Africa Automotive July-August issue 2019

July-August issue 2019

Volume 3 issue no. 4

Africa Automotive

Increasing Demand for Automotive Air Filters air filter market is driven by increasing demand for automobiles In this issue......

Do self-driving vehicles really make traffic safer?....pg 22 July-August issue l 2019

Auto engineers warn your Opinion: Automotive car might be easier to hack sector can make Kenya an than you think....pg 42 industrial hub....pg 16 Africa Automotive News l 2019 1

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Africa Automotive News l 2019

July-August issue l 2019

Managing Editor Francis David

Editor-in-Chief Augustine Rang’ondi

Editor Dorcas Kang’ereha

Writer

Violet Ambale Harriet Mkhaye Irene Joseph Innocent Momanyi

Sales Executives

NEWS

Contents

pg 2-7

Nexteer Automotive opens first manufacturing plant in Africa Apple Acquires Self-Driving Startup Drive.ai

Nigeria

Emelda Njomboro Uche Maxwel

Published by:

Nailex Africa Publishing P.O. Box 10109, 00100 Nairobi, Kenya.

REVIEW

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2020 Nissan Rogue Sport arrives with fresh Styling And Tech

India’s major automobile Mahindra wins Gold Award in South Africa

Lexus confirms LC convertible

Ireland to ban sale of new petrol vehicles by 2030

BMW’s new 3-series Touring: The fast estate

SAIC will build MG cars in Egypt

SAFETY TIPS pg

Autoshow pg 18-19

Auto engineers warn your car might be easier to hack than you think

AUTOEXPO Africa Tanzania 2019 What to do when your car is stolen

South Africa

Paul Nyakeri Sean Masangwanyi Lisa Brown Thembisa Ndlovu

Why engine lubrication is important

Ford opens research center in Israel

East Africa

Jimmy Mudasia Lydia Kamonya Caiser Momanyi Vincent Murono Sheila Ing’ayitsa

Do self-driving vehicles really make traffic safer?

West Africa Automotive Show

PRODUCTS

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DENSO celebrates 10 years of TT Spark Plug technology Novelis makes a play for battery enclosures Expanded Ferodo® Eco-Friction® Range

Opinion pg Africa’s car industry needs more investment Automotive sector can make Kenya an industrial hub

FEATURES pg

technology

pg

How software will dominate the Automotive Industry

Auto garage pg How to fix squeaky brakes

motorbike pg Kibo Africa plans to make electric motorbikes from Nairobi factory Novus electric motorbike stuns with all-carbon design Pedal-powered electric motorcycle: World premiere of the new eROCKIT

Increasing Demand for Automotive Air Filters (Cover story) The Editor accepts letter and manuscripts for publication from readers all over the world. Include your name and address as a sign of good faith although you may request your name to be withheld from publication. We can reserve the right to edit any material submitted. Send your letters to: info@africaautomotivenews.com

Disclaimer:

Nailex Africa Publishing makes every effort to ensure the accuracy of the contents of its publications, but no warranty is made to such accuracy and no responsibility will be borne by the publisher for the consequences of actions based on information so published. Further, opinions expressed on interviews are not necessarily shared by Nailex Africa Publisher.

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News only nine months. The facility is now being filled with machines and gearing up for the start of production in September of this year.

Herve Boyer, President of Europe, Middle East, Africa & South America, Nexteer Automotive, said, “We received great support from the Moroccan authorities with this crucial investment. The proinvestment approach towards starting new businesses in this region is extremely valuable, and we want to express our great appreciation to the Moroccan government for enabling us to enter this great market in such a short lead time.”

Moroccan Minister of Industry, Mr. Moulay Hafid Elalamy, said, “A leading manufacturer of steering systems has joined the worldwide leading automotive suppliers based in Morocco. With this new establishment, a new highly technological craft is being developed in the Kingdom and hence contributes to the integration of the value chain and the ascent of the Moroccan automotive industry”.

Nexteer Automotive opens first manufacturing plant in Africa

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exteer Automotive hosted a ceremony with customers, employees and government officials – including Moroccan Minister of Industry, Investment, Trade and Digital Economy, Mr. Moulay Elalamy – to celebrate the grand opening of its first African plant in Kenitra, Morocco.

The new facility will manufacture Electric Power Steering (EPS) systems for Groupe PSA, as well as Driveline systems for FCA, Groupe PSA and Renault-NissanMitsubishi Alliance. The company expects to hire around 500 people at the Kenitra plant by 2020.

“Nexteer’s new Morocco plant is another milestone in our ongoing plan for global footprint diversification and expansion in regions strategically important to our key customers,” said Tao Liu, Global Chief

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Operating Officer, Nexteer Automotive.

“As Nexteer’s first plant in Africa, this facility will enable us to further support customer needs for our industry-leading motion control solutions across Africa and Europe.”

Mr Elalamy added, “the attractiveness and competitiveness of the Moroccan automotive platform is reinforced by the completion of industrial projects conducted by renowned suppliers such as Nexteer”.

As the Kenitra plant will continue to grow its operations and programs in the upcoming years, Nexteer Automotive Morocco is actively searching for new candidates – specifically in the fields of quality manufacturing, product engineering, machine operations, finance, HR, logistics and IT. Interested candidates should apply to Nexteer by visiting www. nexteer.com/careers.

The systems produced at the Kenitra plant for Groupe PSA will include Single Pinion EPS systems – Nexteer’s premium steering system that is currently featured in A-C segment vehicles for Nexteer customers like BMW and Groupe PSA. The Driveline systems that will be produced at this plant will include halfshafts for new generations of some of the bestselling models from FCA, Groupe PSA and Renault-NissanMitsubishi.

Construction on the 10,000 m2 Kenitra facility began in Q1 2018 and took

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Graphics design of the newly opened nexteer African plant in Kenitra, Morocco.

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News

Apple Acquires SelfDriving Startup Drive.ai

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pple has bought autonomous car startup Drive.ai, according to a report by CNBC. The purchase will add engineers to the company’s ranks, along with other individuals who have knowledge about the technology and how it works.

The purchase price isn’t known, but Axios is reporting that Apple probably paid less than the $77 million Drive.ai raised in venture capital. The company recently had a $200 million valuation.

The self-driving startup had recently filed a notice in California about plans to close the business and lay off its workers, which numbered around 90. It had also teamed up with the city of Arlington in Texas for a self-driving shuttle service.

In January, Apple made cuts to its Project Titan car endeavor, and let 200 employees go. Apple called the cuts

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restructuring at the time. Apple is also testing Lexus SUVs with autonomous tech in California, but the cars have a driver behind the wheel.

In other Apple News, the company has expanded the test phase of its credit card with Goldman Sachs to its retail employees, according to a report by Bloomberg. The company, which has tens of thousands of retail workers, launched an internal beta program for the Apple Card, and it is the first major trial for the upcoming product, set to launch publicly in the summer.

The group using the card, despite the size of the workforce, will be a controlled one, and the workers were asked to not talk about the card, even though they’re allowed to use it publicly. The card can be used directly from the iPhone, though there’s also a physical card available, too.

The physical card has a sharp-looking metal design.

Goldman Sachs takes care of the payment processing, credit obligations, disputes and customer service for the card. In addition, Apple is already discussing expanding the card into Europe.

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News

Bill Ford, the executive chairman of the Ford Motor Company speaking at the opening of the Ford Research Center in Tel Aviv

Ford opens research center in Israel

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ord Motor Co. has formally opened a research center intended to help the automaker tap into the region’s burgeoning mobility startup community.

Israel in recent years has grown to rival Silicon Valley in terms of tech entrepreneurship, with success stories such as Mobileye, which is headquartered in Jerusalem and was acquired by Intel in 2017 for $15 billion.

Investors have poured roughly $6 billion into Israeli smart mobility startups since 2013, according to EcoMotion, a nonprofit organization that hosts a yearly mobility conference in Tel Aviv.

“We recognize the importance of being in one of the world’s leading innovation communities and ecosystems,” Ford Executive Chairman Bill Ford said in a statement. “This new center is not only an expansion of our existing Research and Innovation centers but provides an opportunity to join a growing innovation

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community in Israel.”

Ford gave a keynote speech Tuesday at the EcoMotion conference and attended the opening of the center.

“This really becomes the lifeblood of what Ford Motor Co. will be in the future,” Ford said at the ribbon cutting ceremony.

The site would start small, with roughly 10 to 12 workers, but likely would grow quickly, similar to Ford’s research center in Palo Alto, Calif., which opened in 2015 with a small staff that has grown to

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about 250 today.

He said the site’s researchers would work with those in Palo Alto and Dearborn, Mich., to explore future technologies, and would work closely with SAIPS, an Israeli computer vision company Ford acquired in 2016.

The research center is located next to SAIP’s offices. The two combined are roughly 5,000 square feet, according to Udy Danino, the company’s founder and CEO. He said the two companies would focus on research on interior monitoring, sensors, OTA updates, cybersecurity and autonomous technology.

The automaker has worked with local tech scouts here for nearly a decade and was among the first automakers to host a developer challenge here in 2015.

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This new center is not only an expansion of our existing Research and Innovation centers but provides an opportunity to join a growing innovation community in Israel.”

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News that a happy dealer ultimately leads to a happy customer,” he said.

According to NADA’s research, which was compiled with the help of Lightstone Automotive, Mahindra scored well above average on most metrics, including being open and honest in its communication with its network, being fair and responsive in the way it allocated vehicles and having a good corporate social investment programme.

“Many people do not realise that our dealers are independent businesses and not part of the Mahindra Group.

“As such, we have to ensure that their businesses are healthy and their personnel are happy in order to ensure that they offer the best possible service to our customers,” Gupta said.

