Africa Automotive July-August issue 2022

July-August issue l 2022
Africa Automotive
July-August issue 2022 Volume 4 issue no. 22
Passanger Tyres
What to look for in Passenger Tyres
In this issue......
How to Determine If Your
Passenger Brake Pads Need
Replacement...pg 27
Why passenger cars remain
the most prominent vehicle in
the EV battery market...pg 18
Why Car Manufaacturers
Should Rely on Hydrogen
After all...pg 17
Africa Automotive News l 2022 1

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July-August issue l 2022
Content
Contents
Current Issue
What to look for when
buying Passenger Tyres
& much more...enjoy the
issue!
REGULARS
News Briefs 4
23
30
Events 8
Innovation 10
18
Opinion 16
Safety Tips 36
Managing Editor
Augustine Mwita
27
Editor-in-Chief
Monica Robina
COVER STORY
Senior Editor &
Marketing Lead
Dorcas Kang’ereha
Writer
Violet Ambale
Harriet Mkhaye
Irene Joseph
Innocent Momanyi
Sales Executives
East Africa
Jimmy Mudasia
Lydia Kamonya
Caiser Momanyi
Vincent Murono
Sheila Ing’ayitsa
South Africa
Paul Nyakeri
Sean Masangwanyi
Lisa Brown
Thembisa Ndlovu
Nigeria
Emelda Njomboro
Uche Maxwel
Designed and
Published by:
P.O. Box 52248-00100,
Nairobi, Kenya.
Passanger tyres: What to look for in Passenger Tyres
Features
How to Apply Automotive Protective Coatings and Overlays
How to Determine If Your Passenger Brake Pads Need
Replacement
How to Avoid Privacy Risks from Third-party Automotive
Apps
Why Car Manufacturers Should Rely on Hydrogen After all
How to Sell Your Car Privately
How to Change Your Air Filter and Check Your Hoses and
Belts
ADVERTISER'S INDEX
Nailex Africa Publishing Ltd...................................................IFC
Nailex Africa Publishing Ltd...................................................IBC
Graphene Coating ................................................................OBC
Nailex Africa Publishing Ltd.................................................pg 16
Madico films...........................................................................pg 22
Gislaved...................................................................................pg 26
Glinter.......................................................................................pg 28
Remsa.......................................................................................pg 29
Absa..........................................................................................pg 34
IGL Coatings...........................................................................pg 34
PFK............................................................................................pg 38
36
22
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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 Publishing Ltd.
Africa Automotive News l 2022 3

News
July-August issue l 2022
Nissan Motor Co., Ltd.
announces that it has entered
into a definitive agreement
to acquire shares in Vehicle
Energy Japan Inc., a company engaged
in the automotive lithium-ion
batteries business. Nissan will acquire
the shares after the completion of
regulatory procedures, including
necessary approvals and permissions.
Nissan to acquire shares in Vehicle Energy Japan Inc
Nissan will acquire all the common
shares of Vehicle Energy Japan held
by INCJ, Ltd. and subscribe to common
shares issued by Vehicle Energy
Japan. Following the transaction,
Vehicle Energy Japan will become a
consolidated subsidiary of Nissan, in
which it will hold shares alongside
existing shareholders Maxell, Ltd. and
Hitachi Astemo, Ltd.
Vehicle Energy Japan has an integrated
production system from battery
cells to packs, and advanced battery
management system technologies.
It develops, manufactures, and sells
lithium-ion batteries, battery modules,
and battery management systems
for hybrid vehicles that are expected
areas of growth.
Nissan, in its long-term vision,
Nissan Ambition 2030, aims to create
significant value beyond mobility by
placing electrification at the core of its
business strategy and expanding the
possibilities of journeys and society.
As a key supplier to Nissan, Vehicle
Energy Japan will play a crucial role
in its ongoing electrification strategy
under the vision. The investment
will allow Nissan to secure a stable
battery supplier and contribute to
the development of next-generation
batteries with a competitive edge in
terms of both performance and cost.
Vehicle Energy Japan will provide a
stable supply of batteries to Nissan
as well as broad range of other
customers, with ongoing support
from shareholders Maxell and Hitachi
Astemo, along with Nissan.
KEBS unveils SMS Code to verify car details and mileage
Kenya Bureau of Standards
(KEBS) unveiled a short SMS
code to help Kenyans seeking
to buy motor vehicles to
easily confirm their details. According
to the KEBS statement, buyers can
confirm the authenticity of inspection
details and full information regarding
the vehicle they intend to purchase,
whether brand new or used cars. The
short messaging code, 20023, also
enables car buyers to verify mileage.
According to the government
agency, the introduction of the short
messaging platform follows a series
of complaints raised by buyers over
purchasing cars only to find out that
car’s mileages had been altered.
The code will also enable motorists
to identify vehicles legally allowed
to operate on Kenyan roads. While
working with other agencies such as
the National Transport Safety Authority
(NTSA), the introduction of the SMS is
meant to enforce the implementation
of traffic rules.
How to Check
Buyers can confirm the car’s inspection
authenticity and mileage by sending
the chassis number to 20023. VIN,
also known as the Chassis Number,
is an exclusive car identification
number allotted to a car by the
manufacturer. The 17-digit number,
which distinguishes it from other
models and makes, is used by the
registration authorities to register a
car. It is usually encrypted on car boots,
dashboard, rear wheel, registration
certificate and the insurance policy
certificate.
“Get to know how you can verify the
authenticity of the vehicle inspection
details and mileage by sending the
chassis number to 20023,” the KEBS
statement stated.
The verification details come after
KEBS banned the importation of used
mini-buses, double-decker, and large
buses into the country. The directive
which took effect on July 1, was
meant to promote and protect local
assemblers.
4 Africa Automotive News l 2022

July-August issue l 2022
Kenya introduces digital vehicles number plates to curb tax
evation and crime
The Kenya Government has
rolled out new generation
number plates for all imported
motor vehicles in a bid to
curb tax evasion and theft. This is
according to Dr. Fred Matiang’i, the
country’s Interior Cabinet Secretary
who also termed the move a dragnet
of curtailing the tax evasion within the
car importing business sector.
Kenyans will part with Ksh3,000 to
replace the old motor-vehicle number
plates with the digital ones equipped
with security features to curb crime
and theft cases. The digital plates
were unveiled during the launch of the
new number plates at the GSU Recce
unit Headquarters in Ruiru, Nairobi on
Tuesday, August 30.
All automobiles, including motorbikes
and three-wheelers, trailers and
tractors, both private and governmentowned,
and those used by diplomats
and international organizations will
Electric motorcycle companies
are leveraging partnerships with
lenders specialising in asset
finance to drive sales in Kenya
targeting boda boda riders. Swedish-
Kenyan technology company Roam
has partnered with M-KOPA to deliver
a fleet of motorcycles by the end of
2022 in time for mass deployment in
early 2023.
adopt the new generational plates.
According to Interior CS Fred Matiang’i,
all motorists are required to replace
their old number plates within 18
months. Matiang’i insisted that
exercise is mandatory and urged all
motorists to replace the plates within
the stipulated timelines.
“When the NTSA team calls on
Kenyans to change the plates, let us
obey and get it done within those 18
months. Issuance of new plates will
begin with newly registered vehicles
from the KDK series and replacement
of existing ones to start from October
1, 2022,” Matiang’i stated. He added
that the digital number plates would
be synchronised with the Kenya
Revenue Authority (KRA) systems to
nab dealers who relent in paying
taxes.
“We are doing this because we want
E-motorcycle firms banking on asset finance
News
to address the security of our country.
We want to help other agencies such
as KRA to function properly, uplift
the financial sector and improve
transparency,” he stated.
Some of the security features will
be visible to the naked eye whereas
others will only be accessible to
law enforcement agencies. Besides
a unique template, they’ll feature
a specially-imprinted national flag,
hologram, watermark, unique and
different serial numbers for rear
and front plates that are linked to
the vehicle’s chassis number and
customized font.
ARC Ride Kenya which launched a
plant in Kenya producing 500 two
and three-wheeled electric scooters
and bikes each month also partnered
with M-KOPA and Watu Credit to be
able to offer the product through
flexible financing terms. Kenya and
the region are rapidly catching up on
electric mobility but cost remains a big
obstacle to abandoning fossil fuels for
clean energy.
Manufacturers are turning to asset
finance companies that offer flexible
“pay as you go” terms that allow
riders to acquire the units and pay as
they earn an income. Roam said that
by combining the power of digital
micropayments with the Internetof-Things
(IoT) technology, M-KOPA
enables underbanked customers to
access a broad range of products and
services without collateral.
“M-KOPA will aid in the deployment of
the motorcycles through its innovative
‘Pay-As-You-Go’ model, which allows
customers instant access to products
while building ownership over time
through flexible micro-payments,” said
Mikael Gånge, co-founder and chief
commercial officer, Roam.
Kenya is racing against time to catch
up with the rest of the world in the
shift to clean mobility in efforts to
reduce pollution of the environment.
The country has more than 1,000 lowcarbon
emission vehicles with dealers
expecting an increase due to the
high cost of fuel. Recent geopolitical
tensions in Europe following Russia’s
war in Ukraine have seen fuel prices
spike out of reach for most motorists.
Africa Automotive News l 2022 5

