FREIGHTLINER AND FUSO STAY ATOP SALES CHARTS

The Freightliner and Mitsubishi FUSO divisions of Mercedes-Benz South Africa (MBSA) have ended the first four months of 2010 with a volume increase of more than 27 % over sales compared to year-to-date 2009.  These sales of 731 units contribute to MBSA’s market dominance of 34.7 % market share year-to-date.

“We are generally pleased with our sales growth, although our stock availability could have been more favourable, which would have led to increased sales.  Taking into account limitations with both capacity and supplier turnaround time in the United States, we are doing our utmost to remedy the situation,” says Ian Riley, Divisional Manager, Freightliner/FUSO.

NEW BENCHMARK BMW 5 SERIES NOW IN SOUTH AFRICA

“7 Series at the front, 3 Series at the rear”. My first visual impression of the all-new BMW 5 Series (codename F10) which was launched in South Africa this week. And that’s not a bad thing at all, considering the 3 is one of the best-designed cars on the road today, while the 7 exudes presence and mad respect. While the word “elegant” has not been used to describe any BMW for years (except the current 3 Series Coupe/ Convertible), the 5ver comes pretty close, especially at the rear.

At just under five metres long and 1.6m wide, the car has piled up dimensions considerably. As a result interior comfort levels are unprecedented, perhaps for the segment, but certainly for the model range. Motoring scribes don’t often spend time at the back seat of any car, so when I was ushered into this largely unfamiliar territory, I almost lost my breath. That particular model was fitted with the optional DVD screens for passenger entertainment, along with other goodies. Eat your heart out 7 Series!

MAZDA POPS CHAMPAGNE AFTER 90 YEARS OF LIFE

This year Mazda celebrates nine decades of inspirational advancements by people, who dared to be innovators, who were uncompromising in their approach to revolutionary design and engineering.

“Many people view Mazda as a young brand,” explains Doreen Mashinini, Mazda Marketing Manager. “But in truth Mazda has a seasoned heritage. The company has a legacy of breaking new ground and leading innovations in the fields of aerodynamics and engineering. The brand's success with rotary engine technology is an example of the cutting edge advancements pioneered by Mazda.”

FERRARI HITS RECESSION SPEED BUMP, PLANS JOB CUTS

Ferrari SpA, owner and manufacturer of Ferrari sports cars, is cutting down production and staff in a bid to stop a slight downslide in sales. A report from Bloomberg cited company spokesman Stefano Lai who apparently said they were planning on lowering the number of people working for Ferrari. He didn’t mention any numbers but Bloomberg understood a figure of around 120 office and 150 factory positions are on the line.

Ferrari supplies sister brand Maserati with engines and delivered 9 000 of these in 2008. Last year only 4 500 were built, obviously affecting production capacities, factory workers, sales and ultimately profits. Lai said there is no way Ferrari is slashing its annual production number of 6 000 cars after a union spokesman claimed the company would reduce production from 20 000 to 10 000.

While these production numbers appear miniscule (Volkswagen South Africa alone sells over 11 000 Polos every year, just in Mzansi), consider that the average Ferrari has a price tag well over R2 million.

SOURCE: Bloomberg via WCF

NEW NOKIA CK-200 CAR KIT MULTI-COMPATIBLE

Nokia has announced the availability of the CK-200 car kit, which is universally compatible with any make of Bluetooth enabled mobile phone. The CK-200 retails for approximately R1 500 uninstalled and will be available at installers from June 2010.

“The Nokia CK-200 is easy to install and is designed to make communicating whilst driving easy,” says Stuart Bruce, Head of Global Sales, Nokia Car Business Area. “One of the main benefits of the CK-200 car kit is that consumers are able to connect simultaneously to both their personal and business phones in the car. The switch between the two phones is easy and safe with the click of a single button, and the detachable 2.5-inch display is clear and easy to read.”

HYUNDAI IX35: COMPACT URBAN CROSSOVER TAKES ON ICONS

In 2010 if you don’t have a product with an “i” prefix you are probably so very last season. I suppose Hyundai’s recent renaissance has something to do with the fact that the Tucson’s replacement is called an ix35, which follows on the tyre tracks of cars like the i10, i20 and i30. The x is of course for “crossover”, which the ix35 is.

What it isn’t is an off-roader. That’s because ride height is some 10mm down on the Tucson. Even the 4x4 versions are not much of a dust buster. But what’s cool is that Hyundai already know all this. In fact that was the plan in the first place; to created an urban creature that can climb pavements with relative ease, be comfortable on the tarmac and leave a little dust on gravel. While there is all-wheel-drive (AWD) available in two models (2.4 GLS and 2.0 R diesel), it cannot be taken too seriously, no thanks to the lower suspension. That’s about it. Sorry adventurers, this is not the car for you.

GARMAP RELEASES SPECIAL 2010 MAPS

Garmap, Garmin’s official mapping partner for Africa, has announced the latest version of its Garmap Africa Series map.

According to Garmap’s Chief Technology Officer, Dr. Chris Crozier, the latest version of Garmap’s mapping data takes Garmin users’ experiences a step higher, moving from a pure A-to-B navigation service, to location-based services and value-adds.

Garmap’s latest release map data includes basic street-level changes following ongoing construction and modifications to South Africa’s roadways, including new interchanges on the major highways and new roads.

ON THE ROAD: LAND ROVER DISCOVERY 4, 5.0 V8

Awesome Looks This Time Around.

The facelift has certainly done wonders for the Discovery 4 which was launched in 2005. Those LED lights, the Range Rover-style front grille with a mash pattern, the new front bumper, new rear lights cluster and bumper have all gelled to make it a much more attractive car than ever.

Inside Also Right?

Yes of course. That’s probably where most of the best work has been done. Apparently existing Disco 4 customers and potential ones liked what they saw initially, until they pulled those plastic door handles for an inside peek and feel. What they saw I’ve seen a few times before myself. It wasn’t impressive. Enter this facelift and the label “premium vehicle” can finally be stamped on Disco. The dashboard is extremely welcoming, such

GOOD TIMES ROLL AS NISSAN POSTS HEALTHY PROFITS

Nissan has announced that it made very good money over the past fiscal year, despite the bad times. The Japanese company reported net revenues of 7.5173 trillion yen (R615.86 billion), down 10.9% from the prior year, with the stronger yen offsetting the increase in sales volume. Net income was 42.4 billion yen (R3.47 billion), compared to negative 233.7 billion yen (R19.15 billion) in fiscal year 2008.

The full-year results were better than the forecast given when third-quarter financial results were filed on February 9, 2010. Significant contributors to Nissan’s performance compared to last year were sales volume growth in emerging markets, especially in China, and the effective execution of recovery plan actions to counter the effects of the global financial and economic crisis.

AUTOMATIC RENAULT CLIO COMES TO SA

Traffic haters, there is a new budget solution for you. Renault has announced it is now selling Clio 1.6 Dynamique with a 4-speed automatic gearbox. It really is high time that Renault caters for this market and that buyers, especially in busy, oft-congested metros like Gauteng, Western Cape and KwaZulu Natal realise how much they need these cars.

“Our research indicated that there is a definite niche for a contemporary, well-equipped subcompact hatchback with an automatic gearbox,” says Xavier Gobille, managing director of Renault SA.  “Our target audiences for this car include older users who are downsizing from larger cars, but don’t want the inconvenience of using a clutch, as well as urban commuters who have to cope with stop-start traffic and congested roads, where manual gearboxes can be a nuisance.”