VW boostsn o pupils es bicycl PAGE 6
ASH CAR SALES
September 3, 2015
Dealers in Superfine Exotic and Sports Cars Tel: 033 345 1971, 033 342 4717 Fax: 033 342 2900 - www.ashcarsales.co.za
Witness
WHEELS
2011 MERCEDES BENZ E350 AMG COUPE Mobilo 120 plus [o contribution] , 62000kms, balance of motorplan, panoroof, navigation, xenon lights, electric seats, massage seats ,pdc,full electric memory seats, heated seats, electric rear roller blind, boot spoiler, smash and grab windows, reverse camera, rain sensor, speedo cruise........Bank finance available contact
R399 995
Contact Ash on 083 786 3377 (PMBurg)
550 Church Street, Pietermaritzburg 3201 PO Box 8390, Cumberwood 3235
KZN’S BEST READ ON TOYS, BIKES, BAKKIES, CARS, TRUCKS, AND EVEN OLD TRAINS
Time for ice cream, we are two! THIS is the 104th edition of Wheels, meaning this relatively new weekly supplement is two years old in newspaper weeks. Thank you to all our readers, whose compli ments over the past 104 weeks have ensured Wheels remains KZN’s most interesting read on all things wheeled, from electric skateboards to the latest locomotives and — of course — all the cars, bakkies, bikes and trucks our interna tional contributing writers could lay their hands
on. As is the case on page 8 in this copy, fu ture editions will include more industry news, to keep our many dealers, mechanics and profes sional drivers abreast of trends and events in their trades. And as always, we bring you the local and SA winners in all forms of racing on wheels, with KZN’s wheelchair race the big news next week. Thank you for reading! ALWYN VILJOEN, editor.
Sue Killeen at Cannon’s Auctioneers busy preparing the toy catalogue for the next batch of Dinky Toys that will go under the hammer on Tuesday, September 29. PHOTO: ALWYN VILJOEN
Dinky toys auction for top prices
Celebrate our second year at Wheels with a drive to the beach, Berg or bush this weekend. PHOTO: WALLPAPERAWESOME.COM
Bidders vie for rare pieces at local auctioneer BRIAN BASSETT REMEMBER the diecast replicas of just about every kind of vehicle you used to play with as a child? In my day the small vehicles cost R2,50 and the bigger cars, trucks and military vehicles could cost up to R8,50 — big money in those days. Little did any of us realise that we were playing with items that related to the social history of toy making, and that would one day become valuable collectables. Frank Hornby, the originator of Dinky toys, established Meccano in 1901 to manu facture metal erector construction kits. He soon expanded into 0gauge train sets and in 1934 intro duced Meccano Dinky Toys. The name Dinky supposedly coming from a nickname of one of his daughters. The name was abbreviated to Dinky Toy in 1935 and from there on until 1971 Hornby made hundreds of diecast models of almost every kind of vehicle available. Matchbox, Triang and toy giant Mattel later joined the fray. Unfortunately for children, but fortunately for collectors, changing fashions in toys and rising production costs in firstworld countries led to the demise of Dinky toys, although some diecast models are still available at a larger scale. The end of their production and boy’s natural destructive habits meant Dinky toys soon became scarce — the key word for any investor — and col lecting Dinky toys soon became an obsession with millions of collectors worldwide. While in England the market is saturated and prices relatively low, fewer Dinky toys sold locally, which means competition for the diecast toys is fierce and prices have gone through the roof. If you are lucky enough to have been left a pre war Dinky toy, boxed and in good condition, you could probably sell it on the international market
‘Toys estimated to fetch between R500 and R800, fetched R4 000’ for a sixfigure sum. A few of the rarer early Dinkys have fetched sev eral hundred thousand pounds. Postwar vehicles, whether they be trucks, buses or cars, or indeed any of the wide range of vehicles manufactured, have become very pricey. At Cannon’s Auction House in Hilton, David Cannon, has recently been selling a collection of Dinkys, which he has wisely divided into several batches. I spoke to Cannon’s cataloguer Sue Kil leen, who told me that the toys were fetching pri ces way beyond their estimates. For example two 1950s boxed examples of Dinky Super Toy series, namely a Foden Flat Bed Truck and a Bedford articulated lorry as well as an unboxed Aveling Barford steam roller, estimat ed to fetch between R500 and R800, fetched R4 000 once the bidding dust settled. Several other models, also valued in the hun dreds of rand, instead fetched thousands under the hammer. Before you rush out to your garage to see wheth er the diecast toys you bought your kids in the 1970s and 80s are still there, make a note that the next Cannon’s auction featuring a further in stalment of Dinkys takes place on September 29 starting at 9 am. Apart from the Dinky toys, this batch includes several Lesney matchbox cars and tiny World War 2 motorbikes.