News
July-August issue l 2022
Ashok Leyland channel partner Deluxe Trucks and Buses inks
agreement with Kenya Commercial Bank for vehicle financing
Ashok Leyland’s authorized
distributors, Deluxe Trucks and
Buses in Kenya have signed
a partnership with Kenya
Commercial Bank to jointly promote
the Ashok Leyland Brand of Vehicles.
Kenya Commercial Bank (KCB) is one
of the largest financial institutions in
the region offering an array of services.
Ashok Leyland customers will now
be able to access flexible financing
options in a deal from Kenya
Commercial Bank. The partnership
will see customers enjoy up to 95%
financing with an extended repayment
period of 72 months as well as a
comfortable 60-day payment holiday.
Mr. Amandeep Singh, Head
International Operations for Ashok
Leyland expressed his pleasure at the
tie up and noted that, “Ashok Leyland
Trucks and Buses has a wide future
ready portfolio in commercial vehicle
categories ranging from 2.55 Ton GVW
6 Africa Automotive News l 2022
to 55 Ton GVW and buses suited for
all applications. The Ashok Leyland
range of vehicles offers the best-inclass
mileage in all these categories.
This partnership with KCB will enable
customers to avail financing options
to purchase Ashok Leyland commercial
vehicles at industry best terms and
conditions.”
Speaking during the event, KCB Bank
Director of Corporate Banking, Esther
Waititu said, “We are delighted to
partner with Deluxe Trucks & Buses,
for financing Ashok Leyland products.
It is a reflection of our commitment
to supporting key customers to derive
value from their long-standing loyalty.”
On his part, Deluxe Trucks & Buses
E.A. Managing Director, Mr. Ameet
Shroff said, “The partnership targets
individuals, Small Medium Size
companies, and large commercial
businesses for flexible financing of up
to 95% of the vehicle cost. Delivering
uptime to customers is our key
objective and we will ensure that our
customers are continuously served
with complete satisfaction.”
Nord Motors, UNILAG sign agreement to build Africa’s first
on-campus auto plant
Nord Automobiles Limited,
an indigenous automobile
company, has signed
a memorandum of
understanding with the University
of Lagos (UNILAG) to establish
an automobile assembly and
manufacturing hub in the institution.
The signing of the MoU is a bold step
in the right direction that is positioned
to further intensify the university’s
quest to equip students with all the
necessary skills before graduation, said
Oluwatoyin Ogunleye, vice chancellor,
University of Lagos.
Ogundipe said that this would also
stimulate research and development
activities in the area of automobiles
among members of staff, adding
that any nation with the quest for
development must look inward.
“This is the first time any university is
bringing an automobile company into
its campus in Africa. What this means
to us, therefore, is that they will start
assembling the car in this University of
Lagos, putting into consideration the
economic situation of this country,” he
said.
Ogundipe expressed delight that
with the coming of the auto plant,
Engineering students of the university
would be able to gain first-hand
experience, but also students of
Architecture, Finance, Marketing, as
well as those in Creative Arts.
Oluwatobi Ajayi, chief executive
officer, NORD Automobiles Limited,
expressed delight at the development,
noting that it was his little way
of contributing to the country’s
development.
According to him, there is a need
to continuously encourage the
youths, especially students in
tertiary institutions, by making them
understand that they have a future
in engineering especially. The NORD
boss said that in two months’ time,
the company would be establishing
the assembly plant, as well as an
ultra-modern showroom, to be
commissioned by the vice chancellor.
“I have always believed in Nigeria
and in the great talents and natural
resources therein. I will not stop at
doing anything within my disposal
to make Nigeria a pride before the
entire world. It is time for us to
come together to return Nigeria to a
producing nation and not a consumer
nation,” he said.

July-August issue l 2022
News
Kenya Power to set up electric car charging hubs by September
Kenya Power will, from next
month, start constructing
electric charging systems for
homes, businesses and the
public across the country as the shift
to clean transport gathers momentum.
The State-owned power utility is
seeking a firm to build an e-mobility
network infrastructure system (ENIS)
in Nairobi and Nakuru to pilot the
charging stations.
Kenya, like the rest of the world, is
pushing for clean mobility to reduce
environmental pollution from fossil
fuels, placing Kenya Power at the
centre of the shift due to the need for
electricity supplies for motorists.
The State utility has floated tender
inviting bidders who will build the
infrastructure that will also allow
customers to pay via M-Pesa and credit
like in the traditional fueling stations.
Clean mobility is fast gathering pace
in Kenya, with several companies
already piloting electric-powered
buses and motorcycles, placing Kenya
Power at the centre given the need for
electricity supplies.
“Kenya Power intends to implement
an e-mobility network infrastructure
system. The system will ensure that
e-mobility customers in Kenya can
be served in a seamless manner
countrywide where Kenya Power has
grid presence.”
Clean mobility
Kenya is racing against time to catch
up with the rest of the world in the
shift to clean mobility in efforts to
reduce pollution of the environment.
The European Commission wants to
ban the sale of diesel and petrolpowered
vehicles by 2035, signalling a
global shift that is prompting Kenya to
set the ground for its e-mobility.
President Uhuru Kenyatta has
confirmed the Government
will set up a national
automotive council to facilitate
implementation of the National
Automotive Policy that is geared
towards boosting the local assembling
of motor vehicles.
Speaking when he launched the
locally assembled Euro 4 Mitsubishi
L200 pickup at State House, Nairobi,
President Kenyatta reiterated the
Government’s commitment to creating
an enabling environment for the
growth of the country’s automotive
industry.
Kenyan Government to Set up a National
Automotive Council
“I take note of the issue of getting
the council established and that is
something we shall see if we can do
before we leave office to ensure that
we create that enabling environment
for the necessary institutions that will
see this particular industry continue
on its growth trajectory and becomes
once again predominant part of the
Kenyan economy,” President Kenyatta
said.
The Head of State encouraged
stakeholders in the industry
to continue working with the
Government to ensure it achieves its
objectives of reviving and stabilizing
the automotive sector.
He thanked Mitsubishi, Associated
Vehicle Assembly (AVA) and Simba
Corporation for being true partners in
the country’s efforts in growing the
industry.
“I really appreciate the partnership
that we have had that has led to a
revival of this industry that was oncemoribund
and for me to give you my
assurance and my commitment that
we shall continue to work together to
reach the targets that we envisioned
way back in 2019.
“our determination to ensure that
future Government also continue
with the same policy because this
is not only good for increasing the
manufacturing capacity of the country
but also good in terms of skills
transfer, in terms of creating jobs for
our people and in terms of creating
new opportunities,” he said.
Africa Automotive News l 2022 7

News
July-August issue l 2022
Moove signs agreement with MUFG and Suzuki to promote
financial inclusion for Mobility Gig Workers across Africa
Moove, the world’s first
mobility fintech, has
announced the signing
of a Memorandum of
Understanding [MoU] with MUFG,
one of the world’s leading financial
groups and Suzuki, one of the world’s
leading suppliers of vehicles to
mobility businesses. Through this MoU,
Moove, which provides revenue-based
financing to mobility entrepreneurs,
aims to advance financial inclusion
and job creation as well as upskilling
opportunities in the sector.
Signed at the eighth Tokyo
International Conference on African
Development [TICAD] conference, the
tri-party agreement is one of the first
to involve an African fintech company
and underscores the opportunity to
leverage technology to improve the
livelihoods of millions of people in
emerging markets. Moove’s alternative
credit scoring technology will
enable access to vehicle financing to
mobility entrepreneurs, backed by the
strength of MUFG’s financial services
capabilities and Suzuki’s expertise in
supplying durable, high performance
and fuel efficient vehicles.
Launched in Lagos, Nigeria in 2020,
Moove is a mission-led company
committed to empowering mobility
entrepreneurs to be productive and
successful through providing access to
vehicle financing and other financial
services. Moove has since scaled to
seven markets across sub-Saharan
Africa and six markets in MENA, Asia
and Europe, and its customers have
completed over 7 million trips in
Moove-financed vehicles.
The MoU creates a framework for the
parties to work closely together on
solving other challenges in mobility,
including providing access to finance
for more female customers as well
as improving road safety and training
support for mobility entrepreneurs.
NADDC, Africar unveil Nigeria-Assembled Mini-cars for Taxi Services
Vasco Technology Solutions
Limited, popularly known as
Africar, in partnership with
the National Automotive
Design and Development Council
(NADDC), has introduced a new ridehailing
service to ease transportation
difficulties across the country.
Reports indicate that no fewer than
115 Nigeria-assembled mini-cars have
been launched by the Minister of Trade
and Industry, Otunba Niyi Adebayo, for
shuttle services in Ibadan, Oyo State
capital.
8 Africa Automotive News l 2022
Africar, operating under a
conglomerate known as Stallion Group,
is a platform that has the potential to
transform the transportation industry
by providing both employment
opportunities and low-cost rides.
Speaking during the launching, the
director-general of the National
Automotive Design and Development
Council (NADDC), Jelani Aliyu, said the
launching of the mini-cars, which is of
international standards, is, therefore a
step in the right direction.
Aliyu, represented by the Director,
Industrial Infrastructure Department,
Dr. Nua Omisanya, said the Council
had worked tirelessly to ensure the
survival and growth of the Nigerian
automotive industry, with a view to
enhancing the industry’s contribution
to the national economy.
According to him, the newly introduced
mode of transportation will enhance
basic mobility for all, including
visitors, easing mobility for students,
workers and communities from various
suburban areas to the city centre.
“NADDC continues its unwavering
dedication to the support of local
automotive production, and also
continues to promote some of the
latest technologies being developed,”
he added.
Also speaking, the chief executive
officer (CEO), Africar, Sahil Vaswani,
said all the cars being used for the
project were assembled at Stallion
Group’s Von Plant in Lagos.
He added that the company and
NADDC developed the Bajaj Qute cars
purposely for the new ride-hailing
taxi for Nigeria and would be taken
to other states in the country, after
Ibadan.
He said: “This car is assembled
in Nigeria by Nigerians and is
environmentally friendly, with 50 per
cent lower carbon emissions than the
average car.”

