MOTORING - The African Mirror

Jun

18

2020

How Nissan is supporting the war against COVID-19

MOTORING

JOVIAL RANTAO ONE OF Nissan’s African operations is at the heart of the company’s global response to the COVID-19, the virus that has infected millions, killed hundreds of thousands and wreaked havoc in economies across Africa and the world. Nissan is using its manufacturing capacity to produce ventilators and personal protective equipment (PPE) which form a crucial part in the arsenal used to fight the virus. To produce the ventilators and PPEs, Nissan has mobilized its global capabilities in the areas of manufacturing and transportation – along with thousands of employees who have contributed their time, energy and skills. From…

Jun

17

2020

By The African Mirror

Ford Figo launch

MOTORING

JOVIAL RANTAO NEW and tough ways of doing business, brought to the world by Covid-19, the virus that has changed life the way we know it, has forced companies to change the way they do business. So, how does a motor manufacturer launch a new model at a time of working from home and social distancing? Ford Motors South Africa has not only moved with the times but displayed admirable agility when it held its historic virtual launch of its latest addition to its family. The new Ford Figo Freestyle - described by the manufacturers as the “cool, connected and…

Jul

11

2020

By The African Mirror

Volkswagen’s new T-Roc is here!

MOTORING

MOTORING CORRESPONDENT THE HIGHLY competitive SUV vehicle market in South Africa has just got spicy and interesting. One of the country’s leading manufacturers, VW, has produced a formidable new addition to its impressive SVU range. Say hello to the T-Roc! The T-Roc, a compact crossover, joins the VW SUV family and now a sibling to the T-Cross, the Tiguan, the Tiguan Allspace and the Touareg. VW says its new baby brings fresh impetus to the compact SUV class and sets a new benchmark in the SUV segment with its functionality, dynamic handling and technology. “The T-Roc, which slots above the…

Jan

19

2021

By The African Mirror

Ford Ranger sales remain resilient

MOTORING

THE locally assembled Ford Ranger remains one of South Africa’s most popular new vehicles and the country’s leading light commercial vehicle (LCV) export throughout 2020, despite the constrained economic climate, exacerbated by the impact of the global COVID-19 pandemic. A total of 18 846 Ford Rangers were sold in South Africa last year, placing it amongst the overall top three models on the local sales charts – with the number of units retailed recovering rapidly from June 2020 once the nationwide hard-lockdown was eased. The Ranger recorded its peak sales for the 2020 year in September (2 188 units), October…

Mar

12

2021

By The African Mirror

South African-built Ford Ranger awarded CAR Top 12 Best Buys title for 10th consecutive year

MOTORING

THE Ford Ranger has firmly cemented its place as one of South Africa’s best pickups after being selected as the winner in CAR Magazine’s 2021 Top 12 Best Buys in the double-cab pickup category for an unprecedented 10th consecutive year. The annual CAR Top 12 Best Buys Awards is one of South Africa’s longest-running and most respected automotive industry awards – conducted by the country’s largest and oldest motoring publication. “A big factor in CAR’s Best Buy awards is the legacy vote. If a vehicle has won nine times before – as is the case with the Ford Ranger –…

Mar

12

2021

By The African Mirror

Introducing the Audi SQ7 and SQ8

MOTORING

AUDI has unveiled the SQ7 and the SQ8 with a V8 diesel engine in the high-performance Special Utility Vehicle (SUV) segment. In terms of their suspension, the Audi SQ7 and SQ8 offer many high-tech components, but it’s their aggressive and sporty design as well as their connectivity and technology features which rounds off the package really well. The large S models are now available for sale in South Africa as part of a limited, once-off TDI engine launch opportunity. With a total of 310 kW and 900 Nm of torque, the 4.0 TDI has an easy job with the Audi…

Mar

26

2021

By The African Mirror

New Roush Mustang with more power and style confirmed for SA

MOTORING

THE arrival of the new 2021 Roush Mustang commemorates the 25th anniversary of Roush Performance Products, with the first Roush Mustang making its debut in 1996. Roush has continued to build on that heritage with proven performance upgrade packages that all hark back to the eponymous Jack Roush. Jack Roush began his automotive career as an engine development engineer for Ford Motor Company in 1964 before going on to establish Performance Engineering in 1976. Relying on his passion for motorsport, and particularly drag and oval racing, Roush began selling designs and components that met higher engineering standards. The 2021 Roush…

Jul

21

2020

By The African Mirror

Test Drive: Ford Everest, a smooth family ride

MOTORING

JOVIAL RANTAO BUYING a car is a major decision. Accordingly, there are key questions that we ask ourselves before settling on the purchase of a vehicle. The first of these questions is, what attracts you to the car? The second question is the functionality of the car, from the way it drives to its interface with new technology. The third question to be answered is the important and monumental issue of safety. What are the safety features that will make you buy this car. The last, and perhaps the most important question, is how the vehicle fits into your lifestyle…

Aug

09

2020

By The African Mirror

Volkswagen opens vehicle assembly facility in Ghana

MOTORING

AFRICAN MIRROR REPORTER ONE of the world’s leading vehicle manufacturers - Volkswagen - has expanded its front in Sub-Saharan Africa, with the official opening of a vehicle assembly facility in Accra, Ghana. With this investment, Ghana has become the 5th Volkswagen vehicle assembly location in Sub-Saharan Africa; the other locations are in South Africa, Kenya, Nigeria and Rwanda. The President of Ghana, Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo presided over the official opening of a facility that has created jobs in Ghana. Akufo-Addo witnessed the unveiling of the first vehicle assembled in Ghana. The country’s Minister of Trade and Industry, Alan Kyerematen,…

Aug

13

2020

By The African Mirror

Mazda unveils all-new BT-50

MOTORING

AFRICAN MIRROR REPORTER THE partnership between Mazda and Isuzu has produced a unique product, the Mazda BT-50 bakkie. Fully redesigned for the first time in nine years, the new Mazda BT-50 is supplied by Isuzu Motor Limited on an OEM basis, and the vehicle will go on sale under the Mazda brand name starting in the Australian market in the latter half of 2020. Since its debut in 2006, the Mazda BT-50 has been sold mainly in regions including Oceania, ASEAN, Central, South America, the Middle East and Africa. According to Mazda, the second fully-redesigned model aims to bring customers…