ABR MAY 2009 Web

ABR MAY 2009:Layout 1 4/29/09 8:50 AM Page 2
14 Promoting World Class Competencies

28 Putting the Kart before the Hoarse
34 Nano Technology
58 Chennai Super King
73 Killing the Goose
80 Annie Get Your Grease Gun
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The Phoenix
Party Time for the

Prescient
The saying that one man’s meat is another man’s poison cannot be more apt when
describing the current situation in the automotive industry. On the one hand we have
new car sales managers and new car salesmen rending their garments as vehicle sales
tank, while on the other hand we have the parts and service industry beginning to
reap the benefits of the bull run in car sales from 2004 to 2007. The confluence of
yin and yang, and a larger and older car parc, accentuated by the more frugal habits
of the motoring public, has created a dynamic that can accurately be described as an
imminent feeding frenzy for those companies active in the automotive aftermarket. It
is party time, folks, and it would be criminal for those in the pound seats not to put
their noses in the feeding trough.
ll the omens are there. The demand for parts is high replacement cycle in the States is 15 to 16 million units, then
A and it will grow, and I have heard enough anecdotal

stories that back up this scenario strongly. Empirical
evidence will prove this in the future, and market
research in the months and years ahead will close the debate, and
yet I still perceive a hesitancy from many of the players, which
something has to give, and it is already giving, in the form of
parts sales. The AutoZone chain (no relation to its South African
namesake), an auto parts retailer with some 4 300 stores, has
reported a 6% increase in turnover in the first quarter of this year,
and this is expected to grow, driven purely by the fact that peo-
will cost them dearly. To take full advantage of a boom situation ple are keeping their cars longer, and repairing instead of replac-
your behaviour should be similar to what happens prior to the ing. South Africa is in exactly the same space, and those with the
chaotic scenes we see at the end of year sales in London’s high desire to benefit from this scenario, should act accordingly. And
streets. Those who cash in on the bargains give the clues. Firstly to those with strong brands to protect, and those with newer
you have to be at the front of the queue, and secondly you have brands and who are wanting to grow these brands, the advice is
to have done your homework in making sure that you know simple; market these brands and continue to market, relentlessly.
exactly what you want when the doors open, so that you don’t Take a leaf out of Coca-Cola’s book – never stop reminding your
flail around blindly when the frenzy starts. Doing your home- customers about who you are, and what you represent.
work entails planning and preparing, and a resolve that you are
not going to lose out. I don’t have to spell this out to experienced Parts and service is going to be the name of the automotive game
businessman, as they know the drill, suffice to say that you have for the foreseeable future, and the manufacturers and resellers
to have the stock on your shelves (and enough of it) to sell it, and who understand this and take the necessary action to benefit
you need to tell the market that you have this stock, and that from this, will be the winners in both the short and long term.
your brand is the greatest thing since sliced bread, and you need South African automotive aftermarket manufacturers should
to repeat this over and over again so that no one forgets it. ensure that it is not just the importers that benefit, and a critical
Investment in a brand is exactly that, an investment. Don’t let player in securing a vibrant future for our industry is the AIDC
your accountant tell you that it is a cost; it is an investment, pure (Automotive Industry Development Centre). The AIDC was
and simple. If your accountant wins this debate, you will save founded in 2000 with the primary goal of establishing a viable
yourself into oblivion. That is why they created the term cost and competitive South African automotive industry, primarily as
accountant, because it will cost you. a support structure for the OEMs, but now is the time for the
component manufactures to leverage off this vision, and to skim
Now that I have got that off my chest, let us get back to the and lick and savour the cream which the replacement market
point. If we want a glimpse of what we are about to go through, now represents. Thus it is no coincidence that ABR’s cover story
all we need to do is look at the American experience. U.S. car this month is about the AIDC and its achievements, and it will
sales are projected to be 9,3 million units this year, down from be instructive for those with big aims to go to page 14 to learn
17,3 million units in 2000, and well below the average of 16 mil- more about this dynamic institution and to learn what the AIDC
lion units from 2000 to 2007. If one considers that the natural offers the industry, and to benefit from this knowledge.
www.abrbuzz.co.za
ABR’s website is growing from strength to strength. This month’s issue; as well as previous issues; is available in its
entirety at www.abrbuzz.co.za, and this webpage is updated daily with the latest news and views. Read all about it
in South Africa’s most respected and most influential automotive aftermarket publication.
4 May 2009
Contents
14 20 29
4 The Phoenix Party Time for the Prescient
8 What’s the Buzz
14 Cover Story Promoting World Class Competencies
22 Auto Topical A Lack of Intelligence Report
23 e-CAR A Sturdy Oak
24 The Chery Story Chery Tiggo – An Affordable Choice
26 Health Care Managing Your Health
28 Peugeot Update Putting the Kart before the Hoarse
32 Customer C.A.R.E. Trilogy Customer C.A.R.E. Programme
34 Frankly Speaking Nano Technology
36 Managing the Risks Cutting Costs with KONI
34 Weighty Issues To BRT or not to BRT?
40 Tony’s Take Gordon Brown – a Trillion Dollars?
42 ITS News Electronic Toll Collection on the Horizon
43 MISA News Effective and Responsible Trade Unionism
44 Tyre Safety Tyres’ Contribution to Safety in Motoring
48 Personal Profile Q & A with Colin Lazarus
49 Lux Lite Peter’s Soap Box

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tained by any reader as a result of information or advice in Automotive Business Review. The information provided and opinions expressed in this publica-
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Publishing Editor Intelli-Driving Editor Collins, Paul Published by:

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083 709 8184 082 941 3785 Mather, Peter
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Commercial Vehicle Editor Correspondents Stadler, Johann Stanton Porter Marketing
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082 4589332 Borlz, Baron Claude Wilde, Fingal
Burford, Adrian
5
71 76 79
50 Diamond Dialogues Counterfeiting - Unscrambling the Code

52 Robert Bosch The Revolution Begins
54 AIDC Quiz
55 Product News
58 Vehicle Evaluation The Chennai Super King
60 CI Update To Infinity and Beyond...
61 Wilde Things Is this the new Zimbabwe?
64 Euroquip News OCAP on the Right Track
Valeo for Life
66 Burford on Brands BMW’s Mini Me
68 Capricorn Insights You’ve Been Shopped
70 AutoZone News In the Retailers Zone
71 Industry News Suzuki Flies High
Fifth State of Logistics Survey
Liqui Moly Expanding in South Africa
It Starts with SABAT
73 Motorsport News Killing the Goose
Fast Lady
80 Partinform Annie Get Your Grease Gun
86 Industry Update Feeling the Pulse – with Passion and Precision
87 Fast Wheels Unscripted Formula 1 Drama Begins
88 The Latest Buzz

90 The Last Writes
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6
What’s the Buzz?
PRODUCTION STIMULATED Midas Group

BY THE SCRAPPING BONUS receives GMB
IN EUROPE
Award
To respond to the rise in demand stimulated
by the scrapping bonuses in Europe, Renault In 2008, GMB in Japan cele-
is increasing production of the Twingo and brated their 65th year of world
Clio. This calls for production adjustments at class manufacturing of water
the sites of Flins in France (Clio III) and pumps and universal joints. As
Novo Mesto in Slovenia (ClioCampus, a token of appreciation,
Twingo). Flins will once again be producing Autoparts Distributors (Super
Clio Campus, alongside the Clio III, from Group), Alert and Midas were
June to October 2009, while Novo Mesto presented with a special award
will be assembling more Twingos. As a result, to mark the occasion. The
400 additional jobs will be created at Flins. Midas Group, which has
The scrapping bonuses implemented recent- played an important part in
ly in several European countries are proving GMB’s history in South Africa
highly favourable to smaller vehicle seg- Andy du Plessis accepted the award on behalf of the Midas for more than 25 years,
ments. Group received the Platinum award.
Myautoinfo.co.za now provides police Mazda Develops World-First Automated

information to consumers Recycling Technology for End-of-Life
Vehicle Bumpers
For the first time in South Africa, consumers can easily check whether the
used vehicle they are considering buying is sought by the police. All a Mazda Motor Corporation has developed a world-first recycling technol-
would-be buyer has to do is log on to www.myautoinfo.co.za, register and ogy which enhances the process it uses to recycle used bumpers from vehi-
purchase an Auto Check report. The inclusion of information from the cles, whose useful life has ended, into raw plastic resin for use in new vehi-
South African Police Services (SAPS) in the Auto Check report is the lat- cle bumpers. The new technology is the first to enable recycling of used
est enhancement to the popular myautoinfo.co.za website which went live bumpers from different manufacturers at the same time. Additionally, by
last year. The site was established by TransUnion to give consumers access automating processes to remove metal attachments, it significantly
to vital, peace-of-mind information when buying or selling a used car, increases recycling efficiency. Mazda became an industry leader in
light commercial vehicle or motorcycle. Mike von Höne, CEO of bumper recycling when it began processing used bumpers from its own
TransUnion Auto Information Solutions which operates end-of-life vehicles that were collected through its dealer network in
myautoinfo.co.za, says that with South Africa’s high crime rate, con- Japan. The new recycling technology can recycle all types and makes of
sumers considering purchasing a used vehicle cannot be too careful. As a bumper, thus removing the need for separate collection systems for each
case in point, according to the latest available SAPS crime report, a total automaker’s products. It also combines all the recycling stages involved in
of 94 467 motor vehicles and motor bikes were reported stolen or crushing used bumpers through to reproducing raw materials, into a sin-
hijacked across South Africa between April 2007 and March 2008. It is gle automated process. These innovations represent a significant step for-
likely that many of these vehicles were sold to innocent consumers. ward for the industry.
Introducing: Ken Ken

How to Play:
Like Sudoku, even though difficulty may vary from
puzzle to puzzle, the rules for playing KenKen are
fairly simple:
For a 3x3 puzzle, fill in with numbers 1-3.

For a 6x6 puzzle, fill in with the numbers 1-6.
• Do not repeat a number in any row or column.

• The numbers in each heavily outlined set of
squares, called cages, must combine (in any order)
to produce the target number in the top corner of
the cage using the mathematical operation indi-
cated.
• Cages with just one box should be filled in with
the target number in the top corner.
• A number can be repeated within a cage as long as
it is not in the same row or column.
Answer on page 63
8 May 2009
What’s the Buzz?
Atlas Copco wins P&A Best Product 2008 Award for Atlas Copco has finished first among
“Pumps and Compressors” in the yearly
energy-efficient GA compressors Best Product competition organised by
Germany’s P&A magazine. A panel of 6000
readers, chiefly German production and
process engineers, voted Atlas Copco’s most
energy-efficient oil-injected compressors,
the new GA 90-160 kW range, as their
favourite. With a compressor package offer-
ing a Specific Energy Requirement (SER) as
low as 350 Joule/litre, the GA features
extremely energy efficient consumption. A
wide range of industries use oil-injected
compressors: coal-fired power plants, min-
ing, shipping and ship-building, as well as
cement, glass and tire manufacturing com-
panies. For manufacturers, a "Best Product
Award" is one of European industry's high-
est honours. For industry, it's a reliable way
of knowing the best new products on the
market today. "When companies see a
product with the Best Product Award
Winner's seal they know it's been vetted by
a multitude of professionals," notes
Reimund Scherff, Business Line Manager
for Atlas Copco Oil-free Air in Germany.
"These are the technical breakthroughs
industry is talking about -- and the ones we
all want to own."
Volvo City Safety and an electric engine, which effectively lowers

carbon emissions on a relative basis as well as
shops. For further information, please contact
Jenny at Upavon Conferences on 011 805-6616
named All-Wheel Drive improving fuel economy. “One common disad- or upavon@icon.co.za.
Innovation of the Year vantage of hybrid technology is sacrificed per-
formance, but this is not the case with the sporty
JAGUAR LAND ROVER SOUTH
Lexus hybrid models,” points out Bentley.
Volvo cars' low speed collision prevention sys- “Lexus hybrids deliver on four key aspects: high AFRICA SELECTS WESBANK AS
tem, City Safety, has been awarded "innovation performance, fuel efficiency, super low emis- THEIR EXCLUSIVE FINANCING
of the Year" by the German based magazine
"Auto Bild Allrad" - Volvo thus becomes the
sions and quietness and refinement,” says Kevin PARTNER
Flynn, marketing director of Lexus SA. “We aim
first car manufacturer to win the award twice. for ‘performance with conscience’. With our
The highly-sought after honour has been award- The country’s leading vehicle and asset financier
hybrids, drivers can enjoy the best of both and division of FirstRand Bank Limited,
ed to Volvo Car Corporation as part of the read- worlds – a luxury performance vehicle which
er vote for the "All-Wheel Drive Car of the Year WesBank, has established an alliance with Jaguar
also takes cognisance of the growing need for Land Rover South Africa to form a new business
2009" conducted by the four wheel drive maga- environmental consideration.”
zine "Auto Bild Allrad". The new driver support that will trade as Jaguar Financial Services and
system Volvo City Safety can prevent typical col- Land Rover Financial Services. This comes after
lisions at low speeds or at least significantly FOUNDER OF LEAN Ford Motor Company decided to sell Jaguar and
reduce the consequences of such an accident. MANAGEMENT TO Land Rover to Tata Motors in 2008. The deci-
The safety system is available as a world first
standard feature in the new Volvo XC60.
SPEAK IN CAPE TOWN sion opened the door for the new entity, Jaguar
Land Rover South Africa, to seek a new finance
partner after a long relationship with Ford
Reflecting the growing popularity of Lean Credit. Jaguar and Land Rover are both premi-
LEAN GREEN HYBRID thinking – the management and production sys- um brands in the motoring industry and attract-
TECHNOLOGY WINS tem invented by Toyota and now embraced by
companies like Dell Computers and Boeing –
ed the attention of several local financial institu-
tions. However, after a rigorous evaluation
CAR INDUSTRY ACCO- Cape Town will this year host the third annual process, WesBank emerged as their preferred
LADE FOR LEXUS Lean Summit Africa. This conference, which has
gone from strength to strength since its incep-
partner. Wesbank will be able to offer Jaguar or
Land Rover branded products with competitive
tion in 2007, aims to increase the African busi- terms to customers and dealers.
The recently announced winner of the 2009 ness community’s knowledge of Lean tools, and
CAR Magazine Green Award is Lexus South promote the adoption of Lean as a means of
Africa. Lexus is widely considered to be the lead- improving product and service delivery while
ing green car manufacturer in the luxury car sec- reducing costs. The organisers have announced
tor. In September 2008 Lexus SA launched the that this year’s Lean Summit speaker line-up
GS450h and the RX400h SUV into the increas- includes Lean Management founder and guru
ingly environmentally and economy-conscious Jim Womack. Based in the United States,
local market. “The award went to Lexus for Womack is the founder and chairman of the
introducing new executive-class models which Lean Enterprise Institute in Boston. This non-
incorporate what is arguably the most sophisti- profit training, publishing, and research organi-
cated and advanced hybrid drive technology in zation was established in 1997 to advance the
the world,” says John Bentley, editor of CAR ideas of Lean Production and Lean Thinking.
magazine. According to CAR, motor vehicles The Lean Summit Africa takes place at Cape
contribute a sizeable percentage (17.7%) of the Town International Convention Centre on
world’s total carbon dioxide emissions resulting September 22 and 23 – preceded on 21
from the combustion of fuel. Hybrid cars are September by a series of half and full-day work-
powered by a combination of a petrol engine
10 May 2009
What’s the Buzz?
Last Volvo S60 rolls off the

assembly line in Ghent
At 4.15am on Tuesday morning March 31, the last Volvo S60
rolled off the assembly line at Volvo Cars Ghent. The historic
car - a Sapphire Black model with a five cylinder petrol engine
- is destined for a customer in Taiwan. In total, the Ghent plant
has built 578 292 S60 cars during the years 2000-2009. S60 is
one of the longest running Volvo models in the plant. The high-
est production volume of the model was reached in 2001 when
108 906 S60 cars were produced. "The Volvo S60 was an
important model for Volvo Cars Gent," says managing director
of Volvo Cars Ghent Derek Jessiman. "Now we will focus on a
flawless launch of the new S60." And preparations for the new
S60 model which will enter production in Ghent in 2010 are
already underway. The new model will share technologies with
other recent Volvos such as the S80, V70, XC70 and XC60.
MICROmega wins gold exhibitor award at

Automechanika South Africa
MICROmega’s Automotive Division was awarded a coveted gold award for its stand at the inaugural
Automechanika South Africa trade show held from 18 to 21 March at the Nasrec Expo Centre in Johannesburg.
Judges presented 21 of the 421 event exhibitors with gold awards during a prize giving ceremony on the final day.
MICROmega’s award-winning stand included exhibits from all of its automotive subsidiaries. Deltec Power
Distributors showcased its extensive range of Varta batteries, while Pro-Fit unveiled its Dunair aftermarket air-con-
ditioners. Lubrication Equipment displayed a large portion of its product offering, including its innovative portable
electric grease gun and electronic nitrogen inflation device. BTM, maker of bullbars, tow bars and other accessories,
also exhibited its large range. “We are very pleased with the award that we won for our stand at the inaugural
Automechanika South Africa trade show,” says Bruce Carolin, general manager for MICROmega's Automotive
Division. “Creating a stand that is attractive and makes product exhibits accessible to visitors is very important. It
is satisfying to have confirmation that we succeeded in this task.”
Greg Morris, chairman of the MICROmega group, and Duncan Carlisle, group managing director,
proudly show off the stand that won the company’s automotive division a gold medal at this year’s
inaugural Automechanika show.
SKF renews contract with Scuderia Ferrari

NISSAN LOOKS TO LONG TERM SUSTAIN- Marlboro
ABILITY WITH GLOBAL
A partnership and technical cooperation of more than 60 years was celebrated
SURVIVAL STRATEGY by SKF together with Scuderia Ferrari Marlboro by signing the Formula One
contract on February 24, 2009. The contract is valid for 3 years and this agree-
As National Association of Automobile Manufacturers of South Africa ment continues to strengthen the long lasting relationship between the two
(NAAMSA) predicts that domestic sales and production in 2009 are companies. The number of components supplied by SKF for one Ferrari F1
likely to fall to their lowest levels in seven years, Nissan South Africa car is around 150. The deep technical knowledge and experience of SKF has
(Nissan SA) announced that it has taken bold steps to protect the been used to support the development of a number of innovative and
company from the turmoil that has beset the automotive industry in advanced systems for Ferrari F1 over the years. One of this year’s special devel-
the wake of the global financial crisis. Speaking at a media round table, opments is the new energy efficient KERS (Kinetic Energy Recovery System)
Sales and Marketing Director Johan Kleynhans said that the company installed by Ferrari in its new F60 for the 2009 race season. The KERS unit
had embarked on a global recovery plan - spearheaded by NML recovers dissipated braking energy, stores it in a battery and releases it when
President and CEO Carlos Ghosn who has extensive experience in necessary in order to boost the engine power to accelerate or overtake. The
turnaround strategies - to deal with the challenges of a global econom- KERS developed by Ferrari utilises specially developed SKF bearings that are
ic recession and strengthening yen. “Nissan’s key focus as we enter our exposed to extremely high accelerations and loads and, in tests, have experi-
new financial year on 01 April 2009 is the protection of cash and com- enced peak temperatures of over 200° C. The new bearings for this applica-
pany resources, and to ensure that we are well prepared for a welcome tion utilise SKF knowledge of bearing design, steel compositions, coating
upturn in the industry,” said Kleynhans. materials, and advanced system simulation and calculation tools.
12 April 2009
Cover Story
World Class
Promoting
Competencies
During September 1997 key stakeholders in the South African automotive industry
got together to map out the future. With the impending demise of the Motor Industry
Development Programme (MIDP) in 2002 (subsequently revisited, revised and extend-
ed to 2012, and reincarnated as the Automotive Production and Development
Programme (APDP) in 2008), it was decided that South Africa should enter into the
big league of automotive exports, which would require fundamental changes in manu-
facturing methodologies and mindsets. A detailed study by the CSIR and the
Fraunhofer Society in Germany pointed to the requirement of an Engineering Centre
of Excellence. Industry, labour and government concurred, and this led to the
establishment of the Automotive Industry Development Centre (AIDC) in October
2000, with the vision “to contribute to the establishment of a viable South Africa
automotive industry that is competitive both domestically and globally, and which is
capable of achieving continuous growth and sustainable job creation”.
he AIDC works in partnership with business, govern- the most obvious one the global economic crisis, with other fac-
T ment, and other involved organisations to invigorate

competitiveness improvement within the automotive
industry, and its services include supplier development,
logistical services, design, engineering, testing services, human
resource development, and government support programmes.
tors such as high interest rates (thankfully coming down), resur-
gent inflation (also on its way down) and to some degree, the neg-
ative perceptions of consumers and businesses alike. This has
meant that the auto industry has experienced one of the toughest
business environments for decades, and this is not just as a result
The founding shareholders were the CSIR and Blue IQ of the global economic slowdown but also because of the growing
Investment Holdings. Barlow Manilal, managing director of the need for more fuel efficient vehicles brought on by environmen-
AIDC since 2008, says that the initiatives implemented by the tal concerns, road congestion and staggering oil prices. The buoy-
AIDC over the past eight years have borne fruit in many ways, but ancy of the past few years has provided some resilience but this
the biggest achievement is mostly unseen and difficult to quanti- sector is not immune to negative growth and increasing input
fy, but without a doubt the AIDC has allowed the South African costs. The electricity crisis and subsequent steep tariff increases
automotive industry to weather the very difficult times over the has also exacerbated the challenging circumstances and hampered
past 18 months, and to soften the blow from an economic crisis our promotion as a low cost and efficient production destination.
that has created a watershed period for the global and local econ- While no new assembly plants were set up in the last ten years, the
omy. This has had an invariable and direct impact on the domes- growing and sustained interest from a number of foreign vehicle
tic automotive industry. The exponential growth in vehicle sales assemblers interested in setting up new operations in South Africa
from 2004 to 2007 started to taper during the second half of continues. Confidence in South Africa has also received a major
2007, and this downturn gathered momentum in 2008 and dur- boost with the announcements of export programmes.
ing the first quarter of 2009 it had become, in the words of a Introduction of new brands, predominantly from India and
many commentators, “the perfect storm”. Barlow Manilal com- China, has had South African consumers benefiting from a model
ments, “There are many culprits to blame for this situation, with spread of over 1,000 derivatives. South Africa has also established
14 May 2009
Cover Story
itself as a centre of growth in Africa and is on target to become an
increasingly important part of the global automotive industry.
South Africa’s track record as a manufacturer and supplier of vehi-
cles and automotive components has been firmly established over
recent years. The economic crisis will eventually blow over, and
when normal business resumes, the AIDC shall be there in full
support mode.”
Strategic Focus of the AIDC