July-August issue l 2022
News
Vbank, Autochek partner on auto loan product
Vbank a digital bank powered
by VFD Microfinance Bank
has partnered with Autochek,
an automotive technology
firm to make it easier and quicker for
customers to access loans at the most
competitive interest rates to purchase
their desired vehicles. This partnership,
the duo said, streamlines the loan
origination process, with all paperwork
and documentation run through an
automatic underwriting algorithm for
loan processing.
“This automated process improves
the efficiency of the loan process
and ultimately enhances the overall
experience for individuals and
businesses. The goal is to continue
to build on this to create the first
Autoloan securitization product in sub-
Saharan Africa,” they said.
Senior Vice President, West Africa at
Autochek, Mayokun Fadeyibi, said:
“We are really excited to unveil this
game-changing product, which is the
result of a long series of conversations
between the Autochek and VFD teams.
We wanted to create a product that
would make the most of our combined
expertise to deliver real change in how
people across Nigeria access financing
for their vehicles. By combining VFDs
exciting range of financing products
with our process, we are confident
that we will be able to connect more
customers to the financing they need
to access the vehicles they desire,
which should in turn catalyse more
growth across the automotive sector.
Bentley Motors announces global agency overhaul
Bentley Motors has announced
plans to transform its agency
partners across the marketing
mix, which will help the
brand evolve and transform its entire
marketing communications strategy
as it prepares for full electrification
across its product range by 2030 and
diversifies its offering to be one of
the world’s most well-known luxury
lifestyle brands.
Bentley Motors announced its
Beyond100 strategy in 2020 – a
reinvention of every aspect of its
business, to become an end-to-end
carbon neutral organisation and one
of the world’s leading luxury lifestyle
brands.
While Performance Communications
continues to be Bentley’s retained
Middle East, Africa and India PR
agency, the appointment of a new lead
global agency partner for creative and
strategic marketing communications
is the latest stage of this innovative
programme and includes the evolution
of its digital-first strategy, paving the
way for Web 3.0.
Steven de Ploey, Director of Strategy,
Product and Marketing said: “This
announcement marks an exciting
new phase in our Beyond100 strategy,
which will transform every aspect of
the Bentley Motors business as we
enter our second century as a global
luxury brand.
“Our approach to marketing is central
to our transformation; and we are
delighted to have new partners on
board to galvanise our progress. Our
plans go far beyond our products,
to innovative brand extensions and
exciting partnerships. It will also
see us put people front and centre
in our communications to engage
new audiences as we move towards
becoming a sustainable, wholly ethical
role model for modern luxury.”
Africa Automotive News l 2022 9

Automitive apps
July-August issue l 2022
How to Avoid Privacy Risks from
Third-party Automotive Apps
By Zintle Nkohla
Mobile applications for connected
cars provide various features to
make life easier for motorists,
but they can also be a source of
risk. Kaspersky experts have analysed 69
popular third-party mobile applications
designed to control connected cars and
defined the main threats drivers may face
while using them. They found out that
more than half (58%) of these applications
use the vehicle owners’ credentials without
asking for their consent. On top of this, one
in five of the applications have no contact
information, which makes it impossible to
report a problem. These and other findings
are published in the new Kaspersky
Connected Apps report.
Connected automotive applications
provide a wide range of functions to make
drivers’ lives easier. For example, they allow
users to remotely control their vehicles by
locking or unlocking the doors, adjusting
climate control, starting and stopping the
engine, etc.
Even though most car manufacturers have
their own legitimate applications for the
cars they make, third-party apps designed
by mobile developers are also very popular
among users as they may offer unique
features that have not yet been introduced
by the vehicle manufacturer. The thirdparty
applications analysed by Kaspersky
cover almost all major vehicle brands,
with Tesla, Nissan, Renault, Ford and
Volkswagen in the top-5 cars most often
controlled by such apps. However, these
10 Africa Automotive News l 2022

July-August issue l 2022
Privacy Risks
applications are not entirely safe to use,
claim Kaspersky researchers.
Some developers advise using the
authorisation token instead of a username
and password to look more credible.
The tricky part here is that, if a token is
compromised, malefactors can get access
to the cars the same way they would by
using victims’ credentials. This means that
the risk of losing control over the vehicles
is still high. Users should be aware that
everything is at their own risk and using
authorisation tokens does not ensure total
safety. Despite this, only 19% of developers
mention this and warn the user without
hiding it in several layers of fine print.
Moreover, every seventh (14%) application
does not have information on how to
contact the developer or give feedback,
making it impossible to report a problem
or request more information on the app’s
privacy policy. The absence of official
contact information and social network
pages makes it clear that most of these
apps are developed by enthusiasts, which
is not necessarily a bad thing, however,
such developers don’t have to care about
your vehicle’s safety and data security like
regulated vehicle manufacturers do.
It is also worth noting that 46 of the 69
applications are either free of charge or
offer a demo mode. This has contributed to
such applications being downloaded from
the Google Play Store more than 239,000
times, which makes you wonder how many
people are giving strangers free access to
their cars.
“The benefits of a connected world
are countless. However, it is important
to note that this is still a developing
industry, which carries certain risks. When
downloading a third-party application to
control your car remotely, users should be
aware of possible threats. We entrust a lot
of private information and personal data to
connected technology,” Sergey Zorin, Head
of Kaspersky Transportation Security at
Kaspersky says.
“We urge application developers to
make user protection a priority and
take precautionary measures to avoid
compromising their customers and
themselves,” Zorin advises.
For application developers, Kaspersky
experts recommend the following
advice:
Adopt solutions that secure the
software development process through
application control at runtime, scanning
for vulnerabilities before deployment,
routinely conducting security vetting
of containers, and anti-malware
testing of production artifacts. With
supply chain attacks through public
repositories becoming more frequent as of
late, the development process is in need
of enhanced protection against outside
interference.
Kaspersky Hybrid Cloud Security meets
developers’ needs. It secures Docker
and Windows containers and provides
a ‘security as code’ approach, with
containerisation host memory protection,
tasks for containers, image scanning, and
scriptable interfaces. So, you can integrate
security tasks into CI/CD pipelines without
impacting the development process.
Implement protection mechanisms into the
application. Kaspersky Mobile SDK provides
data protection for customers as well as
malware detection, secure connectivity, and
more.
Kaspersky experts recommend that
users:
Only download apps from official stores
like the Apple App Store, Google Play or
Amazon Appstore. Apps from these markets
are not 100% failsafe but they at least get
checked by shop representatives and there
is some filtration system in place, meaning
that not every app can get into these
stores.
Check the permissions of the apps you
use and think carefully before permitting
a process, especially when it comes to
high-risk permissions such as access to
Accessibility Services. The only permission
that a flashlight app, for example, needs is
access to the flashlight functionality.
Adopt a reliable security solution to help
detect malicious apps and adware before
they can start behaving badly on your
device.
Don’t forget to update your operating
system and all software regularly. Many
safety issues can be resolved by installing
updated versions of software.
Africa Automotive News l 2022 11

New Model
July-August issue l 2022
Mahindra
XUV700
and
Scorpio-N
launched
in South
Africa
With the launch of the
Mahindra Scorpio-N in
the country, the Indian
carmaker also revealed
the Scorpio-N and the XUV700 in
South Africa. To be manufactured in
India and exported to several global
markets, both the SUVs will soon be
launched internationally.
Mahindra XUV700
The Mahindra XUV700 made its
debut in India last year in August.
Available at a starting price of Rs
12 Africa Automotive News l 2022

July-August issue l 2022
New Model
13.18 lakh (ex-showroom), XUV700
can be broadly had in MX and
AX trims. It is offered in 2.0-litre
petrol and 2.2-litre diesel engines
with both manual and automatic
transmissions. However, the fourwheel-drive
setup is limited to the
diesel automatic version. Presently,
the XUV700 commands a waiting
period of over one year, owing to the
high demand and supply shortage of
semiconductors. Here’s our detailed
review of the Mahindra XUV700.
Mahindra Scorpio-N
Coming to the newly launched
Scorpio-N, the new generation model
looks entirely new, gets a thoroughly
revamped cabin, more tech, and
added safety features with petrol and
all-wheel-drive options. Available
at a starting price of Rs 11.99 lakh
(ex-showroom) across five variants,
here are the variant-wise features and
prices of all manual variants.
The ex-showroom prices of the
automatic and 4×4 variants will
be revealed on 21 July while the
bookings for the SUV will open on 30
July. Here’s our first-drive review of
the new Mahindra Scorpio-N.
Africa Automotive News l 2022 13

New model
July-August issue l 2022
CAETANO LAUNCHES THE
ALL-NEW KIA RANGE IN
KENYA
Caetano Kenya, the official distributor of various
automotive brands in Kenya including Hyundai
& Renault, has today launched the all-new KIA
range in Kenya. The new KIA SUVs – Kia Sportage
and Sorento – are powerful, progressive and versatile. They
combine cutting-edge tech features with family-friendly
practicality. The range of vehicles has been specifically
chosen for Kenya to meet the local customer requirements.
Each KIA SUV comes with its own unique features and
strengths.
Kia’s flagship SUV, the Sportage is as practical as it is
compelling, offering ample space, and a modern suite of
hi-tech features that cater to the interests and demands of
seasoned drivers and passengers. The 2022 Kia Sportage
is ringing in a new era for one of the brand’s most soughtafter
models, with a comprehensive redesign that moves its
identity to the next level while paying homage to its rich
heritage. The fifth generation Sportage looks to the future
with a sleek yet muscular and modern exterior design,
cutting-edge interior blends ergonomic layout and the
latest tech innovations to create an inspiring space.
The KIA Sorento is the first vehicle to be based on Kia’s
new-generation midsize SUV platform. The Sorento is
equipped with a larger body that comfortably seats 7
people; enabling drivers to maximize cargo and luggage
space. Sitting at the heart of Kia’s refreshed SUV line-up, its
redefined exterior and attractive cabin, set it apart as much
more than a work of engineering efficiency. The new model
promises practicality, comfort, and entertainment for the
whole family, appealing to adventurous drivers who are as
passionate about exploring the world as they are about fine
finishes, and allure of luxurious statement vehicles. With
its impressive suite of features, the Sorento is Kia’s most
high-tech car ever and this is the first time it will be sold in
Kenya.
The Kia Seltos brings sophistication, cutting-edge
technology and safety features to the global compact SUV
segment. It is characterized by design details that lend it an
air of understated sportiness. Smaller than the mid-sized
Sportage, the Seltos packs a lot into its compact footprint,
with more space for passengers and luggage than any rival
B-segment SUV. It features the largest cabin and trunk of
any B-segment SUV currently on sale, aided by the car’s
subtly larger exterior dimensions and long wheelbase. The
new model also offers a highly-efficient 1.6-liter petrol
engine.
The KIA Sonet is designed to be bold and unforgettable.
It spots key features that place it in a league of its own
14 Africa Automotive News l 2022