2015 Renault Captur 1.2 Turbo Auto 4 000 km, bal of Service Plan & Factory Warranty, Full House, Sat/Nav, leather WAS R279 990
2015 Renault Capture 900T Dynamique 10 000 km, Full House Balance of Service Plan & Factory Warranty
WAS R229 990
2014 Renault Duster 1.6 Dynamique 30 000 km, Full House Sat/Nav, Towbar
WAS R199 990
2011 Renault Scenic III 1.6 Expression 111 000 km, FSH, Full House, Navigation
WAS R109 990
R269 990
R219 990
R189 990
R97 990
2014 Renault Megane III 2.0T GT 5 DR (162kW) 9 000 km, Full House Sat/Nav, Leather
2015 Renault Megane 1.6 Dynamique 5 000 km, Full House, Sat/Nav
2014 Renault Megane III 1.6 Expression (Demo), 22 000 km, Full house, Bal of Service Plan and Factory Warranty
2015 Renault Sandero 900T Dynamique 7 000 km, Full House Bal of S/Plan & Factory Warranty cruise control, alloys
WAS R279 990
WAS R249 990
WAS R179 990
WAS R149 990
R269 990
R239 990
R159 990
R139 990
2014 Renault Sandero 900T Dynamique 26 000 km Full House
2014 Renault Fluence 1.6 Expression (Demo) 25 000 km, full house, bal of Service Plan and Factory Warranty
2013 Nissan NP300 2.0 LWB Power Steering
2013 Nissan NP200 1.6 p/s
WAS R169 990
WAS R119 990
WAS R99 990
WAS R139 990
R124 990
O 2 L NLY EFT
R159 990
R114 990
R89 990
O 2 L NLY EFT
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WitnessWheels MOTORING
September 3, 2015
Tyres plus service plus care Kumho Tyres are pleased to supply Tyres 4U++, a new tyre shop that also offers car servicing on Greyling Street in Pietermaritzburg. Tyres 4U++ is the brainchild of Deon Pillay, who has years of experience to provide customers with affordable wheels. Seen here are (from left) Sifiso Gcabashe, Simone de Lillie and husband Ryan, (from Kumho), founder Deon and wife Sandra Pillay, and staff Anisha Bindessari and Sunny Naidoo. PHOTO: ALWYN VILJOEN
Sanral’s toll road olive branch to Cape Town CAPE TOWN — In a move that may yet impact on the proposed N2 through the Wild Coast, Sanral chief executive officer Nazir Alli last week wrote to Cape Town’s municipality to seek a “winwin solution” and avoid legal action over tolling. But at the same time Alli said tolls were the only way to fund a project to upgrade roads. This emerged from cor respondence between mayor Patricia de Lille and Sanral after the parastatal claimed “her reply to their initial offer showed she had no interest in the project” and was bent on dragging them to court. Alli also maintained in the letter to De Lille that the only option available to Sanral is for a concessionaire to op erate the project. The letter, seen by News24, was dat ed July 17 this year and copied to Trans port Minister Dipuo Peters. It argued why the roads needed to be upgraded. Alli said he was worried about the potential impact of time delays and where that left the future development of the city’s national roads. “A fiveyear time horizon in getting to a final decision is significant. Five years is a long time in politics and eco nomics,” he said. “The city may gain a shortterm po litical victory if it wins the court appli cation but in the long term the users of the road … will be prejudiced and will become increasingly frustrated.” He said Sanral’s work, planning and money would be “thwarted and wast ed” if the project did not go ahead. De Lille told News24 the Western Cape High Court action to set aside Sanral’s decision to toll had nothing to do with politics. She received the letter a week before the court case and discussed it at length with her lawyers.
In her responding letter without prejudice [to the court case] on July 29, she said any collaborative solution would have to accommodate the city’s firm position that it was opposed to tolling. The city said it would agree to settle the court case if: • Sanral agreed to an order of court setting aside the declaration of the N1 and N2 as toll roads; • Sanral agreed to withdraw and aban don the project; • A joint technical team was estab lished to include members nominated by the provincial transport MEC to de cide what infrastructural upgrades were required for the N1 and N2 and a timeline for their necessary imple mentation; • The parties agreed upon acceptable funding and/or financing mechanisms; and • Sanral paid the city’s legal costs to date. In a responding letter on August 11, Alli said he was “somewhat sur prised” she had attached these precon ditions. He asked what infrastructural upgrades and acceptable funding/fi nancing mechanisms she had in mind. De Lille said she received quite a “snip ey few paragraphs” in response, asking for clarity, and she left it at that. Sanral spokesperson Vusi Mona claimed at the weekend that her reply to their initial offer showed she had no interest in the project and was intent on dragging the parastatal to court. He also claimed the city was making Sanral out as a “monster” that wanted to rip off residents. De Lille told News24: “We don’t need to do that because they are doing quite well in painting and projecting themselves as monsters.” The Western Cape High Court has yet to deliver its judgment. — News24.
V NAZIR ALLI, Sanral Chief Executive Officer
“The city may gain a shortterm political victory if it wins the court application but in the long term the users of the road … will be prejudiced and will become increasingly frustrated.”
Sap from weeds the new black Guayule shrub and dandelions produce rubber for tyres ALWYN VIJOEN TWO tyre makers from opposite ends of the world announced they are joining the quest to make tyres from sap that does not come from a rubber tree. The idea is not new, but dates back to shortages in WW2, when Joseph Sta lin had fields planted with the foothigh Russian dandelions (Taraxacum kok saghyz, or simply “TKS”). This big dandelion grows like the weed it is in any cold to moderate climate, and can be pressed into a sticky sap, with insulin and biomass as byproducts, every few weeks. Adolf Hitler also grew TKS with forced labour. After World War 2, China and Russia continued to make tyres from TKS up to 1953. China has since moved on to the elmlike guttapercha tree (Eucommia ulmoides), which pro duces a glutinous eugum from its trees, bark and stems. In the U.S., the focus has been on tap ping the sap from the guayule shrub, (Parthenium argentatum) which grows in the deserts of the southwestern Unit ed States. Last week, Cooper Tire dem onstrated the prototype tyres it had made from guayule sap. A large team is involved, with PanAri dus growing the plants and manufactur ing rubber from the sap, and the Cornell and Clemson Universities aiding and abetting in refining the systems. Cooper Tire said it expects to make complete tyres from guayulesourced rubber by 2017. In Europe and Japan Focusing on the ubiquitous dandelions instead of guayule shrubs, Japanese tyre maker Sumitomo Rubber Industries (SRI) also announced last week it has entered into a joint research project with U.S. biotech company Kultevat to inves tigate using Russian dandelions as an alternative source of natural rubber. Kultevat is a U.S.based biotech com pany with extensive experience in farm ing sustainable and environmentally friendly sources of rubber. SRI is the world’s seventh largest tyre
The guayule shrub thrives in desert conditions and make a latexlike sap ideal for turning into rubber. Europe’s small dandelion is not quite the foothigh weed from Russian, but its sticky sap shows why tyre makers are excited about the weed. PHOTOS: SUPPLIED manufacturer, and aims to reduce its re liance on expensive and unsustainable fossil resources such as oil and coal, which account for approximately 60% of a conventional tyre. SRI launched the ENSAVE 100 tyre in November 2013, touted as the world’s first tyre made without the use of fossil fuels. Farmers ‘planting tyres’ Both Cooper Tire and SRI are following in the tracks pioneered by an European consortium involving 10 partners in sev en countries from France to Kazakhstan and the U.S. In all of them, there will soon be a market to plant weeds that will produce sap that can be turned into tyres. The EUPearls (for the Production and Exploitation of Alternative Rubber
and Latex Sources) is the consortium the helps farmers grow either guayule or TKS, depending on the climate. Holland has long been ready to Ger man TKS into rubber. In July 2012 Indi anDutch company Apollo Vredestein showed its prototype tyres made from dandelions, and last year Continental also said they are ready to produce Tara gum tyres from the Russian dandelion, working with the Fraunhofer Institute for Molecular Biology and Applied Ecol ogy IME in Germany. The U.S. grows guayule in the south and may grow TKS in the north, next to Canada, which is already growing the Russian dandelion. Giant China is growing TKS in the north, Eucommia and guayule in central China and conventional rubber trees in its humid south.
