Author:charleen-clarke
Tata celebrates production of 12,000th vehicle April 21, 2026 Not loud, not flashy, but always present. Thatโs Tata. That was also the message at a function at the companyโs Rosslyn plant in Pretoria, South Africa, which celebrated the production of its 12,000th vehicle. CHARLEEN CLARKE joined the celebrations. At first glance, the milestone may appear to be only a numerical achievement. Yet for both Tata Africa Holdings โ one of the distribution partners for Tata Motors Commercial Vehicles โ and […]
Changan UNI-S: too good to be true? April 3, 2026 The Changan UNI-S has arrived in South Africa and its price tag came as a huge surprise. Incredibly, pricing starts at a mere R389,900 โ for a premium mid-sized SUV. CHARLEEN CLARKE asks (and answers) the question: Is it too good to be true? Honestly, when something is too cheap, I worry. And, in a sense, the Changan UNI-S is indeed as cheap as chips โ which makes me wary. […]
Fake job and onboarding scams: a growing risk February 25, 2026 Fake job and onboarding scams are escalating rapidly, exposing workers and employers in the transport industry to financial loss, identity theft and cyber intrusion. Thanks to advances in artificial intelligence (AI), writes CHARLEEN CLARKE, these scams are becoming more convincing โ and more difficult to detect. Themba, a truck driver from Cape Town, was thrilled to see an email pop up in his inbox. Despite the fact that he […]
Finalists announced for 2026 IFOY Award February 28, 2026 A total of 13 products and solutions from eight nations have reached the final round of the 2026 IFOY Award, while four companies are competing for the โIFOY Start-up of the Yearโ Award. The finalists will undergo the IFOY Audit at the Test Camp Intralogistics in the Westfalenhalle Dortmund during April 2026. The eagerly anticipated finalists for the International Intralogistics and Forklift Truck of the Year (IFOY) Award 2026 have been […]
Chaos at the border: Transporters stranded as Zimbabweโs mineral export ban sparks outrage February 26, 2026 Zimbabweโs shock decision to suspend exports of raw minerals and lithium concentrates has triggered chaos across its transport corridors. It has left trucks stranded, operators furious and industry leaders accusing the government of committing a catastrophic political blunder. Late last month โ in a blunt press statement โ Polite Kambamura, Zimbabweโs Minister of Mines and Mining Development, announced that his government had โsuspended the […]
Would you pay R7.1m for a Defender? (Someone did) February 25, 2026 South Africans know a proper bakkie when they see one. We respect a vehicle that can graft hard and get on with the job โ whether itโs lugging cement to a site in Midrand or navigating a muddy farm road in the Free State. But every now and then, a vehicle comes along that rewrites the rulebook entirely. Enter Vesper, the latest bespoke Land Rover Defender 110 from […]
Children deserve transport, not Russian roulette February 17, 2026 School children are being slaughtered on our countryโs roads. This has to stop โ now! Every morning, South African parents perform a ritual of supreme faith. They button school shirts, pack lunchboxes and watch their children climb into minibuses, trusting that the social contract of road safety holds firm. They trust that the vehicle is sound, the driver is competent and the system is functioning. Yet, with sickening regularity, that promise […]
The one thing fleet managers are still getting wrong in 2026 January 28, 2026 South African fleet managers have never had more tools at their disposal. Vehicles are connected, data is abundant and dashboards light up with real-time information. On paper, fleets are more visible than ever before. And yet, one critical mistake continues to undermine safety, efficiency and risk management in 2026: fleet managers are still mistaking visibility for understanding. Knowing where vehicles are, how fast they are moving […]
Suzuki Auto South Africa reflects on a landmark year of growth and wins January 23, 2026 From record-breaking sales and industry accolades to motorsport spectacle, sporting success and owner-led celebrations, 2025 stands out as a defining year for Suzuki Auto South Africa. Across the country, the brand strengthened its market position while deepening its connection with customers, partners and communities. These six highlights capture the moments that shaped Suzukiโs year, both on and off the road. Sales momentum accelerates Suzukiโs […]
Defence, decarbonisation and disruption November 19, 2025 A record 600 delegates made their way to Amsterdam for the 2025 ECG Conference, confirming its status as the biggest annual meeting point for Europeโs finished vehicle logistics (FVL) sector. CHARLEEN CLARKE joined them โ and she reports that the industry is being squeezed on every axisโฆ ECG president Wolfgang Gรถbel opened the conference, noting that the market is flat. Spain and Poland are showing some growth, he said, but across the rest […]
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