July-August issue l 2022
New model
within the compact SUV segment. It comes
encapsulated in a modern exterior, a confident
and compact body, which includes a fresh
interpretation of Kia’s signature ‘tiger-nose’
grille and a stylish front skid plate beneath. It is
built for young, ingenious customers who crave
simplicity and seamlessness in their lives.
“The models launched today are engineered
and adopted for the Kenyan market. They are
built through synthesizing customer insights,
pioneering segment-leading features, and
designed to naturally fit into the lives of the
customers.” said Mr. Yaser Shabsogh, KIA COO
Middle East & Africa
Government has been working closely with
the private sector organizations to drive
policy implementation and create an enabling
environment for investors in the automotive
sector and beyond. During the launch of the
KIA Brand, Mr. George Makateto, Director, State
Department for Industrialization said, “This year
after a long time, the Cabinet Secretary approved
what is known as the National Automotive
Policy and submitted it to parliament. The
policy will assist in facilitating investment in
the automotive industry in the country and
this launch falls squarely within the policy.
Another area the Government is looking at is
sustainability in this sector, we are hoping the
country will increase usage of electric vehicles;
I am aware that Salvador Caetano has some
electric vehicles under their brands, and we hope
in the future they will consider locally assembled
ones.”
Speaking about the launch, Caetano Managing
Director, Mr Pedro Campos said: “Caetano Kenya
is very excited to add KIA to its family of brands.
In Africa and Middle East, KIA is now the fourth
biggest brand and is fast moving up. This year
alone, KIA is expected to sell more that 50,000
new units in Africa. In today’s launch, we have
introduced four models, but we aim to go further
by providing a more diversified range of products
that can fit everyone’s mobility needs.”
“Salvador Caetano Group arrived in Kenya in
2014 with the aim of becoming one of the major
players in automotive industry. Caetano Kenya is
reinforcing its presence in the aftersales market
by growing its current network of workshops
– Caetano Express – which is already in 23
locations of 8 Kenyan cities. Caetano will provide
the after-sales services across the country for the
KIA brand through its Caetano Express network.
All the KIA cars will come with a 5-year warranty
or a 100,000km mileage.” Mr. Campos concluded.
KIA SPortage|image KIA
KIA SPortage interior|image KIA
KIA Sonet|image KIA
The launch event also marked the opening of
the new KIA Showroom in Nairobi at the Crater
Automobile Premises on Mombasa Road.
KIA Sonet interior|image KIA
Africa Automotive News l 2022 15

Manufacturing
Steel industry revival
will boost Automotive
Manufacturing
The Executive Vice Chairman/
Chief Executive, National Agency
for Science and Engineering
Infrastructure (NASENI) Prof.
Mohammed Haruna said the revival of the
nation’s steel industry is a must for the
development of automotive manufacturing
in the country.
He said without fixing the steel industry,
the nation’s automotive aspiration would
not be realised. He said the Federal
Government should adopt Public-Private
Partnership (PPP) model to fund steel
complexes.
He said Nigeria should not own more than
40 per cent equity in such partnership.
Haruna, who made the submission in a
presentation to the steel council in Abuja,
said NASENI will invest in any venture,
targeted at producing iron and steel
products from Nigeria raw material, with
the private sector and the steel council.
He said the government should support
local production by levying a development
for tax on steel imported into Nigeria
He said the government should raise
fund or generate a fund for privatized
Ajaokuta Steel with incentives to
guarantee its completion. He added:
July-August issue l 2022
“In the past planning of 1958 and the
postindependence, it was only government
that has financial muscles to fund
steel projects. “Now private sector can
conveniently undertake such investment
to fund steel complexes but in PPP model.
Federal Government of Nigeria should not
own more than 40 per cent equity in such
partnership.
“Government should raise fund or generate
a fund for privatised Ajaokuta Steel with
incentives to guarantee its completion.
“Government should thereafter support
local production by levying a development
for tax on steel imported into Nigeria
during the resuscitation period to fund the
establishment of steel development fund
which is accessible to investors.”
“The new National Steel Council has to
resist the temptation of using foreign
consultants and the so-called development
partners who are here to corrupt the
officials and offers foreign travels as
free meals to ensure that the country
geopolitical interference and sectional
partisan politics.”
He assured the council that NASENI will
seek its board’s approval to invest in any
venture, targeted at producing iron and
steel products from Nigeria Raw Material,
with the private sector and the council
STAND OUT. BE KNOWN. MORE BUSINESS.
Contact us:
info@africaautomotivenews.com
Follow us on:
+254774288100
www.africaautomotivenews.com
@ Autonews_Africa
@ Africa Automotive News
16 Africa Automotive News l 2022

July-August issue l 2022
Why Car
Manufacturers Should
Rely on Hydrogen
After all
Manufacturing
the other hand as a stand-alone drive.
However, the turnaround at Bayern
does not come by itself. Apparently,
the narrow e-car range of the Munichbased
company is not sufficient to
comply with fleet consumption within
the framework of future EU limits.
BMW is not alone in its considerations.
Toyota and Hyundai are two
manufacturers that have taken the
lead worldwide in terms of fuel
cells. The sudden interest of some
manufacturers in hydrogen also stems
from the fear of possibly missing out
on a future technology. Nor would it be
the first time that this would happen
to the German auto industry.
Hydrogen will not be the
drive technology of the
future. This is considered
a foregone conclusion in
the automotive industry. Nevertheless,
some manufacturers are rethinking.
The automotive industry has decided
that the future belongs to e-mobility.
Or maybe not? The designated VW
boss Oliver Blume is a strong advocate
of so-called e-fuels, i.e. synthetic fuels.
There are also some people on
the board of the Bavarian car
manufacturer BMW who do not yet
want to write off the combustion
engine. For them, however, the air
gradually becomes thin. Because the
arguments against e-fuels are diverse
and serious.
To name just three of them: Synthetic
fuel is expensive. It is also difficult
to produce in an environmentally
friendly way. In addition, e-fuels are
very inefficient. Their energy balance is
still far below the already poor carbon
footprint of fossil fuels such as oil or
natural gas.
This should not obscure the fact
that synthetic fuels will still have a
correction of existence in the future.
For aircraft or trucks, for example,
there are only a few alternatives so far.
E-fuels could close an important gap
in the long term.
Most car manufacturers are now also
aware that e-fuels are an interesting
but hopeless technology for mass
mobility. However, there is still the
basis on which e-fuels are produced:
hydrogen.
Rethinking at BMW
Actually, the German car industry
had already rejected the fuel cell
drive some time ago. The fired VW
boss Herbert Diess calculated that
a hydrogen-powered vehicle would
require three times more electricity
than an electric car.
Instead of simply charging the
electricity directly from the source into
the car, the hydrogen must first be
produced at great expense, which of
course consumes additional electricity.
To make matters worse, the efficiency
of a fuel cell is only slightly higher
than that of a combustion engine.
Nevertheless, there is a rethinking in
the industry. BMW is now considering
possibly relying on hydrogen in the
future. On the one hand via a hybrid
drive with a large storage battery,
which can also be charged by cable, on
Wide range of applications
In principle, fuel cells are also
interesting for other areas of
application in addition to their use
in trucks. These include zeppelins,
but also aircraft. Fuel cells are also
used in residential buildings. The
Berlin-based startup Home Power
Solutions specializes in making homes
self-sufficient from the power grid
by means of solar systems that are
coupled to a fuel cell.
Fuel cells will also be needed in
industry in the future. The EU is
planning a “green corridor” for Europe.
This means that hydrogen is to be
produced in Algeria and Morocco and
transported via gas pipelines to the
continent to Norway.
Above all, industry should be able to
cover its energy needs with hydrogen.
This, in turn, requires powerful fuel
cells.
What does this mean for the industry
and politics? Hydrogen should be at
the top of the Federal Government’s
agenda. At the same time,
manufacturers should not completely
write off the technology. Even though
there will be no mass mobility with
hydrogen in the near future, the
further development of the technology
is immensely important.
For companies to do without this
would mean becoming dependent
on other countries again, as the solar
industry once did. That must not
happen.
Africa Automotive News l 2022 17

Opinion
July-August issue l 2022
Why passenger cars remain the most
prominent vehicle in the EV battery market
Image courtesy
Africa is one of the top countries undergoing
a major transition in the vehicle segment.
The major shift from traditional cars to
electric battery-powered vehicles has been an
impressive and a major one. This dramatic inclination is
a result of increased awareness of environmental issues
and the need to fulfil greener ambitions set by African
economies. Future Market Insights projects the electric
vehicle battery market to surpass nearly $13 billion in
2027, likely to grow at a CAGR of 8.5%.
Electric vehicles are highly dependent on the strengthto-weight
ratio to perform efficiently on the road. Along
with this, the increasing dependency on passenger cars
for daily travel and commute along with the penetration
of plug-in hybrid electric cars is playing a crucial role in
the rapid adoption of the same. In this article, we will
look at why passenger cars remain the most prominent
vehicle type in the electric vehicle battery market.
Environment-friendly initiatives by the African
government to add immense growth
The adoption of electric passenger vehicles in Africa has
grown gradually over the years owing to the initiatives
launched by African governments. They are increasingly
investing in research and development activities
to cater to environmental issues, taking charge of
spreading awareness of vehicle electrification. They
are doing this by pointing out the positive impacts on
climate change driven by a global tide in the use of
electric vehicles (EVs).
African economies like Ghana and Kenya are aiming
toward high development and growth by the end of
2030. Even if the target is met halfway, the overall
automotive market in the regions is anticipated
to grow at a tremendous pace. The Automobile
Association of Zimbabwe, along with the other
members of the African Council of Touring and
Automobile Clubs, revealed that the unregulated
importing of cars in many African countries has a
negative impact on the continent’s environment,
health, society and economy.
Additionally, there are a varied number of reasons why
people and organisations from Africa are choosing
to invest in electric vehicle-powered passenger cars
rather than traditional passenger cars. In 2021, the
UN Environment Programme (UNEP), along with the
global electric facility, announced its plans to help
South Africa to shift to zero-emission electric mobility.
Through this partnership, the programme will focus
on building electric charging stations, cutting down
18 Africa Automotive News l 2022

