Latest news with #BMWs
IOL News
4 hours ago
- Automotive
- IOL News
Gavin Hunt aims to restore Durban City FC's former glory
DURBAN City chairperson Farook Kadodia with club technical director Ernst Middendorp and head coach Gavin Hunt accepted a small fleet of BMWs as part of sponsorship from BMW Durban South facility. | Doctor Ngcobo/Independent Newspapers Image: Doctor Ngcobo/Independent Newspapers VETERAN Premier Soccer League (PSL) coach Gavin Hunt said he plans on bringing Durban City FC, formerly Maritzburg United, back to match-winning potential as the side returns to Premiership football this season. Hunt was speaking to the media at the BMW Durban South facility, where the Chatsworth-based team unveiled a new partnership with the luxury car brand. A small fleet of BMW cars was gifted to Durban City officials on Tuesday, among which were club chairperson Farook Kadodia and technical director Ernst Middendorp. Stability is one of Hunt's main focus points going into the PSL season, saying that he believes the club still has good bones and just needs to make a few signings to get the ball rolling again. Durban City FC coach Gavin Hunt and Club Chairman Farook Kadodia Durban City FC coach Gavin Hunt and Club Chairman Farook Kadodia accept the small fleet of BMW's sponsored to them by BMW Durban South. Image: Jehran Naidoo Video Player is loading. Play Video Play Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration -:- Loaded : 0% Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. Advertisement Next Stay Close ✕ 'They've still got the nucleus of the team from last year (when they won the Motsepe Foundation Championship), and even though I read in the media that they changed everything and people have left, when I got here, the majority of the players were still here," said Hunt. "They must have had a very small squad last year which I like but obviously we need to add in a few numbers. 'The approach is to just concentrate on getting stability and concentrate on being proactive and winning football matches which is always going to be difficult with the market. It's a very difficult market and a very difficult league so a lot of games can go either way. Gavin Hunt, head coach of Durban City FC, says the teams former nucleus is in tact. Hunt's approach going into the season will focus in brining stability to the side. @IOLsport — Jehran Daniel (@JehranD) July 22, 2025 '(You have to) go in smaller steps and set smaller goals, and try to achieve those before you think of the end line or before people make statements about winning this or that. "Lets try and crawl a little before we walk. The time is short so we have to work very hard behind the scenes,' added Hunt. The 61-year-old said he's already got an idea of what the team has and needs in the two weeks he's been at the helm. 'We don't want square pegs in round holes. We want a certain type of player with a character that will fit a club like this. They need to have the right mentality and obviously the ability. We don't just want good players, but the players that we need," he said. 'We are obviously short in certain areas so it's a bit of having a look, trying to train, trying to get a system in place and trying to find a way of playing all at once. You are trying to do a million things and as I said, time is short. "We are going to Joburg next week which will help me a lot because we got a couple of games there. The game will tell you what you need. You can train all day but the game tells you what you need. Gavin Hunt says there is a lot of work to be done at Durban City FC Gavin Hunt says there is a lot of work to be done at Durban City FC. Image: Jehran Naidoo Technical Director Ernst Middendorp speaks with head coach Gavin Hunt Technical Director Ernst Middendorp speaks with head coach Gavin Hunt Image: Jehran Naidoo 'I've been here for two weeks now and can see what we got and what we don't have,' Hunt explained.
