Automotive Business Review April 2009

ABR April 2009:Layout 1 3/31/09 8:07 AM Page 2
3 Making the Difference

17 The Prufe of the Pudding
22 Magical Medicine Show
40 Unscrambling the Code
46 Automechanika Overview
84 Feeling the Pulse
The Phoenix
Making the Difference

With the current economic crisis, and a credit crunch that is doing severe damage to
the automotive industry from Albania to Zimbabwe, eh, make that Zambia, it is those
who make a difference that will survive. The question is, how do we make a difference
when our product is perceived as a commodity, and there is a large element of the dis-
cretionary when the consumer makes a decision?
n the March 2, 2009 issue of Fortune magazine, Geoff beauty of it all is that good customer service does not necessarily
I Colvin, in his article titled “Yes, You Can Raise Prices”, dis-
cusses how a few smart companies are raising prices in the
recession, and he provides a matrix to explain how compa-
nies use this tool to create different
value propositions in which price will
cost any more. Dr. Theophilus Dreux will tell you this, and much
more. It is because of this imperative that ABR has asked Dr.
Dreux, the founder of Trilogy Customer C.A.R.E. Academy, to
dust off his revolutionary customer care
programme, and to allow us to pass on his
play greater or lesser roles. He cites pearls of wisdom to our readers in seri-
price sensitivity and other factors, but alised form. Even though this programme
forgets to mention the most important was written in 1992, it is still as relevant
differentiator of all – customer service. today as the day it was written. In actual
Take a look at this matrix fact, taking into account our current eco-
nomic distress, it is the most relevant it
He places products according to their can ever be, even if it was written in 1929.
necessity and uniqueness (interestingly, Sound principles and pure philosophic
Colgate toothpaste is obviously a very wisdom simply do not age. Federal-
strong brand in America). Poor old air Mogul Aftermarket, a company which
travel seems to have no room to ascribes to the philosophy that excellent
manoeuvre, but this is simply not true. customer service can significantly differ-
I always choose 1Time over SAA, not entiate a company from its competitors,
because of the price, but because of the is sponsoring this customer care series,
vastly different attitudes of the cabin and we look forward to Federal-Mogul
crews. It is in the realm of customer Aftermarket benefiting from its associa-
care where any company, whether they tion with such a superb programme, and
sell toasters or brake pads, or provide services such as banking or a big thank you to them for making it possible for ABR to pass
telecommunication, can introduce elements that make the cus- on this wonderful collaboration to our readers and the automo-
tomer come back panting for more, irrespective of the price. It is tive industry. To all who heed the advice of the programme, take
in times like these that customer care becomes of cardinal impor- it to heart. Learn from it, and benefit. It may be the survival of
tance; even though it should always be of cardinal importance! the fittest, as we face the latest evolutionary test. The customer
And in times like these, if there is little price difference between care article is on page 42, and it would also be instructive to go
your product and your competitors, but your service levels are far to page 84, to see what Sparepro is doing to enhance its customer
superior, then the swing in market share will be enormous. The care credentials.
www.abrbuzz.co.za
ABR’s new website is up and running. The test phase is over, and our readers can now look forward to a website that
is updated daily with the latest news and views. And our latest magazine is on the web, in its entirety, and if you
want to go back to read an old article, it is all there in the archives. All part of our commitment to customer service,
and the reason why Automotive Business Review is the most respected and well read automotive aftermarket
publication in South Africa, and by default the most influential by far .
April 2009 3
Contents
19 38 52
3 The Phoenix Making the Difference
8 What’s the Buzz
13 Industry Update Motor Industry Shows Faith in South Africa
17 Cover Story The Prufe of the Pudding
22 Auto Topical Magical Medicine Show
23 e-CAR A Project of Note
24 The Chery Story Emulating the Bamboo Shoot
26 Vehicle Evaluation Down the Hatch
28 Frankly Speaking Heads or Tails?
30 Managing the Risks Small Measures; Big Savings
32 Tony’s Take Privatising Profit – Socialising Losses
34 Weighty Issues Quo Vadis the Truck Market
36 Tyre Safety Tyres’ Contribution to Safety in Motoring
38 Personal Profile Q & A with Phonnie Cilliers
The publisher and contributors have done their best to ensure the accuracy of the articles and cannot accept responsibility for any loss or inconvenience sus-
tained by any reader as a result of information or advice in Automotive Business Review. The information provided and opinions expressed in this publica-
tion are provided in good faith and do not necessaraly represent the opinion of the publisher. No article may be reproduced in any form without the prior
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Publishing Editor Intelli-Driving Editor Mather, Peter Published by: Advertising Sales:
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5
77 81 84
39 Lux Lite Peter’s Soap Box
40 Diamond Dialogues Unscrambling the Code
42 Customer C.A.R.E. Trilogy Customer C.A.R.E. Programme
46 Automechanika Overview
AIDC Quiz
Euroquip News
Kapico
Robert Bosch
Top Class Topics
Capricorn Insights
Car Care
71 Wilde Things South Africa’s National Lampoon
72 AutoZone News Auto Electrical One Stop Shop
76 Engine Remanufacturing The Right Option
77 Guild News Guild Awards
78 Partinform The Mountain Goes to Montana
84 Industry Update Feeling the Pulse
85 Fast Wheels 2009 F1 Season Under Way at Last
86 The Last Writes
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6
What’s the Buzz?
Cars in Action revealed an exclusive in late February

2009: The debut of an all-new South African-built
Zagato-bodied and Corvette powered super car at the
Geneva show
Borne out of the vision of a group of South African arch-car enthusiasts,
the all-new Perana Z-one is the first fruits of a collaboration between
renowned Milanese coachbuilders Zagato and newly formed South African
Vehicle Manufacturer, Perana Performance Group. The 330kW Corvette
V8-powered 6-speed manual Z-one is a 2-seater coupé good for a sub-4
second 0-100km/h dash and 0-160km/h in under 10 seconds. Z-one ben-
efits 50/50 weight distribution allowing for balanced and predictable road
manners. The secret to the Perana Z-one's iconic performance is the near
perfect combination of its supremely powerful engine, light weight design,
balanced weight distribution and 6-speed performance transmission.
(motorpics) Audi goes back to its roots - The new Audi TT RS

Audi is once again producing a five-cylinder powerhouse: the Audi TT RS was
unveiled to the world at the Geneva Auto Show. Its turbocharged 2.5-litre
engine produces well above 250 kW. It also delivers explosive acceleration,
driving delight, and unrivalled sound. Powerful five-cylinder petrol engines
have a long legacy at Audi, and the turbocharged direct-fuel-injection engine
in the TT RS is the new torchbearer of this dynamic tradition. It enables the
TT RS to perform extraordinary feats. For example, it needs nowhere near five
seconds to reach 100 km/h; overtaking is child’s play; and 250 km/h is the lim-
ited top speed only on paper. The quattro® permanent all-wheel drive system,
a sophisticated chassis, and stupendous brakes keep a tight rein on the power.
All in all, the compact TT RS – with its lightweight and largely aluminium
body constructed as per the Audi Space Frame principle – is a driving machine
to be reckoned with. The TT RS is currently due for introduction in South
Africa during 2010.
Automotive veteran to CPI Issues Call For

head up BTM Papers and Posters
Bruce Carolin, general manager of
MICROmega Holdings Limited’s automotive The Centre for the Polyurethanes Industry (CPI), of
division, has been appointed managing direc- the American Chemistry Council, has issued a call
tor of BTM Manufacturing. BTM for papers and posters to be presented at the
Manufacturing is a leading producer, importer Polyurethanes 2009 Technical Conference on
and supplier of bull bars and tow bars to both October 5 – 7, 2009 at the Gaylord National in Fort
the automotive industry and private buyers. Washington, Maryland. In order to be included in
Carolin will also retain his position as general the conference program, poster abstracts must be sub-
manager of MICROmega Holdings Limited’s mitted by April 1, 2009, but abstracts will be accept-
automotive division. “MICROmega has put a ed until September 1, 2009. Submission instructions,
concentrated effort into the future of BTM paper guidelines and templates can be found on CPI’s
over the past 12 months, developing our Website, www.americanchemistry.com/polyurethane.
vision for the company and a growth strategy,” The Polyurethanes 2009 Technical Conference
says Carolin. BTM Manufacturing is the represents an opportunity to reach an audience of
largest manufacturer of bull bars and the sec- more than 1,500 manufacturers and processors
ond largest manufacturer of tow bars in South of polyurethane-based products across all industrial
Africa and has been supplying OEMs and the sectors.
automotive aftermarket with the highest qual-
ity since 1978. The company joined the
MICROmega group in early 2006 and has
proved itself a worthy addition to the group’s
automotive division.
Honouring Toyota’s Top Dealers

Unitrans Motors made a clean sweep at Toyota South Africa’s annual Dealer of the Year Awards function held in Durban
recently, with two of the group’s outlets taking top honours – East Rand Toyota scooped the Toyota Dealer of the Year award
for the second time in only five years of being operational, while Limpopo Truck Centre’s Hannes Pretorius walked off with
the inaugural Hino Dealer of the Year Award. Citing teamwork, hard work and a strong customer focus as key to their suc-
cess, East Rand Toyota’s dealer principal Albert Wessels said that he was truly blessed to achieve this great honour. “At East
Rand Toyota the customer always comes first and we strive to deliver service of a high standard,” said Albert, adding that in
the difficult times currently facing the motor industry one has to think innovatively to achieve continuous success. “A chal-
lenge is nothing but an opportunity to show what you are made off.”
8 April 2009
What’s the Buzz?
Corobrik presentation to Minister

Buyelwa Sonjica
On 17 February 2008, in yet another of a series of milestones,
Corobrik executives met with Minister of Minerals and Energy,
Buyelwa Sonjica, to present her with a commemorative record of
the company’s recently acquired Certificate of Carbon Emissions
Reductions (CER). On 13th June 2008, Corobrik became the
first company in sub-Saharan Africa to be awarded CER’s for its
Lawley factory’s Fuel Switch Project for emissions reductions
achieved during the 2005 and 2006 calendar years. CER’s are
awarded under the auspices of the United Nations Framework
Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC), as set out by the
Kyoto Protocol, which encourages signatory nations, including
South Africa, to reduce carbon emissions.
Mzantsi Truck and

Bus achieves
international Quality
Management
certification
Volkswagen of South Africa’s pre-
ferred business partner in Heavy
Commercial Vehicle production,
Mzantsi Truck and Bus, has been
awarded VDA 6.1 and ISO
9001:2000 certification by the inter-
national Quality Management body
TüV Nord. The certification is a
requirement for all Volkswagen
Group companies and their sub-
sidiaries. Volkswagen of South Africa
Truck and Bus Unit Head Chris
Glover said the receipt of the certifi-
cates of compliance was evidence that
Mzantsi met the high standards set by
ISO and VDA.
Dare to go bear in Panda’s new colours

If you’ve got a formula that
works, why tamper with it?
That’s the rationale behind the
Fiat Panda’s first change since its
introduction into South Africa
in 2005. The cuddliest supermi-
ni by far (and Europe’s best-sell-
er too!), the Panda 1.2 Dynamic
gets a fresh lick of paint (well a
couple really…) and a few trim
modifications to bring it bang
up to date. No changes were
made to the model’s original,
dynamic shape – which almost
amounts to a small SUV –
because none were needed…
and that’s the bear truth!
10 April 2009
What’s the Buzz?
RENAULT'S POWERTRAIN RANGE: A CLEAN BREAK IN TERMS OF CO2 EMISSIONS

Renault knows that radically curbing fuel consumption and CO2 emissions is vital in today's world. The brand already figures among Europe's
three best-performing carmakers when it comes to average CO2 emissions, and its sights are now set on moving to the top of the order. To achieve
this objective, Renault is currently working on the development of low-emission and zero-CO2 emissions vehicles in a determined bid to introduce
as many effective technologies as possible at an affordable price. Its work on power trains focuses on these main areas: An unprecedented commit-
ment to the development of electric motors; new technologies for conventional engines; 'Modular' TCe engines; and Twin-clutch transmissions
Five Stars for Mazda6 in Euro NCAP Safety Test

Mazda Motor Corporation has announced that the new Mazda6 has just been awarded the five-star
maximum rating by the European New Car Assessment Programme (Euro NCAP) in its 2009 com-
bined safety performance test. For 2009, Euro NCAP has implemented a new assessment system that
awards a single overall vehicle safety rating composed from scores achieved in four areas of assessment:
Adult Occupant Protection, Child Protection, Pedestrian Protection and Safety Assist. The Mazda6 is
Mazda’s first tested under the revised evaluation framework.
Two new five-cylinder

diesels from Volvo:
More power and less
fuel consumption
Volvo Cars sharpens the company's diesel offer.
Two entirely new five-cylinder, 2.4-litre turbo
diesels give the customers the attractive possibili-
ty to combine more power with class-leading fuel
consumption and CO2-emissions: The high-per-
formance, twin-turbo D5 with 205 hp and 420
Nm of torque. The medium-performance, sin-
gle-turbo 2.4D with 175 hp and 420 Nm of
torque. Both engines are available in the Volvo
S80, Volvo V70, Volvo XC60 and Volvo XC70
from the northern spring of 2009. "This is yet
another step in our determination to reduce the
combustion engine's environmental impact, at
the same time as we give customers truly quiet
and sophisticated engines with excellent perform-
ance," says Derek Crabb, Vice President,
Powertrain Engineering at Volvo Cars.
Fiat is Europe’s Greenest NAAMSA “STILL SOME GOOD NEWS

Car Manufacturer
Announcement ON MOTORING HORIZON”
Fiat Automobiles is one of Europe’s
best-selling automotive brands and The Minister of Trade and Industry In the face of dwindling new vehicle sales, there is still some
for the second year running con- met with the Presidents of NAAMSA good news on the motoring horizon for car buyers: accord-
firmed the lowest average value for and NAACAM in Pretoria on the ing to Darryl Jacobson, managing director of Burchmore’s,
CO2 emissions from the vehicles sold evening of 24th February, 2009. At used cars still represent a real bargain. Significantly, used car
in 2008: 133.7 g/km (137.3 g/km in the meeting there was an open buyers also stand a far better chance of being extended cred-
2007). The record was corroborated exchange of information on the cur- it than new car buyers, because of the equity in pre-owned
by JATO, a world leader in automo- vehicles. In February 2009, all four vehicle market sectors
tive advisory and research services,
rent state of the automotive industry
(retail, auto parts manufacturing and (passenger car, light commercial vehicle, medium commer-
founded in 1984 and now operating cial vehicle and heavy commercial vehicle) saw significant
in over 40 countries. The bottom line vehicle manufacturing) in South
African and the difficulties and chal- declines versus February 2008. And, on a year-to-date basis,
shows the Fiat brand ahead of the new vehicle market has contracted by 36.2%. But,
Peugeot (138.1 g/km), Citroen lenges facing all businesses in the
despite these figures, Jacobson points out that there is still
(142.4 g/km), Renault (142.7 g/km), automotive value chain. A number of
considerable demand for cars. “Transportation is a basic
Toyota (144.9 g/km), Ford (147.8 matters requiring urgent attention
g/km), Opel/Vauxhall (151.1 g/km), need in this country. In South Africa, you cannot be pro-
were identified and, to this end, a Dti ductive without a motorcar; there are currently no worth-
Volkswagen (158.8 g/km), BMW – NAAMSA – NAACAM Task
(160.6 g/km) and Mercedes (185.0 while alternatives in terms of public transport. Yes, new
Group was established to finalise spe- vehicle sales have dropped dramatically. But, in many cases,
g/km). Fiat Group is also in pole cific proposals in regard to possible
position for groups (138.4 g/km), this is due to financing being declined. We have not expe-
support measures for the industry. rienced any drop-off in vehicle demand at Burchmore’s –
ahead of PSA, Renault, Toyota and
Hyundai. The Task Group will report direct to primarily, of course, because we are offering exceptional
the Minister. value for money coupled with choice.”
12 April 2009
Industry Update
Motor Industry Shows Faith in South Africa
In the space of less than ten working days, ABR attended three
functions, whereby three multinationals reaffirmed their
commitment to South Africa.
irst up to the plate was Dr. Hans- Next it was Tata’s turn. Accordion
F georg Niefer, president and CEO

of Mercedes-Benz South Africa.
At a presentation at Mercedes
Menlyn on 4th March 2009, under the
banner of the Mercedes-Benz South Africa
Investments (Pty) Ltd chief operating offi-
cer, Phonnie Cilliers, at a networking
lunch at Pigalle, Michelangelo Towers,
Sandton, on 13th March assured ABR that
Tata was also here for the long haul. “We
group tackling tough times, the group are committed to bringing the benefits of
reported its business results for 2008, with the Tata brand to the South African
Mercedes-Benz South Africa, Mercedes- motorist, who can look forward to some
Benz Financial Services, debis Fleet exciting announcements later this year.
Management, Sandown Motor Holdings Just watch this space!”
and Atlantis Foundries recording a
turnover of R35,6-billion, 3,7% lower Mahindra Ltd. The vehicle was first intro-
than the previous year. “The Mercedes- duced in India in January 2009. Earlier
Benz South Africa (MBSA) group of com- this year, Mahindra South Africa (Pty) Ltd
panies has delivered satisfactory results was further capitalised with the infusion of
despite the global economic downturn and an additional R30 million in capital. As a
its impact on both our international export result, Mahindra’s shareholding in
and local markets. The second half in Mahindra South Africa has increased to
2008 was tough, but our group was com- approximately 91%, with the balance
mitted to delivering on the mandate given remaining with African Automotive
to us by our shareholders. In our favour Investments Corporation (Pty), a sub-
has been the continued demand for our sidiary of African Resources and Logistics
exceptional vehicles, produced locally and Corporation (Pty) Ltd (Arelco).
The dynamic TATA team: Gavin Robinson,
abroad, and well-tailored services. These national retail manager, Francie Lubbe,
not only gave us a means to secure solid national sales manager, Christo Engelbrecht,
sales across our range of premium vehicle sales and marketing manager, and Phonnie
brands; they also presented opportunities Cilliers, chief operating officer; are
for our finance and fleet business,” said Dr determined to reinforce the Tata image
in South Africa.
n 16th March it was Mahindra’s
O turn. During the launch of its

new multipurpose vehicle, the
XYLO, Mahindra South Africa committed
itself to staying in the country. The new
XYLO is a versatile and spacious MPV
that is set to redefine the way people are
moved in South Africa, and Mahindra has At the launch of the Xylo: Vijay Nakra,
chief executive of Mahindra South Africa,
invested more than US$ 100 million in the Pravin Shah, Executive Vice President,
development of the XYLO, which includ- International Operations at Mahindra &
ed setting up a new robotic body shop at Mahindra’s Automotive Sector, and
its Nasik plant in India, as well as an addi- Dr Pawan Goenka, President of the
tional trim line at the final assembly shop. Automotive Sector and Member of the
Management Board, Mahindra &
Over 200 dies and more than 1 000 new Mahindra Ltd.
parts were developed. “The XYLO sym-
Niefer, “The current year will remain chal- bolises the creation of a completely new “We are here to stay and in it for the
lenging, but we believe we have strong vehicle platform in the Mahindra stable. long haul. We are continuously improv-
infrastructure and excellent products, and We have received very good response to ing our footprint around the country
expect that the measures we have put in this product in India and are pleased that and will also be introducing three new
place will enable us to beat these tough South Africa is the first country outside models into the South African market
times,” he added. The most telling state- India where we are launching this prod-
ment was in an answer to the obvious during the next six months.”
uct,” said Dr Pawan Goenka, President of – Vijay Nakra, chief
question. “We are here to stay” said the Automotive Sector and Member of the
Dr. Niefer. executive of Mahindra South Africa.
Management Board, Mahindra &
April 2009 13
What’s the Buzz?
CADFund opens office in Johannesburg

