56 Braking the Sound Barrier Life Goes on Springs Has Sprung MISA
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ABR JUNE 1 2009:Layout 1 5/27/09 4:31 PM Page 2 14 MISA Magic 56 Braking the Sound Barrier 27 Dropping a Stitch 60 Life Goes On 32 Shock Treatment 68 Springs has Sprung ABR JUNE 1 2009:Layout 1 5/27/09 4:31 PM Page 1 ABR JUNE 1 2009:Layout 1 5/27/09 4:31 PM Page 3 ABR JUNE 1 2009:Layout 1 5/27/09 4:31 PM Page 5 ABR JUNE 1 2009:Layout 1 5/27/09 4:31 PM Page 6 The Phoenix Tilting at Windmills Every now and then something weird and wonderful occurs which attracts my attention. Not weird in the strange and bizarre sense, but weird in the majestic and mythical sense. Just such a moment occurred in March 2009 at the Automechanika exhibition at NASREC. t was the sight of a trade union byline “the intelligent alternative”, and the exhibiting at a citadel of trade and linchpin for the aspiration of effective and capitalism that intrigued me, and responsible trade unionism. It is based on even more intriguing was their artful this understanding that ABR has allowed Iuse of marketing and communication, to its much sought after cover to honour the such an extent that they were judged as the inspiring team at MISA, and to give space top stand out of 421 displays, and their to Dana de Villiers to answer two probing efforts were lauded as “outstanding in questions, which can be found on page 14. every aspect in which an exhibition stand is evaluated”. I was humbled in the realisa- Talking about tilting at windmills, we also tion that my perception of trade unionism introduce in the June 2009 issue of ABR a was not entirely correct and the recogni- new and exciting contributor, Theo Calitz tion that when anyone applies lateral nary people and casting a sharp eye on of T-R-M (Total Relationship Manage- thinking weird and wonderful things can accepted beliefs, reality, honesty, and chau- ment). Theo is going to focus on how to happen. This was the catalyst to have a vinism. The true intent of the story lies in enhance personalised customer care and closer look at MISA (Motor Industry Staff the full title of the book “El Ingenioso customer satisfaction, and this series of Association), and as I unpeeled this tanta- Hidalgo Don Quixote de la Mancha”. articles will complement and augment the lising onion layer by layer, tears came to Ingenioso means inventiveness, and this is Trilogy Customer C.A.R.E. Programme my eyes, not from the pungency of the the essence of Don Quixote’s quest. He introduced in our April 2009 issue. To onion, but rather from a feeling of awe was tilting at windmills, but with inven- have two dedicated articles each month on and wonder, and admiration for a true tiveness. This is also the essence of what customer care shows how seriously ABR Don Quixote effort by a great team of out Dana de Villiers and his team are doing. takes this subject, and judging by the of the box thinkers. Don’t get me wrong. They are people who do not accept the shocking levels of service in this country, Don Quixote has gone down in the annals status quo, and who refuse to be pigeon- our readers may think that we are really of literature as an impractical idealist, but holed. People who strive to fulfil their tilting at windmills, but we are made of any true scholar of the works of Spanish mandate, not in an aimless and conven- strong stock, and we shall persevere in author Miguel de Cervantes will under- tional way, but in a highly effective and attempting to change the service culture in stand that with Don Quixote, de imaginative way. They confront the reali- this country, and particularly in the motor Cervantes was really taking a serious and ties and they change perceptions. This is industry. Go to page 28 to read Theo’s philosophical look at the world of ordi- the quintessential rationale behind the pearls of wisdom. www.abrbuzz.co.za ABR’s website is growing from strength to strength. This month’s issue; as well as previous issues; is available in its entirety at www.abrbuzz.co.za, and this webpage is updated daily with the latest news and views. Read all about it in South Africa’s most respected and most influential automotive aftermarket publication. Boardroom Edition of RMI 101 rilogy Publishing has been com- and to contribute to this rich tapestry of response from the industry in compiling missioned by the RMI to pro- our pioneering history. The editorial copy an accurate and magnificent acknowledge- duce a prestigious edition of the shall be written by highly qualified and ment of the pioneers of the automotive history of the RMI, and a history esteemed journalists assigned the task by industry in our