February 4, 2021
THE WITNESS
WHEELS
www.witness.co.za
‘February likely to be little better’
‘Ideal vehicle for SA’
A drop of 18% in the new car market in January, compared to January 2020, is a clear indication that the economic squeeze is on for vehicle buyers in South Africa, according to Mark Dommisse, chair of the National Automobile Dealers’ Association, which is the professional body representing more than 1 300 motor dealerships, and includes 85% of the new vehicle franchised outlets. “The light commercial vehicle market was only 4,9% lower month-onmonth, with medium truck sales unchanged and sales of heavy trucks and buses up by 6,6%, indicating that there are still vehicles needed by businesses, but car buying consumers are delaying new passenger car purchases,” explained Dommisse. Total retail sales in January accounted for 34 784 vehicles, 13,9% down month-on-month. This is the lowest industry total since August 2020, while sales through the dealer channel amounted to only 82,6% of this total, making it the worst month for dealers since the first lockdown in March 2020. “The market in January was soft, with a shortage of supply of certain models across the brands. However, we believe that the restaurant, beach and alcohol bans have influenced the need for driving for several months now, which means the purchase decision is being delayed by many ordinary motorists,” added Dommisse. Dommisse said a bright spot in the January sales figures was that 11,4% of total sales and 16,1% of car sales were taken up by the rental industry which had drastically de-fleeted from the time of the first lockdown almost a year ago. There were also heartening results from exports of built-up vehicles, which are an indicator of the wellbeing of business for local vehicle manufacturers. Export sales grew 39,7%. “February is likely to be little better than January as consumers remain reticent to commit to the purchase of big capital assets such as cars,” said Dommisse. — WR.
New Corolla Cross will help develop SA’s automotive downstream parts suppliers at two levels
The latest Global NCAP crash tests gave top marks to the Mahindra XUV.
XUV300 sets new safety benchmark Mahindra’s XUV300 set a new safety benchmark for Africa when it was awarded the highest 5-star safety rating by Global NCAP. The XUV300 has also become one of the vehicles in Africa to score a 4-star child safety rating and its sideimpact performance has been one of the best among all 5-star-rated cars. “Mahindra has made a public commitment to provide the safest vehicles possible and the GNCAP rating is a welcome accolade and a first for Africa from the global authority on vehicle safety tests. “It is also a sign of things to come from all future models of Mahinda,” says Arvind Mathew, chief of International Operations at Mahindra & Mahindra. Rajesh Gupta, CEO of Mahindra SA said “a 5-star rating from the GNCAP was the best-possible confirmation that safety is integrated into the very design and structure of the Mahindra XUV300. “If one combines the vehicle’s passive safety with its performance, including its exemplary road holding and dynamic handling, it is the perfect SUV for the South African family. It boasts of an unmatched value proposition in terms of style, safety, performance and features.” — WR.
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Toyota South Africa Motors (TSAM) has announce that it will manufacture the new Corolla Cross at at its Prospecton plant in Durban in the fourth quarter of the year. The model reveal, made by TSAM President and CEO Andrew Kirby at the annual state of them motor industry (SOMI) address, follows the company’s announcement in 2019 that it was investing R2,43 billion in production of a new passenger vehicle in South Africa. TSAM’s executive vice president of manufacturing and manufacturing support group, Nigel Ward, said the manufacturing of the new model will also include the development of three new tier 1 and a number of tier 2 suppliers, — a significant step towards the transformation of the automotive value chain. In addition to the investment, the local production of the Corolla Cross also ushers in a couple of “firsts” for TSAM’s manufacturing team at the Prospecton Plant. “This is a significant milestone for Toyota South Africa. It’s not often that we get to produce a brand-new body shape in our factory; plus it is the very first time that we will be manufacturing a hybrid model which I believe will fast become a very popular choice. “And it’s the first time for us to manufacture using the Toyota New Global Architecture (TNGA) — which allows us to keep up with global technology and trends.” said Ward. From a skills and manufacturing point of view, TSAM believes that —besides being a crisis of unparalleled proportions — Covid-19 has inadvertently encouraged plant production teams to be more self-reliant. Ward said restriction on international travel due to Covid-19 had necessitated that staff rely on local expertise on many elements of the project “instead
The Toyota Corolla Cross will be built at Prospecton and will be exported to 43 countries in Africa.
