Latest news with #900
TimesLIVE
2 days ago
- Automotive
- TimesLIVE
Ashok Leyland Phoenix cargo carrier arrives in Mzansi
Ashok Leyland is an Indian commercial vehicle maker which relaunched in SA in 2023 after last being sold here in the 1980s. One of India's largest bus manufacturers, the company was founded in 1948 as Ashok Motors and became Ashok Leyland in 1955 after an alliance with British Leyland, which also had manufacturing facilities in SA. The Dost single cab loader and Partner medium truck have been on offer in SA since 2023. They are joined by the new, mid-tier Phoenix with similar budget-conscious, no-frills workhorses. Phoenix With a price of R269,900, the new Phoenix single cab bakkie is squarely aimed at alternatives, including the Mahindra Bolero and Mahindra Pik Up single cabs. It is 5,025mm long, 1,842mm wide and 2,061mm high, but load volumes are the most obvious battle points in this niche. On this front it fights with a 2,950mm long, 1,750mm wide and 415mm high cargo deck rated with loading a max 1,850kg and available with drop sides. It's a three-seater cab with dash-mounted lever and controls, and power steering. It is powered by a 1.5 I three-cylinder diesel engine that outputs 59kW at 3,300rpm and 190Nm between 1,600rpm to 2,400rpm, paired with a five-speed manual transmission driving the rear wheels. Further mechanical wares include the front suspension with two-stage over-slung parabolic and double action shock absorbers in front and semi-elliptic items at the rear axles.
TimesLIVE
2 days ago
- Automotive
- TimesLIVE
How South Africans are adapting to the rising price of car ownership
Car ownership remains an important goal for many South Africans, even as the landscape continues to evolve. According to WesBank, the cost of owning a vehicle in South Africa has increased by 50.6% since 2021, placing further strain on consumers. While new vehicle prices continue to rise — for example, the starting price of a Polo Vivo now stands at R271,900 — drivers still have a range of options, even as factors such as fuel costs, interest rates and insurance premiums fluctuate. For those seeking more accessible options, there are still paths to vehicle ownership, including pre-owned choices, flexible financing and innovative subscription models. According to AutoTrader research, about 60% of financed vehicles in South Africa are used cars, indicating consumers are seeking more cost-effective solutions. 'The South African automotive landscape is undergoing a significant evolution driven by affordability,' said AutoTrader CEO George Mienie. 'Our data reveals a clear consumer shift towards the used car market, highlighting the resilience and adaptability of local buyers in the face of economic challenges. This trend underscores the industry's responsibility to provide accessible and reliable mobile solutions for South African consumers.' This is reflected in the finance application data from Standard Bank, which shows that though new car finance applications dropped by 30% in February 2025, used car applications remained stable. 'While this might not seem like a sharp decline, it's staggering when you consider 35% to 40% of cars we financed a decade ago were new,' said Derick de Vries, head of automotive retail at Standard Bank Vehicle and Asset Finance. Used vehicles have become increasingly attractive to South African buyers, with used car price inflation easing to 1.7% in 2025, down from 5.6% two years earlier. This shift positions used vehicles as a more value-driven option, particularly as AutoTrader reports a growing interest in older models, specifically those with an average registration age of six years. Which vehicles are they buying? While the Ford Ranger and Toyota Hilux continue to dominate the used vehicle sales chart, notable shifts show consumers are increasingly looking at more affordable vehicles. There has been a noteworthy decline in the sales of premium vehicles, with used cars such as the Suzuki Swift, Toyota Starlet and Nissan NP200 seeing an increase in recent months. Last month, AutoTrader data showed these models were in the top 10 best-selling used cars, while premium vehicles such as the BMW 3 Series have dropped off. Aside from the cost benefits of buying more affordable, fuel-efficient vehicles, several other reasons exist for this shift in buying behaviour. While used cars offer immediate cost savings compared with their new counterparts, buyers must weigh this against the costs of servicing and potential maintenance, especially for models that have passed their warranty period. Smaller cars, such as the Swift and Polo Vivo, typically offer lower running costs compared with used luxury and premium cars. Image: Supplied AutoTrader offers several resources to help prospective buyers make informed decisions. The online automotive marketplace features price ratings to help consumers compare the prices of used vehicles with those of similar cars available. Additionally, they offer tools such as an affordability calculator, which enables customers to determine suitable vehicle options based on their monthly budgets. However, when it comes to new cars, affordability constraints have forced consumers to enter new vehicle finance agreements with longer loan terms (72-96 months) and opt for balloon payments, which lead to higher overall costs and an increased risk of repossession.
