GEELY SOUTH AFRICA GEARS UP FOR MASSIVE YEAR

It was a milestone year for Geely South Africa in 2010, with the Chinese car company acquiring new owners, doubling its dealer network and achieving the lowest fuel consumption by a petrol-engined car in its class in the Total Economy Run.

Geely SA is owned by the Hallmark Motor Group, a sister company of the JSE-listed transportation, supply chain and logistics service provider Cargo Carriers and the family owned Magic Group, who each hold 50%.
 

“In July last year there were 12 dealers. In less than six months this has grown to 25, including the replacement of three of the original dealers,” said CEO John Jessup.

“We aim to continue to expand our dealer network to around 35 by mid 2011 as we gear up for the introduction during the year of two important new models, a small car that will compete in the A/B segment of the market and a D segment entrant to complement our current B/C segment MK sedan and MK2 hatchback.

“We are very excited about the small car, which we believe will set new standards in quality, safety, equipment, styling, refinement and pure “COOL” in the South African entry level market. It is called Panda in Japan and will be known as LK when we launch it in South Africa in March, because the Panda name is already taken here.

“One of its biggest features is its safety. The LK (Panda in China) was the first car to achieve five stars in China’s independent C-NCAP collision test conducted by the National Passenger Car Quality Supervision and Inspection Centre.”

Jessup says the launch of the LK, which will account for the bulk of Geely SA’s expected sales by the second half of 2012, will be followed by the introduction at the Johannesburg International Motor Show in October of a D-segment sedan that will set new standards of “quality for money” in the SA market.

The Geely car range currently available in South Africa consists of five models: the MK 1.5 GS, 1.6 GL and 1.6 GT Sedans and the MK2 1.5 GL and 1.5 GT Hatches. Pricing is from R105 000 to R120 000.

A lone Geely MK2 1.5 GT Hatch, driven by veteran motor sport commentator and broadcaster Roger McCleery and navigated by fellow motoring journalist and magazine editor Graham Erasmus, returned the lowest fuel consumption in class C for petrol-engined cars from 1 351cc to 1 500 cc in the 34th Total Economy Run in the eastern Free State in 2010.

STORY COURTESY OF PETER BURROUGHES COMMUNICATIONS

BMW IS MOST SATISFACTORY BUY

BMW South Africa has been ranked the highest in satisfying new vehicle buyers during the purchase experience, according to the J.D. Power and Associates 2010 SA Sales Satisfaction Index (SSI) Study released today. 

Now in its sixth year, the SSI Study is a comprehensive assessment of the new-vehicle purchase experience and is encapsulated in an overall sales satisfaction score for each nameplate. Overall sales satisfaction scores are comprised

of 32 attributes grouped in five factors: dealership facility; salesperson; paperwork/finance process; delivery process; and negotiated price.

BMW ranked the highest with a score of 893 on a 1 000-point scale, and also sets the industry benchmark in all five factors. Mercedes-Benz (882) and Honda (864) follow BMW in the rankings.

“Our Dealer Network succeeded in each of the five disciplines measured in this award demonstrating that our sales processes are the benchmark in the industry,” says Bodo Donauer, BMW South Africa’s Managing Director.

Since the inception of the SSI Study in 2004, BMW has won the award on three occasions – first in 2004, then 2007 and most recently in 2010. “The award also bears testimony that our processes in this regard deliver a consistently excellent experience to our customers, further cementing BMW’s position as the world’s leading premium manufacturer,” adds Donauer. 

In addition to this accolade, BMW ended 2010 as the country’s top selling luxury car brand. 

“It is quite an accomplishment to see that BMW has performed the best in its segment and won the 2010 SSI award in the same year,” says Brian Walters, senior director of J.D. Power and Associates research operations in Europe and Africa.

The 2010 SSI Study is based on responses from more than 7 300 new-vehicle buyers who purchased their vehicle between November 2009 and June 2010. The study was funded entirely by J.D. Power and Associates as part of its global research programs, in co-operation with the Department of Transport (DOT) and the Road Traffic Management Corporation (RTMC), and includes a section of questions to assist the authorities in measuring the performance of their vehicle and drivers licensing program.

STORY BY BMW

CITROEN SHOWS OFF 2011 WRC DEFENDER

The entry of the DS3 WRC in the 2011 World Rally Championship will open a new chapter in the history of the French make. The Citroën Total World Rally Team’s aim is win its seventh Manufacturer’s World Title, and to achieve this it has entered two crews: Sébastien Loeb-Daniel Elena, gunning for their eighth drivers’ world title on the trot, and Sébastien Ogier-Julien Ingrassia who have been

promoted to the works outfit full time after scoring two victories in 2010. Three more Citroën DS3 WRCs will be driven by privateers: Petter Solberg, Kimi Räikkönen and Peter van Merksteijn.

