MERCEDES-BENZ SA TO OFFER GERMAN WORLD CUP FANS EXTRA SUPPORT

Mercedes-Benz South Africa, the Deutschen Fussball Bund DFB and the German embassy in South Africa will be working together during the FIFA 2010 Soccer World Cup taking place between 11 June and 11 July 2010 in South Africa.

The German embassy in South Africa together with their department of foreign affairs, will be offering all travelling German soccer fans special services at a central contact and information point at all game venues, in the form of a ‘mobile fan-embassy’ vehicle.

The Mercedes-Benz Vito is the vehicle of choice, and will be strategically parked close to the stadiums by the German embassy. Fans will be able to receive travel and tourism information, advice on transport, traffic, health, safety and much more.

HONDA UPS SALES, INCOME

Increased sales in all business segments and the favourable impact of currency translation were the key reasons for a 27.8% increase in Honda Motor Company’s sales and operating revenues for the fourth quarter that ended on March 31 this year, compared to the same period in 2009.

Net sales and operating revenue came to 2.28 billion yen (R189 million), and was the first increase in three years. Net income came to 72.1 billion yen (R6 billion) – an improvement of 40.1%.
 

NEW CROSSPOLO COMES TO MZANSI

The next generation of the CrossPolo is ready for new adventures. After the launch of the new Polo early in 2010, the new CrossPolo becomes the second model of the Polo series to be introduced in South Africa. With its refreshingly cheeky design, unique choice of colours and features and a higher ride height (15 millimetre gain), the CrossPolo is a very appealing offering in its class.

The rugged-sporty character of the CrossPolo is reflected in many of its details. Especially striking is the individually styled front apron – in anthracite colour − with integrated front fog lights and large air inlet at the centre. It gets a black honeycomb insert bordered by fine chrome trim. Towards its lower edge, the bumper finishes with a section in light silver with the visual appearance of underbody protection. Taken from classic Polo styling are the upper radiator grille with its chrome inlay and the Volkswagen logo integrated here; the same applies to the dual headlights.

CHEVROLET CORSA UTILITY CONTINUES WHERE OPEL CORSA UTILITY LEFT OFF

NAAMSA vehicle sales statistics for May indicate continued support for an elevated sales trend with a total of 39 176 sales recorded for the month (including non-detailed sales by importers). This places year-to-date sales 24.6% ahead of 2009 although consideration must be given to the fact that the first part of 2009 was when the full impact of the economic downturn was felt.

“One measure that provides a very good insight into the strength of the industry is the number of sales recorded per selling day at dealer level,” says Malcom Gauld, GMSA Vice President Sales and Marketing. “If you compare that number for April and May 2010 there is a difference of only three odd sales per day which would indicate that demand has stabilised, albeit at a higher level than anticipated going into 2010.

VOLKSWAGEN VIVO TOPS MAY PASSENGER SALES

During May 2010 a total of 25 724 new passenger cars were sold in South Africa. Total new passenger car sales in May, including sales not reported in detail to NAAMSA, increased by 9.1 percent when compared to April 2010, and by 36.3 percent when compared to May 2009, bringing the year-to-date May market in 2010 to a level 28.3 percent above the same period for 2009.

“Volkswagen of South Africa continued to dominate the passenger car market with 22.6 percent share and total sales of 5 808 units. The new uniquely South African Polo Vivo was the number one selling passenger Brand in May with

BMW INVESTS IN MATHS AND SCIENCE UNDERPRIVILEGED STUDENTS

BMW South Africa celebrates the tenth anniversary of its BMW Excellence Project in Mathematics, Science and Technology (MST) in 2010. The programme encourages young learners to pursue careers in the field of science and technology, while at the same time addressing the skills gap that exists in the country in this critical field.

The initiative has grown from a small initial base and now supports almost 50 under-privileged schools in Midrand, Rosslyn and Soweto, and recently expanded to five schools in the Western Cape.

Using mobile laboratories, which are procured with BMW funding, teachers are

NISSAN PATHFINDER FINDS NEW FACE

The new Nissan Pathfinder facelift is now available to South African consumers. First unveiled at the 2010 Geneva International Motor Show just a few months ago, the Pathfinder hopes to do better than its predecessor.

Exterior changes include a new bonnet, a new front grille, different front bumper as well as a new rear bumper. Nissan says the look is cleaner, sportier and more modern.

The interior is now much more luxurious and comfortable, featuring

FOURTH PLACE FOR FORD WRC TEAM IN PORTUGAL

BP Ford Abu Dhabi World Rally Team's Mikko Hirvonen and Jarmo Lehtinen finished fourth in Rally de Portugal today after a thrilling three-car battle for the final podium place.  After three days of flat-out driving in the hills above the Algarve coastline, the fight for third in this sixth round of the FIA World Rally Championship was only decided on the final 2km speed test inside Faro's soccer stadium this afternoon.

The Finns had settled for fifth in their Ford Focus RS World Rally Car heading into the test, which featured two cars at-a-time racing around a purpose-built track and was broadcast live on Portuguese television.  However, when fourth-placed Petter Solberg went off the road in the previous heat and lost 15 seconds, 29-year-old Hirvonen measured his pace in the following duel and climbed to fourth after 18 stages covering 355.32km. 

TOP 6 FINISH FOR TEAM TOTAL AT RALLY SOUTH AFRICA

Team TOTAL completed a successful weekend in the fourth round of the Sasol Rally Championship in Mpumalanga on Saturday.  At the end of the two-day 187-km special stage Rally of South Africa, all four Team TOTAL crews completed the punishing event with three in the top six.

Highest-placed of the Team TOTAL cars was the class S2000 Toyota RunX of Jean-Pierre Damseaux and Carolyn Swan in third place, behind winners Johnny Gemmell and Drew Sturrock in a factory class S2000 Toyota Auris and second-placed Volkswagen factory pairing of Jan Habig and Ralph Pitchford in a class S2000 VW Polo.