Author:charleen-clarke
MAN flies the SA flag! October 20, 2020 MAN Automotive has come up with an extremely novel concept: a limited edition of trucks painted in the colours of the South African flag. CHARLEEN CLARKE reveals the story behind the creation of these extraordinary vehicles From bad to good. That’s what the SA Flag Limited Edition trucks personify, as Eren Gündüz, chief operating officer at MAN Automotive, says: “They symbolise the incredible success of the MAN brand in South Africa.” As […]
South Africa and India get IFOY jury seats! October 20, 2020 We have great news! South Africa and India are each getting an International Intralogistics and Forklift Truck of the Year (IFOY Award) jury seat. And South Africa is represented by none other than Charleen Clarke, editorial director of FOCUS! The IFOY Award is to the field of logistics what the Oscars are to the movie industry: a Seriously Big Deal. Specifically, the IFOY Award recognises – and then rewards […]
Border posts in southern Africa: costly chaos October 20, 2020 Border posts in this region have never been renowned for efficiency, to be honest. However, they seem to have sunk to a new low of late … I am receiving reports from cross-border transport operators each and every day and – when they concern border posts – they’re almost always negative. To be frank, it appears as though chaos reigns. There has been widespread confusion when it comes to Covid testing […]
World-first Volta Zero is launched September 22, 2020 Volta Trucks, the start-up electric vehicle manufacturer, has revealed the new Volta Zero – its first vehicle and the world’s first purpose-built full-electric 16-tonne commercial vehicle designed specifically for inner-city parcel and freight distribution. The Volta Zero will start undertaking operator trials with some of Europe’s largest parcel delivery and logistics companies in 2021. Orders have already been taken from companies wanting to secure the first customer-specification vehicles, which are due to […]
Face to face with Scania’s Fabio Souza September 21, 2020 The South African transport industry has probably never experienced more turbulent trading conditions. CHARLEEN CLARKE goes face to face with Fabio Souza, managing director of Scania Southern Africa, to ask him – amongst other things – what the company is doing to support local operators. Please tell us a little about your career and how it has prepared you for your current role as MD Scania Southern Africa I started […]
A legend steps down September 21, 2020 After 17 years with FOCUS, Vic Oliver has decided to hang up his writing hat. It is thus that, with a heavy heart, we’re saying goodbye to an absolute legend. There are some people who will always be in my heart. Vic is one of them. Over the past 17 years, we have obviously had a strong professional relationship – he was, after all, an integral part of the FOCUS team – but […]
Drivers are trucking Covid to Botswana – really? August 15, 2020 Truck drivers are the arch-enemy of the people of Botswana right now. Because, along with all the other provisions they’re taking to the country, they’re also trucking Covid-19 into Botswana. That’s the accusation. I decided to dig a little deeper and find out if this is, in fact, reality Many years ago, truck drivers were blamed for spreading HIV/Aids on our continent. Now, fingers are being pointed at them […]
A bloodbath is looming! July 9, 2020 If certain individuals have their way, lots of truck drivers will be murdered this month Recently, we received a message on WhatsApp. I am reproducing it here – warts, English errors and all. Attention! We are concerned South African Truck drivers. Fellow South Africans we will like to inform you once again about the upcoming shut down on the 07/07/2020 called by south african truck operators and all working sectors in private sector. […]
Iveco presents its new racing trucks June 30, 2020 Iveco has lifted the lid on its new S-Way R racing trucks that have been specially prepared for Team Hahn Racing and Team Schwabentruck. The reveal took place on the test rack at Iveco’s heavy-duty truck manufacturing and research and development centre in Ulm, Germany. Drivers Jochen Hahn from Team Hahn Racing and Steffi Halm from Team Schwabentruck put their new trucks through their paces on the test track, demonstrating the […]
Troubled times for US truck market June 30, 2020 In the United States of America, 2019 was an excellent year for heavy-duty truck sales, but 2020 looks uncertain for two reasons: the economic slowdown and the consequences of Covid-19, as GIANENRICO GRIFFINI and CHARLEEN CLARKE report. There are eight different weight-based commercial vehicle classes in the United States (US). Light-duty trucks fall into Classes 1 and 2, medium-duty trucks are categorised Classes 3 to 6 and heavy-duty trucks fall into […]
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