he Sandton Con-
T vention Centre was

the venue for the
opening of the
China-Africa Deve-
lopment Fund (CADFund) on
16th March 2009. Senior officials
from the South African govern-
ment as well as industry leaders
from South African and Chinese
companies were in attendance to
see the chief governor of the
Chinese Development Bank, Mr.
Chi Jianxin, and Dr. Matthews
Posa, treasurer general of the
ANC, unveil the plaque com-
memorating the occasion.
Volvo Cars upgraded state-of- again accounted for the largest number of com- 3 000 and 4 000 respondents and covers 12
plaints (11, 1%), followed by clutches (8, 8%), makes of truck available on the local market.
the-art emissions laboratory - engines (8%) and cooling systems (7, 2%). For Not only was Hino top of the list in terms of the
further information please call the Motor combined customer satisfaction monitor, with a
for reducing fuel consumption Industry Ombudsman of SA on (012) 841- score of 92,39%, but it was also the best per-
and CO2 emissions 2945. You can also visit the Ombudsman’s web former in both the sales (94,37%) and service
site at www.miosa.co.za, to view the full report (91,03%) categories. It placed second, marginal-
One of the world's most advanced emission lab- ly behind Mercedes-Benz, in the parts section
oratories is Volvo Cars' important tool in the (92,78%), although Hino had the lowest per-
quest for lower fuel consumption and reduced
Chevrolet extends LPG centage of dissatisfied customers in the latter
section. Only eight of the 12 truck makes in the
carbon dioxide emissions. The upgraded emis- portfolio throughout survey had overall ratings that exceeded the
sions laboratory was used when developing all
DRIVe models - updated engine mapping and Europe national average of just over 85%.
rolling resistance were tested and confirmed.
The emission laboratory is used for develop- In 2009, Chevrolet will further expand its LPG
ment testing in all stages of the vehicle develop- product range throughout Europe. Switzerland,
NISSAN’S LOCALISATION
ment process, when for instance the engine Belgium, Bulgaria, Czech Republic, PROGRAMME GIVES HOPE
parameters have been optimised for reducing Netherlands, Poland, Portugal, Slovakia and
emissions. The result is verified by performing a Spain will offer LPG-versions in addition to TO EMBATTLED SUPPLIERS
test in the emission laboratory, and this process the regular petrol and diesel range. It is
is repeated until optimal results are obtained. Chevrolet’s strategy to offer LPG versions for Nissan South Africa (Nissan SA) is committed
its entire product line-up. This will include the to working closely with its local supply base to
brand-new Chevrolet Cruze, which will hit the assist both parties weather the economic storm
More consumers turn to European dealer showrooms in May 2009. An which has severely affected the automotive
LPG version of the Cruze will be launched industry nationally and globally. Senior
Ombudsman shortly after the launch. LPG (Liquefied General Manager of Purchasing, Dave
Petroleum Gas), also known as Autogas in Cameron, says of Nissan’s localisation pro-
Complaints handled by the Motor Industry some markets, is widely available: In Europe, gramme that the local supply of parts and
Ombudsman during 2008 escalated in value to more than 10 million LPG-powered vehicles materials remains a key component in the pro-
more than R109 million, or 18, 5 percent, over are on the road, including 2.6 million in duction of Nissan vehicles assembled in South
the figure of R92 million in 2007. The Poland alone. There are over 20,000 LPG fuel Africa. As such he remains confident that if
Ombudsman’s Annual Report for 2008 states stations throughout Europe. Apart from reduc- Nissan and suppliers work together to fight the
that this rise in value was accompanied by an ing emissions, LPG also offers financial bene- adverse conditions in which they currently find
increase of 15, 2 percent to 17 039 in the fits through the tax advantages it enjoys in themselves, the local supply industry has the
number of complaints lodged with the many countries. In Germany, for example, the opportunity to grow. “It’s not a question of
Ombudsman’s office. The increase in the num- tax privileges will remain in force at least until hoping to survive but of putting appropriate
ber of complaints was largely due to damage December 31, 2018. plans in place to ensure immediate survival as
caused by external factors such the increasing well as a state of readiness as and when the
congestion of the country’s roads, ongoing turnaround happens,” says Cameron, currently
major road works, and the general deteriora- HINO TOPS SA TRUCK CUS- on a three-year secondment from Nissan
tion of roads, all of which have greatly con- Europe. Cameron says that although produc-
tributed to vehicle breakdowns. It is heartening TOMER SERVICE MONITOR tion volumes are depressed and profitability is
to see, says the Ombudsman, that complaints further affected by the strengthening of the
in most instances did not originate from prod- The Hino (formerly Toyota Trucks) dealer net- yen, the main drivers for localisation remain,
uct defects but rather from these external fac- work has come out as the dominant truck distri- namely the high cost of duty tariffs on import-
tors. Consumers also played their role in con- bution and after sales force in South Africa ed products and shipping over long distances.
flict situations during the year by not comply- according to Scott Byers’ Comparative
ing with service schedules, warranty terms and Customer Satisfaction Monitor (CCSM) for the
conditions, failing to honour monthly instal- fourth quarter of 2008. This detailed, quarterly
ments and in some cases purposely or uncon- survey of the local truck market by the Scott
sciously abusing their vehicles. Poor service Byers Network is based on replies from between
14 March 2009
Imperial Holdings launches an intensive management

development programme
n these uncertain economic times where costs are being cut and budgets stretched, industrial giant Imperial Holdings has taken the bold deci-
I sion to invest almost R2 million in a unique Leadership Development Programme to uplift its staff and drive transformation. The objective of
the programme is to provide high-quality training to staff in order to develop quality managers within the group. The 64 initial candidates for
the programme, of whom 66% are black, have been selected from a pool of high-potential middle managers, representing an array of brands with-
in the Imperial stable. The Programme will also promote transformation within the Imperial group. The training will provide specialised skills and
knowledge within the motor industry, including business orientation, financial management and budgeting, stock management, sales management,
service management and parts management. A substantial portion of the programme will focus on effective management of people and the devel-
opment of leadership skills, which are currently lacking within the retail motor industry. The programme will be presented in a modular manner
and will run over a 12 month period. What really sets this programme apart from similar initiatives within the industry is that all the lecturers
come from within the Imperial Holdings group, effectively ensuring that candidates have access to a wealth of relevant knowledge and experience
April 2009 15
Cover Story
The Prufe of the Pudding

What makes a great company? Taking this a little further,
what makes a great product? These questions have been
asked many times, and there are many answers, some truer
than others. What is unquestionable is that time and history
play major roles, and what is even more unquestionable is
that achievement above the norm defines a company and its
products. Ronnie and Bertie Lubner, in their foreword to the
PG Group’s coffee table edition titled “PGSI 1897 to 1997
– One Hundred Years”, celebrating a centenary of endeav-
our; refer to the history of PG as “100 years of entrepre-
neurial spirit, fortitude and resolve”. The proof of the pud-
ding is in this fabled history and together with the PG
Group’s accomplishments from 1897 to 2009 they provide a Stewart Jennings
glimpse of this greatness.
Molten glass inside the furnace where the temperature is around 1450º Celsius
n 1897, Jacobs & Dandor was founded as a glass merchant 1920’s, placed orders with Plate Glass for laminated windscreens,
I in Long Street, Cape Town, shortly thereafter to be bought

and renamed as The Plate Glass Bevelling & Silvering
Company by Ernest Boardman in 1899. In 1917 Adolph
Brodie of City Glass bought Plate Glass and in 1921 Morrie
Lubner joined Plate Glass in Johannesburg – from thereon the
which in those days was a revolutionary product. This led to the
establishment of the Shatterprufe plant in Port Elizabeth in
1935, and today Shatterprufe is the leading manufacturer of glass
for the automotive industry in South Africa with factories in
Garankuwa, Port Elizabeth (Neave and Struandale), and
histories of the Brodies and Lubners are intertwined like a gold- Durban. Shatterprufe registered its brand in 1932, and it is
en thread with the history of PG, a history that is studded with around this Shatterprufe image that this brand has become syn-
growth, energy, acquisition, innovation and the shaping of icon- onymous with safety glass around the country. Stewart Jennings,
ic brands. The most iconic of these brands is Shatterprufe®. The chief executive officer of the PG Group, has spent his whole
purpose of this cover story is to discuss Shatterprufe and its con- working life with the group, having joined in 1973. He is fierce-
tribution to the South African automotive industry, and the role ly proud and protective of the achievements of Shatterprufe, not
its glass has played in the safety of the South African motorist. least its dominant position as the only South African supplier of
Thus, Archimedes may believe that the proof of the pudding is automotive glass to the local OEM industry. This position is well
in his pi, but Shatterprufe knows that the prufe of the pudding earned, with Shatterprufe now supplying to all the seven OEMs
is in its unmatched products. currently assembling in South Africa. Each of these OEMs has an
international parent company, which means that in effect each
Shatterprufe’s contribution to the automotive industry and safe- and every piece of glass supplied to the OEMs has received glob-
ty glass began in 1927 when Ford and General Motors, both of al approval at the highest level. OE specifications are incredibly
whom had established assembly plants in Port Elizabeth in the tight, which translates into an average development time for a
April 2009 17
Cover Story
windscreen of three to six months to meet these specifications. Group has invested R1,6 billion over the past three years alone in
Stewart points out that the local SABS standards are nowhere upgrading its production facilities, most of this investment in the
near the much more stringent OE specifications, which allows automotive glass side, which makes Shatterprufe’s manufacturing
manufacturers east of Tibet to reverse engineer these windscreens, facilities equivalent to the best in Europe and Japan. Shatterprufe
and to sell these windscreens into the aftermarket as SABS has invested around R50 million in plant each year for the past
approved, but in no way are these windscreens equivalent to the fifteen years to ensure that it employs the latest technologies.
original, in terms of inherent quality, shape, fit and safety. Stewart
stresses the quality aspect, “Quality is the be all and end all of all Shatterprufe’s refusal to cut corners makes good business sense.
our endeavours. The PG Group strives to have quality right Stewart Jennings says that in the long run a commitment to qual-
through the system – from the finest raw materials through to the ity actually saves money, and it ensures a company’s future.
meticulous manufacture of the windscreen and a zero defect He points out that with every new OE model, the quality require-
approach, through to the PG Glass fitment side and the ments are being ratcheted up, which places Shatterprufe in good
polyurethane bonding materials used. We only use the very best. stead, as it is geared up for the challenges. With only the best
It is simply not negotiable. It is based on these facts that I can say capital equipment sourced from the USA, Europe and Japan,
categorically that Shatterprufe windscreens are 100% safe. Can export orders are streaming in, with 44% of Shatterprufe’s
the other suppliers of glass say this? It is just not good enough to production going to the global aftermarket. This in the face of
be 90% safe. When that guinea fowl hits your windscreen at 120 significantly cheaper product available from the East, which begs
km/h and your life is at stake, that 10% margin of error is just not the question, “Are South Africans not as safety conscious as
worth it!” It is this philosophy that is behind the fact that the PG the rest of the world?”
Shatterprufe maintains the highest global

automotive quality standards through a
unique combination of automation and
personal attention
Double glazed windows for Gautrain – benefits include security, PFG’s world class float lines produce over 210 000 tons of quality
safety and noise reduction flat glass per annum
18 April 2009
Cover Story
Know the facts before you buy

“One of the most important safety critical features in modern motor vehicles is one you hardly notice – the glass
that surrounds you. Today’s cars use glass panels to add strength and rigidity to their bodies. Glass that fits badly
or falls out on impact could easily cause the roof to cave in, or the passengers to be flung out of the car.
Additionally, airbags can only do their job if the windscreen stays in place during their deployment”
Before you replace your windscreen or side glass, here

are some important questions to ask yourself
• Can the glass be repaired rather than replaced?

• If it can be repaired, does the chip repair process
adhere to the British Standards Institute and the
American Standards Institute, and is it guaranteed
for life?
• Is the replacement windscreen or side glass
approved by the original equipment manufacturer?
• Does the replacement glass exceed all SABS
specifications?
• Are the fitters professionally trained to fit the glass
in accordance with the original equipment manu-
facturer’s specification?
• Is the replacement glass 100% safe?
• Is the shape of the replacement glass 100% the
same as the original?
• Does the replacement glass fit 100%?
• Can you place a monetary value on your family’s
lives?
• Is the black ceramic border on your windscreen
made from the highest quality materials and
environmentally safe?
I Can See Clearly Now

ince the 1950’s, Widney has established itself as the leading
S sliding-window designer and manufacturer in Southern

Africa. The company is the only local accredited sliding-win-
dow supplier for Toyota, Daimler, General Motors, Nissan
and Ford. And now it has a new feather in its cap. Widney is one of
the select few local manufacturers to be approved as a supplier for the
96 Gautrain coaches which are being assembled in Nigel, and the 12
coaches already assembled in Derby, England. Bombardier wanted a
unique modern look for the coaches’ windows, and they just loved
the Widney design which incorporates a unified black appearance
with a highly glossed finish around an aluminium profile. This
involves complex technology but Widney is up to it. The window is
double glazed to block heat and noise, which allows for the air-con-
ditioned coaches to perform to perfection. Widney is an old hand at
buffing up trains, including the Shozaloza Express Premium Class
Dining Car and Lounge Car windows in bronze double glaze, and
recently they designed new windows for Putco luxury buses, using
automotive green glass instead of the usual grey tinted glass, designed
to give an all glass look around a small aluminium frame, and the Meri Williamson, managing director of Widney, who is moving
window-slide built into the glass. This unique design gives better vis- across in April 2009 to a senior management position at PG Glass,
ibility and improved heat transfer properties. stands in front of the Gautrain display at PG Glass’ head office in
Bedfordview, Johannesburg
April 2009 19
Cover Story
The PG Group is South Africa’s leading integrated glass business. Group companies man-
ufacture, distribute and install high-performance automotive and building glass.
Established in Cape Town in 1897 as a glass merchant, the company has grown into a sig-
nificant global player with substantial interests in 17 countries. When it unbundled in
1999, the PG Group became a private company, as part of the international PGSI Group.
The Group generates revenues of R3 billion a year.
Manufacturer – float & patterned tres in South Africa, Botswana,

glass Mozambique, Namibia, Swaziland and
Zambia.
PFG Building Glass is the only man-
ufacturer of float and patterned glass
Sliding-window designer and manu-
in Southern Africa. Each year, the
facturer
company manufactures 250 000 tons
of ClearVue (float glass), and 30 000 Widney Transport Components has
tons of DecorVue (patterned glass), established itself as the leading transport
clear and coated laminated safety sliding-window designer and manufac-
glass, glazing putty, and is also the turer in Southern Africa. Widney has
only manufacturer of mirrors. PFG is been at the forefront of transformation
an ISO 9001 certified company and in the motor industry and has become
has achieved IRCA Diamond status the first black-empowered sliding-win-
for its safety standards. dow supplier to the South African trans-
port industry.
Manufacturer – automotive glass
Aluminium framed door and
Shatterprufe is the leading manufac-
window manufacturer
turer of glass for the automotive
industry in South Africa. The compa- With factories in Cape Town, Port
ny also exports to markets in the Elizabeth, Durban and Gauteng,
USA, Europe, Africa, the Middle East Primador is a major industry player
and the Far East. Local brands are when it comes to doors and windows,
Armourplate tempered and tough- manufacturing patio sliding doors, case-
ened and laminated glass. ment and sliding windows, shop fronts
Shatterprufe is ISO 9000 and QS and shower enclosures and cubicles,
9000 certified and produces over four complying with government legislation
million pieces of safety glass per and the highest standards in safety and
annum. heating controls.
Retailer – Network of installers Laminate film distributor

PG Glass is the leading glass retailer in LLumar Films (Pty) Ltd is the exclusive
Southern Africa, specialising in distributor of the LLumar brand treat-
installing new and replacement auto- ment films in Southern Africa.
motive and building glass. Through a Manufactured by CP Films in the USA,
nationwide branch network of 130 LLumar films reduce solar heat and
fitment centres, PG Glass offers a glare, enhance appearance, add safety to
comprehensive glass installation and buildings and vehicles and comply with
replacement service to insurance, international testing standards.
fleet, trade and individual customers.
Distribution agency
Distributor & marketer
Sentinel Global Logistics, located in
Glass South Africa (GSA) is the Charleston, South Carolina, USA, is a
largest distributor of Shatterprufe fully integrated distribution centre, with
windscreens and Armourplate tough- its core business being the distribution of
ened automotive glass in Southern automotive replacement glass. It has
Africa. GSA also markets the expanded its interests into an integrated
SmartGlass range of float and pat- logistics business.
terned glass, laminated and tough-
ened safety glass, double-glazed units,
and copper-free mirrors. The compa-
ny has a network of over 40 sales cen-
April 2009
20
Auto Topical
Magic Medicine Show

for the Motor Sector?
February and March 2009 have been alive with motor sector organisa-
tions approaching the South African government, most notably in the
form of the National Department of Trade and Industry, for assistance
in the acute slow down in demand for its products at both local and
international levels. The discussions have understandably been kept
by Tony Twine, very tightly guarded by the participants, and at the time that these words
Senior Economist, fly out of the keyboard (mid-March 2009) there is no official version of
Director –
Econometrix (Pty) any request or response in the public domain. Thus, this article turns
Ltd over some ideas, rather than report on any facts.
point of departure prised if the DTI does not set the vehicle • Possession of Government paper assets,
A
could be to segment assemblers, and even more so the vehicle like export credit certificates which
the South African importers, as quite as high a priority for DTI could discount until industry
motor sector conceptu- assistance as other sub-sectors of the auto- needs to repurchase them
ally into four distinct motive manufacturing industry. It is well
• Potential to switch any existing OE
areas. The manufac- established that many of the vehicle assem-
emphasis replacement markets within
turing side of the sector bly parent companies are reeling under the
global supply networks.
consists of component production and cosh of the global recession, but their
vehicle assembly. The retail side of the South African subsidiaries are possibly the Whatever format any assistance might
industry splits into new vehicle sales and best placed to sustain themselves relative to take, be it for the component end of the
then the vehicle servicing, repair and other areas of the domestic motor sector. sector or even more broadly, it seems high-
maintenance and the host of activities that ly unlikely that it will try to replicate the
support these automotive businesses. The Which leaves the component manufactur- lemming-like charge of the US Seventh
motor retail trade has clearly been under ing sub-sector as the single most likely can- Cavalry with huge amounts of cash being
increasing pressure since late 2006, when didate for survival assistance. Both domes- doled out into a potentially bottomless pit.
vehicle unit sales began an initially slow, tic and export demand for components, We must expect more targeted cash flow
but then a rapidly accelerating fall. particularly those feeding original equip- assistance, which will not require the tax
Dealerships have closed or been consoli- ment as opposed to replacement markets, payer in Kayalitsha to contribute to the
dated within larger groups. In some have collapsed over the past nine months, future survival of decades of historically
instances, where some decidedly fragile often leaving the component manufactur- curious policies.
looking import operations were estab- ers with high inventories of unusable raw
lished during the 2003-2006 boom peri- and semi-processed materials, which were But supporting the back end of the pro-
od, with inadequate business financing bought before commodity prices began duction column in the form of component
and little or no experience of dealing with tumbling in the third quarter of 2008. suppliers without any attempt at rescuing
original equipment suppliers thousands of With strangled demand for components, final demand for their products calls up
kilometres away, badges and enterprises both balance sheets and income statements the specter of Say’s Law, which suggests
have simply disappeared. The after-mar- have tipped alarmingly. The following fac- that supply creates its own demand. The
ket quadrant of the sector remains relative- tors could influence the DTI to look after Great Depression of the 1930’s disproved
ly resilient, catering for a still expanding the local component manufacturers first: this 17th Century theory once and for all,
vehicle parque which is inevitably less and it appears self destructive to revisit it.
cyclical than the new vehicle sales end of • Generally high local equity ownership
The DTI will struggle to bring about a
the sector. amongst component manufacturers
rapid rescue to levels of final demand in
• Exaggerated inventory impacts the fur- the local automotive sector, and has no
As will be noted later, it is important never ther back along any supply chain that chance whatsoever of influencing the glob-
to lose sight of the final demand end of the one looks, during any downturn in al demand. While some rescue remedies
automotive production column, but let us final demand may be more appropriate than others, the
think of the double-edged manufacturing magic medicine cure will need to be care-
side for the moment. Vehicle assemblers • Relatively high labour: value added
ful of the same precipice awaiting the
in South Africa are nowadays totally ratios and employment levels within
thundering hooves of the US Seventh
owned by foreign parents, as opposed to the sector
Cavalry, its central bank and its tax payers.
the mix of local and foreign ownership • Closest proximity to upstream raw
interests that existed as recently as a decade material suppliers eg mining and other
ago. One may therefore not be too sur- manufacturing sub-sectors.
22 April 2009
e-CAR – a Project of Note

Harry Smit is a mechanical engineer, with extensive project management experience.
When one visits Hi-Tech Auto Centre at 58 James Wright Avenue, Norkem Park, Harry’s
project management background is clearly evident. The facilities are neat, organised
and well laid out, with everything precisely in its place. A customer visiting these
premises would immediately feel at ease, with the feeling that they are in good hands.
This initial impression would be spot-on.
i-Tech Auto Centre is immediately recognisable Also gaining a sense of security and peace of mind are Hi-Tech
H from the street as an e-CAR member, with strong

signage facing both James Wright Avenue and the
adjacent shopping centre car park, supplemented
with mobile tear drops and prominent signage on the building.
e-CAR is fast becoming a household name across South Africa as
customers, which includes the Ekhuruleni Metro Council.
Anything else from this precise project manager? “Yes, I only
employ good people. This is a prerequisite for anyone who wants
to run an efficient project”.
a port of call for motorists seeking dependable auto electrical and

general repairs, so the odds are short that Harry’s new customers
are attracted to his premises by the easily recognisable red and
green e-CAR logo. Once a customer has visited Hi-Tech, Harry
is confident that they will be back. True to his background,
Harry treats each customer as a project, with his primary goal
customer satisfaction, and the proof of the pudding is that
“familiar faces keep coming back”. One very good reason for
those familiar faces coming back is that Harry ensures that each
and every job, no matter how big or small, complicated or ele-
mentary, is approached with meticulous care. For example, if a
customer comes in or phones wanting to know how much a set Renier Smit, Frans Maaba, Peter Mafotga and Harry Smit giving
of front brake pads will cost, Harry will not give an answer until a customer’s car the project management experience
a full examination of the brake system is carried out, including
an analysis of the brake fluid, and a thorough evaluation of the
calipers, the clips, the sensors, the discs and of course, the pads,
both front and back. Only once this has been done, will Harry
give an assessment based on his thorough inspection, and reveal
the cost of the brake pads, and other parts, if required. With this
comprehensive approach, it is no wonder that Hi-Tech Auto
Centre is highly regarded by the motoring fraternity of Kempton
Park and its surrounds.
When Harry established the business two years ago, he chose e-

CAR as his support base, because of the tremendous support this
membership affords, a fact that Harry attests to wherever he goes.
A sense of belonging to a national brand with strong corporate
image is a critical element, but this would be worthless without
the other support structures. Bosch provides technical back-up,
training, world class diagnostic equipment and an efficient help-
line. Diesel-Electric provides quality branded product at compet-
itive prices and efficient delivery. Combined with the other ben-
efits befitting such an organisation, e-CAR is an irresistible pack-
age for a project manager who insists on covering all the bases.
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)
April 2009 23
A series of articles on the rise of the Chery automobile
Emulating the Bamboo

by Adrian Burford
Shoot
Chery seems to be blossoming despite the storm that has lashed the motor industry
since the middle of last year, with a number of Chinese brands the first casualties of
the subsequent floods to reach our shores.
ast year the brand sold 356 000 vehicles worldwide and results in the car’s first attempt at the Total Economy Run. In the
L plans on growing that to 419 000 by the end of 2009.

