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Kleinwagen sind ein grundlegender Bestandteil der Automobilindustrie. Die meisten Autofahrer haben eine Geschichte zu erzählen von einer dieser praktischen Autos, von Fahrstunden, Eigentum und Abenteuerfahrten. Irgendwo in Ihren Speicherbänken lauert doch bestimmt auch ein Opel Corsa?
The new jam
The Opel Adam is an important little car. With the German manufacturer reeling from internal struggles and slumping sales, Adam represents the spearhead of their new market onslaught. Named after Opel’s founder Adam Opel, it’s akin to Ford calling their new car “Henry”. It’s a big deal.
I can vividly remember the first Mercedes C-Class, a gracious yet demure automobile whose understated elegance and multitude of models lured new customers to the brand. By adding more vitality to each subsequent model, the C-Class caught up to its dynamic rivals while attracting younger drivers.
Toe die eerste Sandero ‘n paar jaar gelede op die mark gekom het dit gou heelwat aanhangers tot gevolg gehad – die prys was reg, voldoende krag (tog effe flou) en spasie, maar nie so lig op brandstof soos sommige van sy mededingers nie. Nou het Renault die Sandero heeltemal verfris met ‘n nuwe voorkoms en ‘n nuwe enjin – ‘n klein 900cc turbo.
Caution caution, I’m about to go into grumpy old man mode. What happened to common courtesy and good manners? Why do our lives move quicker and quicker? Who needs all these new cars we have on our market? Take the new Mercedes-Benz CLA, for example.
Some people argue that purchasing an MPV or minivan signals the end of your life’s excitement. Gone are the all-nighters and crazy adventures because chances are good that you’re carting around a little family. I say there’s nothing wrong with that, quite the opposite – it can be just as adventurous.
A few years ago I got rather upset because our government jumped aboard a blind gravy train by taxing all new cars according to their CO2 emissions. Why do I think it’s blind? Read on and discover that it’s also unbelievably socialist and stupid.
As of this morning, my computer informs me that I have tested 298 cars, not including multiples at launches. The list is made up of 34 manufacturers and includes everything from a full electric to twin-turbo V12’s. Until this morning, for reasons unknown, this list did not include a Renault Clio.
Met sy aanwysing as die een van die top drie mooiste motors op die Paryse Motorskou in 2012, en een van die finaliste vir die prys vir die beste ontwerpte motor vir die jaar vir 2013, is dit geen wonder dat Renault se bemarkingspan oortuig is dat sy nuwe Clio 4 ook ‘n wenner in Suid-Afrika en Namibië gaan wees nie. Dit was die boodskap met die onlangse bekendstelling van die nuwe Clio 4 aan die pers.
Namibians have unique tastes and the motor industry is clear evidence of this. I bet that within a stone’s throw of your current position, you’ll find plenty of small hatchbacks and double-cab bakkies. Luxury sedans are German and will have black leather, I guarantee it.