Mazda has launched the CX30, which slots in between smaller CX-3 and the larger CX-5. The model line-up consists of three derivatives, offered in front-wheel drive (FWD) and automatic transmission: Active, Dynamic and Individual. All models are powered by the same 2.0L Skyactiv-G engine that drives the the Mazda3 line-up and CX-5 range. The small engine puts out an impressive 121 kW of power at 6 000 rpm and 213 Nm of torque at 4 000 rpm, and features Mazda’s characteristic generous standard equipment across the entire range. Mazda CX-30 pricing: Active: R469 000 Dynamic: R499 000 Individual: R540 000
of flying in engineers from Japan and Thailand”. “In terms of strategy, Corolla Cross aims to build on the legacy of Hilux toughness and will be exported to 43 countries in Africa. The new model is also expected to push Toyota export volumes to about 15-20% per annum. Toyota is projecting growth of seven
percent per year in the SUV market in Africa. With the Prospecton-built Hilux already dubbed “built for Africa” in some parts of the continent, the Corolla Cross has been strategically positioned to expand the local SUV line-up of Fortuner and C-HR. While the Corolla Cross shares the same TNGA (Toyota New Global Ar-
chitecture) C platform with its namesake Corolla, it boasts much needed higher ground clearance and other attributes normally associated with an SUV (a comprehensive specification, including pricing, of the local models will shared upon product launch in the fourth quarter of 2021). According to Kirby: “This is an ideal
TOYOTA INVITES KIDS TO ENTER DREAM CAR ART CONTEST Toyota South Africa Motors invites entries in the 15th annual Toyota Dream Car Art Contest from children. The contest aims to encourage children to explore their creativity and transport their imagination be-
yond our physical confines, with categories for under 8; 8 to 11 years; and 12 to 15-year-olds, The annual art contest was first held in 2004 in Japan and offers digital prizes for individuals and cash
prizes for schools. Entry forms and terms and conditions of the competition can be found on the Toyota SA website: www.toyota.co.za. The competition closes on March 31. — WR.
vehicle for our market. It provides an exceptional balance between drivability, roominess, comfort and high-tech features — truly a game-changing SUV. In the context of the local automotive industry, the manufacturing of the Corolla Cross in South Africa brings Toyota a step closer to the industry masterplan goals. “This project couldn’t have been possible without the policy certainty that has been established by the South African Government, with the introduction of the APDP2 Trade Related Investment Measure. This car, the all-new Corolla Cross, is tangible proof of our commitment to the local motor industry, as well as the South African economy,” said Kirby. — WR.
‘Most Beautiful Supercar’ back in SA, this time to look ultra cool The world’s ‘Most Beautiful Supercar’ — the Maserati Ghibli Hybrid — is back in Mzansi, this time not to be tested, but to be sold. Nagesh Naidoo, the dealer principal of Maserati Johannesburg, explained South Africa hosted the Ghibli’s hybrid testing mules during their hot weather testing cycle. The car was voted most beautiful at the 2021 Festival Automobile International. Maserati SA also plans to launch a complete range of Trofeo models. “Last year we introduced — and quickly sold out — the Levante Trofeo with its biturbo 433 kW V8 engine. This year, a new consignment of Levante Trofeo models is on its way, accompanied by bespoke versions of the Ghibli Trofeo and Quattroporte Trofeo,” says Naidoo. The Ghibli Trofeo and the larger Quattroporte Trofeo are fitted with the same Ferrari-sourced V8 engine but
Short cuts
promises a pure driving experience with 433 kW delivered through the rear wheels. Both models will offer a top speed of 326 km/h. Following the launch of the Trofeo range, Maserati’s most powerful models thus far introduced in South Africa, the focus will shift to the MC20 super sports car. Maserati’s new MC20 will make its debut in mid-2021 and will arrive in South Africa towards the end of the year. Maserati Johannesburg placed the first South African orders shortly after the model’s global reveal in Modena, Italy, in September 2020. The MC20 — for Maserati Corse — is the harbinger of a new era of style, performance and passion for the Italian brand. It features a new 463 kW V6 engine, made by Maserati, and a 0-100 km/h acceleration time of only 2,9 seconds. — WR.
