August 2023
WWW.AutOMOBIL.CO.ZA
tHE DEEPEst BusINEss REACH INtO tHE sA REtAIL MOtOR INDustRY
CELEBRAtINg WOMEN’s MONtH
NADA DsI WINNERs ANNOuNCED
gEttINg ACQuAINtED WItH A
MODERN-DAY WRC CAR
CONtENts
COLuMNs
03 . Driver’s Seat: Jakkie Olivier, CEO of the RMI
34 . Tech Talk: Tuning turbocharged engines for performance
36 . Prioritising employee wellbeing
38 . Finance: Mastering inventory management
40 . Legal: Writing a will and choosing the right executor
42 . Labour: Can an employee sue a business in delict
43 . B-BBEE verification readiness
NEWs
05 . News
09 . Industry News
16 . New products
22 . RMI News
28 . Association News
FEAtuREs
26 . Behind the Scenes with the VTA NEC
30 . The importance of regulatory compliance
32 . Interview: Gerrie Lewies
44 . New models: Audi, RS6, Lexus NX and Ineos Grenadier Quartermaster
48 . Up close and personal with a modern-day WRC car
50 . Motorsport: Overtaking is key to success
REguLARs
51 . Member Update
52 . Sales: June 2023 vehicle sales figures
P10
P46
P34
www.automobil.co.za
August 2023
August 2023
WWW.AutOMOBIL.CO.ZA
tHE DEEPEst BusINEss REACH INtO tHE sA REtAIL MOtOR INDustRY
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.
Cover image courtesy of SIB
www.automobil.co.za
www.automobil.co.za
August 2023
EDItOR’s LEttER
DRIVER’s sEAt
For information on the RMI and its workings, visit www.rmi.org.za or call 011 886 6300
he RMI is proud to have signed up as a new corporate partner of the
Road Safety Partnership South Africa in an effort to reduce road traf-
fic crashes and pedestrian-related fatalities in all of South Africa’s
communities.
For those of you who are not familiar with this non-profit organisation, it
is part of a global organisation based in Geneva, Switzerland. The Road Safety
Partnership South Africa (RSP SA) was registered as a Section 21 company in
2007. Its function is to broker partnerships between government, business
and civil society organisations that are dedicated to reducing death and
injury on the roads in South Africa.
Coupled with our strong drive for periodic testing, we believe
that this partnership will be another meaningful platform to
lobby for a safer South Africa. The collaboration with other
like-minded organisations that are committed to addressing
the road safety challenges affecting South Africa will allow us
to combine our resources and knowledge to implement
sustainable interventions to reduce the number of deaths
on our roads. The organisation is chaired by Eugene
Herbert and members of RSP SA include government
agencies, road safety experts, engineering
companies, NGOs and corporates.
The RMI fully supports the belief of RSP SA
that the challenges of road safety in South Africa
must be addressed through holistic interventions.
These interventions include education programmes, engineering and law
enforcement, which will reduce the number of road traffic crashes and
pedestrian fatalities in some of South Africa’s hazardous road traffic crash
locations.
The objectives include brokering partnerships between business, civil
society and government agencies that are dedicated to the sustainable
reduction of death and injury on South Africa’s roads, supporting
programmes that provide road safety education to learners and communities
that are in the proximity of hazardous road hotspots, bringing together
road management specialists, engineering agencies and government to
improve and reconstruct hazardous road traffic crash hotspots, supporting
law enforcement by aligning our members’ programmes with these
enforcement initiatives and developing a model of good practice through
monitoring and evaluation, which can be used by other countries with
similar road conditions and safety challenges.
These objectives align with the United Nations Decade of Action for
Road Safety’s five pillars namely Road Safety Management, Safer Roads and
Mobility, Safer Vehicles, Safer Road Users and Post-crash Response.
We believe that by partnering with the RSP SA we will have a greater
impact in our efforts and will be able to join other members speaking out on
broader issues of road safety in order to give this critical issue the necessary
prominence it deserves.
