Menu

HOME
FEATURES
REGULARS
MARKETPLACE
DIGITAL MAGAZINE
ABOUT US
ARCHIVE

HOME
FEATURES
REGULARS
MARKETPLACE
DIGITAL MAGAZINE
ABOUT US
ARCHIVE

Featured Issue 5 2026

Features

Featured Issue 5 2026

Our monthly features are designed to cover the core areas of interest within the commercial transport industry.

May 21, 2026

The premium truck battle just got more interesting…

The premium truck battle just got more interesting… May 13, 2026 At first glance, the new FAW J7 looks like another premium long-haul truck....

May 21, 2026

What it takes to excel at Truck Test 2026

What it takes to excel at Truck Test 2026 May 21, 2026 In South Africa’s most rigorous commercial vehicle showdown, it’s not necessarily the...

May 21, 2026

Is SANRAL planning a land grab?

Is SANRAL planning a land grab? April 30, 2026 There’s a policy document that’s been making its way through the system, and it’s set...

May 21, 2026

Up to 8% fuel savings? Thanks Scania, that’s Super

Up to 8% fuel savings? Thanks Scania, that’s Super May 19, 2026 The Scania Super powertrain is not new (it was first released in...

May 21, 2026

Ready for take-off or stuck on the tarmac?

Ready for take-off or stuck on the tarmac? April 22, 2026 Air transport represents far more than passenger convenience. Its cargo operations are the...

May 21, 2026

IToY turns 50: 1987 to 1991’s winners

IToY turns 50: 1987 to 1991’s winners April 30, 2026 The International Truck of the Year (IToY) is 50 years old! In celebration of...

Page 2 of 212

focusmagsa

✈️ 𝗔𝗶𝗿𝗯𝘂𝘀 𝗰𝗿𝗲𝗮𝘁𝗲𝘀 𝗝𝗩 𝘁𝗼 𝗮𝗰𝗰𝗲𝗹𝗲𝗿𝗮𝘁𝗲 𝗵𝘆𝗱𝗿𝗼𝗴𝗲𝗻-𝗽𝗼𝘄𝗲𝗿𝗲

✈️ 𝗔𝗶𝗿𝗯𝘂𝘀 𝗰𝗿𝗲𝗮𝘁𝗲𝘀 𝗝𝗩 𝘁𝗼 𝗮𝗰𝗰𝗲𝗹𝗲𝗿𝗮𝘁𝗲 𝗵𝘆𝗱𝗿𝗼𝗴𝗲𝗻-𝗽𝗼𝘄𝗲𝗿𝗲𝗱 𝗮𝘃𝗶𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻

At the Paris Air Show in June 2025, Airbus and Germany’s MTU Aero Engines signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to accelerate technology development, design, testing and certification of a revolutionary propulsion system for aviation based on a hydrogen fuel cell.

🤝 The non-binding agreement, subject to standard regulatory approvals, should see the new joint venture start operations in 2027.

🗣️ “Our ambitious goal is to pave the way for a newly developed, safe, reliable and economical propulsion system that will contribute to climate-neutral aviation,” said Dr Stefan Weber of MTU Aero Engines. “This project is a crucial milestone on our path to the first hydrogen-powered engine. To that end, we want to create a company that covers the entire life cycle of fuel cell powertrains.”

🔋 Hydrogen has the potential to play a crucial role in substantially reducing the climate impact of aviation in the long term and transforming air transport in a way comparable to the impact of electric vehicles in the automotive sector.

Beyond the engine technologies, Airbus and MTU will continue to foster the emergence of a hydrogen aviation economy and the associated regulatory framework, which are also critical enablers to the advent of hydrogen-powered flight at scale.

👀 More: https://buff.ly/mwQMvgD

#HydrogenFuelCells #Airbus #GreenTransport #HydrogenAviation

🤔 𝗪𝗶𝗹𝗹 𝗮 𝗥𝟮𝗯𝗻 𝘁𝘆𝗿𝗲 𝗳𝗮𝗰𝘁𝗼𝗿𝘆 𝗯𝗲 𝗯𝘂𝗶𝗹𝘁 𝗮𝘁 𝗖𝗼𝗲𝗴𝗮? Ch

🤔 𝗪𝗶𝗹𝗹 𝗮 𝗥𝟮𝗯𝗻 𝘁𝘆𝗿𝗲 𝗳𝗮𝗰𝘁𝗼𝗿𝘆 𝗯𝗲 𝗯𝘂𝗶𝗹𝘁 𝗮𝘁 𝗖𝗼𝗲𝗴𝗮?

