Market News| Africa Business News

Suzuki Vitara gets second AT option in South Africa

Suzuki Auto South Africa has introduced an automatic option for the Suzuki Vitara SUV. It is based on the 2WD GL+ variant and priced at ZAR 313,900. This is the second variant in the Vitara range to offer an AT option, which was previously exclusive to the top-end GLX. The Vitara is powered by a 1.6L four-cylinder petrol engine that produces 120 hp and 156 Nm of torque. It is paired with a 6-speed automatic gearbox (torque.... Read more »

Posted on : Thursday , 22nd September 2016

Africa: Automotive Coating Gains Demand for Energy-Efficient Technologies

London — Upswing of automotive production in North America and Europe enhances growth opportunities for coatings, finds Frost & Sullivan's Visionary Science team Automotive original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) are concerned about the rising energy consumption at their paint shops and the resultant increase in carbon emissions. These environmental issues and OEMs' desire to accelerate production cycle times have.... Read more »

Posted on : Wednesday , 21st September 2016

Meet the world's first vehicle that can be packed up and shipped like Ikea furniture

A philanthropist asked a racecar designer to make an all-terrain vehicle suitable for humanitarian missions in Africa. The result was the Ox, “the world’s first flatpack truck” — meaning it can be packed up into a flat box and shipped like Ikea furniture. The truck is absurdly simple to assemble: its designers claim that three people can break it down into 60 parts in just 12 hours. (Apparently no one.... Read more »

Posted on : Tuesday , 20th September 2016

AAD 2016: Denel develops 'Africa Truck'

Denel Vehicle Systems has developed a 6x6 truck based on its RG31 series of mine-resistant ambushed protected (MRAP) vehicles. The 'Africa Truck', which has a gross vehicle weight of 28 tonnes and an empty weight of 12 tonnes, has been designed to be as modular as possible and can accommodate a range of superstructures or a hook lift system. It is also designed to be as simple as possible with a focus on maintenance in the field.... Read more »

Posted on : Saturday , 17th September 2016

Nissan SA poised to expand into Africa

Pretoria - Nissan is determined to expand into sub-Saharan Africa, from its firm footprint in Rosslyn; it’s one of several the manufacturers based in the capital city, making it one of the country’s automotive hubs. The Pretoria News was taken on a tour of the Nissan plant by production manager Michael McEnaney, from the start with robots and humans working together to the point when the car is ready for a road.... Read more »

Posted on : Friday , 16th September 2016

Sigh of relief for SA economy as auto sector signs wage deal with no disruption to vehicle production

The Automotive Manufacturing Employers’ Organisation has announced a new three-year wage agreement with a key labour union. The wage increases and benefit structure agreement is for the 2016 – 2019 period. The negotiations were concluded in Port Elizabeth on Friday between the automotive manufacturing sector and the National Union of Metalworkers of SA (Numsa). The agreement holds the promise of a.... Read more »

Posted on : Thursday , 15th September 2016

South Africa: Cancellation of R1.5 Million Luxury Mayoral Car a Victory for Accountability

The DA in Mpumalanga welcomes the decision by eMalahleni Municipality to reverse the purchase of a R1.5 million luxury vehicle for its new Mayor, Cllr Lindiwe Ntshalintshali. This decision comes after the DA publicised this wasteful expenditure and called on Cllr Lindiwe Ntshalintshali, to reject the car. The money for this luxury vehicle was to be sourced from service delivery budgets. This is not only a victory for the.... Read more »

Posted on : Thursday , 15th September 2016

RMA Motors named super brand after three years in market

RMA Motors Kenya has been named one of East Africa's 53 heavyweight brands as it approaches its third year operating in the region. "We have the leading premium brand in the country over Mercedes and Porshe. One out of every three luxury cars on the road is ours," RMA Motors Kenya CEO Sanjiv Shah said. The Superbrands rankings will feature the First Lady's Beyond Zero foundation for its exceptional work in reducing.... Read more »

Posted on : Wednesday , 14th September 2016

Volkswagen Will Start Making Cars in Kenya Again After 40 Years

Volkswagen will resume producing cars in Kenya by the end of the year as it looks to sell more vehicles across the East African region. After a four decade pause in production by the German carmaker in Kenya, VW will establish an assembly plant to initially produce its Vivo model, President Uhuru Kenyatta and Thomas Schafer, Volkswagen South Africa’s chief executive, said. Emerging market production is familiar.... Read more »

Posted on : Tuesday , 13th September 2016

India made Datsun GO+ exported to South Africa

NEW DELHI: Indian arm of Japanese automaker Nissan has started export of Datsun GO+ to South Africa. Produced at the Renault-Nissan Alliance plant in Oragadam near Chennai, sales of Datsun GO+ began on August 31, 2016 in South Africa. Guillaume Sicard, President, Nissan India Operations, said "We are delighted to see the Datsun GO+, manufactured with pride at the Renault-Alliance plant in Chennai, introduced for sale in South.... Read more »

Posted on : Monday , 12th September 2016

South Africa car makers, union sign 3-year wage deal

Car makers in South Africa signed a new three-year wage deal with militant union Numsa on Friday, industry officials said, easing concerns of a labour dispute in a key export and manufacturing industry. South Africa's local motor industry, the largest in the continent with hubs in the capital Pretoria and Port Elizabeth, contributes 7.5 percent to GDP and around a third of the manufacturing output in Africa's most industrialised.... Read more »

Posted on : Monday , 12th September 2016

Volkswagen to start assembling cars in Kenya

Volkswagen has signed a deal to use the Kenya Vehicle Manufacturers in Thika to assemble its popular models beginning with the Volkswagen Vivo. The first fully Kenya assembled Vivo is expected to roll out of the Thika plant by December this year. Making the announcement Wednesday, President Uhuru Kenyatta said the plant will then expand into a fully fledged assembly operation producing a range of vehicle.... Read more »

Posted on : Thursday , 8th September 2016