Author:charleen-clarke
ECG Congress highlights turbulent times and technological transitions June 20, 2025 At a time when global trade faces unprecedented geopolitical shocks and the finished vehicle logistics (FVL) sector is navigating declining volumes, the ECG General Assembly & Spring Congress in Cascais struck a sobering, yet forward-looking tone. CHARLEEN CLARKE reports from Portugal. Hosted by the Association of European Vehicle Logistics (ECG), the event gathered industry leaders, economists, and technologists to unpack the state of play in a sector critical to […]
Customer commitment drives DAFโs market momentum June 17, 2025 The truck market isnโt a bed of roses. But DAF Trucks, under the stewardship of Babcock International Group, has been steadily carving out a prominent place in South Africaโs heavy commercial vehicle (HCV) market. In an exclusive interview with CHARLEEN CLARKE, Mark Gavin, sales director of DAF Trucks at Babcock, shares insights into the brandโs recent performance, sector trends, and what sets DAF apart in an increasingly competitive landscape. The South […]
Iveco bounces back! June 17, 2025 Iveco is preparing to make major strides in South Africa. CHARLEEN CLARKE flew to Madrid, Spain, to visit the companyโs truck plant and conduct an exclusive interview with Shahram Falati, business director โ Africa & Middle East at Iveco. He reveals that a number of significant developments are on the cards, including the resumption of local completely knocked down (CKD) assembly. Follow the money. Thatโs what one has to do to measure any companyโs […]
The robots are coming. No, waitโฆ theyโre already here! May 20, 2025 Weโve all heard the phrase, โThe robots are comingโ. Short, dramatic, and evocative, it suggests either an invasion or a revolutionโฆ or maybe both? You know a phrase has hit a nerve when it shows up in TED Talks, business keynotes, and even on protest signs. โThe robots are comingโ is one of those loaded lines that people love to fear. Itโs catchy, sure, but it also carries […]
Are electric vans about to become cheaper than diesel? April 9, 2025 Electric vans โ once seen as a futuristic luxury โ are fast becoming a serious contender in the commercial vehicle space. According to a new report from tech analysts IDTechEx, it may not be long before theyโre also the cheaper option. In 2023, about 5% of all global light commercial vehicle (LCV) sales were electric vehicles (EVs). In 2024, fewer than 500,000 electric LCVs (eLCVs) were sold globally. […]
Cracks in the tar, rust on the rails: is this our future? April 16, 2025 Ever wondered what the transport infrastructure in South Africa (whatโs left of it) will look like in 10 years? I worry that I know the answerโฆ Every time I read one of Nick Porรฉeโs columns, I brace myself. I know Iโm about to be punched in the gut by facts that are not just painful โ theyโre undeniable. Itโs not his tone that breaks me. […]
Unpacked: 2024 commercial vehicle market March 13, 2025 The 2024 commercial VEHICLE (CV) market faced a 5.6% decline after strong growth in 2023 but still achieved ITS second-highest sales total since the pandemic. Lightstone unpacks these and other related developmentsโฆ After growing by 13.1% in 2023, the combined heavy and extra-heavy commercial market struggled somewhat in 2024, contracting by 5.6%. However, it still recorded its second-best annual sales total since the start of the pandemic, with 22,378 units reported to […]
Could CV manufacturers face a legal storm over emissions? March 18, 2025 As the UKโs largest-ever class action against diesel car manufacturers heads to court, the question arises: could commercial vehicle manufacturers face a similar fate despite their substantial green investments? As the UK High Court reviews the largest-ever class action against car manufacturers for excessive emissions of nitrogen oxides (NOx), the implications for the commercial vehicle (CV) industry are worth considering. The case, which involves 1.5 million diesel vehicles […]
HYUNDAI SANTA FE CROWNED SUPREME WINNER OF WOMENโS WORLDWIDE CAR OF THE YEAR 2025 March 5, 2025 The Hyundai Santa Fe has been honoured as the Worldโs Best Car for 2025 by the prestigious Womenโs Worldwide Car of the Year (WWCOTY) jury. This significant accolade was announced to coincide with International Womenโs Day, adding a celebratory note to the occasion for millions around the globe. The Santa Fe is scheduled for launch in South Africa in June this year. A […]
LCV market growth: Roadblocks ahead? February 11, 2025 According to the National Association of Automobile Manufacturers of South Africa (naamsa), 133,254 light commercial vehicles (LCVs) were sold in South Africa during 2024 โ a 12% decrease compared to the 151,490 LCVs sold in 2023. January 2025 was slightly better, with the 9,901 LCV sales representing a decline of 9.1% over January 2024. So, what trends are impacting this vital sector of South Africaโs economy, and what challenges lie ahead? LCVs […]
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