Chinese tyre manufacturing giant, the Sailun Group, is considering the feasibility of establishing a tyre production and recycling facility at the Coega Special Economic Zone of Nelson Mandela Bay Municipality.

🚌 The group had apparently considered an alternative South African location but was met with delays. A major global player, Sailun has six tyre brands and numerous production bases. It’s also the first Chinese manufacturer to supply tyres to the International Automobile Federation (FIA).

🗣️ According to executive mayor Babalwa Lobishe, the R2bn investment was proposed during meetings between Sailun and the Coega Development Corporation (CDC) and would supply the Southern African Customs Union (SACU) and the wider sub-Saharan African market.

🏭️ The proposed development would include a 20ha manufacturing facility with an estimated 100,000sqm production footprint and would incorporate renewable energy generation.

#Tyres #Manufacturing #SouthAfrica #Transport

📢 𝗠𝗼𝗿𝗲 𝘄𝗼𝗺𝗲𝗻 𝗻𝗲𝗲𝗱𝗲𝗱 𝗶𝗻 𝗰𝗼𝗺𝗺𝗲𝗿𝗰𝗶𝗮𝗹 𝘁𝗿𝗮𝗻𝘀𝗽𝗼𝗿𝘁 Sout

📢 𝗠𝗼𝗿𝗲 𝘄𝗼𝗺𝗲𝗻 𝗻𝗲𝗲𝗱𝗲𝗱 𝗶𝗻 𝗰𝗼𝗺𝗺𝗲𝗿𝗰𝗶𝗮𝗹 𝘁𝗿𝗮𝗻𝘀𝗽𝗼𝗿𝘁

South Africa’s road transport and logistics sector has long been seen as a man’s world, but that picture is changing, and it needs to change faster.

🛠️ Across the wider automotive industry, women are steadily moving into roles once considered off-limits: technicians, engineers, logistics managers, fleet planners and executives. Representing both passenger and commercial vehicle manufacturers, naamsa has made transformation and skills development a core pillar of the Automotive Masterplan 2035, a plan that applies just as much to trucks, buses and freight as it does to cars.

📈 The numbers show significant progress. One apprenticeship programme now counts almost one in four of its trainees as women, as reported by Dealerfloor. One young female apprentice technician built a track record of zero comebacks across hundreds of vehicles serviced, proving that competence, not gender, is what keeps fleets on the road.

💡 For commercial transport specifically, the opportunity is huge. As trucking and logistics embrace telematics, EV conversions, driver-assistance systems and digital fleet management, the skills that matter most are technical and analytical – not physical strength.

⚠️ The challenges are familiar: too few girls choosing maths, science and technical subjects; lingering perceptions that workshops and cabs are “male spaces”; and a lack of solid data on how many women actually work across the transport value chain.

This Women’s Month, the call to action for commercial transport is clear: mentor more women, make workshops and depots genuinely welcoming, and promote women in leadership and ownership roles – not just entry-level ones.

👉 Don’t miss our August issue of FOCUS for more inspiring stories about women in transport.

#WomensMonth #Trucking #Logistics #Naamsa #WomenInTransport

❄️ 𝗦𝗻𝗼𝘄𝘆 𝗰𝗼𝗻𝗱𝗶𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝘀 𝗰𝗿𝗲𝗮𝘁𝗲 𝗵𝗮𝘃𝗼𝗰 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝘁𝗿𝗮𝗻𝘀𝗽𝗼𝗿𝘁 𝘀𝗲𝗰

❄️ 𝗦𝗻𝗼𝘄𝘆 𝗰𝗼𝗻𝗱𝗶𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝘀 𝗰𝗿𝗲𝗮𝘁𝗲 𝗵𝗮𝘃𝗼𝗰 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝘁𝗿𝗮𝗻𝘀𝗽𝗼𝗿𝘁 𝘀𝗲𝗰𝘁𝗼𝗿

🚚 Drivers are being warned to avoid certain routes as South Africa experiences extreme weather conditions.