Business Insider
5 days ago
- Automotive
- Business Insider
The forgotten African patent that predicted today's smart car safety tech
In 2007, as the world braced for the smartphone revolution and electric vehicles remained a fringe idea, a little-known African innovator quietly filed a U.S. patent that would anticipate a global standard in vehicle safety. The invention was a camera-based safety system for vehicles. It proposed recording footage before, during, and after a vehicle was in motion to deter theft, protect passengers, and offer real-time visual evidence in the event of an incident. The filing predated Tesla's Autopilot, BYD's fleet safety tools, and Uber's in-car camera systems. What makes this story remarkable isn't just the concept, but who filed it. At just 22 years old, Frederico Thoth Jorge de Miranda, a student from Angola, submitted a U.S. patent application—#US 11/710166. It was an ambitious proposal to use real-time, event-triggered cameras to build safer mobility systems. Though the application was never granted, rejected purely on procedural grounds, the application remains a public, documented signal of African ingenuity far ahead of its time. What Miranda foresaw back in 2007, the world is witnessing now. In today's automotive and mobility industry, Miranda's concept is everywhere. From driver-monitoring systems in BMWs to dashcams in ride-hailing fleets, the integration of AI and visual technology has become essential to both security and insurance processes. His patent included key elements that mirror modern standards: continuous video capture, automatic storage during events, and enhanced safety applications tied directly to vehicle activation. Yet, Miranda is not a case extenuating circumstances, his story is not an isolated occurrence of African innovation being seen too late. Across the continent, innovators frequently create meaningful ideas that are never scaled, funded, or celebrated. Limited access to capital, infrastructure, and legal networks means many African-originated inventions remain on paper. Other cases include the likes of William Kamkwamba from Malawi, who built a wind turbine from scrap as a teenager, or Samson Oghenevwakpo in Nigeria, whose hybrid engine technology never secured local investment despite international attention. Innovation Without Infrastructure What makes Miranda's concept, as well as, other African innovations unique is its origin point and infrastructure, or lack thereof. Even though his system was designed while studying in the United States, his background remained firmly rooted in Angola. His exposure to different driving risks in urban African settings helped shape and inspire the invention. This wasn't a Silicon Valley project, it was a lived solution to a real problem. The patent offered an alternative path for Angola, one rooted not in resource extraction, but in technological contribution. ' I wasn't trying to be ahead of anything,' Miranda is quoted as saying in a brief 2024 discussion. ' I saw a risk, so I designed a tool. I never expected the world to move in that direction without me. ' Today, in 2025, Africa is home to the youngest population in the world. Yet innovation ecosystems, particularly for deep tech, remain underdeveloped. This means that all too often the 'results' are dismissed only for the ideas, just as with Mirand's, to surface years later on the global-scale, disconnected from their origin. Miranda's 'Vehicle camera security system' patent application, now 18 years old, isn't just a historical anecdote. It's a wake-up call. His design is highly representative of, and aligned with what companies today are raising millions to implement. Yet, Miranda remains unknown, his work un-monetised, and his story untold. Until now that is. As more global investors and R&D firms look to diversify and localise innovation, stories like this highlight the urgency of investing in systems that identify, support, and scale African talent. This must expand beyond the traditional Africa-attributed foreign and local investments in the creative arts or fintech sectors, they must manifest in engineering, design, and hard science as well.
Yahoo
6 days ago
- Automotive
- Yahoo
4 German Car Brands Named the Least Reliable of 2025
Auto experts had a lot to say when it came to which German car models to avoid. Electrical issues, oil leaks and brake malfunctions are just a few of the problems that came up when budget-conscious experts discussed German cars. Next time you're looking for a new vehicle, here are the German car brands to avoid, according to top auto experts. Check Out: Read Next: BMW The sleek and luxe BMW brand has been a status symbol for years, but some car experts say, no matter how good these cars look, you're better off without them. 'The most common issues on BMWs are oil leaks, cooling system failures and failures on the turbocharger,' said Alex Black, chief marketing officer and auto expert at EpicVIN. Black said the electronics are another frequent issue with BMW, particularly drive failures and digital gauge faults. Black said that BMW's with N20 and N55 engines (which are commonly seen on the 3 Series and X3) usually start to break down within the 70,000 to 100,000 mile range. 'They are sport vehicles, but to stay reliable, they need to have strict maintenance. Skimping on a couple of services can mean very expensive repairs later on,' Black added. For You: Audi Like BMWs, Audi's are frequently driven by the upper crust, but Black said to not let that persuade you. 