MOTORING WitnessWheels
September 3, 2015
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Volkswagen invests billions in Uitenhage JOHANNESBURG — Thomas Schaefer, managing director of Volkswagen Group South Africa (VWSA) an nounced the next phase of major new investments in the factory in Uitenhage, its supplier base and the training of em ployees for the next generation of prod ucts to be manufactured in South Africa. The estimated R4,5 billion investment includes over R3 billion in production fa cilities and quality, around R1,5 billion in local supplier capacity and a further estimated R22 million for the develop ment and training of employees. This will be the first time that a ver sion of the Modular Transverse Matrix platform will be utilised in South Africa featuring the latest technologies and driver assistance systems. This will be built for both the local and export markets. Further details will become available once VWSA announ ces which new models will be produced at the Uitenhage plant. Between 2007 and 2014 VWSA in vested some R5,9 billion in South Africa; this was for the current generation Polo and Polo Vivo as well as plant and infra structure. The Polo is also produced for exports and some 66 000 fourdoor Po
V THOMAS SCHAEFER, Managing Director of VWSA
“However due to the strategic location and the potential of Africa as a future market for exports … ongoing investments in our vehicle manufacturing base makes sense.” los are expected to be exported to mostly right hand drive markets in 2015, a 21% increase over 2014. The current localisa tion level is around 72% and the new models are expected to have an even higher level of local content. Schaefer also used the opportunity to update the media on various aspects of the motor industry and VWSA’s per formance in the local market. “South Africa is not a logical produc tion location for the motor industry as only 0,6% of the world’s vehicle produc
tion is situated here, said Schaefer. “However due to the strategic location and the potential of Africa as a future market for exports, as well as the securi ty that the APDP provides for investors, ongoing investments in our vehicle manufacturing base makes sense. “Hence the decision by our parent company to allow us to embark on such a major new investment. “Exports will again play a key role in our strategy going forward,” added Schaefer.
‘Between 2007 and 2014 VWSA invested some R5,9 billion in South Africa; this was for the current generation Polo and Polo Vivo as well as plant and infrastructure.’ PHOTO: SUPPLIED “We are very grateful to the Board in Germany for this vote of confidence in our country, management and employ ees and we will ensure that we deliver on our commitments.” Volkswagen Group South Africa has dominated the passenger market for the last five years and continues to do so in
2015 with a yeartodate market share of 21.4%. “Ongoing investment in new tech nologies and products will ensure that Volkswagen is positioned to continue to be the dominant player in the South African passenger market,” concluded Schaefer. — Reuters.
Refined driving enjoyment BRIAN BASSETT drives the threecylinder turbopetrol Renault Sandero Dynamique hatchback REMEMBER the 1960s when Renault Gordinis tore around South African race tracks and later models became the preserve of drivers who wanted some thing different. Renault has retained that special na ture of the brand and introduced to the South African market cars which are distinctive and enjoyable. One of these is the new Sandero in troduced in 2014 and sporting a com plete redesign more in line with its Clio sibling, a new threecylinder turbo charged engine, and plenty of technolo gy. I drove one recently courtesy of Ya gan Padayachee, new car sales manager at McCarthy Renault Pietermaritzburg and spent several enjoyable days with the vehicle. Design At the front Renault’s diamondshaped badge dominates the new black grille and sets the tone for the brand’s new design identity. Attractive front light modules frame the nose cone and fog lights are set into the front bumper. The rear of the vehi cle borrows styling cues from the Clio and is dominated by the rear light clus ters. Colourcoded, electrically operat ed side mirrors are large enough to pro vide excellent visibility without being a problem when parking. The tailgate is large enough to allow easy loading and opens and closes with out requiring much effort. Interior I liked the wideopening doors, which allow easy access for both the very young and the old. The doors close with a solid clunk, which is somehow reas suring. The Sandero is ergonomically one of the best small cars I have driven. The seats are adjustable and comfort able. The seat coverings in the car I drove were robust and easily cleaned,
I used the car a good deal in town and managed, according to the car, 5.8 litres per 100km. The Sandero is no racer but that’s not what it is designed for. Still it will reach 100 km/h in about 11 seconds and has a claimed top speed of 175kmh. The Sandero is an impressive little car and ideal for the young family trying to save for their children’s education, as well as putting a little aside for their retirement. It would also suit older people like me who do not want to dig too deeply into their capital for a new car which is safe and durable.
