By Matthew van den Heuvel, Joint Group CEO of Econorisk. Econorisk is a leading independent risk & short-term insurance advisor. Developments in technology are evolving at a rapid pace and while this is exciting, a truck driver still plays a crucial role in the logistics industry. Drivers are one of the most important assets in…

By Matthew van den Heuvel, Joint Group CEO at Econorisk The commercial transport industry is steered by a string of events – some more controllable than others. While the economy may be tough and directly impacting the transport market, through partnerships we can navigate it and manage the risks that may occur. It is important…

Keeping DAF Trucks on the road earns Babcock the DAF Service Dealer Award Now entering its 10th year as southern Africa’s sole importer and distributor of DAF Trucks, Babcock’s Transport Solutions business continues to grow from strength to strength. Most recently, the business was presented the Sales Operations Best Service Dealer of the Year award…

As the sole supplier of DAF Trucks in southern Africa, Babcock has over the past nine years propelled the brand into a leading market position. An increase in demand for these reliable, robust and cost-effective trucks has seen sales of both new and used vehicles soar to record heights. Helping to meet this demand is…

Babcock International Group, sole importer and distributor of DAF Trucks in Southern Africa, has just completed an entrepreneurial deal with a relatively new entrant into the SA road freight market for ten long-distance haulage trucks. The brand new DAF XF105.460 units were delivered to Maxillaria Logistics’ Alberton premises in mid-May, and were immediately put onto…

Die Sement Depot (DSD), part of several companies in the Andre Mostert Vervoer (AMV) Group, are proud FAW Trucks users. The Cape Town-based company sell import cement from Vietnam and supplies ready-mix concrete, sand and stone to its clients throughout the Western Cape. Its ready-mix concrete products are distributed through depots in Killarney, Kraaifontein and…

FAW Harrismith, which opened on 4 March this year, is now a full FAW sales and service branch and part of the growing FAW South Africa dealer network. The Free State facility was previously an independent dealer that sold FAW vehicles, as well as a number of passenger car and bakkie brands. FAW South Africa…

FAW South Africa’s world-class Coega assembly plant recently celebrated another production milestone: assembly of the 4 000th FAW in South Africa. With a presence in South Africa dating 24 years, FAW’s assembly plant has become the bedrock for further investments in the Eastern Cape. Inaugurated in July 2014, the plant was the first large-scale investment made…

The Ford Ranger is already a trend-setter in the South African market and one of the top-selling vehicles in the country. Now, continuing its ongoing evolution and offering customers a wider range of features and options, an exclusive limited-edition Ranger Thunder has been launched, which includes a raft of unique design and functional enhancements to…

PRETORIA, South Africa, 17 March, 2017 – The award-winning Ford Transit Connect has proved successful with businesses thanks to its smart looks, high level of standard features, great fuel economy and versatile load space. Now it is more capable than ever, thanks to a new 1.5-litre TDCi engine and better power output. New 1.5-litre TDCi…

  The Ford Transit range has been designed to deal with a multitude of urban transport needs. Customers and drivers will find their ideal fit, whether they need to transport people, tools and equipment, or heavy loads. Originally introduced two years ago, The Ford Transit line-up includes the Transit Panel Van, Transit Chassis Single Cab…

FUSO Trucks, a part of Daimler Trucks & Buses Southern Africa has added four new models to its successful line-up and has facelifted five of its existing models with new significant and technologically advanced features. The new models are the FI12-170, the FJ18-280S (short wheelbase), the FJ18-280L (long wheelbase) and the FJ26-280. The four new…

FUSO Trucks, a part of Daimler Trucks & Buses Southern Africa, strengthened its commitment to the South African truck market by introducing an incredibly generous offer to local transporters.  This is an attractive proposition especially for start-ups, SMMEs, smaller fleet owners needing to extend their fleets and those who wish to expand their fleets at…

As Southern Africa’s leading yeast manufacturer, Anchor Yeast produces yeast for the baking, wine-making and consumer markets in South Africa. Established in 1923, the company attributes its growing success to the solid relationships it has with its customers, employees and suppliers. Fuso Trucks Southern Africa is now also part of the fold. “We are always…

Hino, the largest truck manufacturer in Japan, has announced a comprehensive plan to meet the objectives of its vision for 2025 and beyond, with major focus on providing better products as well as increased support and value-add for its customers worldwide. The far-reaching document, entitled Envisioning 2025, is driven by Hino’s Corporate Mission, which is…

The fully automatic transmission available as an option on Hino trucks in South Africa are proving very popular with customers. Launched first in the 300 range, in 2015, it is now available on most models in the new, Hino 500 Wide Cab range of trucks of 16-tons and above. More than 60% of 300 models…

