MyJHB

Stuff from Johannesburg

Jeep®, Fiat, Peugeot, Opel, Citroën, Abarth and Alfa Romeo on display

Centurion, 24 August 2022 – South Africans are keen to get back out there into the exciting experiences the world of motoring has to offer – sights, smells, and exhilaration – that just aren’t the same behind a computer screen. And Stellantis brands are answering the call at the 2022 Festival of Motoring at Kyalami in Johannesburg this week.

Jeep®, Fiat, Peugeot, Opel, Citroën, Abarth, and Alfa Romeo will all be out in force, whether on display for viewing pleasure and to interact with the brands; or whether to experience them on either the race track or 4×4 track – all the Stellantis brands are expected to wow South Africans eager for motoring thrills.

“The 2022 Festival of Motoring is the first real opportunity for the South African motor industry to engage with the public at large in one thrilling showcase since the beginning of 2020,” says Leslie Ramsoomar, Managing Director Stellantis South Africa. “Who’s more excited – our brand teams or visitors – remains to be seen!”

The Festival of Motoring takes place at the Kyalami Grand Prix circuit from 26 to 28 August and delivers the largest industry-supported motor show in Africa, uniting the automotive community by bringing together key industry players, motoring enthusiasts, and consumers shopping for a new ride. Over 150 exhibitors are expected to celebrate all things motoring, satisfying all the senses.

Come experience the Jeep Gladiator Rubicon and Peugeot Landtrek Double Cab on the 4×4 track and take in the awesomeness of the all-new Jeep Grand Cherokee L. The Pitlane will entice the speed-seekers with Peugeot’s new GT Line in 2008, 3008 and 208 guise, so take the chance to experience how these amazing new cars drive along with Alfa Romeo’s beautiful Giulia and Stelvio. The Citroën C5 Aircross will be on display along with Fiat’s ever-popular 500 Sport and 500X Sport, while the Abarth 595 Competizione will inevitably surprise many more powerful machines on the track.

“We really look forward to engaging with our customers this week as we share our news and listen to their feedback,” says Ramsoomar. “Our constantly improving customer satisfaction journey continues and the Festival of Motoring provides a great opportunity for us to share our news directly with existing and potential customers. Come visit us!”

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The World’s Largest Man-Made Urban Forest

One of the most surprising facts about Johannesburg is its status as a “green” city. When the first settlers arrived, the Highveld was a barren, treeless grassland (savannah). To support the mining industry, millions of trees were imported and planted to provide timber for mine underground supports. Fast forward to the present day, and Johannesburg is widely considered the largest man-made urban forest in the world.

There are an estimated 10 million trees within the city limits. This includes 1.2 million trees on sidewalks and in parks, and over 4.8 million in private gardens. This forest is so dense that satellite images of the northern suburbs often resemble a tropical rainforest. The most iconic of these trees is the Jacaranda, which was imported from South America in the early 20th century. Every October and November, the city turns a vibrant shade of purple as thousands of Jacarandas bloom simultaneously. However, this “forest” also highlights the city’s historical inequality; during the Apartheid era, trees were predominantly planted in wealthy white suburbs, leaving townships like Soweto as dusty plains. In the last two decades, “Greening Soweto” initiatives have seen hundreds of thousands of trees planted to bridge this “green divide,” emphasizing the role of urban forestry in social justice and climate cooling.