STOP
PRESS: FMCSA announces R1,5-billion export
plan
The
Ford Motor Company of Southern Africa (FMCSA)
has announced plans to invest more than
R1,5 billion in order to expand operations
for the production of its next-generation
compact pick-up truck and Puma diesel engine.
HONDA
TOPS CSI STUDY YET AGAIN
According
to the 2007 JD Power and Associates Customer
Satisfaction Index Study, Honda is South
Africa's top brand for the second year running.
Four of Honda's models took top honors in
their segments, as did four Toyota models.
PUNDITS PROVED TO BE TOO OPTIMISTIC IN
2007
Motor
industry pundits and senior executives in
the local motor industry proved over-optimistic
in their forecasts of vehicle sales in South
Africa in 2007.
MCCARTHY
HELPS CHERY BLOSSOM IN SA
In
mid-2007, McCarthy Motor Holdings marched
in the Meiya bakkie, and now the well-established
automotive retail group has signed a distribution
deal with yet another "made in China"
manufacturer - Chery Automobile Company.
DISAPPOINTING
SLUMP IN SA VEHICLE EXPORTS
Exports
of built-up vehicles from almost 5 per cent from 179 859 units
in 2006 to 171 237 units last year. The
main reason was the slow start up by Mercedes-Benz
in exporting the new C-Class.
NISSAN
PLANT GEARS UP FOR RENAULT SANDERO
Renault
SA has announced that it will build the
Sandero hatchback at its strategic alliance
partner Nissan's Rosslyn plant from early
in 2009.
LOOKING
AHEAD
It
now seems the industry pundits are being
far more cautious in their market predictions
this year than they were at the beginning
of 2007. The general expectation is that
the overall market will continue to fall...
