Author:focus-on-transport

The manufacturing landscape of the South African automotive sector is well and truly moving forward with the finalisation of the SA Automotive Masterplan process and the announcement of the policy that will be used to achieve the objectives of the sector by 2035. The SA Automotive Masterplan has set out several objectives, including having a localisation rate of 60 percent and doubling employment in the whole sector by 2035. The National Association of Automotive Component and Allied Manufacturers (Naacam) is […]

Not all trucks spend all of their operational time on road. Certain industries, such as construction, waste management, mining, forestry and agriculture, require transporters to visit remote locations. To avoid getting stuck, these trucks need tyres with sufficient grip and puncture resistance to go off road. At the same time, the tyres will cover most of their mileage on road, making performance and longevity non-negotiable. It is the juggling of these two requirements that has prompted Goodyear to launch its […]

Mercedes-Benz South Africa has given its X-Class double-cab bakkie an upgraded driveline which includes a V6 engine, seven-speed gearbox and permanent all-wheel drive. Dubbed the X 350 d 4Matic, it is currently the most powerful bakkie on sale in South Africa, as well as the most expensive… This 190 kW “premium” bakkie retails at R904 188 for the Progressive-spec model, and R973 188 for the Power model. So what does close to a million rand of bakkie get you? The reason de’etre […]

The Hollard Highway Heroes competition recognises truck drivers for the important role they play in society, and rewards the best driver entrants with cash and prizes. The competition was initiated in 2015 and established to encourage better driving through training. Wayne Rautenbach, head of Hollard Trucking, says: “This translates to better financial outcomes for employers, thanks to lower running and maintenance costs, fewer accidents and claims, as well as better premiums. “Ultimately, we all enjoy safer roads because thousands of […]

It’s bad enough being a consumer on Black Friday – but could you imagine being the retailer? In fact, could you imagine being the courier? With the increase in deliveries to make – and expectations to meet – it’s not an easy time of year… This year, Laser Group, with its subsidiary DPD Laser (Dawn Wing and Time Freight), is working closely with some of South Africa’s largest retailers to ensure that they are ready for the start – and […]

Here’s a frightening statistic: the Shell Lubricants Total Cost of Ownership Survey highlights that only eight percent of transport operators believe that the correct lubricant can reduce the total cost of vehicle ownership by more than 25 percent – yet more than half have admitted that errors in lubrication have had a direct influence on vehicle breakdowns! Moreover, one in three of these operators estimate that this unplanned downtime has cost their businesses in excess of R1 million. The link […]

The South African National Taxi Council (Santaco) earlier this week acquired a 25-percent stake in SA Taxi, which provides a comprehensive financial, insurance and allied services offering to minibus-taxi operators. The deal is worth R1,7 billion and follows a long-term, mutually beneficial working relationship between the two parties. Of the R1,7-billion purchase price, approximately R1,2 billion will be funded jointly by Standard Bank and Futuregrowth Asset Management. The remainder will be facilitated by SA Taxi in the form of vendor […]

Fidelity Security, known for its home-security services, has launched into the vehicle-tracking and telematics market with Fidelity SecureDrive. In creating Fidelity SecureDrive, the company has partnered with global technology company Amber Connect. “The emphasis of Fidelity SecureDrive is on insurance telematics, smart fleet management and data insights,” says Wahl Bartmann, group CEO of Fidelity Security. The company says that Fidelity SecureDrive makes use of one of the smallest telematics devices in the world, which comes standard with a global SIM […]

The Volkswagen (VW) Caddy has the second-highest sales numbers in the VW Commercial Vehicles range, and the company has now widened its appeal with the new 1.0 TSI model. The 1.0 TSI Trendline joins the Caddy range, which consists of the 2.0 TDI Trendline, the seven-seater Caddy Maxi and Caddy Alltrack models. Mark Handley, head of sales and marketing at VW Commercial Vehicles, comments: “Our aim is to increase the market share and positioning of the Caddy Trendline range. At […]

While truck prices are at an all-time high, Mercedes-Benz Trucks is making operators an offer that they cannot afford to miss… The all-new Actros is now available from R28 000 per month. *Terms and conditions apply. The new Actros offers a range of cabs and specifications for every task and budget. Innovative technology provides an economical transport solution for long distance or short haul. In addition to its high reliability, the new Actros boasts fuel savings of up to six percent […]