VENTURES AFRICA – South Korea’s Hyundai Motor Company, through its subsidiary, Hyundai Automotive South Africa has opened a new plant in Benoni, Guateng, as it looks to consolidate its position in a very competitive industry.   The automobile company is competing with the likes of General Motors and Toyota for a share of the country’s automobile market whose exports rose 8.2 percent to R102.7 billion ($9.5 billion) in.... Read more »

Posted on : Monday , 8th September 2014

German automotive firm Bosch on Thursday announced it has entered the East African market.   The firm's MD of Southern Africa Steffen Hoffman told journalists in Nairobi that it will invest over 250,000 Euros in their business venture in Kenya.   "We want to tap into the motor industry that has been growing rapidly in the past decade as a result of the growing middle class, " Hoffman said during the.... Read more »

Posted on : Saturday , 6th September 2014

SOUTH Korean car manufacturer Hyundai is preparing to build vehicles in South Africa.   The Seoul-based company’s local representative has confirmed it will assemble light delivery vehicles in Gauteng from next year and may manufacture cars in South Africa at a later stage.   Despite not officially releasing sales figures, Hyundai is generally considered a strong third in the South African new-car market, behind Volkswagen.... Read more »

Posted on : Saturday , 6th September 2014

Petroleum products refining company Engen announced in July that it had launched its Gengear XEP-series indus- trial gearbox oils for high performance under pressure applications onto the local market. After the recent introduction of the energy-saving hydraulic fluid Hydrokin ESF-series at customer events in Cape Town, Port Elizabeth, Durban and Johannesburg, Gengear XEP customer introductions will be part of a second series of roadshows in.... Read more »

Posted on : Saturday , 6th September 2014

Increasing local demand for diesel vehicles is pushing development of diesel fuels to become more environment friendly while increasing engine power, reports petroleum industry company BP. South African diesel-vehicle drivers will be able to benefit from BP’s latest-generation diesel fuel, which was showcased in February at Johannesburg-based vehicle test track facility Gerotek.   Speaking at the briefing, BP global head of diesel.... Read more »

Posted on : Saturday , 6th September 2014

Industrial products importer JSE-listed Hudaco has inked a deal to acquire automotive components distributor Partquip for R550-million, complementing the group’s existing automotive after-market businesses, which distribute clutches, seals and automotive bearings. “Partquip is an ideal fit for Hudaco in that its main business is the distribution of branded products, an area of core competency for Hudaco,” the group said in a.... Read more »

Posted on : Saturday , 6th September 2014

Through its new commercial vehicle assembly plant, in Benoni, east of Johannesburg, automotive company Hyundai Automotive South Africa (HASA) was increasing its contribution to the local economy, CEO Alan Ross said on Thursday at the plant’s official opening. The 32 000 m2 semi-knocked-down (SKD) assembly plant, which had been established through a R110-million capital investment from HASA parent company Associated Motor Holdings, started.... Read more »

Posted on : Saturday , 6th September 2014

 Four years after the introduction of the locally built Volkswagen Polo Vivo to the market in 2010, Volkswagen South Africa (VWSA) on Friday launched a new-look Polo Vivo.  Distribution of the new Polo Vivos to the various VW dealerships around the country had already started, with an intensive marketing campaign to start on Sunday. Speaking at the Johannesburg media launch of the new Vivo, VWSA communications GM Matt Gennrich noted.... Read more »

Posted on : Saturday , 6th September 2014

General Motors South Africa (GMSA) confirmed that the new Opel Adam hatchback and Mokka SUV will arrive locally in 2015. The new models form part of Opel's global product offensive which will see 27 new vehicles and 17 engines launched by 2018, and reaching a growing African market.   Mario Spangenberg, president of GM Africa, reports that the company has invested over R1.7-billion in its Africa operations in the past few years. He said.... Read more »

Posted on : Saturday , 6th September 2014

Kenya: Competition for a share of Kenya's top-end luxury car market has risen a notch higher after the entry of the Porsche Macan, a sports utility vehicle, made its debut Thursday. Franchise holder of Porsche brands in Kenya, Multiple Group, has also opened a state-of-the-art Porsche Centre, a showroom and after-sales centre at the Sameer Business Park on Mombasa Road. The Sh178 million ($2m) showroom and service centre will house up to seven.... Read more »

Posted on : Friday , 5th September 2014

Plans for five countries in East Africa to adopt cleaner fuel standards in 2015 are likely to help absorb excess low-sulphur oil products coming out of Middle East and Indian refineries, where new capacity is being added, industry sources said.   Rwanda, Kenya, Tanzania, Uganda and Burundi are due to switch to the cleaner fuels from January 2015, according to documents posted on the websites of the regional intergovernmental organisation.... Read more »

Posted on : Thursday , 4th September 2014

THE government has been urged to adopt policies that encourage purchase and use of fuel efficient vehicles to reduce the country's carbon footprint.   According to Jane Wanjiru Akumu, the duty paid for new vehicles is higher compared to that charged when importing a used vehicle while it should be the other way round.   "We are working with the Energy Regulation Commission to come up with policies that can encourage vehicle.... Read more »

Posted on : Thursday , 4th September 2014