A new Double Cab 4×4 will soon be more expensive
Thanks to our government and the proposed new carbon emissions tax, that new 4×4 double cab is going to cost you even more. Up to R20,000 more!
Here’s the latest on governments’ plan to increase their revenue by taxing us again and again.
“Treasury said on Tuesday that it has always intended to include double cab vehicles in the first phase of the implementation of the CO2 vehicle emissions tax. This is in line with the intent of the VAT Act and the fact that double cabs are mainly used as passenger vehicles.
“Including double cabs in the CO2 vehicle emissions tax net is also in line with the original intent of this proposed tax: the taxation high engine capacity vehicles to discourage the use of vehicles are not fuel efficient and encourage the shift to the more fuel efficient ones,” the Treasury said.”
As if the motor industry wasn’t under enough pressure! It has barely recovered from the recession, which saw hundreds of dealers closing their doors, leaving thousands of people unemployed.
The motor industry argues that double cabs are classified as light commercial vehicles, and should therefore be excluded from the Carbon (CO2) Emissions Tax.
But Treasury insists that the since single cabs and double cabs have similar engine sizes, they should be treated the same when it comes to the Carbon Emissions Tax.
Let’s face it our environment is precious and it’s vitally important that we look after it. If the funds generated by this carbon emissions tax were to be used to fund sustainable energy such as wind power generation, I would have no problem with that. I may be cynical, but it is my opinion that this is merely an attempt by government to make up for the taxes that they have lost in other areas due to the recession and the worldwide economic downturn.
There’s not much that one can do, I guess. If you want the double cab it is going to cost you more from September. Maybe it’s a good time to buy now?
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Is the new “cheap” Prado worth it?
Prado TX
In recent months Toyota have launched a downscaled version of the Prado – the TX version. The differences between the VX and TX models are mainly in the specs.
Mechanically, both models are powered either by a 24-valve 4.0-litre V6 petrol or a 3.0-litre 4 cylinder turbo diesel and have a 5 speed automatic transmission.
It comes with Brake Assist, Electronic Brake force Distribution (EBD), Vehicle Stability Control (VSC), Hill-start Control and Downhill Assist. Obviously it comes with driver and passenger front airbags, as well as driver knee airbag and side airbags. There are also full length curtain side airbags for all three rows of seats.
The difference in price is about R90’000. In my opinion, when you’re spending close on R600’000 on a vehicle anyway, you might as well go all the way. What do you think? Is the cheaper version worth the saving?
Our clients seem to feel that it’s best to go all the way, if you can afford it, of course. In the past week alone we have insured 2 new Prado VX’s, and both owners reckon they considered the TX but eventually decided on the VX. When it comes to 4×4 insurance, it makes sense to get the best cover available, whether you have a VX or a TX, get proper 4×4 insurance from us.
Another reason why You need REAL 4×4 insurance
Here is another reason why you should have real 4×4 insurance! This incident was reported on in The Ombudsman’s Briefcase: Official Newsletter of the Office for Short-term Insurance (OSTI) December 2009.
In August 2008 the insured ran into trouble while crossing a drift on a dedicated 4×4 route on a farm.
His vehicle stalled some distance into the water – which was reportedly 75cm deep – and had to be towed to a place of repair.
A claim was lodged with the insurer to cover the cost of repairing the engine (which had seized) and water damage to the vehicle interior. “The insurer rejected liability of the insured’s claim for damage to the vehicle on the grounds that the insured had failed to exercise due care and precaution to prevent loss or damage,” reports OSTI. Was the insured’s behaviour ‘reckless’ as alleged by the insurer? And did he ‘wilfully’ expose the vehicle to circumstances that could cause damage?
The OSTI says the insured had been on a number of specialised 4×4 driving training courses since 1998. At the time the incident occurred the insured was traveling in convoy with a friend who drove an identical vehicle. And both drivers carefully inspected the drift before concluding it could be “easily traversed.” The insured also took additional steps to traverse the obstacle safely, by setting his vehicles suspension as high as possible.
Although the client in the article did eventually get his claim paid, it would have taken many weeks and probably months of arguing with the insurer and explananing the situation to the ombudsman.
