New Vehicle Sales in South Africa for December 2014

2014 ended on a high in terms of vehicle sales according to the National Association of Automobile Manufacturers of South Africa (NAAMSA) with an improvement of 10.7% compared to the same period in 2013. Here is a new vehicle sales summary for December 2014 as well as a look into what to expect in 2015.

New Vehicle Sales Summary – December 2014

  • 51 461 aggregate new vehicle sales up by 10.7% (4 979 units) compared to December 2013
  • 21 833 export sales down by 1.6% (357 units) compared to December 2013
  • 35 924 passenger car sales up by 9.3% (3 071 units) compared to December 2013
  • 12 965 light commercial vehicle sales up by 14.7% (1 664 units) compared to December 2014

 

Top Selling Car Brands in South Africa – December 2014

Brand Total Sales Market Penetration %
1. Toyota 10 372 20.2 %
2. Volkswagen 9 179 17.8 %
3. Ford Motor Company 6 654 12.9 %
4. GMSA 4 412 8.6 %
5. Nissan 2 811 5.5 %


Top Selling New Cars in South Africa – December 2014

Model Total Sales
1. VW Polo Vivo 3 547
2. Toyota Hilux (LCV) 3 343
3. Ford Ranger (LCV) 3 003
4. VW Polo 2 411
5. Toyota Corolla 1 920

Total Sales and Exports for 2014

Total new vehicle sales in South Africa in 2014 showed a marginal year-on-year decline of 0.7% overall due to a slowing economy, interest rate increases and new vehicle price inflation. A total of 644 523 vehicles were sold in South Africa in 2014. A total of 439 179 passenger cars were sold in 2014 which reflects a decline of 2.5 % compared to 2013. A total of 173 790 Light Commercial Vehicle (LCV) sales were recorded, representing an improvement of 3.4 % compared to 2013.

Exports were negatively affected by strike action in 2014 which resulted in a loss of 16 000 vehicles. Total aggregate exports amounted to 276 874 units which reflected a slight improvement of 0.2 % compared to 2014. Despite this, 2014 vehicle exports was still the third highest figure on record and an increase of 50 000 vehicles or about 17 % increase is expected in 2015.

New Vehicle Sales Outlook for 2015

For 2015, NAAMSA projects modest domestic sales volume growth with a projected total of 666 500 vehicles. Domestic production of vehicles is set to increase by about 10.7% to approximately 600 000 vehicles in 2015. NAAMSA states that 2015 is “likely to represent another challenging year for the SA automotive industry”.

2015 Subaru XV Crosstrek Special Edition Unveiled

The 2015 Subaru XV Crosstrek Special Edition has been unveiled, with production set to be limited to 1000 units.

Versatile 2015 Subaru XV Crosstrek Special Edition announced

The model is based on the XV Crosstrek 2.0i Premium trim level, and features a bold five-door design, an exclusive Sunrise Yellow exterior with black fender and rocker trim, as well as 17-inch black alloy wheels. The Special Edition is additionally equipped with a moonroof, body colour mirrors with integrated turn signals and blackened headlight bezels.

There’s also a leather-wrapped shift lever handle and steering wheel, Keyless Access and a STARLINK infotainment system with a 7-inch touchscreen display with satellite radio and dual USB ports. The all-weather package adds heated seats and mirrors and a windshield wiper de-icer.

The 2015 Subaru XV Crosstrek Special Edition doesn’t include any power upgrades, but comes with mechanical features identical to those of the non-hybrid 2015 XV Crosstreks equipped with the continuously variable transmission, which has been reprogrammed to provide stepped shifting during forceful acceleration, plus a CVT version of “second-gear” starts for slippery conditions.

It has the same 2.0-litre Boxer engine that develops 110 kW and 196 Nm of torque as the rest of the line-up which includes the 2.0i base trim, 2.0i Premium, 2.0i Limited and the XV Crosstrek Hybrid.

South African availability and launch dates are yet to be revealed.

Three Final Land Rover Defender Special Editions Introduced

Land Rover has revealed its plans to end production of the iconic Defender, with the last example scheduled to roll off the assembly line at Land Rover’s Solihull plant in the UK in December. However, an all-new family of Defender models is said to debut in 2016.

Heritage, Adventure and Autobiography Defender special editions announced

To mark the final year of the long-serving model, three unique Defender special editions have been introduced, to “celebrate a different element of the vehicle’s versatile character.”

