Press Releases

Fuel prices have moderated during October, with the prospect of some relief for petrol users, although users of diesel and illuminating paraffin will have to cough up more according to the unaudited month-end fuel price data released by the Central Energy Fund. The exchange rate started the month badly but has since levelled out. The Rand's modest gains against the US dollar have helped cushion...

Global NCAP and the Automobile Association (AA) South Africa launch the second round of #SaferCarsForAfrica crash test results today with the welcome support of the FIA Foundation and Bloomberg Philanthropies. The four models tested show a wide range of safety performance, from zero to three stars for adult protection, with the Nissan NP300 ‘Hardbody’ scoring the lowest ratings which result in a...

Large reductions in fuel prices are being forecast for December according to the unaudited mid-month fuel price data released by the Central Energy Fund (CEF). After months of sustained pressure on the fuel price, fuel users will receive a substantial breather at the end of November going into December if the current fuel price trends continue. The main driver of lower prices has been an...

The latest crash test results in the #SaferCarsForAfrica campaign, released by Global NCAP and AA South Africa last week, show that Nissan’s NP300 ‘Hardbody’ received a zero-star safety rating. The vehicle structure collapsed and was found to be unstable during the test. The high forces placed on the crash test driver dummy pose a significant risk of fatal injury. The NP300’s bodyshell was so...

Fuel prices look set for another jump going into July based on the unaudited mid-month fuel data released by the Central Energy Fund (CEF). Since the start of June, the Rand has steadily weakened against the US dollar, with the average cost per dollar having climbed from around the R12.50 mark to nearly R13.00. Fortunately, international oil prices retreated over the same period, and have had a...

South Africans have been thrown a lifeline by declining oil prices in June, according to the unaudited month-end fuel price data released by the Central Energy Fund (CEF). Without oil's decline, the fuel price hike for July would have been far higher. The average Rand/US dollar exchange rate used to calculate the basic fuel price has slipped in a virtually straight line since the start of June....

Fuel prices are likely to rise again at the end of July going into August, based on the unaudited mid-month fuel price data released by the Central Energy Fund. International oil prices see-sawed during the first half of July, but remained within a fairly narrow band and did not contribute substantially to the price rises we are anticipating for next month. The big news is again on the Rand...

The increase to fuel prices in July marked the fourth straight month in 2018 that these prices increased. These came off the back of three decreases in January, February and March. And while the outlook looks positive for a small decrease in August, the fuel price remains under pressure off record highs in 2018. The deregulation of petrol prices, and whether this would lead to lower fuel prices,...

Better exchange rate performance and retreats in international oil prices will mean virtually unchanged fuel prices in August. According to unaudited month-end fuel price data. During July, the recent weakening trend of the Rand against the US dollar slowed, as our currency lost some ground, but only marginally. Over the same period, international oil prices showed a slight average decrease...

Substantial Rand weakness could undo the recent fuel price stability based on the unaudited mid-month fuel price data released by the Central Energy Fund (CEF). Almost two months of modestly improving Rand strength ended in a dramatic reversal as the local currency was caught up in the emerging market chaos triggered by Turkey's economic difficulties. Until the crisis hit, the fuel price picture...

Do you know how much it costs to keep your car on the road every day? Or, more precisely, do you know how much your car costs you daily, even when it is parked in the garage over weekends? It is important for all vehicle owners to understand that the cost of owning a vehicle goes far beyond only the cost of fuel. Too many people assume the cost of the vehicle is the repayment of the loan (if...

In a recent survey, almost 75% of prospective new car owners stated their purchase decision would be influenced by whether a car has been crash-tested and safety rated. 81% of these prospective buyers said the ratings of vehicles would also influence their decision if they were presented with two similar vehicles with different safety ratings. The survey – which polled more than 650 people -...