July 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
34 . Tech Talk: Diesel injection explained
36 . Wellbeing: Self awareness is essential to maintaining wellbeing
news
05 . News
11 . Industry News
16 . Product News
17 . RMI News
26 . Association News
features
22 . Behind the scenes: Rising through the ranks at the RMI
28 . Association: Periodic vehicle testing and inspection required
30 . Interview: Robert Kaiser
38 . Labour: To board or not to board
39 . Legal: Principles of non-cancellable agreements
regulars
40 . New models: Volkswagen T-Roc and Jeep Gladiator
42 . Motorsport: Clean sweep for Toyota at 2022 1000 Desert race
43 . Member Update
44 . Sales: May 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.
www.automobil.co.za
P9
P41
P32
www.automobil.co.za
July 2022
www.automobil.co.za
July 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
his month I would like to re-iterate the outlook on driving key issues
that impact the lives of our members and our customers.
Much has already been said by the RMI and its association,
SAMBRA, on the importance of driving the consumer’s right of
access to information and making available the vehicle iden-
tification numbers (VIN) in the Vehicle Salvage Database
(VSD) of all vehicles that have previously been “written off”
by insurers.
One thing that is very clear to me is the far reaching
effects of this issue. It is imperative that consumers, ve-
hicle dealers, banks and insurers alike all have access to
the necessary information in order to protect them-
selves against the purchase, refinancing or insur-
ance of one of these vehicles.
Now that The South African Insurance As-
sociation (SAIA) and the Insurance Crime Bu-
reau (ICB) have agreed to publish the VIN
numbers of these vehicles, we need to
focus on the implementation.
I feel it is imperative that all af-
fected stakeholders are given the
opportunity to participate in this key
process. There was unanimous consensus at
SAMBRA’s recent Vehicle Write-Off Conference in Johannesburg that in-
clusive representation of all stakeholders is critical. And yet, the RMI and
SAMBRA have been excluded from the process. This is an urgent matter
that I will be addressing with SAIA this month.
A solution, without the involvement of the key players like the RMI,
does not make sense. All players need to be included on the VSD Working
Committee if we are to find an optimal solution and avoid any further
delays.
United with other stakeholders, we are committed to working col-
laboratively to ensure the smooth implementation and any fundamental
changes that may be needed following the publication of the register.
A formal post-accident inspection process by qualified professionals is a
starting point. Between the Vehicle Testing Association (VTA), SAMBRA
and other role players, an infrastructure already exists which could be uti-
lised. The existing infrastructure may however need skills investment and
more advanced equipment to do the required checks and inspections.
We appreciate that there are several peripheral issues, which require
the insights of all stakeholders. However, we need to find a way to move
this process forward and this cannot be done with the exclusion of the
RMI and SAMBRA.
Jakkie olivier
RMI Chief Executive Officer
A fundamental right
of access to information
t is a well-known fact that the South African automotive
industry closely tracks the country’s GDP. Similarly new ve-
hicle sales are a great barometer of the health of the local
automotive industry.
It is for this reason that we will now be bringing you a
monthly break down of vehicle sales, this chart, available on
Page 44, highlights passenger and commercial vehicle winners
and losers as well as the top five best sellers in these segments
and always makes for interesting reading. From these numbers
it is clear to see that Toyota is still suffering from the knock on
effects of having to close its plant in Durban due to flood dam-
age. While the Hino section of the plant is up and running the
Toyota facility that produces models such as the Hilux, Quan-
tum and Corolla Cross is yet to resume production.
Suzuki continues to go from strength to strength and in
May they gained another 7.9% market share in the passen-
ger segment. This growth can be attributed to their product
range that includes a number of vehicles that offer excellent
value for money and frugal engines. In addition the fact that
established manufacturers like Ford and Nissan no longer sell
vehicles in those A and B segments will in all likeliness see
Suzuki continue on their upward trajectory for some time
to come.
I trust that you will enjoy this issue of Automobil and as al-
ways be welcome your feedback.
reuben van niekerk
reuben@automobil.org.za
Keeping an eye on sales
take the automobil reader
survey here
View the may sales figures here