Jakkie Olivier , RMI Chief Executive Officer
RMI becomes a member of the
Road Safety Partnership SA
hile the South African economic outlook remains
dismal, evidence or resilience is amazingly being
seen in the transport and related industries. Pro-
duction figures in the mining and manufacturing sectors for
example have been surprising despite heavy load-shedding
during the first part of 2023, suggesting that these industries
are becoming progressively more resilient to the effects of
load-shedding, as companies reduce their energy dependence
on an embattled Eskom. I think we may have reached a turning
point as companies, industry and private individuals have real-
ised that they need to be self-sustaining. These investments in
personal infrastructure will take the load off the badly main-
tained infrastructure and with many having made those invest-
ments the effects of load shedding could start to have less of
an effect on the economy.
A consistent stream of new and updated models, particu-
larly in significant high-volume segments, along with improved
availability of popular models, are proving to be crucial fac-
tors in sustaining the growth trajectory of new vehicle sales
in South Africa.
The total market reached 46 810 units in June, which is 14%
better than the same month last year. Witnessing continued
growth in the current challenging economic environment is
encouraging, given that vehicle buyers are facing affordability
pressures, a depreciating rand that drives prices higher, low
business confidence and political instability. This performance is
a good overall barometer of the automotive industry and bodes
well for business continuity in the automotive aftermarket.
Reuben van Niekerk, reuben@automobil.org.za
Automotive industry
outperforms expectations
take the
Automobil
reader survey
here
View the
June
sales figures
here
BELONGING IS BETTER BUSINESS
Here’s why…
Legacy and unity
•
We’ve been representing the retail motor industry for more than 100 years.
•
With more than 8 000-member businesses, our unity is our strength.
Your voice
RMI represents the industry at:
•
Centralised wage negotiations.
•
Various MIBCO and Industry-related Boards and committee structures.
•
Various South African Bureau of Standards (SABS)
committees and working groups.
•
The National Regulator for Compulsory Specifications (NRCS), defending our
industry when compulsory specifications and standards are compromised.
•
The Moto Health Care Fund, Industry Provident Funds
and the Sick, Accident and Maternity Pay Fund.
•
Meetings hosted by reputable organisations recognised by government, big
business, consumers and relevant stakeholders like Business Unity SA (BUSA).
Supports your business
•
Professional industrial relations advice ensuring procedural
and substantive fairness when disciplining staff.
•
Chairing of disciplinary hearings and AUTOMATIC
entry at the CCMA, DRC and Labour Court.
•
Exceptional CPA support at the National Consumer Commission (NCC)
and the Motor Industry Ombudsman of South Africa (MIOSA).
•
Facilitation of a business-to-business complaint where both parties are
RMI members, with a complaint resolution rate in excess of 95%.
•
Training needs and representation via merSETA and W&RSETA.
•
Industry-specific products like RMI4BEE, RMI4LAW and RMI4OHS.
Keeps you in the know
•
Industry labour relations seminars.
•
Automobil magazine and weekly web letters.
•
Commenting on industry topics in the media, and participating
in and hosting numerous conventions and shows.
NEWs
NEWs
www.automobil.co.za
August 2023
t the halfway point for calendar year
2023, a sales forecast of slightly more
than 30 000 new motorcycles is fea-
sible for the full year. “This will be a marginal
increase of 1.7% on comparative 2022, which is
disappointing given the strong growth that the
industry had experienced during the past few
years, albeit focussed on the commercial seg-
ments,” says Arnold Olivier, National Director
of the Association of Motorcycle Importers and
Distributors.
Segment performance reflects that the com-
mercial sector continues on an upward trajecto-
ry with 10% growth for the six months. Scooters
performed poorly with a disappointing 33% de-
crease in sales, for no apparent reason. The high-
er priced leisure segments show an overall in-
crease of 1.5%, but within this segment there are
fluctuations varying from -25% to +29%, making
it difficult to predict trends. Anecdotal evidence
suggests that some sales have been lost due to
consumers re-directing spend to solar installa-
tions. ATV and Side x Side sales are down 15%
compared to 2022.