Hino Motors Limited, of Japan, rewarded four dealer staff members from South Africa for their excellence in the annual Hino Skills Contest by taking them on a six-day educational tour of Japan recently. This was the fourth year that Hino Japan has honoured these skills contest winners in this manner. The four people from South…

The X-Rider nameplate has fast established itself as a popular model within the Isuzu D-MAX line-up, offered with the 2.5 HO diesel engine. This year Isuzu is taking things further with the introduction of a special edition D-MAX 3.0 TD Double Cab X-Rider Automatic. “The X-Rider nameplate, which was first introduced in South Africa as…

Isuzu Motors South Africa has announced the appointment of (50) as its new CEO and Managing Director, transitioning from 01 June and officially assuming full responsibility from 01 July 2020. He succeeds outgoing MD Michael Sacke, who has opted to pursue other opportunities. Isuzu Motors South Africa Chairman, Shigeji Sugimoto, said that Tom would play…

From rugby players to ministers, from Karoo primary school learners to Sub-Sahara African (SSA) vehicle buyers – everyone is interested in exactly how an Isuzu bakkie and truck is built. Isuzu Motors South Africa is one of three manufacturing operations on the African continent Isuzu Motors South Africa is one of three manufacturing operations on…

Twelve days of competition, five thousand timed kilometers of racing and more than fifty hours on full throttle onboard the trucks. That is a big picture of the last two weeks for the crews of PETRONAS Team De Rooy IVECO, that could not count with Gerard de Rooy in the line-up due to a back…

IVECO was crowned once again winner of the FIA European Truck Championship 2019, repeating its success at the 2018 edition. It has dominated the FIA European Truck Racing Championship 2019 with the Die Bullen von IVECO Team, which took the lead right from the first event in Misano and maintained its position throughout the season…

After its latest victory at the “De La Sarthe” circuit in Le Mans (France) and with one week until the final Grand Prix (6-7 October) in Jarama, Spain, IVECO can already lay claim to be the winner of the FIA European Truck Racing Championship 2018, following a dominant display throughout the whole season with a…

While it won’t set its rear-wheels on fire when it comes to performance, the JMC Boarding 2.8 is blessed with 84kW of power at 3 600rpm and a gutsy 235N.m of torque from as low as 2 300rpm JMC is a relative newcomer to the South African commercial vehicle market, having found favour with local…

Joachim Drees, chairman of the Executive Board of Man Truck & Bus AG, and his board colleague Dr. Ulrich Dilling, responsible for production and logistics, handed over the first electric trucks of the type MAN eTGM at the Steyr production site at nine member companies of the Austrian Council for Sustainable Logistics (CNL). This also…

MAN Trucks SA, taking long-haul trucking to the next level Having notched up a string of fuel efficiency benchmarks since its release in Europe in 2008, the Euro 5 MAN TGX 26.540 6×4 BLS (XLX) EfficientLine truck-tractor now makes its official debut in southern Africa at a launch ceremony at MAN Truck SA ’s Pinetown…

60 MAN TGS 26.440 long-haul units have been added to the Imperial Cargo fleet.   Imperial Cargo has procured 60 MAN TGS 26.440 truck-tractors to service its line-haul operations in southern Africa. The new vehicles will join the 44 MAN TGS 26.440 units currently operating in the Imperial Cargo fleet, which now numbers a total of…

 Production of the Mercedes-Benz eActros will take place at Wörth Vehicles with electric drive will be incorporated flexibly into the existing production set-up New range of tasks will be generated in the manufacturing process The eActros: locally CO2-neutral heavy-duty truck for sustainable transport CO2-neutral from 2022: entire Wörth plant shifting to green production Stuttgart/Wörth am…

The new Unimog U529 sets new standard as a robust and versatile specialised truck, delivering on the the Mercedes-Benz “trucks you can trust” brand promise.  The Unimog U529 is a new concept in the South African agricultural industry offering significant farming versatility with haul speeds of up to 80 km/h.  The Unimog UGE529 employs a…

STUTTGART- The Mercedes-Benz Sprinter started the year 2017 with a new record: From January through March, Mercedes-Benz Vans delivered approximately 45,000 units of the large van to customers all over the world. This represents growth of about 10 percent compared with the prior-year period. The Sprinter therefore achieved its most successful first quarter in its…

Bob Wang, Chief Executive Officer of Ever Star Industries (Pty) Ltd, is highly excited about the company’s new venture starting this month. Ever Star Industries is broadening the Powerstar-branded range to include light and medium commercial vehicles from the Foton stable, including 3-ton, 5-ton and 7- to 8-ton vehicles. This follows a joint venture between…

