Author:charleen-clarke
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 […]
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. […]
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 […]
Metallic makes musical magic: Nothing Else Matters June 13, 2024 I love my job. One of many reasons why is the opportunity to enjoy new experiences. Recently, that new experience involved being surrounded by men with black nail varnish. Iโve done all sorts of bonkers things in my time as a journalist. Being in a helicopter when the pilot deliberately cut the engine and we tumbled out of the sky was possibly the scariest (and the most idiotic). Iโve also […]
Air cargo impacted by black swan event May 3, 2024 Conflict in the red sea disrupting ocean freight services has been an immensely impactful โblack swanโ event for air cargo. Charleen Clarke reports that there have been +11% increases in global air freight demand for the fourth straight month, partially as a result of the unrest. The global air cargo market is on the boil! According to Global Market Insights, the global air cargo market was estimated at US$200 billion […]
When good truckers go bad May 14, 2024 A shocking book has revealed a gruesome pattern of women being murdered by truck drivers! Regular readers know that Iโm a big fan of truck drivers. I think theyโre generally underappreciated, and I feel sorry for them (especially those poor chaps who queue for days at border posts). However, a new book has made me view some truckers in a whole new light (please note the inclusion of the word, โsomeโ. Iโm […]
Driven: the BMW X1 May 15, 2024 South Africans are absolutely besotted with sport utility vehicles (SUVs) and Sports Activity Vehicles (SAVs). And weโre treated to a gazillion different SUV and SAV options. Some are cheap and cheerful; others are premium. The BMW X1 sDrive18i definitely falls into the latter category โ but is it any good? The car in a nutshell BMW is one of the most successful automotive companies on the planet. With a total of 2,253,835 vehicles […]
Daimler to launch e-trucks in South Africa! May 6, 2024 On 21 May, Daimler Truck Southern Africa will launch its e-mobility offering for Mercedes-Benz and Fuso Trucks. CHARLEEN CLARKE has already driven the companyโs electric trucks; she says South African truck operators are in for a treat. We donโt know exactly which trucks will be launched or whether they will be sold or leased; the details are a closely guarded secret. However, Iโm guessing that two trucks will feature in […]
Volvo Buses enters new e-mobility era April 25, 2024 In what may well be THE bus and coach story of the year, Volvo Buses has launched the BZR Electric: a global platform for city, intercity, and commuter operations. CHARLEEN CLARKE travelled to Gothenburg for the launch, which was held at the remarkable World of Volvo. All the big guns were at the World of Volvo โ and they came out with those guns blazing. Volvo Group CEO and president Martin […]
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