Electric motorcycles and three wheelers
continue to form a statistically insignificant por-
tion of the market, but the 307% increase in reg-
istrations over the past six months suggests that
importers are finding some appetite amongst
commercial fleet owners to try electric models.
Used motorcycle sales statistics are only avail-
able up to April 2023 YTD, but have increased by
10.7% compared to the corresponding period of
2022.
“The industry view is that trading conditions
will continue to be tough, given the high inter-
est rates and likelihood of poor if any econom-
ic growth. Under the circumstances, very little
growth is expected for the rest of the year,” con-
cludes Olivier.
ew vehicle sales in South Africa continue
to impress despite the challenging eco-
nomic climate.
Figures released by the National Association
of Automobile Manufacturers of SA (Naamsa) for
June 2023 show that 46 810 units were sold – a
14% increase compared to the same month last
year.
Gary McCraw, director of the National Auto-
mobile Dealers’ Association, attributes this trend
to a consistent stream of new and updated ve-
hicle models as well as improved availability of
sought-after models. Aggressive sales assistance
strategies are also playing a role, he says.
A concern, however, is that dealer sales ac-
counted for a smaller share of the retail market in
June. This can be explained by sentiment towards
making larger purchases remaining slightly neg-
ative because of high interest rates. There have
been positives, certainly, but the automotive sec-
tor is by no means out of the woods.
At the same time, with South Africa’s automo-
tive field holding its own, the sector needs to en-
sure that all stakeholders are equipped with the
necessary skills to produce and distribute quality
vehicles.
This requires training that not only yields de-
sired results but is also cost-effective. Everyone
from management and executives to human re-
sources departments, training and development
teams, dealership owners, managers, industry
associations and trade organisations should play
an active role in the development and implemen-
tation of such training programmes.
“Prioritising cost-saving measures in training
is essential for automotive companies because it
allows them to allocate resources efficiently and
achieve several benefits,” says Michael Hanly,
managing director of South African online learn-
ing solutions provider New Leaf Technologies.
The obvious advantage is that well-trained
employees are better equipped to understand
customer needs and effectively communicate
the value of products or services, ultimately driv-
ing higher sales.
This, in turn, improves customer loyalty and
drives repeat business, not to mention the fact
that customers tell their friends about their good
experience.
“By optimising training budgets, automotive
companies can generate a strong return on in-
vestment through improved employee perfor-
mance, increased sales, and enhanced customer
satisfaction,” adds Hanly.
Technology in the form of e-learning pro-
grammes is playing a crucial role in reducing
training costs and allowing companies to reach a
wider audience.
Furthermore, these programmes can be set
up to focus on improving specific skills required
for sales and customer service.
“Virtual training and simulation tools can also
enhance practical skills in a cost-effective man-
ner. You can also establish performance metrics
and measure training effectiveness to identify
areas of improvement and adjust training strat-
egies accordingly,” says Hanly.
Hanly stresses that motor companies should
constantly gauge the effectiveness of training
programmes and identify areas for improvement.
This will also help to determine where costs can
be cut as they seek to optimise employees, sales,
and customer service.
“You need to establish clear objectives and
performance metrics before training implemen-
tation and also collect data on key performance
indicators such as revenue, customer service and
employee efficiency,” says Hanly.
“Importantly, in addition to conducting pre-
and post-training assessments to ascertain skills
improvement, you need to analyse the impact of
training on business results and compare it to the
costs invested,” concludes Hanly.
Motorcycle market continues to grow
How automotive companies
can save on training costs
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, turbocharg-
er and braking systems; automotive engineers who machine and
remanufacture engine components by way of expert engineer-
ing – 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 mov-
ing equipment, highway trucks, stationary engines and passen-
ger vehicles. ARA promotes the responsible reuse of remanufac-
tured engine components for a ‘greener’ environment (carbon
footprint). 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
023 sees BMW’s Rosslyn manufacturing
facility, located outside Pretoria, celebrate
50 years and as part of that celebration the
company has announced a massive investment
that will ensure the plants longevity.
