MOTORING - The African Mirror

Sep

2020

VW changes gear in Ghana to promote a green lifestyle

AFRICAN MIRROR REPORTER A motor vehicle manufacturing company and a business that specializes in housing, healthcare and industrial real estate, have formed a unique partnership to promote an environmentally-friendly lifestyle across Ghana. The objectives of the special partnership between VW-Ghana and BlackIvy are: To increase affordability of homes and passenger vehicles in GhanaTo provide modern and green mobility promote a larger value chain for the automotive manufacturing industry at BlackIvy’s WestPark Industrial Park in Ghana’s resource-rich Western Region The strategic collaboration between VW-Ghana and BlackIvy was signed on September 16 in Accra, Ghana, in the presence of Dr Mahamudu Bawumia, the…

Sep

2020

By The African Mirror

Historic milestone for Nissan’s Leaf

MOTORING

AFRICAN MIRROR REPORTER NISSAN, one of the world leaders in the production of zero-emission vehicle, has reached a major milestone - the 500 000th electric car, the LEAF, has rolled off the production line. The production of the 500 000th LEAF co-incided with the celebration of the World EV Day. The milestone was achieved at Nissan’s plant in Sunderland, England, almost a decade after the model first went on sale. The plant has built more than 175,000 LEAF cars since it began producing the model in 2013. Nissan said its manufacturing facilities in Sunderland continue to craft the LEAF to…

Oct

2020

By The African Mirror

South Africa’s auto industry highlights the social and employment cost of innovation

MOTORING

BIANCA IFEOMA CHIGBU, Doctoral candidate, University of Fort Hare PROF FHULU. H. NEKHWEVHA, Acting Executive Dean, Faculty of Social Sciences and Humanities, Teaching and Learning, University of Fort Hare, University of Fort Hare IN South Africa, local operations of international motor manufacturing companies must constantly innovate to meet global demands and offer competitive value. The way work is done is constantly changing. The current technologies adopted in the workplace are ever smarter than those that went before. This trend, driven by economic forces, does not always lead to social improvements. Automation and the use of robots in manufacturing, combined with…

Oct

2020

By The African Mirror

Fiat New 500 wins the “Red Dot Award 2020”

MOTORING

FIAT’S first electric car - the New 500 - has won the “Red Dot Award 2020”, one of the most coveted prizes in the world of industrial design. In line with COVID-19 restrictions, the “Red Dot Awards 2020” ceremony took place online. Fiat New 500 received an award in the Design Concept category, one of the three in the “Red Dot Design Award”. The coveted awards were bestowed by an international jury consisting of 21 of the most renowned design professionals and lecturers in the world. Fiat's new city car received an award for its excellent, unique design and its…

Nov

2020

By The African Mirror

Zambians win big with Isuzu

MOTORING

ZAMBIA has 25 new Isuzu drivers. Twenty-five lucky Zambians who participated in a competition ran by Shoprite Zambia and Isuzu, have driven away with brand new, bright red Isuzu D-MAX pickups. The competition, ran in Shoprite’s 37 branches in Zambia, was to celebrate the supermarket chain’s 25th birthday in the country. The 25 lucky winners were selected out of the more than one million Zambians who entered the competition. The high number of entries made the competition the best participated Shoprite Promotions in 15 African countries, in which Shoprite operates. According to Isuzu Action Auto Limited Zambia dealer principal, Michael…

Nov

2020

By The African Mirror

Meet Honda’s new characterful, exciting compact SUV – the WR-V

MOTORING

AFRICAN MIRROR REPORTER HONDA Southern Africa has just made life in the sports utility lane, extra competitive. The vehicle manufacturer is expanding its presence in the increasingly popular SUV market with the launch of the WR-V – an exciting new addition to its South African line-up that builds on the brand’s established and highly regarded pedigree in the SUV market. Garnering inspiration from two of its best-selling siblings, the Jazz and BR-V, the all-new WR-V exudes a trendy, exciting personality and is certain to be a winning formula. Honda SA says from the bold exterior design to the spacious and…

Nov

2020

By The African Mirror

Nissan launches X-Terra to expand its SUV lineup

MOTORING

AFRICAN MIRROR REPORTER THE world of special utility vehicles (SUV) is about to experience a revolution. Nissan, one of Africa’s biggest vehicle manufacturers has unveiled the all-new Nissan X-Terra, an addition tht further solidifies the brand’s presence in the market. Nissan said the launch of the all-new Nissan X-Terra represents a new addition to the lineup in the region, bolstering the brand’s extensive SUV portfolio, while also addressing customer demands in the rapidly growing D-SUV segment. “It also takes forward the Nissan Next transformation journey, which began earlier this year with the global launch of the Nissan Ariya and continued…

Dec

2020

By The African Mirror

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

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

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…