expected that the oil price squeeze will ease in the short term, especially as the demand for oil will increase as the northern hemisphere enters its winter season. Over the first half of October, the average Rand/US dollar exchange rate jumped from around R14.55 to the dollar to R14.90. The Rand might be still far above its June level of below R13.50 to the dollar, but that the strengthening trend that lasted nearly 15 months was abruptly reversed in June. Then there is also uncertainty regarding changes to the slate levy. The under-recovery to date this month has been vast, and the government will most probably have no option but to increase the Slate Levy to recover this deficit, making for a bigger fuel price hike. South Africans are paying at the pumps for weak governance, as one of the key indicators of the price of fuel depends on the exchange rate.

November 2021

BEHIND THE FAMOUS CAR LOGOS

New drivers licence card on the cards for SA The Driving Licence Card Account (DLCA) has published an expression of interest in partners who are willing to help it with the production of driver’s licences, and the design of a new driver’s licence card for South Africa. The DLCA is the sole producer of driver’s licences in South Africa and falls under the Department of Transport as a trading entity. The authority said it has officially embarked on a project to introduce a new driving licence card which will involve the following: • A new card design with improved security features • The card should be durable • The card should be internationally recognised. The DLCA has said that the new licence will be aligned closer to international practices, with the new card also allowing for the incorporation of new technologies. The actual design of the card will also be changed. The introduction of the new driving licence involves a new design of the driving licence card, and the re-engineering of processes to allow for agility and focus on delivering services efficiently and quickly, according to the DLCA in its annual performance plan for 2021/2022. The project will allow for the adoption of digital technologies such as blockchain and other related technologies which will form the platform of an integrated transport sys-

tem. As part of its expression of interest, the DLCA also requested assistance with its production facilities, with the authority hoping to significantly improve licence issuing times in the coming years. The DLCA said that it currently produces and delivers on average 2.5 million driving licence cards annually. Using a centralized production model, enrolment data is collected through enrollment units and produced in-house at the DLCA card production facility. The production process includes verification of data, personalization, quality control and packaging of the cards produced. The cards are then dispatched to the relevant centres. The current production environment is using old technology which is no longer efficient and must be overhauled. Earlier this year the transport minister, Fikile Mbalula, announced several planned improvements for the renewal process in his department budget speech.

November 2021

FORD OPTIONS The brand new way to drive

a brand new Ford.

Deposit

Balance

Guaranteed Future Value

You get to choose your own deposit, the length of your agreement (24, 36 or 48 months) and your anticipated annual mileage (20k, 30k, 40k kilometres).

Ford deducts your deposit and the vehicle’s Guaranteed Future Value (GFV) at the start of the agreement, so your monthly payments are based on the balance, plus the interest on this and the GFV.

At the end of your agreement your Ford will have a GFV. At this stage you will be able to choose to Renew, Retain or Return your Ford, subject to our excess mileage and Fair Wear and Tear standards.

Benefits • • • • • •

Option 1

The opportunity to drive a new Ford vehicle more often. Fixed regular payments to suit your needs. GFV provides peace of mind and protection from any unexpected fall in used vehicle prices. Reduced exposure to major service and repair bills. Flexibility – at the end of the agreement you can Renew, Retain or Return your Ford (see below). The option to own the vehicle at the end of the agreement.

Renew: Choose another vehicle

If you would like to renew your Ford you can trade it in at your Ford Dealer, or sell it privately if you prefer. Your Ford Dealer will assist you with the process, including settlement of your outstanding balance on your behalf. Please remember, however, that the responsibility of settling the financial balance remains yours. You may use any excess value over the GFV as a deposit towards your new Ford.

FORD OPTIONS

Retain: Keepto thedrive vehicle Option 2 The brand new way

a brand new Ford.

Ford OPTIONS also gives you the flexibility to own the vehicle at the end of the agreement. All you need to do, assuming all payments have been made, is arrange payment or refinancing of the GFV, which was deducted at the start of your agreement.

