The Nation Newspaper

Category: Motoring

  • Ford improves car making with body tracking technology

    Technology typically used by the world’s top sport stars to raise their game, or ensure their signature skills are accurately replicated in leading video games, is now being used on an auto assembly line.

    Employees at Ford’s Valencia Engine Assembly Plant, in Spain, are using a special suit equipped with advanced body tracking technology. The pilot system, created by Ford and the Instituto Biomecánica de Valencia, has involved 70 employees in 21 work areas.

    Player motion technology usually records how athletes sprint or turn, enabling sport coaches or game developers to unlock the potential of sport stars in the real world or on screen. Ford is using it to design less physically stressful workstations for enhanced manufacturing quality.

    Ford Valencia Engine Assembly Plant Production Area Manager Javier Gisbert said it has been proven on the sports field that with motion tracking technology, tiny adjustments to the way one move can have a huge benefit.

    “For our employees, changes made to work areas using similar technology can ultimately ensure that, even on a long day, they are able to work comfortably,” he said.

    Engineers took inspiration from a suit they saw at a trade fair that demonstrated how robots could replicate human movement and then applied it to their workplace, where production of the new Ford Transit Connect and two-litre EcoBoost Duratec engines began last month.

    The skin-tight suit consists of 15 tiny movement tracking light sensors connected to a wireless detection unit. The system tracks how the person moves at work, highlighting head, neck, shoulder and limb movements. Movement is recorded by four specialised motion-tracking cameras – similar to those usually paired with computer game consoles – placed near the worker and captured as a 3D skeletal character animation of the user.

    Specially trained ergonomists then use the data to help employees align their posture correctly. Measurements captured by the system, such as an employee’s height or arm length, are used to design workstations, so they better fit employees.

    Ford is considering further rollout to its other European manufacturing facilities. It is part of Ford’s work – underway since 2003 – to reduce the injury rate for its employees worldwide through the introduction of ergonomics technologies and data-driven process changes.

  • Weststar introduces Actros tractors

    Weststar Associates Limited, Authorised General Distributor of Mercedes-Benz in Nigeria, has announced the arrival of new batches of the award-winning Mercedes-Benz Actros 3340 S tractors and Actros 3331 B concrete mixers.

    The Actros 3340 S tractor and Actros 3331 B concrete mixer are  available for firms in the construction industry to increase their performance and efficiency.

    The Actros 3340 S tractor has a V6 engine with a rated power output at 290 KW (394 HP), a 3300 mm Wheel base, a 6×4 drivetrain axle configuration and gross vehicle weight of 33 tons.

    The Actros 3340 S tractor is also equipped with 394 horsepower and G 240-16 transmission, also the chassis components of the Actros (frame, suspension, axles, and brakes) are designed to withstand the extreme environments commonly encountered in this terrain.

    Weststar Associates Managing Director Mr. Mirko Plath reiterated the company’s dedication to providing solutions for the most- pressing needs of clients and customers looking to sustain their businesses and gain more profitability. With their robustness, off-road capability and versatility, the Actros 3340 S tractors and the Actros 3331B concrete mixers are ready to take your business to the next level.

    Another highlight in the Actros 3340 S tractor is the M-cab, which is impressive, inside and out. The interior offers an impressive standard of ergonomics, comfort and safety – perfect for challenging environments, there is also a great deal of freedom of movement and various additional storage facilities in the side panels and in the cab rear wall. It can optionally be equipped with a foldable, 600 mm wide bunk to allow the driver to rest. The all-steel cab is very strong and structurally rigid. Only flame-retardant materials are used in the interior. Efficient safety systems provide optimal protection for the driver, vehicle and load. Comfortable and safe seating supports the driver while driving in rough conditions.

    Additional features have been included in the Actros 3340 S tractors for safety and cost effectiveness.

  • Mercedes-Benz records 1.5m sales

    Mercedes-Benz said it delivered 1,512,268 vehicles to customers worldwide in the first eight months of this year, thus setting a new record of 1.1 per cent.