This in a market which has excess global production
capacity and a downturn in consumer demand which is
some way from bottoming out. But Chery, which is little more
than a decade old (and has been making cars for slightly less than
annual Kinsey Report into parts pricing, Chery came out looking
pretty good too. An ambitious number of new model launches are
planned for 2009. Significantly, Zhou points out that the compa-
ny’s focus has shifted from increased production rate an emphasis
on quality and research and development. “Not only has Chery
that), sees the current climate as an opportunity to optimise its achieved the status of the best-selling domestic car brand in
operations in terms of management, innovation and sales. This is China, it has also attained international standards for the quality
according to Biren Zhou, President of Chery International and of its manufacturing processes,” said Zhou.
Vice President of Chery Automobile, who recently visited South
Africa. “Ranked as the top independent Chinese passenger vehi- Because Chery is so young and still relatively small, they are prob-
cle manufacturer, we believe that Chery has entered another phase ably far more able to bob, weave and roll with the punches that
of rapid growth whereby annual sales have increased by 30 percent are being thrown thick and fast in the automotive ring. And it
for the third consecutive year,” said Zhou. seems there will be be a few knockouts, even in the heavyweight
category.
Chery produced its millionth car in 2007, which is more or less
when their focus shifted to the international market, along with A number of international observers have confirmed the high
many other Chinese brands as sales at home slowed. In 2008 standard of Chery’s facilities, which boast the latest and greatest
exports topped 135 000 units, a 10 percent increase on 2007, and that car production has to offer in terms of equipment. Chery has
SA is rapidly becoming an increasingly important market. Says also not been shy about forging partnerships with the best-known
Zhou: “South Africa is currently Chery’s biggest right hand drive European design and engineering houses, which suggests the end
market and with the current steady growth in sales, we are con- result will match up to the claims.
sidering the feasibility of setting up a manufacturing plant.”
While we are yet to see a teenager (rather than a Boy Wonder in
If this happens, it will make it the 10th production facility outside the shape of Lewis Hamilton) winning the Formula One world
China, not bad for a brand which has its roots in the largely agri- championship, maybe when it does happen it’ll be a Chinese lad,
culturul Anhui province in the country’s East, far from the eco- and he’ll be driving a Chery...
nomic action which has rapidly dragged China into the 21st cen-
tury. While a potted history of most brands requires very broad
brush strokes, Chery can be covered in some detail: founded in
1997 it bumbled along initially, eventually aided by a Shanghai
Automotive Industrial Company (SAIC) investment in 2001,
which enabled Chery to sell its cars in China. Answers on p 74
This decade has been noteworthy for legal action by General

Motors, which claimed the tiny QQ3 was a copy of the Chevrolet
Spark (in turn a rebadged Daewoo Matiz, that Korean brand hav-
ing been rescued by GM). The matter has subsequently been
dropped, ostensibly in the interests of maintaining cordial rela-
tions with the Chinese government in what is after all a vehicle
market with unparalled potential – it is already the second largest
new vehicle market in the world. The local Chery story is short
but sweet and company executives are probably planning their
first anniversary as you read this. Introduced in May 2008, Chery
South Africa has doggedly set out to establish its credentials and
there are a number of highlights. These include the QQ3 setting
a series of 48-hour speed and endurance records at the Gerotek
test facility, as well as returning impressive fuel consumption
24 April 2009
Vehicle EvaluATION
Down the Hatch

It’s a jocular toast. It is a preamble to drinking a tot of whatever in one
gulp. Irrespective of whatever you are throwing down your throat,
by Howard Keeg whether it is rotgut moonshine at R50 a bottle, or Johnnie Walker Blue
Label at R200 a tot, it is a momentary sensation of something foreign
and fiery doing a peristaltic dance down your gullet. The aftertastes may vary, but
the toast “Down the Hatch” suffices for the connoisseur and the bergie. In reality,
there is not really much difference between them, apart from an emotional response
to a brand or a perceived image.
Crisp, modern styling gives the Chev Aveo a marginal edge in the styling stakes Driver ergonomics are well looked after
hese thoughts came to mind as I was test driving the This is a symptom of the malady now facing the South African
T Chevrolet Aveo Hatch LS, courtesy of General

Motors. The car that was allocated to me had over 10
000 km on the clock, so I assume that this LS was not
the latest Aveo. Its performance was closer to the 1500cc 62kW
engine, and not the latest 1600cc 77kW mill. Regardless of the
automotive industry, and indeed the global automotive industry.
Too many cars chasing too little money. It is a consumer’s delight,
and a marketer’s nightmare. And this situation shall pertain until
the number of manufacturers and the number of models and
derivatives are whittled down to a sane level, either by attrition or
performance, which normally correlates closely to the cubic cen- consensus. With global warming now the hot discussion and car-
timetres working away under the bonnet (unless a turbocharged bon footprints the new age measurement, it is the humble and
beast), you simply get what you pay for. With the Aveo, normal nifty hatch which will move up the market share ladder, and the
service resumes. Apart from an unusually noisy engine, the Aveo choice is staggering. The problem for the motoring scribe is that
does what is expected of it with as little fuss as possible. It offers all these vehicles are well designed and any difference in perform-
a smooth, comfortable ride, and its handling is precise and pre- ance is more perceived than actual, so any road test is an exercise
dictable. The styling is fresh and modern, and its passenger and in nit picking, with the knee jerk effect and gut wrenching feel-
luggage space is perfectly acceptable. True to the latest innova- ing of here we go again. The end result is a Top Gear type
tions in design, its driving position and clever use of forward attempt at humour and parody, just to keep the reader or the
space gives an impression of driving a much larger car, and apart viewer awake. The only advice I can give is to go with your heart,
from the omission of the audio controls on the steering wheel and buy what you fancy. Don’t worry about the minor technical
this commuting marvel could go for any number of hatches now differences; let your emotions take over. And if the Chevrolet
on the market. It is simply a case of “down the hatch” for a bowtie gets your juices flowing, go for the Aveo. You can’t go
motoring journalist looking for something different. As is the wrong. And neither can your neighbour, whatever he or she buys.
case for the bergie or the connoisseur, it comes down to what you It’s either the black jelly baby or the red one, or the green, it all
aspire to and to what you can afford, or something in between. ends up the same.
All-New Chevrolet Spark: A Mini-Car with Attitude

he all-new Chevrolet Spark made its
T world premiere at Geneva, a small car

designed to make a big statement. It's
big on style, big on fuel economy and, like
all products carrying the gold bowtie, big on
value. Distinctive, edgy styling conveys ener-
gy and spirit because this is a mini-car that's
as fun to drive as it is economical to own.
With punchy 1.0 and 1.2-liter four-cylinder
gasoline engines and a five-door hatchback
body format offering surprising versatility,
the Chevy Spark is set to light up Europe's
(quickpic) mini-car segment.
26 April 2009
Frankly Speaking
Heads or Tails?
Over the past several months, I have been reading and writing, almost
continuously, about the unfolding drama surrounding the world’s motor
manufacturers. This process continues, as there is still no clear sign
by Frank Beeton
that circumstances in the global financial universe are moving in any
positive direction, and the outlook for even some of the largest and most
powerful vehicle manufacturers is far from rosy. Inevitably, there is continuous
speculation over their prospects for survival, with new rumours appearing, almost on
a daily basis, of potential mergers, acquisitions and sell-offs. Of course, many of
these are flights of fancy, but they still add colour and, in some cases, a sense of
desperation, to the broader saga.
s a commentator and ana- parts of their corporate anatomies in order the last available ounce of critical mass out
A
lyst, I often feel compelled to enhance long-term viability. The recent of every available market. This has led to
to make predictions, but dissolution of several extremely large and the creation of innumerable “cross-over”
to predict the demise or powerful families has proved that the market niches, and the encouragement of
survival of companies that banding together of well-known brands, individual geographic and demographic
turn more money over in with highly disparate cultures, does not markets to indulge their specific prefer-
a year than the Gross Domestic Products always work out. Nevertheless, there seems ences. Why should it be necessary, for
of small countries can be a risky business. I to be a fairly substantial number of corpo- example, to have a completely separate
have no doubt that some rationalisation rate decision makers still embracing the model range in the US market to that sold
will take place in the ranks of vehicle man- principle of Mergers and Acquisitions in in Europe, and then even more unique
ufacturers. Many of these entities were their quest for “critical mass”. Much of this product line-ups in Japan and Australia?
already engaged in restructuring and prof- philosophy is driven by the extremely high There can be no doubt that some of these
it restoration programmes well before the cost of compliance with ever more strin- products do not contribute to the bottom
onset of the Sub-Prime crisis, and the cur- gent international environmental and safe- line, and will have to go. There is also a
rently prevailing market conditions are not ty regulation, but it is critical to select fun- possibility that manufacturers will revisit
helpful in the progressing of these plans. damentally viable targets and partners, their world marketing footprint, and re-
Orderly business restructuring needs stable rather than trying to transform them, once evaluate the potential profitability of each
markets, because fundamental changes to they are in the “family”. export market. It will not be surprising if
large corporate structures and cultures some recent high profile efforts at interna-
demand time, a great deal of money, and, Interestingly enough, the Chinese tionalizing certain brands fall away.
above all, predictable cash flows. Some Government is also pursuing a plan to
flexibility will be injected by the urgency rationalise its own young, and highly Then there is the headlong rush towards
of the situation, but it will still not be pos- diversified industry. The initial, modest, technological innovation. The level of
sible to make wholesale cuts in facilities, target is reportedly to reduce the number electronic wizardry found in to-day’s pop-
personnel, social commitments or model of manufacturers from twelve into ten, but ular car models is truly amazing, without
ranges overnight. Short of a miraculous there will be many people outside China even considering their more expensive
turnaround in present market conditions, hoping that the process eventually cuts larger brethren. It is significant that some
some manufacturers are bound to just run much deeper. Anybody who has tried to manufacturers have recently adopted a
out of cash, and time, too fast to survive as fathom who builds what in China, and has counter-cyclical approach by introducing
stand-alone players. This will most likely wrestled with the alternative product new models which are deliberately basic,
lead to them taking refuge in some form of names used in the export market, will con- and several steps back from the established
bankruptcy protection, leading to radical cur. There also seems to be a good chance norm. The industry will watch with
restructuring, outright closure, or absorp- that Chinese manufacturers will snap up interest to see how the Tata Nanos,
tion by more viable competitors. one or more of the brands being hived off Renault Logans and their ilk are accepted
by the global giants. In recent years, there by world markets if the current economic
Even those manufacturers and groups that has been a huge proliferation of new mod- environment prevails for any extended
survive intact, are likely to shed selected els from global brands, as they try to milk period of time.
28 April 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.
Small Measures; Big Savings

Séan Jackson, fresh from a round of RTMS (Road Transport Management System)
meetings, quotes an alarming statistic that was one of the prominent discussion
points at these meetings, i.e. road transport costs per kilometre in South Africa are
the highest in the world! The villain of the piece is usually identified as the truck
driver, but Séan cautions against such a knee-jerk reaction.
[
T
he truck driver tends to be
blamed for all manner of ills,
which may be an easy cop out
for management, but Séan
says this allocation of blame is simplistic,
and does not really address the core of
the problem. In a perfect world, yes, the
driver should ensure that his truck is not
overloaded, he should give regular and
informed feedback on the roadworthi-
There are many other
ways to wring savings out
of your transport costs,
each small step leading to
a giant leap in getting
your costs per kilometre
[ can expect anything from 800 000km to
well over 1 000 000km. With four times
the life of the standard shock, world class
shock absorbers will give you savings
merely by its lifespan, but additional sav-
ings will accrue over the life of the truck
via the performance of the shocks. By
keeping the tyres on the road under all
conditions with no bounce, and by the
constant damping effect, excellent shocks
ness of the truck, he should drive his improve tyre wear, reduce fuel consump-
truck as solicitously and efficiently as more into line with inter- tion, and the better handling and less
possible, and of course he should play national figures. sway contribute significantly to enhanc-
sheriff when it comes to protecting the ing the safety of the rig and driver. Apart
rig against misdemeanours such as fuel from the desired lower cost per kilome-
theft. Unfortunately, the world is not Séan says that operators must not just tre, ancillary benefits will be lower war-
perfect, and South Africa has more stop there. There are many other ways to ranty rates, less downtime, less stress for
imperfections than average. One of these wring savings out of your transport costs, the driver, and a far happier accountant.
imperfections is the propensity for oper- each small step leading to a giant leap in The good news for the fleet operator
ators to overload both truck and driver. getting your costs per kilometre more with a wide variety of heavy vehicles is
The consequences are inefficiency and into line with international figures. Séan that KONI has a full range of shocks for
higher costs. Overloading of a truck has refers to Kenworth Trucks, a unit of passenger vehicle, bus, truck, trailer and
mechanical and associated chickens com- truck conglomerate Paccar in America. military applications, all specifically
ing home to roost, whereas overloading Merely by reducing the drag on the mud designed for the task at hand. And their
of a driver creates even more dire prob- flaps via a simple trimming and tapering versatility knows no bounds, they are
lems. An overloaded driver goes into sur- procedure, Kenworth managed to reduce even involved in Formula One racing.
vival mode, with motivation, enthusi- a typical truck’s annual fuel bill by Another big bonus is that the shocks are
asm, propriety, and most importantly, US$400 (over R4 000). For a couple of adjustable, with a unique setting for each
“ownership” of the truck becoming the hundred trucks in a fleet, that translates vehicle, and they are fully serviceable.
major casualties. To get the driver to be into close to a million Rand! And by
part of the management team, Séan says, other simple aerodynamic tweaks, the Thus it makes sense to adopt mainte-
the operator should equip his drivers savings will mount up. Another lucrative nance plans beyond the norm. With the
with the correct training, the appropriate area worth improving is the shock right tools and some smart moves, you
procedures, and the right tools, which absorbers. Underperforming shock can reduce the risks of high costs and
includes anti-siphoning devices. absorbers affect many areas – tyres, safe- damage to your vehicles. As Séan loves to
Empowering the driver will result in ty, fuel efficiency, etc. The standard say, “Enhance and Deter!”. He’ll be back
improved fuel consumption, feedback on shock absorbers that come with a new with more tough love in the next issue of
technical problems (allied to a strict truck will give you anything from 150 ABR.
maintenance regime), less downtime and 000km to 300 000km of life, depending
yes, less fuel theft! Thus relatively small on road conditions and driving skills. By
measures produce big savings. fitting above average shock absorbers you
30 April 2009
Tony’s take
Privatising Profit –
by Tony Twine Socialising Losses
World political, economic and financial leaders are struggling to establish some kind
of pattern and set of rules that will help their economies claw their way out of the
ever deepening and darkening pit into which they have toppled since the middle of
2008. There seems to be an economic theory for every occasion at the moment, and
traditional lines of thinking that may have previously been expected from particular
political quarters are becoming increasingly difficult to predict as time goes on.
fter the collapse of Soviet that the benefits of socialism can only grow es that inevitably builds up during
A Communism around 1990, the

global economy appeared des-
tined to run forever along unin-
terrupted tracks of increasing globalisation
and decreasing nationalism. Multi nation-
in an economic environment where growth
is driven along capitalist lines.
But today, with sectors, industries and

markets far removed from the banking and
upswings in economic growth and boom
conditions. While not comfortable, this is
almost certainly true.
Sectors and industries seeking government

al corporations were rapidly taking over the finance markets which gave rise to the cur- assistance to stay alive in 2009 will argue,
effective allocation of resources in markets rent crisis, all floundering commerce and probably with some conviction and some
that were steadily seeing trade barriers industry are turning to government to try success, that the current situation is not
melting within the large geo-political free to halt or reverse the problems which the just clearing deadwood, but ripping the
trade zones, with cross-zone barriers also economic system that had led to their pros- forest to pieces as well. None of them are
weakening. perity is now delivering as a reality. Free likely to dig too deeply into why their par-
markets and liberal capitalism were much ticular corner of the woods came into exis-
Hidden amongst the renewed spurts of sought after on the way up, but govern- tence in the first place, or whether the
capitalist vigor, which had slewed its way resources that it uses could better be
through post second world war bouts of deployed as the basis for an orchard or a
expanding socialism in the west, came the ploughed field. Some governments,
seeds of its own undoing. Wealth could wealthier than others, will throw mainly
apparently be created out of thin air, a monetary resources at flailing sectors.
product of financial market keystrokes, Other governments, not quite as well
rather than hard work. Ever increasingly, endowed, will do their best to appease their
people, corporations and national populations, who will demand similar but
economies borrowed from tomorrow to unaffordable interventions like the ones
pay for today’s consumption. taking place in countries where the accu-
mulated wealth of decades and centuries in
It is easy to see that expanding the amount the past can be harnessed to patch the
of credit offered to borrowers in any system ment ownership of losses now seems to be damage created by trying to consume
must force lenders into ever increasing the main band aid sought by hemorrhag- tomorrow today.
areas of risk. Where they existed, financial ing earlier free-marketeers.
market rules were increasingly manipulat- Should governments be expected to buy
ed to make the risk more difficult to iden- In the mid-1970’s the South African econ- the excess productive capacity of business
tify as lending increased, but the camou- omy fell into a prolonged period of zero which is struggling to survive to grapple
flage did not mean that the risk had ceased growth, following a sharp decline in the with any tomorrow? Certainly every gov-
to exist. In 2008, tomorrow suddenly gold price, the metal then accounting for ernment will have to be selective in what it
arrived, demanding payment from today more than half of SA’s export values, chooses to save and that will give rise to a
and there was nothing with which to pay. together with increased military action in substantially new political era. Unfor-
Namibia and Angola, and a rapid deterio- tunately, the heavily depressed global eco-
Roughly 150 years earlier, Karl Marx had ration of brittle domestic political stability nomic conditions of 1929 to 1933
imagined socialism and capitalism only in the middle of 1976. At about that time, spawned some terrifying political solutions
being able to expand at each other’s well known South African academic and like Fascism, Nazism and isolationism,
expense, not simultaneously. Ever since, financial sector economist Merton Dagut, while entrenching Soviet Communism and
observers of politics and economics have writing in a Seifrets-UAL newsletter, preparing a path towards total war. Who
watched and debated whether Marx was reminded us that one of the positive can tell where the current path of socialis-
indeed correct. The so-called Washington aspects of economic downturns was that ing economic losses in the name of politi-
consensus school of thought would suggest they cleaned out deadwood from enterpris- cal survival, may lead?
32 April 2009
weighty issues
Quo Vadis the Truck

