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

Nairobi - Chinese automaker Beiqi Foton on Saturday launched its van for the Africa market. Foton's general manager Wang Jinyu told journalist in Nairobi that Kenya is an emerging market for commercial vehicles on the continent. "We hope to provide transport solutions for growing urban centers in Kenya and the entire Africa region," he said, adding that Chinese firms are impressed by the favorable investment climate in.... Read more »

Posted on : Monday , 28th July 2014

Ford has aggressive plans to expand its business in Africa and will be launching 25 new vehicles into the Middle East and Africa region by 2016, with 17 of these models launched into sub-Saharan Africa. Jim Benintende, the president of Ford Middle East and Africa (MEA), said yesterday Ford had launched earlier this year its fifth business unit, MEA, comprising 67 markets that represented “the final frontier for growth within the global.... Read more »

Posted on : Monday , 28th July 2014