Stellantis to launch Strada half-tonner in sub-Saharan Africa, excluding S Africa

Stellantis has announced that it will launch the Fiat Strada half-ton bakkie in left-hand-drive markets in sub-Saharan Africa, starting this month. This excludes South Africa, where the Strada was... 

Contractors urge dialogue on the back of 88 liquidations

Contract changes within the construction industry and conditions that are slashing margins are becoming a growing threat to contractors, “contributing to the downward spiral of the construction... 

Mercedes-Benz SA, BEE partner to roll out 127 electric vehicle charging stations

Mercedes-Benz South Africa (MBSA) will roll out 127 electric vehicle (EV) charging stations across the country in a R40-million investment. As demand for EVs continues to grow, “ensuring robust... 

Barloworld expects slowdown in mining equipment sales as commodity cycle cools

Barloworld expects a 10% to 15% decline in the 2024 Southern African mining equipment industry on the back of slowing commodity demand and weak commodity prices. “Having said that, we are... 

Increased exposure, cost concerns among insights revealed by AutoTrader’s EV buyers survey

AutoTrader’s 2023 South Africa Electric Vehicle (EV) Buyers Survey shows that 63% of respondents believe they would purchase an EV within the next five years, down from 65% in 2022. Some marginally... 

Avis launches iLease as an alternative to vehicle ownership

Avis Fleet has introduced iLease, the company’s first leasing product in South Africa. iLease allows consumers the use of a vehicle for any duration between 12 and 48 months, as an alternative to... 

Electric vehicle market stymied by slow public charging roll-out – global study

A new study from Juniper Research has found that the lack of public infrastructure is severely limiting electric vehicle (EV) adoption in urban environments.  In particular, as flat and apartment... 

TNPA issues Eol for small, medium-scale LNG imports

Transnet National Ports Authority (TNPA) has published an expression of interest (EoI) document to determine market appetite for small- to medium-scale liquefied natural gas (LNG) imports through... 

City of Cape Town study proves business case for electrification of vehicle fleet

The City of Cape Town has wrapped up a three-year electric vehicle (EV) pilot project, which it says proves the business case for the electrification of municipal vehicle fleets.  “Battery EV... 

Rubicon aims to more than double its charging network by the end of 2024

Technology group Rubicon aims to expand its electric vehicle (EV) charging network from the current 90 chargers to more than 250 by the end of next year, says e-mobility director Greg Blandford.... 

Serco’s Gauteng premises now fully solar powered

Truck and trailer body-building company Serco is now fully powered by solar energy at its Boksburg facility in Gauteng. The installation consists of a 150 kW hybrid solar system with 370 x 405 W... 

South Africa should not be ‘pushed into a corner’ on energy funding, say SANEDI and Eskom

While any funding of South Africa’s embattled energy sector is welcome, South Africa should not “be pushed into a corner” on how this money should be spent, said South African National Energy... 

New Hyundai boss expects negative 2023 as consumers battle tide of bad news

Newly appointed Hyundai Automotive South Africa (HASA) CEO Gideon Jansen van Rensburg steps into his new role at a challenging time. Not only is the domestic passenger-car market cooling, but the... 

Energy crisis being addressed, but implementation is slow, admits DMRE DG

One of the biggest positive developments over the last 12 months has been the “convergence of ideas on what we need to do to resolve the energy crisis”, said Department of Mineral Resources and... 

Broad-based strain evident in the logistics sector, Ctrack index shows

The Ctrack Transport and Freight Index (CTFI) retreated further during August, to an index level of 118.8, the lowest since February, when it was at 116.7.  This represents a 1.5% decrease. It is... 

Association warns of looming spate of retrenchments at dealerships, retail stores

The Motor Industry Staff Association (MISA) says a number of dealerships and retail stores have announced their intent to restructure, which could lead to a spate of retrenchments in the automotive... 

Africa using only ‘very small’ percentage of its wind power potential, says GWEC

Africa is using less than 1% of its wind power potential, which is “very, very, very little”, says Global Wind Energy Council (GWEC) Africa director Wangari Muchiri. A new report released at... 

Ford to add plug-in hybrid to Ranger bakkie line-up in 2025

Ford will add a plug-in hybrid electric vehicle (PHEV) to its Ranger bakkie line-up from early 2025. The source plant for the vehicle has not been confirmed yet, says Ford Motor Company of Southern... 

Govt taking too long to wrap up power projects – Ramokgopa

Electricity Minister Dr Kgosientsho Ramokgopa says he “laments” the time it takes government to go from issuing requests for proposals (RFPs) to announcing preferred bidder status and reaching... 

'Anchor demand' a must for renewables masterplan to succeed – Montmasson-Clair

The energy sector requires consistent demand from a consistent flow of renewable-energy projects in order to invest in local manufacturing, and not “haphazard demand that comes and goes”, says... 