The first being the exclusive Defender Autobiography Edition, which the company says “promises more performance, luxury and comfort than ever before.” Its comprehensive equipment list includes unique duo-tone paintwork, full Windsor leather upholstery and a power upgrade from 90 kW and 360 Nm to 110 kW and 400 Nm. Production for this special edition model will be limited to 80 units, and will be produced exclusively as a 90 Station Wagon version.

The Heritage Edition is said to be inspired by early Land Rover models and mixes nostalgic design cues with modern elements such as the distinctive Grasmere Green paintjob contrasted by a white roof. The model, which will be limited to 400 units, can additionally be distinguished by a heritage grille and HUE 166 graphics, recalling the registration plate of the first pre-production Land Rover known as “Huey”.

Lastly, the Defender Adventure Edition is dubbed as a model for those who “who relish the great outdoors and embrace the Defender’s ‘go anywhere, do anything’ attitude.” It comes fully equipped with extra underbody protection and rides on Goodyear MT/R tyres. It also features unique decals and a leather trimmed cabin. Production will be limited to 600 units.

Largest sand drawing ever

“We wanted to mark the end of Defender production at Solihull with a special edition but coming up with a single identity was impossible, so we developed three very different interpretations of the Defender to reflect its strength and breadth of character,” Land Rover vehicle line director Nick Rogers said in a statement. “Whether our customers want to celebrate Land Rover’s unrivalled off-road heritage, demand the ultimate in terms of design and performance or have a genuine thirst for adventure, there will be a limited edition Defender that will be fit for purpose.”

To mark the launch of the three Defender special editions and the start of the current Defender’s final year in production, Land Rover created the largest (one-kilometre) sand drawing of the vehicle at Red Wharf Bay in Anglesey, U.K. The unique image is a tribute to the moment in 1947 when the engineering director of Rover at the time, Maurice Wilks, first sketched the shape for the original Land Rover in the sand of Red Wharf Bay and proposed the idea to his brother Spencer, Rover’s managing director.

 

Audi Self-Parking via Your Smartwatch (Video)

Audi is also at the 2015 Consumer Electronics Show at Las Vegas. The first technology its exhibiting is a self-parking system controlled via a Smartwatch. The watch also displays useful info about the car’s battery status.

The video Audi has released to showcase the self-parking system is quite entertaining as it features a pair of dogs being taught tricks. It’s nice to see the rather cool-looking Audi A3 e-tron, a car which we’d like to see in South Africa.

Also interesting is the wireless charging system that’s now available. You simply drive over the charging mat, hit the charge button on your smartwatch and the Audi E-tron starts charging. It then notifies you as to the charge level via the watch.

Audi Self-Parking and Wireless Charging Video

Lexus GS F Joins High-Performance “F” line

The Lexus GS F has officially been unveiled ahead of its 2015 Detroit Auto Show debut.

Much-anticipated Lexus GS F performance sedan revealed

The BMW M5 rival is the latest vehicle to join Lexus’ high-performance “F” line that already includes the RC F coupe. Teased late last year, the model showed off an aggressive front fascia with a mesh spindle grille that is flanked by large air intakes and LED headlights.

Official details now mention that the car will additionally feature “structural reinforcements and suspension exclusively designed to optimise this super sedan’s handling envelope without detracting from its ride quality.”

We can also see a boot-mounted spoiler, tinted taillights and a four-tailpipe exhaust system. The car also rides on 19-inch alloy wheels.

The cabin follows through with the sporty theme with two-tone sport seats and carbon fiber trim, as well as contrast stitching and metallic accents.

Power comes from the automaker’s 5.0-litre naturally aspirated V8 engine which develops 348 kW of power and 527 Nm of torque. All this power is sent to the rear wheels through Lexus’ eight-speed automatic transmission with manual–shifting capabilities.

Additional details are yet to be revealed, however the company did mention that one of the highlights of the GS F will be the innovative Torque Vectoring Differential (TVD), also found in the RC F. The TVD will features three operating modes: Standard (default) provides a balance of agility and firmness; Slalom emphasises nimble steering response and agility; while Track emphasises control during high-speed circuit driving.