When it was opened 50 years ago, Plant
Rosslyn outside Pretoria was BMW’s first for-
eign facility and it has since become a mainstay
of the global production network. This plant has
played a critical role for BMW as it was the first
step in transforming BMW into a truly global
brand.
Over the 50 years the plant has proven itself
to be an essential member of the BMW produc-
tion network as it consistently improved quality
and productivity. Five decades later, in addition
to BMW Group Plant Rosslyn, the BMW Group
South Africa business includes a National Sales
Company that sells and distributes BMW, Mini
and BMW Motorrad, a Financial Services com-
pany that was established in 1990 and an IT Hub
that services more than 50 countries.
As part of its 50th celebrations it was an-
nounced that the plant will make the transition to
building electric models with the manufacturing
of the BMW X3 as a plug-in hybrid for global ex-
port from South Africa. An investment of R4.2 bil-
lion rand will ready plant Rosslyn for electromo-
bility, and this investment will be accompanied by
specialist training of more that 300 employees at
the plant.
The announcement of the electrification of
another site in the BMW Group production net-
work marks a further step in advancing the devel-
opment of efficient, digitalised, resource friendly
production.
Plant Rosslyn has produced more than 1.6 mil-
lion vehicles to date and exported them to more
than 40 countries worldwide. Its product portfolio
has included the BMW 1800 SA and BMW 2000SA
as well as the BMW 5 Series and 7 Series. For de-
cades it was the cornerstone of BMW 3 Series
production and it has been manufacturing BMW’s
current best-selling models, the X3 since 2018.
In addition to the investment in Plant Rosslyn,
BMW will be donating more than 1.5 million eu-
ros to support a programme run by UNICEF that
teaches science, technology, engineering, arts
and mathematics to thousands of children and
young South Africans.
In 2023, BMW Group South Africa directly and
indirectly employs close to 23 000 people.
BMW celebrates 50 years in SA
with investment announcement
early 130 years of automotive history is now available to digital read-
ers in Autocar’s new archive, which comprises more than 5900 fully
searchable magazine issues. The archive serves as an important and
ever-evolving historical record of both the automotive trade itself and the
social history that surrounds it.
From the first public demonstration of cars in 1895 to the launch of
the timeless classic Mini in 1959 and the arrival of the Ford Fiesta in 1976,
Autocar has been at the forefront of each and every notable event in the
history of automobiles.
To celebrate the archive’s launch, Autocar has highlighted five of the
most seminal moments in the history of the car, as well as five key mile-
stones in the magazine’s 128-year history, including reviewing the era-defin-
ing Ferrari F40 supercar, Enzo Ferrari’s last, and inventing the now-famous
road test. The influential Austin Seven was the first model to undergo the
most thorough road test in motoring journalism.
Subscriptions are available to both individuals and libraries around the
world, across web and app platforms. The Autocar archive’s advanced
search function enables subscribers to search, share and cite every article
from the publication. The intuitive stacking interface and high-quality im-
ages bring new life to issues published more than a century ago and offer
car enthusiasts and historians alike an opportunity to reflect on how the car
industry has evolved.