India’s major automobile Mahindra wins Gold Award in South Africa

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Mahindra has a national dealer network of more than 60 dealers and is looking to expand into more regions in 2019.

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ndia’s automobile major Mahindra won the Gold Award for fairing on various indicators, including level of satisfaction among its network of dealers and the manner of allocation of vehicles to them.

Mahindra, which has been in South Africa for the past 16 years, received the award on June 7 from the country’s National Automobile Dealers’ Association (NADA) which tests dealers’ satisfaction with the way a brand supports and communicates with them.

The automobile giant, which has more than 60 dealers in South Africa, secured the top position out of the 29 vehicle brands surveyed for the awards.

“We are very proud of our Gold Award as it is a direct indication of the health and happiness of our dealer network,” Rajesh Gupta, CEO of Mahindra South Africa, said.

This Award is a welcome recognition of the team’s hard work to improve every aspect of our dealer support, knowing

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From left: Ghana Msibi, Executive Head: Motor Division, WesBank, Avinash Bapat, CFO of Mahindra SA, Pratyush Bose, Head of Aftersales, Mahindra SA, Hans Greyling, Head of Sales, Mahindra SA, and Mark Dommisse, NADA National Chairman

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News

Ireland to ban sale of new petrol vehicles by 2030 running cost are looked at together, it will be as cheap to have an EV as to have a petrol/diesel vehicle.”

The target is to encourage the adoption of up to 940,000 EVs onto the roads in Ireland by 2030, with tax incentives to encourage their use over petrol or dieselpowered vehicles.

This news follows the announcement that the UK’s proposed petrol and diesel ban for new vehicles in 2040 could be shifted forwards to 2032. The city of Amsterdam has also come forward to state it’ll be banning non-electric vehicles by 2030.

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he Irish Government has reaffirmed its plans to ban the sale of new petrol and diesel vehicles by 2030, as part of a new strategy aimed at protecting the environment.

in 2017 (was) served by fossil fuels”.

The way to combat this is by the rapid introduction of electric vehicles, states the

The measures form part of a wider Climate Action Plan which also details a target to ban the sale of non-recyclable plastics by the same year – something the entire EU is striving towards.

In the report, it’s clear Ireland sees itself lagging behind other nations in the drive to save the environment. It states that “96.7% of our transport energy demand report.

Does this mean Irish bikers will have to pay through the nose for expensive electric motorbikes?

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The way to combat this is by the rapid introduction of electric vehicles

Not necessarily. The report also claims that “consumer costs have fallen significantly. EV battery prices have fallen by 79% in the last 7 years, with 2030 forecasts predicting a further 67% fall by 2030.

“This will mean cheaper consumer prices.

When the upfront cost and the ongoing

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News

SAIC will build MG cars in Egypt

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AIC Motor will assemble vehicles for its MG brand in Egypt with local dealer Mansour Automotive Group as the state-owned Chinese automaker further expands overseas.

SAIC is forming a joint venture sales company with Mansour to allow it to first export MG cars to Egypt from China. It also signed a framework agreement with the Egyptian dealer to establish a separate partnership to produce MG vehicles locally, SAIC said.

In addition to Egypt, the manufacturing joint venture will sell vehicles in other North African nations as well as countries in central Africa. SAIC did not divulge additional details about the production partnership. The deal will make Egypt the third foreign country where SAIC will build MG brand cars.

MG runs a joint venture in Thailand with local business Charoen Pokphand Group. The partnership has two factories assembling right-hand-drive vehicles. In May, MG launched output at a plant in India SAIC purchased from General Motors in 2017.

In China, SAIC builds MG models along with Roewe-brand vehicles in Shanghai, Nanjing and Zhengzhou. SAIC acquired the MG brand from its state-owned peer, Nanjing Automobile Group. In 2005, Nanjing Auto purchased the brand from bankrupt UK automaker MG Rover in 2005. Two years later, Nanjing Auto was acquired by SAIC.

Employees check an MG 3 model at a Mansour Automotive store in Cairo, Egypt

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Product

Market opportunity

Jaguar I-PACE Charges Ahead with Novelis Aluminum

Novelis makes a play for battery enclosures A

luminum supplier Novelis has designed what it bills as the world’s first aluminum sheet battery enclosure for the burgeoning electric vehicle market. The global metal supplier said the aluminum design offers automakers and electric-vehicle battery suppliers a 50% weight reduction from comparable steel enclosures.

The electric battery presents a new market opportunity for aluminum suppliers such as Novelis, which is owned by India’s Aditya Birla Group and supplies aluminum to more than 30 automakers, including Ford Motor Co., Jaguar Land Rover and Nio. By 2030, electrified vehicles, including plug-ins, could account for 25 to 30 percent of Novelis’ Atlanta-based automotive business. The supplier’s automotive division has seen a 25 percent compounded annual growth rate for the past five years.

the hood of an internal combustion engine” car, said Novelis Vice President Pierre Labat. “We not only have an opportunity to sell more in the normal body in white, but also in the battery enclosure.”

The company’s new enclosure design is targeting battery-electric vehicles with larger power packs, such as pickups, sport utility vehicles and crossovers.

Offering design

Aluminum’s inherent properties — corrosion resistance and recyclability — make the metal attractive in electric-vehicle manufacturing.

The enclosure regulates thermal conductivity by helping to cool and heat the battery cells.

Using aluminum to enclose a lithium ion battery pack in an EV can reduce weight by about 50%, Novelis said.

Weight savings translates into longer driving range, a major challenge for the competitiveness of electric vehicles. Novelis claims the enclosure can extend vehicle range by 6 to 10% on a single charge. The lightweight aluminum translates into a lower cost per weight at mass-production volumes.

“We believe it’s the best balance of cost with weight efficiency,” said Don Whitacre, senior technical development manager for Novelis.

The battery enclosure design was co-developed at Novelis’ research and operations centers in Novi, Mich.; Stuttgart; and Shanghai.

Novelis will not manufacture the enclosure but offer the design and assembly process to battery manufacturers and automakers. Interest in the product is strong as automakers plot ambitious electric vehicle rollouts, according to the supplier.

“There is a race to mass production to achieve cost parity with the internal combustion engine as fast as possible,” Labat said. “We want to be ahead of the curve with this solution.”

“The battery provides us a new application that just did not exist under

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Product

DENSO celebrates 10 years of TT Spark Plug technology

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ENSO is celebrating 10 years of its patented Twin Tip (TT) Spark Plug technology. Unique to the independent aftermarket, DENSO’s TT Spark Plugs are available in nickel and iridium, offering 87% car parc coverage throughout Europe. Since the introduction of Nickel TT in 2009 and Iridium TT in 2015, the range has continued to grow in popularity, with its market share increasing 25% year on year over the past six years.

Setting the standard Before revisiting the TT story, it is important to note that DENSO has been setting the standard for spark plug technology since as far back as 1959. DENSO has long-focused on providing OE-quality spark plugs to the aftermarket, with all ranges designed and manufactured in the company’s own QS 9000 and ISO 9000 certified factories worldwide, with zero defects as standard.

DENSO Spark Plugs play an important role generating ignition within the

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internal combustion engine (ICE). Small but mighty, the vital components create a very small spark of electricity that is sent to the ignition coil to generate the high voltage required to ignite the fuel and create combustion. Spark plugs must operate in demanding conditions, withstanding incredibly high temperatures, severe pressure, rapid engine speeds and high engine loads. For outstanding performance every time, DENSO produces a range of spark plugs with electrodes manufactured using advanced materials which significantly reduce wear.

Applying advanced technology such as DENSO’s Twin Tip results in even greater performance over a longer period of time.

used for premium engines with specific emissions and performance needs.

Most standard nickel spark plugs feature flat, large electrode surfaces, which can restrict the ability of the spark ignition to expand. Instead, DENSO’s patented Nickel TT Spark Plugs feature a nickel centre and a twin protruding ground electrode with a slimmer diameter. The smaller electrode reduces the voltage requirement and creates a significantly more powerful spark which is stronger even when operating in lower outside temperatures. Thus Nickel TT Spark Plugs are able to provide a similar performance to a platinum spark plug, but for the price of a standard nickel plug.

A premium solution for the mass market with Nickel TT

DENSO engineers quickly realised that by developing spark plugs with more powerful technology than that used for OE products, it was possible to consolidate several part numbers and provide a smaller, yet wider-ranging portfolio for the aftermarket. Today, the TT range offers solutions for multiple vehicle makes and models, making it possible for independent technicians to

The first country to benefit from TT technology was Russia, with Ukraine and the UK quickly following. Introduced in 2009, the Nickel TT Spark Plug was inspired by DENSO’s Super Ignition Plug (SIP) – the highest available spark plug technology on the market, typically

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Product access spark plugs that even outperform OE alternatives.

Superior spark power with Iridium TT The TT range was bolstered significantly in 2015, when DENSO introduced iridium spark plugs. The Iridium TT features the world’s smallest electrode diameter at 0.4mm, meaning that it demonstrates superior spark power and provides more effective ignition of air-fuel mixture. Furthermore, it features a unique iridium rhodium alloy with the highest iridium ratio in the market for the centre electrode, in addition to a bespoke platinum alloy for the ground electrode.

This allows for an extended lifespan of up to 120,000 km – more than three times that of a standard nickel plug.

The Iridium TT is designed to deliver greater horsepower, improved torque and better fuel efficiency than any other spark plug on the market, resulting in faster starts, smoother idling and lower emissions, even when compared with OEmanufactured equivalent products.