Option 3

Return: Hand the vehicle back

Your pre-agreed GFV gives you protection against any unexpected fall in used vehicle prices. If you would like to return your vehicle, your Ford Dealer will arrange a vehicle appraisal. As long as your vehicle meets our Fair Wear and Tear standards, is within the agreed mileage, and your account is up-to-date, there will be nothing further to pay. Additional charges will be made if you exceed the agreed mileage or if your vehicle does not meet our Fair Wear and Tear standards. We’ll contact you before the end of your Ford OPTIONS agreement to make sure you have plenty of time to decide which option is right for you.

Balance Renewing your Ford before the end of your agreement Deposit

Guaranteed Future Value

With Ford OPTIONS, you’re in complete control, with the flexibility to renew your Ford at any time during your to choose Ford deducts At theDealer end ofwill your agreement. You For get example, you your may want to take advantage of ayour current promotion. Your Ford assist you own deposit, thesettlement length deposit andbalance the vehicle’s agreement your Ford willthat with the process, including of your outstanding on your behalf. Please remember, however, of your agreement Guaranteed Future Value have a GFV. At this stage the responsibility of settling the financial balance remains yours. (24, 36 or 48 months) and your anticipated annual mileage (20k, 30k, 40k kilometres).

Subject to Terms and Conditions

(GFV) at the start of the agreement, so your monthly payments are based on the balance, plus the interest on this and the GFV.

you will be able to choose to Renew, Retain or Return your Ford, subject to our excess mileage and Fair Wear and Tear standards.

FFS Finance South Africa (RF) Proprietary Limited, trading as FordCREDIT, is an Authorised Financial Services Provider (FSP31946) and Registered Credit Provider (NCRCP72). Benefits • • • • • •

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November 2021

Rugged Pik Up Karoo Dusk launched for the select few Inspired by the beautiful vistas of the Karoo and requested by ardent Pik Up fans, Mahindra launched a very special edition of its top-selling Pik Up Karoo S11 Automatic. The new Mahindra Karoo Dusk S11 Automatic with its striking matt black colour is a lifestyle-focused double cab model and is fitted with the best on offer in the Mahindra parts catalogue and a few very special additions that are not available to other Mahindra Pik Up owners. The new Karoo Dusk is wrapped in a hard-wearing matt black film that makes it unique from any production Pik Up on the road. As this model is based on the S11 Karoo flagship, it has the same styling bar on the rear load bay, the side-mounted steel steps, robust over fenders and roller shutter door. These have, however, been colour coded to match the dark look of the Karoo Dusk, leaving only the highlights on the front fender vents, diamond plated rear step and the silver highlights on the alloy wheels to compliment the overall dark design. The designers created a special dark-blue hue for the Dusk decals and distinctive acacia-tree in the Karoo logo, which matches with the black wrap and is unique to this limited-edition model. Adding to the design is a special set of 16” off-road alloys in black with silver detailing in the outer rim. The alloys are fitted with special mud terrain tyres from General Tire that adds an aggressive tread profile and additional visual appeal to this unique bakkie. Aside from the aggressive profile, it has a powdercoated steel bush bar to protect the front headlamps

in off-road situations. The front bumper also has special LED-spot lamps fitted and feature recovery loops and jack mounting points. The suspension features special heavy-duty gas-filled off-road shock absorbers, heavyduty custom designed leaf springs and new suspension bushes. It is also equipped with cruise control, climate control, a multi-function steering wheel and electric windows, to name but a few of the luxuries. It is also fitted with a lockable roller-shutter door on the rubberised rear load bay. All Karoo Dusk models are sold with a 4-year or 120 000km mechanical warranty and 5-year or 90 000km service plan.

Fighting back against fuel price hikes

Supertech Fuel Probe.

