BP survey reveals South African love affair with cars

A survey released by fuel brand BP Ultimate has revealed that majority of motorists in South Africa ‘shower their vehicles with just as much affection as they do a close friend or family member, maybe even a touch more’. The national survey aimed to explore how passionate South African motorists are about their cars and almost 1 000 responses from male and female drivers were received from around the country.

South African motorists love their cars



More than two thirds of motorists who participated in the survey admitted that they openly express love and affection for their cars. A total of 59% of motorists said that they feel a true connection with their cars, which equates to 4.8 million South African motorists who feel the same way.

Interestingly, 57% of respondents said that they often give their cars verbal encouragements, compliments and rub the dashboard or steering wheel to help their cars perform, start or to prevent stalling.

Giving cars pet names is also common in South Africa, with 47% of respondents admitting to the act. A further 23% of respondents were named after a car while 21% admitted to celebrating their cars’ birthdays.

Other interesting South African car habits include:

  • 85% of South African motorists love to sing in their car.
  • 74% have made important life decisions in their car.
  • 61% have regular conversations with their car.
  • 53% had a car play an important role in either their or someone else’s wedding ceremony and/or special occasion.
  • 30% percent decorate their car’s interior or exterior with trinkets such as fuzzy dice, stickers, steering wheel or seat covers.
  • 11% have got engaged in a car or know someone who has.

Glenda Zvenyika, BP’s Corporate and External Communications Manager says despite challenging factors such as high fuel prices, pollution, traffic congestion and the like seemingly nothing can interfere with South Africans’ love for their cars. “We converse with them, name them, adorn them with trinkets and even involve them in some of life’s most significant and personal moments.”



Nine out of ten South African motorists who participated in the BP Ultimate survey also agreed that the quality of fuel is an important factor in the overall performance and efficiency of a car.

Tips for safe holiday driving

The festive season is around the corner and many South Africans will take to the roads to reach holiday destinations around the country. Thousands of motorists will however travel without adequately preparing their vehicles for the journey and drive under fatigue. Goodyear has offered some valuable advice for motorists to ensure that destinations are reached safely during the festive season.


Vehicle maintenance and fatigue

Keeping your vehicle well maintained and ensuring that the driver is well rested is critically important before departing on holiday. Estimates suggest that fatigue accounts for 30% of fatal crashes and 15% of non-fatal crashes.



Lize Hayward, Goodyear Group Brand Communications Manager said “A safe, relaxed journey begins by having your vehicle, car, caravan or trailer checked and well maintained before you depart. No one wants to have their trip interrupted by a break-down. Many of the problems, however, can be prevented by regular maintenance and care. An extra check-up of your vehicle before departure can save you a lot of hassle and help you get to your destination smoothly and safely.

”

Drivers who choose to drive at night to avoid traffic and daytime heat are at high risk as night driving severely decreases the driver’s abilities. It is estimated that approximately 40% of accidents occur at night.



“If you do decide to drive at night, make sure your car is prepared: clean headlights, taillights, signal lights and windows are elementary necessities for safe night-time driving. Make sure your headlights are aimed properly so they illuminate the road properly and don’t blind other drivers. Reduce your speed and increase your following distance when driving at night. Remember that it is more difficult to judge other vehicles’ speed and distance at night,” advises Hayward.



Plan your journey

Planning regular stops and stay-overs on longer journeys will ensure that the driver is well rested and divides the drive into manageable sections which will help you reach your destination safely and relaxed. 

“Planning where to take rest stops along the way before setting off helps drivers keep to realistic, manageable distances. It’s a fact that drivers who don’t plan rest stops often push themselves just that little bit extra to drive another few kilometres, and that’s when the risks start to increase. Fatigue limits one’s co-ordination and ability to multitask effectively; these are key to your job as a driver,” says Hayward.