July-August issue l 2022
on production and manufacturing costs and offering
affordable plug-in hybrid electric cars. This, in turn, is
expected to drive the sales of electric battery-powered
passenger cars.
Furthermore, the uYilo eMobility programme
was awarded funding within the Smart
Energy Solutions for Africa project. The
project started in October 2021 and will
run till September 2025. Through this
programme, Africa’s electric mobility
solutions along with repurposing
batteries utilised in electric vehicles will
be extended. This, in turn, will drive the
growth of passenger vehicles in the
region.
Looking at the current scenario,
Africa is dealing with the major
issue of combating pollution.
Thus, to penetrate the market,
manufacturers of electric
passenger vehicles are
launching and introducing
initiatives, driving the growth
the same.
Increasing the prices
of fossil fuels to make a
difference in the market
According to sources, Sub-
Saharan African (SSA) countries
are looking for alternative
energy sources for reducing
the growing burden of fuel
dependency by leveraging their
abundant renewable energy
resources. Electric Vehicles
(EVs), powered by batteries,
offer a potential solution to
such problems. Furthermore,
there are many reasons why
the increasing prices of fossil fuels are making difference
in the whole market scenario.
EV passenger cars
Author: Aditi Basu, the Marketing Head at Future Market Insights (FMI), an ESOMAR-certified
market research and consulting Market Research Company
Opinion
Most of the top automakers based out of Africa are
concerned about educating consumers and
changing their perception of the benefits of
vehicle electrification. They are doing this by
offering them the chance to experience the
enhanced performance of electric vehicles.
For instance, in October 2021, Electric
vehicle company Tesla deployed its first
two Supercharger stations in Morocco,
marking its first entry into the African
market. Supercharger stations are
generally the first step toward Tesla
entering a new market, reports
Electrek. The electric vehicle
company has opened new
stations at the Onomo Hotel
in Casablanca and the Al
Houara Resort and Spa in
Tangier.
Conclusion
In February 2022, Agilitee
Africa, one of the
leading South Africabased
Electric Vehicles
manufacturers, launched
its first self-charging fourwheeler
electric vehicle
named the Agility-Go. The
car has a travel range that
can cover 300km if fully
charged and also selfcharges,
1100p HD Reverse
Camera with a large central
screen, sensitive and quick
response combined hydraulic
brakes, Front & Rear impact
guard with side protection for all
occupants, Bluetooth hands-free
calls, child lock Hill-Start assist
control (HAC) and Automatic
Gear.
Africa’s transport facilities are mostly fuel-based which has
led to the creation of a financial burden on citizens and
a fiscal burden on economies. Secondly, the demand for
electricity in the region is projected to increase fourfold by
the end of 2040. To cater to the demand, African countries
are optimally utilising their available resources and putting
them to use in the passenger vehicle segment.
As the African region shifts its focus toward more cuttingedge
technologies and forms strategic collaborations with
automotive OEMs, the electric vehicle battery market will
have brighter prospects. Mounting environmental concerns
such as global warming and rising pollution levels have
prompted manufacturers to propose alternative energy
sources to power vehicles.
Top players venturing into the African market of
Across the globe, the electric vehicle battery market is
expanding at a breakneck pace. As a result of the increased
demand for EVs, major vehicle manufacturers are entering
the African market, which is ultimately expected to
stimulate demand for EV batteries in the long run. Future
market insights project the demand for stored electricitybased
EV batteries to gain significant traction, attributed to
the fact that electric vehicles for travelling larger distances
are acquiring popularity.
Over the years, a massive amount of transformation is
happening in the African automotive industry. The players
in the region are optimising as per the need and looking
forward to making smart decisions necessary to achieve
e-mobility. Looking at the way momentum is building,
Africa is projected to adapt to newer technologies and
change with time.
Africa Automotive News l 2022 19

Technology
July-August issue l 2022
SAF TRAKr regenerative
braking axle goes into
production
The SAF TRAKr electric trailer
axle from SAF-HOLLAND
is introduced on the
market in stages: After the
successful test phase over several
years, pre-production has been in
full swing in Bessenbach since June
2022. Standard production of the
recuperation axle will start in 2022.
The use of electrified trailer axles
is becoming increasingly important
for low emis-sion transports, such as
for refrigerated
semitrailers
and
inner-city
applications.
Another
innovation
driver for
the electric
technology are the
legal regulations:
More than 50 zero
emission zones are
planned in Europe
for the near future,
including in Berlin,
Paris and London.
Stricter noise pollution
standards also encourage
man-ufacturers to produce vehicles
that are significantly more quiet. To
limit global warming as planned,
CO2 emissions have to be lowered by
up to 95 per cent by 2050. “We see
great opportunities for electrified
trailer axles here: They reduce CO2
and noise emissions and meet
legal requirements, for example for
night-time refrigerated transports on
inner city routes. The electric axles
The SAF TRAKr regenerative braking
axle from SAF-HOLLAND is scheduled
to go into regular production in 2022.
Image credit: SAF-HOLLAND
also cater to the in-dustry trend towards
‘greener transport’,” says Olaf Drewes,
Director Group Inno-vation EMEA at SAF-
HOLLAND.
SAF TRAKr lowers emissions and fuel
consumption
The SAF
TRAKr
trailer
axle
uses
regenerative braking to lower the
emissions and fuel con-sumption
of the overall vehicle. To do this,
the centrally positioned high
voltage generator unit converts
the kinetic energy of the trailer
into elec-trical energy. The
generated energy is stored in a
Li-ion battery and then used to run the
electrical units in the trailer, such as the
refrigeration units, on electricity alone.
The main areas of application are
refrigerated semi-trailers, tank trucks
and silo trailers. For the drivers, the
purely electrical operation of the
refrigeration unit pro-vides appreciable
added comfort on the road, as they are
exposed to significantly lower noise
emissions. The regenerative braking axle
is manufactured at the SAF-HOLLAND
factory in Bessenbach in northern
Bavaria. It is initially launched on the
20 Africa Automotive News l 2022

July-August issue l 2022
European market, before the SAF
TRAKr will then also be introduced in
other re-gions worldwide next year.
Easy maintenance and reliable spare
parts supply
For maximum flexibility and ease of
maintenance, the operating strategy
and the individual components
of the SAF TRAKr are perfectly
coordinated. Numerous components
are permanently integrated into the
electric axle. This allows vehicle
manufacturers to install or retrofit the
SAF TRAKr with only little effort while
using standard interfaces. Maintenance
is also easy and cost efficient: Neither
the centrally installed gearbox with
the flanged-on generator nor other
HV components have to be removed
to uninstall wheel ends and wheels.
Wear parts such as brake pads or brake
rotors are identical to the components
for the non-electrified SAF-HOLLAND
axles. This makes the spare parts
supply easier and more reliable.
SAF TRAKr: modular design offers
flexibility
The SAF TRAKr uses a high-voltage
generator module for electric
regenerative braking, with a maximum
power of 20 kW by design. The axle is
designed for axle loads from nine to
ten tons. It is available with different
disc brakes for 19.5” and 22.5” tyres
and for the SAF INTRA and SAF
MODUL suspension systems. SAF-HOL-
LAND is cooperating with external
partners for the regenerative braking
systems.
The generator runs independently
of the tractor unit and only while
the vehicle is in motion, but not
Technology
during interventions by the ABS
braking system or driving dynamics.
For reasons of type approval,
regenerative braking is currently not
yet permit-ted for adaptive braking.
The generator is deactivated at
vehicle speeds below 15 km/h so the
required start-up torque and therefore
the fuel consumption of the tractor
unit are not increased during these
phases. Charging options are energy
generation by the axle while driving
(generator operation) and charging
from the external power supply during
standstill, for example when the
vehicle is loaded or unloaded.
Following successful tests together with partners, the SAF TRAKr electric axle from SAF-HOLLAND has now reached
market maturity. Image credit: SAF-HOLLAND
Tested successfully together with part-ners,
the SAF TRAKr electric axle from SAF-HOLLAND
will go into standard pro-duction in 2022.
Image credit: SAF-HOLLAND
Africa Automotive News l 2022 21

22 Africa Automotive News l 2022
July-August issue l 2022

July-August issue l 2022
Coatings & Overlays
How to Apply
Automotive Protective
Coatings and Overlays
The best way to protect your car’s paint from abrasion
and other harmful elements is to use an automotive paint
protection film. There are two types of urethane films.
These are made of plastic and are often used on cars.
If you have a new car or just want to protect the paint
on your old one, you should consider applying a
protective coating to it. Overlays and coatings bond
with the surface of the vehicle’s paint to provide
protection from chemicals, scratches, and dings. They are
virtually permanent and will not require any maintenance.
You can apply these on your car or truck yourself or hire a
professional to do it for you.
Overlays are protected from many environmental and
manufacturing conditions. They are exposed to ultraviolet
rays from the sun, chemicals, grease, and usage. Overlays
will start to wear out over time and will need to be
replaced. Fortunately, these types of protective covers are
easy to remove and have a 3-6 year life span. Here’s how
to apply them yourself. You should begin by applying a
protective film over the surface of your car.
Overlays are not the only thing that protect your car.
The exterior of your vehicle is exposed to many different
conditions. From the weather to ultraviolet rays, from the
sun to chemicals and grease, to the usage of the car, the
outer coating of an automobile is vulnerable to damage.
Luckily, there are a variety of products that can protect your
car. The most effective type of protection is the one that
keeps it looking new longer.
Overlays are a great option for protecting your car from
the harsh elements that can damage them. The most
effective protective coating will keep the car looking great
for much longer. The best way to protect your car’s paint
from abrasion and other harmful elements is to use an
automotive paint protection film. There are two types of
urethane films. These are made of plastic and are often
used on cars.
While the material of an automotive overlay is durable, it
is vulnerable to many environmental and manufacturing
conditions that can damage it. Exposure to ultraviolet
rays from the sun, chemicals, grease, and other substances
can cause the cover to become damaged. Overlays can
be protected with a protective coating to minimize these
types of damages. Once applied, it can last up to six years
and is maintenance-free. You can even remove them
without damaging the surface.
There are several different types of automotive protective
coatings. The best ones are those that are UV resistant to
chemicals. These films are a great choice for cars that are
exposed to harsh environments. They also help to keep
the paint on the car looking great longer. Most of them are
OEM approved, meaning they will not cause any harm to
the car. They can be removed easily and can last for up to
six years.
Africa Automotive News l 2022 23

