New Jaguar XE 2015

The new Jaguar XE, the British firm's answer to the BMW 3 Series, has been revealed in London

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The new Jaguar XE was revealed at a star-studded launch event at London's Earls Court last night, ahead of the car's on-sale date next spring.

The XE will be the British brand's first BMW 3 Series rival since the Jaguar X-Type was discontinued in 2009. Since then, buyers looking for a high-quality compact saloon car were forced to look at models from Mercedes, Audi and Lexus, or step-up to the larger (and more expensive) Jaguar XF.

Prices for the new Jaguar XE will start from around £27,000, with a range of super-frugal petrol and diesel engines – including a tax-exempt diesel emitting 99g/km of CO2. All models will be launched at the Paris Motor Show next month.

We’ve got all the information on Jag's small saloon, so keep reading for everything you need to know.

New Jaguar XE 2015 design

Ian Callum, designer of the new XE has clearly used existing Jaguar models as inspiration – with hints of XF, F-Type and even XJ in the sleek and stylish body.

Callum said: “We decided to stick with the Jaguar design philosophy. People have started to get used to Jaguar and what they look like. The XE is a sports saloon with a long bonnet, great wheel to dash proportions, the cabin set backwards and a coupe profile. But we’ve still got great packaging inside. [The car is] longer than a 3 Series, shorter than an A4 and with an interior comparable with the C-Class”.

At the front, the large grille and swept-back headlights will look familiar to XF and XJ owners, while the gaping air intakes are reminiscent of the top-of-the-range F-Type coupe.

In profile the car keeps the sloping roofline and swept-back windscreen of the XF, which makes it look almost like a five-door coupe rather than a boxy saloon car – something many rivals have failed to achieve.

The rear end completes the look with a subtle boot lid spoiler, twin exhaust pipes, and complex taillight patterns.

New Jaguar XE 2015 construction

To keep weight down and add strength, much of the Jaguar's body and components are made from lightweight aluminium. That means the XE is 20 per cent stiffer than the XF, allowing engineers to setup the car to feel even sportier. In fact, Jaguar is aiming to leapfrog the BMW 3 Series by shooting straight to the top of the class for driver enjoyment.

The XE comes fitted with the same front suspension as fitted to Formula 1 cars for minimal body roll, while at the back there's a sophisticated arrangement that should cut out body lean, but not at the expense of a comfortable ride.

The XE will also be available with adaptive dampers, which allow the driver to setup the car's suspension to be either comfortable or sporty depending on the given situation.

Jaguar's keen to highlight the sporty nature of the Jaguar XE's steering, which will deliver a “connected steering feel”. What's more, the system is adjustable via Jaguar Driver Control – with Dynamic, Normal, Eco and Winter modes.

New Jaguar XE 2015 engines & gearboxes

From launch, the basic Jaguar XE will be offered with a new ‘Ingenium’ 2.2-litre diesel engine. It cuts down on internal friction by 17 per cent for improved efficiency.

It is free to tax and can return fuel economy of 75mpg – better than any of its rivals from BMW, Mercedes, or Audi. Producing 161bhp, it will also be pretty quick and we can expect 0-60mph to take around 8.0 seconds. If you want more performance, Jaguar will offer a tweaked version of the same engine.

Jaguar will also offer the XE with two petrol Ingenium engines, which will offer excellent economy and emissions figures. The Jaguar XE S model sits at the top of the range, boasting 336bhp from a 3.0-litre supercharged V6 engine used in the Jaguar F-Type. This will be enough to get the saloon car to 60mph in just 4.9 seconds.

At launch, the Jaguar XE will only be available with rear-wheel drive, but by 2016 the car will also be available with four-wheel drive. It uses a development of Land Rover's Terrain Response system to deliver huge amounts of grip in all weathers and will rival Audi Quattro and BMW xDrive models.

The Jaguar XE will get a revised version of the eight-speed automatic gearbox that is used elsewhere in the Jaguar line-up, but will also be available with an all-new six speed manual gearbox. It should suit the new car's sporty character, and make the car slightly cheaper to buy.

