BMW AND HYUNDAI TOP NADA's DEALER SURVEY

BMW South Africa and Hyundai Automotive have topped South Africa's 2006 National Automobile Dealers' Association (Nada) Dealer Satisfaction Index awards in the local manufacturer and importer categories, respectively.

Now in its eleventh year, the survey is conducted by Nada in conjunction with Deloitte. Local manufacturers and importers are rated separately with the aim of examining relationships between manufacturers and importers, and their respective dealer networks. The survey covers 14 categories.

Mitsubishi, a division of DaimlerChrysler SA, came second to BMW in the local manufacturers' section. They were followed by Ford PAG's Jaguar, Mercedes-Benz, Volvo, General Motors SA, Chrysler/Jeep, Toyota, Ford/Mazda, Volkswagen, Audi, Lexus, Nissan and Land Rover.

On the importers' side, Hyundai's sister brand Kia placed second, and Subaru was third, followed by Tata, Renault, Citroën, Fiat, Alfa Romeo, Peugeot and Honda. Then came TATA, Renault, Citroën, Fiat, Alfa Romeo, Peugeot and Honda.

Jaguar and Hyundai also won awards for being the most improved brands in terms of the DSI's criteria. Nissan Diesel came out on top in the commercial vehicle category, ahead of MAN and Renault Trucks.

CITROËN SELLS MOST CARS PER DEALER

Another interesting aspect of the Nada dealer survey is the average annual sales per dealership in South Africa. Citroën dealers sell the most cars per outlet at 960 units a year. Next most productive is Mercedes-Benz at 910. Then follows Volkswagen (770), Mitsubishi (730), Toyota (610), BMW (600), Hyundai (590), Ford/Mazda (580), Chevrolet/Opel/Isuzu (460) and Chrysler/Jeep (420).

SQUEEZE ON SA'S FUEL INDUSTRY

The South African petroleum industry is being squeezed between increasing demand and onerous new fuel regulations that will require multi-billion rand refinery upgrades by 2010. The industry had recently spent between six and eight billion rand converting refineries to produce unleaded petrol. The liquid fuels industry has also come under pressure following complaints regarding the workings of its black economic empowerment charter.

SHELL SA SEALS R120-MILLION BEE DEAL

Shell South Africa, criticised in a recent empowerment report commissioned by the government, has announced a R120-million transport deal with Mzanze Africa Logistics. The black empowerment (BEE) company comprises former employees, mostly drivers. The deal, which will run over five years, is expected to give the former employees up to 15 per cent of the distribution business for Shell's petroleum products.

PORSCHE SEEKS BIGGER STAKE IN VW

Porsche, already the largest shareholder in Volkswagen AG, plans to buy an additional 3,8 per cent stake in Europe's largest car maker. By increasing its stake to 25,1 per cent, Porsche chief executive Wendelin Wiedeking is gearing up for the repeal of the so-called "Volkswagen Law" which limits voting rights to 20 per cent of the stock. The new law would require a shareholder to have at least a 25 per cent share to have a blocking vote. The next biggest shareholder in VWAG is Lower Saxony with a 20,8 per cent stake.

PSA PLANS RESTRUCTURING

PSA Peugeot-Citroën will accelerate the launch of several new models under a restructuring plan that does not involve the loss of permanent jobs, the company has announced. Labour would instead be shed by the non-renewal of temporary contracts and non-replacement of people who have left the company. The group aims to generate savings of R1,2-billion in the short term, and announced that apart from the closure of its Ryton factory in England, there would be no plant closures in Western Europe.

HIJACKINGS ROCKET TO FIVE-YEAR HIGH

Car hijacking has hit its highest level in five years, with insurance firms and tracking companies citing an average increase as high as 30 per cent for this year. The Sunday Times claims that there is a dramatic increase in hijackings from the 12 434 recorded during the 2004/5 financial year. It is expected that the 15 846 mark set in 2001/2 could be exceeded this year, with vehicle theft and hijackings costing motorists collectively more than R1,5-million a day.

It was also stated that "random" hijackers and car thieves were more attracted to low-value vehicles, while the syndicates ran a "steal-to-order" type of operation where particular makes of cars were targeted - most of them in the luxury category.

OPERATORS ALTER "RECAP SIYAYA"

Some taxi operators are ignoring the government's new regulations for minibus taxis by converting Toyota's recap compliant 13-seater Siyaya back to the previous 16-seater configuration. Operators remove the yellow reflective tape from around the vehicle and the protective panel behind the driver. A centre front seat is fitted and two "flip-up" seats are added in the rear. Generally all that is retained are the bands in the wheels preventing a flat tyre from coming off the rim. Toyota has sold more than 3 500 recap-compliant Siyayas.

