February 20, 2020
THE WITNESS
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WHEELS
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More autos in Isuzus Five- and six-speed transmissions added to five workhorse bakkies for artisan drivers ALWYN VILJOEN PORT ELIZABETH — Isuzu has added five- and six-speed auto boxes to five models in the D-Max line-up —the bakkie people use for actual work, as opposed to lifestyle activities. “Buying trends in the bakkie segment are changing rapidly, and we have seen a major upswing in the demand for automatic gearboxes in recent years,” said Dominic Rimmer, senior vice president, technical operations at Isuzu Motors South Africa (IMSAf). “The introduction of the six-speed automatic transmissions in the D-MAX 3,0-litre models in 2018 was extremely well received, and we are delighted to now offer automatic gearbox options on our popular D-MAX 250 models, from our trendy X-Rider model to the mid-level LE and the Hi-Ride, which is ideally suited to our commercial vehicle customers,” Rimmer said. He said the new five-speed automatic gearbox was developed to make the most of the frugal diesel use of Isuzu 2.5-litre intercooled turbodiesel in stop-start city traffic. As with the five-speed manual derivatives, the D-MAX 250 Auto’s towing capacity is 2 100 kg for a braked trailer. Value for artisans For Witness Wheels, the entry-level D-MAX 250 Hi-Ride Auto extended cab offers the most value to artisans. Despite its entry-level status, the HiRide is equipped with an impressive range of safety and security features that closely matches the X-Rider, but with more basic and durable trim finishes and 16-inch steel rims in line with
Yellow giants go hybrid green Anglo American and Williams Advanced Engineering (WAE) are retrofitting diesel mining trucks to run on hydrogen and electric power. The 290-ton truck will have 1 000plus kWh lithium battery pack, (for comparison the Tesla 3 has 75 kWh) and the batteries will scale up if further capacity is needed. This will give this lorry nearly twice the energy storage of Switzerland’s 45-ton eDumper, which holds the current ‘world’s biggest electric vehicle’ record. WAE said a hydrogen fuel tank will be added, with a fuel cell to generate additional power or top up the battery as needed. Having the hydrogen tank onboard means the truck can stay in constant operation without needing to be taken offline for long battery charging sessions. Peak power is said to be ‘significant’ and the truck will have regenarative braking to recharge the battery on downhill runs. Testing will begin later this year at the Mogalakwena platinum mine in Limpopo, as part of Anglo American’s aims to reduce its carbon emissions by 30% by 2030. its working role. In the X-Rider, active safety features include ABS brakes with Electronic Brakeforce Distribution (EBD), Brake Assist System (BAS), Electronic Stability Control (ESC) with Traction Control, as well as Hill Start Assist (HSA) and Hill Descent Control (HDC). Occupant protection is provided by means of driver and passenger airbags, seatbelt pretensioners, side impact
protection bars and a collapsible steering column. Remote-controlled central locking is standard, along with remote keyless entry, an anti-theft alarm system and transponder immobiliser. A Bluetoothenabled audio system is provided, linked to six speakers.
D-Max 250 range start at R403 200 for the Extended Cab Hi-Ride Auto and top out at R474 700 for the double cab X-Rider. Note the word “recommended”, as Isuzu dealers are well aware the other workhorse bakkie with auto shifter in South Africa — Mahindra’s robust Scorpio Pik Up — starts at R312 499 and tops out at R429 999. This competition from India means
Big discounts The recommended retail prices for the
THE Competition Commission’s draft guidelines for the vehicle sector, which will basically force car makers to share their intellectual property with mechanics, generic parts makers and panelbeaters so that car owners can service and repair vehicles in a free market, has predictably met with resistance from vehicle builders and joy from mechanics.
The draft guidelines were published on Monday and industry players have until March 16 to submit formal comments. Independent mechanics call the draft guidelines “a resounding win for the consumer”, but the National Association of Automobile Manufacturers of South Africa said the guidelines are “extremely punitive and a dangerous retrogressive
step”. Michael Mabasa, CEO of Naamsa, said the publishing of the guidelines was an indication that the Competition Commission negotiated with the industry in bad faith. He predicted they would harm the SA’s vehicle manufacturing sector. But the Right2Repair campaigners, who have been working towards this milestone for a decade, welcomed the
ENTRIES OPEN FOR HONDA QUEST 2020 ENTRIES are now open for Honda Quest True Adventure 2020. Honda Motorcycles Southern Africa, along with the Specialised Adventures instructors, will select 30 applicants to attend the Quest Boot Camp taking place in Cape Town from March 10 to12. During boot camp the instructors will select 14 fi-
big discounts for Isuzu’s loyal buyers. All Isuzu D-Max models come standard with Isuzu Complete Care, comprising a five-year/120 000 km bumper-to-bumper warranty and Isuzu Roadside Assistance, a five-year/unlimited km anti-corrosion warranty and a five-year/90 000 km Service Plan. Service intervals are every 15 000 km/12 months. Extended cover can be purchased for Roadside Assistance, Service Plans and Maintenance Plans. Built local The new Isuzu D-MAX will be the seventh generation bakkie to come off the South African production line in Port Eliabeth. South Africa will initially serve as the main market for the next generation bakkies, but with growing volumes expected to be generated from the company’s Sub-Saharan Africa growth strategy. Late last year Isuzu Motors Limited of Japan confirmed that the company would be investing R1,2 billion in the next generation bakkie programme in South Africa. Rimmer said the project launch team anticipate rolling the first units off the production line during the second half of next year. He added that extensive testing and development will be carried out. “Our bakkies are locally engineered to meet the requirements of local and Sub-Saharan Africa markets, thus ensuring that our products maintain high quality standards, while retaining their reputation for reliability, capability and durability,” said Rimmer.
Mechanics welcome new guidelines, car makers not so much draft guidelines. Gunther Schmitz, chairman of Right to Repair South Africa (R2RSA), said the guidelines created a market in which vehicle owners can select where their vehicles are serviced, maintained and repaired, at competitive prices, which will empower independent workshops and generic parts suppliers. — WR.
nalists for the nine-day, 2 500-km offroad ride in the Northern and Western Cape from April 2. The winning team will each win the Honda Africa Twin CRF1100L that they used during the Quest True Adventure event. Enter on www.quest-trueadventure.com by February 23.
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