WeeklySA_AdminSLIGHT RELIEF AT THE PUMPS
Motorists can expect some relatively minor relief at the pumps from Wednesday, August 07, with price reductions confirmed for both petrol and diesel. The Department of Mineral Resources and Energy (DMRE) has announced that both grades of petrol will come down by 15 cents per litre, while diesel will drop by between 17 cents (50ppm) and 28 cents (500ppm). Following the adjustments on Wednesday, 95 Unleaded petrol will cost R22.32 at the coast and R23.11 in Gauteng, where the slightly less expensive 93 Unleaded will now retail for R22.71. The wholesale price of 500ppm diesel will now be set at R20,38 at the coast and R19.59 inland, keeping in mind that retail margins will add a few rands to that, and will vary between outlets.
EXPIRED LICENCE, NO WORR
South African insurers Momentum Insure, King Price, and OUTsurance say driving and being in an accident with an expired driver’s licence card won’t necessarily make your claim null and void. Instead, each claim is validated on its own merits and considerations. Issues such as roadworthiness are far more crucial in motor vehicle accident claims. MyBroadband asked several insurers how they approach claims where a client has been in an accident and has an expired licence card. Momentum Insure’s executive head for claims and claims support, Funeka Ngewu, says the firm has access to Transunion eNatis data in order to validate a driver’s licence and when it expired. “We would register and validate the claim to confirm how the accident occurred and get details around why the license has not been renewed to assist us in validating the claim,” said Ngewu.
TESTING TIMES
THE most common reason for failing a driving test at the first attempt have been revealed. Just 48% of the nearly 1.7 million learners who took the test in 2022/23 were successful so driving experts have come up with some top tips to improve your chances Missed observations at junctions are the most common issue, according to analysis of DVSA data by Moneybarn. That was followed by forgetting mirror checks when changing direction and failing to observe and/or signal properly when moving off. Fortunately, there’s an easy three-word rule to save you from making these agonising errors. Learners are regularly taught the acronym MSM as a shortcut to stay on track when making pretty much any movement on the road. It stands for mirror, signal, manoeuvre and gives motorists a simple process to work through when concentrating on the road.-The Sun UK
MERC GOES LOW
Owning an electric car has just become a lot easier thanks to Mercedes-Benz’s incredible financing deals on its powerful and sporty EQ range. Any EQA, EQB, EQE Sedan or SUV, or EQS Sedan or SUV purchased before 31 December 2024 through the Mercedes-Benz Agility financing solution will be subject to extremely low interest rates – going all the way down to prime minus 4%. Mercedes-Benz is also offering buyers a year of free car insurance – underwritten by Discovery Insure and worth up to R60,000. With such incredible savings on offer, there has never been a better time to join the electric vehicle revolution with Mercedes-Benz.
FAREWELL TO A FRIEND
August 6, 2024 was a sad day for Italian car fans. Maserati has finally called time on its V8-powered models. That means the company now has one less powertrain to worry about as it chases down its ambitious goal to become an electric-only manufacturer by 2028. In the short term, Maserati’s fastest models will feature either its 3.0-litre Nettuno V6 engine or electric motors and battery packs. But, by the end of next year, the brand aims to have an EV alterative for every model in its range – a strategy the firm is already executing with the Folgore versions of the GranTurismo coupe and Grecale SUV.
Granted, Maserati has made this job a little easier by thinning out its line-up. The brand hacked the Ghibli saloon from its range last year, and it’s now swung the axe on the Levante SUV and Quattroporte limo. That just leaves the Grecale SUV, the new GranTurismo coupe and the MC20 supercar in Maserati’s range, all of which – rather conveniently – are already available as EVs.
