To our valued clients and friends,
It’s been frantically busy here at Armormax in the last month or so. Not that we are complaining, we like it like that. We have added some new clients to our family, assisted some old ones again, expanded our production team and welcomed Renier as our new production manager, and we have even dabbled a bit in selling some pre-owned vehicles. (See all our vehicles for sale at the bottom of this newsletter). The theme of the month if we had to put a word to it would be adaptation. That’s quite fitting because in our beautiful country, the adage ‘adapt or die’ seems to be a mantra we all live by.
So yes, we too have had to adapt the way we do things to ensure we stay ahead of our game and are doing all we can to ensure the safety of our clients, as well as improve the functionality and longevity of their vehicles. Equally we must continually adapt to serve the needs of a growing and fast-developing sector in the retail motor space. Out if interest, back in 2018 there were only 2 retail motor dealers advertising armoured cars for sale, and between them the total number of vehicles for sale was less than 20.
Now there are 98 vehicles advertised for sale across 24 different motor dealers. Our analysis of this is that as we have said before, many are eyeing a possible quick buck, but we know all too well there is no such thing. They will fizzle and fade away. It also tells us that there are pockets of potential clients we haven’t reached yet, who could be subject to misinformation and incorrect advice regarding an armoured car. So no, our work here is not done, and we will continue to adapt to save even more lives today than we did yesterday.
We want to share a story with you about a new client we welcomed to our family this month. This family went through a horrible ordeal in January of this year. They were hijacked in their German SUV, and held for 36 hours (father, mother and child). Strangely, this was not as a ransom attempt. Their lives were threatened during their captivity repeatedly, and they were eventually released in a random location, thankfully unharmed but clearly very traumatised. This could have ended very differently.
Since then, the family have been struggling with the idea of staying in South Africa or leaving for good. The mother is European by birth so it would be an easy enough exercise logistically, but leaving all friends, family and lifestyle behind is a hard pill to swallow. In the interim though, their lifestyle changed dramatically. They just weren’t active as a family anymore, living in almost paralysing paranoia of going anywhere. Who could blame them. They then investigated the idea of owning an armoured car. They spent some time driving a demo unit, came to our factory and spoke with us at length about how this could change their lifestyles. They are already loving their first armoured vehicle and are currently ordering their second. We are happy to report they have become even more active than they were before and have noted a dramatic decrease in their stress levels even in normal day to day life. Their life has definitely changed for the better, despite the investment required to make this a reality which as he puts it- ‘it’s just money, we would have spent it anyway on something else’. We say cheers to you all, for your resilience after a challenging and traumatic event, and for living your life unrestricted!
The Armormax marketing team spent a week in Sandton City recently exhibiting two of our vehicles. Located in what is called ‘The Diamond Walk’, we were exposed to the particularly affluent and aspirant individuals who visit the centre regularly. It surprised us that still there are many that didn’t know a civilian armoured vehicle was possible, never mind a luxury vehicle with incredibly light armour that doesn’t affect functionality or dynamics in any way. What was encouraging is that the name Armormax was recognised by many- some saying they have heard of us but didn’t know what we do. It was therefore a worthwhile exercise in creating awareness around our company and our vision.
South Africa. What a beautiful country. We have an incredible climate, natural scenery beyond compare, a diversity of people and nature that no country in the world can match and there are still many economic opportunities to be exploited. Yet crime is our major problem, and more so violent crime. So, we have secured our homes and businesses, invested in security systems and there are many that have gone even further and invested in permanent private security. Sadly, some still believe that this is enough, and they are completely safe. That is not quite true. While an armoured car cannot completely replace a security protocol, it can compliment it and reduce the intensity of close protection required. Read more in this article by our own Michael Broom by clicking on this link.
Some of you may know that our MD Grant Anderson is a keen precision rifle shooter. Keen is perhaps a bit light for the man who is the Chairman of the Precision Rifle Federation of South Africa… He has also just been part of the Protea Team that represented South Africa at the International Precision Rifle Federation World Championships in France. Shooters compete in both an individual and team format for their respective country, over a number of various stages during the 6 days of the tournament.
