Author:focus-on-transport

WILLIAM GEORGE explores how the Consumer Protection Act (CPA) protects buyers of used vehicles and what they should look out for when purchasing a “voetstoets” used vehicle. The Consumer Protection Act (CPA) is aimed at regulating sales agreements and protecting consumers. The CPA further promotes fair business practices, in essence ensuring consumers are satisfied with the goods they purchase. The CPA states: “Every consumer has a right to receive goods that are reasonably suitable for the purposes for which they […]

The new and used vehicle market experienced various fluctuations in sales figures in 2017. Nkosini Ngwenya investigates how these may have impacted the trailer and bodies market and what to expect in 2018. The trailer and bodies market in South Africa is closely related to the vehicle sales market, as an increase in the vehicle market has a positive ripple effect on the trailer and bodies market. As such, the fluctuations in the vehicle market in 2017 had a major […]

Filters are often replaced with cheaper alternatives. However, when it comes to your vehicle’s filters – cheaper definitely doesn’t equal cheerful. Just how many filtration systems does the average vehicle have? Well, besides the usual air, fuel and oil filters required to keep the engine in peak operating condition, there may also be numerous others depending on the complexity and operating conditions of the vehicle. It may have filters for the crankcase ventilation system, the transmission system, the hydraulic systems, […]

UD Trucks Southern Africa has invested R30 million in upgrades to its assembly plant in Rosslyn. FOCUS had the opportunity to get an inside look. The UD Trucks Southern Africa assembly plant is bustling as employees on three assembly lines aim to complete a vehicle every 40 minutes. According to Johan Swart, manufacturing engineer at UD Trucks, the plant produces around 14 vehicles a day and 260 vehicles a month. He believes the three assembly lines are key. “The assembly […]

Scania South Africa recently hosted a handover ceremony at the PPC Slurry site in Mafikeng, North West Province. This partnership between Scania and PPC Slurry is a clear indicator of the total migration from the use of conventional yellow-metal haulers. PPC Slurry now has a total of seven Scania G410CB8x4EHZ heavy mining tippers in its fleet, operating at the site in Mafiikeng. Andre Niemand, technical advisor for mining at PPC Slurry, notes that Scania’s willingness to tailor-make the trucks to […]

JARLATH SWEENEY, from fleet transport, attends the European launch of the new Ford Transit Custom panel van – and comes away impressed with how the brand is forging ahead. Almost 100 years to the day that Henry Ford & Sons introduced its first one-tonne commercial vehicle, Ford Europe revealed the latest evolution of its most popular van – the Transit Custom. Over the century, the design theme has remained the same with a wheel at each corner and a similar […]

Trading in southern Africa offers many challenges for transport companies, especially in politically unstable countries like Zimbabwe. Since the removal of former President Robert Mugabe, some hope that transporting goods to and from Zimbabwe could become less expensive. FOCUS takes a look. Despite the difficult year experienced by many South African companies operating in southern Africa during 2017, as a result of political unrest in many neighbouring countries, 2018 promises to be an exciting year, especially since the removal of […]