Colin-on-Cars - New commercial vehicle player

ETG Logistics has been appointed the local distributor for Ashok Leyland products and will operate dealerships for the Indian company in six key Southern African countries.

Ashok Leyland, flagship of the Hinduja Group and India’s leading commercial vehicle manufacturer, has vehicles across the commercial spectrum from heavy to light, offers a range of agricultural engines and military vehicles.

Amandeep Singh, Head of International Operations, Ashok Leyland says, “We have ambitious growth plans for the African Market. Our time tested products are well suited for the African terrain and offer a superior value proposition to customers. 

Present

"ETG group’s extensive connections in these markets will complement our growth plans. We are already present in most of the East and West African countries. We now have the right product portfolio with Best in Class TCO to cater to requirements of this market and provide an excellent value proposition for customers.”

Rajeev Saxena, CEO of ETGL, said, “We are excited to announce our partnership with Ashok Leyland Ltd.  This partnership will be instrumental in bringing a range of Commercial vehicle solutions to address specific requirements of different customer groups in the territory.”

ETG Logistics operates an established automotive and farm equipment distribution business in South Africa, Namibia, Zimbabwe, Lesotho, Swaziland, Botswana, Tanzania, Zambia, Mozambique and Kenya with plans to increase our footprint in East and Southern Africa, amongst other regions.

There are no details at this stage as to which vehicles will be launched locally.

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Colin-on-Cars - New home for auto trainees

Toyota South Africa Motors (TSAM) has launched of the Toyota Manufacturing Academy (TMA) at the Coastal KZN TVET College in Mobeni, Durban.

Officially opened by Minister Higher Education Dr Blade Nzimande, TMA forms part of the Automotive Training and Re-Skilling in the Post-COVID Economic Recovery for Vulnerable Youth and Women in South Africa project. Coastal KZN TVET College, as well as Tshwane South College (Pretoria) and Northlink College (Cape Town) are three beneficiaries of the programme.

“I have always advocated for an increased partnership between our TVET Colleges and the industry as we continuously enhance our curriculum to respond to the needs of the industry,” said Nzimande.

Signing

The launch of the TMA was preceded by the signing of a memorandum of understanding between UNDP South Africa and DHET – supported by the Government of Japan in July 2021.

The parties agreed to set up a project that would up-skill youth and women for skills relevant to the automotive industry, supported by the Government of Japan.

“Youth development is key to addressing address the triple development challenges of poverty, inequality, and unemployment.

Untapped

"Honing their skills and unlocking their untapped talent not only promote inclusive and sustainable economic development but also have a transformational impact on society.

"We are very proud of many achievements in youth development the project has made in such a short period through the multi-stakeholder partnerships,” confirmed Dr Dr Ayodele Odusola: Resident Representative for the UNDP in South Africa.

The project dates back to March 2021, and since then a series of interventions have been delivered to strengthen the capacity of TVET colleges to align with the post-COVID-19 economy and labour market needs, including the provision of learning equipment.

Provision

This support has benefited the Coastal KZN College automotive training through a provision of mechanical, electronics, electrical workshop and ICT equipment.

TSAM established the TMA to broaden and strengthen its training capacity and work towards further empowering youth to become future leaders in a reindustrialized South Africa. UNDP and GoJ provided the workshop equipment for TMA supporting 24 young people through the academy.

According to TSAM’s Senior Vice President of Corporate Services Group, Suben Moodley the automotive sector is facing what Toyota Motor Corporation President, Akio Toyoda described as a “once in century period of disruption”.

Future

This refers to transformation by a wide range of new technologies, and non-technological aspects such as social, economic, and environmental factors are part of our future landscape.

“Traditional markets are being redefined as new types of vehicles are introduced, ranging from hybrid to plug-in hybrid, battery electric and fuel cell electric vehicles, with a wide range of driver assistance systems, which require digitisation and smart factory systems with the skills set to go along with them.

“Equally important, soft skills such as resilience, flexibility, problem solving, and creativity will be highly valued. This aspect should not be underestimated and needs to be included into educational training programs. So, the challenge is not just technical skills but a combination of soft and technical skills,” concluded Moodley.

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Colin-on-Cars - New I-Link auto shifter for Volvo Trucks

Quicker response with shift speed increased by up to 30% is the basis of the faster I-Shift gearbox Volvo Trucks South Africa will be introducing locally next year.

The significant drivability improvement, which has been added to drivelines at all emission levels, is achieved by the new way in which the I-Shift gearbox interacts with the engine.

The update includes faster clutch activation that results in a shorter torque interruption. It also makes the gear shifting smoother, for a more harmonious driving experience.

Faster gear shifting makes it possible to optimise the gear selection more efficiently.

Improvements

"And the more shifting events that the road and terrain require, the more the improvements will be experienced by the driver. With up to 30% faster gear changing now possible using I-Shift, drivers will certainly experience a very positive difference,” says Eric Parry, senior manager of sustainability at Volvo Trucks South Africa.

The high-speed shifting is achieved based on several key improvements.