We are proud to tell you that Grant and the rest of his team brought home gold in the senior division. Equally impressive is that South Africa finished 5th overall of 25 competing countries in the very tough open division, and the ladies team brought home the silver medal in their division. The next World Championships will take place in 2024 and will be hosted by South Africa.
Land Rover South Africa has released pricing and model information ahead of the imminent launch of the all-new Range Rover Sport. The full line-up comprises 10 model derivatives with a choice of four engines, including an extended range electric hybrid, six-cylinder Ingenium petrol and diesel options, and an all-new V8 Twin Turbo. In 2024, the New Range Rover Sport line-up will evolve with the addition of a fully electric model.
The new P510e electric hybrid is engineered to meet the demands of drivers looking for a high-performance drive, impressive efficiency and more than 100km of zero emissions EV range. It seamlessly blends Land Rover’s 3.0-litre six-cylinder Ingenium petrol engine with a powerful 105kW electric motor and 38.2kWh battery, producing a total system output of 375kW.
It is capable of 0-100km/h in just 5.4 seconds, an electric driving range of up to 113km and an expected real-world range of 88km** – enough for most owners to complete up to 75 percent of journeys on electric power – and CO2 emissions of just 18g/km*.
For longer journeys, the plug-in hybrid powertrain provides combined 740km of petrol and electric range.
Alternatively, the new flagship V8 Twin Turbo produces 390kW for the most exhilarating Range Rover Sport character, accelerating from 0-100km/h in just 4.5 seconds with Dynamic Launch engaged and bringing an added level of visceral excitement to the line-up. The V8 model, badged as P530, will be available in limited numbers with fewer than 60 units allocated to South Africa.
The comprehensive choice of powertrains will also include a powerful P400 mild-hybrid straight six Ingenium turbopetrol with 294kW and 550Nm of torque, and a six-cylinder D350 turbodiesel engine with 258kW and 700Nm.
The New Range Rover Sport in Dynamic S specification includes Premium LED headlights, 20” alloy wheels, wireless device charging with phone signal booster, grained leather seats and a 3D Surround Camera system among other features as standard. The Dynamic SE adds Pixel LED headlights, 21” alloys and perforated Windsor leather seats, while the Dynamic HSE steps up to Digital LED headlights, 22” wheels and perforated semi-aniline leather upholstery.
The Autobiography, which is available with either D350 or P510e electric hybrid powertrains, offers a unique combination of 22” Diamond Turned wheels with satin dark grey finish, a black contrast roof with sliding panoramic sunroof, an SV Bespoke full extended leather upgrade and premium cabin lighting with illuminated treadplates featuring Autobiography script.
Available throughout the first year of production in a specially curated specification, the Range Rover Sport First Edition features special 23” alloy wheels, First Edition etched Satin Forged Carbon finishers, SV Bespoke full extended leather upgrade with Perforated Semi-Aniline leather seats, and premium Cabin Lighting with illuminated aluminium treadplates with First Edition script.
Pricing:
- Range Rover Sport D350 Dynamic S: R2,001,200
- Range Rover Sport D350 Dynamic SE: R2,062,100
- Range Rover Sport D350 Dynamic HSE: R2,189,200
- Range Rover Sport D350 Autobiography: R2,252,300
- Range Rover Sport D350 First Edition: R2,281,700
- Range Rover Sport P400 Dynamic S: R2,001,200
- Range Rover Sport P400 Dynamic SE: R2,062,100
- Range Rover Sport P510e Autobiography: R2,777,000
- Range Rover Sport P510e First Edition: R2,806,500
- Range Rover Sport P530 First Edition: R3,011,600
All prices include VAT but exclude CO2 tax
All Land Rover vehicles come with standard 5-year/100,000km Land Rover Care Warranty and Maintenance Plans. Note that all Armormax conversions are fully endorsed by Land Rover South Africa and do not affect the Warranty or Maintenance Plan.
