| October 25, 2008 |
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 Make lemonade, advises Ford boss Bob Kernohan BUSINESS EDITOR kernohanb@avusa.co.zaPUTTING a positive spin on the critically stalled domestic and international motor industry is no easy task, but Ford South Africa president and chief executive Hal Feder came close this week. “A crisis is a terrible thing to waste as it also creates opportunities to make changes necessary to be successful in the long term. That is what Ford is doing, globally and locally,” he said in Cape Town at the launch of a new Fiesta. The slim-line Fiesta is the first car to feature “eco- boost”, which is a new-technology, fuel-efficient and low carbon dioxide-emitting turbo-diesel engine. “The same diesel engine and this Fiesta will also be going to the US as part of Ford‘s strategy to downsize their cars and introduce latest technology. For Ford, says Feder, diesel technology makes lots of sense as it has already been developed and is becoming increasingly more advanced. “Unlike some hybrids and other alternative power systems, diesel technology is already affordable and also enables the buyer to see an immediate return in lower fuel bills and lower emissions.” On the local front, says Feder, the launch of the Fiesta will be followed up by more product introductions at the Johannesburg international motors show in early November and beyond that to the middle of next year. By then, 98 per cent of Ford‘s line-up in South Africa would have been “refreshed”. “We have just updated the Mazda range, as well as separating and upgrading major Ford-Mazda dealers in a R600-million programme.” Exports will also continue to be crucial for Ford SA, both through its assembly plant at Silverton, Pretoria, and at its engine plant at Struandale in Port Elizabeth. “Our plan to invest R1,5- billion has not shrunk, although it would be irresponsible to say that there could be no changes.” Before that, the company will be completing “voluntary termination” plans, with the first of 160 early retirements of salaried staff to begin at the end of this month. Meanwhile, a 60-day schedule of talks with union representatives on 800 hourly employees taking termination packages is at the halfway stage.
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Six-month extortion nightmare cost East Cape couple a fortune Brian Hayward WEEKEND POST REPORTER haywardb@avusa.co.za AN Eastern Cape businessman‘s life was thrown into turmoil after a rendezvous with a prostitute turned into a nightmare in which he became entangled in a sordid gay sex extortion racket.... 
Final favours home side in tough battle at Shark tank Wim van der Berg in DURBAN THE Sharks are the favourites to win the Currie Cup final against the Blue Bulls in Durban on Saturday. There‘s no disputing that.... 
World-class eatery fit for a king Brian Hayward ONE would expect a good restaurant or two when visiting the picturesque wine-making town of Paarl, but finding a world-class eatery overlooking the beautiful Western Cape mountains was as much a surprise as it was a journey of culinary opulence.... 
ANC must act to stop the threats THE prospects of next year’s general election being as peaceful as those that have preceded post-1994 are becoming increasingly less likely as tensions continue to mount within the warring factions of the ANC. This should be a cause for grave concern within the ruling party yet there has been no sign that meaningful action will be taken to rebuke supporters who threaten violence or worse on political foes. This week at a meeting in Gauteng called by ANC rebel and former cabinet minister Mosiuoa Lekota, rival supporters of Jacob Zuma carried inflammatory placards and chanted “kill Lekota” while those who had come to hear what he had to say were assaulted by thugs carrying pro-Zuma placards.... 
Queen tribute rocks A PORT Elizabeth Opera House filled with music lovers keen to catch a glimpse of four lads from Down Under putting on their world-renowned tribute to rock group Queen, is testament to the fact that the band‘s music has spanned the generation gap.... |