The introduction of the new car and its engines has created more than 3,000 jobs in the UK, and along with new models like the Jaguar F-Type, should boost the company's profile both here in Britain and worldwide. 

New Jaguar XE 2015 interior

The Jaguar's doors open wide to give easy access to the interior and, as you slide into the driver's seat, it is clear the car feels much lower than its rivals from BMW, Mercedes and Audi.

Anyone who has spent time in a Jaguar XF, Jaguar XJ or even a modern Land Rover, will recognise the gear selector that rises from the centre console.

Despite the centrally-mounted touchscreen there are still plenty of buttons located in the middle of the dashboard and around the gear selector. All things considered, it's evident Jaguar has a fight on its hands if it wants to challenge Mercedes for the most upmarket interior in this class.

It is spacious, though, and there should be room for six-footers on the back seat – even if there are passengers of a similar size sitting in the spacious front seats. Fitting the panoramic glass roof doesn’t harm headroom too much, although three people in the back may find elbowroom a little tight. 

Boot space is flexible with rear seats that split 40:20:40 and a standard capacity of 485 litres – five litres more than a BMW 3 Series, Mercedes C-Class or Audi A4. The bootlid can also be electrically operated at extra cost.

New Jaguar XE 2015 specs and safety

The XE comes packed with safety features including traffic sign recognition, a lane departure warning system, blind spot monitoring, and self-parking.

Adaptive cruise control means the car can keep a safe distance from the car in front autonomously, while the XE's fighter-jet-style head up display (HUD) uses lasers to project a clearer display of vital information such as speed and sat-nav directions onto the car's windscreen.

Connectivity is key in this sector, and the XE gets an eight-inch touchscreen, while Jaguar InControl apps are compatible with Apple and Android smartphones for access to internet radio, traffic information, news and navigation.

InControl can also be used to pre-heat or cool the car's interior and can alert the driver if the car is stolen. Optional WiFi connects to up to eight devices, while the XE gets a powerful 250W six-speaker stereo developed by Harman Kardon as standard.

An even more powerful 380W, 10-speaker premium stereo from British specialist, Meridian, is a cost option. 

Source : www.carbuyer.co.uk

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Self Drive Car Tech On A Rise

The car and tech convergence continues. Self-driving cars, pedestrian-detecting cars, touchscreen infested cars, all-round connected cars. You name it, it was on offer at the Frankfurt Motor Show this year.

It's an event on a massive scale, with single brands occupying show halls as big as what used to pass as the British Motor Show in London.

But we've trawled every hall and every stand to bring you the best bits. The techiest, the slickest and the downright weirdest

.

BMW i8 

Undoubtedly the star of the show. It's not just the fact that it looks like a concept car but it's actually just gone on sale in the UK for around £96,000. There's real substance to the style.

First up is its carbon-fibre and aluminium composite construction. Then there's the radical re-thinking of what it means to be a supercar. The petrol engine is a mere 1.5l litres. But it cranks out 228bhp and also sports a lithium-ion battery pack for a grand total of 356bhp.

The result is by far and away the most dramatic combination of performance and efficiency the world has yet seen. 0-62mph in 4.6 seconds and 155mph top speed on the one hand, 113mpg and just 25g/km CO2 emissions on the other.

The i8's pure electric range, meanwhile, is 22 miles. It's right at the cutting edge for infotainment, too, with the latest build of BMW ConnectedDrive and NVIDIA-powered graphics.

Now, it's true that those official figures don't take into account the emissions associated with the electricity used to charge the i8. And we thought its interior was a little conservative. But this is still a stunning effort from BMW and a probably game changer.

Source : http://techradar.com

Tags   : Motoring, Bmw ,Nvidia,self drive

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Integrated Energy Centre for South Africa

South Africa's Energy Department and state oil company PetroSA have launched an Integrated Energy Centre (IeC) in Mbizana in the Eastern Cape province, PetroSA announced in a statement on Monday.

Power lines

The centre is a one-stop shop offering services of energy goods.