The complete Autocar archive is available for individuals and institutions
via the links below:
Q Individuals: https://www.themagazineshop.com/aca23ed/aca/
Q Institutions: https://institutions.exacteditions.com/autocar
Autocar launches digital
archive featuring 130 years
of automotive history
www.automobil.co.za
August 2023
TELL US WHAT’S ON YOUR MIND
RMI Executives
RMI Board Members
RMI Directors
RMI Head Office
Chief Executive Officer:
Jakkie Olivier
Cell: 082 452 5150
jakkie.olivier@rmi.org.za
Chief Operations Officer:
Jan Schoeman
Cell: 082 552 7712
jan.schoeman@rmi.org.za
Financial Director:
Renee Coetsee
Cell: 082 412 6760
renee.coetsee@rmi.org.za
Company Secretary:
Gary McCraw
Cell: 082 560 6613
gary.mccraw@rmi.org.za
Jakkie Olivier – CEO
Jeanne Esterhuizen – President
Ferose Oaten - Vice President
Frank MacNicol
Eugene Ranft
Teresa Spenser-Higgs
Les McMaster
Johann van de Merwe
Mams Rehaman
Sandra Singh
Charles Canning
Marcel van Ruler
Henry van der Merwe
Lindsay Bouchier
Brandon Cohen
ARA, SAVABA
Attie Serfontein
Cell: 082 452 5153
attie.serfontein@rmi.org.za
MIWA
Pieter Niemand
Cell: 082 812 5391
pieter.niemand@rmi.org.za
NADA
Gary McCraw
Cell: 082 560 6613
gary.mccraw@rmi.org.za
SAMBRA
Jacques Viljoen
Cell: 083 337 9922
jacques.viljoen@rmi.org.za
TEPA, SAPRA
Vishal Premlall
Cell: 082 886 6392
vishal.premlall@rmi.org.za
VTA
Julian Pillay
Cell: 082 560 6625
julian.pillay@rmi.org.za
Training Director
Louis van Huyssteen
Cell: 082 560 6623
louis.vanhuyssteen@rmi.org.za
Transformation Director
Nonhlanhla Noni Tshabalala
Cell: 083 208 7161
noni.tshabalala@rmi.org.za
Labour Director
Jeffrey Molefe
Cell: 082 560 6617
jeffrey.molefe@rmi.org.za
Danelle van der Merwe
Brand and Communication Manager
Cell: 082 926 5846
danelle.vandermerwe@rmi.org.za
Nonhlanhla Noni Tshabalala
HR Manager
Cell: 083 208 7161
noni.tshabalala@rmi.org.za
Julian Pillay
Regulatory Compliance Manager
Cell: 082 560 6625
julian.pillay@rmi.org.za
011-886-6300
www.rmi.org.za
Surrey Square Office Park
330 Surrey Avenue,
Ferndale, Randburg
2194
RMI Regional Offices
Julian Pillay: Regional Manager: KwaZulu-Natal
Enrico Phillips Regional Manager: Western Cape
Peter van Mosseveld: Regional Manager: Eastern Cape/Border
Raoul Spinola: Regional Manager: Central
(Gauteng/Northwest/ Mpumalanga/ Limpopo)
Reemo Swartz: Regional Manager: Free State/Northern Cape
Central: Randburg: 011 886 6300
KwaZulu-Natal: Durban: 031 266 7031
Eastern Cape/Border: Port Elizabeth: 041 364 0070
Western Cape: Cape Town: 021 939 9440
Free State/Northern Cape: Bloemfontein: 051 430 3294
RMI PARTNERS
RMI4Law 0861 668 677
RMI4BEE 066 292 0102
RMI4OHS 072 787 5503
@AutomobilSA
Facebook.com/AutomobilSA
www.rmi.org.za
www.automobil.co.za
August 2023
NEWs
KF South Africa is proud to announce that
they have awarded Mechanic Artisan Cer-
tificates to the first group of 20 artisans
who have successfully passed the Lubrication
Equipment Qualification.
SKF South Africa is a QCTO (Quality Council
of Trades and Occupation) approved Skills De-
velopment Provider and Trade Test Centre with
the ability to conduct specialised mechanical en-
gineering training, Apprenticeship training, ARPL
assessments and trade testing for mechanical
fitter and lubrication equipment mechanic trade
qualifications.
Nationally recognised by the QCTO, this new
Occupational Qualification places the qualified
artisans in the advantageous position of being
able to articulate into the occupations of Lubrica-
tion Analyst and Condition Monitoring. Addition-
ally, they may also enrol for Machine Lubricant
Analyst and Machinery Lubrication Technician
courses provided by the International Council of
Machinery Lubrication (ICML).