With constant fuel hikes in South Africa, especially heading into the holidays, this will seriously impact many drivers and businesses relying on transport of their goods, their sales reps and more. Either raise the prices of goods which has complications on its own, or simply try find other solutions, like the fuel saving Supertech Combustion Optimiser. Essentially the following is the basic concept, a probe fitted inside the fuel tank makes the hydrocarbons in your fuel more combustible, petrol and diesel. The basic process is that this probe optimizes the process of combustion leading to the following advances: Reduces gas emissions up to 80% Transforming unburnt fuel into energy, providing for a cleaner engine with no

carbon build up Up to 12% better fuel economy All carbon build-ups will eventually burn off, leaving a cleaner engine and exhaust system. Supertech Combustion Optimiser is most effective in older vehicles and technology, installation is a very simple process delivering great results, some examples: 2L Toyota Hilux – 10% improvement 3.2 Ford Ranger 4x4 Double Cab – 17% improvement Mazda CX3 Turbo - 10% improvement. To improve the fuel consumption of your vehicle is an easy process. For more information, email Dennis at loralebati@ gmail.com or contact him on 082 573 0336 for installation and quotations.

November 2021

SINCE 1959

November 2021

Flee rodents, flee The latest from Liqui Moly South Africa is that its Marder Spray has already saved South African motorists a fortune by keeping “critters” out of places where they can cause damage out of all proportion to their size. Rat-Ban, its new, anglicised name, will do the same. Warm, silent engine bays are a favourite hang-out for rats and other rodents and electrical wiring is a preferred nestbuilding material. With the dramatic change in human behaviour and movement since early 2020, the planet’s rat population has flourished and they rapidly moved into places that humans vacated, albeit temporarily. This includes cars, where the habitual gnawing which is part of their natural behaviour can be highly destructive. Estimates are that the SA’s rat population could exceed 50-million, that’s

a lot of rodents looking for a place to make home and raise a family. Wiring damage can cause massive headaches for car owners, and unless the repairs are expertly done, it can lead to a lifetime of problems. Fortunately, with the renaming of one of Liqui Moly’s globally successful products, it is now even easier to prevent this. All that has changed is the name, so the aerosol is still completely non-toxic and therefore pet- and enviro-friendly. It simply emits a smell that is unpleasant to these furry enemies, and it isn’t designed to kill them. All it takes is a periodic spray on plastic and rubber surfaces to keep them at bay. Rat-Ban is readily available and comes in a 200ml aerosol can. Recommended retail price is in the region of R110.00. It can also be ordered from Liqui Moly’s website.

Ensure hiring of capable drivers

The latest Quarterly Employment Statistics from stats SA revealed that one of the few industries to have an increase in employment was the transport sector. This is a positive statistic to see since there was an 86 000 decrease in overall employment statistics in non-agricultural sectors in the second quarter. While these statistics are encouraging, it also places extra pressure on the industry. During the second quarter, the transport industry again faced massive pressure as South Africa battled the third wave. There was great reliance on the sector as demand for certain products increased. This was likely part of the reason for the recent growth. It also placed pressure on the industry to hire good drivers and quickly. Companies face great responsibility when hiring drivers for their vehicles. There is much more to it than just checking that they have the right licencing requirements. It is especially difficult in South Africa as there is no real certainty that a licence was obtained legally or whether a driver has the necessary skills and training. This is particularly important when hiring a driver for a vehicle like an 18-wheeler truck. Irrespective of unexpected pressure or demand, a company must follow stringent processes when hiring those who can affect the safety of all on the roads. This includes normal processes of sorting through CV’s and checking if a driver has the necessary licencing. When hiring drivers, however, recruitment processes

should include pre-employment assessments. This allows an employer to see if what was put on paper matches their real-life skills. If hiring a company to assist with this, they will not only assess the quality of the driver but quickly identify if a driver is skilled for the position. Preemployment assessments are essential in the transport industry to protect lives and reduce costs. There are numerous advantages to preemployment assessments. This includes avoiding collisions or serious crashes as a result of a driver’s competency. Notwithstanding the potential loss of life, the cost of a crash can soars into the millions. No transport owner want to develop a reputation as a company that took shortcuts and did not complete additional assessments to ensure competency. Cost-savings extend beyond a crash itself. Additional downtime and reduced productivity are part and parcel of a crash. When under such immense pressure to deliver and develop a reputation of reliability as opposed to the opposite, the benefits of pre-assessments are immeasurable. These assessments test the cognitive skills, psychomotor skills and driving behaviours of potential employees. It provides a comprehensive overview of the driving ability of a potential candidate. It indicates exactly what a good driver looks like. It is also important to help identify drivers who have potential to be excellent employees if given additional training.