    Never before in the company’s history were such sales made earlier in the year.

    Mercedes-Benz sold 155,918 (-8.5 per cent) vehicles worldwide in August, the 30th consecutive month with global sales of more than 150,000 units due to the ongoing strong demand for cars with the three-pointed star.

    As expected, there was an impact on unit sales in August from challenges relating to vehicle availability, including model changes and delays in vehicle certification in some markets. Nevertheless, Mercedes-Benz defended in the first eight months of the year its position as the best-selling premium brand worldwide.

    “I am delighted that Mercedes-Benz reached the mark of 1.5 million cars delivered earlier than ever in the year. As a strong team, we will continue to work on meeting the ongoing high demand for our vehicles, also again in terms of delivery. And with the EQC model, we have presented the first fully-electric Sport Utility Vehicle (SUV) of our EQ product and technology brand to the world public in Stockholm. We will set additional markers and impulses in the market with the EQC,”Britta Seeger, Member of the Board of Management of Daimler AG responsible for Mercedes-Benz Cars Marketing and Sales, said.

    In Europe, Mercedes-Benz sold 54,989 vehicles in August (-10.7 per cent). In the first eight months of the year, sales totalled 597,347 units (-3.9 per cent). In Germany, the domestic market, Mercedes-Benz delivered 21,442 vehicles with the three-pointed star in August (-14.8 per cent) and a total of 195,163 cars were handed over to customers in Germany in the first eight months of this year (-4.2 per cent). In France, Spain, Sweden, Poland and Denmark, more cars with the star were sold in the first eight months than ever before in that period.

    In the Asia-Pacific region, demand for Mercedes-Benz models in the first eight months of the year led to a new record of 639,184 units sold (+9.8 per cent). Last month, the brand with the star delivered 72,342 vehicles in that region, which is just slightly below the prior-year level (-1.3 per cent). In China, the biggest market, a new high for an August was achieved with sales of 53,295 cars (+5.5 per cent). So far this year, 446,075 vehicles have been handed over to customers – more than ever before in the first eight months of a year (+13.9 per cent). Mercedes-Benz achieved additional sales records for the first eight months also in Japan, India, Thailand and Malaysia.

    The E-Class Saloon and Estate set a new record with sales of 25,367 units last month (+0.4 per cent). Since the market launch of the current models, more than 700,000 customers worldwide have been delighted to receive their new E-Class Saloon or Estate.

    Mercedes-Benz increased its sales of the S-Class Saloon in August by 30.3 per cent to 5,254 units. From January to August, more than 53,000 units of the S-Class Saloon were sold (+26.6 per cent).

  • Kia reopens car loan scheme with Access Bank

    Kia Motors Nigeria has reintroduced its car loan scheme with Access Bank.

    Tagged Kia Access Bank Joint Vehicle Acquisition Scheme, Kia said it was introduced to bridge the gap between customers’ desire to own a new car and their budget.

    “To ensure that the process goes as smoothly as possible, the finance scheme has provided a flexible acquisition scheme that fits all,” Kia said.

    The finance scheme has flexible four-year repayment tenure, free insurance, discounted price, low-interest rate and competitive equated monthly installments. The 2018 Kia Rio and other range of vehicles are covered in the finance scheme. Customers can have access to this scheme at over 20 Kia sales and service outlets in the country and all Access Bank branches nationwide.

    Kia Motors in a statement quoted Access Bank Executive Director, Personal Banking Division Victor Etuokwu as saying: “The finance scheme is aimed at making all customers own a brand-new car with ease and tailor-made payment options. The joint promotion offers a subsidised insurance and registration fee, with improved access to an auto loan to enable customers to drive their dream car.”

    Kia Motors Nigeria Vice President Debanja Paul said: “This partnership represents another step forward in our strategy to ensure our customers have consistently available, transparent and competitive financing. Kia’s vehicles offer modern design and reliability at an affordable cost. And with our special auto finance scheme with Access Bank, it’s never been easier to take home your very own brand-new Kia.

