Author:charleen-clarke
In the world of the bakkie-based SUV, the Toyota Fortuner is king. Based as it is on the venerable Hilux, this would only be a reasonable expectation – for in the bakkie world, the Hilux is king. However, while the Ford ranger and Isuzu KB commendably challenge the Hilux on the sales charts, the Fortuner remains comparatively unchallenged. It is undoubtedly the nation’s favourite in its segment … but, does that mean it’s the best? A couple of weeks ago […]
Mercedes-Benz has pulled an electric rabbit out of its hat! The company has lifted the lid on the eActros, which, as its name implies, is a fully electric heavy-duty truck. I must say that I was surprised at the launch. While I knew that MAN was working on bringing an electric truck to market (we’re expecting it within months); the Mercedes-Benz team was very hush hush about its developments. This is not to say that the company has been snoozing […]
The long-awaited Mercedes-Benz Sprinter has made its debut! CHARLEEN CLARKE travelled to Duisburg, Germany, for the world premiere of this highly anticipated new van. “The new Sprinter is to conventional vans what the smartphone is to a plain old mobile phone.” That was how Volker Mornhinweg, head of Mercedes-Benz Vans, described the new Sprinter in Duisburg. He’s spot on right on a number of counts … and these are the reasons why. • It looks a whole lot better Remember […]
While the 2018 Budget was reasonably sound, it didn’t do nearly enough to promote economic growth in South Africa, writes CHARLEEN CLARKE. Econometrix has been holding its annual budget conference for a whopping 33 years (for the last three years, it’s been partnering with Grant Thornton and GTC). The event always provides expert commentary on the budget and its implications for the country as a whole. This year was no different; the speakers provided expert insight into the budget and […]
Margaret Phillipson, customer service manager at FOCUS, has retired. CHARLEEN CLARKE pays tribute to one of transport’s finest and nicest ladies… I have a confession to make: when Tina Monteiro, publisher of FOCUS, told me that she’d hired Margaret ten years ago, I had my doubts. They were two-fold: Margaret was a banking-industry veteran – so she wasn’t an advertising guru. Also, she knew little or nothing about transport. I truly wondered if she would cope. She didn’t cope. Instead, […]
There are certain things in the world that some people will never understand. How that loving couple came to be; how a “car guy” can become utterly besotted with a machine that boils down to four wheels and an engine; and how Alfa Romeos are just so special. We’ll, I recently got married to the most loving, special person I’ve had the privilege of knowing; became besotted with a vehicle that has four wheels and an engine; and well, you […]
Mercedes-Benz has shown its brand new Sprinter to the world and, of course, FOCUS was there. On Tuesday, February 6, we joined about 240 of the world’s leading commercial vehicle journalists in Duisburg, Germany, for the world premiere of this highly anticipated new van. The new Sprinter is the successor to a global phenomenon; Mercedes-Benz has sold more than 3,4-million Sprinters since its premiere in 1995, and, judging by our initial impressions of the new van (which we have yet to drive), […]
Did you know that Mercedes-Benz used to make a bakkie long, long ago? And that Mercedes (sans Benz) made a typewriter? CHARLEEN CLARKE travels to Chile to test drive the company’s latest pickup and encounters all sorts of surprises. I’m standing next to the side of the road, conversing with the cutest little Chilean. He owns what some people would call a “junk shop”. My co-driver, on the other hand, would “platz” at this description. He calls these establishments “antique […]
Solutrans was expected to be all about e-mobility, and, of course, this subject did feature prominently – But it wasn’t the sole star of the show. CHARLEEN CLARKE reports from Lyon. Solutrans could not have happened at a more opportune time. Its doors opened just days after Elon Musk launched his Tesla electric truck (see page 40 for details). This was the topic of discussion on most stands, with many industry observers concluding that Musk had lost the plot. Whereas […]
The Kia Rio has developed a strong following among buyers of B-segment hatchbacks – its reputation especially took off with the previous, third generation; which was launched in South Africa in 2012. While traditional rivals such as the Hyundai i20, Mazda 2 and Renault Clio continue to sell well, competition in this segment is set to get stiffer as the new-generation VW Polo and Ford Fiesta are expected to land later in 2018. So, how does the new Rio stack […]
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