The faster, RS version of the Sandero looks as good as any hatch out there. PHOTO: RENAULT as well as being outlined with white stitching, which added a sporty feel to the interior. Interior plastics appear hard, but this did not disturb the comfortable and in viting nature of the interior and robust plastics are necessary if you intend to keep the car for a long while. The dash is simple, with three dials providing a mixture all the analogue and digital information the driver re quires. The threespoke, multifunc tion, typically Renault steering wheel is pleasant to handle and is height adjust able, with radio and cruise control but tons easily accessible. The central stack is dominated by two, large ventilators beneath which is the audio system which sports a Radio/ CD/MP3 player with USB ports, Blue tooth and satellite controls are beneath the steering. Rear space is quite good and the back seats accommodate two adults comfortably. However, if you are long legged like me you will have to adjust the front seat to facilitate comfort. The boot provides 292 litres of space with the seats up and about double that space with the rear seats folded down in 60:40 fashion. Safety Renault knows that this car will be used
by young families so, besides the usual seatbelts for all and an ISOFIX system in the rear side seats, there are also a driver and deactivatable passenger air bag, as well as driver and frontseat pas senger side bags. Hill Start Assist makes hill starts easy and there is the usual ABS with Emer gency Brake assist and an Electronic Stability program with AntiSlip Regu lation. The car also has central locking and a builtin alarm. Power and Handling Driving the Sandero is fun. The three cylinder, 898cc, turbocharged engine delivers 66kW and 135Nm of torque ex pressed on road via a smooth, five speed manual gearbox. I drove to Hilton along the Old How ick Road on Saturday evening expecting to spend a great deal of the journey in second and third gear. Instead, once the revs were up, I spent most of the ride in fourth gear, only hav ing to change down when held up by other vehicles. On the N3 you can expect gear changes in order to raise the revs for passing trucks but the turbo kicks in and out automatically and provides an enjoyable driving experience. In town the car is easy to drive and park and
could be used just as easily for trans porting the kids, as for going to the of fice.
Costs and the Competition The Sandero Turbo Dynamique will normally set you back R139 900, but Renault Pietermaritzburg have a special offer on while stocks last and you can get a new car for R122 250 — a saving of R17 650. This excludes metallic paint and you will have to pay the usual onroad costs and use inhouse finance if you are fi nancing, but the saving is still substan tial. You also get a fiveyear or 150 000 km guarantee and you can pur chase service and maintenance plans, as well as a roadside assistance plan. Also have a look at Honda Brio, Toyo ta Etios, Ford Figo and Polo Vivo Maxx.
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WitnessWheels MOTORING
September 3, 2015
Moving swiftly to respond to crime The Northern suburbs community gets its own ‘Swift’ Response vehicle by Red Alert. Seen here with reaction officer Brice Ngubane in the background, this is the first Suzuki Swift to be deployed in crime fighting. Red Alert’s Avinash Sukai said the economical hatch will patrol 250 homes at Oakland Park, and he is very impressed with the response from the 1,2 engine that makes a surprising 63 kW and 115 Nm from only 4 000 rpm. Gary Stokes, dealer principal of Suzuki Fury in Pietermaritzburg said the hatch normally retails for just over R134 k, but they offered good discounts, all including the twoyear or 30 000 km service plan; and threeyear or 100 000 km warranty with roadside assistance. PHOTO: ALWYN VILJOEN
Suzuki Motor to buy back VW’s stake International arbitration court orders German automaker to sell its holding after disagreements TOKYO — Japan’s Suzuki Motor Corp said on Sunday it would buy back the 19,9% stake it sold to Volkswagen AG after an international arbitration court ordered the German automaker to sell its holding. Their planned partnership soured with Japanese automaker accusing VW of seeking to control it and filing for arbi tration in November 2011. VW’s stake, acquired in January 2010 for €1,7 billion (R25,3 billion), was worth some $3,8 bil lion (R50,3 billion) at last Friday’s clos ing price. Both companies said they welcomed the clarity offered by the ruling from the International Court of Arbitration of the International Chamber of Commerce, which partially upheld the German com pany’s counterclaims of breach of con tract. “It used to feel as if a small bone were stuck in my throat,” Suzuki chairperson and chief executive Osamu Suzuki told a news conference. “I feel so refreshed
V AKIRA KISHIMOTO, JPMorgan analyst
“While we believe investors might react favourably to news of the share buyback, we basically think all of this is already priced in.” now.” Suzuki said it foresees no impact on its fullyear earnings. The Japanese automaker’s shares climbed as much as 4,6% early yester day, before trading flat. That still outper formed a 1,2% decline in the benchmark Nikkei average. “While we believe investors might re act favourably to news of the share buy back, we basically think all of this is al ready priced in,” JP Morgan analyst Akira Kishimoto wrote in a report. VW said in a statement it would not know the impact on its balance sheet or
profits until it has coordinated the sale of the Suzuki shares. “We have already retained an investment bank and will in the next few days consult with the bank and our lawyers over the next steps to be taken.” U.S. hedge fund mogul Daniel Loeb urged Suzuki to cancel the shares it buys back, saying the automaker has enough cash on hand and should avoid issuing equity. Loeb sent Suzuki shares soaring early this month by disclosing his Third Point LLC fund held a stake. He said at the time the stock was cheap and that the
expected resolution of the VW dispute would allow it to make better use of its cash. In a phone call with a small number of media outlets, Loeb said Suzuki should buy the shares at a price not too far from the current price. Suzuki said it expects to buy back its shares at a “reasonable” price, though it did not elaborate. Takaki Nakanishi, chief executive of Nakanishi Research Institute, which spe cialises in the automotive industry, said it was “highly likely it will buy back at the Friday closing price”.
“For Suzuki, this isn’t that much mon ey,” he added. Suzuki had nearly 1 trillion yen (about R109 billion) in cash reserves as of the end of March. Loeb did not mention other specific measures he expected from Suzuki but said he saw a cancellation as a “first next step”. He said he would be happy to meet with management to discuss other “shareholderfriendly steps” to better allocate capital, adding that he had no plans to sell the shares yet. Third Point has not disclosed the size of its Suzuki stake. Japanese regulation requires ownership of five percent or more to be declared. The two automakers agreed to tie up in December 2009, pledging to cooper ate on technology such as hybrid and electric cars and on expanding in emerg ing economies. But the alliance soon fal tered. In addition to Suzuki’s fears that VW was attempting to control it, VW objected to Suzuki’s purchase of diesel engines from Fiat. — Reuters.
Sorento sports crosscultural sleekness KIA Motors unveiled the 2016 KIA Sportage, which will make its debut at the Frankfurt International Motor Show on September 15. The design of the new car has been led by KIA’s European design studio in Frankfurt, Germany, with input from the brand’s design centres in Namyang, Korea and Irvine in California. PHOTO: QUICKPIC
Spring for a Volkswagen. By Pieter from Maritzburg Everyone between Durban and the Drakensberg has good reason to spring to life this season, and that’s the extensive range of Volkswagens at Barons Pietermaritzburg.
If you’re looking for something to help you feel full of the joys this spring, the Bespoke Volkswagen Dealers at Barons Pietermaritzburg spring to mind. They spring to action and tailor Volkswagen deals that suit your budget and needs in a way that will have you springing to your feet!
Barons VW Pietermaritzburg can be found at 9 Armitage Road. They are committed to bringing you quality cars and excellent service at the best possible prices ALL year round! To start hunting for your dream vehicle, visit www.baronsvwpmb.co.za. And to book a test drive or service call (033) 845 3100. Open Monday – Friday 8am – 5pm, and Saturdays 8am – 1pm.
If you spring for a Volkswagen through Barons, not only do you get the quality and reliability of Das Auto Engineering and the fuel efficiency and economy of BlueMotion Technology, but you get the best sales and after sales service too. It’ll put a spring in your step for sure!
New Polobuyback GTI. Guaranteed deal from 5.62%* Ultimate Performance = Ultimate Confidence.
Polo Vivo from 5.97%*.
m warranty
3 year / 120 000k
Polo 66kW TSI Comfortline from R2,399* per month.
Polo Vivo 1.4 55kW Conceptline from R1,599* per month. The Polo Vivo 1.4 55kW Conceptline standard features include:
– Guaranteed buyback** – Prime less 3.88%* – Short term: 36 months Polo 66kW TSI Comfortline
Vehicle Price
Monthly No. of Interest Rate Instalments Instalments Linked / Variable
R225,900
R2,399*
36
5.62%*
Deposit
Guaranteed Future Value
Total Cost Incl fees & VAT
10% (R22,590)
R151,353
R237,705
Visit us on www.baronsvw.co.za
Mileage certified • Full Service history • 7-day exchange plan • Vehicle Customization • 24 Hr roadside assistance •
Model
Vehicle Price
Polo Vivo 1.4 55kW Conceptline
R145,700
-
Monthly No. of Instalments Instalments
R1,599*
72
Height and reach adjustable steering column Digital clock and trip recorder 3 cup holders (1 in front; 2 in rear console) Body colour bumpers Interest Rate Linked / Variable
Deposit
Balloon Payment
Total Cost Incl fees & VAT
5.97%*
10.65%
37.5% (R54,638)
R169,744
Visit us on www.baronsvw.co.za
e&oe
An optional cost of R900 incl VAT will be charged for metallic paint. Note: *Linked to FNB prime rate, currently 9.5%. Note: Offers calculated on the Polo 66kW TSI Comfortline in standard specification. Similar deals available on the Polo range (Excluding Polo GTI and Polo BlueMotion). Instalment excludes optional extras, but includes monthly administration fee of R57. The guaranteed future value is based on 20 000km p.a. Subject to bank approval. Information subject to change without prior notification. All finance offers are subject to credit approval from Volkswagen Financial Services. Volkswagen Financial Services South Africa Proprietary Limited trading as Volkswagen Financial Services an Authorised Financial Services and Credit Provider. NCRCP6635. Terms and Conditions apply. All the above is subject to price increase and valid until 12 September 2015. • • • • •
55kW @ 5,000rpm Fuel-injected 5-speed manual Air conditioning Driver and passenger air bags Power steering
80-point mechanical check 2-year / unlimited km warranty* Vehicle History Integrity Check Balance of VW Automation Plan Professional Vehicle Reconditioning
An optional cost of R900 incl VAT will be charged for metallic paint. Note: *Linked to FNB prime rate, currently 9.5%. Note: Offers calculated on the Polo Vivo 1.4 55kW Conceptline model in standard specifications. Similar deals available on the Polo Vivo range. Installment excludes optional extras, but includes monthly administration fee of R57. Subject to bank approval. Information subject to change without prior notification. All finance offers are subject to credit approval from Volkswagen Financial Services. Volkswagen Financial Services South Africa Proprietary Limited trading as Volkswagen Financial Services an Authorised Financial Services and Credit Provider. NCRCP6635. Terms and Conditions apply. All the above is subject to price increase and valid until 12 September 2015.
e&oe
Model
-
It’s not just a car. It’s a Golf.
Polo Vivo 2010
Polo Vivo 1.4 Trendline 5 Door
Silver
R 99 900
42 000 km
2012
Polo Vivo 1.4 5 Door
White
R 109 900
73 000 km
2013
Polo Vivo 1.4 Trendline 5 Door
White
R 124 900
25 000 km
2013
Polo Vivo Sedan 1.4 Tiptronic
Silver
R 134 900
31 000 km
2013
Polo Vivo 1.6 GT 3 Door
Silver
R 135 900
52 000 km
2014
Polo Vivo 1.4 Trendline
Silver
R 129 900
25 000 km
2014
Polo Vivo 1.4 5 Door
Beige
R 125 900
26 000 km
2014
Polo Vivo 1.6 GT 3 Door
Red
R 147 900
31 000 km
2014
Polo Vivo 1.6 Trendline 5 Door
Silver
R 145 900
12 000 km
2015
Polo Vivo 1.6 GT
White
R 159 000
4 000
Polo 1.2 TDI BlueMotion
White
R 138 900
112 000 km
2013
Polo 1.4 Trendline 5 Door
Grey
R 149 900
35 000 km
2014
Polo GP 1.2 TSI Highline
Silver
R 229 900
27 000 km
km
Polo
Polo GP 1.2 TSI Trendline
White
R 175 900
23 000 km
Polo GP 1.2 TSI Highline
Black
R 225 900
15 000 km
2015
Polo GP 1.2 Comfortline
Silver
R 204 900
11 000 km
Golf 6 GTI 2.0 TSI R DSG
Red
R 309 900
66 000 km
Red
R 335 000
6 500
White White White
R 249 000 R 415 000 R 409 900
40 000 km 44 000 km 5 800 km
White Silver Blue White
R 209 900 R 209 900 R 670 000 R 339 900
65 000 83 000 10 500 4 200
Gold White White
R 69 900 R 135 900 R 119 900
140 000 km 15 000 km 71 000 km
Golf TSI 90kW Comfortline from R3,887* per month.
Golf 2011
2015 Golf Sports Van 2.0 TDI DSG Amarok 2011 Amarok Double Cab 2.0 TDI 2014 Amarok Double Cab 2.0 TDI Automatic 2015 Amarok Double Cab 2.0 TDI 4x2 132kW Other VW 2012 Touran 2.0 TDI 2013 Tiguan 1.4 TSI Trendline 2015 Touareg 3.0 TDI Escape Tiptronic 2015 Tiguan 2.0 TDI Other 2011 Ford Figo 1.4 Ambiente 2013 Chevrolet Utility 1.4 Sport 2013 Honda Jazz 1.3 Comfort
km
The Golf TSI 90kW Comfortline standard features include:
-
km km km km
Barons
Pietermaritzburg
9 Armitage Road, Pietermaritzburg, 3201 • Tel: 033 845 3100
e&oe
Visit us on www.baronsvwpmb.co.za and find us on facebook.com/BaronsPietermaritzburg
Model
Vehicle Price
Golf TSI 90kW Comfortline
R308,000
-
Air conditioner 16” Toronto alloy wheels Cruise Control Front, side and curtain airbags
Monthly No. of Instalments Instalments
R3,887*
72
Interest Rate Linked / Variable
7.36%*
Deposit
Balloon Payment
Total Cost Incl fees & VAT
5% 37% (R15,400) (R113,960)
R393,796
Visit us on www.baronsvw.co.za
*The advised price exclude the 2 year Mastercars Warranty. The Mastercars Warranty is available as an option and is a contract between the customer, an insurer and administrator. This extended Warranty is not available for all Amarok and Light Commercial Vehicle models. Terms & conditions apply. While stocks last.
Mastercars Sales Consultants After hours: Laurie: 082 783 8040 • Rajen: 072 228 9834 Sanjay: 083 639 0989 • Barry: 072 235 4244 • Phumlani: 073 017 1294
90kW @ 5000rpm 6 speed manual Electronic Stability Programme (ESP) Electronic Park Brake with Auto-hold
An optional cost of R900 incl VAT will be charged for metallic paint. Note: *Linked to FNB prime rate, currently 9.5%. Note: Offers calculated on the Golf TSI 90kW Comfortline model in standard specifications. Instalment excludes optional extras, but includes monthly administration fee of R57. Subject to bank approval. Information subject to change without prior notification. All finance offers are subject to credit approval from Volkswagen Financial Services. Volkswagen Financial Services South Africa Proprietary Limited trading as Volkswagen Financial Services an Authorised Financial Services and Credit Provider. NCRCP6635. Terms and Conditions apply. All the above is subject to price increase and valid until 12 September 2015.
New Sales Consultants
Alison Wiltshire – Sales Manager 082 783 8855 • John Brown – 082 645 4396 Merglin Rama – 083 382 4589 • Menzi Ngubane – 073 534 8545 Bahle Bhengu – 082 337 5825 • Erica Neff – 082 858 7749 Thando Gumede – 078 969 8072 • Keshnee Pillay – 073 372 1452
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m service plan 5 year / 90 000k
e&oe
2013
6
WitnessWheels MOTORING BIKING
A model shows the size of the new 100 km range battery for electric bikes by Samsung. PHOTO: SAMSUNG
Phone tech powers bicycle Samsung shows new 100 km battery at Eurobike 2015 SAMSUNG has unveiled an ebike battery pack that can run for 100 km with a single charge. The South Korean battery maker is participating at the Eu robike 2015 in Friedrichshafen, Germany, to showcase its various lithiumion battery technologies for electric bicycles. Eurobike is the world’s largest bicycle trade fair that has around 1 300 industry companies from 54 different countries attending each year. Starting from 2012, this year will mark Samsung SDI’s fourth participation. Samsung SDI will exhibit six types of standardised battery packs that can either be built in side or installed on the outside for immediate use. It will also display 12 types of battery packs that are currently being supplied to global manufacturing compa nies and cells of various specifi cations. Another technology worth noticing is the addition of a Bluetooth function which will enable users to check on their smartphones for residual battery charge, remaining distance, and other data, while riding their bi cycles. The 500 Wh battery pack, un veiled for the first time by Sam sung SDI, has achieved its slim size by incorporating high capac ity cells and superior battery pack technology. It can also run
for a 100 km with a single charge by having maximised energy storage. Recent vitalisation of the eco friendly ebicycle market and higher demand for long distance products — due to diversifica tion into leisure, commuting, and other usage — have prompt ed Samsung SDI to develop its high capacity battery packs. Samsung SDI also unveiled a battery pack product equipped with 21 700 batteries, noted for their upgraded energy capacity compared to previous cylindrical types. The 18650 battery, or rather the small cylindrical battery of 18 mm diameter and 65 mm length, has been in dominant use until recently. However, the creation of new battery applications has boosted the demand for high capacity batteries. In response, Samsung SDI has come up with a battery that has upgraded energy volume by a maximum of 35%, now known as the 21700 battery, and has successfully applied it to ebikes in a world first. The 21700 model can have various applications other than ebikes, such as in electric tools, laptops, and more. It is expected to become the new standard in small cylindrical battery usage. — Electric Cars Report.
September 3, 2015
The makers of the Xterrain500 are currently gauging interest via an Indiegogo campaign. The company plans to sell the bike for $1 600 — about R21 200 before import taxes. It is powered by a 48volt 9Ah Samsung battery, which turns a 500watt/48volt electric rear hub motor, providing pedalling assistance up to a top speed of 32 km/h. The battery has a claimed range of approximately 40 k m on the level. If the Xterrain ever sells in South Africa, it will compete with Pedegos electric bikes on their fat snow tyres, which sell from R28 260 on snow tyres for a 36 Volt, 500 Watt drivetrain, up to R36 880 for a 48 Volt, 600 Watt system. PHOTO: INDIEGOGO
Big motorbikes rev up under Iranian reforms DUBAI — The joy of riding big Japanese and American motor bikes was just one of the pleas ures taken away from Iranians after the country’s Islamic revo lution. But three decades on, to the delight of enthusiasts, there are signs of restrictions being eased. This month a dozen bikers on prerevolutionary and newer models were allowed a strictly regulated ride in Tehran. It was still a far cry from the open highways of “Easy Rider”. Special permission is needed to ride just one weekend per month and the cruise is limited to specific streets during day light hours. Women are still pro hibited from ridng bikes. It fits in, however, with other developments as Iran opens up to the West again under reform minded President Hassan Rou hani. The ban outlawing motor cycles with engines above the size of 250 cubic cm was intro duced in the early years of the revolution to halt driveby kill ings of Iranian officials by the opposition. It was also part of an effort to eradicate vestiges of an unIslam ic Western lifestyle that had pre
bikes to six percent from 100%. People involved with the gov ernment are mostly behind the demand for motorcycles as it is easier for them to obtain special permission and they are better able to afford the expensive Americanmade Harley David son motorcycles. Bikers who are not from the elite can buy cheap er Japanese sports bikes for use on race tracks.
Women are still prohibited from riding motorbikes in Iran, but not from riding on them, while bikes with engines over 250 cc may now be ridden one weekend a month. PHOTO: WWW.GREENPROPHET.COM vailed under the monarchy over thrown in 1979. Women were barred from riding motorcycles as it was seen as incompatible with Shi’ite Islamic values. Mo torbikes with big engine power were used exclusively by the Bas ij, the government’s plain clothes security force, which of ten paraded on them around Tehran in a show of power. Un der the reprieve, authorities se lect members of the Tehran Mo torcycling and Car Racing Asso ciation to licence for street
riding after running them through security checks, the as sociation’s manager Mehrdad Hemmatian said. Police and Interior Ministry agents monitor the riders while they are on the road. “We are hopeful that the re strictions on fullsized motorcy cles will be revised and lifted,” Hemmatian said. “The restric tions are outdated.” The governmentlinked asso ciation is also lobbying to bring down import tariffs on sports
Dubai’s desert highway While the motoring association is trying to have the ban fully lift ed, Iranian bikers have found other ways to satisfy their pas sion. Symbolising the love for U.S.made Harley Davidson mo torcycles, local bike manufactur er Tondar Shahab makes repli cas with streetlegal engine of 250 cc as opposed to the usual range of 883 and 1800 cc. Shabab, an Iranian enthusiast who lives in Dubai, often rides with his friend Shahbol on their Harley Ultras from the city to the desert resort of Bab Al Shams, a popular sheesha and drinks stop for riders. “When you have a passion you will find a way to ride,” Shabab said. — Reuters.
Volkswagen boost for World Bicycle Relief VOLKSWAGEN South Africa together with its partners Qhu beka and World Vision South Africa returned to a KwaZulu Natal school to conduct bike maintenance and a roadsafety clinic, and deliver backpacks filled with books and stationery. The groups had, in April and May, donated 1 100 bicycles to pupils from 20 rural schools in KwaZuluNatal and the Eastern Cape. The cost of one bicycle is R2 320 and pupils, parents or guardians are required to sign a contract which stipulates the terms and conditions of using the bicycle (school attendance). The bicycle becomes the per sonal property of the pupil after the twoyear contract has elapsed. A recent report by World Bi cycle Relief revealed that aca demic performance increases by
an average of 59% after receiv ing a bicycle and the average school attendance improves by 28%, as pupils spend less time commuting and more time in classrooms. “The success of our initial donation of bicycles has inspired us to look at other op portunities to extend our com mitment to making a small but impactful difference in the lives of the pupils in the schools we are supporting. Thomas Schaefer, MD of Volkswagen Group South Afri ca, said: “As a result we have partnered with some of our dealerships in KwaZuluNatal and Nal’ibali in donating read ing material and stationery to the school.” Schaefer added: “We hope reading will empower the pupils and open their eyes to the new world filled with indefinite op portunities.”
A pupil shows his slalom skills at a KwaZuluNatal school. PHOTO: QUICKPIC Twelve participating VW dealerships in KZN collected books and stationery to fill back packs along with a Nal’ibali bi lingual story card and supple ment to encourage reading for
enjoyment. The bicyclemaintenance and roadsafety clinic is the pilot project and will be rolled out to all other bicycle recipients later this year. — Supplied.
R1945*
Yagan Padayachee 084 555 7456
R1715*
Andries (Sbu) Hadebe 082 672 6618
Darryl Smith 078 120 6861
Hector Mkhwanazi 078 739 6392
Gerard Chetty 071 192 1609
*Terms and conditions apply. Repayments calculated on balloon of 35%, over 72 months, at 10,25% linked interest rate with )% deposit. Subject to bank approval. Excludes mandatory on-road charges and metallic paint. Vehicles depicted may differ to actual models. While stocks last. Above offers available for the month of June 2015. E&OE.
McCARTHY RENAULT PIETERMARITZBURG 9 Armitage Road • Tel: 033 341 7600 • www.renaultpmb.co.za
8
WitnessWheels INDUSTRY MOTORING
September 3, 2015
NF meets the need for apprentices Panel beaters praise nonprofit initiative to place trainees National fleet sales manager of UD trucks in South Africa, Stefan Bronkhorst.
ALWYN VILJOEN WHILE new car sales are down year on year, Roger McCleary assures it is not all doom and gloom. Acting as master of ceremonies at an exclusive fundraising luncheon that also announced the successes of the NF Apprentice programme, he said 2015 is to date the fifth best year South Africa has seen in terms of car sales, and the fourth best year for bak kies. Good car sales, of course, means more congestion on South Africa’s roads, which McCleary said is even more good news for panel beaters, who are getting an increasing num ber of bumper bashings to repair. The demand is growing so fast, he said, that panel beaters and spray painters cannot keep up. This is where Ntuthuko Foundation (NF) has seen a gap to meet both national and local business needs by sour cing apprentices for the carrepair sector. Founder of the nonprofit organi sation, Busi Maile said the NF Ap prentices is a social enterprise that assists bodyrepair shops in adminis tering apprenticeship programmes to meet their own business needs and South Africa’s aim to empower black youth through skills transfer. “NF Apprentices provides appren tices with handson support through their monitoring and evaluation pro grammes at the various NF partner autobody repair shops, ensuring that apprentices successfully com plete the MerSeta CBMT pro
UD drivers vie for Japan trip in ‘almost fun’ competition ALWYN VILJOEN
Celebrating success: (back, from left) Neo Motshabela, Caleb Makhela, Thaphiso Mohale, (front, from left) Roger McCleary, Busi Maile, Alleeshan Kisten and Eddy da Silva. PHOTO: ALWYN VILJOEN gramme while assisting panel beaters to train skilled staff for their busi nesses,” Maile said. NF Apprentices has to date placed 47 apprentices at 18 panel beaters. Alleeshan Kisten, CEO of the Col lision Repairers Cooperative, said there is a great need for such appren tice training in South Africa. He said the country has 2 097 reg istered panel beaters, but only 1 680 qualified autobody repairers. “We really need qualified artisans,
and NF Apprentices helps to bridge this gap,” he said. Carrepair shop owner Eddy da Sil va said the apprentices really re sponded to training on the shop floor to the point where they became world class. One such apprentice, Thaphiso Mohale, recently competed in Brazil against apprentices from 50 coun tries to come 27th in the 2015 World Skills competition. “Seeing how other countries do
things was fantastic, they train three years. I trained a few months and our standard is almost there,” he said. NF coordinator and former ap prentice himself Neo Motshabela said the apprentices at NF will next repair an accidentdamaged Honda Jazz donated by Hollard insurance, and put up the car for auction at a gala dinner in March 2016. Get more detail on the programme from nf.org.za • alwyn.viljoen@witness.co.za
Struandale’s Duratorq engines go to 148 markets FORD has started assembling the latestgeneration Duratorq TDCi engines at its Struandale engine plant in Port Elizabeth. These units will power the new Ford Ranger which is due to be launched in South Africa and subSa haran Africa markets in October. The Struandale engine plant is now producing three different en gine variations, including the current Duratorq TDCi unit for selected mar kets and products, the upgraded en gines for the new Ranger, as well as the specially adapted 3,2 engine for the Transit. The new Duratorq en gines — in both 2,2litre fourcylin der and 3,2litre fivecylinder capaci ties — feature a raft of changes that improve fuel economy, produce low er emissions as well as reduced noise, vibration and harshness to make the topselling Ranger more capable and efficient than before. Plant manager of the Ford Struan dale engine plant John Cameron said
Assembly line workers at Ford’s engine plant in Struandale are now making three derivatives of the Duratorq engine, which is exported to 148 markets in Africa, the Middle East and Europe. PHOTO: QUICKPIC capacity is up from 75 000 to 110 000 on engine assembly, and the machin ing of component sets climbs from
208 000 to 265 000 by next year without Ford having had to invest in new equipment. At the same time,
the increase in capacity has allowed the Struandale engine plant effec tively to double its customer base. “The Duratorq TDCi engines will be used at the Silverton assembly plant in Pretoria for the local Ford Ranger, as well at Ford’s Kansas City assembly plant for the North Ameri can Transit and at Ford’s Chennai plant in India and JMC in China,” Cameron states. “This is in addition to the machining of components for export to the Ford Pacheco plant in Argentina and the AAT facility in Thailand.” The new engines will also be used in the Ford Rangers assembled in Ni geria from semi knockdown kits shipped from the Silverton assembly plant when the new facility opens in Ikeja later this year. Ford is partnering with Ford dealer group Coscharis Motors Limited on the project. In to tal, South Africanbuilt Rangers will be exported to 148 markets in Africa, the Middle East and Europe. — WR.
A BLOG FOR LOCAL TRAIN SPOTTERS CALLING all steamheads, Les Pivnic and Charlie Lewis have posted the latest chapter on their blog, “Soul of a Railway”. They welcome other train fundis’ comments, corrections and criti cisms to their ninth chapter. The latest chapter focuses on Franschhoek and Ceres branches, and contains the same highquality and evocative photographs of trains that is making the blog very
popular. The writers say their project aims to convey to future genera tions the essence of a once mag nificent transport network in South Africa — the South African Rail ways or Sar. The chapter on Natal is still be ing compiled by Pivnic. Please email alwyn.viljoen@wheels.co.za if you have material to contribute. — WR.
More photos and history of the railways in Natal are still being sought for this blog. PHOTO: SITES.GOO GLE.COM/ SITE/SOUL ORAILWAY
AFGRI driverteam James Mavuso and assistant Hennie Schutte won UD’s first driver competition in South Africa, held at Gerotek last week, besting drivers sent by a dozen fleet managers to compete for a trip to Japan. UD national fleet sales manager Stefan Bronk horst told the 38 assembled driver teams they were competing to win an allexpensespaid trip for two to UD’s factory in Japan, where they would com pete in what he described as “the Fifa of UD truck drivers”. Bronkhorst warned the drivers it was a winner takesall competition, with no second or third prizes bar certification for the second and third placed drivers, and the satisfaction of being rated worthy of competing for the international prize by their fleet managers for the alsorans. UD’s Geoff Kruger said the assistants played an important role in the competition — as they do in real life — as they could make or break the driver’s score in delivering boxes with labels and numbers that were deliberately confusing. Kruger said while the 30minute driver test was quite technical, it was still a “borderline fun event” with only the alley docking and one stop on a steep down hill that could be considered real tests of the abilities of the elite assembly of drivers. But when driving along the short, technical course, Geelboy Tsotsetsi of Clover SA softy sucked air through his teeth as he looked at the gradients. He confirmed to Wheels the very steep climbs and tight turns would make the time bound UD competition a lot tougher than conven tional driver competitions on open roads. The drivers used two fully loaded UD Quon GW 26410 with a tridem trailer to drive, and had to do a preinspection test under the watchful eye of UD driver trainer Derick Moima on a Quon CV 26490. The fleets who sent their driver teams to com pete were ABI, Afgri , Clover SA, Eqstra, Imperial Retail Logistics, Parmalat, Shoprite Checkers, Unitrans and Vital Distribution.
UD truck driver for Clover SA Geelboy Tsotsetsi looks at the tight space in an alley docking test at Gerotek over the weekend. PHOTOS: ALWYN VILJOEN SELLING ANYTHING UNDER
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