by Frank Beeton
Market?
Since first entering employment in the South African road transport sector in 1968,
I have seen the local truck market fluctuate wildly from highs to lows. In those far-
off days, annual volumes of trucks and buses totaling around 20 000 units were com-
monplace, and these rose and fell in sync with national economic activity until 1981,
when an all-time record of 30 742 units was set. This was just prior to the introduc-
tion of stringent local content requirements for these vehicles, and reflected a hefty
pre-buy of the last fully-imported driveline products before more expensive local
engines and gearboxes became mandatory. The local content regime eased consider-
ably during the 1990’s, but it was not until 2006 that the next new outright record
of 33 080 units was established, followed by yet another new benchmark of 37 067
units in 2007, and a slight drop to 34 659 units in 2008. Most of the growth took
place after the turn of the Millenium, and seemed destined for even greater heights,
but the market ran out of steam in the second half of 2008.
t would be easy to blame the nent upgrade. Transnet experiences cles that make up this segment are mainly
I
recent loss of momentum in this enough difficulty in managing these, so used for long-distance linehaul or con-
market on the Global financial there is little prospect of rail haulage mak- struction-related duties, both of which
crisis. However, this needs to be ing a comeback in the broader arena, any- should be direct beneficiaries of the fixed
placed into perspective against the time soon. Political rhetoric notwithstand- investment-related activities which are
background of the local economic ing, road transport will continue to pro- said, by most analysts, to dominate the
framework. During his recent Budget vide the backbone of South Africa’s econo- local economy.
speech, Finance Minister Trevor Manuel my for the foreseeable future.
gave assurances that the government’s While this has been going on, there has
R787 billion infrastructure development It is also significant that several metropoli- been some reawakening of the entry-level
plan would still roll out. Of this, R50,9 tan projects for the implementation of Bus Medium Commercial Vehicle segment
billion has been earmarked for specific Rapid Transit schemes are starting to take (3,5 to 8,5 ton GVM), whose constituents
transport-related expenditure including shape. Johannesburg has placed orders for are mainly involved in the local delivery of
taxi recapitalization, bus subsidies, freeway 143 BRT units, and the acquisition Fast Moving Consumer Goods, or operat-
improvements, and maintenance on non- processes for similar schemes in Cape ing as medium to long-distance taxis. The
toll roads. Other public and private invest- Town, Port Elizabeth and Durban are economic outlook says that consumer
ment will go into facilities supporting the gaining momentum. In addition, state- activity is still on the wane, with very little
Confederations Cup and 2010 Soccer owned operator Autopax will receive near- growth in prospect over the next few years.
World Cup, Gautrain, ESKOM upgrades ly 1500 additional vehicles to ensure that So why are MCV sales picking up?
and the shopping mall revamps that seem SWC 2010 is adequately provided with
to be popping up everywhere. coaches to move players, officials and spec- It now appears more likely that the ills in
tators around its manifold venues. the truck market relate more directly to an
There is hardly anything that happens in extremely difficult financing environment
South Africa that does not require inputs Under these circumstances, it is difficult to for prospective vehicle buyers, and the
from road transport. Ever since road understand why truck manufacturers and somewhat understandable reluctance of
haulage was progressively deregulated from suppliers have been so bearish over suppliers to drive the market with ade-
the late nineteen-eighties, rail transport prospects for the 2009 truck market. A quate and appropriate supplies, given that
has played a diminishing role in moving survey carried out by the media among extra heavies can be priced at well over a
goods and commodities to and from ports industry management at the end of 2008 million rand per copy. The macro econom-
of entry, factories, warehouses and points elicited an average total market of just less ics suggest that the latent demand remains
of sale. There are two dedicated “single than 28 500 units, which suggests a year- in place, but if the suppliers don’t believe
purpose” railways in South Africa – the on-year decline of nearly 18%. It has also this, as suggested by the market forecasts
Richards Bay coal line, and the Sishen- been puzzling that the recent downturn in quoted above, and trim their inventories
Saldanha iron ore corridor. Criticism of truck sales has been felt, most keenly, in accordingly, the reduced volumes can easi-
the former’s inability to cope with the ton- the top-end Extra Heavy Commercial ly become a self-fulfilling prophecy.
nage demand appears regularly in the Vehicle segment (Gross Vehicle Mass rat-
media, and the latter is due for an immi- ings over 16,5 tons). The multi-axled vehi-
34 April 2009
and Their
by Marcus Haw
Tyres Contribution to
Safety in Motoring
As promised in the last issue, we are going to have a closer look at tyres and their
life span, while in service on light delivery trucks. We will discuss the vans used for
so many varying types of operations in S.A. like the Mercedes Sprinters, Iveco Turbo-
Dailys, VW Transporters and Toyota Quantums and many others which pass us by each
day on the roads and highways.
yres are subjected to as many dif- Where is it written down? Hopefully these during the week days. Tyre safety is
T ferent types of use on these vehi-

cles, as on the bakkies we dis-
cussed. But there are some extra concerns
articles will assist in educating the public
users. Generally it is thought that if the
tyre says 600kg at 200km/h, and you load
stretched beyond all limits, and mostly due
to owner and driver ignorance.
which need consideration. it with 599kgs and drive it at 199km/h The van has other serious factors to take
everything is well within limits. Wrong! into account as well. Let’s look at these
One, is that these vans are capable of some Nothing can operate that close to all it’s now.
serious speed. The tyres they are fitted with limits and be expected to last. A tyre
as standard are capable of the speeds the always has high expectations placed on it, Loads: As with bakkies, the versatility of
vans are capable of, but here lies two prob- but realistic thinking is what is needed. the van in service is what makes it so use-
lems. One is that when the vehicles are The above “rule” should always be borne ful and therefore popular. It is also what
loaded to their full capacity, and high in mind. determines the life and safety of their tyres.
speeds are maintained for long distances, The loads can vary from steel fabrications
the tyres are placed under severe stress. The second consideration comes when to polystyrene fast food holders; from
These vans are also capable of maintaining tyres get replaced. Most often price gets in motor cycles to clothing, and from flower
high speeds on their trips up and down hill the way as with the bakkie tyres, and spec- arrangements, to a variety of parcel deliver-
all day. We recently noted one such van on ifications are forgotten. There has also ies. The list is endless. The one common
the N12 highway to Witbank. It was easy been a growing “fashion” where these vehi- factor, is that usually, the loads are con-
to see that it was heavily loaded as the sus- cles are bought for use as part time recre- stantly diminishing. The tyres build up
pension was riding really low, but at no ational vehicles, often fitted with alloy heat while loaded, increasing the inflation
stage, did the driver reduce his speed below wheels and high performance tyres. They pressure. Then on the empty return trips
130km/h. Even if those tyres were correct- are then loaded to the hilt with quad and the tyres are pounded to death as explained
ly inflated, they were suffering. Load and dirt bike equipment, or boats and jet-skis in the last issue. The high speeds generally
speed at the same time are killers. While and their equipment, along with trailers maintained by the drivers of these vehicles,
the tyres are designed to carry the load, etc. This really puts the vans performance make sure the heat is retained, especially
and do the speed, it is never recommended to the test. Factory tyre specs aren’t even under the belt pack. This ensures that the
they do both at the same time. The rule is considered on these vehicles, and very integrity of bond between tyre body and
the higher the speed, the lower the load, often, these vehicles are part of a fleet, the belt package stays constantly under
and to carry a real load, one should reduce which are used in one way over the week- stress. This weakens over time and increas-
the speed. But who tells the users this? ends and are then back delivering goods es the potential for separation. A danger-
36 April 2009
ous condition, which could end where the the routes their vans use, and take special
tyre throws its belt package away endan- notice of the roads and yards at the end of
gering both those in the vehicle and those the highways. These are problem areas spe-
following it. The tyre also becomes cific to vans, but all the other problems
extremely susceptible to impact damage, mentioned with bakkies are applicable as
and overall, its life expectation will be well, especially inflation pressures. These
diminished. So again apart from the dan- vehicles need careful management.
gers involved, company costs go through
the roof. One last thing regarding loads; Then we get to the light trucks. Those
the load areas of these vans are big square trucks which transport up to about 4 tons
closed boxes. Bakkie’s loads are often lim- of bread, pharmaceutical products, pet
ited by the fact that they are open, or when food, office equipment and so many other
covered with a canopy, the area is greatly products. These vehicles fall into that high
reduced. The van has a huge load area all risk to tyres area in a big way. Let’s take a
the way to it’s roof and is often loaded all brief look at their specific problem areas. www.bridgestone.co.za
the way to the roof, believe it or not. High Firstly, they are most commonly used in
loads equal high sway where this plays and around cities, as well as between cities.
havoc with tyres. As the vehicle sways from This means stop/start driving all day.
side to side, the tyres take the strain. Heat Braking forces one moment, transferring
is generated very quickly adding to the of power the next. Load transfer front to
speed and load woes already being suf- rear, and rear to front all the time. The tyre
fered. These vans are extremely versatile, body is flexing and generating heat, and
useful and efficient transport tools, but the tread is taking all the forces. Tread life
must be correctly managed or they can is never very good with these vehicles
become extremely expensive on tyres. because of the stop start conditions. But
working under extreme conditions all the
while these conditions do affect the casing,
time, but again the impression is that their
Roads: Most of these vehicles run highway the real damage to the casing is not due to
conditions are fine since they are in-town
routes, so the impression is that roads are the stopping and starting. These vehicles
operators. Wrong! Very wrong! These vehi-
not a concern. This is a dangerous impres- are usually fitted with a load body, and
cles are extremely hard on tyres, and there-
sion and needs to be seriously thought these can vary greatly. Bread vehicles for
fore extremely expensive to run.
through. Highways are the reason that the example have an insulated body, while
high speeds can be maintained, which as supermarket and pharmaceutical vehicles
We discussed high loads earlier, and the
explained is a major problem in the life of are either refrigerated or insulated. Other
sway they induce. Some of these trucks
tyres. But also remember, that at the end of product movers are just plain panel type
also have very high load bodies and can be
every highway route are less well main- bodies. It is often found that these bodies
loaded from bottom to top irrespective of
tained roads which take the van to it’s are heavy enough to almost equal the vehi-
what they are carrying. This affects the side
delivery point. These roads are most com- cles designed GVM. Once they are loaded
sway, and plays havoc with the stop/start
monly full of repairs, varying aggregate, many are over the designed load limits. So
front and rear load transfers.
potholes and are usually rutted from the we have vehicles with a hard operational
constant use by heavy vehicles. After the profile, running at their load limits, and
In the next issue, we will discuss ways to
high speeds, and consequential heat of the very often, having extremely harsh under-
reduce tyre costs with these high risk vehi-
highways, the tyres are more susceptible to foot conditions, when deliveries take place
cles, by managing the concerning areas.
damage than at any other time, and these in the townships. In many of these places
Until then, inspect your tyre condition
roads become a real danger in themselves. the roads are either in serious disrepair, or
regularly!
It is advisable that fleet controllers know don’t even exist. So these light trucks are
April 2009
37
Personal profile
Q&A INTERVIEW WITH PHONNIE CILLIERS
The motor industry in South Africa is full of good motormen who know the business.
People who are all rounders and who can weather the current crisis, as they are
hands on people. Such a person is 48-year-old Phonnie Cilliers, who has headed up
Tata In South Africa since the brand was introduced here in 2005.
Roger McCleery spoke to him.
HOW DID YOU GET INTO THE YOUR PHILOSOPHY IN BUSINESS?

MOTOR BUSINESS?
I think my strength is that I like people and
I was a Maths and Chemistry teacher with I love motivating them. I believe whether
degrees the length of your arm. First at you have knowingly or not been sowing
Sand du Plessis School and then as Deputy goodwill from day to day, you will reap the
Head at Fichard Park – both in benefits later.
Bloemfontein. By chance I met Manny da
Canha, who heads up the AMH Group WHERE DI YOU GROW UP?
that, independent of manufacturers in Born and bred on a farm in Griquastad.
South Africa, imports cars into this coun-
try. He had seen my CV and he said “Why WHAT DID YOU WANT TO BE AT
don’t you think of a career in the motor SCHOOL?
industry.” He was prepared to train me in A dentist.
all aspects of the business. So I left the
teaching profession and went into a dealer YOUR FAVOURITE SPORTS?
called Sovereign Motors in Kimberley as a year contract at Renault in France. Not
Athletics and rugby at school, which you
Dealer Principal. We sold Land Rovers and speaking French fluently, I was moved over
had to play unless you were in a wheelchair.
BMW’S. to do the same job in the U.K.
WHERE DID YOU GO FROM HOW DID YOU ENJOY YOUR OVER- At Free State University it was rugby. Now
THERE? SEAS STINT? I just love rugby, play golf and am running
in the Two Oceans Marathon.
After six months in Kimberley I moved Brilliant. Good to meet other people in
over to Bloemfontein Multi-Franchises other markets. MARRIED?
where for 18 months we sold Kia,
WHY DIDN’T YOU STAY? 26 happy years to Annetjie. We have two
Daihatsu, Renault and Daewoo. I was there
beautiful daughters. The elder one,
for 18 months when Brand Pretorius, one Simple. Manny da Canha said in 2005 he Monette, is studying for her B.Com
of my mentors in the motor industry who wanted me back in South Africa to head up Accounting at Tukkies. Elizna is in High
is the CEO of McCarthys, offered me the Tata, which AMH had just signed up with School
job of running Audi Centre in Menlyn. I the Indians.
must have been doing an alright job. WHEN YOU RETIRE?
Because soon after that, Manny da Canha, HAS THIS BEEN A SUCCESS?
who has also been a main influence in my I must stay active. I have learned to be
Well, we have sold 42 000 LCV and cars street-wise in this motor business and
motor industry career, said he needed a with great back-up from the factory in
General Manager to market Renault. would like to pass on all these experiences
India. It is tough now, but with the right to others to help make them successful.
WAS THIS A GOOD MOVE? range of vehicles we have, which are right
for the times, we are here for the long haul
Well for three years we went places big and will probably see an upward trend
time. So much so that I was given a five- sometime late in 2010.
A Fiat 500 Show Car

Birthday Gift for Barbie®
Just when you thought you’d seen it all Fiat 500 makes
headlines once more… This time it’s an original Fiat 500
show car dedicated to the most famous fashion doll ever:
Barbie®. This exceptional vehicle, created by a partnership
between the Fiat Centro Stile and Mattel, was handed over
officially to Barbie® at her fiftieth birthday celebrations in
Milan.
April 2009
38
Lux Lite
PETER’S SOAP BOX

Peter Mather has worked in the field of human capital development in the motor industry for the last twelve years and
by Peter Mather has enjoyed great success in facilitating sales and leadership programmes within the industry.
ince my last article I’ve decided to Today I’m focusing on one area of business • Has your sales person developed a net-
S continue with the theme perfect

practice makes perfect. In fact
this is the theme I will be using
throughout the year. Let me
explain why?
Sometimes we are bombarded by so much
on everyone’s mind at present - Increasing
Sales.
•
•
•
Firstly how are you selling?
Does your sales person still cold call?
What percentage of calls does it take
to convert to an order?
work of like-minded sales profession-
als?
• Can your sales person stand up and
deliver a digital power point presenta-
tion?
• Can your sales person develop their
own power point presentations for
advice and information that very often we
• How much time are your sales people prospects?
become more confused and this creates
spending on fruitless activities? • Can your sales person stand and deliv-
analysis paralysis. My goal over the rest of
• Is your sales person educating your er a motivational talk on your indus-
the year is to help simplify this and stick to
customer or simply selling? try?
one guiding principle repeated throughout
• Do you have communication every If you would like to know more and wish
all aspects of life and business. Simply put,
week with your customers? you could have answered differently,
Ken Blanchard in his recent book “Know
• What is your relationship with your then go to my web site www.s2p.co.za
Can Do” refers to this as the less-more phi-
customers? and join my mailing list indicating the
losophy. He also refers to the fact that in
• Is your sales person an order taker or a area you’ve identified and I will mail you
order to apply anything we need to utilise
genuine sales professional? a free preview of my s2p in selling pro-
repetition hence I’m using the practice
• Can your sales person generate his/her gram. Have fun and look forward to
theme which by its very nature is repetition
own prospects for the business? hearing from you. Visit www.s2p.co.za or
of application. So much has been written
• Has your sales person branded contact peter @s2p.co.za to register for
on the theory of motivating people and yet
him/herself in your specialist area of my monthly newsletters or telephone
if we adopt one simple principle to perfect
business? 082 456 8479 for more details.
our practice the results of applied action
change are amazing.
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.
Unscrambling the Code

In previous issues of Diamond Dialogues, Giel Steyn ruminated on the concepts of tech-
nology, quality, safety and value for money, and applied these principles when dis-
cussing automotive glass, radiators, anti-freeze and automotive lamps. He promises to
discuss much more, but for this issue and the next, he asks us to take a step back, and
to think about what exactly we are talking about, and to dissect these thoughts.
irstly, what exactly is quality? his own pound’s worth with a quote that If we applied this idea strictly, then “pirate”
F
Diamond Dialogues has cov- he uses frequently when discussing quality; could be both good and bad product,
ered this subject in quite “It is an immutable law in business that because it is generally well known that
some detail, but Giel wants words are words, explanations are explana- many components in motor vehicles are
us to look at it from another tions, promises are promises – but only not manufactured by the OEMs. They are
angle, and he refers us to Jim performance is reality”. However, what has manufactured for OEMs and supplied to
Wade, director of Advanced Training and really exercised Giel is not the definition of them by component manufacturers, who
the driving force behind the UK based quality, but rather the subject of pirate quite often participate in the design and
Business Improvement Network. In the parts, and the misconceptions around this development phase, as they are in effect
August 2005 edition of qw, Jim bemoans frequently abused term. Giel is concerned the specialist in their specific area of
the use of words that are bandied about by that perfectly good product gets tagged expertise and have the research and devel-
quality professionals when discussing qual- with the “pirate part” label, in many cases opment facilities to become the senior
ity. Phrases such as “exceeding customer very undeservedly so. partner in getting to a final product that
satisfaction”, “fit for purpose”, conforming satisfies the requirements.
to requirements”, “world-class”, “zero Before we look at what is pirate part, we
defects”, “right first time, every time” all need to identify what exactly is original In reality, OEMs are no longer solely man-
sound wonderful, but in effect meaning- and what exactly is genuine. For the formal ufacturers, they are assemblers. In an iron-
less in the real world. Everyone just wants definitions, Giel goes to the Collins ic twist, and taking this line of thinking to
to get on with business, to humble the Concise English Dictionary. Collins both its logical and illogical conclusion,
competition, to cut costs, retain staff, get defines original as 1) the characteristics then the pendulum has swung 180 degrees
to grips with the latest technology, and all that something had when it first existed; from Henry Ford’s days. From the sublime
those good things that face business on a and 2) not copied, origin, source, first to the ridiculous, so we shall banish the
daily basis, and they do not have the time copy, model that from which anything is term “pirate” from this discussion. And to
or the inclination to play with words. To translated or copied. Genuine is described put this particular argument to bed, we
address this smorgasbord of indulgences, thus 1) something that is genuine, is real leave the last words to Giel. “If it looks like
the American Society for Quality went for and exactly what it appears to be; and 2) a duck, walks like a duck, and quacks like
a little more accuracy but still rather belonging to the original stock, real, pure, a duck, it is a duck”; which means that if it
wishy-washy with “a subjective term for true. Giel’s contention is that OEM parts looks genuine, and it performs to the
which each person has their own defini- as well as alternative replacement parts required specification, then it is a genuine
tion”. both qualify as original and genuine. He replacement part.
laments the often incorrect belief that the
Jim Wade is having nothing of this, and he only “true” genuine product is parts that Now that Giel has well and truly put the
attempts to close the debate with “in any are packaged under the vehicle manufac- original vs. genuine debate to bed, in the
organisation, at any one time, quality is turer’s label, and that anything packaged in next issue we shall concentrate on the
precisely defined by the organisation’s cur- another brand would be classified as other misunderstood term, “counterfeit”.
rent measurable objectives”. Giel puts in “pirate”.
40 April 2009
Customer C.A.R.E
Trilogy Customer C.A.R.E.