Barlow Manilal continues, “Since a strategic review in 2004 the
Automotive Industry Development Centre (AIDC) has focussed
its activities on three key areas, namely Supply Chain
Development, Supplier Development and Skills Development
and Training. The AIDC’s strategic focus has been aligned on
those issues most critically affecting the competitiveness of the
local automotive industry. The AIDC’s role as an industry support
centre has progressed well over the past eight years with the brand
realising greater market awareness and positive sentiment, despite
operating from a relatively well established profile. Thus, our
activities fall within the following key areas:
• Supply Chain Development - Moving the INDUSTRY towards

global competitiveness
• Supplier Development - Moving the ENTERPRISE towards

• Skills Development and Training - Moving PEOPLE towards

Since the 2004 review, these key focus areas have proved to be rel-
evant, requiring greater and sustained development. Our foot-
print has also progressed nationally and has started to transgress
the sectoral boundaries as we play a leading role within the aero-
space industry in a relationship that started a couple of years ago.
Interventions in the other automotive regions have also pro- Barlow Manilal, managing director of the AIDC
gressed well and this is seen as validation of the AIDC’s operating
model, value proposition and competitive advantage. An analysis value to our shareholders in the form of socio-economic divi-
of Government’s key priorities and the major challenges facing the dends. The nature of the AIDC's activities is such that its success
automotive sector today strongly indicates that the AIDC’s strat- is largely due to the experience, commitment and dedication of its
egy and key focus areas remain as relevant today as they were staff. The structured and guided development of all staff remains
when they were conceived. The issues of logistics and supply a priority as we continue with a culture of excellence. Investment
chain development, supplier development and enterprise develop- in our staff through our development programmes will continue
ment in general, and skills development and training have been to be coupled with challenging project opportunities as we con-
identified as key priority areas in such strategies and documents as stantly transfer skills throughout the organisation. Our organisa-
the Government’s National Priorities, the Accelerated and Shared tional shared values underscore the culture of professionalism,
Growth Initiative of South Africa (ASGISA) and Provincial sound work ethics and strong sense and appetite for delivery per-
Growth and Development Strategy (PGDS). In all of its activities, formance.”
the AIDC continues to focus on the needs of the automotive
industry as represented by both assemblers and component man-
ufacturers. Furthermore, it also works actively with all levels of “The economic crisis will
government, thereby addressing the national and priorities
through the automotive and recently, the aerospace sector. There eventually blow over, and
are, however, very definite milestones ahead that will potentially
challenge the automotive sector in general and the AIDC in par- when normal business
ticular. Recognising that the best protector is performance; our
continuous improvement initiatives around operational processes,
sound corporate governance, corporate social investment projects
resumes, the AIDC shall be
and entrenching our service excellence philosophy will continue
unabated through the years ahead as we endeavour to transmit
there in full support mode”
May 2009 15
Cover Story
Supply Chain Development

he AIDC’s Supply Chain Pilot Project be high-impact industry projects.
T Development activities address the

need for a robust supply chain sup-
ported through the establishment of world-
When it was introduced, bar-coding was seen
as a radical new technology that would revo-
lutionise tracking and traceability of goods in
Supply Chain Audit Tool (SCAT)
The Supply Chain Audit Tool (SCAT) is a
class infrastructure, which will have a direct the supply chain. This technology has been
systematic approach developed by the AIDC
and measurable impact on the automotive adopted and utilised to its full potential in
industry’s global competitiveness. The the automotive industry and is now being to analyse the supply chain of suppliers in
department’s key service offerings encompass superseded by its natural successor, Radio order to provide insight into specific focus
the following: Frequency Identification (RFID) technology. areas to improve supply chain logistics.
• Infrastructure development
• Macro-logistics process improvements Aerospace Industry Support Initiative Ford Motor Company SA (FMCSA)
• Industry collaboration (AISI): Advisory and Support Expansion
The AIDC was able to transfer a great deal of
The AIDC is proud to have played a promi-
Key initiatives, programmes and projects knowledge and lessons learnt during its years
include: nent role in engaging FMCSA with the
of existence which accelerated the develop-
ment of the AISI. Gauteng Provincial Government through
Automotive Industry Conference - the Blue IQ, to further invest and expand their
next conference will take place during the Centurion Aviation Village operations in South Africa and continue to be
South African Automotive Week in October The Centurion Aerospace Village (CAV) rep- part of the success story that is the automo-
2009 (ABR is the media partner for this con- resents the practical solution to what the tive industry.
ference and shall keep its readers informed). South African Minister of Trade and Industry
stated to be the need for “national vision,
Tshwane Automotive Office
leadership, collaboration amongst Govern-
ment and industry and international partners The AIDC, as facilitator was instrumental in
in order to create a vibrant and growing aero- bringing together the needs of CTMM
space and defence industry”. The AIDC has (improved service delivery to the auto indus-
been contracted since August 2006 to proj- try) and the automotive industry residents
ect-manage this development and provide within CTMM precinct (uninterrupted pro-
Motor Industry Supply Chain strategic support in developing the CAV to duction and world-class infrastructure) with
Competitiveness Improvement be a world-class aerospace supplier park for
the introduction of the Tshwane Automotive
Programme (MISCCIP) - the Motor the South African aerospace industry.
Industry Supply Chain Competitiveness Office in 2004.
Improvement Programme (MISCCIP) has, TAG Secretariat
over the last five years provided tremendous As the recognised national facilitation body Automotive Supplier Park (ASP) Traffic
benefit to the South African automotive of the automotive supply chain, the Technical Analysis
industry by centralising, standardising and Action Group (TAG) has enjoyed representa- The AIDC developed a comprehensive,
integrating supply chain communication tion from OEMs, Transnet, the Department quantifiable profile of traffic movements in
activities. of Trade and Industry, Department of the Park encompassing available parking,
Transport, NAACAM, NAAMSA, SARS and
major congestion nodes and peak congestion
ERP System Customs. This forum provided the AIDC
Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) solu- with valuable insight into various strategic in the various areas. It also developed various
tions enable valuable integration into the and operational challenges which plagued the strategies and options for alleviating bottle-
greater value chain. industry on a national level. Various projects necks, taking into account the ASP’s expan-
Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) were conceived in this forum and went on to sion plans.
Supplier Development
outh African automotive component improve global competitiveness in the South AMTS - Programme for Industrial
S suppliers are continuously faced with

challenges in reaching global competi-
tiveness targets. The need for strategic think-
African automotive industry.
Tirisano Cluster Programme – Gauteng

Manufacturing Excellence (PRIME)
The Programme for Industrial Manu-factur-
ing Excellence (PRIME) is a project of the
ing coupled with strong leadership to achieve The AIDC’s Tirisano Cluster Programme has Advanced Manufacturing Technology
these targets is essential in maintaining a level Strategy (AMTS). The shortage of engineer-
proved to be the most suitable programme to
of compliance to industry standards and best ing skills in the automotive sector has
assist suppliers in the implementation of con-
practice. With the ever-increasing pressure on prompted the need for the AMTS to partner
tinuous improvement best practices through
costs, suppliers are required to be innovative with the AIDC to address this challenge. The
its practical implementation approach. The AIDC uses its collaboration with companies
in ensuring that together with the product,
the process and people aspect of the enter- aim of the AIDC Tirisano Cluster participating in the Tirisano Cluster Pro-
prise is developed to ensure an efficient, pro- Programme is to maximise value adding gramme as a delivery mechanism for PRIME.
ductive and sustainable automotive business. operations, minimise non-value adding oper-
The AIDC’s focus on Supplier Development ations and eliminate waste throughout the North West Programmes
has yielded positive results in its efforts to manufacturing processes. As part of the strategic support by the AIDC
16 May 2009
Cover Story
in the North West Province, the Tirisano the latest ICT infrastructure, access to the ed and improved partnerships between gov-
Cluster Programme and the HIV/AIDS market and a range of business support serv- ernment and the private sector.
Workplace Programmes have been identified ices - all at affordable rates. SATeC is located
as key interventions in the automotive indus- within the world-class Automotive Supplier United Nations Industrial Development
try. Other important programmes are the Park in Rosslyn, Pretoria. Organisation (UNIDO)
NAACAM Local Action Groups (LAGs), The Tirisano Cluster Programme was origi-
Pre-Feasibility of Catalytic Converter Cleaner Production nally established through the support and
Recycling and the Supply Chain Audit Tool The AIDC has formalised a partnership with development initiatives created by UNIDO
(SCAT). The plan is to have ongoing engage- the National Cleaner Production Centre in other emerging economies such as India.
ment to promote the development of the through a memorandum of understanding Through this partnership, the AIDC was able
supplier base in the North West Province. (MoU) aimed at introducing Cleaner to customise a South African approach in the
Production programmes to the automotive
form of the Tirisano Cluster Programme and
HIV/AIDS Workplace Programme sector.
this has been rolled out to the industry over
HIV/AIDS continues to be recognised as a
the past four years. As part of the ongoing
priority issue. As such, the AIDC’s NAACAM Local Action Groups (LAGs)
development and improvement of the pro-
HIV/AIDS Workplace Programme is bench- The South African automotive industry is
gramme, the AIDC has partnered with
marked against local and international best concentrated in three main hubs; viz.
UNIDO to identify opportunities to
practices and is implemented in partnership Gauteng, Eastern Cape and Kwa-Zulu Natal.
with labour and management alike. In addi- With NAACAM being the key component enhance the impact and expand the focus of
tion, the programme has been developed to manufacturing association in South Africa, the programme to the industry.
achieve significant impact on the uptake of the need to engage with its members on a
Voluntary Counselling and Testing, which local level, who incidentally form a large part Quality Management Systems
contributes to the sustainability of the pro- of the industry, had become of critical impor- The AIDC supports the DTI Enterprise and
gramme for the individual companies. tance. NAACAM introduced the concept of Industry Development Division (EIDD) in
Local Action Groups (LAGs) with the sup- assisting SME & BEE automotive suppliers
SATeC port and co-funding of local government with the implementation of ISO 9001 and
SATeC is the first incubator dedicated to the municipalities in Gauteng and the Eastern ISO/TS:16949, whereby the DTI has com-
automotive sector in the country. The centre Cape to cluster companies into geographical mitted R6.5m over a 3-year period to assist
offers entrepreneurs modern workspace, con- groups in order to facilitate partnering 30 automotive suppliers in becoming accred-
ference and training facilities, connection to through joint projects. This has further creat- ited to a Quality Management System.
Skills Development and Training

he automotive industry is a rapidly Employment Skills Development Agency the appointment of the AIDC to develop an
T advancing sector and continues to

work towards global best practices in
all facets of manufacturing and supply. It
(ESDA)
The AIDC has created a vehicle to employ
unemployed people whilst they are being
implementation strategy for the establish-
ment of a platinum-based Fuel Cell Centre of
Excellence.
continues to be a significant driver of growth trained to a qualification. The AIDC ESDA
in the South African economy. Unfortunate- is an independently registered legal entity
Automotive Experiential Career
ly, artisan, technologist, technician and engi- that was established as a project organisation
Development Programme (AECDP)
neering skills are in short supply and as such, within the AIDC to tackle the issue of skills
Aimed at increasing the number of Black
skills development and training is an area of shortages and unemployment.
critical importance and one of the key focus engineers available for employment in the
areas of the AIDC. Umsobomvu Youth Fund (UYF) Project automotive industry, the programme has
The AIDC ESDLE and Umsobomvu Youth been running in the Nelson Mandela Bay
National Skills Fund (NSF) Project Fund addresses skills shortages. The AIDC Metropole for a number of years and has
The National Skills Fund aims to provide ESDA and its partners continue to offer achieved phenomenal results in the uptake of
access to finance for skills development initia- value-added skills in addition to the technical black engineering students. The enrolment of
tives in line with the National Skills and academic training the learners have student engineers at the Nelson Mandela
Development Strategy II (NSDS II. The received. Metropolitan University has grown from year
AIDC is driving skills development projects to year, and this is now being replicated at the
in the Gauteng and North West Province. Promotion of the North West Centre of Tshwane University of Technology (TUT)
Joint Initiative for Priority Skills Acquisition Excellence Pretoria Campus.
(JIPSA) Engineering Advisory Group. The The automotive industry in the North West
AIDC was invited to represent the automo- Province is one of the priority sectors of the
The AIDC’s involvement in Supply Chain
tive industry on the JIPSA. Engineering North West Provincial Growth and
Development, Supplier Development and
Advisory Group, a task team formed in June Development Strategy (PGDS) and the
2006 to address the skills shortages amongst AIDC has partnered with the North West Skills Development and Training is truly
engineers and artisans. This forum is an Province since 2006 to support the PGDS. exciting and uplifting. Unfortunately, space
opportunity for the AIDC to represent the Through the MoU signed between the AIDC constraints preclude full disclosure in this fea-
needs of the automotive industry to govern- and the North West Government, a number ture. For more information, go to
ment and to further define the skills require- of key initiatives were identified for the auto- www.aidc.co.za, then click on Newsroom,
ments of this sector. motive sector. Among these initiatives was and peruse the news letters.
May 2009 17
Cover Story
AIDC Delivers on its Mandate

stablished to assist in automotive supply chain, they must have SEDA, and municipalities". The AIDC
E
increasing the global com- the technology and communication tools will be hosting its annual Automotive
petitiveness of the South to effectively link into their customers and Conference at South Africa Automotive
African automotive indus- supplier base." The DTI is a key sponsor Week from October 7 to 10 this year. The
try, the Automotive of the programme and partially subsidises conference will address the critical steps
Industry Development the cost of the selected ERP solution's necessary to accelerate economic growth in
Centre (AIDC) has demonstrated its pos- implementation. Another initiative is the the automotive industry and look at the
itive socioeconomic effect on its key focus quality management systems for lower tier motor industry's goal of producing one
areas. AIDC CEO Barlow Manilal says, "A SME and Black Economic Empowerment million cars a year by 2020, in terms of the
recently completed economic impact automotive suppliers planning to enter the current economic climate. This year's
assessment study of the AIDC concluded automotive sector. The programme offers theme is Navigating the storm: A roadmap
that the AIDC contributed favourably subsidised quality management systems at to vision 2020. Supply Chain
towards the automotive industry as well as supplier companies. Initiated by the AIDC Development manager-Eastern Cape,
to Government's national priorities, signif- and subsidised by the DTI, it implements Lance Schultz, who is the Conference
icantly delivering on the AIDC's triple ISO 9001:2008 or ISO/TS 16949:2002 Programme Manager, adds, " The event is
bottom line of industry impact, social quality management systems at lower tier the most authoritative of its kind on the
impact and improved sustainability as SME supplier companies. The AIDC also continent and provides visitors with com-
measured across the AIDC's key focus manages the National Skills Fund (NSF) prehensive analysis of the African automo-
areas of supply chain development, suppli- projects in Gauteng and North West tive industry, as well as access to and
er development, skills development and Province, which accelerates the pace of understanding of opportunities on the
training and government programmes". skills development. The National Skills continent".
The study found that the AIDC's activities Fund provides access to finance for skills
during 2007/8 directly contributed to development initiatives in line with the The AIDC hosted a workshop at
Gauteng's Gross Domestic Product by National Skills Development Strategy II Automechanika with key roleplayers in
Region growth by about R86,5-million (NSDS II), and is coordinated nationally March to address the retrenchment issues
and increased revenue due to tax income by the Department of Labour. As part of currently being faced by the automotive
by R12,3-million. The study showed that the programme, unemployed and unquali- Industry. It also identified possible solu-
for every Rand that BlueIQ invests into fied people are educated and trained tions to reduce the impact and developed
the AIDC, the government receives back through colleges and training institutes in actions to deliver solutions. The specific
R1,19 back in tax income. Tax income line with the available job opportunities. action emanating from the workshop that
received provides the government with The automotive industry has been identi- elicited the highest support from the group
additional revenue of about R917,5-mil- fied as a key sector for skills development. was the establishment of a skills database
lion a year. The centre has also been pivotal AIDC Skills Development and Training for the industry. Other actions include
in the creation of about 575 jobs, training Manager Rod Cham'mudzi notes, "The increased support for “green” SMEs, bridg-
a total of 1 395 people through formal programme's benefit is its ability to engage ing finance for manufacturers and the
training and experiential development employers who have not participated in establishment of retrenchment response
through seven training programmes. The regulated training activities in the past." teams.
indirect jobs created resulted in an
increased economic activity of R2,3-bil- The AIDC has been appointed to imple- Fayaz Sacoor, the AIDC’s Business
lion. At least 23 000 positions have been ment the NSF skills development projects Development Manager, comments:
kept sustainable through the AIDC's ini- in Gauteng and the North West province
tiatives and projects, such as the recently over a three-year period. The value of the “To take all the ideas into
launched AIDC Enterprise Resource Gauteng project is R23-million and the
action, the AIDC will be
Planning (ERP) Simplified programme, North West Province project R45-million.
which is supported by the Department of Roll out of the projects will begin this year. facilitating various task
Trade and Industry (DTI). The project The aim is to accelerate the pace of skills teams. We are particularly
aims to simplify the process of selecting development by training 835 learners in pleased to be championing the
and implementing a suitable ERP solution North West Province and 600 in Gauteng
establishment of a skills data-
for Small Medium Enterprise (SME) auto- through learnerships, artisan training pro-
motive suppliers in the automotive indus- grammes and internships. Cham'mudzi base for the automotive
try, providing them with access to afford- further adds, "The project will also result industry. The AIDC’s unique
able systems that will allow them to inte- in opportunities for entrepreneurs to position – serving both indus-
grate local supply chains and improve launch their own businesses, through
try and government – means
global competitiveness. AIDC's Supply Manufacturing, Engineering and Related
Chain Development Manager Dineshan Services SETA (merSETA's) new venture that we are ideally positioned
Moodley explains, "Put simply, for suppli- creation project along with key stakehold- to ensure that this database is
ers to competitively participate within the ers such as Gauteng Enterprise Propeller, created and maintained.”
18 May 2009
What’s the Buzz?

Joule on South African such an innovative product.” says MapIT to plant more than 9 500 trees in the
Managing Director, Ray Wilkinson. Ekurhuleni municipality in Gauteng. The
roads by 2010 number of trees chosen was equal to the num-
ber of cars that Audi sold in SA during a twelve
Optimal Energy, the Cape Town based compa- Hyundai Motor Company month period from June 2008 and began with
ny that unveiled a full electric multi-purpose recently showcased a wide range the first tree being planted at the Volkswagen
urban passenger vehicle named Joule to the of new eco-friendly Blue and Audi regional office in Midrand. FTFA is
world at the Paris Autoshow in 2008, has DriveTM products and technolo- the first and only South African social enter-
announced industrialisation plans to mass pro- prise addressing greening, climate change
duce the vehicle in South Africa from 2012. gies at the Seoul Motor Show action, food security and sustainable natural
This announcement comes on the back of a fur- resource use and management, with a strong
ther share issue to the Industrial Development The displays expanded on the Blue DriveTM focus on environmental and global warming
Corporation (IDC), as well as Innovation initiative, first announced at the 2008 Los education and awareness. Its mission is to con-
Fund, the technology investment division of the Angeles Auto Show, which seeks to offer envi- tribute to a healthy and sustainable quality of
Department of Science and Technology, for a ronmentally-aware customers with an eco- life for all through environmental awareness
fourth round capital investment. Optimal friendly alternative when it comes to purchasing and greening programmes. The joint collabora-
Energy intends raising further private capital their next Hyundai. More than just a sub- tion with Audi was an environmental project
towards the end of 2009. South Africans can brand, Blue DriveTM is an all-encompassing aimed at combating the rise in CO2 emissions,
look forward to pilot fleets of Joule on their banner that defines Hyundai’s product develop- while at the same time empowering local com-
roads and around the globe from 2010 ment strategy. As the company strives to mini-
onwards. Comments Kobus Meiring, CEO of mize the environmental impact of its vehicles, a
Optimal Energy, “Optimal Energy is capitalis- broad range of new technologies will be intro- (motorpics)
ing on South Africa’s technological prowess, its duced on current and future Hyundai models
track record of building premium cars for the with the aim of achieving a harmonious balance
export market, the current sea of change in between cars and the environment.
transport technology brought about by climate
change, pollution and energy security issues,
and the immense progress in battery technolo-
gy. Optimal Energy aims to place South Africa
at the frontline of the renewable energy move-
ment with Joule. This investment helps us to
drive the industrialisation process, taking us to
the next level.”
munities to sustain their own environments
through the transfer of skills and knowledge to
Chrysler LLC forms the community of Ekurhuleni through training
strategic alliance for workshops and ongoing support.
ENVI electric vehicle ALL-ROUNDER MAHINDRA

line-up GM and Segway Join Forces XYLO PRESENTED TO MAN
to Reinvent Urban OF THE MATCH
Chrysler LLC has announced one of its strate-
gic partners and production battery supplier for Transportation
Mahindra South Africa presented Man of the
the company’s first production electric vehicles. Match, Rory Kleinveldt with the recently-
Chrysler LLC and A123Systems have signed an General Motors Corp. and Segway have
demonstrated a new type of vehicle that could launched Mahindra XYLO at a pre-IPL warm-
agreement for the supply of energy storage sys- up cricket game between the Cape Cobras and
tems for Chrysler’s first-generation ENVI change the way we move around in cities.
Dubbed Project P.U.M.A. (Personal Urban the Rajasthan Royals. According to Mr. Ashok
Range-extended Electric Vehicles and battery Thakur, chief executive of Mahindra South
only Electric Vehicles. A123Systems is an Mobility and Accessibility), GM and Segway
are developing an electric two-seat prototype Africa, who presented the keys of the Mahindra
American battery supplier with plans for a XYLO to Kleinveldt, the company is very
Michigan-based production facility. vehicle with just two wheels, which could allow
people to travel around cities more quickly, proud to be associated with the exciting pre-IPL
safely, quietly and cleanly, and at a lower total season match between the Cape Cobras and the
MiWay selects MapIT as its cost. The vehicle also enables design creativity, Rajasthan Royals which set the tone for the IPL
preferred data supplier fashion, fun and social networking. “Project series which kicked off in Cape Town on
P.U.M.A. represents a unique solution to mov- 18 April.
MapIT has announced that it has been selected ing about and interacting in cities, where more
by MiWay, to supply all of its mapping require- than half of the world’s people live,” says Larry
ments for its latest product offering Burns, GM vice president of research and devel-
MiDriveStyle. The MiDriveStyle is the first of opment, and strategic planning. “Imagine
its kind insurance plan where the premium is small, nimble electric vehicles that know where
determined by a person’s driving style. In a time other moving objects are and avoid running
when budgets are squeezed, this unique vehicle into them. Now, connect these vehicles in an
insurance allows the driver to manage their Internet-like web and you can greatly enhance
insurance payments and not pay premium the ability of people to move through cities,
insurance rates based on averages. The find places to park, and connect to their social
MiDriveStyle is a technological breakthrough in and business networks.”
that the unique tracking device, dubbed
Zhaker, which is easily installed into the vehicle, AUDI of South Africa Celebrates
is designed to automatically capture driver the Planting of 9500 trees
habits through the measurement of G-forces
and GPS information. “MapIT’s mapping data Audi South Africa remains firmly committed to
is an essential element that underpins the Ashok Thakur, chief executive of Mahindra
making its contribution to a greener future in South Africa presents the key to Man of the
ground-breaking technology being used by South Africa. It recently completed a year long
MiWay, and we are very excited to be linked to Match, Rory Kleinveldt.
project with Food and Trees for Africa (FTFA)
20 May 2009
What’s the Buzz?
(quickpic)
Hyundai Nuvis Concept makes world debut at New York Auto Show
RENAULT-NISSAN ALLIANCE made significant investments in these shows –
70% were custom designed – and the four full
AND LEASEPLAN TO BUILD halls of the Sydney Exhibition Centre looked
ZERO-EMISSION FUTURE IN fantastic. Stands were big and bright and the
EUROPE people were buzzing,” he said. “Second, the
quality of enquiries and leads received by the
LeasePlan, the European market leader in fleet exhibitors was very high. The visitors came to
and vehicle management, and the Renault- talk business and many exhibitors remarked
Nissan Alliance have announced their collabo- that there were few time wasting ‘tyre kickers’.
ration in a partnership for Zero-Emission “And third, the networking opportunities
Mobility, an initiative bringing electric mobility offered by these events were happily accepted.
to the global markets. Under a memorandum of All of the industry events held in conjunction
Understanding (MOU) the two parties will with the Expos were well supported. During the
study ways to promote the use of electric vehi- Collision Repair Expo, all of the International
cles and they will investigate the options for a Seminar Series sessions were close to capacity, as
commercial approach towards corporate fleet were the 24 demonstrations held in the
customers. The MOU also intends to define the Lowbake spray booth. The Awards to Industry
terms and conditions for the supply by the Banquet recognising AAAA members’ achieve-
Alliance of electric vehicles to LeasePlan and its ments was enjoyed by 500 people, and capacity
clients. Netherlands-based company LeasePlan crowds attended the other AAAA functions
has a global presence with offices in 30 coun- held during the Expos. “There are no other
tries and manages 1.4 million vehicles. events in Australia that bring together such a
LeasePlan is the first international fleet and well known hits including “Little Deuce large and committed automotive aftermarket
vehicle management company certified by TÜV Coupe,” “409,” and “Fun Fun Fun.” As a audience. We congratulate all exhibitors for
Rheinland for its sustainability initiative founding member of the Beach Boys, Brian their determination to defy the economy and
GreenPlan. GreenPlan was globally introduced Wilson’s music evokes memories for classic showcase the strength of the Australian auto
in 2007 and supports LeasePlan’s clients in their Americana and a simpler more fun-loving time. aftermarket.
environmental engagement to reduce CO2
emissions from their car fleet. 2009 SYDNEY EXPOS PROVE
THE STRENGTH OF THE
IT’S “FUN, FUN, FUN!” WITH
AFTERMARKET
BRIAN WILSON SET TO
PERFORM AT THE ANNUAL The automotive aftermarket is booming all over
PETERSEN AUTOMOTIVE the world. This report from Australia proves the
MUSEUM CHARITY GALA point: The Auto Aftermarket Expo and
Collision Repair Expo held at the Sydney
MAY 7 Exhibition Centre from 2 to 4 April won a
strong response from the aftermarket mechani-
The Petersen Automotive Museum has cal and crash repair sectors, with 8144 visitors
announced that legendary Grammy award-win- exploring the 370 exhibitor displays. An initia-
ning musician, Brian Wilson and his band, will tive of the Australian Automotive Aftermarket
perform at the Museum’s annual charity Gala Association (AAAA), the combined Expos cov-
on May 7. The Museum will celebrate its 15th ered 20,000 square metres of floor space with
Anniversary this year during the “California high quality exhibits featuring Australian and
Dreaming” themed event that will honour international products and services. AAAA
Thomas V. McKernan, Chief Executive Officer Executive Director Stuart Charity said the 2009
of the Automobile Club of Southern California, Ron Pedder (right) received the 2009 AAAA
visitor numbers for these trade only Expos were
with the 2009 Petersen Automotive Museum Outstanding Service to Industry Award
33% higher than the 2005 Sydney show organ-
Icon Award. Brian Wilson’s performance will ised by the AAAA. “There were three stand out
from 2007 winner Andrew Schram. Ron
include a live show featuring some of his most features of these Expos. First, the exhibitors Pedder was also inducted into the AAAA
Hall of Fame.
May 2009 21
Auto Topical
by Tony Twine,
Senior Economist,
Director –
A Lack of Intelligence
Econometrix (Pty)
Ltd Report
REPORT BACKGROUND: As the motor sector world wide scrambles to find some bedrock upon which to
rebuild itself and the White House begins re-arranging the incumbents of the American Industry’s executive offices,
that other Company in Langley, Virginia has been called in to assess suggestions made recently to salvage what is
left of the industry. Here is an early specimen of its analysis:
Subject: The integration of component suppliers into financial- might have thought that they could afford them after the mar-
ly stronger enterprises, with closer links to OEM’s. keters had created the term “sub-prime mortgages,” which was
quite a cunning disguise of the fact that they were really super-
Source: A female agent of a large international audit and consult- prime in nature, an obvious case of superior counter-intelligence
ing company which operates under a two letter acronym that has directed at the minimally intelligent public.
appeared on boot-lid badges on many makes of vehicle since the
1960’s. Recommendation: Somebody has to inform corporate, public
and private America that they got into trouble by attempting to
Primary data source: Article on website www.eautoportal.com, create assets out of thin air. This was done by means of financial
datelined 13th March 2009, which was a Friday. institutions using the leverage of the credit multiplier (the ancient
tradition by which banks are allowed to lend money that they do
Recommendation made: Within the context of the abovemen- not really have on the assumption that not everybody will want all
tioned integration plan, the consultant lists a number of require- their deposits back from the bank at a single given moment) to
ments that will be necessary for the success of the operation. pay for assets like houses and cars on behalf of their borrowing
These include: clients. Asset prices grew completely disproportionately to their
intrinsic values, so the banks had to lend more and more money
“…damage can be mitigated if key suppliers form a coalition that did not really exist to keep transactions of the housing and
with automakers, banks and the government to drive an order- other assets stock moving.
ly consolidation of the supply base.”
And now it is suggested that we cure the resulting problem by
Various players, which the recommendations say should be sepa- doing exactly the same thing again. It appears more unlikely than
rated conceptually into consolidators and consolidatee’s, having Iraq having weapons of mass destruction that the salvation of the
various roles, including component suppliers, government, banks US motor sector and its economy as a whole will lie in further
and OEM’s. The role of banks in the integration process is of par- pump priming to cure the inevitable ills of earlier pump priming
ticular interest and the recommendations include the following: which is simply the creation of credit to conjure up an illusion of
wealth, however that illusion, if sustained, keeps getting the folks
“Provide affordable financing” on Capitol Hill and further down Pennsylvania Avenue elected
and re-elected, so it will be a difficult one for any intelligence or
“Amend loan terms” intelligent community to subvert.
“Lend through the downturn: Potentially pro-

