In the late 1990s, South Africa and Thailand’s automotive sectors were comparable in size and key metrics. Today, Thailand’s sector produces three times more vehicles than South Africa and employs over 400 000 people. Flexible yet consistent policies prioritising consumer demand linked production and component localisation were highlighted as fundamental for encouraging sector development.

As companies face increasing pressure to balance quality, efficiency, and sustainability, the 100 Line offers a comprehensive solution that is set to elevate industry standards and foster growth.
One of the most significant advantages of the 100 Line is its focus on superior colour matching, speed and sustainability.

Automechanika Dubai 2024 will provide a comprehensive platform that delves into the industry’s latest trends, innovations, and challenges on a global and regional scale. The topics will revolve around five global pillars: sustainability, electrification and digitalisation, innovation, training, and recruitment, as well as focusing on safety within the aftermarket sector.

It’s official! Concept 23 are the new exclusive partners for JTAPE in South Africa. They manufacture and distribute an excellent range of specialist masking, mounting, customising and detailing tapes that are easy-to-use, save time, reduce waste and save you money.

Rhode Island’s SB 2440, passed this year, prohibits insurers from refusing OEM parts for vehicles 48-72 months old without written consent. The bill, focusing on non-glass OEM parts, aims to ensure repair quality and prevent insurers from mandating aftermarket parts, addressing unfair consumer practices and potentially increasing repair costs.

SA Auto Week 2024, from October 15-18 at CTICC, celebrates South Africa’s 100 years of automotive manufacturing. The event, themed “REIMAGINING THE FUTURE, TOGETHER,” honours industry pioneers and introduces new regulations against unfair insurance practices. It promises dynamic discussions on automotive innovation and the sector’s future.

The escalating cost-of-living crisis is prompting UK motorists to reconsider their driving habits, with over half expressing concern. A quarter contemplate giving up driving altogether due to soaring expenses, including a £214.24 yearly increase in fuel costs per driver. Rising expenses across vehicle ownership are leading to drastic measures like SORN applications and vehicle abandonment after costly repairs.

Automechanika Frankfurt showcased innovation with over 4 200 exhibitors and five stages of lectures and workshops. Highlights included practical demonstrations for body and paint professionals. Key exhibits featured Axalta’s digital platform, PPG’s sustainable tools, Glasurit’s Alfa CR4/CR6 mixing machine and much more.

In a remarkable showcase of talent and determination, Kai, a seventeen-year-old from South Africa, is making waves at the WorldSkills competition in France. Representing South Africa in automotive spray painting, Kai’s journey is a testament to his skill and perseverance. His challenges as a deaf, autistic individual fuelled his inspiring success.

Damage quantification in vehicle repair involves balancing safety with cost, especially in a deflated economy. Rising part costs and vehicle depreciation challenge the repair versus replacement decisions. OEM collaboration and regulatory support are needed for effective repairs. Skilled repairers can ensure safety and sustainability, making repair a viable option when done correctly.

In the cut-throat world of automotive refinish paint sales you need to be a special type of individual to survive in the aftermarket collision supply chain. Mikale Gungaram fits the bill really well. He and his extended family have been working hard supplying body shop and DIY outlets since the 1990s.

First Battery’s Benoni plant in Gauteng efficiently recycles lead-acid batteries with advanced technology, including battery breakers and lead smelters. Processing 80 tons daily, the plant separates and repurposes components, supporting environmental responsibility and sustainability.

Pearlescent whites are tricky for refinishers when it comes to repairs. Spies Hecker have created an efficient process to repair this challenging finish. Spies Hecker are supplying their body shops with innovative products and an optimal process so that they can run profitable businesses, with training and products.

Rolls-Royce has a reputation for building cars that are exceptionally quiet, but here’s one that gives “the sound of silence” new meaning. It’s a 1933 Phantom II model, one of the most revered Rollers in a long history of exceptional cars, and it powered by an electric engine!

DeBeer’s MM9021 Metallic Bright Silver toner in the WaterBase 900+ Series simplifies working with chrome-like finishes. It offers a clean, light appearance with dark flop and excellent adhesion. This toner ensures precise colour matching, reducing rework risks, and guarantees first-time accuracy for popular OEMs.

The needless death of so many road users due to body structures not being stable in a 50 km/h frontal impact has almost disappeared in Europe and the US. Literally Euro NCAP has saved lives. Revolutionised body materials require expert repair to restore original performance, following manufacturer procedures after impact.

The Gladiator product line consists of a 2K protective coating both in black and tintable and its ancillaries that deliver a textured-semi-matt finish with excellent durability, chemical resistance, and damage protection. The established tagline ‘The Invincible Coating’ remains unchanged as does the product formulation. They have merely refreshed their brand’s recognisable orange hue.

DeBeer’s MM9021 Metallic Bright Silver toner in the WaterBase 900+ Series simplifies working with chrome-like finishes. It offers a clean, light appearance with dark flop and excellent adhesion. This toner ensures precise colour matching, reducing rework risks, and guarantees first-time accuracy for popular OEMs.