Programme
– sponsored by Federal-Mogul Aftermarket
n 1992, Dr. Theophilus Dreux, 2) The single biggest determinant of
I the founder of the Trilogy Cus-

tomer C.A.R.E. Academy, wrote a
Customer C.A.R.E. Programme to
address the core problems in poor
customer service levels – ATTITUDE.
This was in response to the many cus-
customer care is staff attitudes, and it
is this that needs the most focus.
3) Commitment to customer care must
be viewed as a “condition of employ-
ment”, and must be expected from all
employees, from boardroom down.
Which one tomer service courses available in South 4) Customer satisfaction must be consis-
Africa, focusing on techniques, response tently on the agenda. A culture of
times, anecdotal stories and urban leg- client-centricity will encourage con-
ends. But very few even attempted to tinual improvement seeking and
address the core problem. A company avoid complacency and arrogance.
with the right attitude is one in which 5) We need to treat everyone we interact
everyone C.A.R.E.S. about the customer, with, including other staff/depart-
of these because Customers Are Really Every- ments/divisions, as valued clients.
thing. We accept that the customer, When we look at the entire company
although not always right, does always as a team looking after the same
come first. Our advertising and commu- clients, then we accept that we must
nications usually reflect this, and yet these work with each other synergistically.
warm and fuzzy feelings usually only last
The Trilogy Customer C.A.R.E.
until the client experiences poor customer
Programme has been designed to address
will your service. All our costly efforts to please and
these issues, and aims to improve people’s
retain clients are wasted as long as we
attitudes across the entire company. It
continue to make the same errors.
brings in commitment from Senior
Research shows that 68% of clients that
Management, and through ongoing eval-
stop doing business with us have done so
uation and feedback, provides a frame-
because they were treated with indiffer-
work for ongoing improvement in the
ence by an employee. Usually the solution
way we treat customers, and each other.
customers is thought to be training the frontline
The C.A.R.E. programme has been
staff to handle customers. This approach
designed as a holistic approach to cus-
typically creates some short-term excite-
tomer care, and is split into 53 modules,
ment, but after this dies down, people’s
mostly an hour long. The selection of
basic attitudes determine their behaviour
modules employed will depend on the
again, and it’s back to business as usual.
level of employee and your specific
The reason for this is usually a lack of
requirements.
be wearing? commitment and consistency. To best
succeed into transforming our companies
Next month, we shall discuss the outline
into truly client-centric, world-class
of the programme, and will recommend
service organisations, it is necessary to
how you go about implementing this
focus on these core issues:
programme in your company.
1) The entire company is responsible
for good customer care, not just front-
line staff.
42 April 2009
18 – 21 March 2009
It all started in Frankfurt in 1971 with the first Automechanika Trade Fair, created
by a twist of fate with the cancellation of the IAA Frankfurt Motor Show. This can-
cellation was as a result of a crisis in the motor vehicle industry, and whilst
serendipity cannot be fingered as the reason for the Automechanika show eventually
finding its way to South Africa, it is ironical that the show was held in the midst of
another industry crisis – and this time it is the mother of all crises.
outh Africans are resilient, and tough, and we
S love to buck the trend and to break records. This

was evident at the Johannesburg Expo Centre
from the18th to 21st March, which attracted over
350 exhibitors, utilising over 25 000 square metres of
exhibition space, making it the most successful inaugural
RMI Conference: “Survival in these
times: an industry perspective”
Nicky Weimar (Nedbank Economist) – Economic overview and
prospects for 2009
Automechanika Trade Fair by far, eclipsing runners up St.
Global perspective – “The developed world has borrowed
Petersburg and Istanbul by a fair margin. With the sup-
and spent themselves into a recession”
port of the Retail Motor Industry organisation (RMI),
National Association of Automotive Manufacturers South African perspective – “We’ve watched with horror, and
(NAACAM), National Association of Automobile we’ve listened and talked ourselves into our own recession” –
Manufacturers of South Africa (NAAMSA) and the Ed’s comment “a self fulfilling prophecy?”
Automotive Industry Export Council (AIEC), the show The Weimarian good news – The turnaround in South Africa
attracted domestic and global big hitters. The consensus will come as early as the third quarter of 2009, on the back
amongst the exhibitors was that the quality of trade visi- of interest rate cuts of anything from 3,5 to 4,0% in 2009.
tors was well above par, and that their efforts were well
worth their while. Whilst no one managed to hook any Clem Sunter (Consultant) – Survival in these Times
coveted platinum awards, the many gold and silver
awards were indicative of the high quality of the exhibits. In these turbulent and unpredictable times, the fox shall trump the
Media exhibits were sparse and sub standard, and did not hedgehog. Flexibility and speed will beat a single minded approach. From
reflect the quality that is available in our vibrant niche of a global perspective this recession is most likely the prelude to the end of
American dominance. New technologies in the form of energy and
the publishing industry. Unfortunately, Automotive renewable sources shall herald more balanced global dynamics. The world
Business Review, South Africa’s most influential automo- should come out of its funk relatively smoothly, but there are four flags to
tive aftermarket publication, was not on show, due to a watch out for: protectionism; a major military conflict; a national bank-
late invitation which precluded effective planning. ruptcy in either Hungary, Poland or Ireland; or a Chinese meltdown. The
However, this was not surprising, as ABR is a mere six South African scenario is more dynamic. We are in the premier league of
nations, but we are in the relegation zone. We need to up our game, but
months old, and we were most probably not in the origi- on the bench sits violent crime, HIV/AIDS, infrastructural deficiencies
nal planning, which obviously took place months before and uncompetitive industries. The good news is that we are the only
our creation. However, we are a resourceful lot, and we African country in the G20, and if we take the high road of inclusive lead-
took the opportunity, despite limited personnel resources, ership, improving our infrastructure, and creating a successful dual logic
to comprehensively cover the show, and to give our dis- economy, we can move up the league table. Further gains can be made by
adding value to our resources, taking tourism to new heights by leverag-
cerning readers an overview of the events and exhibits. ing off 2010, and reinforcing our logical position of being the gateway to
And we promise our readers that next time the show Africa. Things are looking good for South Africa, not because we’re great,
comes round we shall be ready to exhibit and to partici- but because the others are looking bad.
pate innovatively and constructively, and to fly the media
Ed’s comment: Clem Sunter had some advice for the automotive industry. His first
flag with imagination and verve, and to use our imagina- bit of advice was around the high inventory levels of vehicles. He said that the best
tion and influence in making Automechanika South way to liquidate vehicle stock was to cut prices. He even cited the apocryphal story
Africa an iconic and well attended event. of a Porsche dealer who cleared the showroom by offering two cars for the price of
one (the true story was that it was a serious blunder by a overzealous and arith-
Over and above the enthusiastic participation of the metically challenged sales manager who is now unemployed). Yes indeed, you do
reduce your inventory levels in a hurry and you do get an amazing short term
majority of exhibitors keen to salvage something from the
boost to your liquidity, but there is that unwelcome reality called the income state-
midst of an industry “perfect storm” (as described by ment, and the nasty little habit of shareholders and bank managers and other
Brand Pretorius in ABR’s February 2009 issue), the high- inquisitive stakeholders of analysing said statement. When Brand Pretorius heard
light of the show was the high quality of conferences, this suggestion, he swallowed his peppermint and nearly needed the Heimlich
media briefings, workshops and the like co-ordinated by manoeuvre. If Brand followed this advice, people would soon be bidding for his
vest. Clem Sunter’s second suggestion was far more pragmatic and does indeed
various forward looking organisations. We have dissected
need further investigation. To forego retrenchments maybe the industry should
and diced these events into easily digestible bites: look at an across the board wage and salary cut. More on this later.
46 April 2009
Brand Pretorius (CEO McCarthy Further significant rationalisation is customer retention. The advice from
Group) – Survival in these Times: A needed, as metropolitan dealers need a Brand is doses of tough love and spoon-
Franchise Dealer Perspective higher volume throughput. The conse- fuls of sugar to help the medicine go
quence is going to be job losses. To ease down. He says that we have no option
The industry is in a perfect storm, with
this haemorrhaging Brand Pretorius is but to stay optimistic and upbeat. We
vehicle sales down 50% on its 2006 peak,
appealing for partnerships between must hold on to longer term visions and
and investments and capacity are based
OEMs, importers and dealers. To give objectives. Self management skills
on these 2006 numbers. The situation is
constructive assistance to dealers, the become key priorities, and don’t compro-
unique and fundamental change is
OEMs need to become more pragmatic mise on your ethics. Make discipline a
required. It takes time, but restructuring,
and to compromise on unrealistic stan- way of life, and make tough calls early.
refocusing and a different emphasis is
dards. Dealers need more favourable Watch cash flow like a hawk and protect
now called for. Very high fixed costs, pri-
business terms, margin restoration on key relationships. Keep talented people
marily long term lease obligations, are
vehicles, parts and service, and they also and become an inspirational leader.
forcing many dealers to hang in there,
need to optimise supplementary income. Easier said than done, but definitely not
resulting in high discounts, special
With an implosion at dealer level, the impossible. Brand’s core message is that
schemes, stress selling, and a myriad of
long term consequences for the brands, to there is still hope, and he expects an over-
other ways to get product to move. This
paraphrase many erstwhile leaders, are all improvement in South Africa’s envi-
has resulted in net margins on new vehi-
too ghastly to contemplate. Thus the ronment in the last quarter of 2009.
cles to drop as low as 1,3%. The good
focus has to be on reducing asset levels, Hang in there as “these times shall also
news is that used vehicles are starting to
aggressive cost cutting, productivity pass”.
rebound, and parts and service divisions
increases, a higher level of after sales con-
are showing growth.
tribution, and a fanatical approach to
Guy Harris (Group Strategy

& Public Affairs Director,
Bell Equipment) – Does
South Africa need a Capital
Vehicle, Equipment and
Component Industry?
David Bullard, Master of Ceremonies,
The MIDP (Motor Industry Clem Sunter, Scenario Planner, and Jeff
Development Programme) Osborne, CEO RMI, played key roles at
achieved its objectives, but at a the RMI Conference
cost of R120 000 per annum
per job, and very little financial
benefit to the car buyer. All
OEMs and the majority of
component manufacturers are
offshore owned, so the benefits
in reality are being realised off- Three Presidents in one room,
shore. Capital vehicles require and not a bodyguard or blue
light in sight! Stewart Jennings,
40 times more employees than President NAACAM, Ferose
passenger vehicles per vehicle, Oaten, President RMI, Davis
with the added benefit of local Powels, President NAAMSA,
design and vertical integration. were keynote speakers at the RMI
Local is therefore lekker, and Conference, and contributed sig-
the question is “Is industrial nificantly to a well rounded and
policy decided in Peoria or extremely informative forum
Pretoria?” The plea is for the
MIDP and its successors to be Ian Groat (Publisher) – Is modern day repairer. The of adhesives, with the mod-
applied to capital items as well. Car Design Outstripping high use of aluminium, ern car made up of up to 120
We should develop the whole Repairability? hybrid metals and compos- kg of adhesives. All this tech-
industry, not just the glamour ites, is creating a situation nology is invisible until you
toys. A case in point is the trac- The car industry is focusing
where it takes three times have an accident, and then
tor industry. A vibrant segment more on safety rather than
of the economy lost its duty longer to repair than the the “poppe dans”. The solu-
repairability. The emphasis
protection, with no safety net good old days. Equipment tion is for the industry to
on performance, economy,
and the result was the demise of costs are soaring with the work together to overcome
emissions and vehicle size,
a strategic manufacturing base. requirements around laser the issues and to minimise
together with end of life dis-
Is the capital equipment indus- welding, hybrid welding, self costs. The insurance industry
mantling legislation and a
try going to go the same way? piercing rivets, ultrasonic has become a hard taskmaster
rapidly diversifying car parc,
technologies and wiring . – the repairing game is not
and you have a witch’s brew
Another sticky issue is the use for sissies.
of complexity facing the
April 2009 47
Stewart Jennings (President NAACAM) cases have non South Africans at the helm. micro level, we need more conviction
– Into 2010 and Beyond: An Industry The South African government, particu- from the OEMs to support the local
Perspective larly the treasury, does not understand the industry, particularly from the OEM lead-
challenges, importance and needs of the ership and NAAMSA. We also need a lev-
The current financial crisis is having a sig-
manufacturing sector, which makes up elling of the playing fields vis a vis global-
nificant impact, and the component
16,5% of GDP. We have inappropriate isation, and a weakening of the Rand to
industry is more vulnerable than new car
policies for a developing country, no free increase the viability of the component
dealerships and certainly more vulnerable
labour market (and the most expensive industry. Short term bridging finance is
than the OEMs. It faces all the challenges
labour in the world), the threat of defla- also required, and appropriate protection
of the manufacturing sector, whilst being
tion and stagflation, and South African against dumping, etc. Strong lobbying
vulnerable to OEM strategies and whims.
component manufacturers are particularly from the local manufacturing centre is an
All OEMs in SA are 100% foreign owned
vulnerable on short term working capital. imperative, and the current crisis could be
and globalisation strategies predominate.
What is needed is aggressive interest rate the catalyst for a much needed new eco-
Thus, whilst over 80% of the cost of
cuts, a focus on the unemployed and a nomic vision on manufacturing and vehi-
motor vehicles is in components, the pro-
focus in manufacturing, tourism and small cle production. Perhaps the component
curement functions are influenced and
enterprise building activities. The afore- industry will take the lead out of necessity.
controlled from offshore, and in many
said is in the national interest. More on a
Petro Kruger (RMI Road Safety Foundation) – International Call for a Decade of Road Safety
Road deaths are a global epidemic which is being ignored by global leaders. Make Roads Safe is an international campaign to put
road traffic injuries on the G8 and UN sustainable development agendas, led by a coalition of road safety and public health organ-
isations. The aim is to procure US$300 million for an action plan to improve road safety in developing countries, and to halve the
projected increase in road deaths by 2020. Concomitant to this is to ensure that at least 10% of development budgets for road infra-
structure provided by the World Bank and other major lenders and donors are dedicated to road safety. Why do we need interna-
tional action? Road traffic crashes kill more than 3 000 people, including 500 children, every day, with many more injuries. More
than 85% of these casualties (and 96% of child deaths) occur in low and middle income countries, with pedestrians and breadwin-
ners bearing the brunt. By 2015 road crashes will be the leading cause of premature death and yet international efforts to combat
this scourge commands only a tiny fraction of resources deployed to fight malaria, etc. South Africa is no exception, with more than
15 000 people killed per annum, or 42 per day.
David Powels (President NAAMSA) – inflation has consistently been below the are a staggering 40 to 50% less competi-
The South African Automotive CPI rate since 1995. Quality has also tive than China. India, Mexico and
Industry – Where have we come from? improved dramatically, with improve- Eastern Europe are also extremely com-
Where are we going? ments in faults reported down by over petitive manufacturing bases. The “Silver
50%. Investment in the industry has Bullets” needed to survive in the medium
South Africa is still a minnow in the vehi- soared, and profits have been reinvested. to long term are:
cle production stakes, producing a mere Productivity has also improved, with 14,7
0,7% of global production. We simply do units per employee in 2008 versus 9,4 in • Local content levels need to increase
not have the scale or critical mass to make 1997. Employment levels have stabilised from below 40% to above 70%
a difference. The dynamics of global vehi- and exports have soared, for both fully • Average volumes per platform
cle manufacture are also changing. built up vehicles and components. The to increase to 75 000 to
Established markets are stagnating, whilst balance of payment situation has also 100 000 units p.a.
India and China are accelerating. South improved, with the automotive industry
Africa’s position is basically of its own trade deficit down to R5 billion in 2008, • Supplier competitiveness to improve
making. The inefficiencies of the industry compared to a R13 billion deficit in to Western European levels, at least
came out of the history of the local con- 1995. GDP share has also increased. • A major industrialisation strategy is
tent programme. Phase One to Phase What cannot be ignored is that if the required in the supply industry
Five were primarily weight based, with country had no automotive industry the
the focus on value only shifting with • APDP as well as IDC to improve
implications would be significant. The
Phase Six in 1989. The MIDP radically their support levels for this strategy
five goals of the MIDP have been met,
overhauled the programme in 1995, with some more significantly than others. • Productivity to improve dramatically
the resultant benefits of 59 brands and However, we cannot rest on our laurels. – to over 30 cars per employee per
1336 models available to the consumer in Using the Western European cost index annum
2009, vs. 17 and 102 respectively in as our base, South Africa is still over 20%
• Massive investment needed in train-
1994. The consumer has also had the less competitive than the established
ing and skills development
benefits of keener pricing. With the manufacturing bases in Europe, and we
exception of 2000/2001, vehicle price
48 April 2009
VEHICLE MANUFACTURERS TO CONTIN-

UE TO FOCUS ON NEW MODELS AND
PRODUCTS THROUGH SUSTAINED
INVESTMENT IN NEW TECHNOLOGIES
o satisfy international consumer demand for fuel-
T efficient, affordable cars, vehicle manufacturers

will invest heavily in relevant new models, prod-
ucts and technologies over the next five years.
Hybrid systems and electric and battery technolo-
gy will receive the greatest investment. This is according to an
annual global survey of the international motor industry by
KPMG International. In the KPMG survey, which was con-
ducted during late September and October 2008, a total of 200
executives were interviewed representing vehicle manufacturers Key players at the AIDC Workshop
and suppliers in Canada, the US, UK, France, Germany,
Sweden, India, China, South Korea, Japan, Thailand, Brazil, AIDC Workshop:
Mexico, Spain, Poland, Slovakia, Russia, the Czech Republic,
Italy, Switzerland, South Africa and Australia. KPMG has Surviving the Downturn
released an annual survey of automotive executives expressing On the 20th March 2009, Automotive Business Review was wit-
their views on the state of the industry since 1999. At the same ness to an extraordinary collaboration of stakeholders in the auto-
time, the KPMG survey reveals that only 15% of executives motive industry, who came together at the Black Eagle
expect profits to increase this year, 24% expect a decline, with Conference Room at Nasrec, to workshop on “identifying critical
46% indicating that profits will be too volatile and unpre- actions to assist in addressing the future of retrenched workers in
dictable to forecast. “This is a clear indicator of the automotive the automotive industry”. The background to this workshop was
industry in crisis, with 85% of executives unsure if they would the broad retrenchments within the broader automotive sector,
be profitable” says Gavin Maile, Africa Chair of KPMG’s reported to be well over 40 000 over the past few months. The
Automotive Practice. “And it is extremely likely that the situa- AIDC have thus engaged with a number of key stakeholders to
tion has worsened further in the first months of 2009”. Tony understand the current crisis and to identify possible solutions to
Twine, director of Econometrix, began the proceedings with an reduce the impact. The Coega Development Corporation has
overview of the reasons for the industry’s impasse and he point- done groundbreaking work around these issues in the Eastern
ed out the short term challenges, and he concluded with a vivid Cape and joined forces with the AIDC to combine inputs into a
description of what industry executive are going through. collaborative workshop on a national level, to hopefully identify
“When you are up to your nether regions in alligators, it is dif- ways to ameliorate the situation. NAAMSA, NUMSA and NAA-
ficult to remember your original intention of draining the CAM gave presentations on their views of the situation, and then
swamp.” it was down to work, as five groups worked independently of each
other to identify the key issues, and then to propose solutions to
the crisis, under the watchful eye and ear of facilitator Lawson
Leslie. With the solutions whittled down to ten proposals, the
teams then voted on the two best solutions, which were adopted
as the proposed action plans to be taken back to the constituen-
cies, and hopefully to be implemented by the co-opted bodies.
Briefly, the two proposals were:
1. The establishment of a national data base, identifying skills and

availability of retrenched personnel, to facilitate training and
future reenrolment.
2. The promotion of SMMEs within a broad environmental

policy.
ABR shall monitor the progress on these action plans, and shall
report back regularly on this progress.
Never let it be said that accountants cannot be creative. The table Ed’s Note: I really believe this workshop came a few months too late. It
display at KPMG’s presentation at Automechanika on the 20th would have been much better to have workshopped on how to avoid
March had many messages. It warned us to tread carefully, as retrenchments. My suggestion? Everyone goes on a three day work week,
times were blooming hard. Like the Proteas, we have our ups and and EVERYONE, including the CEO, takes the commensurate pay cut.
downs, but we must take a leaf out of Churchill’s words, “If you’re Yes, I know there are hurdles and legalities, but with enough will, these can
going through hell, put the rubber on the road and keep going!” be overcome. Extraordinary times call for extraordinary measures, and just
The sunflower indicates that there are sunny times ahead, even imagine, if everyone bites the bullet, how strong and cohesive the team will
be when the good times return.
though you may have left an ear behind.
52 April 2009
2009 Mikar
Conference
Supplier of the Year – PARTQUIP Member of the Year – PART-MAN Chairman’s Award – Fred Nasser
ust a stone’s throw away from the Johannesburg Expo offered an attractive alternative to those with an entrepreneurial
J Centre, the 2009 Mikar Conference was hosted by the

executive team of Mikar and Imperial Auto Parts. The con-
ference took place on 18th March at the Gold Reef City
Conference Centre, and concluded with a magnificent awards
evening that lifted the spirits of the delegates and guests, partic-
bent, and the night of the 18th March was testament to this pio-
neering partnership, and it culminated in a fitting tribute to
Fred Nasser, who received the Chairman’s Award for his founda-
tion efforts a few years ago. The evening ended with 45 minutes
of side splitting comedy dished out by John Vlismas, who gave
ularly those who had slipped across from the RMI Conference new meaning to the term “shark attack”.
at the Automechanika, which had some sobering messages.
Imperial Auto Parts and Mikar have blazed an independent The winners of the main awards were congratulated by Imperial
streak across the automotive firmament, which has contributed Auto Parts chief executive officer, Deon Botha, and procure-
balance to the distribution side of the aftermarket and has ment executive Terry Brand.
Monroe Launches New