Time Out
3 days ago
- Entertainment
- Time Out
Wonderfruit 2025: dates, ticket prices and everything you need to know
Once a fleeting five-day escape in December, Wonderfruit has steadily grown into something far less seasonal and far more structural. What began as a festival of art, music, food and ideas now finds itself maturing – ten years on – not just in scale but in sensibility. Returning this year fo its 10th anniversary, it doesn't so much arrive as it expands, evolving from an annual gathering into a full-bodied cultural platform that stretches beyond its original five-day frame. This year, the language has shifted. Wonderfruit is no longer content with being a destination on the calendar; it's positioning itself as a continuous conversation, one that unfolds throughout the year in various forms – installations, workshops, residencies and quiet provocations. Looking forward to this year's music spectacle in Thailand? Here's everything you need to know about Wonderfruit 2025, including set times, ticket prices and travel details. When and where is Wonderfruit? Wonderfruit returns for its tenth year from December 11-15 at Siam Country Club in Pattaya, Chonburi. The site is around a 30-minute drive from central Pattaya and approximately 150 kilometres, or two to three hours from Bangkok. Timings Gates open at midday, but your arrival time might depend on the type of ticket you hold. Keep in mind that the Main Gate and Box Office don't operate around the clock – if you turn up after midnight, you won't be allowed in until they reopen at 8am. When do Wonderfruit tickets go on sale? The 72-hour public sale runs from June 9-12,starting at 6pm. Tickets are limited, so it's best to book early. Visit for ticket information. Ticket prices Tickets will be priced at B8,900 and B20,000 at the door, according to the events' website. Artist lineup The artists have yet to be announced. How to get to Wonderfruit festival Grab a Shuttle Pass for unlimited rides at a fixed price from any official stop along the shuttle route details at Alternatively, take a taxi directly to the festival entrance, then hop on a motorbike taxi for a 10–15 minutes ride, which will set you back about B100.
Business Recorder
3 days ago
- Business
- Business Recorder
Gold price per tola surge Rs1,400 in Pakistan
Gold prices in Pakistan increased on Wednesday in line with their incline in the international market. In the local market, gold price per tola reached Rs349,300 after a surge of Rs1,400 during the day. Similarly, 10-gram gold was sold at Rs299,468 after it gained Rs1,200, according to the rates shared by the All-Pakistan Gems and Jewellers Sarafa Association (APGJSA). On Tuesday, gold price per tola slashed to Rs347,900 after it losing Rs3,600 during the day. The international rate of gold also improved on Wednessday. The rate was at $3,309 per ounce (with a premium of $20), an increase of $14, as per APGJSA. Meanwhile, silver price per tola increased by Rs32 to settle at Rs3,480.
TimesLIVE
4 days ago
- Automotive
- TimesLIVE
Nissan plans $7bn funding, including loan backed by UK government
Japan's struggling Nissan is considering raising more than ¥1-trillion (R125,794,820,900) from debt and asset sales which would include a syndicated loan guaranteed by the UK government, Bloomberg News said on Wednesday. The country's third-biggest carmaker plans to issue as much as ¥630bn (R78,291,108) worth of convertible securities and bonds, including high-yielding US dollar and euro notes, Bloomberg News said, citing documents it had seen. Nissan is also considering taking out a £1bn (R24,260,850,000) syndicated loan guaranteed by UK Export Finance, the report said. The report said Nissan is also looking at selling part of the stakes it holds in French carmaker and long-standing alliance partner Renault and in battery maker AESC Group, and plants in SA and Mexico. Representatives for Nissan and UK Export Finance did not respond to a request for comment. Bloomberg News cited sources as saying Nissan's board did not appear to have approved the funding proposal yet, leaving it unclear whether it would happen. The proposal was also slated to include the rollover of some debt, the report said. Earlier this month, the company presented a sweeping cost-cutting plan under which it plans to reduce its workforce by around 15% and cut car plants to 10 from 17 globally. Sources told Reuters this month Nissan is considering plans to shut two car assembly plants in Japan and overseas factories, including in Mexico, and stop production in SA as part of its cost-cutting plan. Nissan's shares rose more than 4% after the report but they gave up most of the gains and were last trading up 0.6%.