BMW iDrive System – The Next Evolution

BMW’s iDrive system has come a long way since its clunky inception in 2001 on the 7-Series. The infotainment system has gone through several updates and is now one of the most user friendly systems around. The fact that we’ve spent over a decade learning it has probably also helped us get to grips with it. So what’s the next step for BMW’s iDrive? BMW used the Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas to debut some of the new features.

iDrive Touchscreen

The iDrive system will be controllable via a touchscreen system. The standard rotary knob will still be fitted however so there’s the option to touch the screen or use the tried and trusted knob. This will make inputting destinations in the Navigation systems a bajillion times easier then rotating the dial to each individual letter like before. Whilst this may not be ground-breaking stuff BMW says it will be adding in “gesture control”. The driver or front passenger simply performs a directed gesture in the area between the gear lever, steering wheel and display.

A 3D sensor in the roof detects whether one or two fingers are being pointed, or whether the thumb and index finger are being moved towards each other. The system decodes different movements – such as tapping, finger rotations or a swiping movement to the right – and performs the desired input. A rotating movement can be used, say, to alter the volume of the radio, a finger raised to accept a phone call or a swiping movement to decline a call.

BMW likes to introduce these high-tech systems into its top end models so we would expect the touchscreen system to be available in 2016’s 7-Series. Gesture control is still very much in development so its introduction date is still quite far down the line.

Mercedes-Benz F 015 Autonomous Car (Video)

Following the release of a teaser image of their new autonomous driving concept, Mercedes-Benz has revealed the F 015 Luxury in Motion concept at the Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas.

World debut of Mercedes-Benz F 015 Luxury in Motion

It’s said that by 2030, the number of mega-cities with more than 10 million inhabitants will increase from about 30 to over 40. So according to Mercedes-Benz, their answer to this rapidly changing world is the visionary F 015 Luxury in Motion which is apparently designed to show how autonomous vehicles could be designed.

“The single most important luxury good of the 21st century are private space and time,” says Dr Dieter Zetsche, Chairman of Daimler AG and Head of Mercedes-Benz Cars. “Autonomous driving cars by Mercedes-Benz shall offer exactly that. With the F 015 Luxury in Motion, this revolutionary concept of mobility becomes tangible for the first time.”

The capsule looking concept features an aerodynamic exterior with an illuminated grille and a prominent star emblem. It’s said to measure 5220mm in length, 2018mm in width, and stands only 1524mm in height, with a wheelbase of 3610mm. The model additionally features suicide doors that open at a 90-degree angle, and a long windshield that adapts into a sunroof as the single pane of glass swoops over the vehicle’s roof.

Innovative interior concept

The cabin is stylishly equipped with four rotating lounge chairs that allow a face-to-face seat configuration, a central table and a huge dashboard with a full-length infotainment / instrument cluster for both the driver and front passenger.

The electrically powered seats also swing outwards by 30 degrees as soon as the doors are opened, while six high-resolution touch-screen display panels on the doors allow passengers to use touch, gestures, or eye movements to navigate, browse, or see outside the car.

“Already two years ago, with the S 500 INTELLIGENT DRIVE we showed on the historical route Bertha-Benz took in 1888 that we have the technology which makes autonomous driving reality in everyday traffic,” said Zetsche.

“We have a master plan in place to take the big leap required getting from technically feasible to commercially viable. The F 015 Luxury in Motion demonstrates where this may take us.”

Mercedes-Benz F 015 Luxury in Motion research vehicle Video

Volkswagen Golf R Touch Concept Introduced

Volkswagen has introduced a tech-infused Golf R Touch Concept at the 2015 Consumer Electronics Show (CES).

Golf R Touch Concept – new age of mobility

The Golf R Touch concept, which is based on the high-performance 2016 Volkswagen Golf R, is said to have been developed to provide foresight into what the interior of future models will look like.

It features an infotainment system that incorporates gesture control as the next step in the area of intuitive control. All it takes is a hand movement in the space in front of the Golf’s infotainment display to make human and machine interact as one.

The vehicle was created with nearly all controls are implemented via touchscreens and sensor switches.

It is equipped with three displays, a high-resolution 12.8-inch touchscreen for the infotainment system, along with an 8-inch touch Control Centre located beneath from where the driver controls the climate, media and vehicle functions, as well as a 12.3-inch Active Information Display featuring digitised instruments.

Intuitive operation

According to Volkswagen, the central touchscreen and Active Info Display can be customised rapidly, just as on a smartphone or tablet. The infotainment unit will additionally use cameras to detect hand gestures, as well as understand and assign meaning to them. Gesture control will further make it possible to control displays and functionality without having to use a touchscreen.