Products and 2009 / 2010
Product Catalogue
ighlights at Tenneco’s stand at
H
Automechanika included the
new Monroe® Quick-Strut and
Maxlift ranges included in the
2009 / 2010 Monroe® catalogue,
expanded Magnum truck and
bus and Rancho shock and kit ranges, the Rancho
MyRide remote wireless shock absorber adjustment
controller available as a special order, and the test
marketing of the innovative Monroe SafeCheck
shock absorber wear indicator. “WE bring the bene-
fits of our OE advanced technologies and expertise
to the aftermarket business”, said Megan Naiker,
Tenneco Ride Country Manager, Southern Africa.
“We continuously offer new product lines, services
and support to our customers, positioning Monroe
as a genuine ‘solution provider’”.
April 2009 53
27 EXHIBITORS SINGLED OUT FOR AWARDS AT AUTOMECHANIKA SA
udges 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
J the inaugural Automechanika South Africa automotive trade show. 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 organ-
ising 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”. Award winners included: Africa Truck Parts and
Wheels; Beissbarth South Africa; Bosal Afrika; Control Instruments Automotive; Diesel Electric; Federal-Mogul; Marouns Auto Paint;
MICROMega Holdings; Robert Bosch South Africa; Tenneco-Monroe Shock Absorbers
56 April 2009
RMI Activities
The RMI and their constituent associations were active at the Automechanika with many
initiatives. ABR went behind the scenes to give our readers some titbits:
The TDAFA (Tyre Dealers and Fitment Association) held a roadshow meeting on the 19th
March, whereby national chairman Herman Erdmann gave an update of the association and
its objectives. This roadshow will visit the entire country, including Durban, East London,
Port Elizabeth, Bloemfontein and Kimberley, and is hosted by Chemvulc. The keynote pres-
entation was an enlightening and realistic overview of South Africa’s current dynamics, by
Frans Cronje of the South African Institute of Race Relations. He pointed the way forward
and the recipe for alleviating poverty, as practiced by many successful emerging economies:
1. Remarkably effective government
2. Effective public education system
Frans Cronje of the SAIRR 3. Removal of constraints of free flow of capital
4. Removal of labour constraints
Ferose Oaten, president of the RMI, concluded proceedings with an impassioned plea for the RMI members to confront and address
the current realities, and to canvas strongly for periodic testing of vehicles, specifically around tyres, brakes and electrical systems. This
would not only benefit the industry, but it would also contribute significantly to road safety.
At an ERA / MIWA / SADFIA

workshop, Rob Mildenhall,
national chairman of MIWA,
and Paul Britz of the RMI, took
the opportunity to present the
Mystery Shopper Programme
winning trophy to Swedo Tech
Service, and Thys van Eck, ERA
chairman, gave a farewell gift to
Carlos Soares.
German
Ambassador
Entertains
Automechanika
Guests
To mark the occasion of the first Automechanika in
South Africa, the German Ambassador, Dieter W.
Influential guests at the Haller, held an evening function at his residence in
function included Jeff Waterkloof, Pretoria, on Thursday, 19th March 2009.
Osborne, CEO of the He reiterated to the invited guests Germany’s acknowl-
RMI; Dieter W. Haller, edgement of the economic importance of South
German Ambassador to
South Africa; Edward Africa, as Africa’s largest economy, and as a valued
Smith, managing director trading partner of the Federal Republic of Germany.
of Trysome; Detlef Braun, The role that German companies have played in the
management board mem- South African automotive industry, in particular, pro-
ber, Messe Frankfurt; and vides a rich and storied tapestry on which to ruminate
Philip Otto, director,
Dogan Trading. and celebrate.
Sarah Lindsey, project manager, Messe Frankfurt with Dr. Ann-Katrin Nolte, press
officer, Messe Frankfurt.
April 2009 57
GOODYEAR WINS FIRST AUTOMECHANIKA SOUTH

AFRICA INNOVATION AWARD
oodyear is the winner of the Innovation Award at Automechanika South Africa. The
G presentation of the Gold Award was made by the vice president, Automechanika
Messe Frankfurt from Germany, Stephan Kurzawski, to Goodyear’s regional man-
ager: Gauteng, Bernie Andrews. The winning product is the new Max Tyre
Technology that delivers tangible cost savings and improved efficiencies for truck owners, as well
as increased safety and performance. In terms of environmental considerations the technology
provides a substantial reduction in fuel consumption, lessens harmful emissions and landfill
waste. Lower rolling resistance, better braking capability in the wet, less noise, pollution, better
operation efficiency, greater load capacity and longer tyres life are some of the claims made of
the company’s long haul range of Marathon LHS II (long haul steer) and LHD II (long haul
driver) truck tyres, which results in lower cost per kilometre. The Regional RHS II (regional
haul steer) and Regional RHD II (regional haul driver) tyre range – aimed at the largest sector
in South Africa’s truck tyre market – are said to offer similar benefits for shorter haul operations.
All these new generation tyres utilise Duraseal technology, which enables a punctured tyre to
repair itself and remain serviceable until it is retreaded. The result is less downtime and
improved safety.
58 April 2009
AIDC Quiz
by Roger McCleery
Roger McCleery
asks the questions
See how many of these 20 Questions you can answer.
1. Name the man who holds the World Land Speed Record.
2. What is the name of the new rocket-powered record breaker soon to be used to break the current World Land Speed Record?
3. Where in South Africa is it hoped that this rocket-powered car will break the current land speed record?
4. What do the letters ‘DB’ in the Aston Martin nomenclature stand for?
5. The proto-type of the Renault R8 was designed by which motor company?
6. ‘ALFA’ in the name Alfa Romeo stands for what?
7. How long has WesBank sponsored South African motor sport?
8. Name two South African who have won their home Grands Prix?
9. Who owns Zwartkops Raceway in Pretoria?
10. What is the capacity of the original Citroën 2CV?
11. What is the Nationality of the founder of the Lagonda Motor Company in Middlesex in England?
12. The nicknames ‘Escargot’ and ’Umbrella on Wheels’ was given to what make of car?
13. The original Honda 50cc 8-valve twin cylinder grand prix motorcycle that had a reputed top speed of 200 kmh used what
method of braking on the front wheel?
14. Where was a pre-war Grand Prix held in Cape Town?
15. The 2008 WesBank Series in South Africa was won with a car sponsored by a Bearing Company. Name it.
16. Name the Bridgestone SAGMJ Motor Sportsman of the year 2008.
17. Three tuning forks are the badge of what motorcycle company?
18. Name the top three manufacturers that sold most cars in February 2009.
19. Who founded Jaguar?
20. What did this company make before they manufactured Jaguars?
Answers on p75
April 2009 59
Euroquip News
Euroquip at Automechanika
The Euroquip stand at Automechanika proved to be popular, and Prakash Bhagwan,
director at Euroquip, commented that the quality of visitor was very high. The
Euroquip stand also had an international flavour, with Davide Giovanardi, commer-
cial manager at OCAP S.p.A., Italy, attending at the stand to discuss OCAP product
with interested parties.
CAP is a private limited company founded in 1975, pension leverages with integrated ball joint. OCAP has been
O but the original company is now the parent compa-

ny of a group. OCAP has UNI EN ISO 9001 certi-
fication, Environmental Certification ISO 14001
and Quality System Certification ISO/TS 16949. The Italian
production units and associated companies are located in
more and more consolidating its position in the OEM market,
and OCAP engineers and supplies steering and suspension sub-
systems for diversified applications, ranging from snowmobiles to
the latest generation tractors equipped with independent wheel
axles. In the context of the automotive market, OCAP’s leading
Valperga, Feletto, Busano and Rivara. Originally, the company customers are some of the most prestigious sport car, city car or
was founded as an aftermarket manufacturer for steering and sus- special vehicle manufacturers. On the other end, agricultural and
pension parts, but the well-established after market brand was heavy duty application customers are several of the world most
then partnered with the OEM engineering and production for prestigious manufacturers. OCAP’s strength lies in its dynamism
the automotive, agricultural and heavy industries. OCAP’s and expertise to partner with customers from the earliest stages
strategic advantage lies in its ability and expertise to co-operate of designing and engineering to FEM analysis and bench testing.
with customers from the earliest stages of engineering to final The product range for automotive applications includes parts for
assembly, and to offer them over 30 years of experience and a both the steering and the suspension systems.
world-wide distribution network. OCAP R&D activities have
OCAP’s range of products includes:
focused on the engineering of composite material lubricated-for-
life joints for high duty applications and aluminium alloys sus- • Tie rod ends
• Steering rods
• Drag links
• Steering boots
• Suspension ball joints
• Track control arms
• Suspension wish-bones
• Swinging transoms
• Rubber bushings
• Repairing kits
• Wheels hubs
The popularity of the

Euroquip stand was
enhanced by the popcorn
Davide Giovanardi, commercial manager at OCAP S.p.A., links available to show visitors
arms with Kevin Chetty, national sales manager at Euroquip, and
Prakash Bhagwan, director at Euroquip.
60
April 2009
KAPICO
KAPICO Launches 3 New Products

at Automechanika
Kapico South Africa (Pty) Ltd, a global company specialising in the supply of top qual-
ity automotive parts and accessories, used the Automechanika trade fair to launch
three new brands: Allied Nippon, Rubrex, and Loozen LN-04. All of these brands will
be available from April 2009.
Allied Nippon
Allied Nippon, a well known global producer, manufactures
brake pads & brake shoes and is a professionally run joint
venture created to produce an internationally accepted quali-
ty brake pad par excellence, utilising technology developed by
JBI (Japan Brake Industrial Co. Ltd. Tokyo), the friction
product division of Hitachi. Kapico has acquired the exclusive
distribution rights for southern Africa for Allied Nippon
brake pads, and intends to position this high quality product
For the global range of vehicles, all the in the premium segment of the market, at very competitive
Allied Nippon brake pads have the prices, giving the South African automotive aftermarket
e-mark and conform to SABS access to a good range at good quality and good prices.
specifications.
Rubrex
Kapico has also exclusive distribution rights in southern Africa for Rubrex, a flagship brand
of Allied Autotech International which has successfully claimed a major share of the world’s
automotive aftermarket in rubber products. The range is extensive, covering engine
mountings, gearbox mountings, strut mountings, exhaust hangars, centre bearing assem-
blies, rubber bushes, suspension and spring bushes, all types of rubber hoses, and steering
and CV boots.
Loozen LN-04
Loozen LN-04 is a multi purpose penetrant and lubricant, and is avail-
able in 480ml and 220ml tins. The 480ml tin is the largest available on
the market, and Kapico is launching the 220ml tin at a very attractive
price. Also available is a range of car care products, comprising dashboard
sprays, air fresheners (in 11 flavours), tyre polish and car shampoos. These
products come from Oman, and everyone knows that the Land of Arabia
is famous for its perfumes, so these products have centuries of tradition.
Kapico is looking
for distributors in
Free state, Eastern
Cape, Northern
Cape, Mpumalanga,
North West and
Limpopo provinces
and also in neigh-
bouring countries
in Sub Saharan
African region.
Contact Rajan
Krishnamoorthi at
27 11 870 4300
Rajan Krishnamoorthi, Operations Director of Kapico South Africa, with for more details.
Mr. Lalit Handa, a member of the founding family, and a visitor to the
stand, “Champ” of Chamb’s Tyres
62 April 2009
Robert BOSCH
Bosch Launches New KTS 340 at

Automechanika
The Automechanika trade fair saw many innovations and the introduction of a number
of new products, but nothing matched the excitement at the Robert Bosch stand when
they launched the new Bosch KTS 340 compact control unit diagnostic tester
Dereck Knight, Senior Product Manager,

Automotive Aftermarket Division, Robert Bosch
(Pty) Ltd, who introduced the KTS 340 to the
media at the Automechanika Trade Fair.
ompact, complete, and mobile. troubleshooting, maintenance and service plexer, which is controlled via the
C The perfect travelling compan-

ion for diagnosis, troubleshoot-
ing, maintenance and service
on any vehicle, with simple operator guid-
ance for all types of information via the
work is on the KTS 340 and therefore
directly available in the vehicle. This
includes the new Technical Service
Bulletin (TSB). In addition, a two-channel
multimeter is integrated into the KTS 340
ESI[tronic] software, establishes the con-
nection between the various control units,
the different manufacturers and the tester.
If, in the future, the hardware require-
ments for the diagnosis communications
touch screen. This is the essence of the new for troubleshooting. The KTS 340 is interface should change, the exchange
Bosch KTS 340 compact control unit therefore fully Computer Added Service
adaptor can easily be replaced.
diagnostic tester. This robust new kid on (CAS plus) compatible. Thus, the work-
the block weighs just two kilograms, and shop mechanic has everything he needs for The new KTS 340 control unit diagnosis
was designed on the tried and tested KTS diagnosis, troubleshooting, maintenance,
tester rounds off the range of KTS testers
series specifically for mobile use on and in and service with this handy device at his
available from Bosch. The Bosch product
the vehicle. For example, it is ideal for disposal. In addition, the KTS 340 with its
range now offers diagnosis testers to meet
diagnosing a fault during a test drive. The clear and intuitive operation and integrat-
device operates without a mains connec- all requirements: from the simple KTS 200
ed measuring technology is able to effi-
tion via integrated commercially available ciently support the work of workshop in handheld format for service and mainte-
batteries (AA type) and can be charged via mechanics. The Bosch experts also saw the nance, through to the new KTS 340, as
the cigarette lighter, the car’s diagnostic value of ensuring technology investments well as the various KTS modules for use in
socket, and the mains supply. Over an would remain secure in the future. Like Bosch vehicle systems analysis and exhaust
above the control unit diagnostic func- the KTS module and the KTS 670, the analysers. There is also the flagship KTS
tions, all information from the ESI[tronic] KTS 340 is equipped with an OBD 670 with integrated laptop and use of all
workshop software package required for exchange adaptor. An integrated multi- ESI[tronic] information.
64 April 2009
Top Class Topics
SNR ROULEMENTS receives the 2008

Mechatronics Awards Grand prix for its
ASB3® load sensor technology
fter the international success of of ASB®, which has become a world stan- The ESP Calculator detects the abnor-
A ASB® and its velocity measure-

ment, SNR has upped the inno-
vation stakes again in the mechatronics
dard, today equipping eight out of ten
vehicles sold in Europe. Why was this
innovation necessary? Simply because
mal trajectories of the vehicle and cor-
rects them by activating the brakes on
specific wheels. The ASB3® load sensor
field with the ASB3® load sensor. Its tech- ASB3® bearings improve the efficiency of technology measures the loads on the
nology, previewed at the SCS Fair of the trajectory control system (ESP). wheels. This information (in addition to
Paris, received the Grand Prix all cate- Beyond the automotive market, this information of measurement of angles of
gories of 2008 Mechatronics Awards. technology could also apply to other wheel, speed and rotation of the wheels)
Mechatronics Awards are the first mecha- industrial sectors such as construction makes it possible to optimise the ESP
tronics trophies created within the frame- machines, robotics or even windmills. In operation. This technology was designed
work of the mechatronics SCS Fair all cases, such innovation requires to improve the quality and safety of driv-
which took place on 2nd December mechanical know-how, but also in elec- ing, with the ultimate aim of protecting
2008 in Paris. Organized by ARTEMA, tric, electronic and embarked software the driver and passengers.
CETIM, SCS and THESAME, the tro- fields: a scientific mix of competencies.
phies were awarded by a jury composed
of technical experts and specialised media
journalists. The all categories Grand Prix
was awarded to SNR for its 3rd genera-
tion of instrumented bearing load sen-
sor. The company already
boasts the success
Tests in real conditions

SNR conducted tests last September on the
ASB3® load sensor bearing on the du Pôle de
Mécanique circuit in France to identify the
performance of the system in real operating-
conditions. ASB3® load sensor bearings were The ASB3® load sensor bearing: this is
assembled on a modified car; in particular the latest generation of wheel bearing,
the kingpin supports (castings supporting the bearing). Onboard, a real small laboratory to with the outer ring equipped with
measure and analyse. Over 3 days of intense acceleration and braking, as well as obstacle gauges. The electronics produce electrical
avoidance and driving on the skid pan, the R&D project team validated the data and came signals and an algorithm transforms them
to the conclusion that this innovation has a great future. into loads that are continuously analysed.
66 April 2009
Insights
Free Technical Vehicle Data for