Goodyear suggests the following:

  • Begin your journey well rested.
  • Have a good night’s sleep before you set off.
  • Respect your bio-rhythm. Depart at a time when your body is used to being awake and active.
  • Don’t drink any alcohol before departure.
  • Avoid any medication that may make you drowsy.
  • Avoid peak departure times.
  • Take regular breaks. Rest immediately when you feel signs of fatigue. Go for a short walk.
  • Avoid heat build-up in the car. Research has shown that high temperatures have the same effect as a blood alcohol level of 0.5.

For more holiday driving tips click here.

Cars.co.za launches powerful new mobile site

If you log onto the Cars.co.za mobile site right now you will notice a very different website. We have been hard at work over the last few months and have finally launched our new and improved mobile site! With more and more South Africans using their mobile phones to search for cars, we felt it was important to make a mobile website that was everything our users wanted.

Teaming up with mobile specialists GrenadeCo , our goal was to create a lightning fast mobile website, which looked good and enabled users to find their next car easily. The site underwent a complete redesign as we identified key features that the new mobile site needed to include.

Enhanced mobile site features

  • Improved design and layout
  • Improved navigation
  • Improved used car browsing interface
  • Powerful refine search feature
  • Multiple car images supported
  • Simplified enquiry process

To go with the site redesign, a number of new features have been added to enhance the user’s mobile experience. Many features that were previously only found on the main Cars.co.za website are now fully viewable on our mobile site.

New mobile site features

  • Complete database of new cars available in South Africa
  • Browse for new cars on your mobile phone
  • Book a test drive / Enquire on new cars
  • Browse monthly new car specials
  • View the latest motoring news

Our new mobile site was designed based on the feedback from you, our users, and we really hope you like it. Please let us know in the comments what you think of it, we love your feedback. To view our new mobile site simply go to www.cars.co.za on your mobile phone.

Volkswagen renting and leasing is tops

Volkswagen renting and leasing is considered to be the best in the industry after the company was named Manufacturer of the Year at the 18th annual South African Vehicle Renting and Leasing Association (Savrala) at the Motor Manufacturer of the Year Awards held at a banquet in Sandton, Johannesburg.

??Volkswagen renting and leasing tops all

Savrala represents 90% of vehicle rental and leasing companies in South Africa and is the largest vehicle buyer after government, purchasing approximately 120 000 new cars annually. After exhaustive bi-annual polling of Savrala members, Volkswagen was awarded the gold Manufacturer of the Year Award in both the rental and leasing categories, with Hyundai, General Motors South Africa and Nissan (GMSA) claiming silver and bronze respectively.

Volkswagen also claimed the Overall Manufacturer of the Year Award and Best Manufacturer’s Technical Representative Leasing Award while Audi won the Most Improved Leasing and Overall Most Improved categories.

David Powels, Managing Director: Volkswagen Group South Africa, “Congratulations must go to the VWSA Fleet Sales team and to the VWSA Rental Sales team for this clean sweep of awards two years in a row. Through them our customers have recognised Volkswagen Group South Africa for its on-going commitment to customer satisfaction.”

More than just looks?

Savrala chairman Wayne Duvenage said the awards went beyond the look and feel of cars, to the companies’ back-up support for the rental and leasing industry. “We get all our members to evaluate their vehicles in a survey twice a year. It’s an intensive process. In our industry it’s around value for money and safety – how attentive the manufacturers are to the needs of the industry. We require bulk purchasing and delivery on time to meet our needs” said Duvenage.

Fleets have a shelf-life of between a year for rentals and about four years for leasing and resale values and demand in the second hand car market are major factors. “Value is a big thing for us, how easily are we able to buy and then sell our cars. A big aspect of the value of those cars is how easy is it to move that product at the end of its fleet life. If you’re in the business of renting or leasing, you’re in the business of selling those cars at the end of the day. All of those things determine what a good supplier is,” says Duvenage.

Ford Figo gets mild makeover

The Ford Figo has received a number of exterior and interior updates across the range including Bluetooth connectivity for the Trend model. The Ford Figo is available with the choice of two engines, namely the 1.4-litre Duratec petrol engine and a 1.4-litre turbo diesel Duratorq engine. The Figo is available in two trim levels namely the entry-level Ambiente or the high-spec Trend.

