2 May 2012

Automotive

 

Labouring on

Many observers in business reckon that South Africa's labour laws are too restrictive and actually hamper employment and damage business. Well, be that as it may, the Labour Relations Act is now being amended - this time to address labour broking and child labour (among other things), so it remains to be seen whether its critics are correct as our labour laws set a new course.

On the digital TV front, it appears the plans are in place... But where's the money? The Department of Communications is confident it can successfully "kick-start" the rollout of digital terrestrial television (DTT) despite the funding shortfalls experienced by some of its key entities. However, as Democratic Alliance MP Marian Shinn said: "One wonders why funding was not secured before projects were embarked on... if one looks at DTT, (the deadline) is a couple of months away and set-top boxes have not been acquired." A fair question - it's usually a good idea to have all the funding arranged before beginning a project.

Kudos for Cape Town: Amazon Web Services is ready to expand to the Mother City. The new AWS Developer Support office will provide technical assistance for customers.

Here's a bit of a surprise on the environment front... Scientists have reported that the Arctic Ocean could be a significant contributor of methane. Methane is a powerful greenhouse gas and the scientists report finding concentrations of the gas close to the ocean surface, especially where sea ice had cracked or broken up.

Now it's our turn to help... Opposition to Urban Tolling Alliance (OUTA) went 'outa' to bat for us against e-tolling but, as you know, those legal eagles don't come cheap and now the alliance needs cash to continue the fight. It's running an SMS fund-raising campaign this week to raise the money needed to continue its battle, so it's time for us to break out those wallets...

Remember, whatever you donate will be a darn side less than you motorists would be dishing out to Sanral as tolls.

Rod Baker, content director

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Automotive


BMW fans can demonstrate driving skills online
Authentic driving pleasure is not just for the real world, as Auto Club Revolution, the new online racing game and car community, demonstrates. Different BMW models can be configured for driving according to personal preferences. The online game from British game developer Eutechnyx features the BMW 1 Series M Coupé, the BMW 135i, the BMW M3 Coupé, the BMW M5 and the BMW Z4 M Coupé. Read more >>

Various ways to reduce insurance premiums
Many consumers may unknowingly be paying more than they should for their motor vehicle insurance due to a failure to assess the value of their motor vehicle when it comes time for annual motor insurance policy renewals. Read more >>

Manufacturing


OUTA needs cash to continue its fight
Times Live reports that while the Opposition to Urban Tolling Alliance (OUTA) has won the battle to prevent e-tolling on Gauteng's highways, its hefty legal expenses have left it broke, and it will launch an SMS fund raising campaign this week to raise the money needed to continue its battle. Read more >>

Retail


Maruti profit slips 3% but beats forecast
NEW DELHI: India's biggest carmaker Maruti Suzuki said Saturday (28 April 2012) quarterly net profit slipped by three percent, but it still beat analysts' forecasts after sales rebounded in Asia's third-largest auto market. Read more >>

CMH reports 121c vs 109.3c earnings
Combined Motor Holdings has reported a solid rise in earnings for the year ended February, with diluted headline earnings per share rising to 121 cents from 109.3 cents previously. Read more >>

Hyundai Motor Q1 net profit jumps 31% on strong sales
SEOUL: South Korea's largest carmaker Hyundai Motor said Thursday (26 April 2012) its first-quarter net profit jumped 31% from a year earlier thanks to strong sales overseas and reduced marketing costs. Read more >>

Polo Vivo remains most popular passenger car
With over 56 000 units sold since its launch in March 2010, Polo Vivo continues to be the dominant brand in the passenger car market and is the only locally produced entry-level volume car on the market. Read more >>


Government
Dept to study court judgment on e-tolling
The Department of Transport says it has noted the judgment handed down by the North Gauteng High Court regarding the implementation of e-tolling on the Gauteng Freeway Improvement Project road network. Read more >>

Gauteng freeway cost to soar to R32bn from R20bn
[Paul Vecchiatto] The cost of the Gauteng Freeway Improvement Project (GFIP) will escalate from the ticket price of R20bn to R32bn due to interest payments over the next couple of years, says Transport Sibusiso Ndebele. Read more >>

Petrol price up but OUTA wins Round One of toll battle
As the petrol price is set to go up by 28 cents a litre from next week, the Organisation Against Urban Tolling has won the first round of its battle to prevent electronic tolls from being imposed on Gauteng's freeways and this may force a delay in implementing the tolls and provide a brief respite for road users. Read more >>

Another union says 'No' to e-tags
Finance workers union Sasbo is encouraging its staff and 70 000 members not to buy e-tags. Read more >>

More Government news...


Motoring
Rio ready to rattle the opposition
[Henrie Geyser: motoring editor] Korean car maker Kia is cleverly wriggling deeper into the hearts and wallets of the South African motoring public with model after model of stylish, family-friendly, light on the pocket and wall-to-wall high-tech vehicles. Read more >>

Polo Vivo rules the roost
[Henrie Geyser: motoring editor] With over 56 000 units sold since its launch in March 2010, Volkswagen's Polo Vivo continues to be the dominant brand in the passenger car market - a success story that is further enhanced by the fact that it is the only locally produced entry-level volume car on the market. Read more >>

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