It will house an information centre, a convenience store, car wash, an energy shop, ablution facilities and a fuels forecourt. Petrol, diesel, paraffin and LPG gas will also be sold at the centre.

"For years Mbizana residents have had to travel minimum distances of 15 kilometres to nearby towns to purchase everyday commodities like electricity, petrol and other energy necessities," PetroSA said.

The centre, which cost R10.8-million to construct, will be owned by a registered co-operative made up of members of the local community and will plough back part of the profit from the centre towards growing the business and job creation.

Once fully operational, 15 people will be employed.

"IeCs are not just about the integration of energy services. Rather they are primarily about integration and co-operation among the three tiers and structures of government, for improved delivery of energy services to the poorest of the poor," said Energy Minister Dipuo Peters.

The opening of the IeC was a significant milestone for PetroSA.

"The centre is a showcase of our commitment to corporate social responsibility. I am sure that there are important lessons that PetroSA will take from this experience that will stand us in good stead for similar ventures," PetroSA group chief executive officer Nosizwe Nokwe-Macamo said.

The community is committed to ensuring that the venture is a success, said chairperson of the Mbizana IeC Co-operative, Zwelihle Moya.

Source: SANews.info
Tags : energy, deparment of energy, green energy, integrated energy, south africa energy

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Ford Evos Concept

Ford of Europe’s planned coupe project has been put on hold because of ongoing concerns about Europe and the global economy, Edmunds reports.

Ford Evos Concept

Ford had envisioned a new coupe positioned beneath the Mustang, with the future model’s design to be inspired by the 2011 Ford Evos Concept, premiered at the Frankfurt Motor Show. According to insiders quoted by Edmunds,

Ford’s European division needs a more glamorous model. However, Ford’s CEO Alan Mulally rejected the coupe proposal, on the basis that the market for such models is currently too uncertain for the coupe to be viable.

The car was supposed to use one of Ford’s core global platforms, but it’s not clear how big, expensive and powerful the coupe would have been. Although the next Mustang has been developed for global sale, Ford of Europe believes its sales potential will be limited on the continent due to its size, price and high fuel consumption.

However, Ford feels the need for a halo car within its European range, which is increasingly dominated by MPVs and SUVs. Driving dynamics is a key attribute of the Ford DNA and the automaker suffers as the only sporty models in offers in Europe are the ST versions of the Fiesta and Focus.

Source : inautonews.com
Tags : Ford, Ford Evos, Ford Concept car, Concept cars

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Review BMW X6 M50D

What is it?

Not, despite its badge, a diesel-powered M-car. Or, at least, not officially. The
50d is powered by BMW’s new triple-turbocharged 3-litre diesel engine and is one of the new ‘M Performance’ models – in effect, a half-way house between a regular BMW and a proper M-car like an M3 or M5. However, given the size and prominence of the ‘M’ badge on the back of the car, we fear it’s a distinction that’s likely to be lost on many.

Technical highlights?

That will be the engine. BMW has already offered twin-turbocharged versions of the 3-litre straight six diesel in various states of tune, but the X6 50d (and its X5 sister) gets three turbochargers to help deliver truck-rivaling torque.

Rather than use all three blowers together, the engine uses what’s called ‘compound turbocharging’. At low engine speeds a single small turbo delivers boost, then a larger low-pressure blower comes on stream to deliver pre-pressurised air directly to the inlet side of the first turbo. At higher engine speeds, when boost pressures get too much for one small turbo, a second one is brought on stream, also getting its air via the large rotor. The net result is an abundance of both power and torque: 376bhp and 546lb ft.

Even working against the X6’s considerable 2225kg kerbweight, that’s still enough to extract a claimed 5.3-second 0-62mph time (barely outside that posted by the X6M.)

How does it drive?

BMW X6 M50D

The motor is as impressive as the numbers suggest, with lag-free urge from idle speed upwards and revving happily beyond the 4000rpm at which peak power arrives. Working in conjunction with an eight-speed autobox gives the strong impression of a ceaseless flow of torque – it certainly feels ‘properly’ quick when unleashed.