Citroën Racing, which has been involved in top-level world rallying for ten years, is about to give its third World Rally car its debut. After the Xsara and the C4, which racked up three world titles each, the DS3 WRC will make its bow on the world stage in the Swedish Rally (10-13 February). The team directed by Olivier Quesnel has fixed itself an aim as simple as it is ambitious for this key season that represents a turning point in the make’s history -retain its Manufacturers’ and Drivers’ titles.

The Citroën DS3 WRC is a stunning synthesis of Creative Technology that complies with the new regulations drawn up by the Fédération Internationale de l’Automobile (FIA). The most visible change is its size. The DS3 WRC is more compact than the C4, which gives it much more spectacular behaviour. The revolution continues under the bonnet as the car is powered by a 1.6-litre turbocharged direct injection 4-cylinder engine designed in-house by Citroën Racing. It is coupled to 4-wheel drive transmission with a manually controlled sequential gearbox and with a constant power sharing system between the front and rear axles.

The Citroën DS3 WRC was unveiled at last year’s Paris Motor Show, and it has since undergone multiple test sessions to be ready for a season consisting of thirteen rallies, each one with its own specific characteristics, stretched over a 9-month period. From the polar chill of Sweden to the heat of the Jordanian desert, the World Rally Championship is a huge challenge for men and machines. The technical team managed by Xavier Mestelan-Pinon has reproduced the most extreme conditions during the sessions aimed at testing the reliability of the car and developing its performance.

The Citroën Total World Rally Team that represents the official colours of the make has entered two DS3 WRCs for crews that come from its own nursery, which today consists of the ‘Citroën Racing Trophies’ organized all over Europe. The reigning 7-time world champions Sébastien Loeb and Daniel Elena can’t wait to take on this new challenge. ‘Seb’ and ‘Danos’ hold just about all the records in the WRC, and they will start each round with the aim of winning and adding more laurels to their already-mind-boggling results. Sébastien Ogier and Julien Ingrassia, who took part in three rallies for the works team in 2010, have been given the no. 2 DS3 WRC. The French pairing have already won two
world championship rallies, and they must now confirm their ability to associate speed and
consistency.

Total continues its long-standing partnership with Citroën as title sponsor of the works team. The DS3 WRCs will also carry the famous Red Bull colours as the company pursues an involvement that began in 2008. Three brands will be back among Citroën’s partners, Michelin which will supply tyres for the DS3 WRCs, as well as Facom and Alcon.

Three more DS3 WRCs run by Citroën Racing Technologies will be entered for private crews in 2011. Petter Solberg-Chris Patterson will start all thirteen rounds, Kimi Räikkönen-Kaj Lindström will take part in ten rallies while Peter van Merksteijn-Eddy Chevaillier will begin their season at the Portuguese Rally.

STORY BY CITROEN

ELECTRIC MAZDA2 COMING SOON TO JAPAN

Mazda Motor Corporation is independently developing an electric vehicle (EV) with plans to commence leasing in Japan in spring 2012. The new EV, based on its Demio subcompact, is expected to have a driving range of 200 kilometres and will be leased mainly to local government bodies and fleet customers.

Mazda is currently advancing its Building Block Strategy, which prioritises the improvement of base technologies by developing more efficient engines and transmissions and reducing vehicle weight. Building on this, Mazda will progressively introduce electric devices such as regenerative braking and hybrid systems. The initial results of the strategy - products featuring Mazda's new, eco-friendly SKYACTIV technologies - will begin rolling out to markets this year. In parallel with the Building Block Strategy, Mazda is also continuing its research and development efforts into EVs designed for customers with short city commutes. Through this EV lease program, Mazda hopes to enhance its knowledge of EV usage requirements and electric drive technologies.

The internal combustion engine is expected to remain the heart of the automobile for the near future. Going forward, Mazda will continue to improve its base technologies that are centered on internal combustion. At the same time, it will advance development of various future eco-friendly technologies in order to offer all its customers driving pleasure as well as outstanding environmental and safety performance.

STORY BY MAZDA

JAGUAR E-TYPE IS 50 THIS YEAR!

Jaguar fans and car fans in general, listen up. This year the iconic Jaguar E-Type turns 50! Yes, it has been that long. The car was launched at the Geneva Motor Show in March 1961, and so Jaguar is planning a few tricks to celebrate a big chunk of its history. Events such as the Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance, the Nurburgring Old Timer Grand Prix and the Goodwood’s Revival and Festival of Speed will be used.

“Half a century of progress has not diminished the significance of the E-Type,” said Mike O’Driscoll, Managing Director Jaguar Cars and Chairman Jaguar Heritage.  “It was a sensation when it was launched, and remains Jaguar's most enduring and iconic symbol. The E-Type is simply one of the most exciting cars ever created and a legacy to the genius of Jaguar's founder, Sir William Lyons.”