Ford Figo adds more appeal

??Engine Capability??

The 1.4-litre Duratec petrol engine produces 62kW at 6 000rpm with a maximum torque figure of 127Nm available at 4 000rpm. Combined fuel consumption for this engine is rated at 6.6-litres/100km with a CO2 emissions figure of 156g/km.

The 1.4-litre turbo diesel Duratorq engine generates 51kW at 4 000rpm with a peak torque figure of 160Nm available at 2 000rpm. Fuel consumption for this unit is rated at 5.3-litres/100km with a CO2 emissions figure of 139g/km. Both variants are mated to a 5-speed manual transmission.

Styling Updates??

Both the Ford Figo Ambiente and Trend variants have received styling updates. The exterior changes include a revised lower grille while the upper grille now features a chrome line. The headlamp and tail light design has also been revised and the fog light housings are now more aggressive and defined.

The Ambiente model benefits from a new eight-spoke wheel design while the Trend model receives a new alloy wheel design. On the inside, the Ambiente model features a Dynamic Blue centre stack and a revised seat fabric pattern. The Trend variant now has blue seat fabric and adds Bluetooth capability.

Safety features for the Ford Figo include Anti-lock Braking System (ABS) with Electronic Brake-force Distribution (EBD), Passive Anti-Theft System (PATS) and dual front airbags.

“The Figo’s contemporary design, solid performance credentials and desirable safety features are refreshing for a vehicle in its class,” says Gavin Golightly, Ford Marketing Manager. “It is well-positioned as a value-for-money prospect and with the addition of some new enhancements its overall appeal is further cemented.”

?Ford Figo – Price

Ford Figo 1.4 Ambiente R118 670
Ford Figo 1.4 TDCi Ambiente R132 620
Ford Figo 1.4 Trend R 130 080

The Ford Figo comes with a 4-year/120 000km warranty and 5-year corrosion warranty. Service intervals are 20 000km for petrol derivatives and 15 000km for the diesel.

2013 Honda Civic gets styling updates

The facelifted 2013 Honda Civic sedan has been revealed ahead of its debut at the Los Angeles Auto Show which takes place on 29 November 2012. The new 2013 Honda Civic sedan features a range of safety, feature, comfort, chassis and styling enhancements.

2013 Honda Civic shows new face

The 2013 Honda Civic sedan features a new ‘open-mouth’ lower bumper with a horizontal chrome accent as well as a new black honeycomb mesh grille with new integrated fog lights. The grille is accented with new clear-lens corner lights and a more deeply faceted hood.

The rear-end gets a new bumper design and boot lid with horizontal chrome trim while the rear bumper features integrated reflector treatments and a lower diffuser panel finished with a honeycomb mesh vent.

Full details of the 2013 Honda Civic sedan will be revealed closer to its debut at the LA Auto show at the end of the month. It is not yet clear whether the updated Civic sedan will be available in South Africa.

New GWM H6 SUV coming to South Africa

GWM used the recent Durban Motor Show to unveil the new GWM H6 SUV that will be available in South Africa early in 2013. The new GWM H6 SUV was the best selling SUV in China in September 2012 and GWM is confident that the H6 will see similar success in South Africa.

New GWM H6 SUV at the Durban Motor Show

GWM Gateway is the latest dealership to join GWM’s network of 78 dealerships nationwide and welcomed visitors to its red and white exhibition stand at the Durban Motor Show. GWM vehicles on show included the Steed 5 pick-up, the H5 SUV and the recently launched C10 compact hatchback. The new GWM H6 SUV was also on display.

The new GWM H6 SUV displays refined lines and sporty contours and is equipped with a range of comfort and safety features as well as a spacious boot and luxurious interior. In 2013 GWM will celebrate its sixth year in South Africa and will be rolling out new vehicle launches to mark the occasion.

