A Driving force in South Africa’s automotive aftermarket
The Retail Motor Industry Organisation is a proactive, relevant, retail and associated motor industry organisation recognised
as the leading voice in South Africa‘s automotive after market. It serves the daily needs of its members and plays a key role
in enabling motor traders to deliver a superior service to motoring consumers. Eight Associations fall proudly under the RMI
umbrella. Inter-associational business-to-business trading is encouraged in the interests of all stakeholders.
head office www.rmi.org.za
Tel: +27 11 886 6300 | Surrey Square Office Park, 330 Surrey Avenue, Ferndale, Randburg, 2194, Gauteng, P. O. Box 2940, Randburg, 2125
regional offices
Central: Randburg tel: +27 11 886 6300 | KwaZulu-Natal: Durban tel: +27 31 266 7031 | Eastern Cape/Border: Port Elizabeth tel: +27 41 364 0070 |
Western Cape: Cape Town tel: +27 21 939 9440 | Free State / Northern Cape: Bloemfontein tel: +27 51 430 3294
sapra – South African Petroleum
Retailers’ Association
SAPRA represents the interests of all petroleum retailers in
South Africa. Its aim is to improve growth and profitability
for the investor. SAPRA plays an important role in tracking
global and local trends that affect sustainability and help
retailers remain relevant in an ever-changing business
environment. Retailers voice concerns through one of
the seven regional chairs strategically located around
the country, into a National Executive Committee (NEC),
where strategy and solutions are developed. This bottom
up approach is a fundamental SAPRA imperative.
sambra – South African Motor Body
Repairers’ Association
SAMBRA is the pre-eminent motor body repair association in
South Africa representing the majority of accredited motor body
repairers. SAMBRA’s grading system, which was introduced over
30 years ago, regulates repairer standards in the motor body repair
industry in South Africa and instils confidence in consumers and
industry stakeholders alike. The Association works in close collab-
oration with various key industry stakeholders including Insurers,
Original Equipment Suppliers, paint and equipment suppliers, the
labour department and trade unions, as well as related SETAs – to
maintain industry sustainability and development. It ensures the
provision of technical and business management skills training in
order for members to meet the demands of the industry.
tepa – Tyre, Equipment, Parts Association
TEPA represents tyre dealers; garage/workshop equipment and
tool importers and distributors; auto part wholesalers, retailers
and independent operators in the aftermarket motor parts
industry as well as manufacturers and importers of parts for
the automotive aftermarket. The members of TEPA represent,
promote, sell and endorse the use of legitimate, bona fide,
quality branded products. TEPA members also export parts,
equipment and components into Africa and other countries in
the world. TEPA encourages at all times inter-associational RMI
business-to-business trading, intent on strengthening the RMI
Organisation as a whole. TEPA is seen as the mark of integrity
and fair trade for the consumer, the business operator and the
government. The Association is the legitimate voice of the tyre,
equipment, and parts industry in South Africa and is positioned
as an intermediary between government, business, and the
consumer.
Vta – Vehicle Testing Association
The VTA represents private vehicle testing stations that are
committed to operating within the law in accordance with the
Road Traffic Act and the relevant SANS standards. In this highly
regulated environment, the association represents the interests
of its members at government level working groups and is
committed to enhancing the reputation of the industry in all the
spheres.
ara – Automotive Remanufacturers’ Association
ARA represents the remanufacturing trade sector. This includes
component remanufacturers involved in safety-critical compo-
nents, inclusive of but not limited to vehicle cooling, turbocharger
and braking systems; automotive engineers who machine and
remanufacture engine components by way of expert engineering
– ultimately rebuilding engines to its original specifications; and
specialists in the repair, servicing and remanufacturing of diesel
fuel injection systems fitted to diesel engines in earth moving
equipment, highway trucks, stationary engines and passenger
vehicles. ARA promotes the responsible reuse of remanufactured
engine components for a ‘greener’ environment (carbon foot-
print). Its members are dedicated to providing consumers with
only the best of advice, finest service delivery, and highest quality
workmanship.
nada – National Automobile Dealers’ Association
NADA represents the interests of business people who own or
operate new motor vehicle and motorcycle franchise dealerships
and qualifying used motor vehicle and motorcycle outlets. NADA
is committed to the image enhancement of the retail motor busi-
ness, facilitating the interface between dealers and OEMs; import-
ers and distributors; building relationships between dealers and
customers and bringing relevant industry issues to the attention of
government. NADA is the respected voice on all matters relating to
motor vehicle and motorcycle dealer business.
