MOTORING - The African Mirror

Dec

05

2020

Women empowerment takes centre stage in Ford’s 4 300 km “RangeHer” mission

MOTORING

FORD Motor Company of Southern Africa (FMCSA) is stepping up its efforts to inspire women, and kicked off the second part of its RangeHer campaign with a 4 300km drive across South Africa to support rural communities. Ford RangeHer is a new global campaign that aims to highlight extraordinary women in their respective countries and industries as they take the next steps in their careers and personal lives, with the ‘Built Ford Tough’ Ranger pickup helping them to achieve their goals – and, crucially, enabling them to help others. “With RangeHer, we are demonstrating that individuals have the power to change…

Jan

26

2021

By The African Mirror

Death of diesel looms as carmakers accelerate to electric future

MOTORING

GILLES GUILLAUME The world's biggest diesel engine factory in Tremery, eastern France, is undergoing a radical overhaul - it's switching to make electric motors. From less than 10% of output in 2020, electric motor production at Tremery will double to around 180,000 in 2021, and is planned to reach 900,000 a year - or more than half the plant's peak pre-pandemic output - by 2025. The shift is testament to a car industry in flux. Demand for diesel cars has slumped since a 2015 pollution scandal, while tough new EU regulations, which fine carmakers for exceeding emissions limits, are pushing…

Sep

08

2021

By The African Mirror

Meet the Palisade, an exciting new flagship SUV for Hyundai in SA

MOTORING

THE highly competitive SUV and crossover segment in the South African car market has received an impressive new addition with the launch of the Hyundai Palisade, the Korean brand’s new local flagship model. The formidable Palisade – with an overall length just short of 5 meters – takes its place in the local Hyundai SUV line-up next to its slightly smaller sibling, the Santa Fe, as well as the Tucson, Creta and the compact Venue. The range is also complemented by the recently upgraded Kona crossover. Hyundai’s Palisade flagship SUV brings exceptional comfort, space, technology and safety in a large…

Sep

02

2021

By The African Mirror

Ford Ranger Raptor gets an upgrade

MOTORING

THERE is some good news for Ford Ranger Raptor lovers. Ford has announced that the Ranger Raptor – the toughest, highest-performing variant of one of South Africa’s best-selling bakkies – has received an upgrade and a new special edition of the vehicle is set for launch. The motor vehicle manufacturer revealed that the new Ranger Raptor Special Edition would be built in limited numbers to ensure exclusivity. According to ford, the new edition enhances the thoroughbred bakkie’s commanding exterior and premium interior with the addition of several functional and styling enhancements – from eye-catching decals and red accents to the…

Feb

11

2021

By The African Mirror

Ford’s R15-billion investment in South Africa

MOTORING

TOP African motor vehicle manufacturer - Ford - has unveiled a massive investment of R15.8-billion (US$1.05 billion) in its South African manufacturing operations. The investment, announced in Pretoria in the presence of South African President Cyril Ramaphosa and Gauteng Premier David Makhura, marked the biggest investment in Ford’s 97-year history in South Africa. It also represents one of the largest-ever investments in the South African automotive industry, boosting Ford’s production capability and creating new jobs. “This investment will further modernize our South African operations, helping them to play an even more important role in the turnaround and growth of our…

Feb

11

2021

By The African Mirror

Mitsubishi Outlander to be first new vehicle ever revealed via Livestream on Amazon Live

MOTORING

MITSUBISHI Outlander's new model -the 2022 - is pushing boundaries, even before it comes out of the box. Through a first-of-its-kind collaboration with Amazon, the 2022 Outlander will be the first vehicle ever unveiled on Amazon Live. The debut will take place on February 16. The reveal will take place on Amazon here. Along with the announcement, Mitsubishi and Amazon have released a video teaser of the World Premiere, which can be found here. Mitsubishi said the Outlander 2020, developed under the ideal "I-Fu-Do-Do," a Japanese term that means "authentic and majestic," demonstrates strength and quality from the inside out. …

Jul

30

2021

By The African Mirror

Audi rolls out the new A3 – sportier and efficient

MOTORING

THE new Audi A3 is ready to roll into the showroom near you and it’s looking like and has features reflecting the new generation it represents. Audi South Africa says the A3 has, with customer delivery of more than 63 000 units in the past two decades, successfully established as firm favourite within the motoring community. “The Audi A3 now combines sportier looks with an efficient drive. In addition, Audi’s successful model range also features a digital operating concept and numerous other innovations. Whether as a five-door Sportback, a four-door Sedan or a performance S derivative – the A3 range…

Feb

16

2021

By The African Mirror

All Jaguar, Land Rover cars to be fully electric by 2030

MOTORING

NICK CAREY JAGUAR Land Rove (JLR)r's car range will be fully electric by 2030 as the carmaker joins a global race to develop zero-emission models to get ahead of looming bans on sales of new fossil-fuel vehicles. JLR, owned by India's Tata Motors, said on Monday the Jaguar brand will lead the way with a fully electric model range built on a brand-new electric platform by 2025. Known for its iconic, high-performance E-Type model in the 1960s and 1970s, Jaguar faces the challenge of many other carmakers - making the transition to electric vehicles while retaining the feeling and power…

Feb

26

2021

By The African Mirror

Work and play with the new Ford Ranger FX4

MOTORING

FORD South Africa has added an alluring combination of distinctive style and innovative connected technology to its Ford Ranger line-up with the launch of the new Ranger FX4. Based on the popular 2.0-litre Single Turbo XLT Double Cab, the Ranger FX4 is available in 4x2 and 4x4 derivatives, offering exceptional capability, unrivalled fuel economy and a superb range of design and functional features – including FordPass Connect which makes its debut on the FX4, and is now standard fitment on all new Ranger XL, XLS, XLT, Wildtrak and Ranger Raptor models. “Following the remarkable success of the Ford Ranger Thunder,…

Jul

12

2021

By The African Mirror

Ford helps to provide water to SA schools

MOTORING

ONE South Africa and Africa’s leading motor vehicle manufacturer has lent a hand to help provide water to drought-stricken school children. Ford has joined hands with the Gift of the Givers Foundation, a leading humanitarian organisation to get boreholes drilled at three schools in Gqeberha, formerly known as Port Elizabeth, in the Eastern Cape. Ford has donated R2.5-million to the Gift of the Givers Foundation to drill boreholes at three schools in Gqeberha (Port Elizabeth). The project also provides funding for the Nelson Mandela Bay Business Chamber (NMBBC) Adopt-a-School initiative to address water leaks and conduct much-needed plumbing maintenance at…