It’s the rainy season folks, and while the rains may have arrived a little late this year, Gauteng in particular, is encountering rainfall almost every other day. The inevitable outcome of this of course, is a rising number of potholes on our roads. Not only are they treacherous, they can prove costly, should they cause damage to your tyre or rim.
Insurers across the country have been quick to recognise this, and are coming up with various products and policies that cover accidental damage to either rim or tyre. In this edition, we examine one such policy – Tyre Angel – from Bidvest Insurance. Turn to page 12 for this story.
Of course, taking out insurance cover is not always necessary, as some products on the market come with Road Hazard Guarantees. One such brand, is the iconic Firestone brand. On page 2, our exclusive interview with Morne Dreyer of the Supa Quick retail chain, (which also happens to represent the Bridgestone and Firestone brands in South Africa), sheds light on the current market dynamic in the Covid era that is driving the consumer towards making more circumspect purchasing decisions.
Behind such decisions is the economy, whose bleak outlook is being predicted by market experts for many months to come, with neither the domestic or global markets showing any notable signs of recovery (more on this story on page 6). So, while we wait for a viable vaccine, incomes are steadily shrinking, with people continuing to lose their jobs and companies compelled to close their doors. Businesses are feeling the pinch, with casualties being reported across all industry segments, including the tyre sector.
Speaking of the tyre business, our story in the Nov/ Oct issue calling upon tyre dealers to mutilate their tyres in the interests of greater road safety, provoked a deluge of response from the dealer trade, some of it, heated. Our follow-up story on this contentious issue on page 10. Sumitomo Rubber SA (Dunlop) and Goodyear SA, have both announced new heads at the helm of their operations, (this story on page 19), and the global Recircle Awards Committee has announced its short-list of prospective winners for each category. Take a look on page 30.
For those of you taking to the road, please drive carefully. If you are staying put, enjoy this quiet time. Keep safe everyone. Covid-19 is still very much with us.
Please mask up! A second wave would result in even greater detriment to an already ailing economy.
All the best
Liana Shaw
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