Raptor is renowned for its durability, excellent UV resistance, tintability and is a product that is tough to scratch. They have partnered with Dewald Visser, the man behind “Mal Kamper” to show how this product protects their vehicles and equipment against the harsh African sun.

C3 Autobody Repair Academy and the Collision Repair Association of SA (CRA) have announced a successful input of R15 million from the Seta for short skills programmes. The 100 learners programme has begun with 50 artisans already receiving training on their short courses. These learners will partner with CRA members for on-the-job experience.

Stellantis has confirmed its intention to develop a greenfield manufacturing facility in Coega in South Africa with the Industrial Development Corporation (IDC) and the Department of Trade, Industry and Competition (the dtic). Direct employment to support the first capacity step is expected at 1000 jobs.

C3 Autobody Repair Academy and the Collision Repair Association of SA (CRA) have announced a successful input of R15 million from the Seta for short skills programmes. The 100 learners programme has begun with 50 artisans already receiving training on their short courses. These learners will partner with CRA members for on-the-job experience.

naamsa, the Automotive Business Council, represents 42 passenger vehicle brands, 22 light commercial and 20 medium and heavy commercial vehicle brands. They have started a three day conference to discuss the SA Auto Industry as a whole, the present and the future possibilities and concerns.

The recently introduced Mazda CX-60 will soon see a new variant – the CX-60 Takumi. It is a 3.3 litre 6 cylinder Turbodiesel mild hybrid and will be added to the Mazda stable early next year.

Cymot recent celebrated 75 years of success in Namibia. The event saw 210 suppliers at the Cymot Trade Show across 81 stands. Thousands of invited industry specific guests came from far and wide to keep in touch, find out what is new and to celebrate in style.

Various stakeholders met to form a collaborative approach to the rampant increases being seen in vehicle salvage rates across South Africa. Once again it’s the customer who is left high and dry with these very low write-off rates implemented. It’s a short term view of business for all.

Training in South Africa is becoming multi-faceted to address the needs of the market, from short courses through to reaching the more rural areas where workers are being qualified as they already have the experience.

The new BMW ColorSystem is a sustainable and simple system developed by Axalta. Curing times are incredible and will allow you to create far more throughput with very little baking needed – if any. Tweaking your mindset and processes is what will need to happen to reap the full benefits.

BASF Coatings Services, through its Glasurit brand, is actively promoting awareness of sustainability in the local industry. The focus is to steer the market towards utilising sustainable paint solutions. As part of this initiative, BASF Coatings Services has introduced the Glasurit Recognised Sustainable Partner programme.

Andrew takes us through the move towards even better vehicle design, which usually takes years but promises a future of longer life parts. The object is to reduce energy use in both the original manufactured ‘new’ vehicle as well as parts for service or repair, in order to survive today.

The South African Repair and Towing Association’s (SARTA) held their third quarterly meeting at Hurricane Equipment’s showroom in Centurion. Attendees had the opportunity to interact with their vast product range that they have hand-picked for the collision repair industry.

Winclo Panelbeaters have expanded their business operations to three stand-alone rectification body shops. One for major body repairs, a second for small area repair and their own assessment centre. They use a host of equipment and reliable advice from Celette SA to keep them ahead of the pack in the business.

New Paint for a New Start initiative is part of PPG’s COLOURFUL COMMUNITIES® programme. The company recently completed a R1.5-million refurbishment at Mamelodi High School in Pretoria. The local project brought together more than 80 South African volunteers, including PPG employees, customers, suppliers and schoolteachers.

Comparing Squeeze-Type Resistance Spot Welding (STRSW) and Mig welding, you see that STRSW improved the repairer’s ability to duplicate the factory build process in many ways, adding tremendous value to the industry.

The team at Auto Tech Paints have seen an increasing demand for better automotive colour matching with quality finishes at a value price. This is what Challenger – a refinish brand from Axalta – offers their clients, while exceeding expectations on all fronts.

Trackbox from Tork Craft, is a 154-piece tool box for all your trackside needs. This kit is well made and so are the tools inside, which ensures a long life and is easy to transport.

P-12 Xtra Heavy Cut Compound from Concept 23 has unique Dynamic Response Abrasion (DRA™) technology incorporated for use on harder clearcoats HSS, UHS, ceramic and gelcoats. It is a heavy-duty cutting compound that delivers a depth of gloss and mirror-like finish.

Sprayworld’s Colorit H827 is a high-quality gravity feed gun that is easy to use with basecoat, clearcoat, lacquer and polyurethan topcoats.

Dolphin One Fille premium body filler, from U-Pol, is designed to improve workflow and produce high-quality surfaces ready for painting in the shortest possible time. One-Fill has micro-sphere technology so it’s smooth and pinhole free and you can prime and paint in 20 minutes.

Add the new Sagola high light intensity LED to the 4600 Xtreme spraygun to replicate sunlight inside the body shop. Perfect for spraying metallics, pearls and clearcoats. This piece of equipment doesn’t throw the spraygun off balance as it is perfect integrated.

This is a 2K polyurethane coating that provides surfaces with a highly durable protective coating. It’s available in an easy-to-use kit with an original Raptor application gun, providing, texture finish that performs in all climates, temperatures and environments. It’s available in black or can be tinted with a standard colour.

