http://www.maxauto.co.za/CntView.aspx?CatID=26&CntID=1249
New regulations make it illegal to print any form of advertising on vehicle number plates, the motor industry ombudsman said on Tuesday.
"This includes the printing of the name and location of the selling dealer, whether it is a new or a used vehicle," said ombudsman Johan van Vreden in a statement.
"No ornamentation, figure or letter that is not a component of the standard equipment or construction of a vehicle, may appear within 150mm of the vehicle's licence number."
Van Vreden said it appeared vehicle owners and dealerships were not aware of the new national regulation which made it illegal to print any form of advertising on number plates or number plate holders.
"Contravention of this ruling makes the vehicle not roadworthy and the vehicle owner liable to prosecution and applicable fines."
He said since the beginning of the year specific requirements regarding the size of vehicle number plates had also come into force and the road-user would be liable if these were not conformed to.
The only legally acceptable sizes of number plates for vehicles registered from January 1 2010 are 520mm X 113mm, 250mm X 205mm and 205mm X 165mm.
"When buying a new or used vehicle, purchasers should insist that the above legal requirements are implemented by the dealer before taking delivery of a vehicle," he said.
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Watchdog to monitor Toyota recall
http://www.maxauto.co.za/CntView.aspx?CatID=26&CntID=1250
Toyota South Africa Motors (TSAM) will report to the office of the Motor Industry Ombudsman (MIO) on its recall service action.
"The office of the MIO will be in constant communication with Toyota South Africa Motors and have been promised full and detailed reporting on the recall service action," the office of the MIO said in a statement on Tuesday.
"As such, we believe that owners of the affected vehicles will receive the full and necessary attention of Toyota in this campaign," the MIO said.
TSAM recently announced the recall of specific Toyota products for preventative maintenance to the accelerator pedal mechanism on specific models and the software on another model.
The MIO's office understood that TSAM would be in contact with all owners of affected vehicles, who would be given an opportunity to take vehicles to dealers.
"We have been informed that this action will take place from February 23 onwards and that Toyota is already contacting the owners of these vehicles," said Motor Industry Ombudsman Johan van Vreden.
He said it was the duty of the ombud to act as independent watchdog and mediator in instances where a vehicle owner and manufacturer could not reach a resolution to a specific problem or complaint.
"Given the nature of the recall service campaign initiated by Toyota, we are of the opinion that the company has taken all the necessary steps to ensure that each and every owner of an affected vehicle is contacted and that the corrective action will be carried out at the least possible inconvenience to them," he said.
The accelerator pedal recall service campaign includes the Toyota Corolla (February 2007 to January 2010), the Toyota Auris (June 2006 to January 2010) and the Toyota Verso (October 2008 to January 2010).
The software upgrade service campaign is confined to only Prius models (August 2009 to February 2010).
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2011 Lotus Elise Facelift Revealed
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Details and photos have been released of the 2011 Lotus Elise facelift. The car features significant changes at the front and back, with cleaner versions of the available engines.
Amongst the glaring differences between the current model and the 2011 version is that the newer car no longer has a dual-teardrop front light cluster. LED daytime running lights are now built into the main headlight. Extra fog lights are noticeably absent in these photos. The car also uses a remodeled Evora-esque front fascia, with a wider grille, and updated splitter that changes the car's look.
Lighting has stayed the same at back, but the rear vents on the side of the outer taillights have been eliminated. A larger rear bumper now extends almost all the way to the diffuser.
These exterior changes reduced drag, and played a part in the 13% reduction in emissions. Each of the three models now emits under 200 grams of CO2 per kilometer.
Also included: a new close-ratio six-speed transmission, cruise control, and two new sets of alloy wheels.
Public debut takes place in Geneva with prices to be announced simultaneously. Sales of the 2011 Lotus Elise should begin before the car hits UK dealerships in April.