miwa – Motor Industry Workshop Association
MIWA, the Independent Workshop Association, representing
general repairs, auto electrical; air conditioning; accessories and
fitment as well as transmission and driveline workshops strives
to remain ahead of the ever-changing technologies and best
practices of the aftermarket motor industry. MIWA encourages
members to support inter-associational, business-to-business
trading with a view to strengthen the RMI. MIWA remains the
leading resource for members ensuring continued relevance
and sustainability.
saVaba – South African Vehicle and
Bodybuilders’ Association
SAVABA members are professional, certified and regulated
vehicle body builders in South Africa who manufacture
commercial vehicle body applications (tanker, coal, refrigerated
trucks and trailers) and bus bodies (commuter and tourist
type). Members manufacture using the latest equipment and
highly trained staff to ensure strict compliance with NRCS
regulations; SABS standards and all other legal specifications
and requirements.
CONSTITUENT ASSOCIATIONS
news
www.automobil.co.za
July 2022
ahle powertrain is leading an innovative project to develop tech-
nologies to replace diesel with ammonia in heavy-duty combustion
engines. Funded through the UK Government’s Net Zero Innovation
Portfolio as part of the Red Diesel Replacement project, the company and its
partners aim to develop zero and low-carbon fuels for use in off-highway sec-
tors such as mining, quarrying and construction. By developing solutions that
can also be fitted to machinery already in use, the company is pioneering ef-
forts to decarbonise these critical industries.
“Off-highway industries such as mining, quarrying and construction re-
main a significant challenge in the transition towards a more sustainable
transport sector,” says Jonathan Hall, MAHLE Powertrain’s Head of Research
& Advanced Engineering Projects.
“These sectors have demanding energy and utilisation requirements
and are often in hazardous environments far from a power grid connection,
making them difficult to electrify. Exploring other power sources such as
ammonia has considerable potential, especially because there’s the oppor-
tunity to decarbonise the large numbers of vehicles and equipment already
in operation and using diesel.”
Although not frequently discussed, the production and transportation
infrastructure of ammonia is well developed and a prime candidate for de-
carbonisation using renewable energy. This makes it a readily available, ze-
ro-carbon fuel for hard to decarbonise sectors which have energy demands
that a pure-electric approach will struggle to meet.
The research focuses on two approaches. The first is a near-term, retrofit,
dual-fuel arrangement being tested on a six-cylinder turbo diesel genset en-
gine. Additional injectors added to the air intake introduce ammonia as the
main source of energy.
The second approach is being developed using Mahle’s own single-cyl-
inder engine and uses Mahle Jet Ignition, a highly innovative form of
pre-chamber ignition, replacing the traditional spark plug to ignite the am-
monia, eliminating the need for a fossil-fuel ignition source.
Mahle’s Jet Ignition technology consists of a small chamber in the cylin-
der head that, once ignited, forces the resulting hot gas through small ori-
fices into the main combustion chamber as a series of jets that quickly and
uniformly ignite the remaining mixture.
The technology ensures super-clean, efficient combustion throughout
the chamber with little or no pollutants such as nitrogen oxides being pro-
duced. The combustion speed increase enabled by MJI deals with one of
the challenges of using ammonia, which typically burns at a comparatively
slow rate.
In both research programmes, Mahle Powertrain and its partners are
also investigating adding a small amount of hydrogen to the ammonia mix to
further aid combustibility.
he Automobile Association (AA) has launched an innovative service
with independent vehicle dealerships and AA Approved workshops
across the country to provide consumers with credible information
on pre-owned vehicles they intend purchasing. Through the service, dealer-
ships can offer an AA 125-point inspection of vehicles and thereby provide a
comprehensive report on the vehicle to prospective buyers.
Consumers across South Africa will be able to access this service at
all dealerships that display the AA Certified Pre-Owned branding.
“In developing this product and service, the AA along with our brand
partner AA Warranties, recognised that we can offer support to indepen-
dent dealerships while providing the motoring public a valuable and credible
service that enhances the selling and purchasing experience,” says Willem
Groenewald, AA CEO.
Critically, the inspection process does not offer a “pass” or “fail” assess-
ment of a vehicle. Instead, it provides a report, which states the “facts” of
the vehicle at the time of assessment.
“This is an important distinction because the report is not intended to
favour anyone, it’s simply giving a true, unbiased reflection of the vehicle
at the time of inspection. This is a powerful tool for both sellers and buyers
as it removes any doubts about the vehicle’s condition,” says Groenewald.
The AA has been engaging with independent dealerships across the coun-
try regarding the AA Certified Pre-Owned accreditation. The intention is to
have a minimum of 150 dealerships in South Africa offering the service in the
next two years.
Mahle powertrain drives development
of ammonia combustion
AA launches certified pre-owned
inspections