Delivering OE-quality solutions Today, the TT range is made up of a consolidated 35 part numbers, 16 for Nickel TT and 19 for Iridium TT, with 87% car parc coverage. The offering is designed to provide independent vehicle

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technicians with the highest quality replacement parts and upgrades for original fitted parts and as the company celebrates a decade of TT technology, it has plans to boost the range even further. Several new engine builds are favouring iridium material for spark plugs, prompting DENSO to continually expand the Iridium TT portfolio to cater for new applications. This is in addition to consistently reviewing the wider TT range and carrying out product development to fill any gaps that may exist in the car parc.

DENSO has always been dedicated to enhancing automotive technology and bringing OEquality solutions to the independent aftermarket. The company’s TT range is evidence of this, delivering the ultimate in spark plug technology to cover most vehicle makes and models.

It is this advanced technology that levels the playing field between independent workshops and franchised main dealer counterparts, enabling independent technicians to access the most cuttingedge vehicles parts, increasing customer confidence and loyalty.

Since the introduction of Nickel TT in 2009 and Iridium TT in 2015, the range has continued to grow in popularity, with its market share increasing 25% year on year over the past six years

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Advertorial

Expanded Ferodo® Eco-Friction® Range Now Covers 98% Of Global Hybrid and Electric Vehicle Parc OE-fit, low-copper, environmentally-friendly range developed to exceed NVH and performance requirements for demanding segment car, as the regenerative braking system is quite effective at slowing the vehicle.

This means that the pads are reserved for high-braking or emergency use. EcoFriction has been developed to excel in a variety of conditions, maintaining repeatable performance in tests without glazing over or suffering from a drop in braking power.

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erodo®, the braking specialist brand from DRiV™, has expanded its environmentally-friendly EcoFriction® range to cover 98% of the aftermarket hybrid and electric vehicle (EV) parc. The range of brake pads, which has been developed using Ferodo’s extensive experience providing OE braking technologies, provides optimized durability, Noise Vibration and Harshness (NVH) characteristics. EcoFriction pads have also demonstrated

impressive performance in wet and dry weather conditions, while eliminating the production of environmentally-harmful copper particles.

“The Eco-Friction range has been developed to meet or exceed the incredibly high NVH expectations inspired by the latest generation of electric and hybrid vehicles,” explains Ronald De Wilde, Brand Manager, Braking, EMEA Aftermarket, DRiV™.” We are delighted to match the advanced technology of Eco-Friction with the European electrical and hybrid car parc with a leading coverage of 98%. It is fitting that low emissions vehicles are also able to utilize environmentally-friendly low-copper brake pads without negatively impacting NVH.”

Eco-Friction covers 98% of the global aftermarket hybrid and electric vehicle parc with a full presence on the top 20-part numbers. The range provides OE-quality components for all the most popular new and used models in the segment, including the BMW i3, Nissan Leaf, Volkswagen e-Golf and MercedesBenz Vito E-Cell.

If you would like to learn more about Ferodo products, visit www.Ferodo.com .

About DRiVTM - the future Aftermarket and Ride Performance Company

Hybrid and electric vehicles provide challenging conditions for brake components. This is due to enhanced NVH expectations and the need for greater durability characteristics posed by technologies such as regenerative braking systems. Pads on EVs are not used as often as those in a conventional

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Interview

of this. This follows on expansion in Pakistan, and the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding with the Ghanaian and Kenyan governments.

Nissan already has a strong industrial presence in the region with plants in India, Algeria and Egypt. We were the ‘first-mover’ in Nigeria – where we have a joint venture plant which is proudly building cars in Nigeria, for Nigeria – and are also beginning a sustained phase of ‘new model introduction’ across growth segments in established markets, evolving our retail network and industrial strategy.

Mike Whitfield, Managing Director of Nissan Group of Africa

Africa’s car industry needs more investment

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rade and Industry Minister Rob Davies has identified an increase in local vehicle manufacturing as key to the realization of the bold new vision espoused in the finalized South African Automotive Masterplan 2035 (SAAM) and the targets it sets out.

The automotive sector constitutes a vital part of the South African economy, generating around 7% of the country’s annual GDP and accounting for a third of its total exports, but we need to grow domestic production to account for one percent of the global output by 2020. This, as we strive to establishas the Minister has put it – “a globally competitive and transformed industry that actively contributes to the sustainable development of South Africa’s productive economy, creating prosperity for industry stakeholders and broader society.”

The most recent projections indicate

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South Africa’s production needs will increase to 140-million units a year.

Nissan plans to boost the African automobile industry by manufacturing the full model line-up of the next generation Navara on South African soil. Production is expected to start in 2020 and will take place at Nissan South Africa’s Rosslyn facility just outside Pretoria.

The Navara joins the popular NP200 and NP300 models, which are already being built at the Rosslyn facility and sold in the domestic market as well as some 45 pan-African markets. Nissan believes in the long-term potential of the African continent and in South Africa’s important role as a base from which we can invest and grow our market share. navara,np300Our expansion in Africa, the Middle East and India (AMI) – through increasing manufacturing capacity in South Africa – is evidence

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This latest investment into the South African economy – which totals R3billion – is aligned with the Nissan M.O.V.E. to 2022 mid-term plan, via which Nissan aims to double its presence in the AMI region over the course of the current six-year period. With flexible new production architecture and current output rates set to increase by more than 50%, our Rosslyn facility is poised to become an anchor plant for the region.

We expect our production output to grow to an annual total of more than 60 000 vehicles – for distribution throughout the local as well as export markets and accounting for 15% of Nissan’s total production output in the region.

It is an investment, which was in part made possible by the introduction of the new, extended Automotive Production and Development Programme (APDP).

The APDP provides a stable investment framework and aggressive production goals for the period 2020 to 2035. It is also an investment, which is aligned with the development objectives of the SAAM. The South African economy is postured to benefit from the generation of an annual total of R5.8billion in new economic activity. We support government’s work to diversify the economy and raise production, while growing the local supplier base.

This investment re-affirms Nissan’s commitment to economic growth and job creation in South Africa, which is one of the four essential components of the SAAM, insofar as it relates to the sustainable development of the economy.

The Rosslyn facility currently employs 1832 staff. The addition of the Navara to our production line results in the need for a second shift and initially creates an additional 400 jobs, the majority of which are in manufacturing operations.

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But an estimated total of 1 200 new jobs are set to be created throughout the full value chain.Nissan is also bringing in teams from Japan to work with locallybased suppliers to develop the local component. And in partnership with the Automotive Industry Development Centre, we have built an incubation and training centre at the Rosslyn facility. Through this incubation and training centre, we have already developed eight new black-owned suppliers and are targeting an additional five, to be operational when we start producing the Navara. Nissan is looking at starting local production of the Navara with a 38 percent local component.

This is planned to increase to 48% by 2022 and going forward, we endeavour to continue to grow our local component further in line with the SAAM targets.As the world moves towards the fourth industrial revolution, increased automation and emerging technologies are becoming increasingly important in manufacturing plants and Nissan has invested heavily in the training and upskilling of staff as well as the gradual modernization of our plant at Rosslyn. Our new plant will incorporate state-of-the-art technology to make sure it stays ahead of the ever-changing automotive manufacturing industry and ensuring a product of the highest quality for our customers. This investment is set to transform the plant into a nextgeneration, world-class production facility

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and a production hub for Nissan. Working with our partners in government and labour – along with

our component suppliers – we are ready to take production in South Africa to the next level to fully meet local demand, better serve our customers and boost the South African economy.

Interview

2035 – driving transformation, growing the local supply base and exporting proudly South African-built vehicles to the continent and beyond.

In this way, we are working to fulfill our role in moving the country closer to

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Opinion

seat belts, oil seals, air cleaner element, shocks and spark plugs. However, other products required local industries to set up the necessary capacities, especially for popular models.We therefore recommended that incentives be given to local manufacturers and the ban on the importation be gradual as local capacity was developed.

The discussion on the harmonisation of age limit for the importation of used vehicles in EAC region has also been on for more than a decade and agreement is yet to be reached. Although Kenya is currently implementing an eight-year rule with a view of cutting the age further, the rest of the member sates are either implementing a 10-year rule or no age limit at all. The impasse led to the recommendation by the stakeholders for a study on the impact of imported used motor vehicles on the EAC economy.

Dr Langat, Director-General/CEO of TVET Authority and a transport emission expert.

Automotive sector can make Kenya an industrial hub

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he Government ban on importation of used vehicle spare parts has caused uproar as expected, especially from dealers who claim the move will deny them a livelihood.

The debate on importation of secondhand parts in Kenya and in the region has been on the cards for more than a decade now. It first came up in 2009 and was sparked by concern on safety and quality of imported spare parts.However, failure to have a proper fall back plan to satisfy demand for spare parts caused a huge outcry by both users and dealers.

This moved the Government to appoint a task force with a clear mandate to assess effects on this ban, aligned to issues of quality, pricing, availability and safety. I was privileged to be part of a team of experts from public and private sectors who carried out this assignment.

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We engaged all stakeholders dealing in importation of used motor vehicles, local manufacturers and relevant Government agencies.

We established that the use of secondhand spare parts was mainly due to non-availability of new parts locally and rampant use of counterfeit and substandard spare parts.Apart from the technical difficulties of setting up industries for the ever-rising number of models, the task force observed challenges relating to taxation which made local products not to compete favourably with the imported ones.

Set up capacity Nonetheless, the team observed that the country has capacity to produce tyres, tubes, batteries, windscreens, oil filters, gaskets, bushes, suspension springs, seats,

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East African Business Council (EABC) commissioned the study.I was privileged too in 2014 to lead a team that visited all the five member states of EAC to engage with the stakeholders who included revenue and environmental authorities, government ministries, hospitals, traffic police, insurance companies and other organisations in the private sector.