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Project Kahn RS600 with 441kW
http://www.maxauto.co.za/CntView.aspx?CatID=26&CntID=1252
British tuners Kahn Design have released their latest iteration of the Range Rover. The Project Kahn 2010 Range Rover Sport RS600 uses a supercharged 5.0-liter HSE petrol engine producing 441 kW.
Aside from the performance boost, engineers added or adapted ten different body parts on the exterior. 22-inch RS alloy wheels have also been installed. The interior is kitted out with quilted leather front and rear seats, with the material also used on the dash and glove box. Black leather on the gear shift and steering wheel features contrasting stitches.
Other features on the vehicle includes electric blue speedo, tach, and clock. Kahn Design have now begun taking orders on the Project Kahn RS600 conversion package.
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TechArt Lightly Updates Aero I & II Kits
http://www.maxauto.co.za/CntView.aspx?CatID=26&CntID=1253
The new TECHART aerodynamic and personalisation kits for the new 2010 Porsche 911 Turbo and Turbo S facelifts are to be presented at the Geneva Motor Show next month. Although very nice, don't get too excited because it's basically the same styling kit as the pre-facelifted 997. The only differences we can spot are the restyled wing mouldings in the air intake pockets of the front bumper and the new trapezoidal exhaust tips out back. Aerokit 2 has the LED daytime running lights while the Aerokit 1 does not. TechArt didn't mention any performance upgrades, as it may be too soon for any meaningful development to be completed.
However, for the sake of being thorough, Kit I includes a front spoiler with dynamically-accented air intake valves, airflow-optimising side sills, a small roof spoiler for the coupe to generate additional downforce and a rear diffuser.
Aerodynamic Kit II consists of independent front and rear spoilers and multifunctional daytime running lights that automatically dim when the turning lights are active among others.
The wheels are designed to handle the 700Nm-plus of torque generated. They go up to 20-inch in diameter while TECHART recommends buyers choose either Conti Sport Contact 3 or Michelin Pilot Sport PS2 tyres for them.
The interior can also be individualised with things like TECHART stainless steel entry strips, a three-spoke steering wheel and aluminium pedals.
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Woman dies in road rage crush
http://www.maxauto.co.za/CntView.aspx?CatID=26&CntID=1254
A woman died on Tuesday morning when a truck's trailer became detached and fell over as a result of a road rage incident, dumping 10 tons of live chickens in crates on top of her.
The crates fell off the trailer of a truck belonging to Early Bird which was travelling on the R563 route between Hekpoort and Krugersdorp in the Oaktree smallholdings area.
The truck was forced to slam on the brakes when a bakkie apparently swerved in front of it and, apparently wilfully, suddenly braked.
The 23-year-old pedestrian who was walking along the other side of the road, was killed when the crates fell on top of her.
Chickens escape
The police haven't been able to release her name, since her next of kin haven't been informed yet. She is originally from the Polokwane area.
The truck had been on its way from Early Bird's farm in Hekpoort to the main plant in Olifantsfontein near Midrand when the incident took place at 10:00.
Some of the chickens died in the incident, and others had to be put down at the scene to prevent further suffering. Others escaped out of their crates and ran about while Early Bird employees, the police and members of the SPCA scrambled to catch them.
Barend Vorster of Early Bird says the truck driver claims a white Ford Ranger bakkie with a blue drum on the back had swerved in front of him at the intersection leading to the Sterkfontein caves.
"According to the driver, he braked, and when he couldn't slow down in time, he swerved to the right and passed the bakkie to avoid a collision."
Driver lost temper
Apparently the bakkie driver lost his temper, made crude gestures at the truck driver and passed the truck again.
When the bakkie was once again in front of the truck, the driver braked hard, which forced the truck driver to do the same, Vorster explained.
It was apparently then that the trailer was detached, rolled over and fell on the woman on the other side of the road. The truck came to a stop about 300m further.
"It's a hill and with such a heavy load our driver couldn't drive much faster than 65km/h," Vorster said.
The company estimates the damage to be about R100 000.
"It's a pity that our driver couldn't get the bakkie's registration number," said Vorster.
The police are investigating the case.
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