November 2021

Most robust Navara now at BB Nissan Tzaneen

In mid-June the new locally produced Nissan Navara was launched in South Africa. This new model expresses Japanese engineering at its finest. The new Navara is now available at your nearest local dealership, including at BB Nissan Tzaneen. The significant technical and cosmetic upgrades and enhancements ensures it meets the highest global quality standards and is adapted to local conditions. The all-new Navara also boasts with an infotainment system with NissanConnect and an 8-inch touch screen, modernised styling and high-power specs that are sure to impress both existing customers and those looking for a new workhorse or adventure vehicle. The new Nissan Navara is powered by the tried and tested 2.5 litre turbocharged diesel engine, which allows Nissan to meet its customers’ requirements for low running costs, reliability and performance. The 2.5l powertrain is available in two lev-

els of output. The high output engine, available on the higher-grade models, delivers 140kW power and 450Nm torque, while the mid-output engine, delivers 120kW of power and 403Nm of torque. The Intelligent Around View Monitor uses four cameras to help drivers notice people and cars surrounding the vehicle and is also useful for trailer hitching. The Nissan Navara offers a unique seven Automatic gearbox and four-wheel drive with differential lock for off-road driving. For the manual transmission models, a new low gear ratio improves acceleration response, ease of driving and of starting uphill drives. The six-gear manual transmission offers ergonomic shift operation with smoother and more precise gear selection and a more comfortable reverse gear engagement. When four-wheel drive mode is engaged, traction is distributed evenly to all four wheels and tyre slip is avoided in severe conditions.

SINCE 1959

November 2021

The Ranger Raptor limited Special Edition now here The appeal of the Ford Ranger Raptor high-performance off-road pickup has been raised even further with the launch of the new Special Edition model in South Africa, which is being produced in limited numbers to ensure exclusivity. Developed by Ford Performance as the ultimate Ranger model, the Ranger Raptor created an entirely new segment in the light commercial vehicle market when it was launched in 2019, featuring an ultrastrong chassis, bespoke suspension and tyres, and a Terrain Management System to support the thrill-seeking outdoor lifestyles of true off-road enthusiasts. Head-turning road presence: Featuring a choice of Conquer Grey, Frozen White, Performance Blue and Agate Black paint finishes, the new Ranger Raptor Special Edition adds twin matte black racing stripes, edged with red contrast lines, to the bonnet, roof, lower body sides, rear wings and tailgate to further emphasize the vehicle’s highperformance character. Complementing the dis-

tinctive racing stripes, the front tow hooks are finished in red while the flared wheel arches, front and rear bumpers, door handles and signature Ford-embossed grille feature a matte black finish to create an even more imposing appearance. The standard fitment of the lockable Mountain Top black roller shutter is a great addition that allows owners to safely secure goods in the load compartment, away from prying eyes and protected from the elements. Inside an even sportier, bespoke feel is delivered with red stitching for the steering wheel, seats and door cards. A Special Edition-only Raceway Grey instrument panel adds further exclusivity, also finished off with red stitching. The sports seats are designed and trimmed in Technical Suede for maximum grip, providing optimum support during high-performance off-road driving, while

also providing comfort when cruising in town. Emphasizing its sporty character, the instrument cluster incorporates red needles for the dials. The steering wheel includes perforated leather hand grip sections, paired with lightweight magnesium paddle shifters for crisp gear changes. The Raptor logo is featured in the bezel of the steering wheel and a motorsport-inspired “oncentre” marker, a red stripe at the topmiddle of the steering wheel, gives you confidence to know where the wheels are pointing. Muscular design: The front fenders are made from durable composite materials, while the bumper includes LED fog lamps with air-curtain ducts for improved airflow. The flared fenders are designed to accommodate the long-travel suspension and the beefy LT 285/70 R17 General Grabber AT3 tyres are fitted on 17-inch alloy rims. In keeping with its outstanding offroad capabilities, the Ranger Raptor is equipped with an integrated heavyduty tow bar that improves the vehicle’s departure angle, and includes two