The Systainer extractor system from Festool includes a crevice nozzle, filter bag, main filter, and more. It offers maximum mobility with a cordless design, 36 V turbine, and 2 x 18 V batteries. Featuring Bluetooth® autostart and a remote control, it provides powerful, dust-free performance and seamless compatibility with tools and accessories.

Hurricane Equipment offers pre-owned and reconditioned Car-O-Liner benches and measuring systems for along with new W1000 and Crafter benches.

U-Pol’s new primer formulation excels in direct-to-metal applications, offering excellent opacity, high film builds, and easy sanding. It supports air dry, low bake, or IR curing systems and is ideal for both spot repairs and full panel applications with system hardeners.

Grinding Techniques has been crafting ANDOR abrasives since 1981, specializing in brake and clutch reconditioning. Our grinding media, including straight and tapered cup wheels, offer superior form holding, cool grinding, and high stock removal. Enhance your revenue and productivity with fewer passes. Partner with us to optimize performance today.

Concept 23 proudly announces an exclusive partnership with JTAPE, featuring smooth edge foam masking tape. This paint-absorbent tape ensures soft finishes and eliminates unwanted paint lines, streamlining the masking of door jambs. Boost efficiency and reduce costs in your body shop.

The recently developed Octoral C600 dries in 10 minutes. This is enhanced by using the clear, H61 Rapid Production Hardener Slow and can be used from small to large repair work and resprays. Efficiency is the name of the game with this duo.

Mix and Match are sole distributors for the Challenger range. The HS 240 clear provides a durable high gloss finish for a wide variety of application conditions.

U-Pol offer a brilliant cost-effective aerosol range for refinishing. They are ideal for small repair and to complete a successful touch-up.

The Drester Classic 2600 from Celette SA is a complete manual gun cleaner for efficient cleaning of spray guns and other tools. It is equipped with the unique Drester teflon diaphragm pump, specifically designed for use in gun cleaners. Automatic extraction protects the operator from hazardous fumes and improves the working environment.

Jaguar built its iconic brand through stunning cars, wartime vision, five Le Mans wins, and daring high-speed European journeys. Achieving this over fifty years with a fraction of Mercedes-Benz’s resources, Jaguar’s success relied on a small team and a modest budget, yet left a lasting legacy.

On 10th December 1997 Toyota introduced the first generation of Prius that went on sale in Japan. The primary objective was to build a vehicle with improved fuel economy, like Honda did.

Globally the vehicle manufacturing industry has undergone a revolution – hybrids during the early part of this century, and then in the past decade, full electric drive. The upshot is while some markets are driven towards a political electric only “Utopia”, others are dealing with far more practical matters.

The wonderful world of vehicle manufacturers is under massive pressure to change, driven by legislation, consumer choices and international trading. The collision repairers are down stream of this, and the increasing chaos will have quite an effect, eventually.

Andrew Marsh delves into the evolution of ADAS to full autonomy The engineering that is going on across the autonomous vehicle community is astounding, but all of the systems are prototypes.
He also questions how the manufacturers and repairers feature in this, as well as the flow of data needed for these vehicles.

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.

Hyundai’s new i20 has hit the road in South Africa with a refreshed, stylish design that is part of a well-rounded motoring package in the segment for hatchback cars, where it occupies a sizeable 10% share of this competitive part of the local car market.

Ford has introduced their new Transit Custom starting with the long wheelbase Van and promising more models later this year. Having claimed Europe’s best-selling one-ton award, the new model promises even more, thanks to consumer feedback which was incorporated into ergonomic design.

The BMW X2 marks a significant stride forward in the evolution of the Sports Activity Coupé (SAC) concept. Its distinct design, characterised by a daring coupé silhouette and dynamic lines, ensures that the X2 captures attention with its charismatic presence. This second generation establishes a new standard in the premium compact segment.

In the latest rendition of the Range Rover Sport, the optional Stealth Pack catapults the vehicle’s performance to unprecedented levels, boasting a dark and dramatic theme that radiates sophistication and power. Every detail of the exterior is meticulously crafted to perfection, establishing a new realm of automotive excellence

The latest BMW 5 series has been launched in South Africa. There are two variants: an all-wheel drive electrified BMW i5 M60, embodying the premium brand’s commitment to future-forward mobility, complemented by a BMW 520d with 48-volt mild hybrid technology. Performance and good looks never disappoint with this manufacturer.

The world’s capable rugged 4×4 often describe Toyota’s Land Cruiser, and the latest evolution is just that, with enhanced styling, technology and specifications as well. It blends heritage and modernity effortlessly and is still a head turner.

In the realm of high-performance hatchbacks, the Toyota GR Yaris stands as a legendary figure, and it has just received a series of enhancements that aim to elevate its driving experience to new heights. The GR Yaris has undergone meticulous upgrades, embodying the relentless pursuit of excellence that Toyota is renowned for.

Stuart Johnston takes a look at the updated Suzuki’s Jimny. It has such a fresh honesty about it – its no-nonsense mechanical specification, its back-to-basics squared-off trad SUV styling, and its at an affordable price. What’s not to like about that!

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.