Powerstar V3 is ready for any heavyweight bout. Just like a heavyweight boxer, the Powerstar V3  stands – waiting, concentrating, muscles taut and skin glistening with perspiration – its energy pulsating through its 26-ton body. The hulking mass is the V3 2642 6×4 premium long-haul truck tractor, the flagship product of Powerstar, a truck brand of…

When I recently had a face-to-face interview with Scania South Africa’s newly-appointed Managing Director, Raimo Lehtiö, his soft-spoken approach on the one hand, but his firm stance on solutions and achievement on the other, reminded me of a gentle giant. “Just call me Raimo,” he said and so we proceeded. Raimo Lehtiö appears to characterise…

Scania South Africa’s aftermarket activities are in for some changes regarding its customer aftersales support systems Mark Erasmus, who was appointed Scania SA General Manager: Services at the beginning of August, aims to be ahead of the curve. He is highly motivated and passionately committed to meeting emerging trends in customers’ changing demands regarding aftersales…

“The power, the feeling and that unmistakeable sound – they are part of what makes Scania’s V8 engine a legend,” say the engineers at Scania-Vabis, the research and development division of the company in Sweden. “Add excellent fuel economy in its output segment, and the reputation of having excellent reliability, and you have a combination…

Tata Motors, India’s largest commercial vehicle manufacturer, has launched an initiative to train under-privileged youth from Africa under the SkillPro program, in an effort to enhance employability for the African youth. Judas Tlou Kobo and Lesego Faith Banda were the two students selected under the programme and were invited to participate in the company’s intensive…

TATA International Africa donated over R120 000 to Operation Smile South Africa at a ceremony in Cape Town on Friday 22 November. The donation serves to contribute to the costs of surgery to repair cleft lip, cleft palate and other facial deformities, and provide education and training on the deformity. “We are honoured and privileged…

Thomson’s Towing and Panelbeaters, based in White River, Mpumalanga, owes much of its success to the hardworking Tata trucks in its growing fleet. An Automobile Association partner, the company currently operates six Tata trucks comprising Tata 713, 813 and 913 medium and heavy-duty LPT models. One of these, a Tata 713, stands out from the…

UD Trucks Southern Africa is entering a new era with the appointment of a new managing director. Filip Van den Heede will be replacing Gert Swanepoel, who is retiring after 32 years with the company. “It has been an incredible journey with UD Trucks, and it is truly the people and the relationships with customers…

UD Trucks Southern Africa is proud to announce the winners of its Extra Mile Challenge driver competition.  Cornel van der Westhuizen from Grain Carriers won the Quon category, while Cederic Matthyse from Darling Romery walked away with the title of Best Quester Driver. The two local winners and their managers are off to Japan in…

Even though South Africa’s struggling economy is continuing to have an impact on the local commercial vehicle industry, the sector showed a 3.1% year-on-year growth in new unit sales at the end of October. According to the latest combined year-to-date results released by the National Association of Automobile Manufacturers of South Africa (Naamsa), Associated Motor…

Following on from the successful VWSA Black-Owned Supplier’s Day held in 2016, Volkswagen Group South Africa (VWSA) has extended its assistance to strategically align black-owned suppliers in the automotive sector by launching the Ntinga Project. Volkswagen launches the Ntinga Project 10 Finalists Chosen Winners to receive potential contract with VWSA and become fully-fledged production suppliers….

Volkswagen B-BBEE Initiatives Trust launched to Suppliers Volkswagen B-BBEE Initiatives Trust  supported by the Eastern Cape Government 22 June 2017 marked another significant day for black-owned suppliers in the automotive sector, with the official launch of the Volkswagen B-BBEE Initiatives Trust.  Although established in 2016, it was publicly launched today to showcase the Trust and…

Volkswagen Group South Africa (VWSA) has been awarded the new International Environmental Certification – ISO 14001:2015.  This certification was awarded and confirmed by lead auditors from Tuev Nord and Volkswagen AG.  VWSA has made great improvements in Safety, Environmental and Energy management performance processes. These improvements were acknowldged by achieving this certification in record time….

It is early morning in a busy commercial vehicle stockyard and Dorah Lungile Mabaso is meticulously completing a walkaround safety check of a new multi-million Rand truck that is about to be delivered to a local transport fleet. Not everybody in the yard is used to seeing a female truck driver, so they shout a…

Before the launch of the Volvo FMX, different variants of the Volvo FM and Volvo FH were used in the construction industry. In 2010 many years of feedback from customers led to the successful launch of a Volvo truck developed specifically for construction work. “The Volvo FMX was a game changer and it soon became…

Volvo Trucks’ latest launch film has reached new heights. To demonstrate the power and strength of its four new vehicles, Volvo built a colossal 15-metre, 58-tonne truck tower, stacking its four new trucks on top of one another. Adding to that, they stood president Roger Alm on top. In the truck industry, releasing one truck…