One of our findings was that over 85% of the vehicles imported to the region were used within an average age of about 15 years and annual importation cost of $2.01 billion (Sh200 billion) compared to total taxes collected over the same period of about $596 million (Sh59.6 billion). The impact on safety, health and environment was evident as economic losses due to road accidents was estimated at average of four per cent of GDP while increased poor air quality in most of the urban centres was a major contributor to acute respiratory diseases and greenhouse gases. This is in addition to declined vehicle efficiency due to old age.

Increased productivity Limiting the age of imported used vehicles will result in reduced numbers and lead to higher average price. In short term, this will affect small businesses and low-income earners, and reduce government revenues. However, in long term this is likely to reduce traffic

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Opinion

congestion, leading to a substantial increase in productivity in the economy, reduced fuel consumption, improved air quality and road safety. Used motor vehicle business makes the region more of a trading economy rather than an industrial and technological hub. The use of second-hand goods slows down a country’s industrial development.

On the flip side, a systematic phased out implementation of the vehicle age limit together with increasing capacity of local manufacturers to take care of deficit created will spur local demand, thus encouraging and accelerating technology and industrial development.This will be done through installation of efficient assembly lines, support in the whole value chain system and human resource development. The industry will require raw materials and auto parts from various industries and this will spur growth in other economic sectors.To have this strategy succeed and to mitigate on the impact of age limit, several policies need to be put in place. These include transport planning and land use to promote the use of public transport and non-motorised means as an alternative to the use of private vehicles.This will also guarantee road safety and security.

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Auto Show Being part of West Africa Automotive Show will give you an opportunity to find the key contacts, importers, wholesalers in the industry, make the right deals and see the innovation coming into the sector.

West Africa Automotive Show is organised by BtoB Events. Our team brings together the expertise behind the launches of the world’s largest specialist exhibitions, and has a wealth of experience of exhibiting in Nigeria and West Africa.

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AAS is an event dedicated to the West African automotive industry.

It will showcase the range of vehicle parts and accessories needed to keep cars, trucks, buses, motorbikes and commercial vehicles on Nigeria and West Africa’s roads.

The event will bring together suppliers, dealers, and manufacturers with all those involved in automotive maintenance, repair and vehicle enhancement.

Across Nigeria, the spare parts market is seen as a vital business, with individual states supporting the development of specific sites for spare parts traders and automotive/motor mechanic businesses.

Nigeria has seen double digit growth in demand for car parts over the past five years, as a result of the high number of older cars on the road. Over 60% of cars on Nigeria’s roads are more than 12 years old, but only 11% are under five years old.

Used cars outnumber new cars by 131 to 1 on the road.

But the sector is also being boosted by new technology, creating a growing online marketplace.

With national policy encouraging greater car assembly within Nigeria, as well as increasing the tariffs on imports, all these factors demonstrate that the vehicle parts business in Nigeria is going to keep on growing.

work was done in absence of modern communication systems and facilities but come another 15 years, we foresee double the growth.

Main factors that have contributed to our growth have been many, but to share a few important ones with you readers will be: Courage is Destiny. Not afraid of consequences, we have taken all the risks that came our way. Middle East & Africa were not easy to start with.

Disorganization, Corruption, lack of facilities and what not. But falling and rising, we kept going with faith only in ourselves.

22nd Autoexpo Africa, Tanzania

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xpogroup began its operations in 1996 starting with export-oriented International Trade Exhibitions in the Middle East & Africa. Since then, it has been organizing annual trade fairs in 14 countries within the region itself.

Apart from that, Expogroup has presented several other events in emerging markets

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such as the CIS, Australia, Latin America & India.

Completing 23 years in the industry, Expogroup has spread its network in more than 37 countries managing more than 20 trade fairs annually in various counties. Most of the hard

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Seeing beyond what exists. We research and venture into new markets, provide extra services and support to our clientele. For us, it’s not just about providing a booth. We try hard in ensuring that exhibitors return with high business prospects and for that we go a long way into market research, focused promotions, database collection, media partnership and conferences.

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Cover Story

Increasing Demand for Automotive Air Filters

The automotive air filter market is driven by increasing demand for automobiles, strict emission norms and changing lifestyles

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ir filters are essential component of an automotive which serves basically two purposes based on its type. There are two types of automotive air filters namely intake air filters and cabin air filters. Where the former acts as a barrier against foreign particles such as dust to enter engine’s combustion chamber, the latter restricts the entry of dust in the cabin of the vehicle through the vent of HVAC system.

Non-performance of intake air filters may lead to inefficiency of engine and increase in its emission levels. Therefore, it becomes necessary for the vehicle user to clean it at regular intervals and replace it with new once it completes its lifetime.

Automotive air filters have both OEM

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as well as replacement markets wherein the latter dominates the global sales.

The automotive air filter market is driven by increasing demand for automobiles, strict emission norms and changing lifestyles. The increasing number of vehicles with air-conditioned cabins is boosting the market for cabin air filters.

The increasing health consciousness of people wherein they require resistance from dust, pollution, harmful exhaust gases and other contaminants while driving is attracting the car users for the cars with cabin air filter. According to The World Health Organization (WHO), the urban outdoor air pollution causes about 1.3 million deaths every year worldwide.

Apart from the developed countries, the developing countries are also becoming

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conscious about their safety from outdoor pollution which is a positive sign for the growth of cabin air filters market in the long term.

Based on vehicle type, automotive air filter market can be segmented under passenger cars, light commercial vehicles and heavy commercial vehicles.

However, there exist certain restraints for automotive air filters market including large interval of their replacement in the developing countries and increasing market for duplicate automotive air filters.

Growing per capita income in other Asian countries such as India is propelling the demand for passenger cars. On the other hand, the increasing

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industrialization and commerce in Asian countries are boosting the market for commercial vehicles which is driving the automotive air filters market in the region. Commercial vehicles in the developing countries need more care and maintenance as the quality of parts used in them is low as compared to the commercial vehicles manufactured in the developed countries. Moreover, due to less developed infrastructure the

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chances of entry of dust and dirt in the combustion compartment are high. Due to these factors, the replacement market in the developing markets including Asia Pacific is high as compared the developed countries. However, cabin air filters finds very less usage in commercial vehicles as the requirement for cabin convenience is very less in their case.

Among the regions, Asia Pacific

dominated the global sales of automotive air filters followed by North America.

China surpassed U.S. in 2010 to become the country with largest automotive population. Some of the key companies operating in automotive air filter market include AC Delco Inc., Affinia Group, Denso Corporation, Hengst GmbH and Company KG, Cummins Inc, Toyota Boshoku Corporation and Hollingsworth & Vose Company Inc.

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Feature

Do self-driving vehicles really make traffic safer?

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study examines the effects of autonomous vehicles on road safety and their cyber risks. Not in every case road safety is increased by automating driving, the researchers say.

Automated vehicles promise more safety by eliminating human error as the cause of accidents, claim technology companies across the automotive value chain.

However, a study by the International Transport Forum (ITF) makes it clear that self-propelled cars could prevent 90% of all fatal accidents. The ITF is an intergovernmental organisation and serves as a think tank for transport policy.

The ITF experts warn above all against unclear responsibilities in the vehicle: If robots and humans share responsibility for controlling a vehicle, this leads to even more complex driving decisions than before. The consequence could be that driving becomes less safe instead of safer. Especially in situations in which people take control of the vehicle from the computer, accidents can increasingly occur in particular with “average”, riskaverse drivers.

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While fully autonomous driving has the potential to significantly reduce the number of serious accidents, the researchers believe that, in many situations, people remain superior to automatic driving on their own. To close the gap, both a large number of sensors and full connectivity to the surrounding infrastructure are required.

However, such fully automated and connected vehicles pose different risks – namely in the area of cyber security. The study therefore warns: “The prevention of accidents should never depend solely on whether access to the network or external communication channels exists. In other words, autonomous vehicles must be able to make safe decisions at all times, even if they are completely “offline”.

Automation makes it more urgent than ever to design road traffic as a safe system. A safe system organises all components of road traffic in such a way that if one accident prevention mechanism fails, another one intervenes to prevent an accident (or, if this is not possible, at least serious consequences such as serious injuries). Applied to

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automated driving, this approach means that the traffic system can catch computer errors.

The study warns against using the safety of an automated vehicle for marketing purposes as a sales argument against competitors. “The relative safety of vehicles… should not be a competitive tool. The legal framework should describe the maximum achievable safety level that the manufacturers have to guarantee as a prerequisite for the road approval of their vehicles”, it says there.

Furthermore, the report recommends that: •

• • •

autonomous vehicles should be obliged to transmit safetyrelevant data – i.e. to make V2X communication capability mandatory; a system of staggered practical tests for self-driving cars; to develop principles for cyber security in autonomous vehicles; To inform the public clearly and specifically about the capabilities of automated vehicles.

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Feature

Why engine lubrication is important

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uto lubricants play a critical role in the operation of a vehicle and Keeping a vehicle on the road should always be one of its owner’s top priorities. This is why we strive so hard to keep our cars in the best of health that they can possibly be. “Lubricants are very important and use cannot be avoided into engines,” says Anna Maria Vicidomini, of Fulgoil.

and functioning properly, especially since replacing or repairing an engine can sometimes be more expensive than just purchasing a whole new car.

Igor Brandt, Rektol GmbH & Co. KG Global Sales Manager says, “A lubricant is a substance that reduces friction, heat, and wear when introduced as a

more efficient and more reliable.”

Rektol GmbH & Co. KG Lubricants Rektol GmbH & Co. KG produces and develops high-performance lubricants for automotive and industrial sector as well as classic oils for veteran, vintage and classic vehicles.

Fulgoil is a brand of Columbia Motor Oil, over 80 years quality lubricants for all engine types Columbia s.r.l., leader in the production of lubricants, is located in Genova-Italy.

So how do we keep an engine safe without expending a ton of time and effort? The answer is simple. Engine lubrication is one of the best things that one can do to ensure the engine stays loud and powerful for a long time.