It would have been far smarter, I reckon, to have a proper 4×4 policy from the start. One that specifically covers water damage. Real 4×4 insurers know what real 4×4 drivers do. And real 4×4 insurers are most unlikely to go around rejecting water damage claims based on the idea that the driver was reckless and negligent by driving through water that he (an experienced 4×4 driver) had carefully inspected prior to crossing.
Read the rest of the article here on FA News.
A serious 4×4 recovery
Check out this serious 4×4 recovery of a 12 Ton truck at Kubu Island, Botswana
Sneak peek Land Cruiser Prado 2010
2010 Toyota Land Cruiser Prado Spy Shots – click here
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Holgate’s latest expedition to promote World Cup
Explorer Kingsley Holgate set off on Monday on an expedition through southern Africa to promote the 2010 Soccer World Cup and to continue his humanitarian work.
Dubbed Boundless Southern Africa (BSA), the expedition will promote the soccer spectacle and help upgrade soccer fields, distribute mosquito nets, donate mobile libraries to rural schools and distribute reading glasses.
He will travel across nine Southern African Development Community (SADC) countries, seven Transfrontier Conservation Areas (TFCA), two oceans, 30 national parks and nature reserves. The first stop after leaving Durban on Monday will be in the Maloti-Drakensberg TFCA, which South Africa shares with Lesotho.
“The World Cup event will not only benefit South Africans but southern Africa and Africa as a whole,” said BSA marketing manager Leonore Beukes.
The expedition will end on August 19 at the mouth of the Orange River in South Africa.
The secretariat for BSA was appointed in 2007 is part of the “legacy” programmes (to ensure that communities benefit from 2010 and beyond) of the 2010 Local Organising Committee.
The SADC countries they will travel through include Angola, Botswana, Lesotho, Mozambique, Namibia, South Africa, Swaziland, Zambia and Zimbabwe.
From South Africa – The Good News
Whether you are promoting soccer or doing humanitarian work, like our friend Kingsley Holgate, or just on a serious holiday expedition through Africa, you definitely need real 4×4 Insurance – to get a quote click here
Recovering your 4×4 from Mozambique…
Or any other country outside of SA, for that matter!
If you don’t have proper 4×4 Insurance you could very well be sitting with a damaged vehicle, hundreds of km’s from the SA border, and a hell of a bill to recover it back to SA.
Read this thread and see why it is critical for you to ensure that your insurance covers repatriation of the vehicle to South Africa for repairs.
Tracking Systems in your 4×4
The eternal question: Which Tracking system should I install in my 4×4?
With so many new systems on the market and most insurers having a different set of requirements, answering this question is becoming all the more challenging.
See what members of the 4×4 Community are saying about tracking systems here
As far as I’m concerned, you first need to find out what your insurer’s requirements are, then match those up to what YOU want. For example do you really need live GPS satellite positioning via SMS, 24/7? Or will a basic, phone-in type system do the job?
The difference in price is quite amazing, so do your homework properly, because most of us get tied into a 2 or 3 year contract with the service provider. That can be an expensive mistake, if you make the wrong decision.
If you need advice, feel free to drop me an email with your requirements and I’ll make some suggestions.
Getting Stuck
If you are one of those guys who really USES their 4×4 for what it was designed for… offroad, then you must surely have got stuck!
Some of these guys really made a good job of getting stuck. Check out the really awesome pics and stories on how they recovered their 4×4′s.
Having the knowledge of how to recover is one thing, but what if you pick up serious damage while offroad? Make sure you have the right insurance – your typical motor insurance policy is not sufficient. Contact us for a competitive quote underwritten by SA’s top 4×4 insurers.
Click here to go to the 4×4 Community – the forum for offroad & 4×4 enthusiasts.
Hello, Hello!
Finally, we are online… www.4×4-insurance.co.za is on the road, or should that be off-road? 
There are lots of insurers and underwiters in SA offering 4×4 insurance, so what makes us different?
Well, for a start, we offer more than just 1 product (like the other guys do). We work closely with SA’s leading 4×4 underwriters, who specialise in covering 4×4′s, SUV’s etc in & outside of SA’s borders.
We will find the ideal solution for your 4×4 insurance… whatever you use your vehicle for – we will get you covered for a very reasonable premium, with all the bells and whistles. Of course, we throw in our legendary, personal service and you get the best one-stop solution possible… no need to look any further, just contact us, and we’ll do the rest.
