http://www.maxauto.co.za/CntView.aspx?CatID=26&CntID=1357
Belgian union leaders rejected a plan from General Motors' European arm Opel to rescue a plant in Antwerp, Belgium, arguing the proposal would result in too many job cuts.
Opel said on Tuesday it had put forward a new plan under which an investor would be sought to take over the Antwerp plant, with Opel possibly maintaining a minority stake.
The plant, it said, would be significantly downsized, but would continue to build the Astra TwinTop while also trying to attract business from third parties.
Union leaders said this entailed a steady winding down of production to some 4 000 to 5 000 cars per year with a workforce of just 400 envisaged at the end of 2011, down from 2 600.
"It's just too little," said Eddy De Decker of the ACV union who attended talks with Opel in Germany on Tuesday.
Transition period
He said the unions had instead demanded that Opel withdraw an existing plan to close the plant by the end of June and give workers more time for an alternative to be found.
"We need a transition period until the end of 2011 or into 2012 in which we are able to produce a meaningful number of cars," he said, adding that should be around the 80 000 to 85 000 units the plant was currently making per year.
De Decker said the unions were awaiting Opel's response.
No one from Opel was immediately available for comment
A source familiar with the situation said the Opel proposal envisaged finding a private investor for the plant, with whom Opel would cooperate, perhaps in making convertible models.
Keeping Antwerp open would mark a sharp reversal for Opel Chief Executive Nick Reilly, who has angered labour leaders by trying to push through a plan that would reduce capacity by a fifth and eliminate 8,300 jobs in Europe.
GM last week tripled its funding commitment for Opel and cut its request for state aid in a bid to win support from governments and labour.
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Pricier pipeline to hit drivershttp://www.maxauto.co.za/CntView.aspx?CatID=26&CntID=1358
The cost of Transnet's new fuel pipeline linking Durban with Gauteng has risen by R2.7 billion.
The pipeline, which would have cost R12.6 billion last year, will now cost R15.4 billion. What is more, completion has been delayed by a year.
The project will now be ready only in December 2012.
Neville Eve, Transnet's head of capital projects, says the cost increases can be attributed to several factors.
These include changes to the scope of the project and the decision to provide the pipeline with backup power. Electricity generators at all the pump stations have added R180 million to the bill. Steel costs have also risen as much as R1.06 billion since 2007.
According to Eve, delayed property transfers and environmental impact studies have also had a significant impact on the price.
Chris Wells, Transnet's acting chief executive, says Transnet will fund the cost increases with internally generated debt and cash. But, as soon as the project is completed, tariffs will have to rise - which in turn will affect the consumer's pocket.
The impact of the new pipeline on consumers' pockets will be seen as soon as from April 1 this year, because Transnet has asked the National Energy Regulator (Nersa) to increase the tariffs on its existing pipeline by 51.3%.
If this increase is approved, the direct effect on a litre of petrol in Gauteng will be about 4c.
This increase represents only R1.6 billion of the total cost of the pipeline, which will be acknowledged as an asset at this time.
Transnet realises a return on its assets only once the assets have been completed and taken into use. Consumers can therefore expect a bigger shock in 2011/12, when Transnet expects to recognise up to R10 billion of the pipeline as an asset.
Consumers are already paying a levy of 7.5c/litre on fuel - from which Transnet receives R4.5 billion.
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Kicherer E 50 Coupe based on 2010 E-Class Coupe
http://www.maxauto.co.za/CntView.aspx?CatID=26&CntID=1359
Based on the Mercedes E500, the car features a revised ECU module and a sports exhaust system. It enables the 5.5-liter V8 to produce 316 kW and 550 Nm of torque - an increase of 31 kW and 20 Nm. While Kicherer declined to release performance data, they stated the E 50 can hit a top speed in excess of 250 km/h.
In terms of styling, the E 50 boasts a carbon fiber ‘Kicherer Performance Series' package. It includes a front lip spoiler, aggressive side skirts, a rear diffuser, and special mirror casings (a three-blade sports grille is optional). Elsewhere, the company added 20-inch RS-1 wheels and a high performance brake system (with six piston calipers and carbon composite discs).
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Vorsteiner VR-7 Sportiv Styling for BMW 750i/750Li
http://www.maxauto.co.za/CntView.aspx?CatID=26&CntID=1360
The new Vorsteiner line of aero products for the BMW 7 Series short wheelbase and long wheelbase (codenamed F01 and F02 respectively) has been announced. Called the BMW VR-7 Sportiv Aero Package, it covers aerodynamic components that enhance the car's looks to give it a more aggressive yet elegant appearance.
The front end consists of a VR-7 carbon fibre add-on front spoiler, a carbon fibre add-on rear spoiler and a rear diffuser. The front spoiler gives more downforce and stability in handling. The suspension was also lowered by 48mm.
Featured in these pictures is a 750i model bearing 21" x 9" front and 21" x 10.5" rear wheels shod with 255/30-21 front and 285/30-21 rear Michelin Pilot Sport PS2 tyres. The wheels are available in finishes that include brushed aluminium, silver, black, gunmetal and chrome. Customers can also specify their preferred custom finishes as well.
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Runaway Toyota Prius incidents arise
http://www.maxauto.co.za/CntView.aspx?CatID=26&CntID=1361
A 61 year-old US man apparently experienced the shock of his life when his 2008 Toyota Prius accelerated out of control and sped to over 145km/h along a California freeway. James Sikes told reporters he was driving along the road when he tried to overtake another vehicle. Suddenly the accelerator "did something kind of funny," jumped and got stuck. He says he tried applying brakes but to no avail.
Eventually he managed to call 911. An officer was dispatched and caught up with Sikes. The man used a loudspeaker to tell him to use emergency brakes and switch the ignition off. In the end the Prius stopped with the officer also having eased his patrol car in front of it.
Both the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration and Toyota Motor Corporation then sent investigators to inspect the runaway Prius. It was later taken to a dealership in El Cajon, California, where investigations into the incident are continuing.
According to Sikes, he had received a recall notice to take his car to a Toyota dealership but was told upon arrival that it was not on the recall list.
The Prius has also been part of Toyota's recent massive global recall campaign, but for a different reason from the other models.
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