26 Jun 2012

Automotive

 



Hotel plan irks conservationists

Apparently the powers-that-be running the Kruger National Park are concerned that 'black diamonds' won't stay in KNP lodges. So the plan is to build a luxury upmarket hotel in the park. That's got conservationists up in arms. They want the park to retain its "natural" feel. A great many people will probably agree with them.

Thinking of buying a home in a "boomed" community? Don't part with your money quite yet... Dr. Willie van der Merwe, owner of the RealNet WaterMeyer franchise in the east of Pretoria, reckons that booms 'may not deliver all they promise'. "Crime," he says, "is actually sometimes more prevalent in closed suburbs and boomed estates than in open suburbs with other security measures such as community patrols and observant residents in place."

Here's PoPI... The Protection of Personal Information (PoPI) Bill is designed to force companies to protect personal information. That means companies that collect individuals' personal information - medical schemes, banks and so on - had better be very aware of the provisions of the bill; not doing so is a criminal offence and directors could face hefty fines or even imprisonment.

Taxes upon taxes, upon taxes... Some people - not us, of course - believe that it won't be long before our tax returns will be simplicity itself: "How much money have you got left?" "Send it." Seriously, however, there's a new tax law looming and it is set to have serious and significant ramifications for taxpayers.

Finally, no shrinking violet himself when it comes to fangs and claws, Henrie Geyser, our cocky, confident but not-so-compact motoring editor reckons that the new Suzuki Swift Sport is a natty little fun drive.

Rod Baker, content director

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Components & Parts


Ferrari V8 wins accolade for best performance engine
Ferrari's 4.5-litre naturally-aspirated V8 engine has won Best Performance Engine for the second year running in the prestigious International Engine of the Year Awards, beating several new contenders with forced induction engines for the title. Ferrari's thoroughbred dry-sump, flat-crank, 90-degree V8 also took the accolade in the above 4-litre category for the second time. Read more >>

Manufacturing


Mercedes-Benz honoured for manufacturing quality vehicles
The Mercedes-Benz South Africa (MBSA) manufacturing plant in East London has proven its dominance in the Europe-Africa region in terms of new vehicle production quality. This is the result of the 2012 Initial Quality Study (IQS) conducted by the esteemed J.D. Power and Associates in the US market, which acknowledged the plant with a silver award for the fourth consecutive year. Read more >>

Driverless cars will affect insurance industry - MUA
The launch of a driverless vehicle has so far proven a success, with the vehicles having clocked up 200 000 kilometres in the US. While it may be some time before the technology reaches South Africa, it is likely to have far-reaching consequences for the insurance industry, if it does become commercialised. Read more >>

Rental


New structure at Avis after Duvenage's resignation
Keith Rankin, chief executive of Avis Rent a Car Southern Africa, announced the new Avis Southern Africa structure. This follows on the recent resignation announcement of Wayne Duvenage from his position as chief executive of Avis. Read more >>

Retail


Uncertainty in motor industry about immediate future
While the South African motor industry reported a solid growth in new vehicle sales during the first five months of 2012 in comparison to the same period last year, vehicle manufacturers and dealerships remain uncertain over prospects for the sector in the remaining seven months of the year. Read more >>

Dispute continues over SA SsangYong distribution
South Korean car maker SsangYong Motor Company has confirmed Mahindra SA as sole South African distributor of its products in SA‚ Namibia‚ Botswana‚ Mozambique and Zimbabwe. Read more >>


International
comScore's 2012 US Online Auto Insurance Shopping Report
RESTON, US: comScore, Inc. (NASDAQ: SCOR), a leader in measuring the digital world, has released its 2012 Online Auto Insurance Shopping Report, which provides a detailed analysis of overall industry trends in 2011 and the attitudes and intentions of consumers shopping for auto insurance online. In addition, the study reports on the volume of online quote requests and highlights customer preferences on purchasing channels and key factors driving the decision-making process for shoppers. Read more >>

More International...


Government
MMT alarms motor multinationals
[Stuart Rayner] Multinational motor companies will be alarmed by the prospect of MMT in SA fuels. "It will make it hard for them to introduce their latest technologies to SA" Read more >>

More Government news...


Motoring
Swift Sport bares fangs and claws
[Henrie Geyser: motoring editor] Suzuki has given its popular Swift the go-faster, go-cleaner and go-pull-some-looks treatment and have come up a natty little fun to drive version it calls the Swift Sport which is good enough to give the Fiat Abarth, Ford Fiesta, Citroen DS3 and the Renault Twingo a good dice for their money. Read more >>

At last - a Toyota with some excitement
[Henrie Geyser: motoring editor] One of the most eagerly awaited cars and probably the most exciting Toyota to arrive in South Africa for a long time, the new Toyota 86, will go on sale locally early in July - and the good news is that the entry level model will cost a fraction less than R300 000. Read more >>

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