Author:charleen-clarke
The Eclipse Cross was the first of numerous models to be launched by Mitsubishi during 2019 and with it the brand hopes to take its share of the compact SUV pie. It slots into the Mitsubishi line-up between the smaller and much older ASX and the larger and much more luxurious Outlander. It seems then to fill a perfect gap and, at R399 995, it’s attractively priced, too. However, this is arguably one of the toughest segments of the market in […]
Ford Motor Company has invested US$ 500 million (about R7,1 billion) in a company called Rivian, which specialises in electric vehicles (EVs). They will work together to develop an all-new, next-generation battery electric vehicle for Ford’s growing EV portfolio using Rivian’s skateboard platform. Rivian already has developed two clean sheet EVs. The company’s launch products – the five-passenger R1T pickup and seven passenger R1S SUV – will deliver up to 644 km of range and are said to “provide an […]
Uber Freight, the Uber business unit that helps truck drivers connect with shipping companies, has joined forces with SAP – and their collaboration is set to work wonders for the logistics industry. Uber Freight will be integrated into the SAP Logistics Business Network. The benefits of this move include access to real-time quotes and actual freight capacity as well as simplified load management. There are considerable environmental benefits to the collaboration, too. Every year, underutilised trucks generate a whopping 200-million tonnes […]
Ford Trucks is tangibly demonstrating its intention to conquer the lucrative European truck market with a European tour for the F-Max, the 2019 International Truck of the Year. The truck has gone on an eight-country tour, while its manufacturer is working hard on expanding its dealership and after-sales network in Western Europe. Ford Trucks is already successful in the Middle East, parts of Africa, Russia and Turkic Republics – but now it has its eye set on Europe. A spokesman […]
MAN Truck & Bus has received not one, but two sought-after iF Design Awards. The first accolade, the iF Design Award 2019 in the “Automobiles/Vehicles/Bikes” category, was awarded to the new MAN Lion’s City bus. The MAN CitE fully electric concept distribution truck, on the other hand, scooped the iF Gold Award in the “Professional Concept Mobility” category, leaving behind other top-class design studies in the passenger car and motorcycle business. It’s not hard to see why the MAN CitE, […]
Earlier this year, Mercedes-Benz won the 2019 South African Car of the Year (COTY) competition with the current range-topping A-Class, the A250. Cyberstoep’s Charleen Clarke was a judge in the competition but, while I was unable to get my hands on an A250, this A200 arrived soon thereafter for me to sample… Immediately, certain aspects of the A200 made it clear why its bigger brother – a Golf GTI competitor – was a strong contender for the COTY crown. But, […]
Haval has launched its fifth and largest SUV into the South African market – the H9, which takes on the popular Toyota Fortuner, Ford Everest, Mitsubishi Pajero Sport and Isuzu mu-X. It’s big, green (well, this one is) and very good value for money … but, up against this armada of super-stiff competition, does the H9 have what it takes to follow in the impressive footsteps of its smaller H6 C and H2 siblings launched over the past few years? […]
With the departure from the South African market of General Motors last year, Isuzu was left without a home. One of the country’s most loved brands, there was no way that it or its customers could have been left in the lurch, and so Isuzu Motors of Japan stepped in and bought the local firm; forming Isuzu Motors Southern Africa. The brand’s market-leading truck division and its beloved KB range of bakkies was saved (the KB subsequently being renamed to […]
The market for sub-compact sedans is a small one; in addition to this Honda Amaze (which replaces the Brio Amaze), there’s the Suzuki Dzire and the Baic (pronounced “bike”) D20. This also means that the market for these vehicles is defined … young families looking for an inexpensive starter, or retirees looking for value for money and a compact package in the last car they are likely to own. The Amaze covers both needs quite well… What can I expect […]
Even though its four years into its lifecycle, the Kia Sportage range of mid-sized SUVs has received rolling updates and model enhancements to allow it to keep pace with the ever-expanding array of competitors and better align it with customer needs and wants. The latest range of updates has been the most comprehensive yet and with it has come the introduction of a new entry-level Sportage; the 1.6 GDI Ignite. A true value proposition, the 1.6 Ignite may seem basic, […]
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