Issue 60 | 24 April 2014 www.autolive.co.za BRIGHT FUTURE BY ROGER HOUGHTON “Th is is more than a name change and signals an ag- gressive thrust into the market to grow the busi- ness,” says the newly-ap- pointed managing director of Lightstone Auto, Mike von Höne, who previously headed up TransUnion Auto Information Services. He moved to Hall’s Technologies and Lightstone Auto in November aft er a spell of “gardening leave” following his departure from TransUnion, where he was employed for the past 13 years, with the last fi ve as head of Auto Information Services. Two other TransUnion’s executives have also joined Lightstone Auto, being op- erations director Andre Oelofse and business de- velopment director George Palmer. Oelofse now heads up the Lightstone Auto Autostats and Market Segment Analysis division with Palmer heading up the Solutions division. Mike von Höne, the managing director of Lightstone Auto. “Lightstone Auto is a specialised data platform business and our goal is to RGT SMART, the long-time supplier of motor vehicle sales statistics and related become the market leader products and services to the automotive industry in South Africa, has changed its name to Lightstone Auto as the two brands have amalgamated. continued on page 2 Another car maker to Castrol backs Spanjaard grows “Car for Africa” assemble in SA? Bloodhound by exporting made in Kenya Page 3 Page 5 Page 9 Page 22 Subscribe for free @ www.autolive.co.za Page 2 Editor and General Manager continued from page 1 Th e ultimate objective is to make ■ Smart Mapping System: Roger Houghton Lightstone Auto the SA motor indus- Demographic data and [email protected] to the automotive industry in terms try’s preferred data platform partner map statistics to see a 082 371 9097 of its information requirements. Th e of choice whatever vehicle related representation of a dealership union between Halls Technologies’ data is needed and in the format that and its sales, competitor Lightstone and RGT SMART, with suits the user. location and competitor Contributor / Road Test Editor its 30 years of experience, ensures we “Th e future is electronic and at sales, vehicle population Stuart Johnston have the internal expertise and true Lightstone Auto we have a team that and demographic data. [email protected] business principles to achieve this is strong in developing technology, http://smaretmapping.co.za 083 450 9255 objective,” explained von Höne. “In mobile solutions and web service de- future we want to touch every vehi- livery, so I am confi dent in our fu- ...we have a team that Advertising Sales cle transaction that occurs in South ture,” concluded Von Höne. is strong in developing Kieran Rennie Africa with one of our solutions.” AutoLive will look at the myriad technology, mobile of off erings from Lightstone Auto in [email protected] solutions and web “...The union between future editions of the publication, but 083 225 9609 Halls Technologies’ in the mean time here is a listing of service delivery... Address Lightstone and RGT major products and services: ■ GO: It has been developed Suite 107, MISA Centre SMART, with its 30 years Solutions for the new age salesperson 12 Fir Street, Northcliff of experience, ensures Analytics, asset valuation, trends and to assist in delivering fast, Johannesburg, 2195 we have the internal forecasting, analytical consulting and accurate and comparable white labelling. vehicle information Website expertise and true business principles to to customers on the www.autolive.co.za Products for the dealership fl oor. achieve this objective...” automotive industry http://www.gogetsamrt.co.za © 2014 WCM Media CC ■ LIVE: An award-winning ■ Labour Rate Report: More than Production Most of the new Lightstone Auto mobile App and website that 1 000 dealers representing 39 team is located at an offi ce complex enables users to verify both brands have been surveyed Marketing Support Services in Southdowns, Midrand, although a vehicle and a person. and asked to provide +27 (0)12 346 2168 certain section of the company con- http:/www./auto.lightstone.co.za their retail, service plan, [email protected] tinue to operate out of offi ces in ■ Autostats: Primary platform warranty, reimbursement and Port Elizabeth, where RGT SMART for the delivery of new maintenance plan labour rates. Layout and Typesetting was based. vehicle statistics including http://labourratereport.co.za Bonita Tuson In terms of its strategic business exports from SA. intent Lightstone Auto aims to be an http://www.autostats.co.za Products for the Disclaimer information management business ■ AutoMSA (Auto Market insurance industry While reasonable precautions have which is more than decision support. Segment