Tiger Wheel & Tyre tops
The results of The Times Sowetan Shopper Survey 2017 are in and they reveal that Tiger Wheel & Tyre continues to dominate the Tyre Fitment category, with what the publisher describes as its “standing in both the market place and in people’s heads.”
This is the ninth time that Tiger Wheel & Tyre has come out tops in the Tyre Fitment category of this annual, national survey conducted by The Sowetan and The Times newspapers in association with leading research house TNS.
Goodyear gets new MD
Jean-Jacques Wiroth, Managing Director of Goodyear South Africa and Sub-Saharan Africa, has called time on his time in this country. Wiroth, who first arrived in the South Africa on assignment eight and half years ago, and will embark on a new assignment at Goodyear Europe, continued in his role until the end of October 2017, facilitating the transition to Darren Hayes-Powell, who commenced his duties this week.
Hayes-Powell joined Goodyear in 2008 Finance Director of UK before moving to Asia, first in support of the new factory build in China then as the Vice President of Finance for Asia. He has recently been Vice President Finance Global Operations.
Mitsubishi’s new brand bid
Mitsubishi Motors Corporation launched its new “Drive your Ambition” global tagline, a strategy that reflects an adventurous and progressive mindset for inspirational design and product, at the 45th Tokyo Motor Show.
The new “Drive your Ambition” drive embraces the Drive for Growth initiative that includes the South African market where the all-new Pajero Sport has just been launched, following in the tracks of the all-new Mitsubishi Triton that made its local debut earlier in 2017.
This will lead to various model renewals and new models, with the new Mitsubishi Eclipse Cross unveiled at the Geneva Motor Show in March this year most probably making its local debut as soon as 2018.
Ford Ranger Tops the Sales Charts in October 2017
The Ford Ranger continues to be one of South Africa’s top vehicle exports to over 148 markets in Europe, the Middle East and Africa. It also led the domestic sales charts for the fifth month this year, and is a leading contender in the rapidly growing double cab segment. Total Ranger sales were 2 855 units – leading South Africa’s overall and light commercial vehicle sales charts for the fifth month in 2017
Ford sold 6 337 vehicles in South Africa during October 2017, 2.6% up on September 2017. The total industry sales ended on 51 037 vehicles, climbing 4.6% compared to October 2016. Passenger car sales improved by 7.9% while the LCV segment saw a decline of 1.7%. Ford claimed 12.4% share of total industry sales for October, 12.5% year-to-date.
Ford Invests R3-billion
Ford Motor Company of Southern Africa announced that it is investing R3-billion ($220-million) to expand production capacity at its South African manufacturing operations in order to meet growing local and international demand for the trend-setting Ford Ranger.
“As part of our strategic planning to accommodate the growing market volumes for the Ranger in South Africa and our export markets, the R3-billion investment will encompass both product and capacity related actions,” said Ockert Berry, vice president Operations, Ford Middle East and Africa.
More Takata airbags recalled
Mitsubishi Motors South Africa (MMSA) announced that the airbag recall campaign for Pajero has now been extended to include the front passenger airbag.
These vehicles, fully imported from Japan, have all been equipped with airbags made by Takata, which has affect over 30 million vehicles from 34 manufacturers world-wide, including Mitsubishi.
The potential defect is possibly due to the airbag inflator being subjected to constant changing of temperatures and high humidity conditions for lengthy periods.
MMSA has started contacting owners of affected vehicles to schedule and arrange the free-of-charge passenger airbag inflator replacement of their Pajeros. The replacement procedure will take approximately two hours.
An online VIN-checker with a FAQ-section is available on the company’s website (www.mitsubishi-motors.co.za/recall) for Pajero owners who want to check if their vehicles are affected.
Continental tops in SA
Continental Tyre South Africa will become the employer of choice for many of this year’s matriculants and graduates after being named one of SA’s leading companies to work for by an international research institute.
Last month, the Netherlands-based Top Employers Institute certified Continental as a Top Employer in South Africa for 2018, marking it as one which creates an optimal working environment for its employees.
The Port Elizabeth-based manufacturing facility is the only Continental tyre plant in Africa, and employs around 1500 people in South Africa and the Sub-Saharan Africa region.
Isuzu supports Movember
Isuzu is getting behind the Movember Foundation’s drive for greater awareness of the crisis in men’s health, particularly testicular and prostate cancer and suicide prevention.
Isuzu has put the Foundation behind the wheel of three specially branded double cab bakkies for the duration of their campaign, ensuring impactful mobile awareness of the fund-raising initiative. The vehicles are covering the country to spread the Movember word at various high profile events.
The Movember Foundation funds over 1 200 men’s health projects in 21 countries worldwide. Garron Gsell, chief executive and founder of the Men’s Foundation, which manages the local Movember campaign, said it was powerful to have Isuzu backing South African men.
“It’s great that Isuzu is gearing up to “be the difference” to stop men dying too young. In South Africa, prostate is the second leading cause of cancer death and, on average, 18 men take their own lives each day in South Africa – the eighth highest rate globally,” Gsell said.
Tim Hendon, Isuzu Marketing Manager, said the awareness campaign is in line with the brand’s ethos which demonstrates reliability and care. “We all have the tendency to take our vehicles for its service when we completed certain mileage. In the same way, we encourage men to take care of their own health. Real men go for check-ups,” said Hendon.
“We are encouraging all our employees, customers and friends to sign up at www.movember.com and to follow the hairy activities on social media: facebook/MovemberSouthAfrica.”
