Author:focus-on-transport
The next-generation Scania has earned the ultimate international accolade: that of International Truck of the Year. Now it’s arrived in South Africa. And, as GAVIN MYERS and CHARLEEN CLARKE report, it offers a whole bundle of benefits to local transport operators… It was a case of lights, camera and action, as the who’s who of the South African transport industry gathered recently in a mammoth marquee erected at Montecasino, north of Johannesburg, for the launch of the next-generation Scania. A […]
For decades, lubrication additives (we’re talking drivetrain oils here) have attracted a fair amount of controversy surrounding their actual effectiveness and whether or not they cause damage to components rather than enhancing the properties of the oil to which they’re added. GAVIN MYERS lubricates the discussion It’s true, every oil designed for use in any modern-day vehicle has an additive pack already blended in. The composition of each differs from oil to oil depending on the oil’s makeup (whether its […]
With the controversy surrounding the Right to Repair codes of conduct currently being compiled by the Competition Commission, GAVIN MYERS finds out how this may affect insurance claims First, what is the Right to Repair code? It’s a voluntary code of conduct set by the Competition Commission, which recognises that the owner of a vehicle has the right to choose a repairer. It’s not legislation, nor will it affect existing regulation around road safety or consumer protection. Gunther Schmitz, the […]
GAVIN MYERS meets a local company that is setting out to convert the nation’s heavy commercial vehicles to electric propulsion Dwindling fuel reserves (and, locally, the relentless rises in the price of fuel) and the continually increasing international push for greener vehicles mean that alternative power is now being explored on a very wide scale. Vehicle original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) are investing billions per year to develop products that run on either gas or electrical power, as diesel heads slowly […]
LIANA SHAW explores the condition of the medium commercial vehicle (MCV) segment and what operators can expect heading towards 2020 Consumer and business confidence remain low, while household and disposable income also remain under pressure, due to rising costs of living and lower domestic and global economic growth forecasts – all of which continue to signal moderation in new vehicle sales, according to The National Association of Automobile Manufacturers of South Africa (Naamsa). Wade Griffin, commercial vehicles director of Hyundai […]
What does the future hold for Iveco? That was one of the things GIANENRICO GRIFFINI aimed to establish when he went face to face with Gerrit Marx, president of commercial and specialty vehicles at CNH Industrial In January, CNH Industrial launched a new organisational structure. Can you explain how it works? The new organisation simplifies the structure by strengthening our five global segments: agriculture, construction, commercial and specialty vehicles, powertrain and financial services. Each segment is fully responsible for the […]
This is the 85th column I’ve written for FOCUS since I became the publication’s assistant editor back in May 2012 – and not for any of those did I have to think so deeply about what I was writing Starting at FOCUS on February 7, 2011, was a bold move for me. My knowledge of the road-transport industry was minimal (to put it mildly) and, while I was familiar enough with trucks and their inner workings, my foundations, knowledge and […]
Electra Mining Botswana, a major industry event held at Gaborone, is home to a leading mining, industrial and power-generation expo. Powered by Electra Mining Africa, this niche trade show has been specially designed to maximise business growth in Botswana. Taking place at the Gaborone Fairgrounds from September 10 to 12, this will be an all-encompassing event showcasing the latest technologies, machinery, products and solutions related to mining, industrial and power generation. The recently launched A-OSH Expo Botswana is taking place […]
For the past eight years, six Volkswagen (VW) Amaroks have driven more than a million kilometres as part of an effort by Wilderness Foundation Africa to protect South Africa’s rhinos through a sponsorship from VW Commercial Vehicles South Africa. During that time, though, a total of 7 720 rhinos were poached in South Africa. Last year alone, on average two rhinos were poached every day. VW Commercial Vehicles has therefore renewed its sponsorship and support of the Wilderness Foundation […]
Attempts by public transport operator Algoa Bus Company to reduce instances of theft and corruption along its routes in the Port Elizabeth area are paying dividends. According to engineering director Andre Brink, the installation of on-board cameras to focus on driver behaviour, together with regular on-road inspections by independent ticket examiners, have resulted in a significant drop in pilferage-related activity, while simultaneously improving passenger safety. “We are very satisfied with the security measures we have implemented,” Brink says. “The introduction […]
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