Press Releases
The Automobile Association (AA) advocates for consumer rights. It also provides useful information to consumers on all aspects of mobility and road use. Read our articles below for more information.
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Whatever it takes, we’ll keep moving.
Dear AA Member, I had planned to write to you today with an uplifting message of hope and optimism, of seizing opportunities through adversity, and of uniting around a common goal. I had planned on filling a page with synonyms for optimistic, using words such as ‘sanguine’ (I looked it up), ‘cheerful’, ‘hopeful’, and ‘positive’. I wondered, though, if this is the right time to be...
Don’t let your car go into lockdown too
During the three week period of the lockdown, it is critical that motorists – and motorcyclists – ensure their vehicles are not forgotten while standing idle. “Any vehicle that is left unused for a period of time may develop issues that require intervention to get running normally again. But the hassle of wanting to start a vehicle when the battery is drained, or driving on uneven wheels, may be...
Fuel price crashes on corona, oil woes
South Africans will see the largest fuel price decreases on record at the end of March. This is according to the Automobile Association (AA), which was commenting on unaudited month-end fuel price data released by the Central Energy Fund. The fuel price will be adjusted next Wednesday, 1 April. "The crude oil price war between Saudi Arabia and Russia continues unabated, with demand for oil...
A note from the AA CEO on the Coronavirus (COVID-19)
Contingency Plans/COVID-19 The world is facing an unprecedented crisis brought on by the coronavirus and South Africa is no exception. The events of the past few weeks are indicative of the reliance we have on one another, and of the support we can offer. The impact of Covid-19 on our society, and our economy, cannot be understated; the effects of what is happening now will have a...
Stick to the rules
The Automobile Association (AA) says although roads across the country are experiencing a dramatic decrease in volumes, safe driving is still essential, and motorists must still follow the rules. “An unintended consequence of the coronavirus and the associated closures of schools, tertiary institutions, and businesses, is that fewer people are on the country’s roads. This will in all likelihood...
Travel Advisory from the AA
Since the announcement on Sunday by President Cyril Ramaphosa of a National State of Disaster to contain the coronavirus, AA Travel has been inundated with queries regarding travel plans. While the events many travellers intended attending have been cancelled, others made plans for the upcoming school vacation, for business, or just for holiday. Many are asking if they should continue with their...
Oil plunge counters crashing Rand
Rand weakness against the US dollar has paled into insignificance against the fuel price bonanza caused by the massive retreat of international petroleum prices, setting the stage for large reductions in fuel prices at month-end. This is according to the Automobile Association (AA) which was commenting on unaudited mid-month fuel price data released by the Central Energy Fund. The current data...
Don’t be left without wheels, plan ahead
Replacing a part on a vehicle – major or minor – could be an expensive undertaking, one that many South Africans aren’t aware of. And, besides the cost of the actual part or parts, many don’t consider that replacement costs will also include labour which push costs up even higher. “Too many motorists have a: ‘it won’t ever happen to me’ attitude when it comes to their vehicles....
Fuel price relief on oil plunge
International petroleum prices this week suffered one of their steepest plunges in recent years as coronavirus fears impacted global economic activity. The silver lining in this cloud are predicted substantial fuel price reductions for South Africans. This is according to the Automobile Association (AA), which was commenting on unaudited month-end fuel price data released by the Central Energy...
Increases to fuel levies discouraging
The Automobile Association (AA) says while it welcomes the decision not to increase the Value Added Tax rate, it is dismayed at the increases to the General Fuel and Road Accident Fund levies. The increases were announced by Finance Minister Tito Mboweni who delivered his annual Budget Speech in parliament today. The Minister announced a combined 25 cents increase to the two main fuel levies: 16...
Budget 2020 and fuel taxes – Don’t do it Minister
The Automobile Association (AA) says Finance Minister Tito Mboweni is faced with serious challenges as he prepares to present the 2020 Budget in Parliament on Wednesday. “The Minister will have to walk a trickier fiscal tightrope than many of his predecessors, and he will undoubtedly be seeking relief from different quarters to ease the country’s financial burden. This places him in a tough...
Global NCAP Car to Car crash test demonstrates double standard on vehicle safety in Africa
In the first test of its kind, Global NCAP has crashed one of the best-selling pick-up model in Africa, the 2019 Nissan NP300 Hardbody, into a second-hand Nissan Navara NP300 manufactured in Europe in 2015. The unique car to car crash test graphically demonstrates the double standard currently applied by Nissan and other car makers to vehicle safety in Africa. The...