Sensors

First, updated sensors now provide data with higher accuracy to the control unit, which features new software and a faster microprocessor, for much quicker calculation times. Second, an added disc in the gearbox brake makes it react faster before a gear shift, so it can be done earlier.

Volvo I-Shift gearbox

Finally, the air volume has also been reduced in different actuation systems, for example, the shift forks, the clutch, and the gearbox brake, to further enable a faster gear shift.

Evidence

These latest advances to gain 30% faster gear changes are further evidence of Volvo Trucks’ continuous improvement actions to provide better all-around driveability.

“With all the improvements and new variants over the years, I-Shift has had an outstanding ability to solve more and more advanced tasks in efficient ways. This means not only delivering high performance and fuel efficiency but also outstanding driveability and comfort for the drivers,” added Parry.

Today, all extra heavy Volvo trucks are built with I-Shift as standard. Since its introduction, more than 1-million trucks have been sold globally with I-Shift technology.

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Colin-on-Cars - Isuzu moves to Euro V tech

Isuzu Motors South Africa is ramping up its contribution to reducing greenhouse gas emissions by introducing Euro V technology to its new generation N and F series range of trucks.

While South Africa’s vehicle population of 11-million road vehicles is only 0,79% of the world total, responsible Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEMs) and fleet operators cannot, and do not, overlook the harmful effects of exhaust emissions.

As from 2008, all vehicles sold in South Africa had to comply with Euro II – Euro III and IV have not been compulsory in South Africa while Euro VI has already been introduced in Europe.

Distinction

There is an important distinction between greenhouse gases and European emission standards that are driving both diesel fuel and diesel engine technology – Euro emission standards impact on quality of air, greenhouse gases impact on the climate and the aim of Euro emissions standards is to reduce the levels of harmful exhaust emissions, chiefly: Nitrogen oxides (NOx) Carbon monoxide (CO) and Hydrocarbons (HC).

The success of Euro standards is linked to the quality of diesel fuel, particularly the sulphur content ratio.

Sulphur oxides are destroyers of filtration equipment. While 50 ppm sulphur (parts per million) is now generally available, regulations will limit sulphur in diesel to 10 ppm  so Isuzu’s truck introduction of Euro V standards is timeous and matches the change in fuel standards.

Treatment

The Move to Euro V comes with after-treatment in the exhaust system. A combined unit comprising a Diesel Oxidation Catalyst (DOC) and a Particulate Oxidation Catalyst (POC) for the N-Series and DOC for the F-Series ensures that emission is limited to Carbon Dioxide (CO2) and Water (H2O).

The advantages of this system is there is no need for any additives such as urea (AdBlue) to make the technology work for a clean exhaust.

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Colin-on-Cars - Isuzu pitches in

Colin-on-Cars - Isuzu pitches in

The South African Automotive Masterplan (SAAM) aims to achieve 60% localisation of components by 2035 and Isuzu Motors South Africa has pitched in with an investment of R580-million – a move that includes provision of the supplier tooling needed to manufacture specific components in preparation for the recently launched all-new 7th generation Isuzu D-MAX bakkie.

This has been a four-year journey for Isuzu and one they have travelled together with their local suppliers, as they embarked on a new sourcing strategy at the beginning of 2018. 

Technical

The process included classifying local suppliers that had the technical capability to manufacture a list of Isuzu components required for the new D-MAX bakkie.

Billy Tom, Isuzu Motors South Africa President and CEO says, “Localisation is essential in transforming the automotive sector. SAAM 2035 could see the automotive industry growing from 600 000 to 1,4-million vehicles a year in production. 

Opportunity

"This presents a huge opportunity for us to support black-owned automotive suppliers in building their businesses in the industry. It will help drive transformation and create jobs."

“With the relevant commodities intellectual property rights secured we’ve collaborated with our local supply partners to develop the necessary capabilities to sustainably manufacture those commodities in South Africa,” says Komane Pitso, Isuzu Motors South Africa Senior Vice President Commercial Operations.

Consequent to the R580-million investment, suppliers now have the necessary machinery and equipment required to manufacture the components needed by Isuzu. 

Process

Through this process Isuzu has had the opportunity to work with 107 local component manufacturers, maintaining a local value add content footprint and creating at least 235 new job opportunities at local component manufacturers.

One such example of our localisation strategy is the partnership between Isuzu Motors South Africa and 73% black-owned supplier Acoustics, based in Gqeberha. They were awarded with both the sound and carpet assembly contracts specifically for the new D-MAX bakkie.

Assisted

Responsible for the manufacturing of smaller boot liners, Acoustics have assisted Isuzu in achieving an industry first through the installation of local vinyl mats.

“We have to do things differently if we are to draw on local content, and Acoustics is an example of drawing on local content and capabilities. Over the last few decades design capability has transitioned to being more multinational, so we have to get involved locally,” says Pitso.

“Great strides have been made in the alliance between the automotive industry and government, and the progressive automotive policies in the country are testament to the strength of the pro-government/industry collaboration. 

"But this isn’t enough, the automotive industry still faces tough challenges in accelerating localisation and developing a future-proof supply chain, and without localisation the automotive industry will struggle to remain competitive.” concludes Pitso.
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