heavy-duty recovery hooks. An integrated, detachable towbar is fitted, with the capability of 2 500kg towing capacity. A pair of sturdy recovery hooks are provided at the front of the vehicle too, surrounded by a strong 2.3mm thick bash plate made of high-strength steel for enhanced underbody protection. One of the most important performance enhancements is the FOX Position Sensitive Damping (PSD) shock absorbers, which were exclusively developed for this model. They provide higher damping forces at extremes for unparalleled off-road capability, and lower damping forces in more moderate conditions for a smoother ride on-road. The specially developed Terrain Management System (TMS) includes an exciting Baja mode, inspired by Mexico’s famous Baja Desert Rally, which enables ultra-responsive, high-speed off-road performance. The Electronic Power Assist Steering (EPAS) is also linked to the TMS, providing varying levels of assistance and responsiveness according to the specific drive mode selected. The TMS features a full range of other drive modes including Normal, Sport, Grass/Gravel/Snow, Mud/Sand and Rock. 2.0 Bi-Turbo with 10-speed automatic gearbox: As with the standard Ranger Raptor, the Special Edition is powered by Ford’s 2.0-litre Bi-Turbo diesel engine that delivers a maximum of 157kW of power and 500Nm of torque. Paired with Ford’s impressive 10-speed automatic transmission, the package delivers outstanding responsiveness, refinement and fuel efficiency.

November 2021

Seven decades of Volkswagen in SA The first Volkswagen vehicle to be manufactured in South Africa was a Volkswagen Beetle. Seven decades later, the Volkswagen Group South Africa (VWSA) celebrated the brand’s 70th anniversary in South Africa. The story of VWSA, a company that is currently a market leader and the largest private employer in Nelson Mandela Bay with over 4 000 employees, has included many achievements and milestones along the way. Aside from the vehicles imported for the local market, the plant in Kariega has manufactured many iconic vehicles, including the Volkswagen Beetle, the Type 2 Kombi, various Audi models, the Golf (including the Citi Golf), the Polo range and the Polo Vivo. The plant also began manufacturing the latest facelift of the Volkswagen Polo. The plant has manufactured over 4 million vehicles, having reached the 4-million mark in November 2020 with a Volkswagen Polo. VWSA has been the sole manufacturer of all new right-hand-drive Polo hatchbacks since 2010 and is the exclusive manufacturer of the flagship Polo GTI. Das Auto also achieved a record production year in 2019, when the plant manufactured 161 954 vehicles in a single year. Another milestone achievement came in 2020, when the Volkswagen brand in South Africa achieved a local market share of 21,6%, the highest in the history of VWSA, and the highest market share for Volkswagen worldwide. The Sub-Saharan Africa region is a crucial part of the VWSA story. This region officially became a part of VWSA in March 2017, only three months after Volkswagen opened its vehicle assembly facility in Kenya. Since then, the brand has established assembly facilities in Rwanda (in 2018) and Ghana (in 2020). Outside of the plant, VWSA has also demonstrated its continuous commitment to the communities of Nelson

VWSA celebrates over 4 million vehicles (2020).

Mandela Bay and other parts of the country. The Volkswagen Community Trust, which was established in 1989, has invested R268 million to date to empower communities in the fields of education and youth development. Since the start of the Covid-19 pandemic, the company has offered its support to local communities. This has included the establishment of a temporary Covid-19 field hospital, assisting the National Health Laboratory Service to upgrade and optimise its Port Elizabeth branch, and various donations in support of nonprofit organisations and schools since March 2020.

The first VW produced in SA, a Beetle, took place on 31 August 1951.