Analyser): Th e LIVE Inspect: Th is is an App-driven been taken to ensure the accuracy It aims to provide a better solution at automotive industry standard solution assisting short term insur- of the advice and information given the right time and in the correct for- for rapid strategic analysis ers to perform eff ective inspections mat which is integrated into the user’s that integrates new vehicle on vehicles. ■ to readers, neither the Editor, the workfl ow process. Th e support must sales volumes with detailed Proprietors, nor the publishers also assist in making the user look and up to date vehicle can accept any responsibility for good in the eyes of his or her cus- pricing, segmentation any damages or injury which may tomer by enhancing the customer’s and specifi cations. arise therefrom. experience. http://www.automsa.co.za Subscribe for free @ www.autolive.co.za Page 3 Editor’s Note Peugeot Likely to Return to Car Production in SA One thing about living in today’s fast moving world is that change is a constant in our lives and our Peugeot cars are likely to be assembled in South Africa again aft er a break of more than environment. three decades. You will know from the Speaking at a media briefi ng to announce the realignment of the Peugeot and Citroën March edition of AutoLive that brands under one chief executive in SA, Francis Harnie said the plan is to assemble the Stuart Johnston, the founding Peugeot 301 in SA for the local market as well as other right-hand drive countries. Th e 301 editor who was responsible for 59 is a spacious family sedan that fi ts between the B and C segments and is aimed at emerg- copies of this e-zine, has moved ing markets where the purchase of new vehicles is critical for success so it will be a true on and will be involved in an ex- value-for-money off ering. citing project as scriptwriter for Th e local 301 range will consist of three models, all with petrol engines – 1.2/1.6-litre the new iMoto-Magic motoring manual and 1.6-litre automatic–with a target starting price of about R150 000 at the cur- programme to be screened on Soweto TV and 1KZN TV, which rent exchange rate. are both free-to-air. Harnie said he was talking to a number of local assemblers who could get the project Although I have taken over as editor of AutoLive, Stuart will off the ground quickly for launch in late 2015 or early 2016. Th e car could possibly be continue as a contributor which includes him writing his popu- assembled initially from semi-knocked down kits (SKD) with a switch to completely lar Back Page feature article and providing a picture page of his knocked down (CKD) kits later. Initial volumes could vary between 7 000 and 15 000 classic and modern car wanderings. He will also be responsible units annually, with at least 4 000–5 000 units destined for the local market. for evaluating new cars and light commercials on the road for Th e Peugeot 301 is already selling well in left -hand drive countries in North Africa AutoLive readers. and Turkey as well as in Eastern Europe. Harnie added that if the 301 proved successful Stuart is currently very busy organising his usual interest- then the equivalent Citroën model, the C-Elysée, could also be made in SA as the two ing display of classic cars at the Rand Show, which takes place at models shared the same platform. the Johannesburg Expo Centre from April 18–28. Th ere will be “Th e announcement of a programme to assemble the Peugeot 301 and possibly the plenty of interaction with car owners and enthusiasts and it is sure Citroën C-Elysée in SA could lead to us becoming an export base for other right hand drive to be a worthwhile place to visit for all petrolheads and lovers of markets in Africa and possibly in other parts of the world too,” said an upbeat Harnie. motoring heritage. Peugeot cars were made in SA for almost 30 years before a decision to cease produc- Moving on to the local motor industry scene most of you will tion of both Peugeot and Citroën vehicles in SA was taken in the early 1980s. At that be aware of a slowdown in retail sales as the struggling economy time the French duo were being assembled by Sigma Motor Corporation in Silverton. and weak rand impact on our lives. Th e cost pressures are hav- Previously both brands had been assembled at Stanley Motors’ plant in Natalspruit. ing an eff ect on the smaller motor companies too as we see them Now a new Peugeot production line could be on the horizon for South Africa again, closing ranks and looking for new investors. which will be a positive indicator for the future of the local motor industry, particularly as Cases in point are Peugeot and Citroen being consolidated it could include an export programme for built up vehicles.