    “The partnership provides the opportunity for customers to walk into any Kia showroom or Access Bank branch across the country and get an on the spot finance solution. The on-site financing service means that you have access to both the cars and the financing solution under the same roof to make owning a KIA hassle-free. Kia Motors Nigeria promotes a customer-driven corporate culture by providing the best quality and exceptional service with all values centered on the customers. For over a decade it has embraced every opportunity to exceed customers’ expectations with steadfast passion and creative thinking geared towards owning a best-in-class car at an affordable price and flexible ownership scheme.”

    Kia Motors Nigeria Marketing Manager Jimoh Olawale said: “We understand that buying your car will be one of the most significant purchases you will make, so it is important that you consider all the available options. We’ll provide you with key information on our products to help make that decision easier. With our fixed interest rates and flexibility of finance plans your new Kia has never been more accessible. Applying for a finance plan through your local Kia showroom or Access bank branch is easy; you will be provided a tailor-made support that perfectly fits into your budget to help you in choosing the right plan for your needs.”

  • Hazards of obstruction

    There was a very pathetic incident on the Port Harcourt road where a commercial bus crashed into an abandoned truck.  Eleven people died in the accident. There have been similar occurrences in various parts of the country.

    Having travelled by road to all the states and the Federal Capital Territory(FCT), I have seen many hazards caused by various obstructions. These include broken down vehicles, abandoned vehicles, accident vehicles packed on the roads by Police Stations, containers that fell off from articulated vehicles, fallen electricity poles, uncleared accident vehicles, bush on road shoulders, abandoned construction equipment, unused heaps of coal tar and sand by road construction companies, unmarked and disjointed mobile blocks used for road partitioning, refuse dumps and refuse bins by roadside, fell trees or tree branches, burst tyres and materials that fell off from vehicles, sand washed into the road surface, loads and checking point drums without adequate warning signs, among others.

    Statutorily, it is the function of the Federal Road Safety Commission (FRSC) to promptly and regularly clear obstructions. While pleading with the FRSC to be more active and prompt in the clearing of obstructions from the roads and road shoulders, I would like to suggest the following:

    • That any driver whose vehicle breaks down or had an accident should promptly contact the FRSC office nearby or call the 122 emergency number of FRSC to report and request for help. This will facilitate the prompt removal of such obstructions.
    • Consequent upon the fact that road safety is everybody’s responsibility, members of the public should promptly report cases of obstructions by calling the emergency number of FRSC.
    • The FRSC officers working in the emergency response room should take matters of reported obstructions as serious as road crash cases because prevention is better than cure.
    • The public should act the good Samaritan by removing any obstacle without contravening any law or endangering their lives.
    • FRSC must acquire more equipment for the removal of obstructions and also focus adequate attention to discovering and removing obstacles as they do to drivers not using seat belt.
    • FRSC must fine and where necessary prosecute any Individual or organisation that caused and form of obstruction on the road.

    By promptly removing  obstructions, many accidents will be prevented, thereby reducing the rate of road traffic crashes, injuries and deaths on the roads. Prevention is better, easier and cheaper than cure.

  • Weststar introduces Mercedes-Benz Vito

    Weststar Associates Limited, the Authorised General Distributor of Mercedes-Benz in Nigeria, has un-veiled Mercedes-Benz Vito.

    The car boasts of top value for total cost of ownership (TCO) as well as an outstanding economy, and technology, with emphasis on safety and assistance systems

    Since its introduction in 2014, the  Vito has continued to position itself as a pacesetter in the mid-size van segment and in the transport industry.The mid-size van, born from Mercedes-Benz’s boldest genes has become an active part of the ‘Mercedes-Benz vans goes global’ business unit strategy which was in response to the needs of worldwide customers for maximum availability of Mercedes-Benz products in every market.