Capricorn Members
Last year Capricorn Society secured a deal whereby its members could access free
technical data from automotive technical data provider, Autodata. ABR visited the
Autodata stand at Automechanika South Africa to find out more about “Europe’s
leading publisher and supplier of technical information for automotive profession-
als”, and what is behind the byline – it’s what we know.
Kevin Clausner, Sales Development The Capricorn team with Kevin Clausner on the Autodata stand
Director. Autodata
BR spoke to Kevin Clausner, makes. Autodata’s reputation and reliability dent workshop needs. Comprehensive cov-
A Sales Development Director,

who confirmed that Capricorn
has done a wonderful job for
Autodata in Australia, and that his visit to
South Africa backed up his belief that
is enhanced by the company it keeps, sup-
plying information under licence to world
renowned companies such as Robert Bosch
and Snap-On for use in their diagnostic
and repair equipment.
erage on the majority of vehicles on the
road makes this a truly exciting and indis-
pensable package. And the good news for
South African technicians is that the annu-
al subscription for Autodata CD 3 and
South Africa has great potential for his Online 3 is being offered at a 25% dis-
product. Established in 1975, and based The saying “sticking to the knitting” fits count on the UK price. This comprehen-
in Maidenhead, England, Autodata is Autodata neatly, as their core function is as sive package provides the whole gamut of
Europe’s leading publisher and supplier of an information gatherer and an informa- information, from basic technical data
technical information for automotive pro- tion provider, with no side distractions. right through to the latest innovations,
fessionals. The secret behind Autodata’s Employing 130 people on the west side of such as tyre pressure monitoring systems,
success, says Kevin, is the research method- London, 70 of whom are trained techni- electric parking brakes, etc. An added ben-
ology, working directly with vehicle manu- cians with experience in the industry, efit is the hot-line service available 24
facturers. Autodata has long-standing rela- Autodata knows what and how to provide hours a day, and if the international call
tionships with all vehicle manufacturers, and present, the focus being on clear fees are too rich for your blood, then any e-
and this coupled with over 30 years of illustrations and minimal text. Using a mail query will be answered within 24
experience, enables Autodata to provide standardised template for both sourcing hours, and more often than not within the
comprehensive, accurate information to and disseminating, the information provid- hour. This service is truly invaluable. Much
the professional workshop technician to ed covers all the necessary repair and more on Autodata in future issues of ABR.
service, repair and diagnose faults on all diagnostic requirements that an indepen-
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 April 2009
Car care
Lubricant specialist LIQUI MOLY takes

part at the Automechanika and is expand-
ing in South Africa
This was the first Liquimoly prod- The Liquimoly team on duty when ABR visited: Melicia Labuschagne , Sal Vatore Coniglio, Karin
uct – more on this in future editions Heijboer, Peter Baumann, Danie Correia, Alexander Macketanz
of ABR
lobalisation is a word that splits people into two the 640 million cars in the world, Ernst Prost views 500 million
G camps. But it has a definite supporter and bene-

ficiary in LIQUI MOLY. The German company,
which specialises in lubricants, additives and car
care, appreciates the importance of international
business relationships. It’s not for nothing that its products are
now sold in more than 90 countries around the world. And all
the signs are pointing towards further growth – especially in
as potential. In the long term, he aims to achieve sales of 50 cents
per car. The company, which manufactures its products exclu-
sively in Germany, currently generates more than 40 percent of
its revenue in the export business. A figure that is also set to rise.
LIQUI MOLY South Africa is headed up by Melicia
Labuschagne and Gary Swinson. “We’re winning more garages
and car accessory retailers for the brand,” says Labuschagne.
South Africa. “This is a really good development in a market with so much
potential,” adds Swinson. In the eyes of the company boss, Ernst
LIQUI MOLY regards South Africa as one of it´s most impor- Prost, this proves that the company is on the right track: “There’s
tant markets in the future. Because of this the company founded no standard recipe for our success. We assess the markets all over
an affiliate at the end of 2007. At Automechanika LIQUI MOLY the world correctly and support them in an exemplary fashion.”
showed its whole capability. The South African market is a very This is accomplished by strategic market developers instead of
important piece of the globalisation puzzle: the organization is sales representatives who are oriented towards the German sales
represented on every continent. Europe is at the forefront with mix – although every market has to be catered to individually.
market coverage of 98 percent, more than in America and Asia. Based on the maxim “think globally, trade locally”, multilingual
The managing partner, Ernst Prost, sees enormous opportunities labels, local product names and advertising are just as matter of
in globalisation: “Wherever cars are driven in the world, there’s a course as a product range tailored to the needs and purchasing
need for our products” – in other words, there is huge potential behaviour of the customers – taking local fuel qualities and cli-
around the world for the manufacturer of engine oils, car care matic conditions into account, for instance.
products and additives for oil, fuel and cooling circuits: Out of
70 April 2009
Wilde Things
South Africa’s National Lampoon

by Fingal Wilde
The word lampoon has traditionally meant a harsh
satire usually directed against an individual or a liter-
ary work, and its origins are French, but Chevy Chase
and his motley crew have introduced a modern twist,
and today lampoon can mean many things, not excluding
making a bloody fool of yourself, or being a total idiot,
and the word can now be used without too much proba-
tion as a noun or a verb or even an adjective. It is from
this premise that I begin my search for South Africa’s
National Lampoon, of which there are many deserving
candidates, some fairly and some unfairly, and some
who have had lampoonness thrust upon them, either by
default or by design, or by the quirkiness of fate.
who is now kaal and sonder huis. Talking as to how to solve this problem. If I had a
about kaal, one Joost van der Westhuizen dollar for every time I have logged a com-
springs to mind, socks and all. The question plaint, or every reference no. that has been
is, can he take the heat, or must he drum up issued by the call centre, I would give
support from you and the huis genoot. The Warren Buffet a run for his money. I must
Cheetahs rugby side, did I hear? Or Oscar know every Telkom technician by name,
Pissedtorius, who could not drink Canada and the parade of unqualified lampoonists
dry, so he went for a wet Vaal dam. And goes on and on, but no one in any position
please, no jokes about hollow prostheses. If of authority will talk to me. The excuse is
Robert Mugabe was South African, it would always the rain. I have a solution. Let us
be no contest, and his eulogy would be an get technicians from some first world
amazing grace. Or maybe something inani- country (maybe the UK is a good one, as
mate like potholes, or out of order robots. they do get a lot of rain) and let them fix
t is not for me to pass judge- up our telecommunications infrastructure
I
ment. My role is to poke fun at All of the above have tried strenuously to whilst also training the local lampoonists.
any and every thing that stands take the national lampoon title, but the Who knows, within a year or so, we may
in my way, without fear or one that takes the cake, the icing, the have ADSL lines that actually work, and a
favour. To be chosen as South sprinkles, the cake tin and even the whole country that becomes far more productive.
Africa’s National Lampoon will bakery has to be Telkom. I must admit that Don’t get me wrong, I am a rabid patriot.
require an immense faux pas I am biased, but then I don’t think I’m
capability, and a truly breath- alone. Telkom, through decades of I love this country and all its faults. I love
taking ability to cock up monumentally and monopolistic dominance and recently its unique characteristics – I could not live
consistently. Sounds pretty elementary, but years of bureaucratic bungling and govern- without koeksusters, melktert, vetkoek,
when you get down to thinking about it, ment ineptitude, has cast itself in stone as brandy and coke, Highveld thunder-
the competition is wide spread and intense, royal game, and it behaves accordingly. storms, Noot vir Noot (okay, maybe I’m
and the candidates simply line up and pile taking it too far), the Mighty Elephants
up. In no specific order, I will mention just I have been struggling with this headless (okay, I have taken it too far), Patricia de
a few. I will most probably miss many behemoth for many years now, and it is Lille, and many more. And there’s even the
deserving folk and/or institutions, but this simply impossible to get them to accept Gautrain to look forward to. But, please,
is just a preamble to an already chosen spe- that it is normal business practice to sup- can’t someone do something about
cial one. You may compile your own list ply a service that is being paid for. My Telkom!
which will be far more comprehensive than problem is the ADSL service that I suppos-
mine, and have your own lampooning fun. edly receive. Yes, I get it, intermittently, I am technically challenged and unin-
but when the day comes that I have clean formed about recent developments, so
So here goes my pathetic attempt, in a wild pure ADSL for just 24 hours on the trot, I maybe there is something better around
and unstructured manner. I’ll start with will celebrate like there is no tomorrow. the corner, and Telkom could soon be an
dear old Jacob Zuma, our home grown My IT consultant, my internet service unpleasant memory. One can but hope. In
AIDS specialist, and plumbing expert, and provider, my modem supplier are all in the interim, eish, eish and more eish!!!!
God forbid, soon to be leader. Then, what unison when identifying where the prob-
lem lies. It is a faulty connection at the Editor’s Note: This column was received
about the electrifying Eskom, or the high- before the release of Shabir Shaik.
flying SAA. Not forgetting Carl Niehaus, exchange, but the only entity that can do
anything about it seems blissfully unaware
April 2009 71
Update
Auto Electrical One Stop Shop
If there is such a thing as auto electrical DNA, it runs through the

veins of the Subban family. Juggie Subban is a legendary name in this field and his
sons Mark and Shane have followed in his footsteps. Shane has 17 years experience
in the auto electrical game, where he has alternated stints at various endeavours,
and he currently baby-sits the auto electrical product portfolio at AutoZone
hane Subban has a B.Com degree, but the dual attraction of
S nature and nurture conspired to make it inevitable that he

would ultimately follow in his father’s footsteps. And an elec-
trifying path it has been, as he ensures that customers walking
into any AutoZone store in South Africa are presented with a
veritable Aladdin’s cave of auto electrical product, from the well known
proprietary brands to the value for money Ecotech offerings. Ecotech was
launched in 2004, the name derived from Eco = economical and Tech =
technology, and today leveraging off this economical offering with up to
date technology, Ecotech is the largest and fastest growing range of top
quality automotive electrical products catering for passenger, light and
heavy duty commercial vehicles. This range includes starters, alternators
and their respective components, trailer plugs and sockets, electrical ter-
minals and on/off road lighting. Shane ensures that all Ecotech product
that comes into the country is backed by comprehensive test reports, and
that these reports are vetted in South Africa. For Shane, quality is non
negotiable, as he understands that auto electricians cannot have down-
time, and that they need to trust explicitly the product that they fit to
their customers vehicles. Ecotech is backed by a 12 month “hassle-free”
warranty and is the auto-electrician’s choice.
Over and above the advantage of AutoZone being a one-stop shop for
auto electricians, the AutoZone pit crew is available for free expert fit-
ment advice, from 7am to 7pm, 7 days a week, at 0800 200 993.
AutoZone provides quality and peace of mind, and when it comes to
auto electrical product; it has the Subban name behind it.
Shane Subban, AutoZone’s custodian of

auto electrical product. When asked why
Ecotech is the auto electrician’s choice,
he says “Why Not?”
72 April 2009
What’s the Buzz?
Intelligent learning navigation

system helps drivers save Fuel
Navigation systems are a popular and reliable way of getting
to a desired destination. Now the BMW Group’s Research and
Technology arm is opening up whole new possibilities for nav-
igation systems technology, by endowing them with artificial
intelligence and teaching them basic learning skills. Even
without entering a destination, this will allow navigation sys-
tems of the future to do things like warn of traffic hold-ups or
improve fuel efficiency. Researchers have converted a BMW 3
Series model into a prototype platform for a navigation system
that can predict where the driver will be heading, and what
route will be chosen, even when the driver has not entered a
destination. Project manager Andreas Winckler dubs the sys-
tem a “self-teaching route predictor”. He continues: “We are
working on getting vehicles not only to react to the driver’s
commands but also to be proactive. In that way a vehicle will
be able to prepare itself for future events. The upshot is
increased convenience, performance and fuel economy.
Karting for the Cheetahs

Sunday 01 March saw motoring enthusiasts from various organ-
isations gather at the Zwartkops kart circuit for a fun day of rac-
ing action and heart-felt generosity. The Truckman & De Wildt
Cheetah and Wildlife Trust Karting Day, organised by the
Gatorback Ram Wesbank V8 racing team (Clare Vale & Mackie
Adlem), saw devotees including Egoli’s David Rees, Renault SA
MD Xavier Gobille, 702 Talk Radio’s Sagie Moodley, De Wildt’s
Vanessa Bezuidenhout and Kaizer Chiefs players Itumeleng
Khune and Siphiwe Tshabalala, take to the 1km circuit, amongst
many others. Some wide-eyed passing manoeuvres, super-quick
driver changes and superb driver skill paid off for the Wesbank
team who walked away with first prize – hot laps around
Zwartkops’ main circuit in Clare Vale’s V8 Supercar. The day
raised in excess of R12 500 for the De Wildt trust, and as a thank
you, Byron, the organisation’s exquisite mascot, ended the day by
pulling the proverbial heart strings as people were able to stroke
his back – an experience that changes one’s perception of the
endangered animal completely.
Editor’s note: ABR is considering organising a “Save the Free State Cheetahs” day in the near future – details to follow
SA FAN JUMPS 22-YEAR

WAITING LIST TO
ATTEND ‘TOP GEAR’
SHOW IN UK
Mpho Magabana from Pretoria jumped the 22-year wait-
ing list and secured a spot in the audience for the filming
of one of the BBC’s hit TV shows, Top Gear. He scooped
the prize from hundreds of thousands of fans that entered
BP Ultimate’s MPH competition via SMS. Rumour has it
that over 350 000 fans are on a waiting list for seats to
watch the motoring stars film their highly successful
motoring show, and some even go as far as putting their
new-born children’s names on the waiting list! Magabana
(22) an IT graduate will be jetting his way to London with
his mother as his travel companion who is also a huge Top Gear fan. When notified of his prize, Magabana who drives a white Golf Chico, says he
entered the competition every time he visited his local BP service station. He says he has been a fan of Clarkson and Hammond and their special
style of motoring entertainment since the age of 15. “I’ve even gone as far as to try out some of their crazy stunts and proved them wrong on one
occasion, which I can’t wait to share with them. They’ll probably rip me to pieces, but I’m up for the challenge”, he says. The prize – an all expens-
es paid trip to the UK as guests of BP and Top Gear .
April 2009 73
What’s the Buzz?
VALUE FOR MONEY A WINNING FACTOR IN CAR

MAGAZINE INDUSTRY ACCOLADES
CAR Magazine’s Top 12 Best Buys for 2009 and the recently announced • Best sports/performance Car – Porsche Boxster (convertible) /
winners of the annual CAR Awards show that when it comes to battling Cayman (hard top)
it out in the current recession, it really is survival of the fittest. In this • Best MPV/SUV – Mazda5
economic environment, value for money and fuel economy lead the race.
The CAR Top 12 Best Buys programme, sponsored by FNB Vehicle • Best compact SUV – Honda CR-V
Finance, has established itself as South Africa’s most respected guide to • Best SUV – Mercedes-Benz ML-Series
new vehicle purchasing since its launch in 2000. The initiative recognis- • Best double-cab/pick-up – Toyota Hilux
es the top car in 12 categories which represent the major segments of the
CAR Awards winners for 2009 by category:
South African passenger car market. The best cars are chosen by the
CAR magazine editorial staff based on the criteria of the ‘four Ps” – pack- • Motor company of the year – Suzuki
age, price, performance and personality. • Motor personality of the year – Peter du Toit
Top 12 Best Buys for 2009 • New car design of the year – BMW X6
• Best budget car – Chevrolet Spark • Technical innovation of the year – Mazda’s smart idle stop-system
• Best light car – Honda Jazz • The safety award – The RMI Road Safety Foundation and
volunteers
• Best compact car – Honda Civic
• The green award – Lexus SA
• Best compact executive – Mercedes-Benz C-Class
• Motorsport achiever of the year – Giniel de Villiers
• Best executive saloon – Jaguar XF
• CAR Challenge winner – Ben Morgenrood
• Best grand saloon – Mercedes-Benz S-Class
• Rookie of the Year – Michael van Rooyen
• Best hot hatch – Renault Megane R26
Snap-on Exclusive Video Inspection Device

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workshop, and is not limited to this market either. Even sold to spark plug holes. Its high intensity LED directs light where it is
bird watchers as a NON-INTRUSIVE device for nest viewing, needed, and a long obedient shaft gives it added reach, with
the uses are many. A nice feature is that Information can be good flexibility. And excellent image quality ensures clear
downloaded from the BK5500 & saved to PC with the pur- vision. This great innovation comes in a blow moulded carry
chase of an AV to PC adaptor (not supplied with unit). This case, and its two year warranty gives peace of mind.
adaptor would need to be purchased from a security outlet or
similar gadget shop. The unit currently retails at the introduc-
tory price of R 5,767 incl vat, and is exclusively available from
Snap-on Africa (Pty) Ltd and/or Authorised Snap-on Dealers.
A 180cm flexible shaft will be available as an optional extra
later on this year.
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KIT Group kits out Solution puzzle on p24

Traffic Freeflow
Pointsmen and
Pointswomen
The Kit Group has redesigned, manufac-
tured and sponsored new uniforms for the
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committed to alleviating traffic congestion
in Gauteng. This initiative provides jobs
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at the same time offering their invaluable
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74 April 2009
ANSWERS ANSWERS
1. Wing Commodore Andy Green. 11. American.
2. Blood Hound. 12. Citroën 2CV
3. Verneukpan. 13. A calliper brake working on the rim just like a bicycle.
4. David Brown. 14. Pollsmor – on the site of the current jail.
5. Alfa Romeo – see it in the museum in Arese. 15. Team Timken
6. Anonima Lombardi Fabbrica Automobili. 16. Tyler Rattray – World 250 Moto-Cross Champion.
7. 25 years. 17. Yamaha.
8. Jody Scheckter and Buller Meyer – both from East London. 18. Toyota, Volkswagen and Ford.
9. Peter du Toit. 19. William Lyons.
10. 375cc. Final engine was 602cc. 20. Sidecars.
April 2009 75
Engine Remanufacturing
The Right Option

You need to replace the engine in one of your company vehicles. What are your
options? You could scrap the vehicle, but the odds are that you will be disposing of
an asset that is making a significant contribution to your balance sheet, and by scrap-
ping you could be transferring this significant amount to your income statement,
unfortunately on the debit side. You could enhance the value of this asset by replac-
ing the engine, but the enhancement may not look so good if you replace with a new
engine. You are running out of options, but then you consider the option of replac-
ing with a remanufactured engine. Now things are looking up, but then someone men-
tions that you could be throwing good money after bad. Then the penny drops. What
about a Remtec remanufactured engine? Case closed.
he major benefit of replacing What if some cost cutting accountant
T with a Remtec remanufactures

engine is that it is made to the
same standards and uses the
same parts as a new engine, but it comes at
a big cost saving. An ancillary benefit is
finds a bargain basement refurbished
engine? The discussion should stop right
there. The differences between remanufac-
turing and refurbishment/reconditioning
are quite stark. It should be emphasised
peace of mind: the remanufactured engine that a remanufactured engine has been
comes with a nationwide 12 month/100 completely restored to OEM specifica-
000 km warranty. Peace of mind is rein- tions; utilising quality components
forced with the knowledge that Remtec sourced from OEM's or OEM approved
has a nationwide support network, with suppliers, with the equivalent of a new
access to workshops around the country as product warranty. Throughout the reman-
well as having 6 Technical Representatives ufacturing process, stringent standards and
established in key geographical locations. procedures are observed in terms of ISO
And Remtec is definitely not a fly by night 9001, an internationally recognised tech-
operation nor a Johnny come lately. With nical standard. This therefore results in a
Remtec you get immense experience and product comparable to that of a new prod-
longevity, with over 40 years service to the uct, with the same level of protection for
industry and as such is the only OE the end user. On the other hand, a refur-
remanufacturer in the country. bished/reconditioned engine has been
and core stores. That’s not all. Remtec also repaired and brought back to a running
All these advantages are diluted if you have has an extensive range of remanufactured condition without particular standards
to wait for the engine, but fortunately with engines, with well over 200 different being observed. Although this approach
Remtec you have minimal downtime: engines in their armoury, all built to exact- may sometimes appear to be less expensive,
Remtec remanufactured engines are nor- ing standards and of the highest quality, it does not provide meaningful protection
mally available from stock and can be endorsed by South Africa's leading motor to the end user and does therefore not rep-
shipped anywhere in the country. This manufacturers. Remtec has an ISO 9001 resent a cost effective long term solution.
allows the engine to be replaced and the Quality Management System certification
vehicle back on the road in the wink of an in addition to SABS accreditation for the Problem solved and debate ended.
eye. Remtec currently has almost 4 000 remanufacture of petrol engines and the Visit www.remtec.co.za for more
engines in finished goods; work in process refurbishment of diesel engines. information.
76
April 2009
Guild News
Tyla Rattray and Roger
McCleery honoured
Tyla Rattray, who became the third South African in 16 years to win a
motocross world championship, taking the hotly contested MX2 title in
2008 in a season that included a round in Nelspruit, South Africa, is the
2008 Bridgestone/Guild of Motoring Journalists Motor Sportsman of the
Year. Three other motor sportsmen were nominated for the prestigious
award, which was first won in 1964 and has been sponsored by Bridgestone
for the past 16 years. They were Hennie Groenewald, winner of the WesBank
V8 Supercars championship for the third year in succession; Graeme Nathan,
overall Bridgestone Production Car Champion in a class B SEAT Leon
Cupra; and Leeroy Poulter, who won both the European Rotax Max
Challenge DD2 championship and the Rotax Max Challenge DD2 World
Final at La Conca in Italy. Winner of the Colin Watling Award for special
achievement in motor sport by someone other than a competitor was Roger
McCleery, doyen of South Africa’s motor sport commentators and radio
motoring presenters, for his long and tireless contribution to local motor rac-
ing. To most South African fans he is the voice of local motor racing and his
always-enthusiastic delivery makes him a great ambassador for the sport. Also
nominated for the Colin Watling Award were Brian Cook, the driving force
behind the long-running WesBank V8 championship for 25 years; Neil
Curtis of The Kart Shoppe, a former kart racer, for his contribution to the
development of karting in South Africa; and the Kyalami Marshals’
Association, whose members not only voluntarily perform their duties at
Kyalami but also at motor sport events around the country.
Car of the Year Announced

The South African (motorpics)
Guild of Motoring
Journalists (SAGMJ)
announced the Honda
Accord 2.4 Executive
as South Africa’s
2009 Car of the Year
(COTY) at a gala ban-
quet at Gallagher
Convention Centre,
Midrand, on Tuesday
17 March. The
awards function, (motorpics)
hosted by competition
sponsor WesBank,
was attended by the
who’s who of the
South African motor-
ing industry.
April 2009 77
Partinform
The Mountain Goes to Montana