There are numerous different types of auto lubricants used in a car, including engine oil, gear oil, transmission oil, greases, and various fluids. While each of these has a specific purpose in general, they are to reduce friction between moving parts. Therefore, using the highest-quality auto lubricants is important for a number of reasons.

Annalene Coetzee, Afriq Lube Key Accounts and Marketing Manager advice’s potential buyers that to keep your engine safe and running you require the right oil for it.

“Without a good quality oil and also the right oil, your machine will get damaged or even break.”

One of the most important elements of lubricating is keeping the engine strong

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film between solid surfaces. Using the correct lubricant helps maximize the life of your motor engines, gear boxes and machinery, therefore saving money, time, and manpower, this making operations

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Afriq Lube and Services are suppliers and manufacturers of automotive oils,

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Feature agricultural oils, industrial lubricants, grease, antifreeze, rust preventatives and cleaning chemicals to both the trade and public.

Importance of Lubricant What lubrication does The physics of lubrication is what makes it so important. Typically, an engine is comprised of a large multitude of sliding parts that come together to create life for a vehicle. However, the high speeds that these parts are moving and sliding amongst each other creates an incredible amount of friction, which can generate intense levels of heat. These temperatures can actually get to the point that the metal parts of an engine will begin to mold and fuse together, which will destroy the entire engine, if left unattended. Lubrication is able to prevent this from happening altogether, as it eliminates the friction between the moving pieces.

Here’s a few reasons why engine lubrication is so important…

Prolongs engine life Moving parts will wear down over time at varying rates. To enable the lowest amount of degradation to the parts and thus extend their lives, using quality auto lubricants is the way to go. Making sure that all of the moving parts of a functioning engine are able to move without glitches or intense heat will keep each part healthy and can make a big difference on critical components in a car, such as the engine and transmission.

A vehicle that has been serviced with higher-quality auto lubricants can get anywhere from a few thousand miles to as much as 100,000 miles of extra life.

by using quality auto lubricants will save money in the long run. This is because a vehicle that is well cared for will need fewer repairs. Using low-grade auto lubricants can even cost you dearly, should an engine or transmission need to be replaced.

However, having a healthy engine will mean that you can get a lot more money out of selling the vehicle you currently have. And as we’ve laid out, the best and simplest way to help ensure that is to routinely make sure that your engine is properly lubricated.

Performance Using quality auto lubricants also allows the vehicle to operate at ultimate efficiency and performance. This can equate to lower fuel costs and more power.

Cooling The lubricating oil carries heat away from the component which is lubricated.

The oil is returned to the oil pan. Some engines incorporate external oil coolers to assist in oil cooling in the oil pan. It is necessary to keep the oil temperature below the flash point of the oil. An engine oil must also have a high heat

resistance so that carbon formation due to breakdown is kept to a minimum.

Cleaning or detergence effect The engine oil has an ability to clean all the engine components, which are in contact with it. Additives in the engine oil help the oil to perform its cleaning operation. Carbon formation is cleaned from the pistons and rings by engine oil.

Also, other engine components, such as valve stems, valve lifters, rocker arms, and camshafts, are also cleaned.

Sealing The engine oil helps the piston rings to form a tight seal between the rings and cylinder walls. Microscopic irregularities in the piston rings or cylinder walls are filled by the oil film, preventing the escape of combustion chamber gases. The engine oil clings to the metal surfaces and resists the tendency of combustion chamber gases to “blow by” the piston rings. The oil film also provides lubrication between the rings and the piston ring grooves, thus allowing the rings to move freely and therefore to have continuous contact between the rings and cylinder walls. Oil between the engine parts cushions the parts from the shock as the combustion charge forces the piston down.

The problem with an unlubricated engine is that, once one piece begins to have trouble, it will cause systematic problems throughout the rest of the engine. This is because an engine is like a single organism, and every major organ inside of it needs to function for it to stay alive.

Engine lubrication will prevent fatigue and wear-and-tear.

Saves money Not only will having proper engine lubrication keep your car running for longer, it will actually be a generous gift to your wallet. Taking care of a vehicle

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Technology

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How software will dominate the Automotive Industry

nce a concept confined to science fiction novels and futuristic movies, autonomous vehicles are well on their way to becoming a reality and 2016 was a landmark year for the sector. Tech companies grabbed the lion’s share of the headlines, with a string of announcements that showed the extent to which they are betting on the space. In August, Uber announced the $680m acquisition of Otto, the self-driving trucking company, on the same day that it also unveiled a $300m partnership with Volvo focused on vehicle development and production.

In October, Tesla revealed that all of its new vehicles would be equipped with hardware to enable fully-autonomous functionality, and in December, Google disclosed that it was spinning out its self-driving unit into a separate company called Waymo.

$1 billion only a few months after it disclosed that it would partner with Lyft to test self-driving taxis. In August, Ford proclaimed that it would mass produce fully-autonomous self-driving vehicles by 2021, and in the same month autocomponents giant Delphi announced that it would be providing the Singapore Land Transport Authority with a fleet of selfdriving vehicles as well as software for a mobility-on-demand program.

multitude of deals, partnerships, and development programs that are continuously springing up related to autonomous vehicles. Driving all this is a recognition that a profound shift is under way in the automotive industry. The market value of the connected mobility marketplace will skyrocket to over $550bn by 2035, while BCG estimates that autonomous or semi-autonomous vehicle sales penetration could reach 25% by the same year.

The above is just a selection of the

But automakers have not been sitting idle. In March, General Motors completed the acquisition of Cruise Automation, a startup developing self-driving technology, for a whopping

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Technology In this rapidly evolving market, how can incumbents react? Existing industry players are well aware that autonomous cars will have a tremendous impact on the mobility market. But how will they change consumer behavior, exactly, and at what pace? What strategies will allow the constituents of the automobile value chain to remain relevant in the longterm? In this article, we analyze how the auto industry will evolve into a softwarefirst sector as autonomous technology progresses, and what considerations can be pursued to reposition for the future.

A Radical Shift in Consumer Behaviour As autonomous technology advances, a profound shift in consumer behaviour will alter the revenue model and value chain of the industry. While the nature of these changes will be multifaceted, at a high level we can categorize them into two principal buckets.

humans will have more time to do other things while travelling. The pace at which this will occur will depend on advances in technology, but as shown in Chart 3, AT Kearney estimates that self-driving technology could free up 1.9 trillion minutes of idle time for passengers by 2030.

The Rise of Mobility-as-aservice The other fundamental change in consumer behaviour that will be catalyzed by autonomous vehicles is the rise of mobility-as-a-service (or transportationas-a-service). Loosely defined, mobilityas-a-service (MAAS) refers to a shift away from personally owned vehicles towards

Coupled with the above would be an increased amount of idle time spent in vehicles. The logic is straightforward: as cars evolve into self-driving entities,

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The confluence of all these factors will continue to drive the MAAS trend going forward. Morgan Stanley estimates that by 2030, growth in vehicle production will have stagnated

A New Value Chain The result of the above is that a profound shift in the value chain will take place.

We are likely to see the industry evolve from an OEM dominated value chain towards a “technology stack� that in many ways resembles what we have seen occur in the PC industry.

More Time Spent in Vehicles, Without Having to Concentrate on Driving The first major change relates to the time spent in vehicles.

We already spend an enormous amount of time in our cars: the AAA Foundation estimates that US drivers spend more than 290 hours each year behind the wheel, equating to roughly 6-7 hours per week per licensed driver. But with the advent of autonomous vehicles, this number is likely to increase. As responsibility for control of the car moves to computers, significant demographics that have historically had limited or no engagement with driving the elderly, people with disabilities, children will no longer be faced with this constraint. Moreover, as the travel experience becomes more pleasant, consumers will be willing to spend greater amounts of time in their vehicles. Two separate academic studies concluded that autonomous vehicles could lead to increases in vehicle miles travelled (VMT) of up to 20%.

Augmenting this trend has been the rapid growth of on-demand ride services (e.g. Uber) as well as car-sharing services (e.g. Zipcar). Membership in car clubs, for instance, is growing at more than 30% per year, and should hit 26m globally by 2020. Recognizing the trend, traditional OEMs like Daimler and BMW have already pushed into this space (with Car2Go and Drive Now).

And with the explosive growth of carhailing applications like Uber, Lyft, and Didi Chuxing, the lines dividing these services are starting to blur. Once drivers are removed from the picture, Uber and Zipcar will essentially become the same service.

the use of mobility solutions on an ondemand basis.

Underlying this trend will be two factors.

On the one hand, the last decade has already seen a shift in consumer perception of car ownership away from status symbol and towards utility.

Car ownership has been waning for several years, likely driven by changing sentiments among younger demographics.

In fact, data shows that the percentage of US citizens aged 16-24 holding a driving license declined from 76% in 2000 to 71% in 2013. So autonomous vehicles notwithstanding, advanced economies are witnessing a secular decline in car ownership figures. Self-driving cars will accelerate this trend.

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The industry is likely to be divided into three principal categories. At the bottom of the stack will be the hardware companies: those actually producing the vehicles and their components and accessories. Sitting on top of these will be the software layer which provides the intelligence that runs the cars, as well as the software enabling connectivity of the vehicles and fleet management functionality. At the top will be the application layer which will leverage the two lower parts of the stack to provide consumers with services and content related to their transportation needs and experience.

Accompanying this change in the stack will be a shift in where the value lies.

Today, the overwhelming majority (c.

90%) of the value of a car relates to the hardware the chassis, the powertrain, interior seating and lighting but the new paradigm described above means that

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Technology differentiation and profits will migrate towards the higher parts of the stack.