Mantashe seeks to extend the life of Eskom’s coal-fired power stations

Mineral Resources and Energy Minister Gwede Mantashe has called on the private sector to “please and come talk to us” if they have any ideas on extending the life of South Africa’s fleet of... 

South Africa should not be pushed into a corner on just energy transition funding – Eskom, SANEDI

While any funding of South Africa’s embattled energy sector is welcome, South Africa should not “be pushed into a corner” on how this money should be spent, says South African National Energy... 

ARM Geometallurgy Research Chair launched at Stellenbosch University

Stellenbosch University (SU) has partnered with mining company African Rainbow Minerals (ARM) to establish the ARM Geometallurgy Research Chair.  The objective of the position is to advance... 

MAN to start local assembly of electric bus in 2024

MAN Truck & Bus has supplied Cape Town’s Golden Arrow Bus Services (GABS) with its first Lion’s Explorer E electric bus. While the bus boasts a locally made body, its chassis was fully imported. 

Sasol, Anglo American Platinum and BMW ink deal to test hydrogen cars in SA

Anglo American Platinum, BMW Group South Africa (BMW SA) and Sasol have partnered to prove that a hydrogen mobility ecosystem can operate successfully within South Africa. The three companies on... 

EVs are coming, but can SA’s power grid support this rapidly rising technology?

Whether South Africans like it or not, electric vehicles – EVs, those zero-emission vehicles that must be plugged in to run – are coming. You may adore the purr of a powerful V6 engine, but... 

Ineos acquires Botswana’s Kavango Engineering

Ineos Automotive, the manufacturer of the Grenadier and Quartermaster, has acquired Botswana-based vehicle conversion specialist Kavango Engineering.  The business has been renamed Ineos Kavango,... 

MAN hands over first electric bus to Golden Arrow, local production to start in 2024

MAN Truck & Bus South Africa (MAN SA) has provided Cape Town’s Golden Arrow Bus Services (GABS) with its first Lion’s Explorer E electric bus. The bus now enters a test period until September next... 

R575m Goodwood social housing project gears up for its first tenants

Tenanting is set to begin in November on the 330-unit first phase of the Goodwood social housing megaproject, which will, once completed, provide affordable rental opportunities for more than 1 000... 

Hudson Rubber calls for auto-component import substitution for growth of economy

Import substitution in the local automotive industry is crucial for the growth of the South African economy, says Hudson Rubber Company MD Stoney Steenkamp. Hudson Rubber is a Hammanskraal-based... 

Feasibility study on Stellantis plant to inform IDC on its contribution

The State-owned Industrial Development Corporation (IDC) says the bankable feasibility study for the proposed multibillion-rand Stellantis vehicle assembly plant, in Coega, in the Eastern Cape, is... 

Metair ups profit despite Hesto bleed, export losses

Despite the loss of the Russian battery export market, as well as the poor performance of wiring harness maker Hesto, Metair still managed to chalk up a healthy increase in profit for the six... 

Bell to diversify production at Richards Bay plant through launch of new business

Bell Equipment is set to launch a new business, called Bell Heavy Industries (BHI), at the Mining Indaba in February next year. BHI will be an arm of Bell Equipment Company South Africa, which is... 

South Africa negotiating with Chinese automaker to build local plant – Cabinet

Government is negotiating with BYD, the Chinese automaker and the world’s largest electric vehicle (EV) manufacturer, to possibly open a manufacturing plant in South Africa, Cabinet announced at... 

Automaker Stellantis to build R3bn plant in Coega

Vehicle manufacturer Stellantis says it will invest R3-billion to develop a greenfield manufacturing facility in Coega, in the Eastern Cape, along with the Industrial Development Corporation (IDC)... 

WBHO makes strong return, warns of potential contractor shortage for IPP jobs

Wilson Bayly Holmes-Ovcon (WBHO) is back, “and we are back on a very strong footing”, says CEO Wolfgang Neff. “We had an exceptional year in a difficult period.” 

City of Cape Town to launch dispute mediation process on PRASA devolution, service standards

Cape Town mayor Geordin Hill-Lewis says the city is briefing its lawyers to launch an intergovernmental dispute on passenger rail devolution and service standards.  Hill-Lewis says the city has... 

SA component makers aim to invest R4.8bn

The South Africa component industry will invest R4.8-billion in the South African economy up to the end of next year, says National Association of Automotive Component and Allied Manufacturers... 

Five more Western Cape rail corridors targeted for recovery – PRASA

The Passenger Rail Agency of South Africa (PRASA) says it has, to date, recovered eight lines in the Western Cape following the complete collapse of service during the Covid-19-pandemic. Six of the... 

Road freight growth subsiding, rail sector struggling – Ctrack index

The Ctrack Transport and Freight Index (Ctrack TFI) retreated further in July to an index level of 120.8, the lowest level this year since March’s 120.5.  This represents a decrease of 1.2% during...