Author:charleen-clarke
I have just returned from Berlin, where MAN gave journalists an exclusive preview into what the company has up its Bavarian sleeve for this yearβs IAA. I think it is fair to say that IAA visitors will be in for a treat. The location for the event was Berlin Brandenburg Airport β the German capitalβs new and as yet unfinished airport. Whatβs noteworthy about this airport? It has two things in abundance: lots of free space and lots of controversy. […]
Recently, along with the rest of the jury members on the International Truck of the Year (ITOY) judging panel, I was invited to Sweden to experience the latest product offerings and technology innovations from Volvo Trucks. What an eye opener! Before travelling to Gothenburg, I thought that I knew exactly what the company was getting up to. I was wrong! The visit incorporated many aspects … You can read more about my trip in my next Global Focus column. For […]
Iveco is returning to the European Truck Racing Championship this year with a female driver! Her name is Steffi Halm. Sheβs 33 years old, hails from Germany and is part of the Schwabentruck team. Ivecoβs official role is that of technical sponsor to the Hahn Racing and Schwabentruck teams. The latter has represented the brand for the past nine years, while Team Hahn won the 2016 championship. Halm and the other drivers are driving a Stralis 440 E 56 XP-R […]
The so-called βSeven Sistersβ (the seven established European brands, namely Mercedes-Benz, MAN, Iveco, Renault, Scania, DAF and Volvo) could be in for a wake-up call in the form of Ford Trucks. Ford trucks are produced by a company called Ford Otosan, which was established in 1959. The company is owned by Ford Motor Company and KoΓ§ Holding, the largest industrial conglomerate in Turkey. I have been spending quite a bit of time with this company (which, sadly, has no plans […]
Weβre launching an all-new series in FOCUS called Face to Face, in which we will interview captains of industry. In the first instalment within the new series, CHARLEEN CLARKE goes face-to-face with Markus Geyer, MD ofΒ MAN Automotive. You had a great 2017. Well done! How is MAN Automotive performing in 2018?Β I would like to answer this question from a local perspective where we play predominantly in the heavy bus and extra-heavy truck segments. We have managed to increase our […]
FOCUS has just returned from Friedrichshafen, Germany, where we have seen the future of trucking β¦ and it looks utterly fascinating! We were invited to Friedrichshafen by ZF. The company hosts Technology Days each year, during which it predicts and demonstrates future technology. This year, one of the most fascinating topics was the cab of the future which β according to the very clever engineers at ZF β wonβt require a steering wheel or pedals for that matter. Instead, the […]
South African truckers are playing a key role in the distribution of heroin. This has emerged in a report by ENACT* The report β authored by Simone Haysom, Peter Gastrow and Mark Shaw β is entitled βThe heroin coast: A political economy along the eastern African seaboardβ, and it paints a truly frightening picture. Rather terrifyingly, South African truckers and Gautengβs City Deep container depot are named as key players in the heroin trade! The authors maintain that, in recent […]
Stelvio. Could there be a more evocative-sounding name for a vehicle? Alfa Romeoβs first SUV is, in fact, named after the famous winding road through the Alps in northern Italy. Widely known to be one of the best driverβs roads in the world, use of this famous mountain roadβs name hints at Alfaβs intentions for this vehicle β sporty and engaging, with the practicality and surefooted ability of an all-wheel drive SUV. Engaging it certainly is. From the moment you […]
Ford has launched the fabulous all-new Fiesta Sport Van in the United Kingdom. The launch took place recently at the 2018 CV Show in Birmingham, England. Based on the latest multi-award-winning Fiesta passenger car, the all-new Fiesta Sport Van is said to provide a stylish, compact and economical vehicle for businesses of all sizes. The new model, in an eye-catching Sport series, is powered by either a 1,0-litre EcoBoost or 1,5-litre TDCi diesel engine. Inside the three-door body, there is […]
In a move that many say will not achieve anything, hydrogen truck start-up Nikola is suing Tesla Motors for US$ 2 billion (R25,5 billion) saying the electric car maker copied its patents when designing its electric semi. Nikola first showed its semi, the Nikola One, back in 2016. Now it is saying that Tesla copied its design and does not have patents. βThe Tesla Semi design is substantially similar to Nikolaβs unique design, and Tesla copied Nikolaβs patents,β an Arizona […]
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