vide over-formula or “air ball” loans (a loan
whose value exceeds the value of the collateral)
to allow consolidators to manage through the
downturn”.
Interpretation by this office: The consultant

works in Southfield, Michigan, and we can only
conclude that the last shipment of whatever she is
on must have been really potent stuff.
Unclassified CIA, FBI, IRS, Treasury and Federal
Reserve files all indicate that the position that the
Auto Industry finds itself in originated from
financial institutions creating such “air ball” loans
for at least the past two decades. The targets of the
loan finance were people who could not really
afford the loans at normal interest rates, let alone
the prime+6% at which they were issued. They
22 May 2009
A Sturdy Oak
It was no surprise when Tomson Motors from
Stellenbosch won the coveted e-CAR “Workshop of the
Year 2008” trophy, presented at the e-CAR National
Indaba in Muldersdrift November 2008 to proprietor
Sean Thompson. No surprise because Sean Thompson
runs a model workshop, focusing on both the big things
and the small things, with a strong commitment to cus-
tomer service.
he e-CAR award rewarded Sean for the
T overall top marks attained in the ten evalu-

ation categories. Amongst these were his
AA Quality Rating of 97%, his above aver-
age visual standards, workshop cleanliness, the use of
the latest Bosch diagnostic equipment, and the other
Sean Thompson holding two examples of mar-
keting initiatives, one his own and the other an
e-CAR initiative. The e-CAR logbook allows
motorists to keep a record of their vehicle’s
maintenance after they’ve left the manufac-
characteristics which make him the model workshop turer’s service plan, whilst the emergency tyre
and the ideal e-CAR member. Sean started his career inflater is given as a useful thank you to
as an apprentice motor mechanic in 1972, and worked Tomson Motors clients
his way up the ladder to the position of foreman at
Stellenbosch’s local Mercedes-Benz dealer, Eikestad
Motors, where he served for 17 years. 11 years ago, This shot says it all – the e-CAR trophy and a
wall full of certificates
Sean decided to establish Tomson Motors. He
dropped the h and the p in Thompson as he consid-
ered them phonetically superfluous, which gives a
good indication of his precise approach to everything
he does, and his eschewing of extraneous ballast.
Tomson Motors inherited a loyal clientele, which Sean
had developed over the years, and his business flour- The eclectic mix of badges indicates the versatility of Tomson Motors
ished. However, Sean has both an engineering and
entrepreneurial bent, and he realised that for him to
both survive and grow, he needed the backing of a
national franchise. The modern motor vehicle places
increasing technological challenges on workshops, and
to stay abreast of these advances requires a helping
hand from an equally modern workshop concept.
e-CAR membership fits this bill, as it provides the
opportunity to stay independent whilst reaping the
benefits of Bosch training, national advertising, and
access to branded product at competitive prices from
the Diesel-Electric organisation, and most important-
ly, staying at the forefront of technology. This combi-
nation of independence and support really appealed to
Sean, and he joined South Africa’s fastest growing
workshop network some two years ago. This has
allowed him to spread his marketing and entrepre-
neurial wings in a controlled environment, and it pro-
vides a platform for him to reach his true potential. A spacious and impeccably clean workshop
To join the fastest growing workshop network in South Africa and to add a new dimension to your business,
contact Wilfried Langenbach at 0860 003 227
(0860 00 ECAR)
May 2009 23
A series of articles on the rise of the Chery automobile
Chery Tiggo –
An Affordable Choice
In a time when consumers are faced with numerous economic chal-
lenges and pressures on their disposable income, including fuel
price and interest rate increases (fortunately at the end of its
cycle); affordable motoring has become a priority for many.
urchasing a new car is never an easy task and probably and this is probably the only car I have driven where I had to
P a task most people wish could be made a little easier.

Every day of our lives we are bombarded by advertis-
ing campaigns from various motoring brands. We read
it in magazines, hear it on the radio and even see it in
the programmes we watch on television. Luckily nothing can
bring the consumer closer to the truth than the testimony of a
happy client.
move the seat forward and not backwards when I got in. Usually
my wife, my youngest son and I travel together, but even when
there are five adults in the car we have been comfortable.’
The Chery Tiggo is powered by a 2.0-litre ACTECO engine that

was jointly developed by Chery and Austria AVL and adheres to
stringent Euro III emission controls. The 2.0-litre in-line four
cylinder engine produces 95kW of power at 5 500 rpm, while
In early 2008 McCarthy Motor Holdings, a member of the delivering a maximum torque of 180Nm at 4 500 rpm.
Bidvest Group, announced the launch of a new vehicle brand in
South Africa, Chery, aimed at offering more affordable motoring Other than that, the Tiggo offers a 6 change CD/mp3 player, an
to the local public. In June 2008 a family man from Bloemfontein air-conditioner and electric windows on all four doors. The Tiggo
was faced with the mammoth task of choosing his next family also boasts advanced braking technology with disk brakes in the
vehicle and after much deliberation, finally settled on the Chinese front and rear, enhanced by 4-circuit ABS and EBD. Dual front
built Chery Tiggo 2.0 TX. Ever since that day Johann Penning has airbags and great fuel economy made Penning’s choice easier. The
never looked back once, and he describes himself, ‘as happy as can family recently returned from a holiday, and with three people
be.’ Before actually visiting a Chery dealership, Penning noticed and their baggage, Penning averaged a moderate 12.5 km/l.
the unbeatable pricing of the Tiggo. It was hard to overlook, with ‘There is simply not anything else, that can offer you as much as
the pricing at the time starting at around R160 000. He then this car, at this price’, he concludes.
turned to Google in search of more information. ‘I could not find
a single negative thing mentioned from any Tiggo owners, in fact A main concern these days is after sales service and the costs there-
I only found good things’, he said. of. Before embarking on their holiday, Penning took his Tiggo for
its 15 000km service and to his amazement, it only put him back
It is almost a year since Penning bought the vehicle and he is still R 600, not bad considering what some other brands charge on a
as happy as the day he drove it off the showroom floor. The Chery small service such as this. ‘We have traveled extensively with the
2.0 Tiggo is positioned as a modern and dynamic small urban Tiggo, which included long stretches of tar and dirt road. We have
SUV. As the price leader in its class, it is packed full of surprises been over mountains and to this day I have not had a single prob-
within its compact SUV dimensions and offers sedan-like per- lem with the car, not even a rattle’, Penning says.
formance, comfort and convenience. Designers of the Chery
Tiggo set out to design a vehicle with international appeal, adopt- The love for his Chery Tiggo was evident when he faced the final
ing aggressive yet sporty lines, alloy wheels and contemporary question, which was that whenever he replaces his car, the answer
shaped light clusters. Penning mentions that, ‘I am 1.95 m tall, was ‘Another Chery of course’.
24 May 2009
health care
MOTO Health Care – Managing

Your Health
The new look Moto Health Care has been designed to be fully compliant with the
Medical Schemes Act, whilst also delivering to its members in terms of flexibility,
affordability, accessibility and most importantly, a model that provides appropriate
and managed health care. In this series of articles, ABR provides a forum for the
trustees to explain the processes and outcomes over the past two years in reaching
these goals.
overnance of Moto Health plans led to an unavoidable increase in
G Care resides with a Board of

Trustees, the members of
which are appointed by the
stakeholders through their respective con-
stitutions. However, the decisions taken
contributions of higher than the Trustees
would liked to have seen for 2009. Do
bear in mind that in considering benefits
and contributions for a year your Trustees
do seek expert advice from the scheme’s
by the trustees in the running of MHC are actuarial consultants.
not influenced by mandates from the
stakeholders, but are taken in the best Because the Custom and Essential plans
interests of members, a key requirement of are completely re-designed plans, compar-
the Medical Schemes Act. ing their contribution rates to those of the
previous low cost plans is entirely inappro-
Thus the emergence of the new look Moto priate. The introduction of a service
Health Care was driven by the commit- provider network through Carecross is the
ment to members to provide a scheme that only way in which the scheme can provide
could cater to a wide range of needs and the level of day to day benefits for the con-
levels of affordability and would be highly tributions payable. It is, therefore, essential
competitive from a contribution versus Barry Canning, Chairman Board of that members on those plans embrace this
benefit perspective. Trustees - MOTO Health Care model. Your Trustees are certain that once
a proper understanding of this model is
At the launch of Moto Health Care at the reached, members will do precisely that.
beginning of 2007 contractual obligations
with service providers to MHC’s predeces- Momentum Medical Schemes Adminis- Finally, I appeal to all members to
sors, MIMED and Automed, led to a situ- trators were appointed. Your Trustees are familiarise themselves with the scheme’s
ation where a fresh start with new service convinced that their decision to appoint rules and the benefits. A proper under-
providers could not be achieved at a stroke. MMSA will soon be vindicated. standing of these will go a long way in
This led to the situation where highly making a member’s claims experience
unacceptable service delivery was experi- During 2008 MHC was finally registered an agreeable one and go a long way to
enced by the scheme and its members. with the Council for Medical Schemes in stretching the benefits. It will also assist in
terms of the Medical Schemes Act. As such reducing the number of queries that MHC
As a consequence intense negotiations the scheme is required to become fully or its administrators field on a daily basis.
were conducted during the year to extri- compliant with the Act. Pleasingly the
cate MHC from its contractual obligations scheme is almost there in this regard.
with one of the service providers without Full compliance with the Act has for some
the threat of litigation, and this led to the time been one of the Trustees strategic
stabilisation of MHC during 2008, with a objectives.
marked improvement in service delivery.
2008 also provided MHC with the oppor- However, this did bring challenges to
tunity to invite tenders from major med- MHC. One of these challenges is the
ical scheme administrators for its adminis- requirement to provide prescribed mini-
tration and managed health care needs mum benefits as part of the total benefit
from 2009 onwards. The tender process package. While exemption from PMB’s
was conducted in a professional and high- was sought for the Custom and Essential
ly transparent fashion, at the end of which plans, the provision for PMB’s in the other
May 2009
26
Peugeot Update
by Howard Keeg
Peugeot’s impressive Head Office has become an

iconic sight for motorist’s driving past on the N3
Putting the Kart before the Hoarse

Peugeot is a name that evokes memories of my late teens, when in my first real job in the early seventies I was required, over and
above my accounting functions, to do the daily rounds to the bank, post office, attorneys, impatient customers, and even picking
up the boss’s kids from school. I was happy to do this, as I had a lot of energy in those days, and I welcomed the break from the
routine. Two vehicles were available to me; the boss’s Granada V8 and the company’s general run-around Peugeot 404 station
wagon. My fellow workers were always surprised that whenever I had a choice, I always went for the Peugeot 404. There was
method in my madness. Yes, the Granada was a powerful beast that could out drag anything in sight, but there was always the
minor problem of the boss’s kids who couldn’t keep their mouths shut, and the career damaging potential of pranging the boss’s
pride and joy. And it was a thirsty blighter that always seemed to need petrol, and if there is one thing I truly hate it is to waste
time at petrol stations. Genuinely, though, I preferred the Peugeot because it was such fun to drive, and so different. It had a
column mounted gear shift that you had to push AWAY to go into first gear, unlike the other cars with column shift gears, where
you pulled the lever. An added plus was that it was virtually indestructible and never spent time at the workshop, and it was so
frugal that I could sail past fuel stations with impunity.
The PMSA parts warehouse after been converted into a The pit crew worked hard behind the scenes
207 metre go kart track
28 May 2009
Peugeot Update
he fact is that the French are different, and delightfully solve this problem? Along with the PMSA management team,
T so. Peugeot has celebrated this tradition since its

founding over 150 years ago, with early examples of
their passion for distinctive variation being Armand
Peugeot’s “Le Grande Bi” penny farthing bicycle, and Peugeot’s
first automobile, a three wheeled steam driven car in 1889. Toni
they came up with a solution both Gallic and pragmatic, as it
combined the elements of joie de vivre, c’est la vie and vive la
difference in a practical and fun way. Toni sent out an invitation
to the media to participate in “some thrilling action and a morn-
ing of high-speed fun” at the Peugeot Head Office in Linbro Park,
Herbst, general manager Public Relations, Peugeot Motors South and she tweaked convention by doing this on a Saturday, and on
Africa (PMSA), has been at Peugeot for less than a year, and yet a Kyalami race meet Saturday! The kids were also invited,
she has already been inculcated with the French way of life, and it and taken off mommy’s and daddy’s hands during the business
shows in how she handles her portfolio. This was apparent when presentation and go kart event.
Toni was faced with a seemingly intractable problem. At issue was
the general (and generally incorrect) perception amongst the This ruse of putting the kart before the hoarse worked to
media and the public that PMSA’s after sales service levels were perfection, as the turnout was better than could be expected and
not up to the same high standards as their motor vehicles. Toni the journalists had a whale of a time in speeding around the
was literally talking herself hoarse in explaining to the motoring Peugeot state of the art warehouse in racing go karts, whilst sub-
media that PMSA had invested significantly, in people and liminally taking in the enormous size of the building. Toni had
processes, to ensure that parts availability and customer achieved what she set out to do, and everyone who had attended
satisfaction levels are maintained at above what is regarded as went away with a much better understanding of Peugeot’s
acceptable, and yet the perception still lingered. How was Toni to commitment to its service levels both globally and locally.
The media is briefed on the rules Ready to roll
The track allowed for high speed cornering
The paraphernalia lent an authentic air
May 2009 29
Peugeot Update
Going from strength to strength

A bird eye’s view of Peugeot’s cavernous parts
warehouse, covering over 8 000 square metres
eugeot Motors South Africa con- monitor the performance of the parts sup- mum pick rate of 96 percent.” Moll says
P tinues to improve its parts supply

and delivery service, as part of an
all-encompassing drive to up cus-
tomer service at all levels. PMSA’s substan-
tial investment in a state of the art ware-
ply division. The indicator doesn’t only
measure the first pick service rate, Moll
explains. “It is a much more comprehen-
sive warehouse indicator that takes several
aspects into account, including the level of
the advantage for the customer is an
increase in availability of the correct part,
which in turn allows repairs to be effected
timeously. “In fact, our IQS improvement
during 2008 already allowed PMSA to
house, adjacent to the company’s head selection errors, the level of damaged parts, decrease the level of back orders by 34 per-
office in Linbro Park, has been a key con- the level of denial, to what extent the cent.” The positive impact of the ware-
tributor in upping both availability and expected delivery lead time has been house IQS has already been felt further a
supply of parts to the Peugeot dealer net- adhered to, and the conformity of the field. “We know that it has also changed
work countrywide. According to Eric parts.” To ensure that the warehouse is cor- the public perception of our Peugeot deal-
Moll, Parts and Service GM at PMSA, the rectly and efficiently operated in the con- er network. In the 2008 Dealer
company’s investment in warehouse infra- text of an industrial environment, while Satisfaction Index survey, Peugeot’s parts
structure and system control has had an enabling the improved internal quality sys- availability rating reached 86,7 percent,
ongoing, positive impact. “Back in 2005, tem, the facility was ISO 9001 certified in placing it third behind Kia and BMW. The
our original warehouse, also in Linbro August 2008. industry average for the period was 63,8
Park, had a footprint of 2 350 square percent. While we believe we have made
metres, where some five stock pickers over- Peugeot’s parts warehouse IQS has shown major progress in the improvement of
saw a parts stock holding valued at approx- a positive trend in both urgent order and parts supply, we can’t afford to rest on our
imately R13-million. We typically held stock order terms since the warehouse was laurels,” says Moll. “The next, vital step is
some 8 000 items in a multi-bin storage commissioned. For instance, the first pick to change the perception of the customer.”
configuration, and average annual service rate between February 2007 and
turnover was in the region of R70-mil- January 2009 rose from 80 percent to 92
lion.” Today, Moll says, the new warehouse percent, while improved control of quali-
covers 8 010 square metres, almost four tative criteria played a further, positive
times the size of the previous facility. “We role. “However, we want to do even better.
now have nine pickers and a quality super- Our target is to at least match the typical
visor staffing the warehouse, while typical European warehouse IQS of 95 percent.
stockholding value has risen to some 14 And to achieve this, we have set ourselves
000 items, representing a value of about some specific objectives,” Moll says. Those
R20-million. Total turnover has jumped to objectives include achieving a minimum of
R120-million. Also, we’ve migrated to a 98 percent for delivery lead time, contain-
more efficient single-bin plus reserve stor- ing selections errors to only 0,112 percent,
age system.” The commissioning of the and restricting denials to only 0,195 per-
new warehouse also heralded the imple- cent. “We also want to reduce parts dam-
mentation of a global quality indicator to age to 0,08 percent, and achieve a mini- Eric Moll, Parts and Service GM at PMSA
30 May 2009
Peugeot Update
Heading for the top

Peugeot is heading for the top. Despite the intensely competitive market, and a global
slump in demand for new vehicles, the French auto maker is intent on becoming one of the
world’s top three manufacturers as far as quality and customer satisfaction are con-
cerned. Known as CAP2010, this global Peugeot strategy has also been embraced by
Peugeot Motors South Africa (PMSA). “And while it is an ambitious target, it is one we can
and will achieve in our local market,” says Terri Russell, quality manager at PMSA.
ustomer satisfaction, she adds, dealers are in the bottom 25 percent of our
C starts with product quality –

which in turn is influenced by
product design and build quali-
ty. “Product quality is a key driver of cus-
tomer satisfaction, and one of the underly-
network in terms of customer satisfaction.
These dealers then receive additional atten-
tion from our area managers to improve
their results.” In addition, dealer CSI incen-
tive payments are linked to specific quality
ing aspects of the JD Power survey, a quali- andcustomer satisfaction standards.
ty and customer satisfaction survey that
Peugeot supports on a global basis. We’ve Russell says the JD Power international sur-
already seen definite improvements in the vey is a useful management tool used by
quality of our current model range, includ- Peugeot in France to measure and compare
ing the 308 and the 207, and this has had the performance of Peugeot’s subsidiaries
an impact on improving our customer sat- worldwide in terms of quality and customer
isfaction results.” Russell explains that satisfaction. “As part of an annual quality Terri Russell, quality manager at PMSA
PMSA’s quality strategy is focused on two plan submitted to Peugeot France, we
key elements: people, and processes. “We began investing in purchasing the detailed
won’t be able to achieve our quality and results of this survey in 2008. This has
customer satisfaction strategy unless we enabled us to analyse our performance in
have competent and committed manage- relation to other manufacturers and
ment and staff in place, both within our importers in SA, and implement docu-
dealer network and at PMSA.” The compa- mented action plans to improve our
ny has invested heavily in the resources results.” PMSA’s call centre is another
required to ensure it can offer world-class aspect that has seen substantial investment
training for its entire dealer staff. over the past two years, Russell reveals. “We
have improved our ability to assist cus-
“This training is classroom, in-dealer and tomers with queries or concerns regarding
online-based. Dealer staff are measured not our product or the service received from
only on training attendance, but more our dealer network. Improving the service
importantly on competence assessments levels in our network has achieved a decline Customer satisfaction levels are a high
that they are required to complete every in the volume of complaints coming priority at PMSA
quarter.” PMSA has also linked its CSI through our Call Centre. By improving the
(customer satisfaction index) measurement efficiency and the effectiveness of the
to an individual result for key frontline PMSA call centre, the average number of
staff, namely service advisors and sales exec- days that it takes to resolve customer com-
utives. “That should enable us to assist indi- plaints has been reduced. The current target
viduals in our dealer network to improve is to ensure that 80 percent of customer
their ability to deliver outstanding cus- complaints are resolved in 10 days or less.”
tomer service.” As far as processes, the sec- PMSA remains committed to supporting
ond focus point of the strategy, is con- the Motor Industry Ombudsman (MIO),
cerned, PMSA is rolling out a programme an independent dispute resolution body
dubbed ‘Essentials’ throughout its dealer that is able to assist both Peugeot’s cus-
network. It will define the quality standards tomers and its dealer network.
and tools that Peugeot dealers need to “The MIO allows customers and dealers to
implement at each stage of the customer reduce the time taken and the cost of
interaction cycle – in both Sales and After- resolving difficult cases that require specific
Sales. PMSA also has a CSI (customer satis- expertise. The mooted amendments to the
faction index) programme in place to meas- Consumer Protection Legislation will make The drive to the top is headed up by com-
ure and monitor its dealer network in terms the role of the MIO in terms of protecting mitted management. PMSA’s managing
of key aspects of customer satisfaction. “We consumer rights even more critical,” Russell director, Kees-Jan Boorsma, seen at the
use a quartile approach to determine which concluded. function with Jean-François Bacos
May 2009 31
Customer C.A.R.E
Trilogy Customer C.A.R.E.

