“There’s a natural tendency for South Africans to look at the negatives of the nation’s economy under lockdown but, if we look on the brighter side, green shoots are in plain view.” – Mark Dommisse, chairman, National Automobile Dealers’ Association JOHANNESBURG, South Africa – Cheering words indeed not only for the auto industry but also… Continue reading ‘Green shoots good news for SA’s auto dealers and economy’
KIA MOTORS SA is recalling 2175 Sorento and Carnival/Sedona units sold in South Africa but assembled in Korea from 2005-2009 to examine their anti-lock brakes and stability control systems. The Corner was told of a possibility that oil or water may have entered the power supply to the ABS module and in ”some instances” this… Continue reading Kia SA recall for 2005-09 Sorento and Sedona models
JOHANNESBURG, South Africa: Most auto brands in South Africa were expecting vehicle sales to have improved through August as pandemic fever subsided and new ways to market automobiles spread. No way. New-vehicle sales remained close to stagnant with the overall market (all channels) down by 11 969 units (26.3%) on August 2019. Sales of passenger… Continue reading Switch to Level 2 no cure for ‘disappointing’ auto sales
LONDON, England – Formula 1 has scrapped all four of its American 2020 event due to the Covid-19 pandemic but added three European legs to the calendar. Canada, Texas, Mexico and Brazil have been ditched, Portugal’s Portimao will host its first F1 event. An F1 communication said posted by the Reuters news agency said: “Due… Continue reading US vetoes all four 2020 F1 races – adds others
Shelby Super Snake shows SA its fangs Latest Mustang capable on road and track SA Shelby Mod Shop joins global chain PRETORIA, South Africa – Limited production, a Le Mans-winning, seven-litre V8, and an 800km test of Goodyear’s latest performance tyres preceded the introduced the first Shelby Super Snake to the world. That was back… Continue reading Shelby Super Snake: Now you can add fangs in SA studio
JOHANNESBURG, South Africa – The new vehicle market returned to its first full month of sales in June 2020 since the Covid lockdown started but the market remains under ”immense pressure”. The National Association of Automobile Manufacturers of SA (Naamsa) told The Corner new vehicle sales were down by 38% down on June 2019 by… Continue reading Vehicle sales look brighter – but beware rising prices for ‘used’
LONDON, England – Robert Kubica has joined Alfa Romeo as the F1 team’s 2020 reserve driver… a role he first filled 14 years earlier when he made his F1 debut with the team then known as BMW Sauber. The deal will also see Polish oil company PKN Orlen, which backed the now 35-year-old’s comeback in… Continue reading Kubica, 35, joins Alfa Romeo as reserve for 2020 F1 series
WINSOR, Canada – The FCA Automotive Research and Development Centre has inaugurated a vehicle dynamics simulator as part of claims is the most advanced driving simulator technology available in North America. It has nine directions of movement and specific driver calibration to closely duplicate actual driving. Tony Mancina, head of engineering at FCA Canada, told… Continue reading FCA simulators take vehicle movement to new level
PRETORIA, South Africa – The man behind the South African Perana-brand fast Fords of the 1960’s and ’70’s, the now 82-year-old Basil Green, has been honoured for his automotive achievements with induction into the South African Hall of Fame. The hall tells the stories of extraordinary SA achievers while recognising their outstanding service and overall… Continue reading Hall of Fame place for SA’s Mr Perana – Basil Green
JOHANNESBURG, Gauteng – The South African National Automobile Dealers’ Association is begging the South African Reserve Bank to consider reducing interest rates after another month of falling vehicle sales. There were 36 922 new vehicle (passenger and commercial) dealer sales through June 2019 (June 2018 was 38 292), 3.6% fewer than June last year. Worse,… Continue reading Auto dealers beg Reserve Bank for interest rates cut
Carman's Corner 