    With the Vito Tourer, Mercedes-Benz has opened a new chapter in passenger transport. It is divided into the highly functional and robust Vito Tourer BASE, the versatile Vito Tourer PRO and the high-quality Vito Tourer SELECT. Meaning, the Vito Tourer can be tailored to accommodate all types of passenger transport, as its functional design and reliable quality makes it the perfect workhorse for every working day. The Vito Tourer has space for up to nine seats (depending on the model), an optional panoramic sliding sunroof and sliding doors that enable comfortable access to the vehicle.

    The length variants in the Vito Tourer provide a very spacious interior that delivers comfort for both driver and passengers. With three lengths spanning the Compact (4.90 m), Long (5.14 m) and Extra-Long (5.37 m) variants, the Vito offers plenty of choice. In the Vito Tourer the passenger compartment and installed seating have options of two and three-passenger bench seats. The seats can be installed on wood or plastic flooring, or on a floor with fine carpeting for use as an exclusive shuttle. There is also the option of an eight-seater as standard in the Vito Tourer PRO and a nine-seater as standard in the Vito Tourer BASE.

    Both the driver and passengers are comfortably seated in the interior of the Vito Tourer, benefiting from more space than in previous models. Redesigned, the Vito’s cockpit is exemplary in terms of its functionality and ergonomics, while the seats remain comfortable even during long journeys, thanks to their robust upholstery fabric an ergonomic cushioning. The optional audio systems make the journey even more enjoyable with excellent connections and entertainment while on the move. The audio systems available include the Audio 10, Audio 15 radios and the Becker MAP Pilot navigation system.

    Weststar Associates Managing Director Mr. Mirko Plath, said customers  who ready to make purchases in the passenger transport and the mid-size van segments are provided with an opportunity to get more out of their vehicle and more for their business when they purchase the Vito Tourer. The superior safety systems speak for themselves as best in its class. He also emphasized that commitment to best product delivery to customers is key for Weststar.

    “We remain committed to providing for the needs of our clients and customers in this ever changing business terrain, this is why we have delivered a versatile product in the Vito Tourer – a mid-size van that scores high points in fuel economy & cost of ownership, leading the way in technological advancements in its segment to the Nigerian market,” he said.

    Weststar, he said, is offering after-sales services to early buyers of the car.

  • BMW X2 M35i revealed

    BMW has revealed the new M Performance version of the X2 crossover that will be going on sale in March 2019.

    The German brand unveils the sporty version of the compact crossover which is employing M Performance features.

    Called the X2 M35i, the model is fitted with a twin turbocharged four-cylinder petrol engine that produces 301bhp and 450Nm of torque, and it comes with an eight-speed automatic transmission as well as an intelligent four-wheel drive system.

     

    2019 BMW X2 M35i

    With the transmission given M Performance tuning, the M35i can get from 0-60mph in 4.7 seconds and to ensure the optimum engine performance, BMW has fitted a new cooling system.

    BMW’s performance arm has given this sporty version of the X2 M Sport suspension, an M Sport differential mounted on the front axle and M Sport braking system with dark blue callipers. An optional adaptive suspension system is also available.

    The German brand has altered the design to suit the performance, with a Cerium Grey paintjob alongside full HD headlights, additional air intakes, M Sport mirror caps, an M Sport rear spoiler, twin exhausts and 19-inch bicolour alloy wheels.

     

    2019 BMW X2 M35i

    Inside, the X2 M35i comes with the M Sport package that adds a leather steering wheel with shift paddles, optional sport seats and a choice of three different upholsteries, while BMW can also fit a head-up display alongside a digital instrument display and the standard-fit iDrive infotainment system.

    Production starts in November this year, with pricing and specification to be announced closer to the March release date.

     

  • VW faces $11 b investor suit over diesel scandal

    Volkswagen faces a trial this week as investors seek 9.2 billion euros ($10.7 billion) in compensation, arguing that the automaker should have informed shareholders about a diesel pollution scandal before regulators did in September 2015.

    The lawsuit bundles 1,670 claims brought mainly by VW’s institutional shareholders who have accused the company of failing to inform investors about the scope of a scandal which has cost the company 27.4 billion euros in penalties and fines.

