SPECIAL FEATURES - The African Mirror

Jul

21

2020

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…

Aug

19

2020

By The African Mirror

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…