MORE THAN 31,6-MILLION COROLLAS SOLD IN 40 YEARS

This year, 2006, marks the 40th anniversary of the introduction of the Corolla small sedan to Toyota Motor Corporation's passenger car line-up. The first generation Corolla was launched in Japan in October 1966 and the world's most popular car model range is now in its ninth generation. Cumulative worldwide sales of the Corolla family of cars reached 31,6-million at the end of June this year.

Runner-up in the all-time vehicle popularity stakes is the Ford F-Series pick-up (1948 - present), with just under 30-million sold. It is followed by the Volkswagen Golf (1974 - present with 25 million sold), Volkswagen Beetle (1938 - 2003), Ford Escort (1968 - 2003), Honda Civic (1972-present), Ford Model T (1908 - 1927 with sales of more than 16-million), Nissan Sunny/Sentra/Pulsar (1973 - present), Volkswagen Passat (1973 - present) and the Lada Niva (1980 - present).

BMW LAUNCHES HYDROGEN-POWERED LUXURY CAR

BMW is launching the world's first pollution-free luxury car that runs on hydrogen, releasing only water vapour from the exhaust pipe. Initially only 75 units of the BMW Hydrogen 7 will be sold worldwide. It will be built in Germany as a limited edition and sold to selected customers in the United States. The "super green" BMW runs on either petrol or compressed hydrogen gas, with its one big disadvantage being its specialised refuelling system.

RHD MARKETS MAY MISS OUT ON KEY HYBRID MODELS

The first generation petrol-electric hybrid vehicles derived from the billion-dollar alliance between DaimlerChrysler, BMW and General Motors will not be sold in right-hand drive markets. The new system, claimed to be superior to that used by hybrid market leader Toyota, is due to debut in the United States next year.

General Motors, DaimlerChrysler and BMW will spend more than R7,4-billion combined to develop a petrol-electric power train for hybrid vehicles to compete with the likes of Toyota and Honda.

TATA AND FIAT TO JOIN FORCES

Fiat, which has had alliances with a number of other manufacturers over the years, now has a new partner in the Tata company after signing a memorandum of understanding in July. Joint ventures could involve a powertrain from one of Fiat's factories and possible platform sharing between the two companies, aimed at developing a new low-cost car.

RENAULT TO REPOSITION ITS BRAND

Renault will begin repositioning its brand before next year's Frankfurt Motor Show, according to an article in Automotive News Europe. As part of CEO Carlos Ghosn's "Renault Commitment 2009" plan that was announced in February, one of the objectives is to double the sale of vehicles priced above R250 000. This means Renault will need to sell more more high-end Laguna saloons, but the French manufacturer says it does not signify a move into the premium luxury market. Renault will launch the revamped brand when it can unveil products that support its new image.

SEAT DEALERS WANT THE BRAND DEFINED

Seat dealers want the brand to be given a clear identity. Dealers say they want the Volkswagen Group's money-losing Spanish brand to be given a clear sense of direction as it undergoes restructuring. The company aims to return to profitability in 2008. Seat dealers say customers must be persuaded that Seat is no longer a downmarket brand.

EX-BMW MANAGER JAILED FOR THREE YEARS

A former BMW purchasing manager Günther Link has been jailed for three years after being convicted of taking bribes from suppliers. The court was told how Link's corruption caused Valeo to lose its contract to supply electrical systems for BMW's second generation MINI. Investigations continue and more people are expected to be charged.

TOYOTA'S NEW MANUFACTURING BOSS FOR EUROPE

Toyota has appointed a new manufacturing head for its European operations, with one of his tasks being to improve product quality. Product problems have led to the recall of about 470 000 Toyota cars in Europe so far this year. New manufacturing president Tetsuo Agata says he will work closely with European suppliers, who are responsible for about 90 per cent of the components in European-built Toyotas.

Agata's appointment followed the recall to Japan of Shinichi Sasaki, Toyota Motor Europe's former president, to head the manufacturer's worldwide quality task force. Sasaki had also been responsible for the European manufacturing operations.

DCSA TO CLOSE ITS PLANT FOR FOUR MONTHS

Workers and companies supplying DaimlerChrysler SA have been told that the company's East London manufacturing facility will be closed for four months next year as is prepares the production lines for assembly of the new W204 C-Class Mercedes Benz for the domestic and export markets.

More than 3 000 DCSA employees and many thousands more at component manufacturers and a myriad of service providers will be affected. The closure period will be from March 1, 2007 to June 30, 2007.

AUTOMOTIVE SUPPLIER PARK FOR KZN

Construction of a multimillion-rand automotive supplier park in Prospecton, near Durban, is expected to start as early as next year. Zweli Mkhize, the KwaZulu-Natal MEC for finance and economic development, said that a private-public partnership was being created to ensure that the park becomes a reality. The project will create 600 jobs.