A rare 1980 BMW M1 AHG, owned by the late Paul Walker of Fast and Furious fame auctioned for over R7,4 million last week. Only about 400 M1 road cars were built. Walker, who was killed in a car crash in 2013, had several BMWs in his collection, including some M3 Lightweights and an E30 M3 Evolution, as well as some American muscle, including a Shelby 427 Cobra replica.
German tuning company DTE Systems has pushed the already impressive 182 kW and 370 Nm of the German Golf Mk8 GTI to 224 kW and 418 Nm, using proprietary chip tuning and multi-map technology. DTE said their tuning system “optimises all relevant parameters and controls to make the Mk8 king of the highway”. The Maserati Ghibli Hybrid will be available from February 2021.
Work starts on airport for flying cars in Coventry Urban Air Port Air-One has been selected as a winner of the UK government’s Future Flight Challenge to develop aviation infrastructure and systems that enable the next generation of electric and autonomous air vehicles. Air-One is a world-first fully-operational hub for future electric vertical take-off and landing (eVTOL) aircraft — such as cargo drones and air taxis — to be launched in Coventry later this year. Ricky Sandhu, founder and executive chairman of Urban Air Port, said in a statement that an Urban Air Port is 60% smaller than a traditional heliports and the sites can be installed in a matter of days, using innovative construction. Solar power allows the port to operate off grid. Coventry was chosen for the first site both because of its central location in the UK and because it is a historic hub for the automobile and aerospace industry, with a pool of people and skills that can support the manufacturing industries of the future. The new site is reportedly de-
WE HAVE A LARGE VARIETY OF ENGINES AND GEARBOXES TO CHOOSE FROM An architect’s rendering of a new airport for eVTOL aircraft that is being developed in Coventry in the UK by the Urban Air Port. signed to support any eVTOL aircraft and complements other modes of sustainable transport as a hub for electric vehicles, buses or scooters. Designers say Urban Air Ports can be easily moved to alternative sites, as the air-mobility sector develops.
Nasa predicts that urban-air mobility in the U.S. alone could be worth up to $500 billion in the near-term and states that a significant barrier to market growth is the lack of infrastructure, an issue which Urban Air Port was established to resolve.
Meanwhile, Hyundai Motor Group has chosen Urban Air Port as its priority infrastructure partner to support the global growth of this new sector. Hyundai is building its own eVTOL aircraft and Air-One as part of its plan to start selling flying cars by 2028. — WR
QUALITY USED LOW MILEAGE ENGINES, GEARBOXES & PARTS
Lexus Spares 1UZ-FE - Full Gasket set - Water Pumps - Cam Belts - Flywheel - Plug Lead set - Coils - Fan Belts - Starters - Dizzy Caps - Airflow Meters - Engine Mountings - Gearbox Mountings - Cam Belt Pulleys - Alternators
Other Engine Spares - Cylinder Heards for most makes of LDV’s - Replacement Turbos for most makes of LDV’s - Bell Housing Big/ Small - Gearboxes - Diffs
ENGINES, GEARBOXES, HEADS, TURBOS, DIFFS, LEXUS SPARES We have in-house Workshop for Engine Exchange and Fitments
WE OFFER DELIVERIES INTO DURBAN AND SURROUNDING AREAS ON ALL ENGINE AND GEARBOX PURCHASES.
Old Porsche to show new tech In Sweden, driverless electric truck builders, Watt Electric Vehicle Company, has developed a flexible skateboard platform for lowvolume manufacturers. To show off the possibilities, the company recreated an electric coupe modelled on the 1955 Porsche 356a. Weighing under a ton with a near-50:50 weight distribution and a choice of drive through the front, rear or all wheels, the demo car handles a lot better than the 1955 Porsche, which was more tail-happy than a Labrador puppy. A 40-kilowatt-hour battery pack provides a range of up to 370 km and charge times are 30 minutes or less. GPS and laser radar technology can enable automatic steering. — WR.
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