MONDAY, 3.00PM:
ON January 1, it became illegal for any vehicle to be sold without SABS-approved headlightslights and bulbs, when the Compulsory Motor Vehicle Specification Act took effect.
AutoNews’s latest issue estimates the legislation could raise the cost of lights and bulbs as much as tenfold, and industry sources estimate the cost to motorists and manufacturers could be as much as R300-million.
Motor Industries’ Federation president Oscar Taub has protested the R2 000 cost of SABS testing, but SABS chief standards technician Louwrens Rieckert said compulsory specification is necessary to protect consumers. Rieckert said 50% of vehicle lights do not make the SABS grade.
While Taub complained the requirements will hit wholesalers carrying large stocks of lamps and bulbs, Rieckert pointed out that the SABS gave dealers until December 31 last year to sell existing stock. He predicts that once non-compliant lights are removed from the market, prices will return to normal.