Author:charleen-clarke

Are SA truck operators ready for e-trucks?

Are SA truck operators ready for e-trucks? September 7, 2022 Electric trucks are the name of the game all over the world, but what about here in South Africa? Are truck operators ready? Daimler Truck Southern Africa seems to think so… Daimler has already tested an electric truck in this country, namely the eCanter. Following that evaluation, the company will embark on further testing of an upgraded version the current eCanter.  According to Michael Dietz, CEO of Daimler Truck Southern […]

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World launch of Next Generation eCanter takes place in Japan

World launch of Next Generation eCanter takes place in Japan September 7, 2022 The world launch of the Next Generation eCanter – produced by Mitsubishi Fuso Truck and Bus Corporation – has taken place in Japan. Significantly, the new truck now comes with a modular battery concept, meaning a variety of ranges are up for grabs. CHARLEEN CLARKE reports. Operators can choose between one, two or three batteries. The eCanter with one battery with a rated capacity of 41 kWh […]

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Celebrating transport’s leading ladies!

Celebrating transport’s leading ladies! August 10, 2022 Each August, South Africa celebrates Women’s Month. What better time to pay tribute to some of the leading ladies of transport and logistics? While there are still more men than women employed in the field of transport and logistics in South Africa, more and more members of the fairer sex are entering this sector of industry. We would like to pay tribute to some of these women. These are seven women who are […]

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IAA visitors in for a treat

IAA visitors in for a treat August 10, 2022 The focus of the show may have changed but CHARLEEN CLARKE reports that, in typical IAA fashion, a plethora of new equipment and tech will be on show in the latest instalment of this transport exhibition. After a four-year break, the IAA is back! It has been renamed the IAA Transportation 2022 and the focus of the event – which takes place at the Hannover exhibition centre between September 20 and […]

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Extra duties on Chinese tyres: fair or foul play?

Extra duties on Chinese tyres: fair play or foul? August 1, 2022 Well, it seems as though the gloves have come off in the tyre industry. The reason why? New duties that have been mooted on tyres imported from China. The two parties at war are the SA Tyre Manufacturers Conference (SATMC) and the Tyre Importers Association of South Africa (TIASA). First off, I need to explain the two parties. The somewhat strangely named SATMC (it’s not actually a conference, […]

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The bus sector is bleeding

The bus sector is bleeding July 6, 2022 One of the highlights of the recent SABOA Conference was a presentation by Bazil Govender, the association’s executive manager. Sadly, this presentation was also a lowlight of the event – because Govender reported back on an industry survey, which reveals that the bus sector is bleeding. Can you imagine the demise of bus operators in South Africa? Sure, we have minibus taxis, but the absence of bus operators would be devastating for […]

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SABOA Conference a treat for bus and coach operators

SABOA Conference a treat for bus and coach operators July 6, 2022 This year’s SABOA Conference was superb – a well-organised event that offered a great deal to the many bus and coach operators who attended. CHARLEEN CLARKE joined the delegates in attendance. Minister of Transport Fikile Mbalula’s keynote speech acknowledged the Covid-19 pandemic’s devastating impact on the economy. “The transport sector was not spared. The travel restrictions we introduced during various Alert levels had a direct impact on your […]

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Face-to-face with Scania’s Erik Bergvall

Face-to-face with Scania’s Erik Bergvall July 11, 2022 Towards the end of 2021, Erik Bergvall was appointed managing director of Scania Southern Africa. CHARLEEN CLARKE asks him about his impressions of the South African market and his future aspirations. Bergvall comes to South Africa with an impressive track record within Scania. Most recently, he was managing director of Scania Middle East, where he delivered strong growth in both vehicle sales and after-sales. But he says that it was his time […]

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Hail transport operators!

Hail transport operators! June 20, 2022 I’ve just experienced life as a transport operator… and I have newfound respect for the men and women who do this job. It’s not for the faint-hearted! “My” fleet of trucks – in my new role as a transport operator – was relatively small. It comprised eight utterly exceptional trucks, which were participating in Truck Test 2022. You can read all about the event, the trucks’ specifications, and the results in this issue of […]

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Truck Test 2022: done and dusted!

Truck Test 2022: done and dusted! June 17, 2022 Truck Test 2022 is done and dusted… and now we know which trucks in South Africa are the best of the best! After many months of planning, Truck Test 2022 kicked off on May 31, when the trucks were refuelled at Engen Blockhouse south of Johannesburg. This was the start and end point for the Johannesburg/Durban/Johannesburg test that was to come. On a cold June winter’s morning the following day, the […]

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