BMW also deserves credit for the job of acoustic tuning they’ve managed, getting rid of most of the noise you’d expect from compression ignition. Inside the cabin the 50d sounds like a big capacity petrol engine breathing through a sports exhaust, although at smaller throttle openings the turbos can be heard whooshing away.

The rest of the driving experience is relatively disappointing. Like other X6s, the 50d never feels anything other than big and heavy, and although accurate steering makes it easy to place on the road, it lacks the dynamic finesse of lesser, lighter BMWs. It grips well at higher speeds, but lacks front-end bite when asked to deal with tighter corners. And our test car suffered from a strange hesitancy at slower speeds; the gearbox is happy to kick down quickly when you’re travelling at a decent lick, but at urban velocities it’s strangely sluggish – almost as if it’s trying to protect the drivetrain from sudden exposure to the engine’s full torque output. In any event, it felt surprisingly dull-witted when asked to pull out from junctions.

How does it compare?

You’d have to say the X6 M50d makes more sense than the utterly ludicrous X6M, with similar real-world pace, respectable fuel economy and a £20K saving on the pricetag.

But we’d still far rather have a chance to experience this motor in the M550xD 5-series, a car that BMW isn’t going to bring here.

Anything else I need to know?

We managed 27mpg for 400 miles of rapid use and performance testing.

Source : evo.co.uk
Tags : cars, x6,car revirews, bmw x6 m50d, bmw review, new car reviews

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2012 SA car of the year winner Hyundai Elantra

It's official - the Hyundai Elantra 1.8 GLS is South Africa's Car of the Year for 2012.


The South African Guild of Motoring Journalists kept its guests biting their nails until late on Thursday night at its COTY banquet in Midrand.


The decision follows a long and complex judging process, which included an initial vote for ten finalists followed by a thorough two-day evaluation of those finalists by 30 jury members at the Gerotek test facility near Pretoria.


The winner had to beat nine other finalists in the form of the Alfa Romeo Giulietta 1.4 125 kW MultiAir Distinctive; Audi A6 3.0T TDI Quattro S tronic; Citroen DS4 THP 200 Sport; Ford Focus 2.0 TDCI Trend Powershift; Kia Picanto 1.2 EX; Mercedes Benz SLK 350; Peugeot 5008 2.0 HDi Active; Suzuki Kizashi 2.4 SDLX and VW Jetta 1.4 TSI 118 kW Highline.


APPLES WITH APPLES


Despite what some detractors say, this competition does not directly compare each ten finalists with each other - given that they come from all walks of automotive life. Instead, the jury evaluates each vehicle on its own merit and bearing in mind what it brings to its particular class.


Even the evaluation at Gerotek is set-up with this in mind, allowing the individual vehicles to be evaluated under the conditions they would be expected to perform under. Routes are designed to evaluate 4x4s or sports cars, as the average consumer would use them.


The competition's convenor, Mark Jones, explains the purpose of the final testing days: “It allows Jury members to pay close attention to the cars' aesthetics, build quality and ergonomics, while considerations based on perceptions of value for money, cost of a spares' basket, safety features and environmental friendliness can be taken into account before scoring the top ten.


“Fuel consumption figures are also available as is a range of data that must be considered before pronouncing on which vehicle is the best of the best.”


Watch this space for more information on how the vehicles were scored and what the runners up were.


Source : iol.co.za
Tags : 2012 car of the year, south africa car of the year, samgj 2012,Hyundai Elantra 1.8 GLS

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Electrical car purchase survey

Deloitte released a preview of results of their yearly survey of Gen Y automotive buying habits, saying that the younger crowd have a "strong affinity for hybrid vehicles" and that "generation that leads us away from traditional gasoline-powered vehicles." Specifically they were shown to have a 57% preference for hybrid vehicles and given that Gen Y is 80 million strong, it's enough auto buyers to tip the scales significantly. And as Gen Y is the smart phone generation we should be unsurprised to learn they overwhelmingly want touch-screens on the dashboard.

