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Mail & Guardian
6 days ago
- Automotive
- Mail & Guardian
Volvo EX 30 Cross Country first impressions: Like an effortless conversation around a bonfire
Volvo EX30 Cross Country When manufacturers take the media on car launches, they often pick a theme which they feel best represents the vehicle. From the venue to the entertainment — and sometimes even the food — they send a message about how they want their latest car to be interpreted in South Africa. We often ignore what the manufacturer is trying to tell us and who it is targeting. Normally, we are too fixated on the practical aspects of the new product: the looks, the technology, the power outputs and the drivetrains. This particular launch felt the same at first, when Volvo invited the media out to Rosemary Hill, east of Pretoria. Rosemary Hill has rooms and hosts events, but ultimately, it is a farm that offers an extraordinary journey where nature's embrace, wholesome delights and the spirit of community come together. Volvo South Africa was revealing the EX30 Cross Country's spirit — and we were only there for the nuts and bolts of the product. We were moved by the exceptionally attractive mix of the original EX30 with a touch of ruggedness in all the right areas. We all wanted to know the details of the vehicle. That's what we were here for, right? We were told that it has a specially-tuned chassis and a 13mm increase in ground clearance from the original EX30. We were also told that it does 0-100km/h in 3.7 seconds and that this electric vehicle has the same powertrain as the EX30 Ultra Twin Performance Motor. That means that it pushes out 315kW of power and 543Nm of torque. It also has a range of 427km on a single charge. Finally, we were told that it is going to cost R1 165 000. But we still didn't understand what the car represented. We jumped inside for an almost 70km drive around the countryside and had the most comfortable ride on gravel and road in what is a small SUV. It actually felt better suited to gravel than some vehicles that have special driving modes for the surface. Usually, this is where the article would end, because the dinner at the launch would be a formality and I would have satisfied my need to understand the product and where it fits into the South African market. This time it was the dinner at the launch that actually made me realise what this vehicle is all about. The meal was served as we made ourselves comfortable around a bonfire while Dodo Nyoka graciously provided country music. Around this bonfire were me, Siyanda Mthethwa from Reuters, Gugu Lourie the founder of TechFinancials, Nhlanha the free-spirited freelance photographer and Astrid de la Rey from HaveYourSay. At first, Lourie, who is far senior to all of us, was telling us about his experiences in other countries. Eventually, this effortless, light-hearted conversation moved to more pressing issues like, 'How do we turn Joburg around?' and 'What is the one thing you would have changed after 1994?' With a joke thrown in every now and then, real topics were being discussed and I began to understand that this car represents the conversation around the bonfire with country music in the background. It was effortless, it was serious, it was fun and not everybody agreed with each other, but it was professional enough to be engaging without ever being disrespectful. The five of us were not experts on politics but our experiences helped make the conversation interesting. That is the EX30 Cross Country. It's a futuristic and modern vehicle that considers sustainability in all aspects. The drive is effortless and the experiences it will give its owners will be eye-opening.
Scotsman
11-07-2025
- Business
- Scotsman
Hearing aid maker Oticon to shift Scottish base after more than 50 years in key office deal
'Our new facilities at Mercury House will provide a premium quality workspace for our UK operations and support the continued growth of our business.' Sign up to our Scotsman Money newsletter, covering all you need to know to help manage your money. Sign up Thank you for signing up! Did you know with a Digital Subscription to The Scotsman, you can get unlimited access to the website including our premium content, as well as benefiting from fewer ads, loyalty rewards and much more. Learn More Sorry, there seem to be some issues. Please try again later. Submitting... A Danish hearing aid manufacturer is moving into Strathclyde Business Park after agreeing to pre-let some 20,000 square feet of space. From next spring, Oticon will shift its Scottish operations to the park's Mercury House, from its current site at Cadzow Industrial Estate in Hamilton, where it has been for more than 50 years. It comes after Ospa - the serviced office arm of commercial property company HFD - secured its largest letting this year. The Oticon deal represents more than a third of the available accommodation at Mercury House and marks a further letting to a major occupier, after Kwik Fit moved to substantial space at Duart House last year. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad HFD built Mercury House in 1990 and recently acquired the office building from LondonMetric Property. The 65,000 sq ft office space is being refurbished with a focus on 'sustainability and amenity enhancements' to reflect Ospa's offering, with enhanced common areas including meeting and focus rooms, collaboration areas, spa-style shower facilities and a significant improvement to the building's energy performance, which is powered with 100 per cent green electricity. Built on HFD's track record of delivering serviced office space for some 35 years, the Ospa brand was launched in February 2024. Bronwen Coleman, general manager at Oticon, said: 'Our new facilities at Mercury House will provide a premium quality workspace for our UK operations and support the continued growth of our business. With CBRE's guidance, we have shifted from a traditional owner-occupied model to a fully managed workspace, which better aligns with our needs and values. 'As a leading hearing healthcare company, we know that our success depends on a committed and engaged workforce, and these new facilities will give our employees the environment they need to thrive and succeed.' The majority of accommodation is being taken by Oticon on a long-term lease together with additional space on more flexible terms. The firm was represented by property agency CBRE. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad Rosemary Hill, director of HFD Services, said: 'Securing a high-quality company like Oticon for Mercury House, in what will likely be one of the largest out-of-town office deals of the year for Glasgow and the west of Scotland, is further validation of our enhanced Ospa offering. We look forward to welcoming the Oticon team next year, once our comprehensive refurbishment and fit-out work at the property has completed. 'Occupiers are increasingly looking for a better quality working environment and access to amenities for their staff, with flexibility in terms that can support changes to business needs and an all-inclusive service delivery that can save them ancillary property costs and management time.' Built on HFD's track record of delivering serviced office space for some 35 years, the Ospa brand was launched in February 2024 as Scotland's 'premium, all inclusive, serviced office provider'. It secured just under 100,000 sq ft of lettings in its first year. In addition to Mercury House, the Ospa portfolio spans five other buildings at Strathclyde Business Park and Hamilton International Park, with each property offering 'fully integrated services' from an on-site management team. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad
