Jimmy Manyi came out smoking over the controversial road tolls issue by telling everyone what we already know - that the tolls are
not just a bad dream. True - for many, even at the reduced rates announced by Pravin Gordhan in his budget speech, the tolls will be worse than a bad dream... more of a nightmare.
Gordhan, far more diplomatically, is reported to have said that
the user pays principle is "sacrosanct". That's all very well, but every motorist and every freight company, emergency service and what-have-you
already pays towards the upkeep of existing roads and construction of new ones... with every litre of fuel they (and we) put in their vehicles.
Out on the high seas, in an effort to combat Somali pirates (read 'criminals') - who are ranging well beyond their home waters - the SA Navy is to set up
permanent patrols in the Mozambique Channel, through which a vast amount of the world's crude oil and our own imports and exports pass. It's vital the pirates are defeated - extra costs of security and rerouting of vessels is very likely to hit us in our pockets - eventually.
Finally,
Velvet Sky has been grounded, at least until next Monday, 5 March, so if you are planning on flying anywhere in the country, you won't be in Velvet. Here's hoping, however, that the airline is able to take to the skies again; generally, the more competition in any sector, the better it is for the consumer.
Rod Baker, general manager: content
Submit your company news to
automotivenews@bizcommunity.com. Exclusive contributions may be sent to
contributors-automotive@bizcommunity.com.
The South African-built All-New Ford Ranger has played an essential role in the 4x4 driver training for volunteer members of the National Sea Rescue Institute (NSRI) in Port Elizabeth. 
According to Business Report, Frank-Peter Arndt, member of the BMW AG board of management responsible for production, said BMW South Africa plans to introduce a third shift at its production plant in Rosslyn by the end of this year, increasing the installed production capacity of the plant to more than 90 000 units and creating 600 new jobs. 
The 40% growth in sales from 5 266 units in 2010 to 7 348 units in 2011 of Chrysler, Jeep and Dodge products over the last three years has necessitated Chrysler South Africa to expand it's dealer network. 
The South African National Roads Agency SOC Limited (SANRAL) has dismissed the claims made by the DA on 27 February 2012 as 'misleading and incorrect'. 
The "user pays" principle is sacrosanct and lobbies against toll roads are misguided, according to Finance Minister Pravin Gordhan. 
Gauteng toll fees are set to become a fact of life and the law and the government will tolerate no disobedience, government spokesman Jimmy Manyi said on Thursday. 