Tony Pinfold, Chairman of GWM South Africa said, “Every opportunity to interact with existing and potential GWM customers gives us great insight into our market. Needless to say, we find events like the Durban Motor Show highly valuable brand building exercises. Seeing the public’s increasingly positive response to our affordable quality proposition, and new vehicles like the H6 in particular, makes us even more determined to exceed their expectations.”

Further details regarding the new GWM H6 SUV will be made available closer to its launch in the first quarter of 2013.

New Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG Black Series revealed

The new Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG Black Series has been revealed which draws inspiration from the GT3 race car. The SLS AMG Black Series is the fifth Black Series model from Mercedes-Benz-AMG and features enhanced driving dynamics and weighs 70kg less than the outgoing SLS AMG. The SLS AMG Black Series will make its debut at the Los Angeles Auto Show at the end of November 2012.

New Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG Black Series is lighter and faster

?Engine Capability

The new Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG Black Series is fitted with an uprated AMG 6.3-litre V8 engine that generates a power output of 464kW and a maximum torque figure of 635Nm. As a result, the SLS AMG Black Series is the most powerful AMG high performance vehicle with a combustion engine.

The SLS AMG Black Series will accelerate to 100km/h in only 3.6 seconds and reach a top speed of 315km/h using an AMG SPEEDSHIFT DCT 7-speed sports transmission.

Exterior Styling

The new Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG Black Series was built using the ‘AMG Lightweight Performance’ strategy and weighs only 1 550kg. Body elements such as the hood, the rear panel behind the AMG sports bucket seats, the diagonal braces on the underbody and the torque tube are made entirely from Carbon-Fiber Reinforced Plastic (CFRP) which has led to its reduced weight. The SLS AMG Black Series also features tinted headlamps and black surrounds for the rear lights to give it an aggressive look. The SLS AMG Black Series rides on 19-inch front and 20-inch rear AMG 10-spoke alloy wheels and is finished off in the colour ‘AMG Solar Beam’. Six other exterior colours are available including the matt finish designo alanite grey.

Interior Styling??

The interior offers the choice of two colour variants including black designo leather with black Alcantara or black designo leather with black and red Alcantara. The AMG Performance steering wheel is wrapped in Alcantara and features a flattened bottom and a red 12 o’clock marking. The exclusive ‘3D seam’ is a Alcantara strip in anthracite that runs horizontally along the dashboard and features contrasting stitching for added effect. Carbon-fiber trim is used extensively throughout the cabin and red seat belts, red contrasting stitching on the AMG sports bucket seats, centre console, dashboard and door panels further highlight the SLS AMG Black Series’ unique character.

The SLS AMG Black Series is fitted with a COMAND multimedia system as well as the optionally available Bang & Olufsen BeoSound AMG high-end surround sound system. The system includes Dolby Digital 5.1, a 1 000W amplifier, 11 speakers, 50W lens tweeters and a 250W subwoofer.

The new Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG Black Series will be launched in 2013.

New Ford Ranger named best bakkie for 2013

The new Ford Ranger has won the 2013 International Pick-Up Award and has been praised for its engine line-up, payload capacity, towing capacity, safety and performance both on and off the road.

New Ford Ranger comes out on top

The new Ford Ranger won the award after extensive testing at the Millbrook Proving Ground in Bedfordshire, England where it was awarded 47 points, more than the combined number of points for the second-place Isuzu D-Max and the third place Volkswagen Amarok. The award was presented to Ford by jury chairman Pieter Wieman at the Fleet Transport EXPO 12 event in Dublin.

“The new Ford Ranger is a great all-rounder, combining the perfect blend of on-road comfort and stability with off-road capability,” said Irish judge Jarlath Sweeney.

The new Ford Ranger is offered in three body styles namely Double, Super and Regular and is available with the choice of two Duratorq TDCi engines and either as a 4X2 or a 4X4. The Ford Ranger features a five star Euro NCAP safety rating.