    Had VW warned investors about the size of the scandal before the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) issued a “notice of violation” on September 18, 2015 then institutional investors may have avoided losses on their shareholdings, plaintiffs said.

    VW shares lost up to 37 percent of their value in the days after authorities exposed illegal levels of pollution emitted from VW diesel cars.

    Volkswagen has admitted systematic emissions cheating but denies wrongdoing in matters of regulatory disclosure.

    Presiding Judge Christian Jaede at the higher regional court in Brunswick, Germany, near VW’s headquarters, will make opening remarks at the trial on today.

    VW insists that the U.S. EPA’s issuance of the notice of violation was not in keeping with how U.S. authorities had handled similar cases involving other carmakers.

    Because other carmakers had reached a settlement for emissions cheating without an EPA notice of violation, and because VW was in talks about reaching a settlement, VW’s board did not see the need to inform investors, the carmaker said in a filing with the court.

    VW had already made substantial provisions in late 2015 to cover other vehicle recalls, and because previous fines by U.S. authorities for similar violations were below $200 million, there was no need to issue an ad-hoc disclosure notice under German law, the carmaker said in the filing.

    Volkswagen said board members at the time, including Volkswagen’s Chief Executive Officer Herbert Diess and Chairman Hans Dieter Poetsch, therefore, did not violate disclosure rules, according to the VW defence document filed with the court.

    “Neither the management board nor individual board members caused or were involved with the compliance violation in the United States,” VW’s court filing said.

    However, plaintiffs, including lawyer Andreas Tilp from law firm TILP and fund management firm Deka, argue that managers below management board level, including divisional heads, knew about deliberate and systematic emissions cheating.

    The company as such was therefore aware of severe criminal activity and investors should therefore have been warned earlier, the plaintiffs said.

     

  • Roads without markings

    Road markings are as important as traffic signs in directing or guiding road users on how to use the road safely.

    It is, however, unfortunate that the federal and state governments have not paid adequate attention to road markings in Nigeria. This negligence is responsible for a lot of chaotic driving and accidents on the roads.

    I have carried out a lot of research and did a comparative analysis on the pattern of driving on roads with markings and roads without markings. Although the level of road safety education by all classes of drivers in Nigeria is very low, my observations revealed the absence of road markings made driving more disjointed and chaotic on such unmarked roads.

    Just as the Transparency International (TI) is accusing the governments of some countries of committing offence against humanity, I will accuse the governments of negligence for failing to appropriately mark roads and also maintain such markings. This is an offence against humanity.

    By not marking the lanes appropriately, drivers are left to their judgement on where to position their vehicles when moving straight and when changing lanes. Many drivers are either not experienced in lane management or not concentrating enough to appropriately judge where to position his or her vehicle. Normally, the road markings, if present, would have provided a clear guide to road users, thereby reducing the incidence of lane indiscipline, and avoidable crashes.

    The absence of road markings also fuels lane splitting, a case of seeing five lines of vehicles on a three-lane road not knowing who is driving on his or her lane. I have witnessed unguided and dangerous maneuverings at higher rates on roads without markings than on roads with clear markings.

    I hereby plead with the Federal and state governments to pay more attention to road markings the same way they should prioritise traffic signs. My plea specially goes to the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) to refresh the faded road markings on Abuja roads. The road markings, when properly put in place, will surely contribute to the desired reduction in the rate of road traffic crashes, injuries and deaths on the roads.

  • Kia to unveil ProCeed

    The new Kia ProCeed will be unveiled on September 13, and make its  debut at the 2018 Mondial de l’Auto in Paris on October 2.

    The car merges stunning design with the space and versatility of a tourer in a five-door shooting brake body.

    The new ProCeed follows the design blueprint laid down by the 2017 Kia Proceed Concept, and will offer drivers an unparalleled combination of design and versatility.

    Designed, developed and engineered exclusively for Europe, it represents a unique proposition in the mid-size family car segment.