Author:charleen-clarke
Cue the trumpets – We’ve joined the International Van of the Year jury! April 23, 2025 We’re thrilled to announce that Charleen Clarke, editorial director of FOCUS, has been invited to join the prestigious International Van of the Year (IVOTY) jury! This marks a historic moment, as for the first time in the competition’s 34 years, a South African – and indeed an African – has been invited to take part in this globally significant panel of experts. The IVOTY award […]
Cracks in the tar, rust on the rails: is this our future? April 11, 2025 Ever wondered what the transport infrastructure in South Africa (what’s left of it) will look like in 10 years? I worry that I know the answer… Every time I read one of Nick Porée’s columns, I brace myself. I know I’m about to be punched in the gut by facts that are not just painful – they’re undeniable. It’s not his tone that breaks me. […]
Are electric vans about to become cheaper than diesel? April 9, 2025 Electric vans – once seen as a futuristic luxury – are fast becoming a serious contender in the commercial vehicle space. According to a new report from tech analysts IDTechEx, it may not be long before they’re also the cheaper option. In 2023, about 5% of all global light commercial vehicle (LCV) sales were electric vehicles (EVs). In 2024, fewer than 500,000 electric LCVs (eLCVs) were sold globally. […]
Unpacked: 2024 commercial vehicle market March 13, 2025 The 2024 commercial VEHICLE (CV) market faced a 5.6% decline after strong growth in 2023 but still achieved ITS second-highest sales total since the pandemic. Lightstone unpacks these and other related developments… After growing by 13.1% in 2023, the combined heavy and extra-heavy commercial market struggled somewhat in 2024, contracting by 5.6%. However, it still recorded its second-best annual sales total since the start of the pandemic, with 22,378 units reported to […]
Could CV manufacturers face a legal storm over emissions? March 18, 2025 As the UK’s largest-ever class action against diesel car manufacturers heads to court, the question arises: could commercial vehicle manufacturers face a similar fate despite their substantial green investments? As the UK High Court reviews the largest-ever class action against car manufacturers for excessive emissions of nitrogen oxides (NOx), the implications for the commercial vehicle (CV) industry are worth considering. The case, which involves 1.5 million diesel vehicles […]
HYUNDAI SANTA FE CROWNED SUPREME WINNER OF WOMEN’S WORLDWIDE CAR OF THE YEAR 2025 March 5, 2025 The Hyundai Santa Fe has been honoured as the World’s Best Car for 2025 by the prestigious Women’s Worldwide Car of the Year (WWCOTY) jury. This significant accolade was announced to coincide with International Women’s Day, adding a celebratory note to the occasion for millions around the globe. The Santa Fe is scheduled for launch in South Africa in June this year. A […]
LCV market growth: Roadblocks ahead? February 11, 2025 According to the National Association of Automobile Manufacturers of South Africa (naamsa), 133,254 light commercial vehicles (LCVs) were sold in South Africa during 2024 – a 12% decrease compared to the 151,490 LCVs sold in 2023. January 2025 was slightly better, with the 9,901 LCV sales representing a decline of 9.1% over January 2024. So, what trends are impacting this vital sector of South Africa’s economy, and what challenges lie ahead? LCVs […]
MAN’s testing programme tackles TCO January 8, 2025 MAN Automotive South Africa has launched its most ambitious truck testing programme to date. Philip Kalil-Zackey, vice president of truck sales and product at MAN Automotive South Africa, tells CHARLEEN CLARKE that the programme is solidifying the company’s commitment to delivering premium products tailored to the unique demands of the South African market. The extensive testing initiative, conducted on the notoriously challenging N3 route between Johannesburg and Durban, underscores the company’s focus […]
Reinventing the wheel: Tech drives tyre innovation January 14, 2025 The race to create high-performance, eco-friendly tyres has never been more intense. As the automotive industry moves towards sustainability, premium tyre manufacturers are leveraging cutting-edge technology to improve durability and efficiency, and reduce environmental impact. By integrating artificial intelligence (AI), advanced materials science, and 3D metal printing, manufacturers are redefining how tyres are designed, produced, and ultimately disposed of. These innovations are not only improving road performance but also ensuring […]
Volvo 9600: a real winner January 30, 2025 For over a decade, Unitrans Passenger has relied on Volvo buses and coaches to keep its operations running smoothly, and the Volvo 9400 has proven to be a real asset. Now, with the launch of the Volvo 9600, Unitrans Passenger’s divisional head of the technical department, Sean van den Heever, shares his insights into the 9400 and his thoughts on Volvo’s latest offering with CHARLEEN CLARKE. Unitrans Passenger purchased its first Volvo […]
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