'Audi cars have issues with electrical and sensor faults as they age, especially cars from 2010 to 2018. A lot of the faults occur once the warranty runs out, which comes as a shock to most owners,' Black explained. Black said that he sees a lot of claims for Audi's with faulty infotainment, frozen power windows and sensor faults. Because it's a luxury car that's made overseas, these repairs can be very pricey. Customers are often paying a lot of out of pocket costs to keep Audi's running as they get older. Mercedes-Benz Melanie Musson is an auto industry expert with and called out Mercedes-Benz vehicles for consistently breaking down after five to seven years. 'New Mercedes-Benz cars are generally reliable, but after exceeding 50,000 miles, they tend to experience issues with their electrical systems failing,' Musson said. 'Since many of the mechanical parts run based on electrical information, the problems can very from the infotainment system glitching to the car not starting.' Volkswagen Musson said VW's are practically known for their failing electrical systems, but that's not where the issues end. 'The transmissions also have a reputation for being prone to problems. They are hard to repair. Dealership shops may be the most able to fix problems, but they're also the most expensive,' she added. More From GOBankingRates 3 Luxury SUVs That Will Have Massive Price Drops in Summer 2025 7 Things You'll Be Happy You Downsized in Retirement How Far $750K Plus Social Security Goes in Retirement in Every US Region This article originally appeared on 4 German Car Brands Named the Least Reliable of 2025
Yahoo
6 days ago
- Yahoo
Dad's 'world fell apart' as wife and daughter killed by callous BMW driver who fled crash
A dad who lost his wife and daughter in an horrific Christmas crash caused by a "racing" BMW driver said his world had fallen apart. George Philips said he felt "empty" after reckless after the Boxing Day tragedy, which was caused by a driver who lost control and fled after doing up to 84mph - almost three times the speed limit - as he raced another car. Four generations of the same family were in an MG hit by Mohammed Ibrahim's BMW 420 in Shard End on December 26, 2023. READ MORE: Less than 14 years for speeding driver who killed mum and daughter in Christmas horror READ MORE: Evil granddad murdered grandson as his mum and grandmother 'watched abuse unfold' READ MORE: 84mph driver 'racing another BMW' before crash which killed mum and daughter Both cars were destroyed and Birmingham Crown Court heard Amanda Riley, 49, and Linda Philips, 72, were left to die "on a cold roadside, scared and in tremendous pain". But instead of trying to help, callous Ibrahim, 25, was heard saying: "I need to go" before he turned up at Heartlands Hospital for treatment. In a statement read to the court as the motorist was sentenced today, Wednesday, July 16, Mr Philips said: "Our family are the centre of our world. The aftermath (of the crash) was the complete devastation of my family. 'My wife and daughter had both died. My world fell apart. I felt an immense emptiness.' His wife and daughter were both hard-working, doted on their families and would help anyone, Mr Philips added. The court heard Ibrahim had been travelling 'in convoy' with a BMW X3 at up to 84mph in a 30mph zone. His car crashed into a quad bike and then hit the MG. The women both died at the scene. Four other family members in the MG suffered injuries, including a fractured sternum, a broken leg requiring surgery and bruising to the lungs. Philip Vollans, prosecuting, said the victims were travelling home from family celebrations on the evening of Boxing Day 2023. Before showing video footage to the sentencing judge of Ibrahim's car speeding past a bus towards the crash site on Meadway, at its junction with Kitts Green Road, Mr Vollans said the driver of the BMW X3 had never been traced. Mr Vollans said of the two BMWs: 'Both cars were speeding, both cars racing each other. 'The defendant was the faster driver of the two.' Estimating that Ibrahim was speeding for at least half a mile before the 'tremendous' impact, reaching 80-84mph, Mr Vollans added that the defendant initially hit a quad bike, which had run a red light, and lost control while in the wrong lane. Ibrahim, of Old College Road, Sheldon, then hit the kerb of the central reservation and crashed into the family's car as it slowed down on the opposite carriageway. The driver's seat of the MG was knocked out of its fixings and it caught fire, leaving its occupants trapped as a member of the public attempted to free them. A witness saw Ibrahim, who was saying 'I need to go', lying on the ground near the driver's side of the BMW before he left the scene. His car was also on fire following the crash, the court heard. The court heard Ibrahim was caught on CCTV at Heartlands, where he was treated for a leg injury, and he later returned to the scene, where he was arrested but refused a breath test. Mr Vollans added: 'Both cars were completely destroyed as a consequence of this collision.' Three relatives of the victims, including the driver of the car, read victim impact statements to the court, with one describing those killed as having 'died fighting for their lives, lying on a cold roadside, scared and in tremendous pain'. Defence barrister Jasvir Mann, offering mitigation, told the court that Ibrahim had no previous convictions and there was ample evidence, including references, that he had 'led a thoroughly positive life'. Mr Mann said: 'My instructions are that he has no meaningful memory of that day.' The actions of the quad bike rider, who also left the scene and has never been identified, had contributed to what happened, Mr Mann added. Ibrahim pleaded guilty earlier this year to two counts of causing death by dangerous driving and three counts of causing serious injury by dangerous driving. The defendant was due to be sentenced by Judge Paul Farrer KC later on Wednesday.
