Author:focus-on-transport

Fuel for thought July 8, 2026 Fuel is one of the biggest strategic risks in transport. iWantFuel aims to help transport operators manage that risk. JULIA TEW spoke to Andrew Heath, founder and CEO of iWantFuel, about his company’s role in transforming the fuel procurement process during a particularly challenging time for the transport industry. JT: South Africa is currently navigating what many are calling a perfect storm for fuel prices. Brent crude is fluctuating between $70 and $120 a […]

Bakkie accessories: from optional extra to operating necessity July 17, 2026 South Africa is bakkie country, where vehicles such as the new Toyota Hilux command loyal followings because they are durable, reliable and hard-working. But even the toughest bakkies benefit from proper protection and preparation. The modern bakkie has moved beyond its traditional role as a basic workhorse. Today’s models combine advanced technology, improved safety, comfort and premium styling, yet they are still expected to cope with demanding operating conditions. […]

ZF partners with Truck Test 2026 July 24, 2026 ZF Aftermarket is proud to announce a new strategic partnership with South Africa’s premier independent commercial vehicle benchmarking platform, Truck Test, with the aim to maximise mobility uptime and safety on South African roads. Scheduled to take place from 10 to 12 November 2026, this collaboration reinforces ZF’s commitment to driving innovation, fleet safety and performance excellence while providing an objective platform to showcase the premium quality of its holistic product […]

Driving change for Africa’s informal transport operators June 25, 2026 The challenges facing Africa’s taxi and bus entrepreneurs are structural and well-documented. What financing and insurance alternatives are being introduced to make operating in this fast-growing sector more accessible, affordable and sustainable? JULIA TEW investigates. Across sub-Saharan Africa, informal public transport (IPT) is the primary way most people get around; it is agile, responsive and woven into the daily fabric of city life. Yet the operators who run these services […]

Strategic rail: The backbone of Africa’s resource corridors June 19, 2026 Rail corridors across Africa are reshaping how minerals reach global markets. From the Copperbelt to the Cape, strategic rail investments are strengthening supply chains, lowering logistics costs and supporting the continent’s growing role in the energy transition, as JULIA TEW reports. South Africa’s Minister of Transport, Barbara Creecy, has described rail as a critical driver of continental integration, economic growth and sustainable mobility. “Already we are witnessing vital investments […]

International Truck of the Year turns 50: These were the winners from 1997 to 2001 July 22, 2026 The International Truck of the Year (IToY) is 50 years old! In celebration of this, RICHARD STANIER is paying tribute to all the winners over the years. In previous issues of FOCUS, we covered the winners from 1977 to 1996. Now, here are the winners from 1997 to 2001. 1997: MERCEDES-BENZ ACTROS The 1997 competition saw a comfortable third win for Mercedes-Benz […]

Aftermarket opportunities in South Africa’s NECV sector July 23, 2026 Battery-electric buses and trucks are arriving on South African roads, but they are just the opening act. As plug-in hybrids and hydrogen fuel-cell vehicles enter the commercial fleet equation, a new and complex aftermarket landscape is taking shape, as JULIA TEW reports. Where fleet operators once spoke of “electric vehicles”, the conversation is broadening to new energy commercial vehicles (NECVs) – an umbrella that encompasses battery-electric vehicles (BEVs), plug-in hybrids […]

South Africa’s fleet managers control millions – so why are they still ignored? July 10, 2026 In an industry that controls billions in operating costs, the South African fleet sector has long been the silent giant of the economy. With the launch of the Association of Fleet Professionals (AFP), COLIN WINDELL reports that the silence is finally ending… You run a fleet of 50 vehicles. Nothing fancy, just the standard light commercial and passenger models that keep your business moving. […]

Sinotruk fire trucks join Malaysia’s emergency response fleet July 23, 2026 Malaysia’s fire and rescue service has taken delivery of 30 Sinotruk Sitrak G5-based fire engines, marking a significant change in fleet renewal, procurement and emergency vehicle deployment.  The delivery of the 30 new Fire Rescue Tender (FRT) units to Jabatan Bomba dan Penyelamat Malaysia (JBPM) is more than a routine fleet renewal exercise. It represents a notable shift in how specialised commercial vehicles (CVs) are being procured, deployed and […]