The development of the Artisanal Quali-
fication, which is open to South African and
non-South African citizens, was prompted by
the fact that a South African registered quali-
fication related to the automated lubrication
field did not exist. Although there are advanced
practices in various countries, there is no qual-
ification comparable to this one, making the
Lubrication Equipment Mechanic Qualification
a world first.
The two-day trade test is conducted at SKF’s
Test Centre in Jet Park, Johannesburg, which has
the capacity to offer pre-assessments and train-
ing facilitation for twelve candidates at any given
time. Comprising over 400m² of both practical
and theoretical areas, the centre is fully equipped
with all lubrication systems training panels fitted
with lubrication equipment, specialised lubri-
cation tools, an electrical testing training panel,
work benches, drilling and grinding machinery as
well as hydraulic, electrical, pneumatic lubrica-
tion equipment and pumps.
The curriculum of the two-day trade test con-
tains the following key content: Hand skills, lubri-
cation theory, lubrication systems repair, main-
tenance, installation and commission, lubrication
equipment repair, maintenance, installation and
commissioning. Single line, two line, progressive
and spray oil/grease lubrication systems as well as
oil circulation systems are applied in the course.
SKF awards artisan certificates
unlop Tyre’s entrepreneurship booster pro-
gramme, Business in a Box, is raising the
bar in the taxi tyre fitment space through
a unique partnership with the Dolphin Coast Taxi
Association. It aims to provide taxi operators in
the bustling business and residential hub of Ballito,
located on the north coast of KZN, with safe and
reliable tyres, as well as efficient tyre services.
Simunye Tyres, launched in July at the Ballito
taxi rank, is the culmination of a strategic alli-
ance between Daisy Govender, the owner of Tyre
Track Ballito, and the local taxi association.
With funding provided by the Small Enterprise
Finance Agency (SEFA), the new fitment centre
adds to a growing list of successful small busi-
nesses that are tapping into Dunlop’s innovative
plug-and-play business solution to serve local
communities.
Lubin Ozoux, CEO of Sumitomo Rubber South
Africa, manufacturer of the iconic Dunlop tyre
range, said this was a unique partnership that
was certain to raise the bar in the taxi tyre fit-
ment industry.
“We are extremely proud of our Business in
a Box solution. It is the improved version of our
Dunlop Container project that has more than 80
outlets and around 400 people employed around
the country. With the improved Business in a Box
solution, we aim to establish 48 centres across
SA by the end of 2024. The launch of Simunye
Tyres in Ballito is one of our early success stories
for Business in a Box, and testament to the com-
mitment we have to see small businesses grow
and play a part in the local economy. The centre
provides a much-needed service for taxi owners
and drivers, but more than that, will be contrib-
uting to a safer public transport system with our
quality safety-tested tyres,” says Ozoux.
Dunlop’s Business in a Box solution incorpo-
rates a partnership with SEFA to facilitate fund-
ing for successful applicants, creating a seamless
process from application to installation.
The inspiration for Simunye Tyres came from
Govender, who, after her husband’s sad pass-
ing, had taken over operations at his Tyre Track
centre in Ballito. In February 2022, she left her
well-established career in the real estate indus-
try for unfamiliar terrain in tyre fitment.
“It was a new journey for me, and while it was
a challenge getting to grips with the industry, I
soon found a rhythm and looked towards setting
a new challenge. I realised I had to think out of
the box,” she recalls.
A mere two minutes away from her business
premises, was the Dolphin Coast Taxi Association
rank, a hub of transport in the north coast of KZN.
“I had learnt about the Business in a Box op-
portunities from trade shows that I attended, and
realised this provided a business opportunity in
our area. At present, the local taxi association,
which comprises around 270 taxis, is forced to
drive to Stanger and Tongaat for any tyre relat-
ed issue. This long drive negatively impacts on
business as it means downtime from ferrying
paying passengers to their destinations, as well
as extra petrol costs to drive further from their
area of operation. Installing a Business in a Box at
the taxi rank would mean shorter down time, and
less fuel costs,” says Govender.
