Author:charleen-clarke
IAA smashes records October 18, 2024 The 2024 IAA Transportation, which took place from 17 to 22 September in Hanover, Germany, grew by 10% from the previous edition. This year it attracted around 145,000 visitors, and CHARLEEN CLARKE was one of them. This year IAA smashed a number of records. There were nearly 1,700 exhibitors from 41 countries, a 21% increase compared to 2022. International participation soared to a record 72%, and over 145 world and European premieres took place. […]
National truck stop framework study underway September 10, 2024 Truck drivers in South Africa spend an inordinate amount of time at truck stops, but there is no central source of information or database of truck stops across the country. Sometimes, this means truck drivers face perilous conditions. A new study aims to change thisโฆ The study, which was unpacked at a Transport Forum meeting on 5 September, is a collaborative effort between the SaferStops Association, the Department of Transport (DoT), […]
Hyundai: Hooked on hydrogen? September 18, 2024 All over the world, truck producers are launching battery-electric trucks. South Koreaโs Hyundai Motor Company, on the other hand, is doggedly pursuing fuel cell technology for its heavy commercial vehicles. CHARLEEN CLARKE travels to Hwaseong in South Korea to find out why. Itโs 6.30am when I arrive at Hyundaiโs enormous headquarters in Seoul, South Korea โ which is a somewhat unusual time to arrive for a meeting in most countries. Not in Seoul, […]
Volvoโs New VNL: Groundbreaking innovation or pure marketing hype? September 5, 2024 Volvo claims that its new VNL is โdesigned to change everythingโ. Is this valid? Or is the claim pure marketing conjecture? CHARLEEN CLARKE flew to Dublin, Virginia, to find out. With an investment of US$400 million in a new state-of-the-art cab plant and various upgrades at the New River Valley plant, Volvo Trucks North America is certainly throwing big dollars into the new truck. But does the new […]
Letโs hear it for the ladies! August 12, 2024 This month, weโre celebrating the achievements of leading ladies within South Africaโs transport and logistics industry. When I first joined this industry, it was populated by men; women were hardly ever seen. I raised many a stare โ purely because I was a woman working in a males-only industry. Rude and sometimes stupid comments were made. For instance, once I was flying to Sun City for a truck launch as a […]
One company, many solutions August 22, 2024 Last month, MAN Truck & Bus invited the worldโs transport media to Austria. The purpose? To give journalists a sneak peek at the vehicles it will display at the IAA. CHARLEEN CLARKE jetted to the Austrian Alps to drive the vehicles, and she reports that while MAN may be just one company, itโs offering many solutions. We all know that climate change is a massive issue and that something has to be done. […]
Face to face with Maretha Gerber August 26, 2024 History was made earlier this year when Maretha Gerber was appointed group CEO and president of Daimler Truck Southern Africa. This was the first time that a woman had ever been appointed into this position, and CHARLEEN CLARKE reports that transformation at Daimler Truck is not limited to senior managementโฆ From selling photocopying machines to heading up Daimler Truck Southern Africa, Gerberโs career reads like a real rags to riches story. […]
On with the show! August 23, 2024 The IAA Transportation takes place in Germany next month. CHARLEEN CLARKE says that visitors will be able to see, experience, and learn all about some incredible products, services, and technologies. Every two years, the captains of the transport industry pack their bags and head to Hannover, Germany, for the IAA, which was renamed the IAA Transportation two years ago. This year, it takes place from 17 to ย 22 September, and over 1,500 exhibitors […]
Wild claims or realistic promises? July 16, 2024 In one of her first official appearances since being appointed, our new Minister of Transport has promised to achieve much. Are these wild claims, or are her promises realistic โ and achievable? Our new Minister of Transport, Barbara Creecy, has been handed a bit of a hospital pass. She has a lot to do. South Africaโs transport infrastructure โ vital for economic growth and social development โ requires significant upgrades and better […]
Transpotec Logitec delivers the goods June 14, 2024 Transpotec Logitec is well known to European transport operators, but we attended the exhibition for the first time this year. It turned out to be a huge surprise! CHARLEEN CLARKE reveals that itโs an excellent exhibition, well worth a visit. We travelled to Milan, Italy, with subdued expectations. Honestly, we were not expecting much โ just a smattering of Italian exhibitors at what we fully expected to be an event that was […]
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