Programme
– sponsored by Federal-Mogul
The core problem in poor customer service levels is ATTITUDE. If you can change the
attitude of the majority of your management and staff, you have won the battle. Good
customer service flows naturally once this has been achieved. The good news is that
there is a programme available that can do this, and it has been developed by South
Africans for South Africans. It is called the Trilogy Customer C.A.R.E. Programme.
If you send everyone in your company on this course, the odds of success are prac-
tically guaranteed. From next month, ABR is to serialise this programme, to allow
companies to slowly but surely inculcate the values of the programme across the
entire spectrum of staff, from managing director to cleaner.
he Trilogy Customer is recommended. The programme has cated. Module 53 requires a minimum of
T C.A.R.E. Programme has

been designed for flexibility
to allow for easy modifica-
tion and tailoring for specific
requirements. Therefore, if you simply
want to emphasise the importance of cus-
tomer care from a competitive point of
been written and compiled to achieve a
long term change of attitude and behav-
iour, and has proved successful when
implemented with enthusiasm and com-
mitment by the company. Assessments of
individuals can be done before and after
the course, to ascertain how successful the
120 minutes. The management modules
have been structured to convert manage-
ment into customer care champions, as
this is where the main problem lies. Believe
it or not, it is more difficult to change
management perceptions about customer
care than line employees. Once you have
view, modules 1 to 5, 21 to 29, 34 to 38 course has been in changing perceptions, management buy-in into customer care,
and 47 to 52 (25 modules) become para- but the true test comes when an evaluation more than half the battle has been won. It
mount. However, if you prefer the hands- is done a year down the line. Each module is also recommended that management
on approach, modules 6 to 20 and 47 to requires on average 45 minutes of dedicat- and staff do the general modules together,
52 (21 modules) come into play. It must ed time, but can be condensed to an aver- as this reinforces the united approach to
be emphasised that for the Programme to age of 30 minutes or expanded to an aver- customers.
succeed holistically, then the entire course age of 60 minutes, depending on time allo-
Management Modules General Modules (for all staff)

Modules 1 to 5: Philosophical look at customer care – what Modules 27 to 29: Introduction / Overture
(5 modules) exactly are we looking at, and talking about? (3 modules)
Modules 6 to 10: Implementing a Customer C.A.R.E. Modules 30 to 33: The Economy
(5 modules) Culture/Programme in your company : (4 modules)
Phase One – Customer C.A.R.E. Modules 34 to 38: The Role of Business in the Economy
Consciousness
(5 modules)
Modules 11 to 17: Implementing a Customer C.A.R.E.
Modules 39 to 46: The Role of You in Business
(7 modules) Culture/Programme in your
(8 modules)
company : Phase Two – Formalisation Stage
Modules 47 to 52: The Customer – Techniques /
Modules 18 to 20: Review of activities / Motivational tech
(3 modules) niques / Affirmative action questions (6 modules) Motivations / Processes
Modules 21 to 26: Real life scenarios / Options / Employee Module 53: Summary / Review
(6 modules) Buy-In concepts (1 module)
In the June 2009 issue of ABR, we begin with Module One.
32 May 2009
Frankly Speaking
by Frank Beeton
Nano Technology
To be honest, I’m thorough- struction carrying panels
ly sick and tired of writing made from plastic, or even
about the woes of the reinforced waste paper,
global motor industry, so and having glassless win-
this month I’m going some- dow apertures. As we now
where completely different know, the Nano is of
- to India, in fact, to have a pressed sheet steel con-
closer look at the Tata struction with four doors,
Nano. When this most basic fairly conventional materi- real windows and conven-
of cars was first unveiled als. Given its pricing tar- tional driveline compo-
“in the metal” at the begin- get of 100 000 Rupees nents. It also incorporates
ning of last year, there (currently around R20 a number of built-in passive
was considerable surprise 000), it was widely expect- safety features, so the
that it was of fairly con- ed to emerge with some innovation is mainly in the
ventional design, using sort of spaceframe con- packaging.
hile much of the rest of the km/h and 30% gradeability, with fuel con- perceptions of “entry-level” cars. The
W world was looking for radi-

cal transport solutions with
electric, hybrid or even
hydrogen power, Ratan Tata saw the future
in affordability. His vision was to take
sumption of 4,25 l/100 kms. Warranty
cover for 18 months/24 000 kms is provid-
ed, with emissions compliance fairly close
to current European standards available
from the outset. While it was to be expect-
Nano Europa specification differs in hav-
ing a 3-cylinder, fuel-injection engine (one
“pot” more than the domestic model), 5-
speed automatic transmission replacing
the four-speed manual, electric power
India’s millions off their precarious perches ed that equipment levels would be very steering, ABS, ESP and Air Bags. Tata is
on motorcycles, and put them into some- basic, Tata has announced the availability also working on what is described as a
thing safer, yet still within their financial of three variants when retail sales finally “micro-hybrid” version of the Nano, and
reach. In the process, his brief to Tata’s kick off in April. The standard model will has reportedly been talking to Bosch with
engineers was extremely challenging, but offer three colour options, single-tone seats a view to using their engine start/stop
the result may turn out to be a car with and a fold down rear seat, while the CX technology. The possibility of all-electric
substantial global appeal, given present trim package will include five colour or petrol-electric hybrid versions of what
financial conditions. Over the past few options, heating and air conditioning, is, essentially, an ideal town car, must sure-
decades, motorists have come to expect two-tone seats, a parcel shelf, boosted ly be in the planning envelope.
phenomenal levels of sophistication in brakes and “nap rest” fold-down rear seat.
even the cheapest entry-level cars, and the The top-of-the-line LX will add fabric Tata now says that it intends to carry the
time has never been riper to redefine the seats, central locking, front power win- Nano design philosophy over into the
baseline of affordable personal transport. dows, fog lamps, trip meter, cup holder, commercial vehicle arena. It already has
mobile charger point and rear spoiler to the Ace, a three-quarter ton payload, for-
It has taken the best part of fifteen months the CX baseline. Standard safety features ward-control mini truck with a 700 cc
to get the Nano into production, mainly on all models include a reinforced passen- two-cylinder water-cooled diesel engine,
because of some unpleasant local politics at ger compartment, crumple zones, intru- priced at around $US 5 000. The Ace has
the originally intended West Bengal pro- sion-resistant doors, seat belts and wider been a roaring success in India, selling at
duction site, and free availability of this rear tyres for stability. around 100 000 units per annum, and has
eagerly-awaited car is still some way off. been followed by a passenger-carrying
However, the initial production model Future export ambitions have manifested derivative named Magic. Additional vari-
finally hit the showroom floors of India on in the display of a slightly longer wheelbase ants of the Ace, with payloads ranging
March 23rd, affording a closer look at the version, called the Nano Europa, at the from 0,5 to one ton, are reported to be
definitive product. As expected, the drive- recent Geneva Motor Show, with a close to production. The next step is said
line consists of a 35 hp, 624 cc 2-cylinder European launch planned by 2011. The to be a 3-4 ton payload low cost truck,
aluminium petrol engine with multi point level of interest shown was reported to be making use of the Nano supplier base,
fuel injection, driving the rear wheels considerable, while the standard of finish which is expected to emerge later this year.
through a four-speed gearbox. Claimed on the show car came in for some pre-
performance includes a top speed of 105 dictable criticism, given current European
34 May 2009
managing the Risks

It’s been said a million times before that when the going gets tough, the tough get going. This cliché takes
on a new resonance when describing the truck industry. Times may be tough, but trucks are tougher, and
truckers are the toughest. This industry is literally the wheels of the economy, so thank goodness that when
the going gets tough, the toughest get going. A critical element in this dynamic is the ability to keep costs
down, and to ensure that operating costs are kept under tight control. The first port of call in this endeav-
our is to protect against theft and misuse. The first port of call in this endeavour is to protect against theft
by Séan Jackson and misuse. A close second is thinking smart and keeping costs down. ABR has commissioned Séan
Jackson of TRUCKTEK to give our readers a series of tips on Managing the Risks.
Cutting Costs with KONI

In the April 2009 issue of ABR, Séan Jackson discussed how small measures could
produce big savings. For example, empowering the driver can lead to improved fuel
consumption, more effective maintenance, less downtime and less fuel theft. Séan
also discussed simple interventions such as improving the aerodynamics on mud
flaps, which can amount to big savings, and the fitment of world class shock
absorbers which can also lead to dramatic savings. In this issue, Séan expands on
why very good shock absorbers can save you big bucks.
tandard shock absorbers that control, and electronic components.
[
come fitted on a new truck will KONI falls under the motion and flow
give you anything from 150 000 control division, and it has a full range of
km to 300 000 km of effective shocks for passenger vehicle, bus, truck,
life, depending on road condi- trailer and military, rail and industry appli-
tions and driving skills. By fitting very
good shock absorbers, i.e. the very best,
you can expect anything from 800 000 km
to well over 1 000 000 km, on the same
road conditions and the same driving
skills. Even if these shock absorbers cost
twice as much, by the time you have done
500 000 km you are already saving money.
But this saving is just the tip of the iceberg.
The real savings that you obtain by fitting
top of the range shocks is in the savings on
tyres, fuel efficiency, concomitant costs,
and in the realm of safety. Better shocks by
their very nature make a truck safer, which
is a very good reason on its own why you
Better shocks by their very
nature make a truck safer,
which is a very good reason
on its own why you should
fit superior shocks, as road
safety and the saving of
lives is a no-brainer, but
there is also a cost element
that comes with accidents
[ cations, all designed specifically for the
task at hand. KONI is also heavily
involved in motor racing, with success at
the highest level. It is simply not true that
“a shock is a shock is a shock”. There is a
strong performance link between tyres and
shocks, as each has a function, and without
each component performing its task, you
do not get the desired benefits. A tyre’s pri-
mary function is grip, whereas a shock’s
primary function is to provide contact
with the road, and it goes without saying
that without contact there is no grip. Tyres
perform only with good shocks, so you
may have the best tyres but without the
should fit superior shocks, as road safety that should be factored into best shocks you are not going to get the
and the saving of lives is a no-brainer, but benefit of those superb tyres. Safety and
there is also a cost element that comes with the decision. Performance = Tyres AND Shocks.
accidents that should be factored into the Another issue is that of rebounding, and
decision. This cost element revolves the ability to perfectly damp this rebound-
around collision repair costs, downtime ing. KONI has a unique hydraulic
costs, and of course, medical costs. Even rebounding system which puts its shocks
more tragically, to lose a truck driver has in a class of its own. Add to this the fact
enormous costs, both in monetary and that KONI shocks are adjustable, with a
human terms. unique setting for each vehicle, and are
fully serviceable, and one starts to under-
Séan Jackson recommends KONI shock motive market in 1918, and today it is part stand why Séan recommends KONI.
absorbers. Ask him why, and he’ll do his of the world renowned ITT Group. The
Tina Turner thing by saying that they’re ITT Group’s slogan is “Engineered for To explain the performance of shocks and
“Simply the Best”. KONI has been around Life” and this is their commitment to all the techniques applied will require dia-
since 1857 when it introduced shock the products in their diverse portfolio of grams, which we shall cover in the next
absorber innovations for horse drawn car- offerings, be it fluid technology, defence issue of ABR, as Séan expands on his tough
riages in Holland. KONI entered the auto- electronics and services, motion and flow love theme.
36 May 2009
What’s the Buzz?

weighty issues
TO BRT OR NOT TO BRT?

The recent taxi strikes in Johannesburg, Cape Town and Port Elizabeth
have served to focus public attention squarely on the intended intro-
duction of Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) systems to South African cities. The
by Frank Beeton reason for the strikes is that elements of the minibus taxi industry claim
that they have not been consulted by government, and by implication, the
Department of Transport, in the formulation of these plans. The DoT has refuted this
claim, pointing to various indabas that have been held to explain the BRT concept to
the taxi industry, and the manner in which taxi operators can participate in the struc-
tures that will operate these mass transit systems.
he problem is, of course, most South Africans that can afford to from violence when they feel that their
T
that there is no one single drive their own cars will take that option at livelihoods are threatened? The doors, we
representative body for the first opportunity to avoid having to use are told, are open for the taxi community
the taxi industry that can the taxis. The only solution is to get more to discuss its participation in the BRT
negotiate on its behalf. people into fewer vehicles, and BRT is a network with Central and Local
The industry is highly highly rational means of providing this Government, but this passive approach
fragmented, and it seems that it has no facility. It also comes a great deal cheaper will not stop the violence. Hopefully,
intention of establishing a common voice, than any rail-bound alternative, which is common sense will prevail before blood is
because this would compromise its pre- good for the economy. spilt, and expensive capital assets are put to
ferred, highly informal modus operandi. the torch, which happen all too frequently
In a perverse way, the minibus taxi indus- There is a widely-held fallacy that South when protest erupts in SA.
try is actually a product of the Apartheid Africa has never had an effective public
system, although government has chosen transport system. In the 1950’s all the What we need is a planned process of
to ignore this fact, rather embracing it as a major cities had comprehensive and fre- engagement between the DoT and the taxi
prime example of private enterprise, made quent bus services, and the much- community. It must be clearly spelt out
up of “heroes of the struggle”. Govern- maligned South African Railways could that, as important as taxis are to the daily
ment’s failure to formalise this industry, deposit passengers pretty much anywhere shuttle of people between their homes and
and bring it under a firm yoke of legal and in the country, if not swiftly, then at least workplaces, participation in this process
regulated service provision, is now coming safely and on time. Effective transport net- comes with certain non-negotiable respon-
to haunt it. works were the most important legacy of a sibilities. These include unconditional
British Colonial history, but the problem observance of the law, the highest
Many taxi operators are thriving under the with the South African version was that it standards of vehicle maintenance, courte-
status quo, but fail to acknowledge that it failed to keep up with subsequent demo- ous interface with passengers and other
is leading the country into gridlocked graphic and geographic developments. By road users, co-operation with other, more
chaos. Notwithstanding the unacceptable the 1980’s, the Government was busy with cost-efficient transport modes, and opera-
road behaviour of many minibus taxi driv- its bush war, and was more than happy to tion within a system that provides the
ers, the sheer weight of traffic is inexorably hand over the bulk of its public transport appropriate levels of information and
strangling more and more of our urban responsibility to an unsubsidised taxi user-friendliness. The latter is vital if South
areas. The congestion is caused by a com- industry. That was the starting point of Africa truly aspires to “world class” status.
bination of too many of the problems that we face to-day.
many taxis, and The writer has frequently made use of
the fact that The Government says that it is totally Tokyo’s underground railway system.
committed to the implementation of BRT Despite his inability to speak or read the
services. The recent events on the streets of local language, this turned out to be a
Johannesburg suggest that this may not be relatively easy experience, because of the
www.zoopy.com an entirely peaceful process. It should levels of passive information provided in
come as no surprise that taxi driv- English. In sharp contrast, passengers on
ers are fully prepared Johannesburg’s taxis who wish to travel to
to become violent, somewhere different from their usual
given their daily destination, have no central source of
demeanor on the information to tell them where they
streets. Why should should stand, or how they should
people, who regularly recognise the vehicle going to their intend-
put their clients and ed end-point. For a foreign visitor, the
fellow citizens at risk challenge would be insoluble. It’s just not
of injury and good enough!
death, back away
38 May 2009
What’s the Buzz?
COTY Winner Takes “ownership” of

the Honda Accord
ietermaritzburg journalist Julia Denny-
P
Dimitriou has become the “owner-for-a-year”
of South Africa’s 2009 Car of the Year – the
Honda Accord 2.4 Executive. Honda’s
Graham Eagle handed over a silver version to
her and her husband, Nicholas, at a function
at Hollard Insurance’s Johannesburg head office on
Wednesday April 1. The prize includes free servicing, free
comprehensive insurance from Hollard, and funding of free
petrol for a year’s motoring from Total. The value of the
prize is estimated to be well in excess of R100 000. The
Honda became the Guild’s 24th Car of the Year when it
took the title at the WesBank-sponsored COTY Banquet on
March 17. From last November through to early March the
Guild ran a competition where the public could predict the
winner by SMS, selecting from the nine finalists announced
for the 2009 event. Julia sent just one SMS – which cost her
R5 – after researching local motoring websites and journals
and deciding that the Accord was the hot favourite. This is
the sixth time that the Guild has run the win-the-COTY for
a year SMS competition, with revenue generated going
towards the Guild’s Benevolent Fund.
HINO JAPAN INCREASES SUPPORT FOR SA OPERATION

ino Motors Limited in Japan is fully
H committed to increasing its support

for the newly-launched and totally
focused Hino truck operation in
South Africa according to the company’s execu-
tive vice president, Masakazu Ichikawa. He was
addressing a function in Midrand which marked
the final steps in establishing Hino as a separate
and focused truck manufacturer and distributor
in the Toyota Group in SA. The event, which was
attended by Hino customers and dealers, heard
the visiting executive from Japan say that this
move will ensure a wider range of products and
even higher levels of service and satisfaction for its
customers. This includes the permanent station-
ing of three team members from Hino Japan at
the local operation – one supporting parts and
service, another production and the third sales
and marketing. This was the last country in the
world where Hino trucks had still been marketed
under a Toyota banner – in this case Toyota
Trucks. Toyota Motor Corporation has had an
alliance with Hino since 1966 and increased its
shareholding to a controlling 50.1% in 2001 and The Toyota/Hino brains trust celebrate the moment
it is now the commercial vehicle and truck sub-
sidiary in the Toyota Group. Ichikawa stressed the
importance of Hino sales in South Africa, which last year ranked fifth among the 10 top-selling countries outside Japan. The only coun-
tries ahead of SA were Indonesia, Thailand, Australia and the United States. Hino trucks have been sold in SA since 1972 when they
were introduced as an extension to the range of Toyota Dyna and DA trucks
May 2009 39
Tony’s take
Gordon Bennett, sorry Brown!

A Trillion Dollars!?
The G20, a mixed group of industrialised and developing nations, met in
London at the beginning of April to try to chart a course that would help
by Tony Twine all of them, and presumably the other 200 nations of the world as well,
recover from the ravages of the global financial sector melt-down.
t the beginning of the confer- the very large fund. But, where is the cash a trifle excessive. The real question is, who
A ence the single largest fear trou-

bling the minds of representa-
tives of the developing nations
in attendance would certainly have been
the growing threat of trade isolation that
to come from? Gordon Brown made one
tangible suggestion, presumably agreed
upon by the participating members of the
G20 conference.
will buy the liquidated gold reserves, and
what will they use to pay for it? Firstly,
there is a liquidity crisis out there. If the
central banks extend credit (ie print the
money) to purchase the gold, this will cre-
some of the national rescue packages for The suggestion was made that central ate a double barrelled debasing of the cur-
the developed economies appear to con- banks sell off part of their gold holdings to rencies concerned. Secondly, the initial
tain. For instance, the legislation packaged produce cash, to float the fund. The inter- impact would be to drive the price of gold
around the main US bail-out program, national gold markets immediately reacted downwards so steeply that nobody would
which will see hundreds of billions of by dumping sufficient quantities of bullion be prepared to buy the marketed reserves,
Dollars being spent on infrastructural to move the gold price from around $930 because they would always appear to be
repairs and enhancements, force contrac- per ounce just before the G20 meeting, to cheaper tomorrow than they are today.
tors to use American-made steel as opposed a low point of $866 during the week that
to imported steel. As it turned out, these followed it. In round numbers, at a price of The comparison with South Africa’s gold
fears did not become reality. The confer- $900/ounce, it appears that the banks production rate is slightly spurious,
ence host, UK Premier Gordon Brown, would have to sell off approximately 38 although it does starkly illustrate the enor-
announced a massive pool of funds to be thousand tonnes to raise the $1.1 Trillion. mity of funding the whole effort by selling
made available through the World Bank At peak production in 1984, South Africa, gold reserves. Pundits estimate that, of all
and International Monetary Fund, to help then the Worlds largest producer, mined the gold mined throughout history, 80% is
national economies placed under severe 700 tonnes of gold per year. This had fall- still accessible in vaults, as jewelry, coins
strain by the global recession to begin en to 220 tonnes by 2008, implying the and so on. So the metal is there, but any
recovery processes. The total quantity of equivalent of 173 years of current SA pro- attempt to finance the fund entirely by
funds to be made available is planned to duction to float the fund. means of gold sales could have SARB
amount to US$ 1.1 Trillion, a sizeable Governor, Tito Mboweni, leaving his post
amount of money in anybody’s language. Socialists, like Gordon Brown, love selling in haste, to rejoin the NUM, especially as
There appears little to quibble about in off the family silver, and even the national the inflation that such a G20 plan would
terms of the motivation or the targets of gold reserve, but this financing plan looks bring about, kicks in.
40 May 2009
News
Electronic Toll
Collection is on the
by Howard Keeg
Horizon
I never thought that I would ever say this, but I cannot wait to start paying toll fees
for the use of the roads in Gauteng. Why should I, and the other millions of roads
users in our neck of the woods, be happy to pay for what many believe is an inalienable
human right? We pay enough tax, don’t we? This is an argument for another day, but
right now I would give an arm and a leg to be able to get around Gauteng in my only
feasible mode of transport, in a less insane environment, and to get there on time!!!
es, the Gautrain will give me some Two of the pre-qualified bidders with SANRAL for the road user charging
Y options, and yes, the bus rapid

transport system should alleviate
commuter concerns, but for the
foreseeable future I and many many
others are going to continue to use private vehi-
cles to get to work or to get to appointments, as
we oil the wheels of the Gautrain economy. This
systems in the Gauteng Freeway System had prominent exhibitions. The
SANEF/SICE consortium represents enormous experience and substantial
projects under the belt, whereas the Electronic Toll Collection company
offers a mixture of local and international flavour. Both are strong bidders,
and both offer different but equally effective solutions. The interest shown
by such strong bidders indicates the status of the freeway project.
Angel G. Franco of SICE

requires an excellent freeway system, well main- and Bruno Corthier of
tained roads, easier access to secondary routes, SANEF represent an
and all those good things that go with a first extremely powerful bid
world environment. And if I have to pay for this
pleasure, so be it. It is for this reason that when
I visited the e-Transport Conference and
Exhibition at the Sandton Convention Centre,
which included a site visit and an ITS Master
Class, from the 23rd to 26th March 2009, that
I made a beeline for the Electronic Toll
Collection exhibits. Arranged by ITS South
Africa, this conference was an Aladdin’s Cave of
Magdalena Grahn of
ITS information and interaction. The pre-con-
Kapsch TrafficCom and
ference site visit included stops at SANRAL’s Jamie Surkont of ETC
Network Management Centre in Midrand, a hold thumbs
Gautrain tour and briefing, and a sneak preview
of the Rea Vaya BRT Station. The conference
itself was a veritable smorgasbord of presenta-
tions, covering the whole gamut of ITS topics:
public private partnerships, ITS sustainability,
infrastructure as a driver for economic develop-
ment, global trends in tolling, even a position
paper from the Reserve Bank on electronic
money; and all this just on the first day. Day two
got down to the nitty gritty of open road tolling Big brother will be main-
and electronic fare collection, plus communica- taining discipline on the
freeways
tion and technology applications in transport,
and public transport, institutional aspects and
ITS operations, with papers presented by inter-
national and local experts. Who would have
believed a mere ten years ago that so many ITS
subjects would be ruminated on by such high
power players at an ITS conference in South
Africa? Credit must go to the organisers and ITS
South Africa for staying abreast of all the trends.
42 May 2009
Misa News
Effective and Responsible Trade

Unionism – the Intelligent Alternative
Effective and responsible trade unionism may sound like an oxymoron, but it is
possible. Not only is it possible, it is a reality and it exists! It goes under the
name of MISA.
ISA is the acronym for the unions can play a positive role in employ-
M Motor Industry Staff

Association, registered as a
trade union in terms of the
Labour Relations Act (LR2/6/2/1226).
MISA organises, represents, and provides
er/employee dynamics”. However, one
cannot blame employers for having a neg-
ative perception of trade unions, if one
considers the history of trade unionism in
South Africa, and particularly the recent
Dana de Villiers does feel a keen sense of
responsibility to change the perceptions of
employers, and he emphasises the not so
well known fact that MISA is part of
benefits to clerical, office, sales and stores spate of violent strikes. De Villiers appeals FEDUSA, the second biggest labour feder-
employees, as well as artisans and learners to those with this perception not to tar ation in South Africa with 480 000 mem-
in the retail motor sector. MISA came everyone with the same brush. He says that bers. FEDUSA plays a critical counter-
about in 2003 when the original MISA MISA is truly the intelligent alternative, as weight role to COSATU and NACTU in
merged with the older MIEU of SA it eschews political posturing and concen- the NEDLAC forum, as it is a politically
(Motor Industry Employee Union of trates on the genuine and legitimate needs non-aligned union that keeps out of the
South Africa) to represent the entire of workers. And whilst MISA accepts that political limelight, but is not shy to take
employee body in the industry. Previously, the right to strike is enshrined in the government to task when necessary.
MISA represented white collar workers Constitution and the Labour Relations Dana de Villiers, CEO of MISA, promises
and MIEU of SA represented blue collar Act, it views this right with circumspection “the intelligent alternative”
workers. and responsibility. De Villiers says that
whilst MISA cannot commit to never take Membership of NEDLAC also allows
MISA has a rich and proud history, and its part in industrial action, it views this as an FEDUSA and MISA to stay at the cutting
roots can be traced back to the forerunner extreme measure and an action of last edge of the debate on national issues, and
of MIEU, with the establishment of the resort. He is personally very wary of strike to gain insight and to give input on these
Motor Industry Employees Union of action because it invariably ends up with issues. In addition, de Villiers cites five
Transvaal in 1929; the first motor industry everyone losing, because management and major areas of operational relevance and
trade union in South Africa. This pioneer- the union leaders tend to focus on dealing achievement as a forerunner to the debate
ing body grew to national prominence, with the strike, rather than the cause of the he wishes to carry out with any uncon-
representing the emerging congregation of strike. He likens this to putting a band aid vinced employers: MISA’s Benefit and
spray painters, panel beaters, and the like. on a stomach pain, when what is really Funeral Fund; MISA’s health care consul-
In 1948, MISA was set up to represent needed is an appendectomy. De Villiers tation and facilitation; MISA’s financial
clerical and sales staff, and this parallel sit- prefers playing a positive role, which he strength and fiscal conservatism; MISA’s
uation of two separate unions existed for says that MISA is particularly suited to Retirement Funding initiatives; and
over 50 years until the historic 2003 merg- playing, as it understands the dynamics MISA’s proactive and positive role in the
er. MISA now has 30 000 members, but around running a business, and the need Motor Industry Bargaining Council. All
Dana de Villiers, chief executive officer of for viability and profitability. MISA seeks these areas play a significant role in con-
MISA, is far from satisfied, as there is no role in managing a business, but it is tributing to employee contentment and
enormous potential in the other 30 000 interested in how a business is run, and it productivity, and from a macro perspective
non-unionised members. “Employers have will take a stand when it detects employee MISA has an enormous impact on stabili-
a negative perception of trade unions” he abuse or employee exploitation. ty on the labour front. Much more on
says, “this is most unfortunate, because these issues in future issues of ABR.
MISA Breaks the Mould