Yahoo
6 days ago
- Yahoo
Driver who killed mother and daughter on Boxing Day was ‘racing' at up to 84mph
A driver who killed a mother and her daughter in a head-on Boxing Day crash had been 'racing' with another car at up to 84mph in a 30mph zone, a court has heard. Mohammed Ibrahim, 25, fled the scene after his BMW 420 – travelling 'in convoy' with a BMW X3 – crashed into a quad bike and then hit an MG car containing four generations of the same family. Birmingham Crown Court was told on Wednesday that Amanda Riley, 49, and Linda Philips, 72, both died at the scene despite the efforts of paramedics to save them at the roadside in the Shard End area of the city. Four other family members travelling in the MG suffered injuries, including a fractured sternum, a broken leg requiring surgery and bruising to the lungs. Describing the circumstances of the crash at Ibrahim's sentencing hearing, prosecutor Philip Vollans said the victims were travelling home from family celebrations on the evening of December 26 2023. Before showing video footage to the sentencing judge of Ibrahim's car speeding past a bus towards the crash site on Meadway, at its junction with Kitt's Green Road, Mr Vollans said the driver of the BMW X3 had never been traced. Mr Vollans said of the two BMWs: 'Both cars were speeding, both cars racing each other. 'The defendant was the faster driver of the two.' Estimating that Ibrahim was speeding for at least half a mile before the 'tremendous' impact, reaching 80-84mph, Mr Vollans added that the defendant initially hit a quad bike, which had run a red light, and lost control while in the wrong lane. Ibrahim, of Old College Road, Sheldon, then hit the kerb of the central reservation and crashed into the family's car as it slowed down on the opposite carriageway. The driver's seat of the MG was knocked out of its fixings and it caught fire, leaving its occupants trapped as a member of the public attempted to free them. A witness saw Ibrahim, who was saying 'I need to go', lying on the ground near the driver's side of the BMW before he left the scene. His car was also on fire following the crash, the court heard. The court heard Ibrahim was caught on CCTV at Heartlands Hospital, where he was treated for a leg injury, and he later returned to the scene, where he was arrested but refused a breath test. Mr Vollans added: 'Both cars were completely destroyed as a consequence of this collision.' Three relatives of the victims, including the driver of the car, read victim impact statements to the court, with one describing those killed as having 'died fighting for their lives, lying on a cold roadside, scared and in tremendous pain'. In a statement read into the court record by Mr Vollans, George Philips, the husband of Linda, said: 'Our family are the centre of our world. The aftermath (of the crash) was the complete devastation of my family. 'My wife and daughter had both died. My world fell apart. I felt an immense emptiness.' Amanda and Linda were both hard-working, doted on their families and would help anyone, Mr Philips added. Defence barrister Jasvir Mann, offering mitigation, told the court that Ibrahim has no previous convictions and there was ample evidence, including references, that he had 'led a thoroughly positive life'. Mr Mann said: 'My instructions are that he has no meaningful memory of that day.' The actions of the quad bike rider, who also left the scene and has never been identified, had contributed to what happened, Mr Mann added. Ibrahim pleaded guilty earlier this year to two counts of causing death by dangerous driving and three counts of causing serious injury by dangerous driving. The defendant is due to be sentenced by Judge Paul Farrer KC later on Wednesday.