More significant is the fact that these software and application focused layers are also higher margin businesses. A study by Strategy& found that while revenue share for hardware suppliers will decline, their share of industry profits will decline far more substantially.

The implications of these developments are clear: for industry incumbents to stay relevant, they must not only recognize the unfolding shift, but act accordingly to position themselves in the evolving landscape.

How To Pivot for the Future Faced with the prospect of long term decline, OEMs who enter new layers of the value chain (software and/or applications) will continue to be relevant in the industry of tomorrow. But how can they do this? Below we dive into a few important considerations to keep in mind.

Software Or Applications?

The first key consideration relates to which other layers in the stack traditional players can participate in.

On the one hand, it goes without saying that whichever of the two one chooses, fundamental reconsiderations of corporate structure and priorities will need to occur. Moving from being a supplier and producer of automobiles and auto-components to being a software company is a tectonic shift to say the least. But assuming this can be done, where does it make most sense for OEMs to angle into?

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Our view is that much like the PC and smartphone industry, the car of tomorrow’s operating system will be dominated by one or two providers.

Network effects ensure that these layers in the stack tend to be a winner-takesall market. And frankly speaking, it feels difficult to envision a car company winning out in this race. More likely, one of the traditional technology companies will emerge as the principal operating system.

With this in mind, our recommendation would be to work closely with all the technology companies developing on operating systems solutions to ensure that the hardware/software integration is as smooth as possible. This will in turn drive sales of the hardware, which will remain the core competency for many years to come. In the meantime, we would encourage current industry incumbents to think ahead on what types of applications consumers will find most useful and to position themselves and start developing these accordingly.

Integrate Or Partner?

The other key consideration relates to how these strategies should be executed.

Borrowing from the technology industry’s playbook, should OEMs aim to be Apple a company that owns the entire chain from hardware, to software, through to the point-of-sale or should they be an Android/Microsoft which focus on the operating system and integrate into hardware and retail distribution provided by other companies?

The two strategies are fundamentally different and have massive implications.

And the problem is that the evidence from the PC and smartphone industries doesn’t help solve the dilemma. On the one hand, in the PC industry, Apple led the way, but more open systems quickly caught up and eventually took the lead.

In the smartphone industry we’ve seen a different set of events unfold. Open systems like Android dominate in terms of volume, but Apple continues to lead the way in profits Our gut tells us that open systems are probably the safer bet. Building a fully integrated car will most likely revolve around the operating system, which current technology giants are best positioned to produce. Aside from M&A, we don’t envision current OEMs being able to effectively transform themselves into technology-first companies. Rather, our suggestion would be to embrace the more open-ended approach and follow a dual strategy of hardware optimization on the one hand, and application development on the other.

Sourcing The Right Talent Whichever strategy one chooses, the critical component for success is effective talent sourcing and management. The players who attract the best talent and structure their organizations to maximize innovation will be the winners in this space. But competition for talent has already heated up, and reports of defections and lavish compensation packages are not uncommon.

One suggestion is to establish numerous partnerships with exciting startups as a way to achieve the twin goals of investing in promising technology and developing insights into the quality of the teams in question. As these partnerships evolve and the winning teams start to pull ahead, organizations can employ M&A to bring these teams in-house.

Incumbents can use this tactic and others to attract self-driving talent but the first step for stakeholders is understanding the changes in the automotive landscape that we have outlined above, and committing to a strategic realignment that will help them stay relevant well into the next phase of vehicular transportation.

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Auto Garage

How to fix squeaky brakes Modern brakes use a cast-iron disc squeezed between two brake pads lined with friction material

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queaky brakes are a serious automotive annoyance. But are squeaking brakes dangerous? How much does it cost to fix them? We’ve got your answers right here.

Normal Brake Pad Noises

What Causes Breaks to Squeak?

Don’t expect brakes to be totally quiet sometimes, they’re going to make some noises. Don’t panic, because a squeaky brake can stop a car just like a silent one can.

What causes the squeal?

Modern brakes use a cast-iron disc squeezed between two brake pads lined with friction material. Under the right conditions,

the disc, the pads and the caliper they’re mounted in can start to vibrate in exactly the same way a violin’s string vibrates when stroked by the horsehairs on the bow. Most brake squeals occur at a single discrete frequency. The speed of the vehicle and how hard you press down

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on the left pedal will only change the volume of noise, because the pitch is controlled by the stiffness and mass of the pad and disc.

Inadequate development at the manufacturer that leaves brake systems prone to noise can usually be overcome by a Saturday mechanic without totally re-engineering the caliper/mount/ pad/disc system.

We

can try to damp out the noise, or simply change the resonant frequency of the whole arrangement until it stops singing in any audible frequency.

Here’s how.

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Many brake pad compositions will make a swishing or grinding noise for the first few stops in the morning until the pads warm up and drive off any moisture they’ve accumulated overnight. Ever notice a hissing or grinding noise on some rainy or dewy mornings? It’s the pads sweeping a thin film of rust that’s formed on the iron discs, and it’s perfectly normal.

In the past, brake pad friction material relied heavily on asbestos. Unfortunately, asbestos tended to give asbestos workers and brake mechanics lung cancer, so the industry has almost completely changed over to less dangerous alternatives. Kevlar is one material that’s seen a lot of use, but it tends to be dusty. Improved brake performance is more important nowadays because of increased safety requirements and equipment and the extra roadhugging weight that comes along with these. That leads to the increased use of metallics and ceramics in the brake pad friction material. And this stuff can make the brakes hiss or even grind a little as you slow down. It’s a small price to pay for increased performance. So all pad noise is fine, right? Hold up there, Sparky, there’s one brake noise you need to pay attention to right away.

Many brake pads have a small finger of spring steel that will scrape on the disc as the pad reaches its wear limit. This tells you that it’s time to change pads for fresh, thicker ones before the friction material wears completely away, and you’re trying to slow down on the metal backing plates. It’s a sound not easily confused with brake squeal it’s more of a ripping-sheet-metal noise, not a single,

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Auto Garage high-pitched note.

Stop the Squeak Okay, let’s dig in and silence our brake noise. One fix is to simply change pads to a different type of friction material. It’s usually hard to beat the original-equipment pads for a good compromise of pad life, noise, grip, dust creation and price, but changing to an aftermarket premium metallic or ceramic pad just might change the interaction that affects the resonant frequency of the pad and disc and, literally, change its tune.

Go into any auto parts store and you’ll see a shelf full of potions and widgets claiming to cure squeaks. One class of products I’m leery of is simple aerosols that you spray onto the pad’s friction material. I have no idea if they actually make the squeak go away, because I’m unwilling to try anything that changes the friction characteristics of the pad. Let’s not forget, the first reason your brake system exists is, in fact, to make your car slow down.

Anything that could reduce that system’s effectiveness in any way is probably not a good idea.

Still got noise? Or still have plenty of pad material remaining and don’t want to drop fifty or a hundred bucks on a fresh set? You may be able to decouple the piston acoustically from the pad by purchasing shims made of Teflon, which are intended to go between the pad and the caliper’s hydraulic piston. I’ve tried those shims with middling success— sometimes they work and sometimes they don’t. Warning: Some calipers will not have enough extra travel in the piston bore to allow any shimming without making the brakes drag, at least with fresh, unworn pads.

You can achieve a similar decoupling without Teflon shims by simply coating the back face of the pad’s backing plates with high-temp brake grease or even antiseize compound. Unlike shims, this tweak won’t last forever, as water and road dirt will wash it away eventually.

We chose high-end ceramic-based pads for our brake job, hoping the different friction characteristics would cure the

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squeal. Surprise, the new pads came out of

the box fitted with Teflon-coated shims already installed.

A Sticky Solution The favorite tweak for squeaks relies on a different principle: Instead of using shims or lubricants to decouple the pad from the caliper, stick the backing plate to the piston or caliper housing, effectively making its mass far larger. That will move the system’s resonant frequency out of the range that squeals. A smear of Super Glue won’t do it: You need something that will withstand the water, salt, filth and especially the heat that cars see in hard everyday use. How hot do brake systems get? I’ve seen brake discs glowing bright orange at the bottom of Pikes Peak, and flames shooting out of the brake drums of trucks descending Donner Pass.

I’ve seen the brakes on my own race car visibly glow right after a few hot laps.

I’ve used several products over the years, but they’re all basically anaerobic adhesives, applied as either a lipstickstyle film or a toothpaste-style goo. The application of this product is simple:

Remove and clean up the old pads, or use new pads. Clean the area on the piston and caliper where the pad backing plate touches. Apply the anti-squeal adhesive, reinstall the pads and button up. These anaerobic products will stay gummy until you apply the brakes and squeeze out the oxygen. Then they stick like, well, glue. Whenever you’re installing any brake parts, be sure you remove any corrosion or road dirt from the mating parts—the brake pad or caliper housing needs to be able to slide in and out to compensate for wear. Clean up any sliding parts, which may require a wire brush or a file, until you can push the pads in and out with your bare hands.

I prefer to replace any brake hardware (especially on drum brakes) that isn’t in perfect condition—hey, it’s cheap insurance. Apply a thin film of high-temp brake grease to any sliding surfaces.

Obviously, avoid getting anything like grease or anti-seize on the pad or disc, and clean any greasy handprints off the disc surface before you hang the wheel on too.

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Review

2020 Nissan Rogue Sport arrives with fresh Styling And Tech

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wo years ago, Nissan decided to bring over the Qashqai crossover from Europe. But since Americans likely couldn’t pronounce ‘Qashqai’ and the Rogue had just finished the year as one of the best-selling vehicles in the US, Nissan decided to rebadge it as the Rogue Sport. While this model has only been on the market for a few model years, it was released in Europe back in 2013 so a refresh is now in order.