Judges singled out 27 stands from a total of 421 displays for gold or silver awards at a
prize giving ceremony held at the end of the inaugural Automechanika South Africa
automotive trade show (March 18 -21 2009) at the MTN Exp Centre, Nasrec,
Johannesburg. Representatives of 21 of these companies were presented with gold
awards and six displays qualified for silver awards Although there was no overall award,
the managing director of the organising company, Dogan Trading, Pula Dippenaar,
said it would have gone to the Motor Industry Staff Association (MISA) display which
was “outstanding: in every aspect in which an exhibition stand is evaluated”. A trade
union winning an award for innovation is a turn up for the books, but to beat out the
world’s top automotive companies is truly an outstanding achievement. To find out
more about MISA, go to www.misa.org.za
May 2009
43
and Their
by Marcus Haw
Tyres Contribution to
Safety in Motoring
Tyre costs are normally the third highest in the running of a transport company,
after salaries and fuel. In certain companies, either because of mismanagement, or
because they have a very ‘hard on tyres’ type of operation, these costs can overtake
all else and become a nightmare for those in control. Containing tyre costs is not
that difficult theoretically, but in practice, it’s different. In practice, too many out-
side influences get in the way. ‘Deals’ or ‘Specials’ get in the way of saving tyre costs
as it is just too easy to get caught up in the “save now, think and regret later” sit-
uation. Once a ‘deal’ is offered, all previous tyre management goes out the window
along with rational thinking. Money is saved, short term, but long term saving
through clever tyre management is dealt a severe, sometimes fatal, blow. Other influ-
ences also get in the way of tyre cost saving, which we will get into later, but so that
we all understand where we going, let’s start with what is needed to save tyre costs.
irst of all, a thorough understand- their situations and conditions. Records
F ing of all your operational needs

is essential. The only way to gain
this understanding is to know
your business completely. Most of the
transport managers we have dealt with
which can be compared and matched for
optimum vehicle and tyre performance
and life.
Without records, one cannot reduce tyre

over the years do not know their business costs. Records are knowledge of the busi-
as well as is needed. They believe they ness one runs. History is the guideline to
know their business, but the finer details how you run your business in the future.
escape them. As we discussed in the last
issue, total knowledge of the roads, loads Reducing tyre costs revolves around
carried and what effect they have on tyres, taking what history has shown as bad, and
is vitally important. Most transporters eas- reversing those trends, and using what his-
ily say, “Our vehicles only travel on the tory has shown to work and improving on
highways.” The significance of where that. Reducing tyre costs is not about
dynamics of the vehicle. Know your vehi-
drivers stop for lunch, the load areas at buying best price products; it is using best
cles, because different vehicles will react
either end of the trip, and indeed the back value products in their most effect
differently from others to load effect.
roads after and before the highway, applications. It is maintaining these
escapes them. Build a history of which tyres have worked products in their best possible condition,
best on which vehicles over which routes and easing their working lives as far
One needs to know these facts as well as and with what loads. This will also work as possible without jeopardising the
the highway routes the vehicles are using, with new contracts or a change of contract company’s productivity. It is increasing
and this takes more time to study than or any new circumstances. History will profitability, by reducing cost losses in the
most transport managers have. It is also a guide you and lessen the variables. way of scrapping tyres unnecessarily, and
boring job, and no-one sees the need. Any tyre choice made will be more by increasing tyre and casing life as far as
They don’t relate the job specifics to tyre informed, and have a better chance of the operational parameters allow.
problems. working properly, more effectively and
And it is sticking to the known, and
more economically.
So, to start managing your tyre costs and keeping away from the unknown.
savings is to really know your business. The only way to build history is by having Keeping the outside influences at bay is
Know your different routes, AND all the records. Accurate records! Records of your staying away from the unknown.
seemingly unimportant factors related to tyre performance in all aspects, under all
these routes. Know your loads, what they Outside influences such as the ‘deals’
conditions and on all vehicles. Records of
are, what they weigh, how they are loaded mentioned earlier. Unless the deal involves
all vehicles and their performance in all
in each vehicle, and how this affects the a tyre type already proven in your opera-
44 May 2009
tion, leave the deal. The quick savings will Of course above everything already dis-
turn into very expensive ones in the long cussed, a thorough working knowledge of
term. You do need to test new tyres all the tyres and how they are designed and made
time, but on a small percentage of the is necessary if one wants to see how the
fleet. Testing is the way to evolving and vehicle’s dynamics work on them. It is nec-
improving your knowledge, and essary to understand that a tyre is a multi-
sometimes evolving and improving your component pressure vessel, and that all the
fleet’s tyre use. But, only with a very components except two are constantly in a
prudent approach. Random testing with dynamic state while in service. One needs
no planning is extremely expensive, and in to understand that if a tyre is overstressed,
a well run fleet, can put years of good or deformed beyond its designed limits the
management in reverse. Testing is another components can separate. Understanding
outside influence. these important factors, allows people to
see the necessity of looking after tyres, and
Cheap imports are an outside influence making their lives easier during service.
and unlike testing should be totally
avoided, except as a very careful and All this knowledge and understanding will
thorough test. cost savings as well as in the satisfaction of ultimately see savings in tyre running costs
knowing a job is being well done. It is a if the knowledge is put to use. Tyres are the
We do not have enough time to go into all massive undertaking, and anyone who most forgiving components on a motor
the ‘outside influences which can spoil a thinks its easy is in for a massive shock. vehicle, and accept an enormous amount
good tyre program, and neither do we have of abuse. But to get the best out of them,
the space here to really go into tyre man- In fleets which run vehicles such as we have one needs to run them within their
agement programs, so I hope that we have been discussing in the last two issues, prop- designed parameters. Getting the best out
created a picture which shows how big the er tyre management is especially important of them results in getting them running at
challenge is, and how detailed one has to because these vehicles are so hard on tyres. the lowest cost possible.
be in getting all the facts. Hopefully the But improving the tyre costs is often easier
picture will assist in making clear the fact with these vehicles than with big truckers
that getting the best out of tyres is an
Always Think Tyre Safety –
because of this very reason. Also because
involved, tedious and continuous job. It is they are usually found to be running your safety is our concern!
not a quick fix situation, and must be pur- extremely expensively, it can be quite sim-
sued vigorously FOREVER. It doesn’t ple to achieve a quick and significant sav-
stop. It’s never over, but it is rewarding. ing. But to reach the goal of getting the
And the rewards come in the form of huge best that is possible is a hard process. www.bridgestone.co.za
May 2009
45
Personal profile
Q&A INTERVIEW WITH COLIN LAZARUS
One of the best all round, hands-on, dynamic and go-ahead

motormen in South African is Colin Lazarus (51), the MD of
Lazarus Motors in Centurion. It has been a BEE company
for the last ten years and is ideally placed alongside the
N1 Motorway.
From humble beginnings in the motor business in Bronkhorstspruit, Colin
Lazarus has risen to head up the biggest Ford and Mazda Dealership in
South Africa and probably the biggest motor dealership in the world. You
need a golf cart to get around his premises, and in time he will have to have
a traffic cop there and robots to control traffic around this huge establish-
ment. As a matter of fact he has got a fleet of 8 golf carts on the premises
to transport his staff and customers to get around.
What kind of franchises do you have? ing a quick buck and then getting out. probably the biggest motor dealership in
Ford was my original franchise, which I You need to build up your business by the world under one roof
started in 1990 in Verwoerdburg. Then I being hands-on and listening to customers
took Mazda into separate premises in 1992 needs and meeting them. It is the only You are involved in all aspects of your
and then took Jaguar in 1996 when Jag way I know and it works. business.
returned to South Africa. In 2002 we got Well, I have been interested and involved
the Land Rover franchise, and in 2008 we You grew up where? in motor sport for a long time. In 15
were awarded with the Volvo franchise. I was born in Pretoria and went to an years we have entered all classes of the
Afrikaans junior school in Bronk- Total Economy Run and done well for
Other businesses on the premises? horstspruit (Laerskool Du Preez van Wyk) Ford and Mazda, and all our brands. We
We have Lazfin, a finance company for have raced two of the Hi-Tec GT40 Fords
and senior (Erasmus Hoërskool) also in
new & used vehicle which is a joint ven- in three-hour races at Kyalami, Zwartkops,
Bronkhorstspruit. After school and two
ture with Wesbank and an in-house and in East London and done well, with
years in the SAAF, I went to Ford in Port
Lazarus Car Hire Company – both of Peter Lindenberg and my son, Ross, who
Elizabeth for training in 1980.
which are doing well. Lazfin & Car Hire has found the ideal car he wants to race.
are there for all our customers and offers a As a company we also support the top
How did you get started? three teams in Pretoria – the Blue Bulls,
quick response to our loyal customers. Like my dad and my grandfather before the Titans and Supersport United, who all
him, we have always been Ford Dealers. I excel in their sports.
How do you find the motor business at
have been a Ford man all my life. My
the moment?
grandfather, Reggy, was well known in Who made the biggest impression in
Tough. But we have been there before.
Bronkhorstspruit. He started by selling your life?
We have lots of loyal customers who we
second hand vehicles. In 1961 he obtained Simple.Nelson Mandela. The man is such
have looked after over the years and who
the Ford Tractor franchise. In fact he was an example to us as a statesman and has
support us now.
also a maize farmer and bred mules. He such presence.
How many cars do you sell a month? was known as the country’s Mule King.
He died in 1990 at 95 years of age. Married?
As an example, we generally retail 300
Unfortunately my dad, Gerry, who ran the To Jenny for 25 very happy honeymoon
vehicles per month (new and used). In years.
fact in March we topped 334 units with Ford franchise since 1961, passed away
Ford and Mazda leading the way. That is when only 53 years old when as I was just
getting into the business in 1980. Your three sons following you into the
about 15 vehicles per day sold business?
Could do. Ross is doing his Articles at
Your workshop kept busy? Then you moved out of
KPMG. Dean is taking Politics &
More than ever. We average more than Bronkhorstspruit?
Psychology at UCT and Jed is at Crawford
200 services and repair jobs every day I bought Verwoerdburg Ford in 1990 and College and hoping to do Medicine.
which tops out at 4000 jobs per month then disposed of the Bronkhorstspruit
and 50 000 per annum. dealership. In 1999 I took a BEE partner, What else do you want to achieve?
which has made a huge difference to our Very happy with how things are at present
As a man with an in-depth knowledge business and then went on the expansion and I am waiting for the good times to
of the motor industry, what do you put trail. With the help of Hilton Lamb of return.
your success down to? Investec, I bought and built the first of the
It is pretty basic. The motor business is a three buildings and once they were all fin- If you retire, what would you do?
long-term business. It is not one for mak- ished it gave us 30000m² in total and Consult in the motor trade.
48 May 2009
Lux Lite
PETER’S BMW Loans Two Hydrogen 7
SOAP Vehicles To the Petersen
Automotive Museum
by Peter Mather BOX BMW CleanEnergy recently loaned two 2008 Hydrogen 7 vehicles
to the Petersen Automotive Museum –one to use as an active on-
road demonstration vehicle and one to display in the museum.
Peter Mather has worked in the field of New and experimental technology has always been a part of the
human capital development in the motor museum's educational mission because new technology is where
industry for the last twelve years and has history is born. Due to its popularity, The Petersen's Alternative
Power Exhibit became a permanent display in the museum after
enjoyed great success in facilitating sales and its original 6-month
leadership programmes run in 2006 was over.
within the industry. The BMW Hydrogen
7 is a natural fit and
ast month I posed the question of perfect- shows how relatively
L ing practice in successful sales and asked

certain questions to pinpoint how sales
processes are fast changing around the
implementation of technology to support our sell-
ing efforts.
simple hydrogen tech-
nology can be to incor-
porate into a contem-
porary automobile.
BMW raises aware-
ness of this alternative
fuel by loaning these vehicles to celebrities, government officials,
After much consideration on this topic I believe the and other high-profile individuals as a way to get the word out
about this endless supply of clean fuel. The BMW Hydrogen 7,
most significant change technology allows us to with a normal internal combustion engine running on hydrogen as
focus on is relationship building with our clients a fuel, emits essentially water vapour as exhaust.
and also our networks.
This got me thinking how ABR can facilitate suc-
cessful networking between like-minded business
people to maximise their selling potential.
Every month through editorials and backed up by
passionate automotive experts we read about the
success and challenges these businesses face. What
if we could harness that wealth of experience and
through all the readers and business people con-
tributing to the magazine we could join a network
and interact with each other.
In view of the present economic climate, I’ve decid-
ed to do my bit for the cause and have decided to
spearhead this network by offering a service to all
business people through developing this network
to become a practical and useful tool in the indus-
try, underpinning the whole venture through offer-
ing consultancy support on any business challenge
being faced .
In order to take this idea forward I would welcome
feedback from everyone on this topic .
Once I have sufficient response I will then take this
forward and over the next month look at ways of
building this network through the magazine and
the website www.abrbuzz.co.za. I envisage that
similar type businesses can expand their marketing
potential throughout S.A and by cultivating rela-
tionships with business owners expand their mar-
ket cost effectively through this media.
Please e mail direct with your thoughts and ques-
tions on the subject of networking at
peter@s2p.co.za or
visit www.s2p.co.za or contact peter
@s2p.co.za to register for my monthly
newsletters or telephone 082 456 8479 for
more details.
49
Diamond Dialogues
Editorial
Partnership
Giel Steyn
In this series of articles ABR discusses with Giel Steyn of Grandmark International the four significant factors that should be
taken into account when purchasing automotive parts - Technology, Quality, Safety and Value for Money. These four
characteristics are inter-related, and each cannot stand on their own, and together they become a motorist's best friend. Similarly, diamonds
are also judged on four characteristics, known as the “four c's” - carat, clarity, colour and cut; and of course, diamonds are a girl's best friend.
Grandmark International, as a distributor of automotive parts, is keenly aware of the need to source only the best in Technology, Quality,
Safety and Value for Money, and therefore it is appropriate that this series of articles is titled Diamond Dialogues.
Counterfeiting – Unscrambling the Code

In the April 2009 issue of ABR, Giel Steyn dissected and disassembled the terms
quality, original, genuine, and “pirate” parts in the context of the automotive indus-
try, with the discussion taking place against the backdrop of Giel’s favourite quota-
tion, “I think it is an immutable law in business that words are words, explanations
are explanations, promises are promises – but only performance is reality”.
The focus in this issue moves to the term reality to the motorist pretty quickly in
counterfeit, an often misunderstood term. both performance and safety, either in the
Using the Collins Concise English form of hurting the back pocket or actual
Dictionary as his starting point, Giel physical harm, and in the most extreme
recites the definition from memory. cases death or disability, bringing the stark
Collins defines counterfeit as 1) some- consequences of “goedkoop is duurkoop”
thing that is not genuine, but has been prominently to the fore. The only real dif-
made to look genuine to deceive ference lies in the legalities involved.
people; and 2) to forge, to copy, to feign, Counterfeit product trades on the back of
made in imitation, fraudulent. Giel then original equipment or other proprietary
poses the question; does counterfeit mean brands, or confuses via associated issues
inferior? The answer would generally be such as descriptive use, passing off, or sim-
yes, because a counterfeiter is by nature a ilar part no’s. This has legal sanction, and
deceitful person and the point of this the contravention of trade marks, etc, can
deceit is basically to pass off something lead to heavy penalties through civil and
inferior as something better than it actual- criminal charges. The real problem lies
ly is. Naturally, with the nature of human with inferior product, as this is a grey
beings as it is, the real object of the exercise and unfortunate definition of pirate, as the area which the regulatory bodies have not
is not a narcissistic attempt to prove how Act refers to any aftermarket product, yet come to grips with, and up to now it
clever one is, but to make money on the whether it is good or bad. Thus it is not a has left the consumer with extremely lim-
back of someone else’s innovation, good idea to use the term pirate, so rather ited options for recourse. This is where the
research, development and marketing stick to counterfeit. proposed Consumer Protection Bill will
efforts. Thus, the product is usually made have a significant impact, as it holds every-
at the lowest manufacturing cost possible, Enigmatically, whereas counterfeit in the one in the supply chain jointly and sever-
utilising the cheapest materials, finding vast majority of cases equals inferior, infe- ally responsible and liable for harm and/or
production shortcuts and cutting costs rior does not necessarily mean counterfeit. loss. More on this in future issues of ABR,
wherever possible. This, in a nutshell, is This paradox is explained by the many as we get more clarity on its implications.
the essence of counterfeiting. We need to manufacturers who do not pretend to Suffice to say that the playing fields will
once again go to the “pirate part” mine- make a silk purse out of a sow’s ear, and soon be levelled by a rather large bulldoz-
field, a term that we banished in the previ- who honestly and cheerfully manufacture er, and no longer will the purveyors of sub-
ous issue. The reason for our return to this cheap and nasty product without any pre- standard product be allowed to hide
term is that with the Counterfeit Goods tence, packaging it in plain and nonde- behind anonymous manufacturers.
Act, the words pirate and counterfeit are script boxes, pricing it accordingly, and
basically interchangeable, which means caveat emptor is the responsibility of the In the next issue of ABR, Giel shall look at
that the word pirate is often abused and purchaser. Thus, and this is where Giel the ramifications of fitting substandard
misused to the detriment of good quality introduces a new term, both counterfeit parts, and the true cost in both human and
replacement parts. In the Counterfeit and inferior parts can be classified in most economic terms.
Goods Act, this is the essence of the real cases as substandard parts, and both bring
50 May 2009
Robert Bosch
The Revolution Begins

Bosch Automotive recently showcased their latest weapon, soon to be available from
their arsenal, at the prestigious Automechanika show held at the Johannesburg Expo
Centre from 18 to 21 March 2009. This is a revolutionary 3D-wheel alignment tool,
Easy 3D, developed by Beissbarth. And as expected it attracted plenty of attention.
osch has been a household name in the automotive the Beissbarth stand at Automechanika. The new 3D system
B industry for over 100 years and through various collec-

tive partnerships they understand the ins and outs of cars
better than anyone else. Beissbarth is a German compa-
ny that specialises in wheel alignment and therefore this partner-
ship between the two combines the best out of Bosch and
builds on the tried and tested Beissbarth reference system and in
this way combines the benefits of an open 3D system with a famil-
iar user friendly interface. In addition, the camera used in the axle
measurement system KDS.NG is also used here.
Beissbarth technologies. One of the goals for the development of this system was to build
a smaller and portable tool. For this reason, the sensor heads are
Good wheel alignment on a vehicle does not get the publicity it mobile and require no calibration during installation and can be
deserves, and therefore it is more often than not ignored by the easily removed from the lift or floor. The small measuring station
average motorist, but it could mean big differences under certain with a width of only 800mm to the left and right of the vehicle
driving circumstances and therefore, wheel alignment should be saves space in a workshop. Also, the measuring heads are mobile
done on a regular basis. Modern day wheel alignment tools allow and so permit use both in small workshops and at different meas-
for vehicles to be well aligned, but what people don’t always realise uring stations. What is significant is that apart from the slim bay
is most of these systems can never be one hundred percent accurate. dimension no space is needed before or behind the required work-
Various tests done by independent researchers reveal that a vehicle’s ing bay and precision is guaranteed with the clamps that are now
wheel alignment varies just about every time, if you do the align- fixed to the rim, which will not damage alloy rims. In this way, it
ment consecutively. This means that although you might think can for example also be used with tools for the alignment of driv-
your wheels are aligned, before you leave the workshop your wheel er assistance systems. When the system is not being used, it can be
alignment would show another reading should you test it again. stored away compactly in the workshop. Andreas Andorfer,
managing director of Beissbarth GmbH, is emphatic on the sub-
There are many reasons why this may be. Ian Cruickshank, Bosch ject, ‘Easy 3D offers an especially small mix of customer benefits,
technical specialist explains, ‘Many things can interfere with a which is unique in this form. The mobile system is easy to handle,
wheel alignment test, from the heat that reflects off a vehicle that saves space and is flexible in its uses.’
had just been used or even a car that has been parked on a lift
before the wheel alignment is done.’ The Easy 3D has been exhibited in Germany, Switzerland,
Norway and South Africa and the feedback has been positive.
Beissbarth has been working on a system to overcome these prob- Dereck Knight, senior product manager says, ‘the Easy 3D system
lems and has come up with the new Easy 3D, a new generation of will be officially launched 20 May at the Autopromotec show
wheel aligners which will fulfil the needs of the modern workshop. in Germany and should be available in South Africa during
This Beissbarth 3D wheel alignment prototype was showcased on June or July.’
52 May 2009
AIDC Quiz
by Roger McCleery
Roger McCleery
asks the questions
See how many of these 20 Questions you can answer.
1. What car won the 2008 South African Car of the Year Title?
2. Who bought the Honda Formula 1 GP Team this year?
3. Name the South African President of NAAMSA.
4. Name two Americans who head up motor companies in South Africa.
5. Give the four top selling cars in South Africa in March in order.
6. Name the Minister of Transport.
7. Name the Vice-President of Sales and Marketing for Ford in South Africa.
8. Name the four top selling bakkies in South Africa in March.
9. Where is the biggest Ford Dealership in RSA?
10. Name it.
11. Name the Sales and Marketing Director of Volkswagen South Africa.
12. Name the drivers who won the first two F1 Grands Prix of 2009.
13. Where does the new VW Scirocco get its name from?
14. Where is the only night race in Moto-GP Motorcycle Racing being held?
15. Which car was fitted with an American Buick V8 Engine that won the 1966 and 1967 World Formula 1 Championships?
16. Where is the only night race held in World Formula 1 Grand Prix racing?
17. Who raced the only 6-wheel Formula 1 Grand Prix winner ever built?
18. Who designed the only Fan car in Formula 1 Grand Prix history that won in Sweden and was then banned?
19. In which country was Carlo Abarth the racing tuner of Fiats born?
20. What manufacturer named one of his cars (a) Cedric (b) Isetta?
Answers on page 82
54 May 2009
Industry Update
With inflation at double digit levels, Imperial Auto Parts
has the solution with the Supercraft tool range. This range
covers a variety of products from tool sets to drill bit sets, along
with innovative products such as the dual head plier.
Supercraft tools offer

excellent value for
money, have a lifetime
warranty and are exclu-
sive to Imperial Auto
Parts. This tool range is
available from most
aftermarket retail parts
stores & Mikar outlets.
May 2009 55
Industry Update
Seal it with Victor Reinz

The use of liquid sealants for repairs is nothing new. However, in the
past the search for the right product took time and effort, since the
technical properties of the various sealants differed widely.
Fewer products, easier surfaces without sealing gaps in engines, transmissions and
axles, including those which may be subject to high static move-
choices ment and vibration. Another application is sealing threads.
REINZOPLAST likewise covers the –50°C to +300°C temper-
Through constant innovation in sealing materials, specialists
ature range. Unlike with hardening sealants, parts assembled
like Victor Reinz have been able to greatly reduce the number
using REINZOPLAST can be simply removed again after
of sealants needed for repairs. In fact, just two products, ‘REIN-
extended periods.
ZOSIL’ and ‘REINZOPLAST,’ cover all repair needs. Both
sealants are approved for all European and Japanese automobile
makes. REINZOSIL is a silicone-based sealant that is solvent-
Selection criteria
free, fast-curing, and permanently elastic. It is used on flat sur- In addition to technical product properties (temperature range,
faces with sealing gaps, such as those occurring on engines, media resistance, curing time etc.), other important criteria
transmissions, axles, cylinder liners, and synthetic parts. It is when selecting a sealant are the application (intake manifold, oil
also suitable for rough sealing surfaces and cracks in parts. With pan, etc.) and the sealing gap. For the first two criteria, Victor
its high Shore hardness it can even seal components that are Reinz provides users with tables and lists. To determine the seal-
subject to substantial relative movement and vibration. In con- ing gap, a feeler gauge can be inserted into the sealing gap.
tinuous usage, REINZOSIL can stand temperatures from Sealing gaps under 0.1 mm are sealed with permanently elastic
–50°C to +300°C. REINZOSIL-t is a transparent silicone sealants, those over 0.1 mm with permanently plastic sealants.
sealant suitable for use on bodywork (windshields, lamp hous-
ings, glass parts etc.) It is also suitable for encapsulating and To round out the range, Victor Reinz also offers a sealant
sealing electrical connections. By contrast, REINZOPLAST is remover called ‘RE-MOVE,’ that makes it easy to remove all
a non-hardening, permanently plastic polyurethane-based sealants, as well as adhesive, resin, and paint residues.
sealant. Reinz recommends it for fine or finely worked sealing
New Catalogues Available

The 2009 / 2010 LuK clutch
catalogue is being distributed
by Schaeffler Automotive
Aftermarket. It includes 58
new parts consisting of Dual
Mass Flywheels, Concentric
Slave cylinders and Matched
Clutch Kits covering most
popular new vehicles.
A new 2009 / 2010 FAG wheel

bearing kit catalogue has
been distributed into the mar-
ket. The FAG wheel bearing
kit range is increased by 100
new kits covering most new
vehicle applications where
Schaeffler Automotive deliv-
ers OEM components
Our toll free technical hotline