Deloitte defines Gen Y (in case you needed to know) as those ranging in age from 19 to 31. The study, conducted in Sept and Oct 2011, is their yearly analysis of the buying habits of consumers, and covered 1500 Gen Y, Gen X and baby boomer people. Deloitte released the preliminary results at its Shifting Gears conference yesterday in Detroit, and final results are due to be released in February.

The results specifically break down as 57% preferring hybrid cars, 2% preferring pure electric cars, and 37% preferring a traditional gasoline driven drive train. Of those preferring a hybrid, they prefer the non-plug-in hybrids (66%) over the plug-in hybrids (33%) apparently in the belief that it's more convenient to go out of your way to a gasoline station to refill a gas tank, than it is to plug in.

As to why, the Gen Y crowd is concerned over the high price of gasoline. Eighty-nine percent are looking for high fuel efficiency, and this becomes especially important when gasoline prices rise. Some 49% of Gen Y auto-buyers are willing to pay extra for higher fuel efficiency.

"Gen Y consumers also view hybrid technology as proven and reliable," says Craig Giffi, vice chairman and automotive practice leader at Deloitte LLP. "Almost 6 in 10 Gen Y respondents prefer a hybrid over any other type of vehicle, while a mere 2 in 100 prefer a pure battery electric vehicle – demonstrating that Gen Y is familiar and comfortable with hybrid technology, but not so much with battery-only technology."

The study also revealed some preferences about the technology inside the cars. Those of us who had friends who went for awesome stereo systems (or were that person) should not be surprised to learn that overwhelmingly (73%) the younger car buyers want touch screens and other high tech goodness on the dashboard. Also overwhelmingly (77%) want to buy high-tech accessories for their cars after purchase.

These results fit rather well with the direction being taken by some of the automakers. For example the CEO's of both Ford and Daimler were at CES this year despite the fact that NAIAS happened the same week in Detroit. The keynote delivered by Daimler's Dr. Zetsche talked at length about the connected car and high fuel efficiency. Ford's strategy in the near term is to focus on fuel efficiency gains through better engines and weight reduction, while taking a slower approach to electrifying their vehicle fleet. The Toyota Prius C as a less expensive smaller version of the Prius, with the Entune infotainment system, is another example.

In Science they sometimes see that to adopt a radically new model of understanding requires a generational change, that is for the old guard to die off and the youth to come in with fresh new ideas. Is this what it will take for different transportation choices to take hold? If so, is this fast enough to prevent the climate change catastrophe awaiting us?

Source : torquenews.com
Tags: generation Y,electrical car,car survey

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Record car production Mercedes Benz South Africa

MERCEDES-Benz  South Africa built  more cars in East  London last year than ever before, a result that bodes well for the future of the city.


A production record of more  than 54312 Mercedes-Benz C- Classes were built in East London last year, compared to  52101 in 2010, and expectations  are that 2012 production will  significantly exceed that of  2011.


 This is excellent news for  East London, home of MBSA’s  West Bank plant, one of the  city’s largest employers.


“This shows that world-class  operations can be established  in South Africa, something of  which we are certainly very  proud.


“ It also assures our South  African customers that they  will not only get the best product available, but will be contributing to shaping a bright  future for South Africa as a  whole,” Arno van der Merwe,  manufacturing plant and East  London site leader for MBSA,  said.


“MBSA considers the East  London plant achievements as  indicative of its long-term commitment not only to sell vehicles to local customers, but  also to use South Africa as a  production hub for both domestic consumption and substantial export business – a  part of the operation which is  bound to grow with the production of the next generation  C-Class.”

2012 Mercedes C Class Coupe

MBSA started construction  work at the end of last year,  executing the plan to almost  double C-Class production capacity in East London by 2014.


“With this investment, we  are building on our ambition to  secure and create more jobs,  and to invest in both our East  London plant as well as in our  people,” said MBSA chief executive and president, Dr Martin Zimmermann.


The MBSA plant was also  again awarded the prestigious  gold award of JD Power and  Associates in their 2011 US Initial Quality Survey, winning  such high accolades for the  third year in a row.


 Border Kei Chamber of Business executive director Les  Holbrook said MBSA’s results  were encouraging, especially in  light of what this means to  East London and the region.