Nissan has revealed a refreshed 2020 Rogue Sport. This face lifted model includes updated front and rear fascias, revised trim levels and option packages, and a slew of new safety technology.

Nissan has attempted to further differentiate the compact Rogue Sport from its larger Rogue sibling with a new hood, Vmotion grille, and bumper, redesigned rear taillights, and LED daytime running lights. Nissan has also added a new 19-inch aluminum wheel design along with two new colors called Nitro Lime Metallic and Monarch Orange Metallic.

The biggest addition for the 2020 model year is the expansion of Nissan’s Safety Shield 360 technology to all trim levels.

Safety Shield 360 was formerly offered on the SV and SL grades but will now be offered on the base S trim as well.

This suite of safety features bundles

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in automatic emergency braking with pedestrian detection, rear automatic braking, lane departure warning, blind spot warning, rear cross traffic alert, and high beam assist.

The 2020 Rogue Sport will continue to offer Nissan’s ProPILOT Assist technology, which offers single-lane “hands-on” driving assistance. ProPilot is able to control the accelerator, steering, and braking under certain conditions to offer semi-autonomous driving. Nissan hasn’t made any changes under the hood, so a 2.0-liter four-cylinder producing 141 horsepower will be the only engine

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option sending power to front-wheeldrive or all-wheel-drive though a Xtronic transmission.

When we drove the 2018 Rogue Sport, we noted how acceleration felt adequate for the segment though we’d never object to a more powerful version. Pricing hasn’t been announced but we expect it to remain close to the 2019 model’s starting price of $22,240. Nissan says the 2020 Rogue Sport will arrive in dealers starting in fall 2019.

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Review

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Review

Lexus confirms LC convertible Lexus is returning to the convertible. Toyota’s premium brand confirmed this month that a convertible version of its flagship LC sports coupe will go into production “in the near future.”

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exus showed a prototype of the car, in a silver-and-black digital camouflage motif, at Britain’s Goodwood Festival of Speed.

previewed the upcoming car with the LC Convertible Concept. It showed the LF-C2 concept in 2014, playing with the idea of a convertible RC coupe. In 2008, it dangled the LF-AR, which conceptualized

an open-air LFA. Lexus offered scant details about the LC convertible, saying launch and markets would be announced later.

“Long, low and lean, the LC convertible will share the coupe’s athletic proportions but project its own, distinct identity,” Lexus said in a release, adding that the convertible LC will give “a sense of completeness to the brand’s flagship models.”

Lexus described the LC convertible prototype as “long, low and lean” The convertible expands the Lexus model lineup and it will be the first droptop offered by Lexus since the IS C ended production in mid-2015. Before that, Lexus sold the now-discontinued SC convertible. Lexus has been teasing a new convertible for years.

“The LC convertible will share the coupe’s athletic proportions but project its own, distinct identity,” Lexus said At the Detroit auto show in January, it

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Review

BMW’s new 3-series Touring: The fast estate

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ust like its saloon sibling, the new 3-series Touring is larger than the car it replaces, if only be small amounts. its wider – by 16mm, a tiny 11mm higher and longer by a huge 76mm.

The wheelbase distance is also 41mm longer, so we anticipate plentiful room inside for everything the aspiring 3 series owner would want to carry. Despite these changes BMW says the estate is actually lighter than before, slimming down and shaving off 10kg compared to its forfathers. Body rigidity is up by 25%, and the weight is balanced perfectly at 50:50 – assuming you have an empty boot. If not, that does change a little and moves some of the weight balance back to the rear.

The new touring will come in SE, Sport, M Sport ranges. Each level things change and the M Sport adds a high-gloss trim, a black kidney grille, high-gloss black air intakes and a rear diffuser in Dark color.

Its called Dark Shadow which we think is probably quite dark and glossy.

Given the UK car plant problems in recent times, we are sure that BMW are gearing up to sell more into the UK in the event of a successful Brexit. Closures of Honda, Swindon and the fear around the new Astra could add up as a bonanza for the German car manufacturers.

Some industries in the UK like diesel generators are still performing well, whereas others are struggling. Turnkey projects is becoming hard, despite the UK governments infrastructure investments.

BMW has not yet announced when the car will come to east Africa, but likely in early 2020.

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Review

2020 Toyota 4Runner gets modest price increase

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he Toyota 4Runner is one of the oldest new cars you can buy today.

Still, we have a soft spot for the rugged charm of Toyota’s go-anywhere midsize SUV, and happily, the 4Runner receives a number of tech and safety upgrades for the 2020 model year. But depending on trim level, those new features don’t come cheap.

According to pricing documents uncovered

by CarsDirect this week, the 2020 Toyota 4Runner will have a base MSRP of $37,140, including destination. That only represents an increase of $735 compared to a base 2019 4Runner, but things get a lot more expensive from there.

The 4Runner SR5 Premium is reportedly coming in at $40,355, which is $2,100 more than before. Moving up, the TRD Off-Road and Off-Road Premium trims cost an extra $1,280 and $2,100, respectively, over their 2019 model year counterparts.

If it’s the range-topping 4Runner TRD Pro you desire, be prepared to pay at least $50,885 — an increase of $2,975 over the 2019 model.

CarsDirect points out the 4Runner TRD Pro got a similar price hike for the 2019, when it received a number of off-road upgrades including new shocks, wheels and skid plates. For 2020, the Pro gets a TRD exhaust in addition to revised infotainment software and Toyota’s full Safety Sense-P suite of advanced driving aids.

The 2020 4Runner TRD Pro is no slouch off road, able to tackle big rocks and tough trails alike. Of course, at $50,000, it’s priced higher than a base Jeep WranglerRubicon ($43,040, including destination), though the 4Runner comes with more standard equipment right out of the box.

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The 2020 4Runner TRD Pro is no slouch off road, able to tackle big rocks and tough trails alike

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Motorbike

Kibo Africa plans to make electric motorbikes from Nairobi factory the competition, 250kg load weight, a balance shaft that diminishes engine vibrations resulting in a smoother ride among other features.

Currently, the Dutch Motorcycle maker Kibo Africa, which has been in Kenya for 5 years, says it is banking on a State policy to prioritize locally manufactured goods to grow its sales.

The company has since made an investment of over $109.1 and continues to invest more as it expands.

Kibo Africa also prides itself in talent investment where the company trains fresh university graduates at

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he motorbike sector is expected to continue expanding in the coming years with 4.8 million people in Kenya now using motorcycles for their daily operations, creating income generating activity for thousands of unemployed youth. This growth prospect has motivated companies such as Kibo Africa to invest in an assembly plant and new models in a bid to grow the local industry.

the motorcycle assembly process, off Mombasa Road.

“Some of the workers you see here are people that are fresh from University,” said Mageto.

The company is a manufacturing industry that designs bikes within and resource materials from other countries.

“There’s a lot of potential in Kenya that’s why we are confident to introduce new models in the market. However, despite the industry rising, we still encounter a few things that should be behind our back by now,” said Kibo Operations Director, Alvin Mageto.

The company has recently introduced the K250 which will sell alongside its K150 model and plans to launch other new bike models including an electric bike in the next two years.

Mageto says the Kibo K250 provides more overall capability, power and fun.

It boasts of a 250-cc air-cooled single cylinder engine, a trellis frame that is significantly stronger as compared to

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Motorbike

Novus electric motorbike stuns with allcarbon design

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t this years CES in Las Vegas, German company Novus has presented their super light-weight electric motorbike of the same name.

The e-bike’s carbon frame enables a distinctive design, although the price of around 35,000 euros is pretty steep.

There is no doubt that the design of this electric motorbike is a headturner and Novus makes no secret of the bikes electric nature – where the motor and tank would normally be on a conventional motorbike, there is air here.

The extraordinary carbon monocoqueframe serves the dual function of being both an exoskeleton and the body of the bike. The material is lighter and more rigid than conventional steel or aluminium frames.

corresponds to three hours of travel time in urban traffic.

The electric motor is integrated as well and sits inside the rear wheel rather than the frame. The bike has a top speed of 97 kph, which doesn’t make it a particularly fast bike, but the very light weight of 39 kilos certainly make it manoeuvrable.

The makers claim that the motor has a torque of 200 Nm, although reviewers doubt this value since the Curtiss Zeus has a more powerful motor at 149 kW and claims 25% less torque, meaning that the Novus would have to be quite extraordinary in this regard.

Besides the design, the price is the other most outstanding aspect of this electric motorcycle. At 35,000 euros it is considerably more than the Harley Livewire at 26,000 euros, which is certainly not cheap, but still considerably less than the ultra-luxurious Vector at 117,000 euros.

Other design features include a stitched leather seat, LED lights that are discreetly fitted into the minimalist design, and a smart-phone can be integrated not only as a control and display instrument but also as a digital key.

The electric motorbike is powered by a 14.4 kWh purpose-built lithiumion battery that is centred low in the frame for easy handling and balance.

The makers claim that the battery can recharge up to 80 per cent within an hour, while giving the Novus a maximum range of around 100 km. That

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Motorbike

Pedal-powered electric motorcycle: World premiere of the new eROCKIT

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lashes of lightning and prominent guests in the Berlin Ullsteinhaus!

In “TheDrivery” the launch of the 2019 series of eROCKIT was celebrated. The unique, pedal-powered electric motorcycle stands for gigantic acceleration, 100% driving pleasure at 0% emission. The VIP guests of the evening like Berlin’s Mayor Michael Müller, rock star Martin Kesici, the actors Bruno Eyron, Axel Pape, Bulent Sharif, media expert Prof. Dr. med. Jo Groebel, Eduard Prinz von Anhalt and singer Doreen Steinert were enthusiastic about the awardwinning design and the appeal of the eROCKIT in the world of electromobility.