country and something ofT the companies that contributed to the Trilogy Publishing, with the welcome par- worthwhile to serve as a memorable development of the South African auto- ticipation of the companies involved. The memento of our wonderful history. motive industry, in all its forms, over the compilation of RMI 101 shall commence past 101 years. Scheduled for publication in August 2009, and is scheduled for com- Please contact Stanton Porter in November 2009, the RMI 101 serves pletion in October 2009, and distribution Marketing at 012 654 2745; or the primary purpose of celebrating the is planned for November 2009, as it will Graham Erasmus at 083 709 8184 or centenary of the Retail Motor Industry serve as a wonderful year end gift. We shall [email protected] for more Organisation, whilst also informing the only be allowing 101 companies, basically automotive community of the role the first come first served, so we recommend details on how you can participate at organisation plays today. The RMI 101 that you indicate as soon as possible incredibly low rates. Don’t delay; this issue has another exciting purpose – to whether you wish to be involved in this opportunity only comes once every provide a forum for the who’s who of the venture. Trilogy Publishing and the RMI 101 years! automotive industry to tell their stories, will truly appreciate an enthusiastic 4 June 2009 ABR JUNE 1 2009:Layout 1 5/27/09 4:31 PM Page 7 ABR JUNE 1 2009:Layout 1 5/27/09 4:31 PM Page 8 Contents 1010 2222 4646 4 The Phoenix Tilting at Windmills 8 What’s the Buzz 10 Wilde Things The Dumbing Down of the World 12 Industry Icons Focus on Forsdicks 14 Cover Story MISA Magic 16 Tony’s Take The Zuma Cabinet of 2009 20 The Chery Story Chery Shines at Shanghai Motor Show 22 Frankly Speaking Dropping a Stitch? 24 Health Care Managing Your Health 26 Vehicle Evaluation Jiminy Cricket! 28 Customer C.A.R.E. Customer Relationship Management Trilogy Customer C.A.R.E. Programme 32 Managing the Risks Shock Treatment 34 Weighty Issues For Toyota Trucks, Read Hino 36 Auto Topical Automotive GDP Contribution Recovers 38 Personal Profile Q & A with Jacques Brent 42 Tyre Safety Tyres’ Contribution to Safety in Motoring 44 Diamond Dialogues Inferior Parts – the Consequences 46 Safety, Bling and Flying High Publishing Editor Intelli-Driving Editor Gamble, Austin Published by: Graham Erasmus Eugene Herbert Keeg, Howard Trilogy Publishing 083 709 8184 082 941 3785 McCleery, Roger Stadler, Johann Advertising Sales: Commercial Vehicle Editor Correspondents Twine, Tony Stanton Porter Marketing Alwyn Viljoen Beeton, Frank Wilde, Fingal Tel. 012 654 2745 082 458 9332 Borlz, Baron Claude Burford, Adrian 6 ABR JUNE 1 2009:Layout 1 5/27/09 4:31 PM Page 9 Contents 4747 6969 7777 48 Transport History Stonehenge – Eat your Heart Out 50 Burford on Brands Pontiac About to Join its Ancestors 51 e-CAR Golden Nugget 53 AutoZone Update Get Turbocharged 54 Capricorn Insights Taking the High Road 56 Topclass Topics “Braking” the Sound Barrier 58 Euroquip News Valeo for Life 60 Industry Update Life Goes On 62 Robert Bosch Bosch Service National Convention 2009 66 Industry Update Champions of Industry 68 Partinform Springs has Sprung 72 AIDC Quiz 20 Questions 74 AIDC Conference Navigating the Storm 75 Fast Wheels No passing F1 is Back 76 Industry Update An Ideal Becoming a Reality 77 The Last Writes The publisher and contributors have done their best to ensure the accuracy of the articles and cannot accept responsibility for any loss or inconvenience sus- tained by any reader as a result of information or advice in Automotive Business Review. The information provided and opinions expressed in this publica- tion are provided in good faith and do not necessaraly represent the opinion of the publisher. No article may be reproduced in any form without the prior written permission from the publisher, except for the quotation of brief passages in reviews. Editorial Office: Subscriptions and Data Design and Reproduction: Printing: 81 Alma Road Management: j. Kraft Information Design cc Business Print Centre, Pretoria Wendywood Trilogy Trading & Promotion Tel: 012 997 6946 Tel 27 11 656 2198 P O Box 69 Fax: 012 997 6987 Fax 27 11 802 3979 Wendywood e-mail: [email protected] e-mail: [email protected] 2144 Website: www.abrbuzz.co.za Tel 27 11 802 6020 Fax 27 11 802 3979 e-mail: [email protected] 7 ABR JUNE 1 2009:Layout 1 5/27/09 4:31 PM Page 10 What’s the Buzz? LAMBORGHINI SELECTS ALCOA TO SUPPLY LIGHTWEIGHT WHEELS FOR MURCIÉLAGO LP 670-4 SUPERVELOCE Alcoa Wheel Products has been selected by Automobili Lamborghini to supply light- weight wheels for its Murciélago LP 670-4 SuperVeloce (SV).