The car sold about 70 000 units over the 14 years it was in production, and was bought by such celebrities as George Best, Brigitte Bardot, Tony Curtis and Steve McQueen. Today people like David Beckham, Beyonce, Will Smith and Jay Leno would be possible equivalents. Seriously cool.

“It is impossible to overstate the impact the E-Type had when it was unveiled in 1961,” said Ian Callum, Jaguar Design Director. “Here was a car that encapsulated the spirit of the revolutionary era it came to symbolise.  The E-Type is a design that even today continues to inform the work we do in styling the Jaguars of the future.”

The Jaguar E-Type ran a 3.8-litre engine worth 265bhp (197.6kW) and 260lb ft (353Nm) of torque and could go about as fast as 240km/h. While today it might be mistaken for a hot hatch, back then it was considered a super car. In fact it was probably the fastest car in the world at the time.

If you bought the E-Type today you would pay the equivalent of £38 000 (R426 000) in today’s money. Not too bad for “the most beautiful car in the world”, as Enzo Ferrari once described it.

GENEVA 2011: FIAT JOURNEYS INTO NEW GROUND WITH FREEMONT

The next Geneva motor show will host the debut of the new Fiat Freemont, which will go on sale in Europe during the second half of 2011.
 
The Freemont is built on the base of the Dodge Journey and will be the first Fiat vehicle to come out of the partnership with the Chrysler Group. It will be produced in the Mexican plant of Toluca, where the 500 is produced for the US market.

The very name conjures up a sense of freedom, the pleasure of life in the open air, of adventure and the possibility of facing any situation that arises in daily life with equanimity. 

The Fiat Freemont is in fact a 'factotum vehicle' designed to meet the diverse needs of families and those seeking a spacious, comfortable and versatile vehicle to cater for the frenetic pace of everyday life or weekend leisure time.

The vehicle combines flexibility and practicality with its own distinctive and original style. The dimensions (length of 489 cm, width of 188 cm and height of 172 cm) guarantee outstanding interior roominess, aided by the best wheelbase in its category (289 cm).

The Fiat Freemont guarantees maximum roominess, comfort and versatility due to its seven standard seats with a genuine third row of roomy seats that is easily accessible because the doors open to 90°. The seats of the third row may be folded down with one simple movement to disappear completely below the floor and create a regular load platform. The seats of the second row are fitted higher than those at the front while the third row is raised in relation to the second allowing all occupants maximum visibility.

The second row can also be fitted with the innovative child booster system: booster seats are used to make sure that children on board are sitting correctly, optimising the seatbelt geometry and guaranteeing greater protection, practicality and comfort.

On-board comfort is also assured by a high driving position, new roomy and ergonomic seats, a host of storage compartments, a generous luggage area with two compartments and a flat load platform for an overall capacity of up to 1461 litres.

The vehicle's very individual design includes muscular, decisive lines that are expressed in a front end with brand new bumpers and grille. The rear end has been redesigned with the adoption of a new bumper and LED tail lights. 

The all-new passenger compartment features an up-to-date design and soft touch materials. Features include a wrap-around dashboard with chrome elements, a brand-new instrument panel, a strikingly good-looking central console and an innovative infotainment system with a large colour touchscreen.

To simplify the selection and purchase process, only two spec levels (aimed at different customer types) will be provided. The equipment level for both outfits is extremely comprehensive and all the main content items comply with the 'Fiat fair price' strategy. 

Both outfits will offer seven seats, triple-zone automatic climate control system, keyless entry system, cruise control, advanced trip computer, tyre pressure monitoring system (TPMS), fog lights and touchscreen radio with colour screen and controls on the steering wheel. The more metropolitan version will include 17” alloys, touchscreen radio with 8.4” screen, SD card and DVD reader, Bluetooth system, rear parking sensors, fold-down door mirrors, automatic headlight activation, darkened rear windows and roof bars.

The Freemont will have front wheel drive with turbo diesel power units (140 HP / 104 kW or 170 HP / 126 kW 2.0 MultiJet) combined with a manual gearbox. Later, the vehicle will also be available in 4x4 versions with 170 HP / 126 kW 2.0 MultiJet and 276 HP / 205 kW 3.6 petrol V6 engines, both with automatic transmissions. With the exception of the powerful 3.6 litre unit from the Chrysler Group Pentastar family and its automatic transmission, all power units are produced and developed by FPT- Fiat PowerTrain.
The vehicle's dynamic performances have also been improved with the aid of Fiat engineering, which has developed and introduced a special suspension and steering configuration for greater accuracy and directness. Driving comfort is further guaranteed by significant improvements to passenger compartment soundproofing.