A further highlight is a gesture control unit that uses a 3D camera mounted within the roof lining. When the driver touches the roof the digital controls for the sunroof appear in the main 12.8-inch display.

The company also said that “this technology adds comfort and convenience to human-vehicle interaction by reducing driver distractions while operating controls, and further underscores the synchronised relationship between the car and the computer.”

As part of Volkswagen’s efforts to provide greater personalisation possibilities in future models, there will be an extensive choice of displays and colour schemes, including on-board ambient lighting, which is claimed to provide 16.7 million colour combinations.

Since the Golf R Touch is a prototype, the company is yet to reveal when it plans to bring it to production cars or what it will cost.

Infiniti Q60 Concept Shown Ahead Of Detroit Debut

The first official picture of the Infiniti Q60 Concept has been revealed ahead of the 2015 Detroit Auto Show.

Striking Infiniti Q60 Concept details revealed

Set to rival the likes of the BMW 4 Series Coupe, the Infiniti Q60 concept is being described as a “premium sports coupe” that is “poised to entice coupe fans with its sharp contours and hand-crafted interior, while at the same time suggesting performance and power to match.”

The concept further features styling cues from the Q80 Inspiration concept, which include the low roofline and quilted leather seats in 2+2 configuration, while the aerodynamic gills located behind the front wheel arches are taken from the Q50 Eau Rouge concept.

Although the company hasn’t released any interior images, it does mention that the interior provides “the right balance of comfort and support as befits a premium sports coupe” and its spacious 2+2 arrangement is possible thanks to “genuine” sports seats.

The car is additionally said to be fitted with large 21-inch alloy wheels with a jet turbine blade design and black spokes with matte and chrome accents.

“The Q80 Inspiration was an indication of Infiniti’s future design language,” said Alfonso Albaisa, Infiniti Executive Design Director. “The Q60 Concept is the next step in the journey. The sweeping lines of the Q80 Inspiration gave the Q60 Concept its coupe silhouette and looks while the Formula One-inspired touches from the Q50 Eau Rouge endowed the coupe with its sports personality.”

The Infiniti Q60 concept will make its official debut next week on January 13 at the 2015 Detroit Auto Show, while the production car will enter the assembly line sometime in 2015 in UK.

 

Lamborghini Aventador LP700-4 Pirelli Edition Revealed

A new Lamborghini Aventador LP700-4 Pirelli Edition has been revealed, as part of the company’s celebration to its “long and ongoing” partnership with Pirelli.

Special edition features

The new Aventador Pirelli Edition is available in Coupe and Roadster versions, and features a two-tone exterior in two options and “exclusive equipment specifically designed by the Lamborghini Centro Stile.”

The first two-tone option is matte black paint on the roof, pillars, rearview mirrors and engine cover. It is contrasted by six glossy finishes for the rest of the body (Giallo Spica, Rosso Mars, Bianco Isis, Nero Aldebaran, Grigio Liqueo, and Grigio Ater).

The second option is glossy black for the upper parts of the car and the air intakes, in contrast with four matte finishes for the rest of the exterior (Bianco Canopus, Nero Nemesis, Grigio Adamas, and Grigio Titans).

Standard equipment for the exterior also includes the transparent engine hood, the engine compartment in carbon, glossy black Dione 20-inch/21-inch rims, P Zero tyres with red logo and red callipers (yellow only in the case of the Rosso Mars exterior).

Distinctive elements of the Lamborghini Aventador LP700-4 Pirelli Edition

One other significant feature is a thin red stripe that runs along the roof and the engine hood, the rearview mirrors, and the outer profiles of the air intakes, while the Pirelli logo in red, is visible at the start the start of the two roof lines and on the tyres.

Inside, the Lamborghini Aventador Pirelli Edition features a number of alcantara finished components as well as red contrast stitching. There are also leather inserts which adorn the door panels and the seat sides. The changes are completed by a special ‘Pirelli special series’ plaque.

Not much has changed mechanically compared to the regular Aventador. The Lamborghini Aventador LP700-4 Pirelli Edition is equipped with the same 6.5-litre V12 engine delivering 515 kW, and mated to a seven-speed ISR transmission driving all four wheels. Acceleration is rated at 0-100kph in just 2.9 seconds, with top speed reaching 350kph.