(0800 41 2106) receives in
excess of 700 enquiries per
month from customers or
potential customers seeking
our expert technical advice.
56 May 2009
AD PAGE
Vehicle EvaluATION
The Chennai Super King

Built in Chennai, India, the Hyundai i10 is streetwise, amazingly
spacious, and naturally nippy. It is built for the city, and if you drive
one, you are obliged to support the Chennai Super Kings in the IPL.
by Howard Keeg However, just like Muttiah Muralidaran, the star Super King spinner,
the i10 has its quirks, not least its power limitations.
t may sound churlish to criticise a vehicle powered
I by an 1100cc engine for its power limitations, and

it most probably is. I am just trying to make an
observation from a Gauteng perspective, which
already puts me on the back foot. If I’m silly enough to
live at such high altitude, and stupid enough to put up
with gridlock every day of my commuting life, which
makes a powerful car an anachronistic and hedonistic slap
in the face of global warming, why am I complaining
about a lack of power? Put it like this, and I’m already
feeling chided, but the fact remains that there are times,
even in this goddamn Gotham wannabe, that you do get
the opportunity to put foot, particularly on its extensive
freeway network, and you do want to crest those hills at
the legal speed limit. The first day that I tested the
Hyundai i10, we had four rather large adults sitting com-
fortably in this spacious sub-compact, and on the hills
this weight did cause problems for the little engine, and I
had to make liberal use of the gearbox.
Okay, now that I have had my super size rant, let us get
back to reality. This reality is that this car was built for the
city, and for the commuter with modest mobility needs it
is an ideal city car. Safe, well equipped, and fuel frugal,
with an acceptable price tag, it is the complete package.
Car magazine gives it a fuel rating of 6 litres per 100km,
so you are not going to throw away the family fortune on
commuting costs, and if you are safety conscious then the
deformable crush zones, the impact path diffusion, the
front airbags, and the ABS will give you substantial peace
of mind. Ergonomically, this car is tops, with an extreme-
ly comfortable seating position, and you don’t have to
slum it as this car has all the mod cons such as air condi-
tioning, power steering, radio/cd and the like. The lug-
gage space is also far more than you expect. And, as long
as you do not have the Blue Bulls front row as your pas-
sengers, this car cruises like a dream, and if you do have
some weight to lug around, liberal use of the gears and
higher revs does the trick. The Kappa engine can handle
it, but don’t expect to outrun that 4 litre behemoth com-
ing up rapidly onto your back bumper. On second
thoughts, it is me and my fellow travelling dinosaurs that
need to adjust, and to accept that smaller is better. The
problem is that we have all been brainwashed into think-
ing that 0 to 100 in 5 seconds is our God given right, and
we rush like lemmings to the MPH events, we watch Top
Gear avidly as that Clarkson clown goes through some gas
guzzling hoops, and we continue to devour car publica-
tions that are fixated on power and penis enlarging SUVs.
I apologise for my brain dead comments at the beginning
of this article, and for penance I shall plant a tree.
58 May 2009
Update
To infinity and beyond…

Control Instruments Automotive really set out to pack a punch at the recent
Automechanika in Johannesburg, and on a one hundred square metre stand, they show-
cased eight of their top brands, ranging from shock absorbers to motorcycle accessories.
utomechanika is one of the success stories for South of CI Auto’s newer brands and if biking is your thing and espe-
A Africa as this was the first show held locally and one of
only thirteen Automechanika shows internationally.
Over 400 companies showed off their products and
services, including the latest and greatest technological enhance-
ments. Unfortunately the show wasn’t open to the general public,
cially touring, then this is for you. Touratec supplies bike acces-
sories, from new ideas to panniers and these were seen at the show
on a full to the brim BMW motorcycle, which drew many curi-
ous visitors to the stand.
as it is a show held for the automotive industry by the automotive The CI Auto stand was done in spectacular form and for this
industry, but as marketing director Grant Fraser of CI Auto, puts effort was awarded with a gold medal. ‘A lot went into the plan-
it, ‘ the turnout wasn’t particularly great, but the quality of cus- ning and marketing of Automechanika’, said automotive market-
tomers was, which in my eyes makes the event fruitful.’ ing manager, Paula Missing. She was heading the team for the
show and did a magnificent job. One of the criteria the stands
For CI Auto the show was all about brand awareness, bringing were judged on was customer service. ‘We had qualified people on
their products to the customers and showing what they are capa- the stand, every minute the show was open, helping clients and
ble of. For years CI Auto has been a leading supplier of premium showing off our presence as an established company’, she
branded products to the automotive aftermarket and selected mentioned.
original equipment manufacturers on the African continent. They
currently represent ten brands, consisting of 26 product groups The Automechanika show was great, but after the show CI Auto
and that is the message they wanted to portray at the show. CI was hard at work back at the office to execute its role as a leading
Auto’s top eight brands carried their flag. Among them was automotive supplier. ‘We made it clear at the show what we do,
Gabriel, a well-known name, which is constantly at the forefront but the main focus is for customers to understand that we con-
of shock absorber innovation. It’s a brand that has an outstanding stantly strive to deliver quality products to customers, which they
pedigree in manufacturing shock absorbers for Africa and other in return can sell on again. In these bad economical times, it is
continents. Echlin is a world renowned ignition manufacturer. vital that we keep on cutting costs and deliver on our promises’,
VDO, Warn, and Autoexcel were also on display. Touratec is one Fraser ended.
60 May 2009
Wilde Things
Is this the new Zimbabwe?

by Fingal Wilde
A very interesting seminar was presented by KPMG
South Africa and KPMG in Zimbabwe at the KPMG
Auditorium in Parktown Johannesburg on Monday, 30th
March 2009. This seminar was presented to clarify the
recent changes in Zimbabwe and to highlight the oppor-
tunities that may exist for potential investors.
Clarification, and more like enlightenment, was the
order of the day, with one leaving the seminar with a
clearer sense of what the new Zimbabwe will look like,
but also a sense of bewilderment as to how things got
to be so bad in a society with so much talent and so
much entrepreneurial spirit, and with so much to offer.
he most dramatic emo- land is waiting for us, and we had a which protects the cabinet and its ministers
T
tion to be distilled from glimpse of it at the KPMG seminar on the from the pleasures or displeasures of the
the presentations was one 30th March. The bearer of glimmering president. Effectively, this means that the
of wonder and awe at the hope was the Honourable Minister Elton president’s wings have not only been
potential of not just Mangoma, Minister of Economic clipped, they have been hacked off with a
Zimbabwe, but the whole Planning & Development, Zimbabwe, blunt panga. No longer can the president
of Africa, and yet one was left with the who gave the assembled businessmen an unilaterally relieve anyone from his or her
gnawing feeling that while Zimbabwe overview of the economic and political duties – he has to get the unanimous
seems to be emerging from a decade of environment in Zimbabwe; an overview approval of all the parties. Thus, he is left
darkness, is it now South Africa’s turn to that was both appealing and appalling at with three formal functions: the appoint-
descend into despotic madness? Are we the same time. Appealing in its frankness ment of deputies, the declaration of martial
also to endure a North Korean leader clone and forthrightness, and appalling in its law, and the declaration of war against
who has no respect for his fellow citizens naïve acceptance of the actions of a tyrant’s another nation. For all intents and purpos-
and who has no compassion for his people, tyranny, Minister Mangoma hit the right es, this renders Herr Dokter Mental Case
and who is prepared to trample on human notes when he introduced and defined Mugabe impotent, and merely a ceremoni-
rights, human dignity and all the good himself; firstly as a Chartered Accountant, al president, who can enjoy the trappings of
things a democracy should have and to dis- secondly as a businessman, and thirdly as a office and the luxury of living off his ill got-
dain and abuse the processes of the legal politician. He also admitted to finding ten gains in his splendid palace built on the
system just to have his day in the sun and politics an unnatural pursuit, as he could blood of the ordinary Zimbabwean. A hard
an era of untrammelled power, and to use not tell a lie. This Washingtonian note had pill to swallow, but something it appears
the state and its organs as an avenue to sate me cheering from the aisles, and for the that the MDC can live with. The real
his thirst for megalomania and narcissism next 45 minutes I was putty in his hands, power lies with the prime minister, who has
rolled into one, whilst dragging the human and when he said that we were at an excit- the authority to operationalise and imple-
dregs of political expedients in his blood- ing stage of our lives, and that the alliance ment policies, and Minister Mangoma
thirsty wake, as they hang on tightly to his was putting in place something that will assures us that Prime Minister Tsvangirai is
gravy stained coattails? Okay, I have just last and that we could bank on the future, going full steam ahead on the priorities.
written one of the longest sentences of my who was I to pour cold water on this? Time will tell. Has the rogue elephant been
life, which would horrify my erstwhile darted, or is it all an unbelievable scam?
English teachers, but it was metaphorically Let’s put it into perspective. The GPA Mangoma says that this was the way the
necessary to warn that under the shower (Global Political Agreement) reached MDC balanced the need to go forward
fiend we may actually endure a longer sen- between the two MDC factions and Zanu- against the political realities. On the one
tence, which would horrify any freedom PF, with some backroom arm twisting from hand you have the Zanu-PF believing that
loving person. Zimbabwe’s previously somnambulant the bullet takes precedence over the ballot,
neighbours, is part of the Zimbabwean whilst the MDC believes in pure democra-
Enough with the negatives. Let us pretend constitution, and it is tied to specific cy. Inclusive government was the compro-
that we are not going to walk under Jacob’s behaviours, freedom of expression, free- mise, with the focus on performance, and
inverted ladder which descends directly to dom of the press, and all those good things with no one having the absolute latitude to
hell, and that he turns out to be one of the that civilised people covet and protect do what they please.
most enlightened leaders this continent when they get it. The core of the agreement
has ever seen, as he strives to put his dark is that executive powers are invested in the Taking Mangoma at his word, the MDC is
past behind him as he leads South Africa President, the Prime Minister and the committed to making this work, even
and Africa into the promised land. This Cabinet – a relatively unique arrangement though there are many flashpoints:
May 2009 61
Wilde Things
• Detainees: The detainees are being house on the planet, with virtually no will prosper. Zimbabwe still has skilled and
slowly but surely released, despite exchange control as all currencies are now productive labour, and the majority of the
severe provocations from the diehards. effectively legal tender – a virtual multi- Diaspora are just itching to come back. All
currency economy. The South African they are waiting for is the starting gun to
• Land Invasions: No longer will land Rand and the US Dollar are now the go off. South Africa can play a key role in
invasions be tolerated. Property rights anchor currencies, with companies using this revival, and with Mangoma’s plea to
are to be enforced, and security of these currencies for their financial records, the South African government to guaran-
tenure will be paramount. No longer rendering all Zimbabwean accounting tee lines of credit, this could be the catalyst
will a politician be able to say that if statements up to December 2008 as for a tremendous boost for demand for
you don’t vote for me, you’ll be thrown worthless bits of antique interest. This goods and services from South Africa,
off your land. Whilst this is a case of gives an entirely new meaning to historical which ironically will not only soften our
closing the stable door after the horse accounting! Even when the Zimbabwean recession, it could actually be the start of a
has bolted, a modicum of stability Dollar is reintroduced, for which premature turnaround, and a serious buck-
should boost agricultural production. Mangoma assures us there is no hurry, it ing of the international trend.
will be fully convertible, which should give
• Entrenched trough feeders: The situa-
tion around the Reserve Bank
assurance to future investors. The MDC,
in reality the rulers of the new Zimbabwe,
What Mugabe
Governor, the Attorney General and
Provincial Governors remains fraught
are also planning to fully compensate
“removed farmers” for all farm improve-
has Wrought
and in a state of flux. However, their ments, as this is regarded as an obligation.
powers have been reduced, and with And maybe this will entice them back onto • From 1998 to 2008 there was a
Tsvangirai back in the saddle after their land, so that Zimbabwe can start 70% reduction in manufacturing
enduring personal tragedies, the imple- feeding itself again. The inclusive govern- output (God knows what the first
mentation of corrective measures ment (read MDC) wants Zimbabwe to quarter of 2009 was like, as the
should gather steam. The Minister of become food sufficient by 2010, and it is final implosion of the Zimbabwe
Finance now has the power and the also looking at developing agro industries economy occurred in the last
ideas to make things work, and the around cotton, tobacco, etc. It was point- quarter of 2008)
MDC in the area of finance is already ed out that just the communal areas have
having an impact. Zimbabwe requires the ability to feed the country, which • From 1997 to 2008 there was a
assistance and things are happening in proves the lie behind Mugabe’s politically 90% reduction in agricultural
the background. For example, to inspired farm invasions. As Mangoma puts output (similarly, the implosion at
appease donors each ministry is it, “Commercial farming should not be the end of 2008 makes the first
appointing a team of accountants to racialised. The country should use com- quarter of 2009 unquantifiable)
ensure that financial assistance is mercial farms to earn foreign exchange,
accounted for. The World Bank has not foreign opprobrium.” • School enrolment stayed stable till
endorsed the MDC’s macro economic 2004, an indication of the com-
policies and the assurance is that there Wherever the inclusive government looks, mitment to education of the aver-
will be no policy reversals. By the time there is work to do, and rehabilitation age Zimbabwean, despite increas-
you read this, the IMF and World required. The country's infrastructure has ingly insurmountable odds –
Bank will have announced their offi- to be restored and rebuilt, even expanded. unfortunately the past four years
cial position, the timing scheduled for Roads, dams, railways, power stations are has taken its toll
20th April 2009. all on an urgent agenda. The Beit Bridge
– Chirundu route is a vital corridor, the • There were fewer people in formal
All good and well, but there is a long and Hwange Power Station needs rehabilita- employment in 2007 than 1980 –
hard road to hoe. Currently, Zimbabwean tion, the mines need to start operating – remarkably the economy just
industry is running at 10% of capacity, wherever you look, there is opportunity for managed to stagger along from
and the goal of getting this up to 60% by those who like long shots. With electrical 2000 to 2007. 2008 figures are
the end of 2009 is laudable but highly generating capacity at less then 40%, a rel- just not worth comparison. Thank
unlikely. Simply put, the government is atively modest US$100 million will move goodness that Ian Smith was not
broke and with the promise of no more it up to 80%. There are many such exam- alive to observe this.
patronage the onus will fall on the private ples across mining, agriculture, tourism
sector to play a prominent role in rehabili- and the like. Vast resources of platinum, • 65% of Zimbabwe’s chartered
tating the country. Mangoma is looking plus gold, diamonds, coal, copper, etc. are accountants have left the country
for public private partnerships, with the waiting for the intrepid explorers. Tourism – South Africa, the United
private sector taking the leading role. As he needs to get back to its previously domi- Kingdom, Australia, the United
puts it, “they are welcome and we will lis- nant position, and eco tourism is just wait- States, New Zealand and Canada
ten.” The “liberalisation” of the private sec- ing for the right entrepreneur. There are being the biggest beneficiaries
tor will create certainty and with the huge opportunities for those who are pre-
Zimbabwe dollar having been consigned pared to get onto the bandwagon, and • There was no investment into
to the dustbin of history, Zimbabwe has those who are prepared to be the pioneers Zimbabwe in the last decade
truly become the most liberal changing
62 May 2009
Wilde Things
Amazing things happened in the past ten
years, which kept Zimbabwe functioning.
The biggest single factor was the dual
economy, sustained by barter and rogue
traders. The unfortunate consequences
would take an article of hundreds of pages;
suffice to say that the necessary medicine
of the introduction of a multi-currency
regime in February 2009 immediately cre-
ated deflation. Prices came down by 14%
in February, a further reduction of 20% in
March, and more to come in April and
May. There has been a total change of atti-
tude at government level. They want
Zimbabwe to work again, and they are
actually visiting leaders in the private sec-
tor. The GPA has brought a breath of fresh Elton Mangoma – Minister of Economic
air, and they are working to improve the Planning & Development, Zimbabwe
political climate. The people are commit-
ted to regain years of destruction of And he has been allowed to say it. In a per-
wealth. ABR leaves the last words to verse sort of way, Zimbabwe is showing
Nyasha Zhou, President of Chartered South Africa the path to democracy. Let us
Accountants Zimbabwe, “People should pray that South Africa is not going to have
feel part of the country irrespective of to endure a decade of horror just to relearn
which political party they belong to”. this. Will our polygamist and his syco-
Wow! These are powerful words, coming phantic Luddite lemmings heed these Nyasha Zhou – President of Institute of
from the mouth of a Zimbabwean. Chartered Accountants Zimbabwe
words?
One of the innovations intro-

duced by the new inclusive
government is that all civil
servants will now earn
US$100 per month, paid
directly into their bank
accounts. This applies equally
to the President, Robert
Gabriel Mugabe, down to the
local librarian.
Ken Ken Answers from page 8
May 2009 63
Euroquip Update
OCAP on the right track

Exciting things are due to happen soon from the Euroquip team and should not be
taken lightly as they constantly evolve on their delivery. Bapra Automotive, trading
as Euroquip-SA, was established in 2005 and has grown into a well-known name in the
automotive fraternity.
alk into their Centurion based offices and you are Euroquip has a firm commitment to develop the product range of
W met with a friendly handshake and a sharp sense

of business savvy. They are what they do and pas-
sionate about their serious commitment towards
customer service. Indeed true examples of people who don’t just
do this as a profession, but see it as a way of life.
existing suppliers. They are currently wholesalers and distributors
of automotive lighting, electric’s, electronics, and steering and sus-
pension parts, carrying the flag for world renowned brands such
as Hella, Valeo, OCAP and many others.
The OCAP range originally only catered for steering and suspen-
‘We want to answer your particular needs, and offer something sion parts, but the Italian manufacturer teamed up with OEM
special, a passionate and serious commitment towards customer engineering and production for the automotive, agricultural and
service’, they make mention on the Euroquip website. heavy industries.
They source globally and guarantee product quality and serve a The OCAP product range for automotive applications include
promise of the right product, delivered to the right place, on time parts from both steering and suspension systems, but is soon to
and at the right price. It is simply part of Euroquip culture, noth- change. National sales manager at Euroquip, Kevin Chetty,
ing more, nothing less. The company headed by director Prakash recently mentioned that an extensive range of OCAP engine
Bhagwan has grown exponentially over the last few years. mountings will soon be launched and available from Euroquip.
64 May 2009
Euroquip Update
Valeo for life

In our everyday life, people are
confronted with the reality of con-
stant threats, but whether we want
to or not, we just have to overcome
them or face the consequences.
But how would it influence our daily
routines if it were possible to
eliminate a large a part of those
daily threats?
esearch shows that the majority of people spend almost
R a third of their lives in a car, whether that is behind the

wheel or as an occupant. The responsibility is a mas-
sive burden on the driver’s shoulder and one needs to
be on your guard at all times, which causing unnecessary stress,
constraints and fatigue. Euroquip offers a range of various
imported Valeo assistance systems, design to make regular driv-
ing tasks safer and more comfortable.
Beep & Park/Keeper Light/On & Off

Parking in small spaces will reduce If you don’t always notice visibility
rear visibility, it’s uncomfortable changes when driving, Valeo came
and difficult. The Beep and Park/ up with a bright idea. Light/on &
Keeper is a front and/or rear park- off is an automatic lighting system
ing assistance system with an anti that switches on the headlights as
bump alert to protect your vehicle soon as the light becomes poor and
against the all too often clumsy switches them off again when suf-
parking manoeuvres of other ficient light is restored.
motorists.
Speed/Vision
Beep & Park/Vision
Changes in the speed limit means
Are you worried about hitting
that you have to keep an eye on
obstacles or pedestrians that you
the speedometer, which could
cannot see? Beep & Park/Vision is
cause loss of control or reacting
a rear parking detection system
too late if there is an obstacle in
with sensors, coupled with a rear
the road. Speed/Visio displays the
view camera to provide drivers
vehicle’s speed directly on the
with audible and visual informa-
windscreen in the driver’s line of
tion when reversing.
sight and sends out an alert when the vehicle exceeds the pro-
Park/Vision grammed speed.
Is the visibility when reversing Guideo

poor because the rear window is
If you often make long journeys
narrow and the back of your vehi-
and are worried about falling
cle raised? Park/Vision is a parking
asleep at the wheel, why not take
assistance system comprising of a
your very own co-pilot with?
rear camera that projects images of
Guideo is a camera module that
the area behind the vehicle onto a
permanently scans the road and
colour screen in the cabin.
supervises all four driving assis-
tance functions.
May 2009 65
Burford on Brands
BMW’s Mini Me
Writing a story about the Mini raises an interesting dilemma. Should the
word Mini be written lower-case, or should one use upper-case for the sec-
by Adrian Burford ond generation MINI? BMW like to set the new MINI apart from the old by
using capital letters and it is a more grown-up car than before but they do
seem keen to trade on the reputation of the original. Yet in other ways they’ve often
distanced themselves from the 1959 version though this seems to be changing and from
22 - 24 May Mini and MINI owners will be celebrating the past, present and future of
the car at Silverstone in the United Kingdom.
ccording to a BMW press African Mini story is a fascinating one too words, perfectly round and needless to say,
A release, “Over ten thousand fans

from all over the world are
expected to travel to the event
for MINI’s (there they go again, opting for
upper case) special birthday - largely in
and if you want a full and detailed history
of the small car on the tip of a big conti-
nent, then there is no better starting point
(and finishing point) than Ryno Verster’s
excellent book, A South African Mini
orange in colour. The round Mini was
made in the UK to help promote Outspan
oranges and the cars had a fibreglass body
complete with dimples, a curved Perspex
windscreen and a single rear door...accord-
their own cars - to indulge in their shared Story. It contains all you could possibly ing to Verster’s book, a 90 kilogram lump
passion. The special mixture of clubsport want to know. The Mini came to SA in the of concrete was bolted to the floor to
action, music festival and party atmos- same year as its UK launch and in August improve roadholding. All in all, 92 891
phere are guaranteed to provide an unfor- 1959 the first Morris Mini-Minor and Mini cars and 11 469 vans/pick-ups were
gettable experience.” Sounds wunder- Austin 850 (as they were badged by sold in South Africa by BMC SA and its
bar…err, wonderful, but before they start British Motor Corporation South Africa) successors – Leykor and Leyland South
partying, maybe they need to address arrived. Local production started early the Africa – between 1960 and 1984. There
another issue: are the cars actually related if next year in Blackheath, Cape Town were a bewildering number of models and
the names aren’t the same? The final ver- though the first car came down the line on derivatives and some which spring to mind
sions of the original rolled off the line in 21 December 1959 and in fact records were the Rebel, Panda, Moonlight and
2000, with the MINI going into produc- show that 36 units were ‘sold’ that year; Vanden Plas Minis. For 20 years – from
tion the following year. It was a full 55 24 Austins and 12 Morrises. By 1964 the 1964 to it finally disappearing from the
centimetres longer and 30 centimetres engines were being produced locally and in price pages of local journals in September
wider and weighed far more (nearly 500 1967 Mini’s local content reached 1984 – it was the cheapest car you could
kilos more to be exact). In fairness it did 58,8 percent. In September 1969 the buy. The current MINI is now in its sec-
keep the transverse front-engined, front- Austin and Morris marques disappeared ond distinct design phase and while
drive layout while the New Beetle was dif- and thereafter everything was simply a detractors find it a little overblown and in-
ferent in every possible way from the orig- Mini – and not a bad thing too! Under yer-face, there is little doubt regarding its
inal. So maybe the two are connected, and phase three of the local content popularity. Since 2002 it has done well in
maybe the 50th anniversary will bring the programme locally manufactured vehicles a market which seems obsessed by the need
two sides together, much like real land- were required to have 66 percent local to individualise a car – a propensity to
mark birthday parties can mend long- content by weight, the Mini reaching this which MINI lends itself perfectly. Nearly
standing family feuds. figure some 17 months ahead of the 12 000 have been sold, volumes being
December 1976 deadline. aided by an increasing array of derivatives,
Whatever, it seems remarkable that the including turbocharged and normally-
small car which started something of a Mini was quite remarkable both here and aspirated hatch and convertible styles as
packaging revolution (while front drive abroad for the number of derivatives it well as the Clubman wagon with its
was hardly new, cramming the drivetrain spawned and there were booted versions, unusual three door layout. Will MINI also
into the front 20 percent of the car’s total open versions, wagon versions, ‘jeep’ become a classic? We’re going to have to
length was) has been around for almost versions (the Moke) and even a version wait another 40-odd years to find out.
half the life of the car itself. The South which looked like an orange – in other
66 May 2009
Insights
You’ve been Shopped!