“The Ranger is great for work and great for leisure, and customers will appreciate the difference as soon as they get behind the wheel,” said Paul Randle, vehicle line director, Global Commercial Vehicles, Ford of Europe. “This prestigious award is testament to the work of our global product teams and there is plenty more to look forward to with the launch of the all-new Transit and all-new Transit Connect in 2013.

“??In 2013, Ford also walked away with the 2013 International Van of the Year for the Transit Custom as well as the 2012 International Engine of the Year for the highly acclaimed Ford 1.0 EcoBoost petrol engine.

The 2012 94.7 Cycle Challenge road closures

The 2012 Momentum 94.7 Cycle Challenge takes place this weekend on Sunday 18 November 2012 and will see various roads in Johannesburg closed as a result.

The City of Johannesburg, Johannesburg Metropolitan Police Department, Johannesburg Roads Agency and the Gauteng Department of Roads and Transport will implement total road closure on the affected routes to ensure the safety of both the cyclists and residents.

Motorists are urged to use alternative routes to destinations as no vehicles will be allowed on any of the roads affected by the race. Here is a list of arrears and the roads you need to steer clear of from Saturday at 12pm to the day of the race.

94.7 Cycle Challenge road closures

Sunninghill / Kyalami

  • R 55 (Maxwell Drive to Maxwell Drive Ext)
  • Woodmead South Bound (Drive Maxwell Drive to the onramp of the M1 South)

Sandton

  • M1 South (Buccleuch Interchange to the M2/M1 Split)

Crossing at the following bridges and under carriages is encouraged: Marlboro Drive, Grayston Drive, Corlett Drive, Athol Oaklands Road, Glenhove Avenue, 11th Avenue, Riviera Road, Oxford Road, Smit Street.

Johannesburg

  • Joe Slovo Road (M1 South/Joe Slovo offramp to M2 East/Joe Slovo offramp)
  • M2 East (M2 East/Village Rd offramp to Joe Slovo offramp)
  • Eloff Street (Faraday onramp to Main Road)
  • Main Rd (Gandhi Square, Eloff Street to Rissik Street)
  • Rissik Street (Main Road to Rissik Street offramp)
  • Carr Street (Miriam Makeba Road to Ntemi Piliso Road)

Crossing at the following bridges and under carriages is encouraged: Louis Botha Avenue, Banarto Street, Alexandra Street, Joel Road, Saratoga Avenue, Market Street, Commissioner Street, Fox Street, Main Street, Anderson Street,
Marshall Street, Albert Street, Durban Street, Miekie Street, Mooi Street, Loveday Street, Rosettenville Road, Simmonds Street, Booysens Road, Usher Street, Ntemi Piliso Road.

Parktown North

  • Bertha Road (Nelson Mandela Bridge to Empire Road)

Randburg

  • Jan Smuts Avenue (Empire Road to Bram Fischer Drive)
  • Bram Fischer Drive (Jan Smuts Avenue to Homestead Avenue)
  • Homestead Avenue (Bram Fischer Drive to Cumberland Street)
  • Cumberland Street (Homestead Avenue to Moray Drive)
  • Moray Drive (Cumberland Street to Grosvenor Road)
  • Grosvenor Road (Moray Drive to Douglas Road)

Douglasdale

  • Douglas Road Grosvenor Road to Witkoppen Road
  • Witkoppen Road (Douglas Road to Northumberland Street)

North Riding

  • Malibongwe Drive (Witkoppen Road to R512)
  • R 512 (Malibongwe Drive to Lanseria onramp to the N14 Highway)

Northbound lane will be contraflow for motorists and Beyers Naude Drive can be used as an alternative route from West Road or Cedar Road from Fourways.

Kya Sands

  • N14 Highway (Lanseria onramp to R511 offramp)

Nooitgedacht Road can be used as an alternative.

Diepsloot

  • R 511 (Diepsloot offramp to Summit Road)
  • Summit Road (R511 to the R55)
  • R 55 (Summit Road to Maxwell Drive)

Only the northbound carriageway will be open for traffic.

All affected roads should be re-opened by 16:30 on the day of the race.