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…

FAW Trucks are highly fuel efficient and this is backed up by excellent results in the recent 2022 Focus Transport Truck Test event, with the JH6 28.500FT claiming a second in terms of fuel efficiency, against some of the best brands in the industry. “Many of us are tired of hearing about increases to petrol…

The history of the FAW name and logo is both long and interesting. Today, both are instantly recognisable as symbols of quality, resilience and reliability, but delving deeper into the origins gives one a clearer understand of and appreciation for all the brand has achieved. It was more than six decades ago, under the guidance…

The agricultural industry is an integral part of FAW Trucks’ marketing strategy and the number of customers from this sector has continued to grow over the brand’s 28-year presence in South Africa. Main selling points continue to be durability and reliability, good build quality and finish, and affordable purchase prices and service and maintenance costs….

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…

At an exclusively hosted handover ceremony in Zimbabwe, FUSO Trucks and its authorised general distributor, ZIMOCO celebrated their newly-formed partnership with Baker’s Inn with a substantial delivery of 50 FUSO FE7-136 brand-new trucks. In line with the company’s vehicle replacement policy, the first 50 units handed over form part of the massive order of 250…

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…

Hino South Africa’s truck plant at Prospecton, outside Durban, is already ramping up to its required output rate after restarting production on 23 May following an enforced shutdown of 40 days resulting from extensive damage caused by the floods that hit KwaZulu-Natal on 11 April.  “This was a wonderful reward for a Herculean effort by…

Hino South Africa has got off to a flying start in 2022 in terms of the results of the first quarter Customer Experience survey of the local trucking industry. Importantly, the brand held on to its top position in terms of the Combined customer service management score in DataTrack’s quarterly comparative truck study, while also…

Additional training and even more attention to improving the customer experience are the major factors that propelled Hino Shelly Beach to its third Hino Dealer of the Year Award, according to Gansen Chetty, Team Leader of this South Coast dealership that is part of the Halfway Group. “We are very proud to have been able…

The world’s vehicle population now exceeds 1,4 billion – every day, millions of engines start up with varying degrees of exhaust emissions clouding the atmosphere. While South Africa’s vehicle population of 11 million road vehicles is only 0,79% of the world total, responsible Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEMs) and fleet operators cannot, and do not, overlook…

As a leading manufacturer of commercial vehicles Isuzu takes pride in its ability provide business solutions by offering a wide range of medium, heavy and extra-heavy commercial vehicles for all applications. With its latest programmes, Isuzu aims to save customers time by supplying trucks which are ready to work as soon as the purchase transaction…

The future is looking bright for Isuzu’s first intake of Youth Employment Service (YES) candidates. Landle Kenneth Carelse, 25, is one of the 2020 YES candidates who was successfully placed at Isuzu Motors South Africa (IMSAf). “I have really enjoyed the YES programme and the additional training we received thus far. I did not expect…

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…

Mercedes-Benz Vans South Africa sponsors the Nelson Mandela Museum with a Sprinter Versatile Sprinter converted into a mobile museum Nelson Mandela Museum in Mthatha to use the Sprinter for educational programmes Mandela Day used to follow in the steps of the formidable icon A Mercedes-Benz Sprinter 519 CDI Panel Van has been converted into a…

On 30 June 2021 Mercedes-Benz Trucks celebrated the world premiere of its battery-electric eActros for heavy-duty distribution haulage. Mercedes-Benz Trucks is heralding a new era with the launch of the first electric series-production truck with a star. “We have to acknowledge that transport is a part of the problem when it comes to climate change….

Mercedes-Benz Trucks ended 2020 on a strong note despite an unprecedented pandemic that disrupted the industry Mercedes-Benz Trucks pays tribute to customers, dealer partners and internal staff for their unwavering support, which enabled the brand to regain leadership The launch of the 2020 International Truck of the Year title holder the New Actros, lives up…

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…

Park Village Auctions is gearing up for a remarkable commercial vehicle sale this November. That’s the word from PVA’s Natashia Goosen who says that fleet managers typically welcome the chance to acquire affordable, reliable used vehicles stemming from genuine bank repossessions and liquidations. “All manners of logistics and earth-moving operators are in for a treat….

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…

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…

As a major step on the road to Zero Impact Production, Volkswagen Group South Africa (VWSA) has implemented two projects to dramatically reduce the environmental footprint of its Kariega plant. The first project is a wastewater recycling facility, which has been constructed onsite at the plant. This facility will recycle Production-related wastewater from various production…

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…

Volvo Trucks South Africa announced its top performing dealers, who as part of a greater nationwide network, excelled at supporting fleet customers during the uncertain times these past few years. The Mega Dealer of the Year award went to Volvo Truck & Bus Centre Gauteng, while independent dealer, Magnis Trucks Zululand walked away with top…

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…