The CRT Mobile Plastic Welding Station package offers a total answer to the repair of all plastic car body hang-on plastic such as bumpers and wing mirrors. The computer includes regulation and temperature control for the plastic welding with specialist rods made from microfibres.

SmartAlign 3D wheel aligner from Hurricane Equipment. It’s easy-to-use, accurate, reliable, the database is free, and it has moveable cameras. The equipment works in real time on front and rear wheels simultaneously. There are two HD cameras combined with four targets.

OneBond PU Plastic Fast I is suitable for metals, coated metals and plastics (with the exception of polyethylene, polypropylene and Teflon). It repairs cracks, scratches and holes in automotive exterior plastic parts, including bumpers, spoilers, tail-gates and side mirrors and can be sanded and painted quickly with good impact resistance.

Glasurit now offer the P-U-53 performance primer filler is efficient with great performance quality. This primer filler is part of the ProClass range, for undercoat solutions for efficiency. It has good sanding properties, corrosion protection and weathering resistance. ProClass is focused on premium customers striving for pure efficiency

Andrew takes us through the move towards even better vehicle design, which usually takes years but promises a future of longer life parts. The object is to reduce energy use in both the original manufactured ‘new’ vehicle as well as parts for service or repair, in order to survive today.

With loads of product variation, leading to more difficult-to-get special parts due to lower production volumes – as well in Europe – product support ceasing five years after the last production of a model. The issues show up in trim items, unique panels, and all the parts typically used in collision repair.

Those who seek profit and only see everyone else as a route to that profit, will invest in ever more complex ‘machines. The investors won’t care what the machine does as long as profit is delivered. Is this AI at its best? See what Andrew Marsh has to say.

There are few economic ways to allow a wind turbine or solar farm to produce energy and store it. One route is batteries, which are expensive or another way is to use the otherwise wasted power to create pure hydrogen – ‘green’ hydrogen, to indicate it is made with renewable power.

South Africa is in a better place, given most of the world is not following the European ‘BEV or else’ path to oblivion. Parts supply situation remains relatively strong due to domestic manufacturing. Literally the European losses will be gains for South Africa.

From mergers to new companies focussing on electric and internal combustion engines, it’s a labyrinth of chaos as motor manufacturers wheel and deal. Digital partners have been added too and regular suppliers have become integral suppliers. Quite possibly the tail is wagging the dog, but everyone remains silent.

Are electric vehicles the best and only way? Is there not a need for one of the world’s largest employers not to make profit? Why should vehicles and transport be devoid of any pleasure, especially the great sound of an engine to get the juices flowing?

What happens if an electric vehicle’s battery is damaged during an accident? What if the battery damage is enough to initiate thermal runaway? If batteries do catch fire they will burn for days inside your work shop and are highly toxic in enclosed spaces – very dangerous!

One of the markers of the Covid-19 pandemic was the scale of misleading information and indeed downright lies that were punted around by major individuals, companies and even governments. It has become very hard indeed to cut through the fog of ‘stories’ and click bait to understand objectively what is

The new Honda HR-V is a head turner and comes with a full-house of latest technology and safety features. It has tons of space inside and the drive and handling is precise and comfortable.

The BMW M340i xDrive has great driving dynamics with its powerhouse set-up. It is sporty and sophisticated at the same time and is a delight to drive. There are a host of performance-enhancing features to deliver exhilarating driving. A good choice for a driver looking for luxury and performance.

The third-generation Nissan Qashqai redefines the crossover SUV expectations. This latest version has more space, is stylish inside and out as well as equipped with safety technologies designed to keep its passengers safe. It’s available in three models.

The latest version of Hyundai’s Grand i10 – it’s biggest seller – has an impressive list of features all wrapped up in a compact package. It brings to the table more room with extra flair and style at a great price. A little car with a big heart.

Hyundai’s Tucson N Line is not merely a derivative with a new look – it combines the ultimate dynamic design, comfort and advanced features of the Tucson with the motorsport-inspired styling and attitude of Hyundai’s N Line.

The new BMW iX3 makes a compelling argument in the Electric Vehicle age. It’s the first EV we have driven that changes our mindset when it comes to all electric vehicles and the dreaded range anxiety. There are three options to spec your BMW iX3 M Sport, Inspiring, Impressive and Signature.

The latest Toyota Fortuner flaunts a bold aggressive design language. It has a sharp angular front and rear bumper with subtle interior updates including an all-new interior colour palette for flagship models. It comes in the strong 2.8-litre turbodiesel and the 2.4 GD-6 options.

Suzuki has reintroduced the Grand Vitara model to its line-up with an all-new model that in most respects is bang on target in filling the top slot in the cross over SUV line up. The new car is built in India and showcases the excellent production standards that they achieve.

South Africa is in a better place, given most of the world is not following the European ‘BEV or else’ path to oblivion. Parts supply situation remains relatively strong due to domestic manufacturing. Literally the European losses will be gains for South Africa.

The BMW X1 third generation model has just launched in a petrol and diesel engine. It’s a well put together vehicle for the cross over segment, that has a quality look and feel. Restructured equipment packages enable targeted individualisation of the car.