Latest news with #Hiluxes
The Citizen
16-05-2025
- Automotive
- The Citizen
VIDEO: Inside Toyota Gazoo Racing South Africa's new ‘man-cave'
Workshop floor has enough space for 20 vehicles to be worked on at the same time. New facility has been opened in record time after being announced in October last year. Image: Charl Bosch A project that commenced in October last year, SVR, the firm entrusted with running Toyota's local motorsport operations underneath the Toyota Gazoo Racing South Africa banner, officially opened the doors of it new facility to select guests and the media on Thursday evening (15 May). Walkaround of the new Toyota Gazoo Racing plant Called the Toyota Gazoo Racing Motorsport Hub, but unofficially dubbed the 'man-cave', the 12 500 m2 facility, located not far from the Kyalami Grand Prix circuit, will not only serve as the home of Toyota Gazoo Racing South Africa, but the production hub for the Hilux Rally-Raid that competes in the Dakar Rally. ALSO READ: Wraps come off Ford's 2025 Rally Raid Series challenger Set to be expanded in the future, the purpose build factory has been fitted with a dedicated machine shop housing a dynamometer, a damper laboratory that tests and assess damper and suspension performance, bespoke engine roof and a work space where 20 cars can be worked on at the same time without worry of space constraints. First look at Safari-ready Hilux In addition to some of the manufacturing processes now being devised in-house instead of being outsourced, the tour also provides the first preview of the newly devised Hiluxes that will compete in this coming weekend's inaugural South African Safari, round three of the 2025 FIA World Rally-Raid Championship. The pair of newly livered Hilux Rally-Raids will go for victory in this coming weekend's South African Safari Rally. Image: Charl Bosch Again, conforming to FIA T1+ regulations, the pair of Sand Beige-coloured Hiluxes will be piloted by local crew Guy Botterill and co-driver Dennis Murphy, and teenager Saood Variawa navigated by French co-pilot Francois Cazalet. Labour of love 'Toyota and SVR had the vision to open a world-class hub for motorsport fabrication, which would showcase our collective ability and excellence,' SVR and Toyota Gazoo Racing South Africa boss, Shameer Variawa, said. 'I'm incredibly proud of the product that stands before us today – from conceptual dream to a place my team can now call 'home'. We place tremendous value in our partnership with Toyota Gazoo Racing and the race results that are to come'. As many as 20 vehicles can be worked on at the same time on the shop floor. Image: Charl Bosch Toyota South Africa Vice-President of Marketing, Glenn Crompton, added, 'The opening of the new SVR Motorsport Hub represents the third chapter for Toyota's motorsport exploits and Toyota Gazoo Racing South Africa. 'From a Toyota Gazoo Racing South Africa perspective, we couldn't have asked for a better partner. This is the beginning of an exciting journey for us all, and I'm confident together we'll reach even greater heights'. NOW READ: The workings of a Rally-Raid team: Inside Ford-backed NWM
The Citizen
04-05-2025
- Automotive
- The Citizen
Toyota Hilux and Suzuki Swift lead new vehicle sales in April
Nissan crashes out of top 10, while Omoda and Jaecoo continue steady progress. There were few surprises in local new car sales in April as the Toyota Hilux and Suzuki Swift lead the charts. According to data from naamsa | the Automotive Business Council, Toyota sold 2 780 Hiluxes last month to top local new car sales with 10 363 units. Swift sales of 2 053 helped second-placed Suzuki (5 977) to put daylight between them and the Volkswagen Group SA (3 973). The rest of the manufacturers in the top 10 include Hyundai (3 007), Ford (2 398), GWM (1 943), Chery (1 852), Isuzu (1 383), Renault (1 281) and Mahindra (1 278). Toyota Hilux rules the roost Chery-Owned Omoda and Jaecoo SA moved one step closer to the top 10. Record sales of 864 put them in 13th place. Sales of only 794 saw Nissan slide out of the top 10 to 14th place. Another carmaker that performed well under par in April is Honda, which languished in 28th place after selling only 137 cars. The Toyota Hilux was again not only the top-selling bakkie in South Africa, but the best-selling vehicle overall. The Hilux (2 780) was followed by the usual suspects on the bakkie podium, the Ford Ranger (1 728) and Isuzu D-Max (1 108). ALSO READ: This is it: 'New' Toyota Hilux emerges in first spy images Suzuki Swift top passenger car Meanwhile, the Mahindra Pik Up (654) maintained fourth position on the bakkie list, followed by the GWM P-Series (497), Land Cruiser PU (417), Nissan Navara (293), VW Amarok (254), Foton Tunland G7 (212) and JAC T-Series (161). ALSO READ: Toyota Hilux Legend 55 arriving in July – what we know so far The Suzuki Swift finished the month as the top-selling passenger car ahead of the Toyota Corolla Cross (1 584), Hyundai i10 Grand (1425), VW Polo Vivo (1 366), Suzuki Fronx (1 186), Chery Tiggo 4 Pro (1 133), Haval Jolion (973), Toyota Starlet (905), Toyota Starlet Cross (834) and Kia Sonet (812). The Suzuki Ertiga (778), VW Polo (768) and Toyota Fortuner (606) missed out on the top 10.
