Author:charleen-clarke
MAN eTGX and eTGS: quiet confidence, big ambition September 16, 2025 MANโs new heavy-duty electric trucks have arrived with a tailwind. The eTGX recently won the worldโs first major comparison test for heavy-duty electric trucks (conducted by Trucker magazine). But these are the obvious questions: are these trucks any good, and do they truly deserve that first place? CHARLEEN CLARKE went to Munich to find out. Back in 2018, we were invited to Austria by MAN. The occasion? Amidst much […]
Driven: Toyota Corolla Cross 1.8XR HEV September 21, 2025 Back in 1997, Toyota was first to market with the Prius, which became the worldโs first mass-produced hybrid car. At the time, no other manufacturer had a hybrid vehicle in mass production. Toyotaโs early move gave it a huge lead in hybrid technology, and the Prius went on to become synonymous with hybrids worldwide. Toyota undoubtedly deserves credit for pioneering hybrids with the Prius, which fundamentally changed how the industry thought […]
Minister unveils ambitious transport overhaul at SATC July 12, 2025 At the 43rd annual Southern African Transport Conference and Exhibition (SATC), Minister of Transport Barbara Creecy laid out a bold transport strategy aimed at transforming South Africaโs infrastructure, revitalising rail, boosting aviation, and improving road safety. CHARLEEN CLARKE reports that the strategy aims to unlock long-term economic growth. The Department of Transport (DoT) has an ambitious agenda to transform passenger and freight transport in South Africa โ with the aim […]
Can SAโs drone laws keep up with the skies? July 8, 2025 As drones promise to transform deliveries, healthcare, and urban mobility, can South Africa modernise its outdated regulations fast enough to lead Africaโs aerial revolution? The time to act is now! CHARLEEN CLARKE reportsโฆ By 2050, the global market for non-military drones is expected to grow significantly, transforming how goods and people move across cities and rural landscapes. In South Africa, where road access remains limited in many regions […]
Africaโs mobility crisis: Political games leave the vulnerable stranded July 2, 2025 As Africa urbanises and climate shocks intensify, outdated transport planning sacrifices the safety and dignity of millions who walk long distances daily. CHARLEEN CLARKE reports that itโs time for bold, inclusive mobility reforms. As Africa faces the combined pressures of rapid urbanisation, worsening climate disruptions, and the growing risk of social conflict, questions around transport and mobility have become increasingly urgent. According to Professor Gina Porter of Durham […]
Billions for broken rails โ or broken promises? August 22, 2025 South Africa has just secured nearly US$2 billion in loans to fix its collapsing infrastructure. Thatโs not small change. Itโs the kind of money that could, theoretically, electrify our railways, unclog our ports, and give road freight a run for its money. Will this happen in practice, though? The question on many lips is simple: will the cash repair the country, or just disappear into the usual black holes? […]
Tata buys Iveco: A global powerhouse is born August 8, 2025 Itโs official: Tata Motors will acquire Iveco Group, forming one of the most formidable new players in the global commercial vehicle (CV) sector. CHARLEEN CLARKE reports that the move, confirmed by both companies, marks a potentially game-changing development for the ailing Italian truck and bus manufacturer โ and could be the lifeline it needs to return to strength. Described by Iveco chair Suzanne Heywood as โstrategically significantโ, the agreement […]
Is Tata about to take over Iveco? We unpack the (potential) deal July 28, 2025 Indiaโs Tata Motors is circling Iveco Group in what could become one of the most significant commercial vehicle (CV) acquisitions in recent years. CHARLEEN CLARKE writes that, if successful, the deal would see Tata acquire a controlling stake in the iconic Italian truck and bus manufacturer โ minus its defence division. Itโs a move that could radically reshape the European and global truck industry and […]
A ray of light, a dose of reality July 9, 2025 Thereโs a heaviness that has hung over my recent columns โ a pessimism Iโve struggled to shake โ and for good reason: South Africaโs transport sector has felt broken beyond repair. But just when I thought Iโd lost the last of my optimism, something shifted. A media release landed in my inbox. It made me think. And, for the first time in a long time, it made me hope. […]
Making miracles on the Han River July 11, 2025 From war-torn poverty to global tech titan, South Koreaโs transformation is legendary. Now Kia, once nearly bankrupt, is leading a new revolution โ with a van. CHARLEEN CLARKE writes that the PV5 is about to ruffle many a feature in the commercial vehicle (CV) market. In the aftermath of the Korean War, few would have wagered on South Koreaโs future. The country was left scorched and destitute. In 1960, its GDP […]
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