Simunye Tyres will offer tyre fitment, tyre
repairs, wheel balancing, wheel rotation, and ex-
pert advice and will also incorporate another lo-
cal business, AutoZone, to support with addition-
al motor accessories sales such as wiper blades,
brake pads and discs, and batteries.
For more information on Dunlop’s
Business in a Box solution,
visit: https://www.dunloptyres.
co.za/business-in-a-box
Dunlop launches business in a box
INDustRY NEWs
ebastian Vettel was the star of his ‘Race
without Trace’ drive at the 2023 Goodwood
Festival of Speed with his use of fossil free
P1 sustainable fuel. The fuel powered his 1992
Williams and 1993 McLaren F1 cars that took
Nigel Mansell to the world championship and
Ayrton Senna to his final Monaco race win re-
spectively. With no new CO2 emissions coming
from the synthetic P1 fuel in the iconic race cars,
the four-time F1 World Champion is proving on
a world stage that any petrol-powered car can
run on sustainable fuel. These cars can be driv-
en without releasing any further CO2 into the at-
mosphere and without any modification to the
engine.
Having won 53 Grands Prix with contempo-
rary prototype cars, Vettel is now spearheading
a new approach to saving the environment by his
use of P1 Fuels both at Goodwood and at the Red
Bull Formula Nurburgring in September. In front
of a capacity crowd on Sunday, the German took
people back in time to the early 1990s battles
between Mansell and Senna with his immaculate
cars and cool Senna replica crash helmet. After
which, he spoke to the crowd on site and to the
world through the live stream TV about how im-
portant it is that we all push for environmental
change with synthetic fuels.
The jaw dropping Fiat S70 ‘Beast of Turin’ from
1910, with its staggering 28-litre four-cylinder
engine, also ran on P1 fuel. Together with a 1907
Mercedes Benz, this shows that a 21st century pi-
oneering fuel can be used in a car that’s 116 years
old. Duncan Pittaway said at Goodwood, “We did a
test with the Fiat before we got here to Goodwood
and what we’ve found is that it starts on the crank-
ing handle easier, runs smoother, cooler and uses
less fuel for the runs we’ve been doing here com-
pared to previous years. It really is quite amazing.”
Ben Collings drove the 1907 Mercedes Benz
with his familiar gusto up the famous hill climb
and said, “In the run up to the Festival, we did
a back-to-back test with the P1 fuel against our
existing fuel and what we found was that the en-
gine ran smoother for us which is fantastic. That
we’re reducing further CO2 emissions is the way
forward not just for motorsport but for everyday
cars too, so to be part of that here this weekend
is a proud moment for all of us.”
The entire P1 Fuels team worked long hours
to showcase the e-fuels on the world stage with
CEO Martin Popilka experiencing a never-to-for-
get ride in the P1 powered Beast of Turin up the
hill climb, “To be showing the world that P1 Fuel
can run across a range for cars from the 1900s
to the 1990s Williams and McLaren right up to a
WRC Toyota with someone as passionate about
the environment as Sebastian Vettel behind the
wheel has made it another milestone in step-
ping towards a world with less CO2 emissions
thanks to our synthetic fuel. To be running our
fuel in the Beast of Turin is ultimate proof of the
flexibility of the fuel across in such an incredible
engine over a century old. I can say after being a
passenger in the Beast of Turin up the hill climb
that we certainly have a future continuing to en-
joy old racing cars with technology that will be
part of our future - an experience I will never
forget!”
P1 Fuels supplies all the runners in the FIA
World Rally Championship and the FIA Karting
Championship with sustainable fuel. In addition
to this, the Mercedes Benz Museum cars on the
Mille Miglia and supercars on the 2023 Gumball
Rally are supplied by P1 Fuels too.
Versatility of sustainable
fuels demonstrated
10
www.automobil.co.za
August 2023