The Guardian
27-02-2025
- Automotive
- The Guardian
What are key reprogramming devices, and are they driving a rise in car thefts in Australia?
A rising number of Australians are walking to their driveways or a car park to find their car has 'simply vanished' without their keys being stolen. Police say as cars have evolved to be 'computers on wheels' – with electronic keyless entry rather than an ignition key – new ways have emerged for thieves to exploit security systems. This is mainly done using key reprogramming devices. They have been widely used to steal cars in the UK and US for several years, and it's increasingly worrying Australian authorities. Victorian police say the state is experiencing a level of car theft not seen since 2003 – back when cars could be hotwired. Here's what you need to know. The heist involves using a simple gadget that can be bought on Amazon. When an electronic fob is inside a house but still within range of the car, the device can intercept the wireless connection and mimic the car key's signal to unlock the vehicle. Sign up for Guardian Australia's breaking news email 'It was considered impossible to steal a car this way as little as two years ago,' Victoria police DI Julie MacDonald says. 'However, offenders are now using these devices like a modern-day screwdriver to steal cars.' Victoria police say their intelligence suggests one in five stolen cars in the state have been taken using a key reprogramming device. Queensland police warned last year that gadgets could be used to scan and copy electronic car keys – as well as stealing credit card information and opening electronic garages or house doors. Victoria police on Thursday revealed that in the past 12 months, car thefts had almost doubled for certain makes and models. This included: Holden thefts increased by 92.9% (+1,377) in the 12 months to January 2025. This was specific to Commodores manufactured between 2013 and 2017. Toyota thefts increased by 76.4% (+1,391). This was specific to the following makes: Hiluxes made between 2016 and 2023, Landcruisers made from 2008 to 2021, Camrys made from 2014 to 2017, Prados made from 2012 to 2022, Rav4s made from 2019 to 2024, 86s made from 2012 to 2017 and C-HRs made from 2017 to 2020. Subaru thefts increased by 107.8% (+402). This was specific to the following makes: Impreza/WRX made from 2015 to 2018, Outbacks made from 2015 to 2018, XVs made from 2014 to 2018 and Levorgs made from 2016 to 2017. Sign up to Breaking News Australia Get the most important news as it breaks after newsletter promotion 'Be alert, but not alarmed,' says Nigel Phair, a cybercrime expert at the University of New South Wales. 'A lot of people park out the front of the house, dump the keys in a bowl at the front door, and that's where they come unstuck.' He suggests people leave their keys further than 10 metres from their car and place them in a drawer. He also suggests using an RFID pouch – which blocks the wireless connection between the fob and the car. Keys can be placed in the pouch when the car is not being used. There's also the option of reverting to old-school manual methods, he says. 'Some people are going back to using wheel locks because people can just get in the car so easily.' Victoria police suggest drivers seek advice on what could work best for their car model. 'We strongly encourage owners of impacted cars to consider all possible methods to improve their vehicle's security – there are a range of auto shops and websites that stock these anti-theft products and staff can assist with advising you on what will best suit your vehicle,' MacDonald says. 'Vehicle owners can also speak with manufacturers or their insurance agents for further advice.'
