December 2022
www.automobil.co.za
the Deepest business reach into the sa retail motor inDustry
contents
columns
03 . Driver’s Seat: Jakkie Olivier, CEO of the RMI
03 . Editor’s Letter: Reuben van Niekerk
28 . Tech Talk: Is there a future for fuel-cell vehicles?
30 . Finance: The importance of business planning
32 . Wellbeing: Taking stock of your wellbeing
news
05 . News
09 . Industry News
19 . Product News
22 . Association News
features
20 . Behind the scenes: Covering all the corners of the country
24 . Transformation: Empower youth today
26 . Interview: Derik Scorer is a true motorman
34 . Labour: When is a transgression tantamount to dishonesty?
35 . Legal: Mitigating the damages of non-paying tenants
regulars
36 . New models: Toyota GR86 and Alfa Romeo Tonale
38 . Motorsport: Kyalami 9-Hour promises three days of action
39 . Member Update
40 . Sales: October 2022 vehicle sales figures
Editor
Reuben van Niekerk
reuben@automobil.org.za
Sub-editor
Suzanne Walker
Regular contributors
Roger Houghton
Nicol Louw
Publisher
Wilken Communication Management
Tel: 012-4604448
Advertising Sales
Greg Surgeon
greg@automobil.org.za
Automobil is produced monthly by Wilken
Communication Management for the Retail
Motor Industry Organisation. The views and
opinions expressed in the publication are not
necessarily those of the publishers or the Retail
Motor Industry Organisation. While precau-
tions have been taken to ensure the accuracy
of advice and information contained in edito-
rial or advertisements, neither the publishers
nor the Retail Motor Industry Organisation can
accept responsibility for errors, misrepresenta-
tions or omissions, or for any effect or conse-
quence arising therefrom. Permission to repub-
lish any article or image or part thereof must be
obtained in writing from the publishers.
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www.automobil.co.za
December 2022
www.automobil.co.za
December 2022
DRIVER’S SEAT
For information on the RMI and its workings, visit www.rmi.org.za or call 011 886 6300
EDITOR’S LETTER
s the 2022 year draws to a close, I am delighted that after many
months of negotiations, on 4 November 2022 the Retail Motor In-
dustry Organisation (RMI), the Fuel Retailers Association (FRA) and
the National Union of Metal Workers (NUMSA) concluded and signed a
three-year settlement agreement to conclude the 2022 round of collective
bargaining negotiations.
The agreement provides for a 7,5%, 6% and 6% increase in the compo-
nent manufacturing sector, and 6,5%, 5% and 5% for the rest of the industry
for the next three years respectively. A separate deal was concluded for the
fuel retail sector.
The settlement agreement was adopted at the Motor Industry Bargain-
ing Council’s (MIBCO) Annual General Meeting on 10 November 2022 and
is currently being processed for submission to the Minister of Employment
and Labour for publication and extension to non-parties, in the Government
Gazette. Once gazetted, the wage increases are compulsory in respect of all
employees within the scope of MIBCO.
Even though the negotiations took longer than anticipated,
we are satisfied with the outcome of the process. From the
onset, we emphasised the importance of labour stability,
business viability and industry peace. Those factors together
with an inflation-informed wage increase are critically im-
portant to not only prevent job losses but to promote em-
ployment within the industry. With a three-year agreement
in place our industry will be able to enjoy industrial
peace without the threat of strikes for three years. It
will also allow businesses to budget and plan for the
period with certainty.
The RMI would like to advise that it is only
compulsory to implement any wage increas-
es once the agreements have been pub-
lished in the Government Gazette.
Members may however elect to imple-
ment wage increases before the gazettal, and
in those cases, the RMI advises that members wait until the official wage
schedule has been circulated by MIBCO, which we believe will happen in
the next few working days. This will ensure the correct implementation of
the wage increases, and members are assured that, in terms of the set-off
provision, they will not have to implement the agreed increases again once
they are published.
Remember if you have any queries, you can contact your local IR Special-
ist directly IR Contacts–Retail Motor Industry Organisation (rmi.org.za).
We have also just released our annual report for the last financial year. A
copy can be found on the RMI website for those who would like to get more
information about our activities and successes. You will be delighted to hear
that RMI once again managed to deliver on its mandate. The report high-
lights the extensive value-adding activities of the organisation operating in
a turbulent economy. I am proud of the fact that we continue to prosper
and evolve, capitalising on the synergies within the organisation. The unex-
pected, but gratifying, membership growth during the year continues to be
tangible proof that you our members and other businesses in the industry
find our role valuable and worthwhile.
On a final note, while the struggling economy is likely to continue during
2023, team RMI is excited and committed to tackle the new year. We keep
the interests of our members and the industry top of mind at all times. We
appreciate that our member businesses are not fully out of the woods yet,
but are making a slow recovery. As a country, we need real economic growth
and address the scourge of corruption that is undermining all aspects of our
ability to develop and prosper.
From the Association’s side, we will continue to lobby in the best inter-
ests of our members, and consumers as a whole and remain fully committed
to making a real and lasting difference in the industry we support and serve.
I conclude by wishing all our members, the RMI Board and other com-
mittee structures, management and staff of the RMI as well as our readers
a happy festive season. Please travel safely and enjoy time with your loved
ones.
I would also like to thank you all for your support, loyalty and contribu-
tion to making the RMI a success.
Jakkie Olivier
RMI Chief Executive Officer
Wrapping up 2022
he South African economy has been dealt one blow af-
ter the other in 2022, most recently the Transnet strike
saw our major ports shut down for 12 days. According to
Business Unity South Africa, the cumulative impact has result-
ed in logistics costs of R7 billion, as goods worth R65.3 billion
stood idle. The knock on effect is far reaching and will be felt
for many years to come.
Fortunately for the automotive industry there seems to
be some improvements on the horizon. With fuel prices and
interests rate continuing to rise consumers are more cash
strapped than ever. However, it does seem like supply in
terms of new cars and the chip shortage will return to normal
levels during 2023. This will hopefully result in the normalisa-
tion of pre-owned vehicle prices and parts and provide some
relief for consumers and the industry as a whole.
With the three-year anniversary of COVID-19 fast ap-
proaching, I believe that the worst is behind us and that we
will move closer to the normal we once new next year.
Enjoy the rest over the holiday period and drive safely.
Reuben van Niekerk
reuben@automobil.org.za
Goodbye 2022
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