Workshop challenge announces its first winner
t was the old retort, “it’s just a few The meeting was in fact a workshop on bring to a business, saving time and money.
I dodgy operators who give our indus-

try a bad name!” that prompted
MIWA (Motor Industry Workshop
Association), a subsidiary of the RMI
(Retail Motor Industry), to implement a
how to deliver the best possible service to
customers, covering all the vital areas of
customer satisfaction, from quoting on
repair costs, to effective communication
with the customer, through the efficient
The bulk-buying power of Capricorn
means we can procure parts at discounted
rates and the ease with which we can order
from many different suppliers is a great
benefit to us. From an admin perspective,
‘programme’ to promote integrity within execution of repairs to fine details, like, do we only have a single account to reconcile.
the automotive repair industry, says Paul we deliver the repaired vehicle to the cus- With Capricorn making our work easier
Britz, who heads up the MIWA/RMI’s tomer’s door?” and more cost effective, our customers are
‘Mystery Shopper Programme’. getting better service and pricing.”
According to Britz, each of the 15 work-
“The idea behind the ‘Mystery Shopper shops subjected to the Mystery Shopper Congratulations Swedo Tech Services!
Programme’ is to set benchmarks within Programme in the Bloemfontein region
the automotive repair industry to ensure was subjected to two ‘shopper’ tests. “The The Mystery Shopper Programme is a
that customers receive the best possible first covered the technical ability of the nationwide affair, so be sharp, ‘cos you
service,” says Britz shop while the second assessed the ‘people never know when you’ll ‘be shopped’.
skills’ of the workshop staff, how well they
In order to achieve this, individual asses- communicate and service their clientele.”
sors, posing as ‘Joe Public’, deliver late-
model vehicles to respective workshops Co-op magic
around the country for repair, ‘booby-
When asked what his success secret is,
trapped’ with various faults. “The assessors
Burri emphasises his organisation’s focus
go in incognito and grade each workshop
on teamwork and attention to detail. “Each
according to a set of criteria covering fair
staff member at Swedo Tech looks beyond
pricing, effective customer care and techni-
his or her area of duty to help make the
cal competencies,” adds Britz.
operation the best it can be. Plus, we have
the benefit of being members of Capricorn
Free State First Society, an organisation that specialises is
Launched in early 2009, the ‘Mystery procuring automotive parts and repair
Shopper Programme’ announced its first equipment at discount prices from the best
winner in April – Swedo Tech Services, a suppliers in the world.”
workshop based in Bloemfontein, headed
up by Bruno Burri. As a Capricorn member, Swedo Tech
Services is able to order spares from dealers
“We were totally unaware that the mystery across the country, says Burri. “We used to
shoppers were in fact representatives of source our parts from several suppliers
MIWA,” explains Burri. “After the surrepti- based in Bloemfontein but this become
tious rating of our staff, equipment and unwieldy as our business expanded. We
general facilities, we were invited, along decided to streamline our procurement
with other workshop owners, to a meeting process and joined Capricorn. We immedi-
in Bloemfontein by the RMI and MIWA. ately realised the benefits a cooperative can
To join Capricorn Society Limited call

Rob Mildenhall on 083 654 2094 or
e-mail him at
rob.mildenhall@capricorn.com.au or
visit their website on
www.capricorn.com.au
68 May 2009
Update
In the retailers zone

AutoZone has recently finished a series of road shows as a build up to the launch
of a new training facility, which will give store team members the best possible train-
ing to take with them to fight the retail battle on the frontline.
he road show visited three bers went back to their stores reenergised.
T major cities in South Africa.

Johannesburg was first to go
into action on the 27 March at
the Garden Court Hotel at the O.R
Tambo International Airport. Durban
At the end of each day’s presentation, team
members were invited to join support cen-
tre team members for dinner in an infor-
mal environment, ideal for open commu-
nication. Team members got a chance to
soon followed on 30 March at the Sun make new friends and reconnect with old
Coast Casino and last but not least, Cape ones in the team. With the road show a
Town got a piece of the action on 2 April thing of the past and all team members
at the Southern Sun, Cape Sun. Each motivated, AutoZone opened their
show was a full day event and attended by Training Facility on 6 April. It is a dummy
all the regional stores teams as well as system designed to mimic a real live store
Mr Art Freedman in action. He captivated the
AutoZone Member Stores. It was a vital- minds of the AutoZone team with his knowledge set-up. As AutoZone’s Divisional General
ly important retail convention to the gained over 40 years in the retail industry. Manager for Marketing and Advertising,
AutoZone team as it gave team members Debra Schmidt describes, ‘It is not just
a chance to learn and share new informa- theoretical training, but you see the system
tion in a relaxed environment. An inter- in action, everything is real, what you see
national retail guru, Mr Art Freedman on the computer screen is real, the store is
was the invited speaker for these occa- real, it is hands on training.’ Schmidt con-
sions and with the audience hanging on tinues, ‘Outsourcing the training was
his every word, he delivered his presenta- never an option, our business is unique
tion in mind-blowing style at each show. and very different from any other busi-
Freedman has more than 40 years retail ness.’ For this reason all the training at the
experience, with about 34 of those years Housed in the AutoZone Randburg Store, the new facility is done by ‘industry wizards’,
in the hardware and home improvement AutoZone Training Facility and its first set of people who have come through the ranks
industry. He has held every job position trainees. at AutoZone.
at the store level as well as district and
regional responsibilities in a corporate AutoZone recognised the importance of
environment. For almost 20 years, he’s such a training facility simply to get store
owned Ace Hardware stores in the United team members on the ground to feel and
States. In addition, Freedman leads a care about the business as much as those
Northern California retailer group, which who run it and to motivate employees to
includes 50 Ace Hardware stores that operate in their AutoZone branches as if it
work together to create and maintain top- were their own businesses. Apart from the
of-mind awareness in the market. training facility, AutoZone is also launch-
ing the ‘Retail Management Development
Freedman’s work evolved to where he Programme.’ This is aimed at developing
now helps retailers, such as AutoZone, store management as leaders in retail oper-
improve their bottom-line profits. At this ations and people management aspects–
point, he’s presented to over 500 retailer both considered critical to AutoZone’s
groups, composed of more than 15 000 business success. A competency based
individual attendees, in every U.S. state as assessment approach further ensures that
well as in South Africa and tens of other development is done effectively and that
countries around the world. Freedman career pathing is facilitated to ensure that
simply provides retailer-to-retailer servic- young talent has the opportunity to devel-
es, with an emphasis on retail finance, op to their full potential as part of the
margin management, successfully compet- many millions of dollars more to the bot- AutoZone family.
ing in your relevant market and maintain- tom-line profits of participants in his
ing top-of-mind awareness with customers workshop sessions in America and will Schmidt concludes, ‘ All this is to fulfil
and potential customers. His training and hopefully have the same effect here for AutoZone’s commitment to equip their
consulting have had a positive impact on AutoZone. Naturally his presentation at team members to become world class
retailers’ ability to compete, delivering the road shows was just as invigorating and retailers’.
motivating, ensuring that all team mem-
70 May 2009
Suzuki
Flies
High
An amazing display of
aerobatics, enhancing the
image of the Suzuki
automotive brand
The first championship event of the 2009 Suzuki National

Sports Aerobatics Championship was held at the
Potchefstroom Aerodrome between 2nd and 5th April 2009.
Suzuki Auto (Pty) Ltd and the Sports Aerobatics Club of
South Africa officially launched the championship on Friday
3rd April 2009 at the Aerodrome, where the guests were
treated to a scintillating air show.
uzuki Auto SA has acquired the naming and advertising hold so dear.” Suzuki Auto SA will use the 2009 Sport Aerobatics
S rights for both legs of the 2009 National Sport Aerobatics

Championship, as well as five other key aerobatics events.
It also becomes the naming sponsor of the SA National
Sport Aerobatics Team, due to compete in the 2010 World
Aerobatics Championships. “The Suzuki focus on dynamic,
Challenge series as a platform for a national experiential promo-
tion, which will allow members of the public to test-drive the full
range of Suzuki products at various aviation events around the
country, showcasing all four Suzuki nameplates: the compact
Swift hatchback, the SX4 lifestyle hatchback, the astounding
involving mobility is as eloquently expressed by the graceful, grav- Jimny 4x4, and the Grand Vitara SUV. In addition, new products
ity-defying manoeuvres of an aerobatic aircraft, as it is by Suzuki’s being launched by Suzuki during the course of the year will be
range of passenger cars and sports utility vehicles,” says SASA included in these events as they become available, including the
managing director, Kazuyuki Yamashita, “it’s a synergy that ele- Alto subcompact hatchback, the Swift Sport, and the SX4 sedan.
vates a sponsorship such as this beyond the mere financial support Full details of the Suzuki promotions will be announced shortly,
of a sport with spectator value. Instead, we believe that aerobatics and will be listed on the official Suzuki website at www.suzukiau-
closely epitomises some of the very same core values we at Suzuki to.co.za.
Francois van Eeden, Johnie Smith, crop

National Marketing sprayer and ace aerobatic
Manager Suzuki Auto pilot, Francois van
South Africa, welcomed Eeden, national market-
the guests, and explained
that since returning to ing manager Suzuki
South Africa in June Auto SA, Nigel Hopkins,
2008, the Suzuki auto- chairman of the Sports
motive brand has estab- Aerobatics Club of South
lished a solid reputation Africa and 13 times SA
for being a true lifestyle
brand, thus the sponsor- national champ, and
ship of aerobatics and Suzuki’s involvement with Desmond Els, national
general aviation is a natural extension of the sales manager Suzuki
Suzuki brand values of Spirit, Sportiness, Auto SA, toast the success
Straightforwardness and Value as espoused in the of the Suzuki sponsorship
Suzuki Way of Life philosophy.
May 2009 71
Industry Update
Fifth State of Logistics Survey Launched

The Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) and Imperial Logistics
(a division of Imperial Holdings) launched the 5th annual State of Logistics Survey
on Friday, 3rd April 2009 at a breakfast event at the Johannesburg Country Club,
Auckland Park. The bottom-line shows that logistics costs in South Africa for 2007
were R317 billion – 15,9% of GDP – up by 1% from the previous year.
ne of the biggest logistics drivers, namely fuel, collaboration and
O problems in South Africa is

internal logistics costs and
these figures indicate a fur-
ther rise, which will reduce the country’s
logistics competitiveness.
skills development are addressed.
Demand-side analysis indicates that
employment figures remain mainly flat or
are declining slightly for the transport,
storage and communications sector.
Supply-side analysis suggests that all
Commenting on the results of the survey, indicators, in relation to the economy, are
Hans Ittmann, Executive Director of Dave King declining. Future solutions for South
of the CSIR
CSIR Built Environment said: “Given the Africa’s freight transport skills problems
kicked off the
global economic crisis, it is fitting that this proceedings will have to focus on technical skills
year’s survey is titled ‘Logistics value and development involving all sectors of the
cost drivers from a macro and micro-eco- industry. On the subject of collaboration,
nomic perspective’. Pressures to reduce the survey looks specifically at the impact
logistics costs are even more acute in the of this on the aerospace industry. “The
South African context, where transporta- rapid increase in logistics costs, especially
tion costs are now measured at 53% of in our current economic climate, is an
total logistics costs, 14% higher than the issue of concern. Manufacturers and
world average at 39%. Being far away from Logistics Service Providers should move to
all our sources of imports, still relying get rid of inefficiencies in their supply
heavily on transport via road versus rail chains and ensure that they are well
together with a significant increase in
inventory costs, stakeholders within the Abrie de Swardt, Imperial Logistics market- managed,” says Marius Swanepoel, CEO
industry need to constantly evaluate their ing director; “The current situation is of Imperial Logistics. “More than ever, we
unsustainable. Too many trucks are on the
costs closely, collaborate with peers and be road, and we have to move back to rail in a find ourselves in a changing environment.
determined in finding best cost options.” significant way. It requires that we take When making optimisation decisions,
Research shows that transport and inven- hands with Transnet and embark on inter- companies should be careful not to rely on
tory carrying costs are on an alarming organisational co-operation” history or their experiences. They should
upward trend, even when real increases are rather engage with professional logistics
considered. Inventory carrying costs have and supply chain management companies
doubled over the past four years and trans- in their search to innovate and improve
port costs have increased by more than services, whilst cutting costs.”
50%. Road and rail are still the predomi-
nant means of freight transport, contribut- The survey provides quantitative facts and
ing to 99% of all logistics costs and the figures on the state of logistics in South
market share split for goods transported by Africa and focuses on pertinent issues in
road and by rail is 87% and 13%, respec- the logistics and supply chain sector.
tively. These conditions point to an unsus- It examines the effect of worsening road
tainable and high risk situation. A viable conditions on the economy by a limited
domestic intermodal solution that will Hans Ittmann, executive director of CSIR case study indicating that trucks travelling
reduce risk and lower costs is essential as Built Environment; “As logisticians and sup- on roads with a bad riding condition
well as innovative solutions in terms of ply chain professionals we underestimate the rating could experience enormous increas-
inventory management. The survey high- contribution that we make to business and es in costs. Green supply chain manage-
the economy. The global economic downturn ment is also a focus and the question
lights the value that is created in the
creates opportunities to relook, redesign, and
logistics sector through effective supply to optimise supply chains and to get ready whether green logistics is a cost burden
chain management. Three important cost for the next upturn” or value creator is discussed.
The State of Logistics Survey was introduced in 2004. The aim of the survey is to provide a comprehensive picture of
the state of logistics in South Africa, incorporating a macro and microeconomic view. The fifth survey covers 2007
data and information. The State of Logistics Survey is available for download at www.csir.co.za/sol and
www.imperiallogistics.co.za/sol.
72 May 2009
Motorsport
Killing the Goose

Where would motor racing be without sponsorship? Most likely nowhere.
by Howard Keeg Petrol heads would have to make do with clandestine meets and “gush-
magesh” type events, and the sport as we know it would simply not exist. This
is why companies that invest in motorsport should be cherished, acknowledged, nurtured,
and most importantly, heard.
realised this when ABR sent me to SA is managing director Danie Coetser, highly competitive. His commitment to
I cover the Kyalami racing event on

Saturday, 28th March 2009. The
critical import of sponsorship hit me
between the eyes as I wandered through
the pits, the bomas, and the spectator
who is obviously passionate about motor
racing, and he is prepared to back up this
passion with a substantial investment in
the sport. Danie’s blood is orange and he
understands that motor racing is an expen-
these ideals is evident by the fact that
despite his parent company in the States
pulling out of NASCAR due to budgetary
constraints, he personally went out on a
limb to justify Timken SA’s continued
viewing sites. I observed the fervour, the sive exercise, and he is prepared to do his involvement in the local racing scene. The
excitement, the enthusiasm, the adrenalin bit, saying that “it is the right thing to do”, cost of this limb? A cool R3 million for the
induced whoops, the mixed emotions, with the proviso that Timken receives an 2009 racing year, covering the Wesbank
from the competitors, the spectators, the acceptable return on this investment, in V8 Supercar Series and the Engen
corporate clientele, and of course the spon- the form of brand awareness, an associa- Volkswagen Polo Cup Series. This is
sors. It was also clear that motor racing is tion with advanced technology, media enough ammunition for me to declare that
made up of personalities, and a strong exposure, and in the long run a significant it is therefore absolutely imperative that
groupie culture is all pervasive. One of the effect on the bottom line. To achieve these the powers that be take note of Danie’s
most proactive sponsors in this country is aims, he also realises that the Timken rac- requirements and wish list as a sponsor.
Timken South Africa. Heading up Timken ing team has to be both highly visible and
Danie Coetser with the golf bag carried

by Doug McGuigan’s caddie at the
2005 British Open. Danie’s office is a
veritable shrine to all the sponsorship
and social responsibility endeavours of
Timken SA. Timken’s primary sponsor-
ship efforts revolve around motorsport
and golf, as both sports relate closely to
Timken’s business interests, with other
sponsorships and community support
ventures outlining the broad scope of
Timken’s brand building and social
involvement, built around the philoso- These pics of the damage to Richard Pinard’s and Hennie Groenewald’s cars do not do
phy of giving a fishing rod rather than justice to the extent of the damage and the costs involved in bringing the cars back to
a fish. racing trim – the shunts may give bragging rights at the pub later, but who will face
the consequences when sponsors say enough is enough?
May 2009 73
Motorsport
The pits at Kyalami
between heats were
a buzz with run-
ning repairs
Racing requires
more than cars,
as this support
truck indicates
I noted his distress at Kyalami after his star why are there rules that cannot be ner has been safely negotiated, then let the
racer was unceremoniously removed from enforced? Or maybe they don’t want to racing begin, to the satisfaction of the spec-
the first heat (in the first lap!) of the enforce the rules? For more exciting racing? tators and competitors alike. Sounds like
Wesbank V8 race, and I waited a good two For more thrills and spills? The small prob- common sense to me. Another bugbear for
weeks before visiting Danie at Timken’s lem behind this philosophy is that the two Danie is the situation around the VW Polo
offices in Benoni to ascertain the reason shunts that the Timken drivers endured so Cup. These cars are practically bog stan-
behind his unhappiness, and his metamor- early on had quite a cost. Firstly, the costs dard, so there will always be the tempta-
phosis from phlegmatic to agitated. The incurred in repairing the Timken cars, tion to find ways to make the cars more
incident that raised his blood pressure was together with the normal racing costs, competitive, by hook or by crook. Danie
the boxing in of Hennie Groenewald by came to a cool R 280 000, a sizable chunk says that Bryan Morgan has already suf-
three of his fellow competitors and a subse- out of the R3 million budget. Secondly, fered seven non-finishers due to clutch fail-
quent sideways shove, and a repeat proce- the spectators were robbed. They came to ure, an unusually high incidence, but the
dure on Richard Pinard less than a minute see a competitive race and they came to see rules do not allow for tampering with the
later. Occurrences that a less generous per- Hennie Groenewald and Richard Pinard weight of the flywheel or pressure plate.
son may describe as premeditated, whilst a fly the Timken flag, something which is Are the other competitors also taking the
conspiracy theorist may even find an agen- not going to happen when they have been high road? Danie wants stricter scrutineer-
da in these incidents. Danie Coetser is too taken out by reckless driving. It is all very ing and he recommends a random bumper
much of a gentleman to say such things, well to warn the youngster, but does this to bumper check after each race to discour-
and merely comments that, “It is very sim- kid know what damage he is doing to the age any straying from the path of right-
ple. All I want is a level playing field, con- sport without proper sanction. He wasn’t eousness.
sistency, and fair play. Motorsport has even demoted to the back of the grid for
rules, and they must be applied without the next heat, something which was These are reasonable requests, of which
fear or favour”. For example, he cites the slapped onto Hennie Groenewald in inde- note should be taken. It cannot be empha-
chaotic situation that exists at the start of cent haste the previous season for a less sised strongly enough that the Polo Cup
the V8 races, and the rule that no one may serious misdemeanour. Is this what the and even the V8 series are nurseries for
push past the back bumper until past the officials believe is a levelling of the playing upcoming talent and stepping stones to
starting grid; a rule that exists to avoid fields? Or do they want tit for tat behav- bigger things. Sponsors are the lifeblood of
bunching up at the first corner. A rational iour, and bugger the consequences? the sport, and it is madness to upset them
and practical rule which should be strictly unnecessarily. My advice to the bigwigs is
enforced. Apparently the officials say that Coming back to the starting procedure, to sit up and take notice. Do not allow the
they cannot control the start, and the Danie believes that a single file rolling start gander to get up; otherwise you could kill
immediate question that comes to mind is is the solution and that after the first cor- the goose that lays the golden egg.
74 May 2009
Motorsport
Fast Lady
Her favourite animal is the cheetah, so it is no surprise to hear that
Clare Vale loves speed. The cheetah has bragging rights as the
fastest animal on four feet, and Clare Vale emulates this when she
gets into her Gatorback Goodyear Ram Ford V8 Mustang to become
the fastest lady on four wheels in South Africa.
The Fast Lady leads the boys out of a fast corner
lare started racing late in life, As she explains, “they are lighter, they can of her. Clare’s previous comments about
C unlike most of the V8 competi-

tors who started out in go kart
racing. The catalyst for her rac-
ing career was when she attended an
advanced driving course at Kyalami and
multi-task far better, and very importantly,
they keep their cool.” She adds that a
woman does not have alpha male tenden-
cies, nor does she overcook it when over-
taking just to show who’s boss. Therefore it
men overcooking it seemed to be spot on,
but she handled it like a seasoned pro, “I
had a great start from pole in the second
race. The team gave me an awesome car
and I hung onto the lead as long as I could.
finished the day with the fastest lap time, comes as no surprise that Clare tends to Sadly an incident ended the dream for the
much to the chagrin of some testosterone finish more racers than anyone else and day, but I am sure we will be able to make
charged young bucks. Realising that she that more often than not her car is in much good use of the inverted grid again soon.”
had the ability to kick butt, she solicited better shape than her hairy armed rivals. Cheering from the sidelines was Colin
the support of her husband, an ex racer, Preddy, general manager – Automotive
and the rest is history, with her husband It all came together on Saturday, 28th Division, sponsor of the Gatorback
her greatest fan. In a recent interview with March 2009 at Kyalami, when at the sec- Goodyear Ram Mustang. Colin says that
Wanita Nicol of Horizons magazine, Clare ond round of the Wesbank Super Series for he is very happy with the exposure that the
says that during her first season of V8 rac- 2009 Clare became not only the first and Gatorback brand is getting from this fast
ing last year she had to earn the respect of only woman to ever race a Wesbank V8, lady, and he was philosophical about
her fellow racers, but by the end of the sea- but with the inversion rule, she also took Clare’s retirement, “It was unfortunate that
son, when she finished fifth overall out of pole position in the second heat. With the a car spun in front of her, but even so Clare
18 drivers, she had not only earned her philosophy of “I’m just going to go for it”, did very well and held her own against the
wings, she had shown the guys that “she Clare lead the entire field for two full laps “big boys”.
had balls, so to speak”. Clare honestly and even after she was passed she stayed in
believes that women have an advantage the thick of things until lap five when she Go to wesbankv8.co.za for informa-
over men when it comes to motor racing. was forced to retire after a car spun in front tion on this year’s supercar season.
76 May 2009
Industry Update
Lubricant specialist LIQUI
MOLY is expanding in
South Africa
LIQUI MOLY, the German company which spe-
cialises in lubricants, additives and car care, sells
its products in more than 90 countries around the
world. And all the signs are pointing towards fur-
ther growth – especially in South Africa. This was
apparent at the Automechanika in Johannesburg
from 18 to 21 March 2009, and once again in
Cape Town on Friday 27th March 2009, when
Liquimoly introduced its new distributor in the
Cape, S.O.S. Oil Corporation.
IQUI MOLY regards South Africa as one of it´s most instance in South Africa show – and the brand another, as the
L important markets in the future. Europe is at the fore-

front with market coverage of 98 percent, but it also
has a significant footprint in America and Asia, and it
wants further international growth. The managing
partner, Ernst Prost, sees enormous opportunities in globalisation:
“Wherever cars are driven in the world, there’s a need for our
products” – in other words, there is huge potential around the
managing director emphasises. The additive specialist is currently
involved in the World Touring Car Championship, which for the
first time will have a race on the African continent, and the
German series as the main sponsor of LIQUI MOLY Team
Engstler, giving the brand a guaranteed TV presence worldwide.
“This brand awareness has a pre-selling effect around the globe,”
says Ernst Prost. Campaigns like these are initiated and managed
world for the manufacturer of engine oils, car care products and centrally from Germany. Sponsoring in relevant countries is
additives for oil, fuel and cooling circuits: Out of the 640 million another fixed element of the brand strategy. For instance in South
cars in the world, Ernst Prost views 500 million as potential. In Africa, where cycling is popular, the company support´s a cycling
the long term, he aims to achieve sales of 50 cents per car. The racing team called Team LIQUI MOLY, which is captained by
company, which manufactures its products exclusively in Alex Pavlov. Because of it´s products LIQUI MOLY is naturally
Germany, currently generates more than 40 percent of its revenue associated with motorsports. Thus the firm sponsors the GT 1
in the export business. A figure that is also set to rise. LIQUI racing team of Danie Correia Snr. His sons Danie and Jaco are
MOLY South Africa is headed up by Melicia Labuschagne and competing in the WesBank V8 Supercars Series with their
Gary Swinson. “We’re winning more garages and car accessory Chevrolet Corvettes.
retailers for the brand,” says Labuschagne. “This is a really good
development in a market with so much potential,” adds Swinson. LIQUI MOLY has been an important player in the automotive
Engine oils, grease, pastes, service products, repair tools and care field for more than 50 years, with some 4,000 articles including
products for vehicles are all part of the product mix offered by the engine oils, additives and car care products. Based in the south-
full-range provider. And additives: Depending on the product, German city of Ulm, the company develops, tests, manufactures
these have a cleaning or care effect and can be used as a precau- and markets the extensive offering itself and enjoys close contact
tionary measure or to solve specific problems. TÜV, Germany’s with reputable vehicle manufacturers: because high-quality engine
technical supervisory association, has tested a wide range of addi- oils are developed in parallel with modern vehicle technology.
tives and confirmed their effectiveness: Clean engines run longer Compared to the mineral oil groups such as Shell, British Petrol
and are more efficient on fuel. This is better for the environment. or Exxon Mobil, LIQUI MOLY appears modest, but it is no small
Along with the TÜV seal of approval, LIQUI MOLY counts on fry. With its strengths, it is real competition for the big players. “It
the “made in Germany” mark of quality. The top-quality prod- makes us an interesting alternative; also in South Africa” – of that
ucts are one pillar of success – as the positive experiences for Ernst Prost is convinced.
Gary Swinson, business
development manager at
LIQUIMOLY SA, wel-
comed the Cape Town
guests at the River Club in
Observatory. He promises
that LIQUIMOLY will
“brand your shop, and
we’ll brand you”. Gary
bemoaned the fact that
South Africa is a dumping
ground for bad oil, and
that most European cars
are driving with the wrong
oil.
The S.O.S. Oil Corporation Team: Michael Stafford, Peter Gaunt,
Freddi Stafford.
78 May 2009
It Starts With SABAT

By now, most automotive aftermarket trade members
will be familiar with the very visible new version of
the SABAT brand. How did this transformation of
an old favourite come about?
ABR spoke to Corne Strydom who runs the automo-
tive division of Powertech Batteries.
ABR: SABAT has transformed as a brand

in the past few years. Young, vibrant and
dynamic Business Reps driving customised
Minis calling on the trade. Cool brand design
and a seemingly much more noticeable mar-
ket presence. What has been going on?
CS: The SABAT brand has always had a

place in the minds of the motoring public in
SA, but more so in the hearts of the motorsport fraternity. Much of SABAT’s early success was down to passion and involvement shown
in motorsport. In days gone by, the number of people participating in motorsport was relatively few. We had well-known heroes and the
average consumer was happy to watch and admire their performances.
ABR: So what do you believe has changed?
CS: Many factors have changed. The profile of the average driver today is
totally different. The average age of our population has become very young
compared to most other countries, especially in the developed world. Perhaps
the most important factor is that people today want to actively participate in
motorsport and all other outdoor hobbies and activities and not just be a spec-
tator. The research we conduct regularly pointed to these trends and the brand
personality has been developed to talk to today’s target market and meet their
aspirations.
ABR: Why does the brand seem to have more presence in the market today?
CS: Well it is an unusual outcome as there was a time when
SABAT had many vans on the road servicing thousands of retail
points. Today we have a very different distribution model to success-
fully service the trade. This we do through utilising cutting edge
technology such as fleet logistics optimisation, GEO coding of the
customer location - supported by mobile vans that participate in our
roadside, office or home fitment programme - together with some of
our key partners. The revised brand does attract a lot of attention
and we have been able to appoint Business Reps who are well qual-
ified academically and who identify with the new image of the brand
and enjoy driving SABAT branded cars.
ABR: Where does SABAT stack up from a technical standpoint?