“If MBSA does well in East  London, the city does well, it’s  one of those reciprocal relationships,” Holbrook said.


“The results are very encouraging and it’s also heartening to see MBSA doing well,  despite the recession and global concerns around the economy. This is really good for  East London.”


MBSA did exceptionally well  in sales of their vehicles over  December, beating their own  record on sales and up 38% on  sales in December 2010.


 In general, the latest new vehicle sales statistics from the  National Association of Automobile Manufacturers of SA  (Naamsa), which excluded  MBSA’s sales figures, showed  that the total sale of 571425  units countrywide last year  was up from 492907 in 2010.


In December, MBSA sold  1714 Mercedes-Benz vehicles,  which was a new December  record, representing an increase of 38% compared to the  previous benchmark set in December 2010.
“We are delighted with the  continued support from existing and new customers,” Zimmerman said.


 Last year MBSA introduced  eight new models to the South  African market, including the  new generation C-Class Sedan  and Estate models.
“We share the consensus  forecast that growth in the passenger car market this year  will slow down considerably  compared to 2011, but we are  confident that Mercedes-Benz  will continue its South African  success story by further growing our business in this country and entrenching our leadership as the premium luxury  brand,” Zimmerman said. —  taralynb@dispatch.co.za


Source : Dispatch.co.za
Tags : Mercedes Benz, C Class, Mercedes South Africa, car production SA


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Minister tackles reckless driving

Johannesburg - More than 900 people have been killed on South Africa's roads this month, according to Road Traffic Management Corporation (RMTC) spokesperson Ashref Ismail.

"We are extremely concerned about head-on crashes," he said.

"Out of the 16 major fatal crashes since December 1, 13 were head-ons.

"These are the most devastating because the chances of survival are so low."

On Monday, 19 people were killed in a head-on collision between a taxi and car in the northern Free State.

Meanwhile on Tuesday, Transport Minister Sibusiso Ndebele called for the courts to be quicker to confiscate and suspend the s
driving licences of motorists found guilty of road traffic violations.

"In conjunction with the Ministries of Police and Justice, as well as the National Prosecuting Authority, we will continue to ensure that we are more aggressive in dealing with irresponsible drivers," Ndebele said in a statement.

"Drivers arrested for any offence must have their driving licences seized as well as suspended and/or cancelled."

His spokesperson, Logan Maistry, said the National Road Traffic Act placed a duty in courts to "suspend or disqualify a driving licence for a person found guilty of drinking and driving, reckless and negligent driving".

People found to be driving over the speed limit by 30km/h in urban areas and 40km/h outside urban areas, also risked having their licences suspended or disqualified.

A first offence would result in a confiscation for six months, a second for five years and a third or subsequent offence would merit a 10-year cancellation or suspension of a licence, he said.

Ismail said a full set of preliminary figures of road deaths would be issued on Wednesday.

A total of 1 149 people were killed on South Africa's roads between December 1 and December 28 in 2010 and 1 304 deaths were recorded for the same period in 2009. - Sapa
Source:Iol.co.za
Tags: Transport Minister,accident stats,licence suspension

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Kia Rio wins awards in SA

(SOUTH AFRICA), 22 December 2011. After its unveiling at the 2011 Johannesburg International Motor Show, the new Rio sparked the interest of many South Africans.


It was launched to the South African media exactly two months later, and has turned out to be a very popular and sought after Kia model.


"The new Kia Rio is a complete revolution from the previous model, and is a highly competitive offering within the very competitive B-segment", comments Ray Levin, CEO of Kia Motors South Africa.

Kia Rio 2012

"The Rio TEC is our flagship model and is very successful. This model offers features only found in more expensive C-segment models, and this creates a very high value proposition due to very competitive pricing", he adds.


After not being on the local market for more than two months, the new Rio has already raked in numerous awards, both nationally and internationally. On 15 December 2011, Independent Newspapers South Africa announced the new Rio as the overall winner in the "Best small/budget car" category in their Motoring Car of the Year competition.