Cover Story
July-August issue l 2022
Passanger Tyres
What to look for in Passenger Tyres
You may be unsure of
what to look for in your
Passenger Tyres. The
sidewall of the
passenger tyre shows the
maximum load the tyre can
carry. A P265/70R17 116
tire, for example, has a
maximum load capacity
of 2,756 pounds. These
types of tyres are identified
as light load (LL), standard
load (SL), and extra load or
high load. The load index of
these tyres is the same in both
P-metric and Euro-metric sizes,
but the maximum load capacity may
differ.
The tread pattern of passenger tyres
can be either wide or narrow. SUV tyres
are designed for off-road driving. While
passenger tyres are designed for road
use, they may differ from SUV tires. Aside
from the tread pattern, the sidewall of
passenger tyres is a crucial part of a
vehicle’s handling. As the technology
in cars and trucks continues to evolve,
24 Africa Automotive News l 2022

July-August issue l 2022
Passanger tyres
Tread
A tyre’s tread is made up of various materials. While
the tread is made up of rubber, other components are
responsible for other important functions. These include
rim designs, spoke orientation, and suspension. Passenger
tyres are created from specific materials with specific
properties and work together to meet these needs. If they
are not properly maintained, the tires could be detrimental
to the safety of passengers. Fortunately, modern vehicle
manufacturers are beginning to take note of these factors.
tyre manufacturers must adapt to these changes. The
key challenge for transportation companies is to reduce
rolling resistance, which accounts for up to 50% of the
fuel consumed by passenger vehicles. While it is possible
to reduce rolling resistance by reducing the viscoelastic
properties of the rubber compound, this comes at the cost
of wet traction and grip. To achieve low rolling resistance,
you need high tangent and high hysteresis.
Layers
The body of a passenger tyre is made up of several layers
of textile material called plies. These plies add strength,
resistance to wear, and directional
stability. A majority of passenger tyre
casings are multi-ply. Most ply materials
are polyester, nylon, or rayon, each
with its own distinct advantages. In
addition to these, inner tubes are used
in passenger tyres as an air seal. These
tubes lie under the body plies and are
filled with air when the tyre is inflated.
The sidewall of a passenger tyre contains a significant
amount of information. This information can be used to
determine the purpose of the tyre, its dimensions, load
capacity, and speed. The designation “OE” indicates that the
tyre is factory fitted to a particular model. However, some
manufacturers do not offer a tyre with OE characteristics.
For this reason, it is vital to understand the specifications
of passenger tyres to make a purchase decision. Whether
it is a truck or passenger tyre, a tyre rack is an excellent
way to store them. Many of these racks are stacked and
interlaced to allow you to store as many as possible. The
Barrel Stack & Lacing Tyre Rack is designed to store up to
100 interlaced passenger tyres. The barrel tyre rack has a
fork guide for easy loading and unloading.
Africa Automotive News l 2022 25

July-August issue l 2022
Grip the road
with high
precision
ULTRA SPEED 2
For compact-class and middle-class
vehicles and SUVs.
The ULTRA ❊ SPEED 2 masters rapidly changing
summer weather, offering the best possible grip and
precise handling even at high speeds on wet roads.
Gislaved. 26 Africa A brand Automotive of Continental.
News l 2022
www.gislaved-tyres.com

July-August issue l 2022
Brake Pads
How to Determine
If Your Passenger
Brake Pads Need
Replacement
You should regularly check
the condition of your
Passenger Brake Pads. They
can become worn out at a
different rate on each side, causing
your car to pull to one side or the
other. Unchecked brake problems can
put unnecessary stress on your
steering rack, ball
joints, steering
knuckles, and
wheel bearings.
Here are
some tips to
help you
determine
whether
your brake
pads need
replacement.
If you need to
replace the brake pads on your car,
consult your owner’s manual for
recommended replacement methods.
You can also schedule brake pad
service online. To learn more about
Passenger Brake Pads, please visit the
manufacturer’s website. Just click on
the ‘Service’ tab to find the information
you need. The manufacturer of your car
at times may provide you with a free
estimate. Semi-metallic brake pads are
made from synthetic materials. They
are gentle on rotors, but tend to wear
off quickly. Semi-metallic brake pads
contain flaked metal and synthetic
materials. They are more durable than
non-metallic brake pads, but they also
wear out faster and create more dust.
They are more expensive than
semimetallic
brake pads, but they are also less noisy.
So, which one is best for your vehicle?
If you have a newer vehicle, it may be
time to replace your Passenger Brake
Pads. This will save you money over
time and may even save your life in
an accident. Passenger vehicles are
equipped with two types of brakes:
drum and disc brakes. The latter uses
friction to slow the vehicle. For this
reason, it is vital to regularly check
and replace your brake pads. When
you notice that your pads are worn
out, you can purchase replacements
immediately.
If you hear brake noises, they could
mean your Passenger Brake Pads
are worn. In most cases, the noise
is from metal scraping against
the brake rotor. When the pad is
worn thin, it closes an electric
circuit that will activate a
dashboard warning light.
These wear indicators can
also alert you to imminent
brake failure by squealing.
These are some tips to check
your Passenger Brake Pads.
When choosing a brake pad, make sure
to check the materials used. Organic
brake pads are environmentally
friendly. Non-asbestos pads are made
of organic materials, which means they
don’t pollute the air. Other types of
brake pads are designed to be quieter.
You should choose the type of brake
pad that fits your driving style. If your
vehicle is heavy, you might want to
buy a lighter version of a brake pad.
Africa Automotive News l 2022 27

NEW PACKAGING
STRONGER AND FUNCTIONAL
BEST
QUALITY
in the
inside
NEW
DESIGN
from the
outside
BRAKE PADS

EV market
July-August issue l 2022
Morocco’s green mobility revolution
By Michaël Tanchum
Rabat’s recent announcement that it would soon
sign an agreement for the construction of a
“gigafactory” to make electric vehicle (EV) batteries
has placed Morocco in pole position to become a
green mobility leader in the Middle East and North Africa.
A development of enormous significance for the kingdom,
Morocco’s rise as a global-scale, EV manufacturing hub
is as critical to Western supply chain resilience as it is
to promoting carbon-free mobility to combat climate
change. The focus on shortening supply chains to ensure
the stability of European consumer markets has already
fueled the rapid advance of Morocco’s automotive
manufacturing sector and its development of more
advanced manufacturing processes. Now, Morocco’s reserves
of critical battery minerals are accelerating its entrance
into EV manufacturing. With ample solar and wind energy
resources along with utility-scale infrastructure already in
place to utilize them, Morocco has the potential to drive a
green mobility revolution by powering the production of
EVs using renewable energy.
The geo-economic
factors driving its rise
as an electric vehicle
manufacturing hub
Nearshoring: The driving momentum behind Moroccan EV
manufacturing
On July 21, 2022, Moroccan Minister of Industry Ryad
Mezzour informed the press that the kingdom was close to
signing a deal with EV battery manufacturers to establish
a massive local production facility. Without identifying any
30 Africa Automotive News l 2022

July-August issue l 2022
EV market
per year by 2025, with many of those being EVs. Already
in November 2021, Morocco’s public finance bill for 2022
proposed a reduction of the import duty on lithium-ion
cells from 40% to 17.5% to promote the local assembly of
Li-ion batteries using cells imported from East Asia. The key
to Morocco’s rise as a green mobility manufacturing giant
will be expanding its automotive ecosystem to include
local manufacture of Li-ion batteries, which represent 30%
to 40% of the cost of the average EV. The new gigafactory
could thus accommodate producing the targeted additional
300,000 vehicles as EVs.
Nearshoring, combined with Rabat’s smart industrial
planning and careful cultivation of foreign partnerships, is
the engine of the self-reinforcing momentum propelling
the advancement of Morocco’s automotive manufacturing
sector. During the years immediately prior to the outbreak
of the COVID-19 pandemic, global supply chains were
already starting to shorten as companies and countries
placed greater emphasis on resiliency than on the
immediate cost efficiency of just-in-time inventories
delivered from distant points across the globe. For
Europe, this structural transformation meant bringing
sourcing and manufacturing closer to European endmarkets.
In order to maintain a competitive advantage in
operating expenditures, international firms began to locate
manufacturing facilities in Morocco.
company, Mezzour said the plant would be a gigafactory
and that Rabat hopes to sign a $2 billion deal for the
plant before the end of this year. A term popularized by the
pioneering American EV manufacturer Tesla, a gigafactory
is an extremely large-scale battery manufacturing plant in
which each production line has an annual output of around
3 gigawatt-hours (GWh) of lithium-ion (Li-ion) battery
cells, sufficient to make batteries for 30,000-45,000 EVs,
depending on the size and the model. While Mezzour has
been vague about the number of lines and total capacity of
the proposed Moroccan facility, Tesla’s successful $2 billion
gigafactory in Shanghai, China, was originally intended to
produce 500,000 EV batteries per year. It is possible that
the output of Morocco’s gigafactory will be of a comparable
order of magnitude.
The production of EV batteries on such a scale would
be appropriate for Morocco’s impressive automotive
manufacturing ecosystem, which already has the capacity
to produce over 700,000 vehicles per year. Now Rabat is
aiming to increase Morocco’s output to 1 million vehicles
Rabat fueled the momentum for nearshoring in Morocco
through its 2014-2020 Industrial Acceleration Plan and
its concurrent development of high-speed, high-volume
capacity transportation that saw the construction of Tanger
Med Port, the Mediterranean’s largest, as well as the
al-Boraq rail line (Casablanca–Tangier), Africa’s first highspeed
rail system. Morocco’s linked state-of-the-art port
and rail prompted Groupe Renault to establish a second
Moroccan manufacturing plant and Groupe PSA (now
part of the Stellantis conglomerate) to open a Peugeot
manufacturing plant in Kénitra, north of Rabat. The Renault
and Peugeot plants are supported by approximately 250
international suppliers from the U.S., Europe, Japan, and
elsewhere that operate their own local manufacturing
plants. For example, the Chinese firm CITIC Dicastal, the
global leader in aluminum cast parts, built a $400 million
plant in Kénitra that can produce 6 million pieces annually
to supply Peugeot.
As a result of the nearshoring momentum, Europe’s two
best-selling car models — the Peugeot 208 and Renault’s
Dacia Sandero — are made in Morocco. Now, Rabat has its
sights on manufacturing their EV versions. Starting in 2020,
Renault shifted its entire production of the Dacia Sandero
from Romania to the company’s plants in Casablanca and
Tangier, where labor costs can be up to 50% lower. In 2021,
Renault launched its Dacia Spring EV model in Europe,
marketing it as the continent’s cheapest electric car. The
car is manufactured by Renault in China, home to CATL —
the world’s leading producer of EV Li-ion batteries, whose
global market share reached 35% in the first quarter of
2022. The production of EV batteries in Morocco, with at
least some of the major battery metals sourced locally,
could represent a sufficient cost advantage to convince
Renault to build the Dacia Spring or successor EV models
Africa Automotive News l 2022 31