Safety is top level with seven airbags, anti-lock braking system (ABS) with Brake Assist, Electronic Stability Program (ESP) with Hill-Holder and electronic roll mitigation (ERM) as standard on all vehicles.

PEUGEOT DOMINATES, WINS 2011 RALLYE MONTE CARLO

The 1985 Rallye Monte-Carlo was won by Ari Vatanen after a memorable comeback, while the 2009 edition of the winter classic saw Sébastien Ogier claim the first international victory of his burgeoning career. This time round, it is Peugeot France's Bryan Bouffier and Xavier Panseri who produced the performance of the event when they climbed from seventh to first place on a single stage, before calmly controlling from in front to the finish. Peugeot really wanted to win the centenary Monte, and they succeeded!
 

It is the magic of the Rallye Monte-Carlo which makes it such a unique event. You can have the best drivers and the best organised team, but sometimes a technical decision, a tyre choice or an incident can turn even the best-laid plans upside down in an instant.  At the end of the opening leg (Wednesday, January 19), the 207 Super 2000 were not behind because they lacked the necessary competitiveness but following an inappropriate tyre choice (too soft).
Twenty-four hours later, after Thursday afternoon's snow, the situation was reversed and four Peugeots figured inside the overnight top-five, while Bryan Bouffier climbed from seventh to first place in the space of just one stage.

The third and final leg on Friday, January 21, was divided into two distinct parts: the morning's single stage ahead of the long drive down to Monaco, then – after an afternoon's rest – the famous Nuit du Turini which featured a loop of two stages to be contested twice at night.  When the Peugeot crews set out from Valence at 6:30am, they each
had different objectives. Bryan Bouffier (Peugeot France/French Dealer Network) was intent on holding onto first place, while François Delecour (privately-entered Peugeot) was focused on preventing third placed Freddy Loix from passing him. The main priority for Guy Wilks (4th, Peugeot UK) was to score IRC points, Stéphane Sarrazin (5th, Peugeot France) was targeting a top-three finish and Petter Solberg's objective was to post some top stage times…!

The 207 Super 2000 eventually notched up eight fastest times from 13 to emerge as the fastest car of this year's Rallye Monte-Carlo. Friday morning saw Sarrazin take an emphatic win on SS9 and the evening's first loop allowed him to ease into fourth spot before his gearbox jammed in fourth gear, dropping him back to fifth. The 207 S2000 of Bouffier/Panseri proved perfectly reliable and the Peugeot France driver succeeded in controlling masterfully from in front to take the win.  "At the beginning, I wasn't the fastest driver on this rally which was never easy. This is the best win of my career," grinned the winner. "I wonder whether I will ever experience anything like this again. Winning the Monte Carlo is magic!"

Stéphane Sarrazin collected the highest number of stage wins (four) and completed the final test in third place before checking into the final Time Control on the harbour side in Monaco to hand the podium finish to Peugeot UK's Guy Wilks who is contesting the entire championship this season. Wilks/Pugh put in a strong, mistake-free performance to kick off their 2001 IRC campaign. Meanwhile, Peugeot completed the event with four cars inside the top-five to round off a polished team effort.  "Today's result speaks volumes for the competitiveness of the 207 Super 2000, the ability or our crews and the high standard of our organisation," said Peugeot Sport Director Olivier Quesnel. "The important thing on the Rallye Monte-Carlo is to remain humble, even when you're in front, because the final standings are always the result of a combination of different incidents. When it snowed, our rivals made a strategic error and we were able to profit from that to take control. But make no mistake: we intend to savour Peugeot's third Monte Carlo win which was made all the more satisfying by the fact that this year is the event's centenary anniversary."

Last but not least, a special mention for Norway's Petter Solberg who made a real mark on the rally despite the Peugeot 207 being completely new to him. He played a key role until the very end of the ast stage before being halted by an alternator failure.
 
Final positions:
1. Bouffier/Panseri, Peugeot 207 S2000, 3h 32m 55.6s
2. Loix/Miclotte, Skoda Fabia S2000, +32.5s
3. Wilks/Pugh, Peugeot 207 S2000, +1m 19.7s
4. Sarrazin/Renucci, Peugeot 207 S2000, +1m 21.9s
5. Delecour/Savignoni, Peugeot 207 S2000, +1m 22.4s
6. Hänninen/Markkula, Skoda Fabia S2000, +1m 29.3s
7. Solberg/Patterson, Peugeot 207 S2000, +3m 45.9s
8. Vouilloz/Veillas, Skoda Fabia S2000, +4m 47.8s
9. Kopecky/Stary, Skoda Fabia S2000, +7m 45.9s
10. Basso/Dotta, Peugeot 207 S2000, +8m 46.0s