Author:jaco-de-klerk

Treading towards greatness? December 9, 2021 There may be negative perceptions around retreaded tyres, but they remain a highly popular category within the automotive aftermarket. JACO DE KLERK discovers what the future holds for these recycled rollers and busts some myths. Global retread tyre sales are estimated to be valued at US$8,8 billion in 2021, says a study by Future Market Insights (FMI), an international provider of market intelligence and consulting services. “After registering a considerable drop in sales amid […]

All lubed-up and keeping things rolling November 10, 2021 Vehicle manufacturers are embracing the electric revolution, as most are developing, or already offering, their own version of the electric vehicle (EV). But what does this mean for the oils and lubricants industry? JACO DE KLERK investigates. Various experts* have predicted that EVs will become the next big thing, as they will overshadow internal combustion engine (ICE) vehicles and, presumably, dominate the world’s roads. “A new set of lubricants and oils […]

After a storm, the calm November 10, 2021 The entire automotive industry is undergoing a transformation towards a data-driven economy in which digital solutions are becoming as important as classic vehicle technology. The aftermarket is following suit as it is embracing next generation concepts. The Covid-19 pandemic has affected industries worldwide, as noted by ResearchAndMarkets/com*, but few felt the storm as directly as the global commercial vehicles aftermarket. It notes: “The collapse of economic activity in many regions reduced the […]

Clever construction coming up November 16, 2021 The construction industry is experiencing an era of rapid innovation. Technological predictions have become reality, observes JACO DE KLERK, and even a Lego playset has inspired a futuristic prototype that could be branded as “the intelligent future of construction”. At the beginning of 2019 Stephen Roy, president of sales for the Americas at Volvo Construction Equipment (CE), made some accurate predictions* that are coming to fruition. “In many ways, construction equipment manufacturers are […]

Blazing the electric trail(er) October 13, 2021 Next generation electrified refrigerated trailers, which will reduce diesel consumption and deliver lower total cost of ownership, are on the horizon. JACO DE KLERK reports. A development and supply agreement with eNow – a clean-technology company and pioneer of renewable energy systems for heavy-duty trucks and trailers – has been announced by XL Fleet Corp, a leading provider of vehicle electrification solutions for commercial and municipal fleets in North America. This partnership will […]

Sustainability: a pipe dream? September 16, 2021 South Africa’s transport industry is, sadly, no stranger to riots and violence. JACO DE KLERK highlights challenges that the bus industry is facing and discovers that sustainability might just be an unattainable dream. Public transport is paramount to South Africa’s economic well-being, as Bazil Govender, executive manager of the South African Bus Operators Association, pointed out during a complimentary virtual session during a Transport Forum earlier this year. “Public transport is a key […]

An electrifying niche July 19, 2021 The raw, frightening power of rockslides is a sobering reminder of nature’s energy. Some operators within the commercial vehicle industry have been inspired by its potential, and are using regenerative power to fuel the specialised vehicles of the future, today. JACO DE KLERK takes a look. Imagine monster trucks carrying ore down from mountainside quarries in Switzerland, the regenerative braking creating almost enough energy to get the empty truck back up again. Or an […]

Make way for the merchandise July 16, 2021 Air transport, like so many other industries, has been hit hard in the last year, but some impressive innovations have emerged. JACO DE KLERK takes to the sky to see what kept this industry airborne. Due to the current state of the travel business, many airlines had to think out of the box – temporarily using their passenger aircraft to move cargo. But the conversions didn’t involve the carriers merely plonking the […]

Onward and upward March 22, 2021 Dr David Wyatt, a technology analyst at an independent market research and business intelligence firm IDTechEx, has this to say: “The main discourse around on-road vehicle electrification has been focused on environmental concerns about the automotive sector’s contribution to climate change.” But, writes JACO DE KLERK, there are a range of other benefits as well. Wyatt, who primarily works in the electric vehicles team, notes that a degree of altruism has always been required […]

A watershed or just more of the same? March 22, 2021 Before the Minister of Finance, Tito Mboweni, took the floor on February 24 to deliver the 2021 Budget Speech, the financial services group PSG noted that this year’s edition would be a watershed for the country … JACO DE KLERK discovers that it wasn’t the turning point that so many hoped for. George Glynos, MD of the boutique financial market research and analysis house ETM Analytics, says that he […]