EV Market
at the company’s Moroccan plants. Prioritizing supply
chain security for its European end-markets over justin-time
inventories supplied by East Asia, Renault would
likely start EV production in Morocco once Li-ion battery
manufacturing gets under way.
Stellantis, the parent company of Peugeot, is ahead of
Renault. Peugeot’s Kénitra plant, established in 2019,
manufactures the gas-powered version of the Peugeot
208. Since the all-electric Peugeot e-208 uses the same
chassis, Moroccan EV battery production could incentivize
Stellantis to shift production of the e-208 from Slovakia
to its facility in Kénitra, likewise benefiting from labor cost
reductions. Indeed, Stellantis’ German auto manufacturing
subsidiary Opel has already initiated production of its
Rocks-e EV model in Kénitra, at the plant of its sister
company Peugeot. Morocco geared up for the move by
developing semiconductor production capacity for EV
microchips. Franco-Italian STMicroelectronics, Europe’s
leading integrated device manufacturer, operates a sizeable
automotive chip production facility in Bouskoura, on the
outskirts of Casablanca and connected by rail link to the
rest of the country’s auto manufacturing chain. In 2021, the
company inaugurated a new production line in Morocco to
manufacture electronic chips for Tesla.
Close is beautiful: Morocco’s cobalt reserves contribute to EV
battery breakthrough
Li-ion batteries, the basis of modern EVs, require expensive
and difficult-to-obtain metals, primarily lithium and
cobalt, to discharge their electric current. A lithium-based
compound acts as the anode, which donates the electrons
that flow through the system, while the cobalt-based
compound acts as the cathode to receive the electrons. The
most common EV batteries are the energy-dense batteries
that use a nickel manganese cobalt (NMC) cathode or
sometimes a nickel cobalt aluminum (NCA) cathode. Energy
dense Li-ion batteries with cobalt generally enable EVs to
have longer driving ranges between charging.
Cobalt availability is a limiting factor for the widespread
diffusion of passenger EVs. While a cellular phone battery
requires 0.2-0.4 ounces (5-10 grams) of cobalt, an electric
car battery requires 10-20 pounds (22-44 kilograms).
Currently, there are about 12 million electric passenger
cars on the road worldwide, but the number is expected to
jump to 54 million as early as 2025, increasing the demand
for cobalt. Over 50% of the world’s reserves of this crucial
metal are located in the Democratic Republic of the Congo
(DRC), which currently produces 70% of the world’s mined
cobalt. China, the largest EV battery maker, is also the
leading producer of refined cobalt, accounting for about
65% of the global output. Beijing seeks to dominate the
DRC’s mining of the highly strategic metal, and, accordingly,
Chinese production of mined cobalt in the DRC is expected
grow 60% by 2024, compared to 2020.
Cobalt extraction in the DRC is so-called artisanal and
small-scale mining (ASM), conducted under harsh and
toxic conditions by around 255,000 Congolese citizens
using their own rudimentary tools and hands; among
these workers are 40,000 children as young as 6 years old.
Professor Michaël Tanchum
July-August issue l 2022
Professor Michaël Tanchum
is a non-resident fellow with
the Middle East Institute’s
Economics and Energy Program.
He teaches at Universidad de
Navarra and is a senior fellow
at the Austrian Institute for
European and Security Policy
(AIES). The author would like to
thank Rocco Schwerfel for his
research assistance.
Western technology companies and EV manufacturers are
under increasing pressure to ensure that the cobalt they
use is produced from safe and sustainable mining practices.
Geopolitical competition with China over supply chains,
coupled with environmental, social, and governance
concerns, are leading Western-headquartered EV
manufacturers in particular to look for closer and less
ethically problematic suppliers of cobalt. The need is
intensified by the fact that Europe is likely to be one of the
centers of immediate EV market growth, spurred by the
European Commission’s July 2021 directive to phase out
all fossil fuel-powered vehicles in the European Union by
2035. Similarly, Morocco cannot afford to lose its European
market. As Industry Minister Mezzour explained, “Morocco
has no choice, because 90% of our automotive exports go
to Europe and Europe has decided to switch to all-electric
by 2035.”
The proximity of Morocco’s cobalt reserves to European EV
manufacturing centers, which face high demand pressure
for this critical metal and the ability to ensure that it is
extracted through more palatable mining practices, has
thus turned their attention to North Africa. This is despite
the fact that Moroccan cobalt reserves are relatively small:
only the world’s 11th largest. In 2020, the kingdom’s
cobalt exports totaled $84 million, ranking Morocco the
13th-biggest exporter. Nonetheless, in July 2020, German
automaker BMW signed a $113 million contract with
Moroccan mining company Managem to supply 20% of the
cobalt required to manufacture BMW’s next-generation
electric drive trains. Renault, on June 1, 2022, signed a
contract with Managem to supply 5,000 tons of cobalt
sulfate annually for seven years. As the purchasing director
for Renault explained, the deal with Morocco ensures “a
supply closer to our ecosystem of manufacturing electric
batteries in Europe.” Considering that Managem is supposed
to start supplying cobalt to Renault in 2025, the company
may also be eyeing local battery production in Morocco.
A further incentive for Renault is that the cobalt supplied
by the North African state is expected to have a low carbon
footprint, with up to 80% of the energy for production
coming from renewable sources. The company has set
carbon reduction goals for its EV batteries of 20% by
2025 and 35% by 2030, compared to 2020. The reduction
in the carbon footprint of Morocco’s cobalt supply will
also be achieved through the recycling of end-of-life
batteries. Global mining and metal trading giant Glencore
entered into a partnership with Managem in January
2022 to produce recycled cobalt from disused lithium-
32 Africa Automotive News l 2022

July-August issue l 2022
ion batteries at Managem’s hydrometallurgical refining
facilities operated by its subsidiary Compagnie de Tifnout
Tighanimine (CCT), about 23 miles (37 kilometers) from
Marrakech. Glencore will provide CCT with so-called black
mass, processed from dismantled and shredded Li-ion
batteries. In addition to cobalt, the partnership is also
seeking to extract lithium carbonate and nickel hydroxide
from the black mass supplied by Glencore. If extracted in
sufficient quantities, Morocco could locally source all of the
major metals used in NMC Li-ion batteries.
The kingdom possesses small nickel and manganese
reserves that could supply domestic NMC cathode
manufacturing. And Morocco may have its own domestic
supply of lithium as well. Moroccan media reported in May
2022 the discovery of significant deposits of this alkali
metal in the country’s disputed Sahara region near the
Mauritanian border.
Morocco’s phosphate reserves turbocharge EV battery
manufacturing
Morocco’s massive phosphate reserves are a critical
factor in its transformation into a global-scale, EV battery
production hub. A growing trend in electric passenger
cars is to replace NMC Li-ion batteries with lithium iron
phosphate (LFP) batteries, substituting expensive cobalt
and nickel as well as manganese for relatively cheaper
phosphate and iron. While not providing the same longer
driving ranges as NMC batteries, phosphate-based LFP
batteries are less expensive, safer, and last longer than their
cobalt-based counterparts. The increasing utilization of LFP
batteries favors Morocco for EV battery production as the
country sits on over 70% of global phosphate rock reserves
and is the world’s second-largest phosphate producer, after
China.
Morocco’s phosphate mining sector was established in
1921 to provide a source of phosphorus primarily for
the manufacture of synthetic fertilizers. The kingdom’s
massive phosphate mining and fertilizer manufacturing
sector, run by the state-owned OCP Group (formerly Office
Chérifien des Phosphates), has transformed Morocco into a
gatekeeper of the world’s food supply. During the 1980s and
1990s, OCP began manufacturing phosphoric acid (H3PO4),
the chemical input to phosphorus-based fertilizer, and the
fertilizer itself. Phosphoric acid is also the input to make
iron (II) phosphate Fe3(PO4)2, an iron salt of phosphoric
acid. The iron (II) phosphate can then be used to make
lithium iron phosphate (LiFePO4), now the increasingly
preferred material for Li-ion cathodes in EV batteries.
By using phosphate and iron — Morocco is also a net
exporter of iron ore — to make LFP batteries, instead of
nickel, manganese, and cobalt for its NMC counterpart,
Morocco could enjoy a cost advantage of upward of 70%
per kilogram. Moreover, iron phosphate is nowhere near as
toxic as cobalt oxide or manganese oxide. The LFP batteries
have a longer cycle life, with a slower rate of capacity loss
compared to NMC batteries. And LFP batteries are much
safer as well: With higher thermal stability, LFP batteries
emit significantly less heat than NMC batteries and are
not as susceptible to exploding or igniting when an EV is
misused or suffers physical damage.
EV Market
Due to these advantages, Tesla announced in its Q3 2021
report, “For standard range vehicles, we are shifting to
Lithium Iron Phosphate (LFP) battery chemistry globally.” In
speaking to the Moroccan press, Industry Minister Mezzour
indicated that Morocco was looking at producing stationary
batteries for the storage of renewable energy as well as
for EV batteries. These stationary Li-ion batteries bear a
clear resemblance to Tesla’s “megapack” line of utility-scale
energy storage units that the company launched in 2019,
suggesting that Tesla may be one of the international firms
in negotiations with Morocco for the gigafactory.
Conclusions
In 2020, OCP mining operations produced 40.7 million
tons of phosphate and exported 10.3 million tons of the
raw material. From its phosphate supplies, OCP Group
manufactured 7.1 million tons of phosphoric acid, exporting
1.9 million tons of the key input. Morocco will need to
expand its phosphate and phosphoric acid production to
make LFP EV batteries. In response to the global shortage
of fertilizer due the Russo-Ukrainian war, OCP announced
on May 17 that it would increase its 2022 fertilizer
production by 10%, putting an additional 1.2 million tons
on the global market. The figure reflects OCP’s ability to
create a 1-million-ton-capacity fertilizer production line
in six months, which entails commensurate increases in
phosphate and phosphoric acid production.
For Morocco, the diversification of uses and markets for
its phosphate output is highly desirable. At the same time,
Rabat bears a responsibility to ensure that OCP does not
develop insufficient phosphate production capacity, which
would result in demand pressure competition between
LFP batteries and phosphorus fertilizers, thus driving up
fertilizer prices and consequently increasing the level
of global food insecurity. Morocco’s Western partners,
especially those whose companies are involved in the
kingdom’s LFP battery production, should encourage and
support Morocco to develop spare capacity in its phosphate
sector. Analogous to the role Saudi Arabia’s Aramco plays
in stabilizing oil markets, Morocco’s OCP should have the
ability to bring spare phosphate production capacity online
and take it offline as needed.
Morocco possesses considerable solar and wind resources.
Phosphate production as well as other parts of Morocco’s
EV manufacturing chain should become increasingly
powered by renewable energy to ensure that its green
mobility vehicles are produced in a sustainable and climate
smart manner. OCP covers 89% of the energy needs for its
phosphate and phosphorus fertilizer production through cogeneration
(re-using exhaust energy to create cleaner and
cheaper power from fossil fuels) and renewable sources. It
plans to eventually cover 100% of its energy needs in this
manner. Reliant on gas and coal imports, Morocco’s Western
partners should work with Rabat to move the country’s EV
manufacturing to be powered by locally available solar and
wind resources to promote greater supply chain resilience
as well as ensuring that its manufacture of green mobility
vehicles is also green.
Africa Automotive News l 2022 33

