Powerstar: tough enough for Africa

June 19, 2026

Under the theme of NAMPO Harvest Day 2026 – “Resilience through Innovation” – Ever Star Industries (ESI) presented a robust and affordable selection of Powerstar trucks. Including modern Euro 5 alternatives, these are equipped with PowerTech telematics systems and built to perform in Africa’s harsh operating conditions. TRACY KLÜCKOW visited the company’s sizeable stand at the annual agricultural show in Bothaville, Free State, where its impressive display captured the attention of the farming community.

Known to be the largest open-air agricultural trade exhibition in the Southern Hemisphere, NAMPO Harvest Day 2026 drew a considerable crowd (81,822 visitors over four days). This made it an ideal location for Centurion-based ESI to reinforce the suitability of Powerstar trucks for the African construction and agriculture sectors, especially with the current global climate driving up operating costs.

ESI is the sole distributor of Powerstar trucks in the Southern African Development Community (SADC). Comprising mostly Euro 2 trucks, its budget-friendly vehicles rely on simple, easy-to-maintain technology suited to the low-grade fuel abundant throughout Africa. Speaking to FOCUS at NAMPO, Alan Parry, ESI general manager, revealed that the brand holds about 30% market share in the local construction sector, emphasising its ongoing popularity.

Rodney Selesnick, senior head of sales at Powerstar South Africa, concurred: “We’ve got back orders to the tune of about 300 units, but our sales are limited to 1,100 units this year, owing to our current production capabilities. The trucks are very well liked, and our dealers are enjoying the increased demand.” Consequently, the company is considering increasing its production to keep up with demand, which is currently outpacing supply.

There are various farming applications that benefit from the capabilities of the Powerstar trucks displayed at NAMPO – from cattle bodies purpose-built for livestock transportation to tipper trucks for transporting harvested crops. ESI’s stand showcased the Powerstar VX 2628 LWB Cattle Body, the new Powerstar Euro 3 VL 550 AMT 6×4 Tractor (a high-performance truck tractor for long-haul), the heavy-duty Powerstar VX 4042 8×8 Chassis Cab, the Powerstar Euro 5 VX 4043 8×4 AMT 18-m³ tipper truck and the new Powerstar Euro 5 VX 2635 LWB 6×4 water tanker.

Selesnick said that, while ESI typically supplies trucks with Euro 2 and Euro 3 engines, Euro 5 Powerstar trucks have been available in China and other markets for some time. These trucks have been imported to address some customers’ needs and concerns, particularly in anticipation of regulatory changes scheduled for 2027.

“Our clients will not be left in the lurch. Our offering will hinge on what government does in terms of emissions regulations. We currently supply the VL 550 with a Euro 3 engine, but the Euro 5 version is in production. However, as the technology comes at a higher cost, other Euro 5 trucks will be introduced as they are required,” Selesnick explained.

The next generation engine is not the only advancement ESI has announced to the local market of late. In August last year, the company launched the PowerTech telematics system for Euro 2 engines, marking a significant leap forward in fleet management technology. “PowerTech comes standard on all our trucks now and helps owners tremendously with everything from uptime to monitoring driving behaviour – such as harsh braking – as well as fuel efficiency and satellite tracking to curb theft,” shared Parry.

PowerTech helps to reduce downtime, fuel and maintenance costs. It promotes safer driving and supports regulatory compliance. It also simplifies fleet oversight, increases transparency, allows for remote access, improves strategic planning and adapts as a fleet expands.

According to Selesnick, Powerstar trucks are designed to offer the simplest technology for reduced downtime and the best total cost of ownership, strengthened by reliable parts support and access to expert advice. “Our business isn’t just selling trucks. We offer fast, effective aftersales services that differentiate us from other truck manufacturers, especially those that are new to the local market,” he expanded. “Our approach ensures that essential vehicle parts are accessible when required, supporting workshops and operators in managing maintenance efficiently. This steady supply helps minimise downtime, maintains vehicle performance and supports the daily demands of heavy-duty transport operations.” This underscores that Powerstar trucks can easily be serviced when out of warranty, unlike high-tech trucks that require specialist equipment and specific training for maintenance.

Selesnick highlighted that ESI has in excess of R100 million in parts at any given time: “Whether it’s because of driver error, accidents or component failure, depending on age, all trucks will break. It’s how quickly you can put those trucks back on the road that matters.”

ESI’s measure of success is not based on how many new clients it has, but on repeat business. “Our customers believe in the brand and know that the product works. The trucks are designed and built for Africa,” he emphasised. In the SADC, ESI’s dealer network comprises more than 30 dealerships, covering Botswana, Mozambique, Namibia, South Africa, Eswatini, Zambia and Zimbabwe, with all having shown massive growth. Last August, 15 years since its establishment, ESI celebrated the 10,000^th truck to roll off its Pietermaritzburg production line. This milestone is especially significant considering that, at the start, the plant produced only three to eight units a day. It is hoped that the next 10,000 trucks will be produced in half the time through an expansion plan worth more than R150 million.

In addition to this investment, Parry highlighted that there are thrilling new developments afoot this year, which will see ESI strengthen its relationship with Chinese state-owned truck engine manufacturer Weichai. Read all about these developments in future issues of FOCUS!