The publishing group describes the Rio as a car "blending trendy styling with impressive ride quality and neat handling" and further describes it as a B-segment car with a "larger than average" interior.


Merely a day later, the Rio was crowned as the Australian Car Guide's Car of the Year, beating close rivals, the Volvo S60 T4 and Ford Focus, finishing second and third respectively. "We are very excited about this news and feel that the Rio was the deserved winner in both cases", adds Levin. "We are confident, that these wont be the only awards that this fantastic product will receive, and that there will be many more to follow", he concludes.


Source : 3Dcars.com
Tags : Kia,car of the year 2011, Kia Rio
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South Africa Car Sales improve for November

South African vehicle sales improved by 11.7% year-on-year in November, driven by low interest rates and debt servicing costs, declining new vehicle prices in real terms, and the introduction of new models.

Vehicle sales reached 49 499 vehicles sold in November, the National Association of Automobile Manufacturers of SA (Naamsa) said on Friday.

A total 44 318 vehicles were sold in November 2010.

Total year to date domestic aggregate new vehicle sales remained 16% ahead of the corresponding 11 months of 2010. Export sales reflected an improvement of 17% in volume terms.

2012 Audi A6

Total new car sales during November 2011 at 33 074 units reflected an improvement of 3 555 new cars, or an increase of 12%, compared to the 29 519 new cars sold during November 2010, with the latest figures reflecting a decline in the growth momentum in the new car sales cycle.

The major contributor to the decline was the lower contribution by the car rental industry due to seasonal factors.

"The slowdown in the rate of growth in the new vehicle sales cycle was consistent with the slower economic growth recorded in the general economy," Naamsa said.

"The low interest rate environment and corresponding lower debt servicing costs, declining new vehicle prices in real terms, the competitive trading environment and new model introductions should support domestic sales over the medium term."

The association anticipated growth to be at a more subdued rate in line with the overall performance of the South African economy.

"The direction of the global economy remained uncertain and international financial markets continued to be characterised by extreme volatility and turbulence. Prospects of slower global growth, particularly in developed economies, could impact on industry export sales going forward."

Moderation in export demand

Exports of South African produced vehicles in November 2011 at 20 480 units reflected a decline of 8 084 vehicles or 28.3% compared to the 28 564 units exported during November last year. The latest export sales figures suggested a moderation in demand in various international markets.

Of the overall sales of 49 499, 85.7% represented dealer sales, 5.8% of the sales were to government, 4.9% represented sales to the car rental industry and 3.6% represented industry corporate fleet sales.

Sales of industry new light commercial vehicles, bakkies and minibuses at 14 125 units during November, 2011, reflected a gain of 12.2% compared to the 12 591 units sold in November 2010. For the first 11 months of 2011, new light commercial vehicle sales were ahead by 11.5% compared to the corresponding period last year.

Sales of vehicles in the medium and heavy truck segments of industry was recorded at 844 units and 1 456 units respectively. Total year to date sales of medium, heavy commercial and buses remained 22.2% ahead of the corresponding 11 months of last year.

Source : http://www.businessday.co.za
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Race for car of the year South Africa

A mixed bag of 10 French, Italian, German and Korean vehicles have made it through to the finals for the 2012 South African Car of the Year competition. The finalists were determined in a vote by the full members and a jury made up of 30 selected members of the South African Guild of Motoring Journalists (SAGMJ).

2011 Alfa Romeo Giulietta 1.4

The 10 finalists are:


2011 Alfa Romeo Giulietta 1.4 125 kW MultiAir Distinctive 
2011 Audi A6 3.0 T TDI Quattro S tronic 
2011 Citroen DS4 THP 200 Sport 
2011 Ford Focus 2.0 TDCI Trend Sedan Powershift 
2011 Hyundai Elantra 1.8 GLS 
2011 Kia Picanto 1.2 EX 
2011 Mercedes Benz SLK 350 BlueEFFICIENCY 
2011 Peugeot 5008 2.0 HDi Active Man 
2011 Suzuki Kizashi 2.4 SDLX Man 
2011 VW Jetta 1.4 TSI 118 kW Highline


The winner of South Africa's most prestigious motoring award will be determined in a two-day test session to be held in February 2012 at the Gerotek test facility near Pretoria, where the cars will be assessed independently by the jury members.


