MOTORING - The African Mirror

Aug

19

2020

Ford’s Mr Muscles…”The Rock”

MOTORING

AFRICAN MIRROR REPORTER WHOEVER coined the “Big and Bold” must have had a vehicle like Ford Ranger Raptor in mind. The Ford Ranger Raptor is big, rugged and muscular. It’s a big package that’s impossible not to notice. This is one vehicle that makes a statement. It is higher and bigger than average cars, bigger than most 4x4 in its category. It has a presence. We had many people gawking at us in this car than in other exotic vehicles. And the Ford Ranger Raptor talks. It delivers a specific narrative. One that shouts, in bold language and says: “I…

Aug

23

2020

By The African Mirror

Tribute to doyen of SA Motoring Journalism

MOTORING

AFRICAN MIRROR REPORTER 06THE South African Motoring Guild of Motoring Journalists (SAMGJ) has paid a warm tribute to Jannie Herbst, a legend of media motoring in the country, who has passed on. Herbst, 72, died on his birthday, August 19, two weeks after he had suffered a stroke. The SAMGJ described Herbst as a masterful organiser who always made a plan to get things done. He would also be remembered for his enthusiasm, resourcefulness, determination and his total commitment to being good to those around him. “Jannie was very involved in the Guild In the early 'eighties up to the…

Sep

02

2020

By The African Mirror

Audi connect transforms vehicle into digital hub

MOTORING

AFRICAN MIRROR REPORTER Audi is set to introduce technology that will bring real-time online connectivity to the driving experience with a host of features linking the car, driver and environment via the smartphone. The motor vehicle manufacturer has announced the imminent arrival of Audi Connect, software that provides full integrated in-car connectivity, transforming the vehicle into a digitally connected hub for the driver. Audi Connect will be introduced with the new A4 model. Audi South Africa says that the new software takes the comfort and enjoyment of driving to a whole new level, by providing a range of infotainment, entertainment,…

Sep

18

2020

By The African Mirror

VW changes gear in Ghana to promote a green lifestyle

MOTORING

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

10

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

01

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

13

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

13

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

13

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

26

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…