Partinform, South Africa’s longest running and most informative parts forum, visited the
sunny and humid climes of northern Pretoria on the evening of the 26th February 2009,
to unveil its revamped guise to participants and guests from near and far. This was an
auspicious event, in that it was the first Partinform to be held under the umbrella of the
new Automotive Aftermarket Manufacturers Association (AAMA), and as per usual it did
not disappoint with its mixture of networking, bonhomie, information, edutainment, and
rounded off with a quiz show with a difference. Four stunning prizes on offer to the lucky
recipients, with the top prize the most stunning of all; an opportunity to participate in a
Ferrari Track Experience, put together by Forza Racing.
A verdant venue a silver bullet
SKF top mount kits are available with bearings in

a variety of configurations – sheet metal type, composite type,
small thrust and deep groove ball, and integrated MacPherson
Bearing. All kits are twin packs complete with rubber pads, new
mounting nuts and screws. SKF advises that the top mount kits
should be replaced every time you replace shocks; this will obviate
tyre wear, wheel alignment problems, vibration, instability and
traction loss. The advantage with SKF product is that you are
getting OE quality at aftermarket prices.
78 April 2009
Partinform
Thinking outside the box is required in the current economic crisis. In

this case, Federal-Mogul has thought about the box, with a
co-branding promotion on Ferodo brake pads and Champion spark
plugs. Federal-Mogul have focused on the popular taxi applications,
with the Ferodo front brake pad sets for the taxis with the 3Y and 4Y
engines. Thus the part no’s FDB579 and FDB388 have
acquired a suffix CH to denote four free Champion N9YC
spark plugs, giving the consumer an excellent inflation
fighting deal with free plugs to the retail value of R40 on
each set of brake pads purchased. Launched on 1st
February 2009 to encourage the use of Champion
spark plugs, the initial response was so overwhelming
that the publicity campaign was delayed for two
weeks to allow the outlets to get sufficient stock on
their shelves. This campaign will run for an
indefinite period – a true case of boxing clever.
GUD ’s pollen filter

(cabin air filter) range has grown to 51
numbers, covering 23 manufacturers and 552 vehi-
cle models. The good news for South Africa from a
consumer and balance of payments point of view is
that these pollen filters are to be manufactured
locally at GUD’s Atlantis plant from the second
quarter of 2009, with 75% of this
production to be exported and 25% for local
consumption. Pollen filters are now being fitted in
the majority of new vehicles, as they provide enor-
mous health and environmental benefits – see pg 58
of ABR’s February 2009 issue for more details.
n display are the ATE brake pads with different formulations for differ-
Fram ’s diesel filtration medium
has evolved significantly over the past few
O ent applications, developed to handle the specific requirements for each
vehicle, i.e. load carry, size of vehicle, power output, etc. And specifical-
ly for the different uses of these vehicles, such as normal use, or taxi use, or
years. Cellulose was fine in the days of yore, bakkies that are used in a commercial environment, translating into a
when diesel engines did the donkey work and combination of safety and durability, giving better costs
definitely did not win le Mans. Now, with per braking kilometre. With the prolifera-
highly sophisticated power plants, tolerances tion of new entry vehicles,
Ate pads can also
are critical and combined with the high pres-
improve the braking of
sures from the fuel pumps, diesel has to be these emerging vehicles
clean to the nth degree. Pore size is now so and the life of the pads.
fine, that a hybrid synthetic/cellulose medium With one specific example,
that is fused together is now required (as dis- Ate claims to have replaced
played by Rob Stone) – this is the medium of the original with Ate, and to
have increased the life of
choice worldwide for most diesel fuel filters.
the pads from 6 000km to
30 000km!
April 2009 79
Partinform
eyance Technologies Africa is now using the Partinform
V platform to market its variety of industrial hose and

power transmission belts, creating increased brand
awareness about the broad range of quality Goodyear
Engineered Products accessible to the South African
After Market. “Due to increasing interest in this line of Goodyear
Engineered Products, we took the decision to “get on board” with
Partinform, and we are looking forward to participating at future
events, as the Partinform Shows provide an important arena for show-
casing quality products and services,” commented Christo Stroebel
(Product Manager for Goodyear Industrial Hose & PTP).
Loctite’s number one seller is the

oil resistant, grease resistant, sensor safe 5699 Grey
Flange Sealant, a high performance RTV Silicone
gasket maker. Designed for high-torque applications,
the 5699 sealant remains flexible and withstands
temperatures from -59º to 329º Celsius, making it
ideal for sumps and gearboxes. Other important
properties are its non-corrosive and low odour char-
acteristics.
80 April 2009
Partinform
Beware – a watchdog with teeth

Colin Murphy, in his address at the function, drew the industry’s
attention to the mooted Consumer Protection Bill, which will place
a great onus on suppliers, producers, importers and distributors, to
ensure that the product that they supply to consumers is of sound
quality. Colin referred particularly to Section 61 of the Act, which
deals with the liability for damage caused by goods. This section
holds everyone in the supply chain jointly and severally liable for
harm caused by defective or unsafe goods, including economic loss.
Partinform chairman and co-ordinator, Colin Murphy and Monique Piest,

standing in front of the Ferrari 360 Challenge Car, which is used in the
Ferrari Track Experience.
Competition Corner
Frik Nel of Frik Nel Motors reacts ecstatically when
he realises that the stainless steel briefcase held by his
lady of choice contains the magical picture – Frik will
be attending the Forza Racing Ferrari Track
Experience in November 2009, courtesy of
Partinform. All Frik had to do was to affirm that SKF
supplies top shock mount kits, and that got him into
the draw. The next winner could be you – just make
sure that you attend the next Partinform in your area:
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, you also have
a chance to win a Forza Racing Ferrari Track
Experience. All you have to do is answer these three
simple questions:
1. Ferodo and Champion products are now available in one box. Name the products.
2. When will Partinform visit Port Elizabeth?
3. Partinform falls under the umbrella of AAMA, of which Malcolm Perrie is chairman. Who is the chairman of 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:________________________________________________________________________________________
April 2009 81
How to make an “OE Quality” brake hose quickly

and easily that meets the specification
SABS3996 (ISO3996)
1 2
The operator identifies the correct end fittings and cuts the
brake hose to the required length. Fittings and brake hose
Customer brings in old or damaged brake hose as a
must be from the same manufacturer to ensure compat-
sample.
ibility.
3 4
Crimp end fittings to the rubber brake hose using Measure crimped, sleeve section of the end fitting to ensure
approved crimping equipment, to the correct crimp speci- it meets the correct specification.
fication.
5 6
The operator must conduct the specified tests and record
the results on the relevant test certificate.. Supply your customer with the new “OE Quality” brake
hose. The time taken to assemble this brake hose is
+/- 5 minutes.
82 April 2009
Industry Update
Feeling the Pulse

In our March 2009 issue, ABR described how Patrick Latouche, general
manager of Sparepro, found comfort in figures when confronted with a seemingly
intractable situation. Yes, he is a man who loves to analyse, and measure, and plot
intricate graphs. Not surprising for someone with a B.Comm and an MBA. However,
Patrick is definitely not a one-dimensional manager. He merely uses his analytical
skills to build a solid foundation, which serves as a launching pad for his true pas-
sion. This passion is the building of relationships, a philosophy which fits hand in
glove with the customer care concepts discussed in this month’s editorial comment,
and it would not be out of place in the Trilogy Customer C.A.R.E. Programme, which
makes its debut this month on page 42
Patrick Latouche and his motivated sales team
atrick bemoans the traditional relationships that many were encouraged to work as a team, and were incentivised
P distributors and wholesalers have with their customers;

basically taking orders via phone or fax, with the sole
proactive element in this scenario being the telesales
staff phoning customers to elicit orders. No physical contact and
definitely no relationship to talk about. When Patrick took over
accordingly. Individual performance is still recognised, but the
supplemental ingredient of team performance and company per-
formance in the incentive package, spread across all departments;
the sales team, the technical (product development) team, the
warehouse (sales support) team, and the accounts team, has
as general manager at Sparepro, he took the conscious decision to added a new dimension to Sparepro. No longer is it every man
shift this paradigm. This required not only moving the goal for himself, it is now a co-operative effort, bonding the teams,
posts; it also required moving the field! Taking the sales team out bonding the company, and creating a new dynamic, which allows
of their comfort zone initially met with resistance, as “radical” Patrick to introduce new concepts that are not only welcomed
manoeuvres are never truly embraced by entrenched mindsets. It and accepted; they are enthusiastically embraced by a rejuvenat-
is human nature to resist change. Even Barack Obama is facing ed people corps. This bodes well for an exciting future. Growth
resistance as he endeavours to pull America out of its economic will no longer be merely organic by nature; it will be vibrant and
crisis. With perseverance, transparency and sincerity, Patrick green field, and created from opportunities identified by a team
slowly won the sales team over, one by one, and now the results consistently feeling the pulse of the market.
are coming through. Sales are up, and Sparepro is growing.
More on feeling the pulse in the next issue of Automotive
What exactly were these radical changes? Firstly, the salesmen Business Review.
84 April 2009
Fast Wheels
2009 F1 SEASON
by Roger McCleery UNDER WAY AT LAST
y the time you read this, the way, if the field has dropped below 18 chief peddler and sorter outer of cars. He is
B
2009 Formula 1 Season will starters, Max was going to fill the field backed up at times by his Brazilian team-
have got under way in with upgraded F2 cars. In reality this is not mate, Nelson Piquet. Alonso could be the
Melbourne. For Formula 1 a bad idea and why not do it anyway, and champ at the end of this year.
fans, March 29th could not maybe make a customer car available as
have come fast enough after well. Toyota has to do well. Thank heavens they
a break of five months give or take a week didn’t pull out like Honda. Jarno Trulli is
or two. Thankfully the Summer GP, or With all that behind us, what can we now more than a hot shoe qualifier. Timo
Silly Season as they call it, is over. First expect in 2009? Rory Byrne headed up the Glock is going to surprise everyone now he
came the signing up of drivers and all the team that decided on the aerodynamic and is deeply into Formula 1. New signing,
rumours surrounding that . Then once the slick tyre package in an effort to make GP Swiss Sebastian Buemi and American
limited official testing was under way just cars able to pass each other easier. Lap Champ. Car champion, Frenchman
about all teams posted the fastest time at times he said would be about 2 seconds a Sebastian Bourdais, (there are a lot of
one time or another using the new lap slower although you wouldn’t really Sebastians in Formula 1) are in the Torro
Bridgestone slick tyres. notice that. I have never known GP cars Rosso team with Ferrari power. Don’t
over the last 50 years to ever go slower, underestimate them. Sebastian Vettel, the
One never knows what compounds of whatever the rules say. With less turbu- German has moved over to the Red Bull
tyres are actually being used or the fuel lence behind the 2009 set up and with a Renault powered cars with Mark Webber.
load that they are carrying which can make look that we all have to get used to, will it The Aussie is recovering from a broken leg
a huge difference to lap times. Anyway it is improve passing? We will see. A1 GP cars after falling off his mountain bike. Vettel
good to keep the opposition guessing until and other single seaters from other formu- is another real talent with a great attitude.
Round 1 arrives. At the beginning of las with smaller wings, pass and re-pass
March only 18 cars were in the line-up. each other with relative ease I don’t know about the Williams Team.
Anything under this number, according to From top of the pile to being a struggler
FIA Rules, says that races cannot be part of For those using the KERS (Kinetic Energy down in the pack in just a few years. Nico
the World Championship. Recovery System) they will find more Rosberg and Kazuki Nakajima are two
power to call on from time to time at the goers of note and have proved it.
Honda pulled out at the end of December touch of a button. This is from the heat Williams – its funny to be saying that -
after 50 years in GP Motor Sport citing generated by the back wheels under brak- could be the dark horse of the whole show.
dropping vehicles sales worldwide (true). ing. Don’t ask me how it works, but they Let’s hope they get their slice of the action.
This gave the entire F1 circus a wake-up say it does. Williams and Toyota are not We have mentioned the Brawn GP team
call. First to start seriously cutting costs as using this system yet. Now about the with regular runners, Jenson Button and
outlined by Max Moseley, boss man of the teams and their prospects. Funnily Rubens Barricello, who with the right car
FIA, and secondly to try and get a buyer enough, just about all the teams are in with could be up front and could cause a real
for the Honda Team with its latest 2009 a chance – some of course more than oth- shake-up of F1. Force India – like Brawn –
car already developed and ready to go. ers. World Champion, Lewis Hamilton have now Mercedes Benz power and two
Also it was to try and keep the specialised with his MBE from the Queen safe in the talented pilots, Adrian Sutil and Giancarlo
manpower that make up this GP team back pocket of his overalls, must start as Fisicella – a former World Karting
under top F1 racing man, Ross Brawn, favourite. Kovalainen, his teammate I am Champion. After months of doubt,
together. Brawn of course engineered sure is going to play wingman, in the new Formula 1 GP is starting to come togeth-
Michael Schumacher to seven world titles McLaren, which hasn’t exactly set the er. True form will be seen in a few races
in Bennetons and Ferraris. Both have now world alight so far. Don’t be fooled. They time when the teams get back to Europe in
happened. Costs certainly have started to do this every year. May after their Far East Tour to start using
drop and Ross Brawn has bought the the new bits they are developing all the
Honda Team and all its assets. The vehicles Ferrari have tested well and are set to go time.
are now called Brawn GP 001 Cars. with their star team. Kimi Raikkonen fell
Whether Ross got the team for free from off his mountain bike I believe. He has had
Honda or on long-term credit, or financed less seat time to that enjoyed by Filipe
partly by Bernie Ecclestone, or whatever – Massa. By Race 2 these two teams - Enjoy!
who cares – they are in the line-up with McLaren and Ferrari - will start slugging it
Nic Fry as CEO or MD. Good news is out again on all circuits. BMW are going
that Jenson Button on his debut on his to do well. Their driver line up of Pole,
first drive was right on the pace with his Robert Kubica and Nick Heidfield – not
new V8 Mercedes Benz engine, which are the best of mates they say – have settled in
being used only this year. Three teams have and have both got contracts. But wait
this power bolted behind the driver – there are others. Renault mainly because
McLaren, Brawn and Force India. By the they have Spaniard, Fernando Alonso as
April 2009 85
The Last Writes by Baron Claude Borlz
More gems from my readers:

An Urban Legend?
A woman from Soweto rented a Citroen C4 in
JHB. She drove from JHB to Bloemfontein ..
Approximately 220km from JHB the car stopped
.........still in 1st gear!! SHE THOUGHT IT WAS an
AUTOMATIC! She apparently said when the car stopped, “So
where to now?” She has been nominated for the Nobel Prize for
Physics.
Voted Best Joke in Ireland 2007 sitting in church beside me wife.' 'Oh, that is very nice indeed,
John!' Mary said. The next day, Mary ran into one of John's
John O'Reilly hoisted his beer and said, 'Here's to spending drinking buddies on the street corner. The man chuckled leer-
the rest of me life!, between the legs of me wife!' That won him ingly and said, 'John won the prize the other night at the pub
the top prize at the pub for the best toast of the night! He went with a toast about you, Mary.' She said, 'Aye, he told me, and
home and told his wife, Mary, 'I won the prize for the Best I was a bit surprised myself. You know, he's only been there
toast of the night.' She said, 'Aye, did ye now. And what was twice in the last four years. Once he fell asleep, and the other
your toast?' John said, 'Here's to spending the rest of me life, time I had to pull him by the ears to make him come.'
Negative People - WHO NEEDS THEM?

his is something to think about when negative peo- He'll look the size of an ant. Boy, good luck on this lousy trip of
T ple are doing their best to rain on your parade.

Remember this story the next time someone tries to
make your life miserable. A woman was at her hair-
dresser's getting her hair done for a trip to Rome
with her husband. She mentioned the trip to the hairdresser, who
responded: "Rome? Why would anyone want to go there? It's
crowded and dirty. You're crazy to go to Rome. So, how are you
yours. You're gonna need it." A month later, the woman again came
in for a hairdo. The hairdresser asked her about her trip to Rome.
"It was wonderful," explained the woman, "Not only were we on
time in one of SAA's brand new Airbus planes, but it was over-
booked and they bumped us up to first class. The food and wine
were wonderful, and I had a handsome 28-year-old steward who
waited on me hand and foot. And the hotel was great! They'd just
getting there?" “We're taking SAA" was the reply. "We got a great finished a $5 million remodeling job and now it's a jewel, the finest
rate!" "SAA?" exclaimed the hairdresser. "That's a terrible airline. hotel in the city. They, too were over-booked, so they apologized and
Their planes are old, their flight attendants are ugly, and they're gave us their owner's own suite at no extra charge!" "Well," muttered
always late. "So, where are you staying in Rome?" "We'll be at this the hairdresser, "that's all well and good, but I know you didn't get
exclusive little place over on Rome's Tiber River called Teste." to see the Pope." "Actually, we were quite lucky, because as we
"Don't go any further. I know that place. Everybody thinks it's toured the Vatican, a Swiss Guard tapped me on the shoulder, and
gonna be something special and exclusive, but it's really a dump, explained that the Pope likes to meet some of the visitors, and if I'd
the worst hotel in the city! The rooms are small, the service is surly, be so kind as to step into his private room and wait, the Pope would
and they are overpriced. So, whatcha' doing when you get there?" personally greet us. Sure enough, five minutes later, the Pope walked
"We're going to go to see the Vatican and we hope to see the through the door and shook my hand, I knelt down, kissed his ring
Pope." "That's rich," laughs the hairdresser. "You and a million and he spoke with me a while." "Oh, really! What'd he say?" "The
other people are trying to see him. Pope said: "Where'd you get that kak hairdo?"
A glimpse of the future????
This place should be avoided, unless

you’re into this sort of thing….
86 April 2009

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Automotive Business Review April 2009

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ABR April 2009:Layout 1 3/31/09 8:07 AM Page 2

3 Making the Difference

Making the Difference

3 The Phoenix Making the Difference

8 What’s the Buzz

13 Industry Update Motor Industry Shows Faith in South Africa

17 Cover Story The Prufe of the Pudding

22 Auto Topical Magical Medicine Show

23 e-CAR A Project of Note

24 The Chery Story Emulating the Bamboo Shoot

26 Vehicle Evaluation Down the Hatch

28 Frankly Speaking Heads or Tails?

30 Managing the Risks Small Measures; Big Savings

32 Tony’s Take Privatising Profit – Socialising Losses

34 Weighty Issues Quo Vadis the Truck Market

36 Tyre Safety Tyres’ Contribution to Safety in Motoring

38 Personal Profile Q & A with Phonnie Cilliers

39 Lux Lite Peter’s Soap Box

40 Diamond Dialogues Unscrambling the Code

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

71 Wilde Things South Africa’s National Lampoon

72 AutoZone News Auto Electrical One Stop Shop

76 Engine Remanufacturing The Right Option

77 Guild News Guild Awards

78 Partinform The Mountain Goes to Montana

84 Industry Update Feeling the Pulse

85 Fast Wheels 2009 F1 Season Under Way at Last

86 The Last Writes

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

What’s the Buzz?

Cars in Action revealed an exclusive in late February

(motorpics) Audi goes back to its roots - The new Audi TT RS

Automotive veteran to CPI Issues Call For

Honouring Toyota’s Top Dealers

What’s the Buzz?

Corobrik presentation to Minister

Mzantsi Truck and

Dare to go bear in Panda’s new colours

What’s the Buzz?

RENAULT'S POWERTRAIN RANGE: A CLEAN BREAK IN TERMS OF CO2 EMISSIONS

Five Stars for Mazda6 in Euro NCAP Safety Test

Two new five-cylinder

Fiat is Europe’s Greenest NAAMSA “STILL SOME GOOD NEWS

F georg Niefer, president and CEO

n 16th March it was Mahindra’s

O turn. During the launch of its

What’s the Buzz?

CADFund opens office in Johannesburg

T vention Centre was

Imperial Holdings launches an intensive management

The Prufe of the Pudding

I in Long Street, Cape Town, shortly thereafter to be bought

Shatterprufe maintains the highest global

Know the facts before you buy

Before you replace your windscreen or side glass, here

• Can the glass be repaired rather than replaced?

I Can See Clearly Now

S sliding-window designer and manufacturer in Southern

Manufacturer – float & patterned tres in South Africa, Botswana,

Retailer – Network of installers Laminate film distributor

Magic Medicine Show

e-CAR – a Project of Note

H from the street as an e-CAR member, with strong

a port of call for motorists seeking dependable auto electrical and