In keeping with the broadened competition, the testing at Gerotek will allow the vehicles to be evaluated under the conditions individual vehicles would be expected to perform under. While jury members are already familiar with the vehicles they have voted into the final, the testing days offer an opportunity to re-acquaint themselves with the cars. 


"It allows jury members to pay close attention to the cars' aesthetics, build quality and ergonomics, while considerations based on perceptions of value for money, cost of a spares' basket, safety features and environmental friendliness can be taken into account before scoring the top ten. Fuel consumption figures are also available as is a range of data that must be considered before pronouncing on which vehicle is the best of the best," according to Mark Jones, convenor of the competition.


South Africa's Car of the Year competition - sponsored for the past 27 years by wheels bank, WesBank, with additional support from Total and Hollard Insurance - is unique in the world in that it is determined by three rounds of voting, the first which is open to all full members of the SAGMJ yields the semi-finalists, a second round open to the only the jury, which determines the finalists and then a final allocation of points after a two-day evaluation session at the world class Gerotek testing facility.


The jury is selected from those SAGMJ members who has had the greatest exposure to new models launched between 1 October 2010 to 31 August 2011.The winner of the 2012 WesBank / SAGMJ Car the Year will be announced in March 2012.


Source : http://www.bizcommunitycom
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Green Trust insurance launches in South Africa

A new insurance company has hit the South African market, advertising "eco-friendly" insurance.

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Photograph by: Bruce Gorton

Each insurance policy will give 2% of its premiums to The Green Trust, a trust fund which will donate money on the basis of an online pole for which issue policyholders want most urgently addressed.

“We have a special interest in going green as our industry will be hit hard by climate change if sea levels rise and unpredictable weather conditions get worse,” says Bradley Du Chenne, spokesperson for ibuyeco.

Available policies include home, business and car insurance.

Source -Timeslive.co.za


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Tips on choosing insurance in South Africa

Thinking about insurance means thinking about loss and death, which is why many people prefer to put it off. But it's far better to choose an insurer who will help you meet your insurance needs than to run away from your responsibilities, says Pieter Du Toit, an insurance expert at FNB.

Here are seven tips to help you choose insurance:

1. Understand your needs. Your guide should be what those you leave behind will need. What will their financial obligations be? Funeral insurance is undoubtedly your most immediate concern as funeral costs can be steep.
2. Assess what you can afford. Finding the "perfect cover" and not being able to afford it is like owning a sports car and not having petrol, says Du Toit. Defaulting on payments can result in your losing the benefits of the policy, so be sure to compare quotes and decide what will suit your needs and your pocket.
3. Look at your purchasing options. You can go direct, use a financial planner or buy through an insurance agent. Ask about other fees that could affect your premium.
4. Find a reliable, established institution to insure with. Don't lose your money to a fly-by-night operator or a pyramid scheme -- insure with a company you can reasonably assume will be around in years to come.
5. Lead a healthy lifestyle. Many insurance companies either require that you undergo a medical examination or that you answer questions about your health truthfully. Steps like quitting smoking, reducing your cholesterol and leading a more active lifestyle can not only help you to get a cheaper premium, but will also mean a better quality of life.
6. Change your insurance as your lifestyle changes. As you grow older, your needs and the needs of your dependents will change. Make sure your insurance evolves and develops with you. Understand what insurance you currently own and study the terms and conditions of your policy to best make use of it.
   Through all this, ensure that all the details you provide your insurer with are correct -- incorrect information might lead to the termination of a contract or the loss of benefits.
7. Be careful that you are not over-insured. Over-insurance refers to owning an excess amount of insurance with the same insurer. If you have more than one of the same type of policy with an insurer, you could be over-insured and your second claim might be rejected. To avoid such situations, study the terms and conditions of your policy to gain an understanding of what your insurer regards as "over-insurance".

Source -mg.co.za

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