CS: Fortunately the technical product performance of the brand
has always impressed. As a South African Manufacturer, SABAT has
been an honest performer with no short cuts taken and the right
products have been provided at the appropriate time. All SABAT
batteries being manufactured have the latest calcium/calcium silver technology. The consumer target market we engage with have a
“do it for me” attitude and trust the brand to give them the right battery, whether its for their motorbike, jet ski, speedboat or car.
May 2009 79
Annie Get Your Grease Gun

Cape Town’s Grandwest Casino, the largest in Africa, was an excellent venue for the
Partinform Automotive Trade Show as it unhitched its wagons at the Cape of Good Hope
on Thursday, 26th March 2009, to display its wares and to educate the locals about the
professional benefits of using guaranteed, quality branded product, and to warn about
snake oil salesmen peddling dubious product of unknown origin, and the obvious dangers
around vehicle roadworthiness, product longevity, road safety, and the implications of
the soon to be gazetted Consumer Protection Bill.
The Market Hall Exhibition Centre at the Grandwest Casino is large and cavernous, pro-
viding ample space for the close on 700 guests, and allowing the exhibitors to stretch
out, creating a relaxed and informal atmosphere, and a catalyst to networking and infor-
mation sharing. The influential Automotive Business Review, South Africa’s leading auto-
motive aftermarket publication, and touted by those in the know as South Africa’s only
genuine all round automotive aftermarket publication, was the only publication which
took the trouble to be present to take in the action and to report back to its readers. A
picture is worth a thousand words, so ABR presents the grand Partinform show at the
Grandwest Casino in montage form:
M&M: Monique Piest, event co- Delon Murphy of Brake Hose & The chefs were kept busy feeding close to
ordinator of Partinform, with Component Supplies, enjoying a 700 hungry faces
Malcolm Perrie, chairman of chat with John Jones of Ferobrake
AAMA (Automotive Aftermarket
Manufacturers Association)
The Kohler
Motors team
The food is good
Kieran George and Gavin Jason of

Kohler Motors, Claremont, a
Bosch Service Centre, enjoyed the
show. They found it “very inform-
ative, and we discovered many
new products of interest. Even the
parts that you work with every
day, we found that we didn’t know
all the facts. We’ll definitely be
back when the show visits Cape
Town again”
Time to rest and network
80 May 2009
The vibe at the stands was first-rate
An electrifying atmosphere The FRAM stand was a happy stand The Gatorback guys
Luk Levis are

perfect for a
hoedown
The ample space allowed SABAT to display its

innovative mobile billboards
Federal-Mogul spread its wings
Monroe in motion
This is how you make brake Whatever they’re looking at it must be good
hose
I’ve got a great CV
I’m stuck on you That’s a very good question The hub of the matter
May 2009 81
The new kids on the block.

Partinform is growing, and the
Cape Town event witnessed the
debut of three new members:
Robert Bosch, First National
Batteries and Safeline Brakes.
Colin Murphy, chairman of Partinform, wel-

comed the large crowd, and once again reiterat-
ed that the looming Consumer Protection Bill
places an onus on suppliers, manufacturers,
importers, distributors and resellers, to ensure
Check out those hooters that the product they supply to the end user is of
impeccable quality. Colin pointed out that
Section 61 of the Act should be carefully scruti-
nised by the trade, as it deals with the question
of liability. This section does not discriminate
when apportioning blame; it holds everyone in
the supply chain jointly and severally liable for
harm caused by defective or unsafe goods,
including economic loss. If this does not make
you sit up and take notice, nothing will! Don’t
take any chances with your future; to protect
yourself only sell and fit quality branded prod-
uct from a reputable manufacturer – and wher-
ever possible, buy South African, it’s the right
thing to do.
Answers From page 54

Some customers will break your arm to get a good deal on
brakes 1. Mazda 2. 11. Mike Glendenning.
2. Ross Brawn. 12. Jensen Button (both
3. Dave Powell. Grands Prix.)
4. Steve Koch of 13. Hot Sahara Desert
General Motors. Wind that blows
Hal Feder – Ford. towards the Med.
5. Toyota Corolla / 14. Qatar.
VW Polo / MB C- 15. Repco Brabham.
Class / Ford Fiesta 16. Singapore.
6. Jeff Radebe. 17. Jody Scheckter in a
7. Jacques Brent. Tyrell in Sweden.
8. Toyota Hi-Lux / 18. South African
Toyota Quantum / Gordon Murray.
Opel Corsa Utility / 19. Austria.
Isuzu KB. 20. (a) Nissan
9. Centurion. (b) BMW.
We’re glad to be here, and we’re cheerful and positive 10. Lazarus Motor
Company.
82 May 2009
Competition Corner
aleem Mohamed from Allparts Cape
G Town was the lucky winner of the first

prize, and will be attending the AAMA
Partinform Ferrari Driving Experience on
Friday 19th November 2009. He will be
flown up to Pretoria together with the other lucky win-
ners. To be sure that you also stand a chance of winning
this wonderful prize, all you need to do is visit the
Partinform Automotive Show when it comes to a hall
near you. The following shows are:
• Springs/Brakpan: Tuesday 12th May 2009
• Bloemfontein: Wednesday 17th June 2009
• Durban: Tuesday 21st July 2009
• Klerksdorp: Tuesday 8th September 2009
• Port Elizabeth: Tuesday 13th October 2009
• White River: Tuesday 10th November 2009
And if you are a reader of ABR, not only are you highly intelligent, you also have a chance to win a Forza Racing Track Experience. Four
lucky winners will be drawn out of the hat at the South African Automotive Conference to be held in early October 2009, and will be
advised via e-mail or telephone by the middle of October 2009, and the winners shall also be announced in the November 2009 issue
of ABR. Don’t delay. The entries from the previous editions of ABR are already streaming in, so get out your thinking cap and answer
these three questions:
1. Name one of the debutante manufacturers at the Cape Town Partinform show.
2. If you’re a resident of Nelspruit, which Partinform show will be the closest to you, and on which date will it be held?
3. Who is the events co-ordinator for Partinform?
Send your answers to fax 086 6579 289 or e-mail bigheart@iafrica.com with the following details:
Name and Surname: __________________________________________________________________________________
Company: ___________________________________________________________________________________________
Position: ____________________________________________________________________________________________
Postal Address:_______________________________________________________________________________________
Contact Tel. no’s:_____________________________________________________________________________________
e-mail address:________________________________________________________________________________________
May 2009 83
How to make a brake pipe using the

Quick Brake Flaring Tool
Quick Brake in Europe manufacture a flaring tool package which allows workshops &
spares outlets to make up their own brake pipes on site. The flaring tool is a profes-
sional vice-mounted product which does an OE quality single and double flare (convex &
concave). 3/16 (4.75mm), 6mm and 8mm flare dies are included when the tool is purchased
with an option of 3/8 (9.5mm) & 10mm to be added if required. Brake Hose & Component
Supplies (Pty) Ltd supply this tool and a full range of tubing, tube nuts, joiners and
T pieces that are required to pipe cars, trucks and buses. The Quick Brake tubing that
BHCS supplies is Copper-Nickel which is easy to bend or form at the vehicle making the
fitment of the brake pipe very easy.
1 2
Quick Brake Flaring Tool. Cut the brake tube to the correct length.
3 4
Clamp the brake tube in the flaring tool. Pull the lever once to Supply the completed brake pipe to the customer (as a straight pipe) -
form the single flare and a second time to form the double flare. the fitter is able to easily bend and manipulate the pipe while
fitting to the vehicle.
84 May 2009
Industry Update
Feeling the Pulse – with

Passion and Precision
In the previous issue of ABR, we discussed the new dynamic at
Sparepro, where the company as a whole focuses on the most important
element of the business, the customer. We described how the sales
team now interacts with the product development team, the sales sup-
port team, and the accounts team, and how they are incentivised not
just on sales performance, but also on the “softer” issues such as
delivery performance, warranty administration, and most importantly,
customer satisfaction. However, this is not a touchy feely new age man-
agement technique; at its core it is a disciplined approach to running a
profitable business. Patrick Latouche, general manager of Sparepro,
beneath his amiable exterior ,is in essence a hard nosed businessman.
atrick, unleashing his impressive tertiary pedigree, has a incentivising the entire chain of product development to make it
P single-minded goal, and that goal is growth. His

approach, when stripped of its motivational and inspira-
tional features, is strictly analytical. A Pareto analysis that
he introduced soon after taking over the reins, very quickly high-
lighted that most of Sparepro’s customers were not buying even
happen.
Patrick says that Sparepro is a rough diamond, and all that it needs
is to be polished to take it to the top. This polishing includes the
development of sound and solid relationships with the customers,
half of Sparepro’s product categories, and Patrick realised that this and to continuously work on these relationships, understanding
provided an enormous window of opportunity for growth, simply that all interactions are part of this relationship, with even the
by focusing on the established customer base. One of the basic returns policy being an integral part of this relationship. He
tenets of customer care programmes is that it far easier and cheap- intends to build on this ideal by bringing groups of customers to
er to retain customers than to generate new customers, and it was Sparepro to discuss issues of common concern and to strategise as
this philosophy that Patrick used to fashion a strategy to redeem friends, not strangers. Patrick is now back on a common and
this situation. The root cause of the problem was that there was a repetitive theme; better service makes you a better human being.
distinct lack of genuine communication with the customer, and Patrick wants his staff to view Sparepro as a second home, and he
Patrick’s corrective action went straight for the jugular – every wants to inculcate a team spirit that fosters a customer service that
month each salesman would have to dedicate a minimum of two is self-sustaining, and which eventually leads to a self-fulfilling
full working days to visiting his/her customer; to talk, to listen, to effect, i.e. people getting more out of their jobs and by implica-
understand, and critically, to take action. To ensure that this tion, more out of their lives. And he wants this done with a sense
would not be a loose arrangement, Patrick also implemented a of purpose and a sense of humanity, carried out with vision, pas-
report back regime, stipulating specific action plans, rigorous fol- sion, focus and with a corporate conscience.
low-up procedures, and immediate corrective action where
required. The results were practically immediate, and an added Call it new age if you like, but Patrick is confident that he is on
and not entirely unexpected bonus was that the market intelli- the right track. The statistics prove him right, and the results show
gence gleaned from these initiatives created the identification of that Sparepro is doing the right thing. Patrick says that he is run-
new product categories, with the prospect of further growth. ning a business and results matter, but he is adamant that “we are
here to serve our customers”. He does not dwell on the past, he
This is a classic real life scenario of feeling the pulse of the market focuses on the future. And his staff are right behind him, as they
and investigating opportunities and looking for winners, and jointly feel the pulse of the market, with passion and precision.
86 May 2009
Fast Wheels
Unscripted Formula 1
by Roger McCleery
Drama begins
In 2008 we had sex scandals and a World Championship won by 1 point in the final
300 metres of the last race of the year. We also enjoyed racing with some passing,
particularly when it was damp or drenching wet, which neutralised cars, drivers and
teams. It gives the lower budget teams a chance to shine. You thought 2008 was dra-
matic? A lot of us Formula 1 GP fans thought it was one of the best years in the
59-year history of the sport. That however was nothing compared to the shenanigans
going on already this season, which so far has just got under way and provided two
races. It is also unbelievable. A good author could turn it into a best-selling book.
efore the stewards had got to the first an underpowered dog. Now everything is Then came the bombshell. The stewards
B race in Melbourne they got wind of

protests to be lodged querying the
aerodynamics of the Brawns, Toyotas and
coming together and the Brawn GP Team
is a fact. They have Virgin as a sponsor and
a superpowerful Mercedes engine tacked
who had access to all the team radio
instructions heard the McLaren Sporting
Director, Dave Ryan, telling Hamilton to
Williams. Our South African - Rory Byrne on behind the driver. Mercedes Benz slow down and let Trulli past when the
- has headed up a team outlining the aero- stepped in to help Brawn, but only for a safety car was out, which would penalise
dynamic rules and aids to be used with a year. Judging by the performance already, the Japanese team. Hamilton apparently
view to improving reducing the turbulence they could shortly be the No 1 Merc team said he had not heard this instruction but
behind a GP car that upsets the down of choice if McLaren is not careful. the tape radio voice proved he had. The
force of the car behind and prevents any Contracts mean nothing if you are not per- Stewards said he had lied to (misled) them
sort of passing. The mandate was “Get the forming in this game. The Brawn GP cars and he was out of the results. Trulli was
GP cars to pass each other on the track and 001 seem to be uncatchable. So far Jensen back 3rd. This decision must have had Ron
not only in the pits”.Anyway the stewards Button, whom everybody wrote off as a Dennis, Chairman of McLaren, the
who normally reckon they are coming to whinger, has won both the Australian and German engine suppliers, Merc, and the
the GP to have a bit of a holiday, a chow Malaysian Grands Prix at will. Barricello Arab sponsors in the froth. Hamilton says
and a drink wearing their blazers and also showed that he can do great things he would even think about retiring.
badges, were thrown in at the deep end despite a collision and gearbox problems in
and had to decide on the underbody dif- the two races. Stirling Moss says he is saddened, disap-
fusers on of the cars. They chucked out pointed and disheartened with his fellow
the protests and told the protesters they At the opening GP of the season, the Aussie Brit. He says Hamilton will be tainted by
could appeal back in Europe, when changes Grand Prix which guarantees drama started this for life. Moss could have won the
to these diffusers can be made. They could- off with just that – drama. Like 2008 and a World Championship in 1959 but sacri-
n’t just change a 330 kmh car so far from few years before that, prangs on the first ficed his chances on a point of order that let
base without testing. I think some guys corner and lots of off-track incidents took Mike Hawthorne who had travelled in
didn’t read the rules properly and were place. As the supposed best drivers in the reverse to take the win and the champi-
gatvol that they hadn’t thought of inter- world, you would wonder about some of onship. Malaysia brought the rain. First a
preting these rules first. This little prob- the tactics of these experienced men and shower which was OK, and then a torrent
lem isn’t over yet as the “other teams” even some of the newcomers - all champi- which genuinely made the track unrace-
underbody aids have made the cars so good ons in their own right. Of the 20 starters able. This had the stewards and officials
the others can’t compete. Who knows? I only 13 cars got to the flag. Missing were scurrying for their rule books. It was
must admit that the Brawns, Toyotas and two Ferraris, a BMW, a Red Bull, a Rosberg / Trulli / Alonso leading the way at
Williams haven’t done too badly, although Renault, a Williams and a McLaren. the start with Button able to go into the
Rubens Barricello, whose underbody suck- Button took place 1 as he pleased. Rubens lead virtually any time he liked – such is the
ing down device was destroyed early in the was 2nd after Kubica and Vettel took each superiority of the British car. Tyres played
Australian Grand Prix, said it didn’t make a other off. Trulli got a popular podium place their part in the drizzle until the cloudburst
big difference and he still finished 2nd. for Toyota with Hamilton from the back of when it was impossible to steer the car in a
How was the fairy tale story of the Ross the starting grid a brilliant 4th. Other point straight line and the safety car and red flag
Brawn GP Team? Ross of course headed up scorers were Timo Glock (Toyota), Alonso came out to stop the race. All points-scor-
the triumvirate at Ferrari in the champi- (Renault), Nico Rosberg (Williams)and ers got half points. The Ferraris didn’t score
onship winning days with Rory Byrne and Sebastian Buemi in the Torro Rosso, mak- anything again – they definitely won’t to
Michael Schumacher. One month before ing his debut and gaining a point in 8th take this lying down.
this Grand Prix, there was no Honda (they spot. Everybody was happy until McLaren
pulled out in December) or Brawn team. put in a protest saying that Trulli had I must say it looks like we are in for lots of
Drivers and team members were waiting passed Hamilton when the safety car was excitement and drama on and off the track
for a phone call to say whether they were out, and this is not allowed. That pushed a with stewards kept fairly busy. One thing is
going to race or not, or if indeed they had disappointed Trulli back to 12th spot and for sure, it isn’t going to rain – unfortunate-
a job. A working team with 800 dedicated, no points and gave Lewis Hamilton 3rd ly – in Bahrain on the 19th of April for
talented, passionate people and their fami- place. Toyota appealed the decision but Round 3. Then the F1 circus goes back to
lies were all involved. Ross Brawn and his then accepted it and withdrew their appeal. Europe for Barcelona and possibly more
men had been working on a 2009 car in the They must have heard about rumblings in sunshine. We shall see.
middle of 2008 as the then-current car was the pits caused by the goings-on.
May 2009 87
The Latest Buzz?
Toyota SA President promoted to key position within Toyota Motor Corporation, Japan
Dr Johan van Zyl, President and CEO of Toyota SA, has become one of only five non-Japanese to be promoted to the
position of Managing Officer within Toyota Motor Corporation (TMC).
r Johan van Zyl, President and CEO of people that he has worked so closely with over
D Toyota SA, has become one of only five

non-Japanese to be promoted to the
position of Managing Officer within Toyota
the past decades. Dr van Zyl said he is ready for
the challenge and believes almost everything can
be achieved through hard work, perseverance
Motor Corporation (TMC). and commitment. “Africa has always been a very
important player in TMC’s global strategy and I
Following a board meeting scheduled for June hope to strengthen this even further,” he said.
2009 to confirm this appointment, Dr van Zyl
will take office as Managing Officer, but will also “I could not have achieved this kind of accolade
remain President and CEO of Toyota SA. TMC without the consistent commitment and support
has only 50 Managing Officers globally and this of each and every Toyota SA employee, supplier
appointment essentially makes Dr van Zyl part and dealer. This company has had its difficulties,
of the company’s global management team, but we have always survived and exceeded expec-
reporting to the TMC Board. “I am extremely tations – truly a testament to the Toyota spirit,
excited about this opportunity and although I’m but also the South African spirit.”
sure I’ll be much busier, it is business as usual at
Toyota SA and my commitment remains firmly “An appointment of this nature is indeed a vote
with this company,” he said. of confidence in South African management and
I am proud that this could be achieved without
He added that this promotion is truly a feather in my leaving the country, but remaining here to
the cap of Toyota South Africa as a whole and help build this great nation and company.”
attributed his success to the company and the
The all new Chevrolet

Cruze arrives at Port
Elizabeth harbour
The first shipment of Chevrolet's

all new mid-size sedan, the Cruze,
arrived in Port Elizabeth in April
2009 for final testing and valida-
tion before this latest addition to
GM’s product range is launched
in South Africa later this year.
The Chevrolet Cruze is set to
make its mark in the South
African market and abroad with
its fresh new global Chevrolet
styling.
Since its re-introduction into the

South African market in late
2003, Chevrolet has enjoyed
immense growth in the country
and is positioned to be GM’s
largest brand offering globally.
88
May 2009
AD PAGE
The Last Writes by Baron Claude Borlz
My readers have excelled themselves once again:

Some t-shirts with some home truths:
Marriage Writes
• They say that marriage
makes a man dizzy, and it's
true. As soon as I got a wife,
I lost my balance at the bank.
• Men want 3 qualities in
wives: Economist in kitchen,
artist in home & devil in
bed. But they get artist in
kitchen, devil in home &
economist in bed.
• Q: Why do women live
longer than men?
A: Shopping never causes
heart attacks, but paying the
bill does!
• Before marriage: Roses are
red, sky is blue. U r beauti-
ful, I luv u.
After marriage: Roses are
dead, I'm blue. U r my
headache, one day I'll kill u.
• Getting married is very
much like going to a restau-
rant with friends. You order
what you want, and then
when you see what the other
person has, you wish you had
ordered that.
• Man: Is there any way for
long life?
Dr: Get married. Evolution of Man vs. TV
Man: Will it help?
Dr: No, but the thought of
long life will never come.
• Why do couples hold hands
during their wedding?
It's a formality just like two
boxers shaking hands before
the fight begins!
• Wife: Darling today is our
anniversary, what should we And some-
do? thing for
Husband: Let us stand in the Teazers
silence for 2 minutes. regulars:
Topless
Strippers
May 2009
90
Back
COVER
FED MOGUL
Which one,
new, if repeat /
when

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ABR MAY 2009:Layout 1 4/29/09 8:50 AM Page 2

14 Promoting World Class Competencies

Party Time for the

A and it will grow, and I have heard enough anecdotal

4 The Phoenix Party Time for the Prescient

8 What’s the Buzz

14 Cover Story Promoting World Class Competencies

22 Auto Topical A Lack of Intelligence Report

23 e-CAR A Sturdy Oak

24 The Chery Story Chery Tiggo – An Affordable Choice

26 Health Care Managing Your Health

28 Peugeot Update Putting the Kart before the Hoarse

32 Customer C.A.R.E. Trilogy Customer C.A.R.E. Programme

34 Frankly Speaking Nano Technology

36 Managing the Risks Cutting Costs with KONI

34 Weighty Issues To BRT or not to BRT?

40 Tony’s Take Gordon Brown – a Trillion Dollars?

42 ITS News Electronic Toll Collection on the Horizon

43 MISA News Effective and Responsible Trade Unionism

44 Tyre Safety Tyres’ Contribution to Safety in Motoring

48 Personal Profile Q & A with Colin Lazarus

49 Lux Lite Peter’s Soap Box

Publishing Editor Intelli-Driving Editor Collins, Paul Published by:

50 Diamond Dialogues Counterfeiting - Unscrambling the Code

88 The Latest Buzz

Editorial Office: Subscriptions and Data Design and Reproduction: Printing:

What’s the Buzz?

PRODUCTION STIMULATED Midas Group

Myautoinfo.co.za now provides police Mazda Develops World-First Automated

Introducing: Ken Ken

For a 3x3 puzzle, fill in with numbers 1-3.

• Do not repeat a number in any row or column.

What’s the Buzz?

Volvo City Safety and an electric engine, which effectively lowers

What’s the Buzz?

Last Volvo S60 rolls off the

MICROmega wins gold exhibitor award at

SKF renews contract with Scuderia Ferrari

T ment, and other involved organisations to invigorate

Strategic Focus of the AIDC

• Supply Chain Development - Moving the INDUSTRY towards

• Supplier Development - Moving the ENTERPRISE towards

• Skills Development and Training - Moving PEOPLE towards

Supply Chain Development

T Development activities address the

S suppliers are continuously faced with

Tirisano Cluster Programme – Gauteng

Skills Development and Training

T advancing sector and continues to

AIDC Delivers on its Mandate

What’s the Buzz?

ENVI electric vehicle ALL-ROUNDER MAHINDRA

What’s the Buzz?

“Lend through the downturn: Potentially pro-

Interpretation by this office: The consultant

he e-CAR award rewarded Sean for the

T overall top marks attained in the ten evalu-

A series of articles on the rise of the Chery automobile

P a task most people wish could be made a little easier.

The Chery Tiggo is powered by a 2.0-litre ACTECO engine that

MOTO Health Care – Managing

overnance of Moto Health plans led to an unavoidable increase in

G Care resides with a Board of