34 Africa Automotive News l 2022

July-August issue l 2022
Automotive tips
How to Sell Your Car Privately
photo by Christian Lantry
By Jane Ulitskaya
Whether you’re looking
to replace your car or
offload an extra one
to take advantage
of elevated used-car values, selling
a vehicle privately can get you more
money than trading it in to a dealer.
The financial gain comes with some
tradeoffs, however. You’ll need to
dedicate more time and effort to the
selling process, and there are more
risks involved from screening potential
buyers, going on test drives and taking
payment. Learn how to navigate each
step of the process to ensure the extra
effort pays off.
1. Determine Your Car’s Value
Many factors influence a car’s
value. The vehicle’s age, mileage
and condition are important, but
external variables including market
conditions, fuel prices and brand
appeal also play a role. For example,
the inventory shortage has caused a
spike in used-car values, especially for
older vehicles: Among car dealers, the
median price for a 10-year-old (modelyear
2012) used car was $16,331 as of
July 2022. In comparison, the median
price of a 10-year-old (model-year
2010) vehicle was just $8,995 in July
2020. To determine the vehicle’s value,
look at comparable used-car listings or
get the vehicle appraised by a dealer
or used-car chain.
2. Create an Ad to Connect With
Shoppers
Next, you’ll need to advertise your
vehicle to potential
buyers. First, photograph
the car and create an
ad using online tools,
sell-it-yourself option.
Once you’ve highlighted
your car’s strong suits
in the ad, you’ll need
to communicate with
potential buyers via email
and phone calls. Use this
opportunity to screen
shoppers, and beware of
any red flags like a buyer
that only wants to communicate
through email or text and refuses to
speak by phone. You’ll want to pitch
your vehicle’s best attributes while
being honest about its condition —
shoppers don’t expect a used car to be
in perfect shape, but they do expect its
condition to match the description.
3. Get the Paperwork Ready
Selling privately takes more
forethought when it comes to
paperwork than trading in to a
dealer who will usually handle this
step. You’ll need to have all the key
documents including the vehicle’s
title and bill of sale, which serves as a
receipt for the transaction; the bill of
sale is recommended for a private car
sale though requirements may differ
from different countries. If you still
owe money on the vehicle and the
title is in the lienholder’s possession,
you’ll need to contact your lender to
get the payoff amount and instructions
for completing the transaction.
While not mandatory, collecting extra
documents like a vehicle history
report, maintenance records and
extended warranty details may make
the vehicle more desirable, helping
you get the most money for it or sell
it faster.
4. Sell It Safely: Test Drives and Payment
Selling a car privately also involves
more uncertainty than trading in or
selling to a dealer. From meeting
strangers for test drives to transferring
ownership and taking payment for the
vehicle, you’ll want to prioritize your
own safety and security as well as the
vehicle’s.
When setting up a test drive, speak
with the potential buyer over the
phone, arrange a meeting spot in a
public place and bring a friend along,
if possible. If the shopper insists on
taking the test drive alone, be sure to
get a photo of their driver’s license
information before handing over the
keys.
Once you have an acceptable offer
on the table, you’ll need to transfer
ownership and take payment securely.
Communicate your preferred method
of payment to the buyer — a cashier’s
check or cash is best since personal
checks carry more risk. Never accept
a check that is more than the asking
price for the vehicle. A common scam
involves the buyer sending a check
for more than the purchase price
and asking the seller to return the
difference back to them (these checks
are typically counterfeit). Do not
transfer the vehicle’s title until you’ve
received the full cash payment or the
buyer’s check has cleared.
5. Tie Up Loose Ends
Some private selling scenarios require
a few additional steps to complete the
transaction. In the case of an out-oftown
buyer, you’ll need to arrange
the vehicle pickup or consider using
a vehicle delivery service to transport
it. Prices vary based on the length of
transport and the vehicle’s weight,
but you can expect it to cost between
$1,000-$2,000, on average.
In most states, the vehicle’s license
plates are required to stay with the
seller, so you’ll want to remove them
before handing over the vehicle to its
new owner.
Some countries also require that
the seller notifies the Department
of Motor Vehicles within a specified
number of days after the vehicle
is sold privately. Check with your
country’s DMV for any paperwork
requirements for a private vehicle sale.
Lastly, notify your insurance company
and ask for the sold vehicle to be
removed from your policy.
Africa Automotive News l 2022 35

Garage
July-August issue l 2022
How to Change Your Air
Filter and Check Your
Hoses and Belts
Image courtesy
By MICHAEL CHARBONEAU
What’s one thing you and your car have
in common? You both need to breathe.
While engines don’t have lungs, they do
require a steady supply of air to power the
combustion that keeps them running. Modern cars “breathe”
through an intake system that features an air filter, which
catches dirt and dust before it enters the motor, where it
can cause damage. As you might imagine, over time, the
filter gets dirty. Changing the filter will promote better
airflow into your engine and keep it clean–and it’s one
of the simplest automotive maintenance jobs you can do.
When you change yours, it’s a prime opportunity to check
your vehicle’s hoses and belts for wear.
Assess Its Condition and Replace
Once you’ve removed the cover, you should be able to see
the air filter itself. Remove it and hold it up to a bright light
to assess its condition. If it’s covered in a heavy layer of dirt
and light doesn’t pass through easily, it’s time to replace it
with a new one.
Locate Your Air Filter and Remove the Cover
change air filter
First, grab your car’s owner’s manual and pop the hood
of your vehicle. Consult the manual to find the air filter
assembly in the engine bay. The location will vary between
vehicles, but it’s likely a large plastic box with a largediameter
hose extending from it and into the engine.
Undo the plastic clips or loosen the screws that secure the
cover. You might also need to unlatch the hose or unplug
some wiring to remove the cover and access the filter. (Pro
tip: before removing any components or hardware, take
a picture of the air filter area so you can later put it back
together to match the pic.)
Image courtesy
36 Africa Automotive News l 2022

July-August issue l 2022
Air filter & Hose change
You can opt for a paper filter (the cheaper option) or a
reusable one that you clean at set intervals (pricier but
creates less waste). Whichever you choose, make sure you
purchase one that will fit your specific car–auto part shops,
and most online marketplaces will provide a way to search
for the exact part you need. Put the new filter into the air
filter housing, making sure
you place the correct side
facing down. Then replace
the cover, use the screws
or clips to secure it, and
reattach any hoses or wiring
you unplugged. Your new air
filter is now installed, and
your engine can breathe
easier once more.
Check Hoses and Belts
Don’t close the hood yet—
you should check your main
hoses and belts, too. In
addition to connecting your
air filter to the engine, hoses
also run to and from your
vehicle’s radiator and heater.
Visually inspect these hoses
collapsed radiator-hose|Image courtesy
for cracks, bulges, or fraying, and give them a squeeze. They
should be firm with some give; if they feel brittle, spongy,
or mushy, that’s a sign of wear. Mark damaged hoses with a
marker or colored tape.
Also, with the engine off, inspect any belts, which are
usually located on the front or side of your engine and
connect a series of pulleys. Look for cracks, exposed
threads, or separation between belt layers. Another sign of
a bad belt: squealing or chirping noises when this e engine
is running. (Also, see whether these belts have noticeable
slack; if so, they may need a simple tightening. This is a
relatively simple job, too, but will require other tools and
specifics noted in a repair manual or a mechanic.)
Make a note of anything that looks amiss with your belts–
don’t put tape on them to mark wear. When you bring your
car in for service, you can show your mechanic any worn
hoses or belts to see if they need to be replaced.
Africa Automotive News l 2022 37

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40 Africa Automotive News l 2022
July-August issue l 2022