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The unique, pedal-powered electric motorcycle stands for gigantic acceleration, 100% driving pleasure at 0% emission

The eROCKIT vehicle concept puts people at the center of the mobility of the future. The innovative, clutch-free direct drive of the eROCKIT intelligently adapts to the intuitive pedal control. The operation of the eROCKIT is very simple: The human pedaling, depending on the driving behavior of his muscle power is

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multiplied by a factor of 50 and makes the driver with an indescribable, magical driving experience. The eROCKIT is thus a human hybrid.

Motorbike

– Range 120 kilometers – Aluminum frame – Alloy rims – Carbon components

With a top speed of over 80km / h, a battery life of over 120 kilometers and a charging time of four hours on the normal household socket, the eROCKIT is the ideal vehicle for commuters, business and leisure. Andreas Zurwehme (Managing Director of eROCKIT Systems GmbH): “We have set ourselves the goal of making our world better! EROCKIT has the power of change: it shows that sustainability is not a renunciation but an enrichment.”

The eROCKIT is developed and produced in Hennigsdorf near Berlin, Germany.

The vehicles of the 2019 series can be ordered for € 11,850 at www.erockit.de. eROCKIT Facts: – Brushless, permanent magnet synchronous motor with 16kW peak power – Battery capacity 6.6 kWh – Top speed 88 km / h

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– Telemetry app

the Ministry of Economic Affairs and Energy of Brandenburg (MWE) as well as “Foundation innovativ” on behalf of the Ministry for Work, Social, Health, Women and Family (MASGF). Funding is provided by the state of Brandenburg or the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF).

– Weight 120 kg eROCKIT Systems would like to thank its partners and sponsors of the Launch Party: TheDrivery, Beets & Roots, BVG, HELD Biker Fashion, Louis Motorcycle, Schuberth, 360WeAre, SNG.AG, Plumento Foods, Naturstrom, FaSTTUBe About eROCKIT:

The aim of the funding programs is to strengthen the innovative capacity of companies in the state of Brandenburg, such as e-mobility startups. The projects are titled “Development of a new battery plus software” and “Pre-production setup and creation of vehicle scaffolding”.

EROCKIT Systems GmbH is a member of the Bundesverband Deutsche Startups eV

The eROCKIT Systems GmbH develops and produces electric vehicles in Hennigsdorf near Berlin with a team of international two-wheeler experts. eROCKIT is a pedal-operated electric motorcycle equipped with the latest battery technology. eROCKIT® and Human Hybrid® are registered trademarks of eROCKIT Systems GmbH. The Investment Bank of the State of Brandenburg (ILB) supports eROCKIT Systems GmbH through the promotion programs “Brandenburg Innovation Certificate (BIG F + E)” on behalf of

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Safety Tips

Auto engineers warn your car might be easier to hack than you think

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s auto makers roll out ever more sophisticated features to make your daily commute easier, the upgrades are also making your new car more vulnerable to cyberattacks, according to a new report.

“As more connected vehicles hit the roads, software vulnerabilities are becoming accessible to malicious hackers using cellular networks, Wi-Fi, and physical connections to exploit them,” data protection research group the Ponemon Institute said in a report released Wednesday. “Failure to address these risks might be a costly mistake, including the impact they may have on consumer confidence, personal privacy, and brand reputation.”

The institute, which surveyed auto engineers and IT professionals, said 84% of respondents worry that automakers aren’t keeping pace with the industry’s rapidly changing security threats.

Automakers are loading new cars with infotainment systems, self-driving features, Wi-Fi, cellular connections and more that leave companies and consumers vulnerable to security breaches, according to the study commissioned by automotive trade group SAE International and cybersecurity firm Synopsys.

“Unauthorized remote access to the vehicle network and the potential for attackers to pivot to safety-critical

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systems puts at risk not just drivers’ personal information but their physical safety as well,” the study found.

Back in 2015, hackers took over a Jeep Cherokee in order to show how they could infiltrate the system and control steering, brakes and transmission — all from a laptop miles away. Fiat Chrysler, which makes the Jeep, issued a warning to vehicle owners to go to update their cars online, but some systems are still vulnerable.

“The industry has been slowly moving to a software-based environment, and as that’s happened a lot of researchers found weaknesses and those weaknesses are now being used by various types of attackers,” said Art Dahnert, automotive security practice lead with Synopsys.

The survey was sent out to over 15,000 IT professionals, product developers and automotive engineers, and a final sample consisted of 593 responses.

A majority of those surveyed said automakers don’t have enough resources to combat the threats, and 62% of those surveyed said their organizations do not have the cybersecurity skills needed to protect themselves.

The study is one of the latest efforts to show how smart technology can make vehicles vulnerable, especially when smart cars are on the rise. The

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Insurance Information Institute estimates 25% of cars on the road in 2030 will autonomous, or self-driving. And IHS Markit estimates that connected cars will make up 65 percent of new car sales by 2020.

Symantec, for example, introduced a car security offering in 2016. BlackBerry, a longtime cell phone maker, ventured into automotive safety through BlackBerry QNX, a software focused on safety that is now in over 120 millions cars.

“The biggest thing related to security is managing the life cycle of software and managing the life cycle of security; You constantly have to manage the security on a daily basis,” said Kaivan Karimi, senior vice president and co-head of BlackBerry Technology Solutions. “It’s an ongoing process of securing the life cycle of the car.”

Automakers are also going public with their efforts to keep their cars safe.

Mitsubishi went public Jan. 21 with its latest technology to protect connected cars against increasing threats.

“Automotive companies are still building up needed cyber security skills and resources,” according to the survey.

“Sixty-three percent of respondents stated that they test less than half of hardware, software, and other technologies for vulnerabilities.”

Dahnert said the automotive industry should work on hiring more people who understand automotive-related security issues and train employees to watch out for potential issues.

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Safety Tips As we already explained that the people with the state minimum insurance cover are not reimbursed in the event of the stolen car. Different insurers provide different policies in Kenya. So, purchase car insurance in kenya that will cover you overall for all types of possible risks.

What to do when your car is stolen

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t’s a traumatic incident when a car theft happens, it completely shatters you. Again and again trying to figure out where it could be, the thinking of car theft daunts can confuse you that you are not able to understand what to do.

Africa Automotive News is here to help you! Below are some quick and important steps one must follow if encounters a car theft incidence:

cars are manufactured, these days, with GPS technology so that police can track your car and thus stop the thieves. Once you’ve filed the police report, be sure to keep a copy on file or police report number. This will help you with your insurance claim.

1. Confirm if it is actually stolen

After you notify the police, wait for the police at the incident site. In the meantime, you can prepare a list of personal assets that were present in your stolen car, for instance–mobile, laptop, jewelry, shopping stuff, clothing or any other. Along with providing every necessary information about the car, make sure to provide this list to authorities so that if there is any mobile or laptop, it can’t be misused. You will also need to provide this list to your insurers in order to claim the losses on personal belongings if your vehicle comes under comprehensive coverage.

Before making any quick decision, make sure your car is actually stolen. It might sound silly, but may be due to wrong parking or some related reasons, it has been towed from its parking space. There are some local towing companies where you can ask for your vehicle by providing them the VIN of the vehicle.

Another possibility is that you forgot where you parked the car and mistakenly looking at a wrong place. So, don’t get panic! Just take a minute, breathe and now try to remember. This will save you from the trauma of losing your car.

2. Inform the police If your car has not been towed and you even didn’t find it at the place, then it a major concern. Call the police immediately. In case, you are leasing your vehicle, also inform contact that lender and notify them of the theft so that they can also talk to the police as well as insurance company to discuss the case.

You need to give every single piece of information about the car; the VIN number, your car’s make and model, and where you last parked your vehicle.

If you have a tracking device, like LoJack or OnStar, also provide that information to the police. Many new

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3. List out the personal belongings in the Car

4. Call your Insurance Company The type of car insurance purchased will determine the loss or coverage covered by it. In the event of car theft, if you have purchased only liability coverage, it won’t be covered by your insurer. If it is found damaged then your insurer can cover the repairing cost.

No matter what insurance you have purchased, it is important to inform your insurer that your car is stolen. Depending on the insurance you carry for your vehicle, the insurance company will proceed further. In case, you are leasing your vehicle, also inform that lender and notify them of the theft so that they can also communicate with the insurer to discuss the case.

Now that you have informed the insurer about the car theft, stay calm and let the insurers proceed with the case. Having a fully comprehensive coverage doesn’t mean that you will be immediately paid out for the loss. The insurance company will properly investigate the matter and the reason behind is to rule out fraud cases. The car owner is the first suspect so the insurance agent examines deeply and if they find you right, they wait for a fixed period if the vehicle can be recovered before paying any claim.

When your vehicle is lost, you must be looking at a total loss claim. You will be reimbursed the actual cash value (ACV) of the car: which is evaluated as the amount you paid for the car, minus depreciation. Keep in mind that the ACV is most probably negotiable: it means that the insurance adjusters usually begin at the low end of a vehicle’s value, so don’t be fooled. Arm yourself with facts, and if they offer you an amount not worth, don’t be afraid to negotiate.

5. Inquire for your vehicle with DMV(Department of Motor Vehicles) DMV, generally, keep complete logs of stolen cars. In case of car theft, they cooperate with police to find the vehicle, if required. This might help you get your car back. In case, you car is located, contact your insurer so that they can determine whether the vehicle needs to be repaired or replaced, if it got damaged in the event of theft.

6. Final Thoughts: If you are still safe, it is good. But what if this happens to you? So, we recommend you to stay alert how to handle the situation if such daunting incident occurs.

A good thumb rule can be to keep as little stuff in the car as possible. Never leave valuables such as laptops, jewelry etc inside the car. Also, keep the doors and windows locked whenever you park the car. Follow the parking rules and always park the car at a right place.

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