☃️ Significant snowfall and heavy rains are causing disruption across various provinces, with KwaZulu-Natal and the Eastern Cape among those hardest hit.
Snow has been reported in parts of the Western Cape, while sleet and other adverse conditions have been reported in the Free State and Mpumalanga.
The Road Traffic Management Corporation urges drivers to exercise extreme caution in these conditions and has noted the following closures (at time of posting):

🚨 𝗞𝘄𝗮𝗭𝘂𝗹𝘂-𝗡𝗮𝘁𝗮𝗹 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗙𝗿𝗲𝗲 𝗦𝘁𝗮𝘁𝗲: The N3 highway between Estcourt and Harrismith in the Free State is closed, so vehicles should avoid travelling to KZN via the N3. The road is also closed at Midmar/Howick, while Van Reenen Pass is reported to be extremely hazardous due to black ice. The R617 is closed between Kokstad and Underberg, the R74 is closed and the R103 and Tugela Toll Plaza. The R74 at Oliviershoek Pass, between Harrismith and Bergville, is considered high-risk. Thick ice has affected routes around the Matatiele border and regional roads in the southern Free State, with mountain passes facing possible temporary closures.

🚨 𝗘𝗮𝘀𝘁𝗲𝗿𝗻 𝗖𝗮𝗽𝗲: The N6 (Penhoek Pass) is closed between Komani (Queenstown) and Jamestown, the N9 (Lootsberg Pass) between Graaff-Reinet and Middelburg, the R58 (Barkly Pass) between Elliot and Barkly East, and the Boesmanshoek Pass between Sterkstroom and Molteno.

🚨 𝗪𝗲𝘀𝘁𝗲𝗿𝗻 𝗖𝗮𝗽𝗲: The Swartberg Pass and Mont Rochelle/Franschhoek roads are closed due to snow.

#AdverseWeather #Snow #SouthAfrica #RTMC #Caution

𝗕𝗹𝘂𝗲 𝗿𝗲𝗮𝗹𝗹𝘆 𝗶𝘀 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗻𝗲𝘄 𝗴𝗿𝗲𝗲𝗻 𝗮𝘁 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝟮𝟬𝟮𝟲 𝗦𝗔𝗕𝗢𝗔 𝗖𝗼𝗻

𝗕𝗹𝘂𝗲 𝗿𝗲𝗮𝗹𝗹𝘆 𝗶𝘀 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗻𝗲𝘄 𝗴𝗿𝗲𝗲𝗻 𝗮𝘁 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝟮𝟬𝟮𝟲 𝗦𝗔𝗕𝗢𝗔 𝗖𝗼𝗻𝗳𝗲𝗿𝗲𝗻𝗰𝗲 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗘𝘅𝗵𝗶𝗯𝗶𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻!

One of the most interesting vehicles on display is this striking SANY electric bus. It is said to be the only electric bus 𝗱𝗲𝘀𝗶𝗴𝗻𝗲𝗱 and developed in South Africa – a significant achievement for the local passenger transport industry.

The 67-seat bus features a 318kWh EVE battery, twin charging points and an electric axle delivering peak power of 260kW and 550Nm of torque. It is built on a SANY chassis and the body is by Busmark.

With South African engineering, local bodywork expertise and zero tailpipe emissions, this bus offers an exciting glimpse of what the future of public transport could look like.

𝗥𝗲𝗮𝗱 𝗺𝗼𝗿𝗲 𝗮𝗯𝗼𝘂𝘁 𝘁𝗵𝗶𝘀 𝗯𝘂𝘀 𝗶𝗻 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗦𝗲𝗽𝘁𝗲𝗺𝗯𝗲𝗿 𝗶𝘀𝘀𝘂𝗲 𝗼𝗳 𝗙𝗢𝗖𝗨𝗦!

#SABOA2026 #ElectricBus #SANY #Busmark #GHMMotor #PublicTransport #ElectricMobility #SouthAfrica #FOCUSonTransport

Scholar transport is firmly in the spotlight at th

Scholar transport is firmly in the spotlight at the 2026 SABOA Conference in Johannesburg.

Elmon Maake from the National Department of Transport is addressing one of the most critical issues facing South Africa’s public transport sector. More than 900,000 learners require scholar transport during the 2025/2026 period, with R4.2 billion budgeted to support this vital service.

Maake is highlighting the strategic challenges and the need for effective policy intervention to ensure that learners can travel to school safely, reliably and with dignity.

#SABOA2026 #ScholarTransport #PublicTransport #RoadSafety #Education #FOCUSonTransport #SouthAfrica

FOCUS caught up with Suren Gounder of Kuba during

FOCUS caught up with Suren Gounder of Kuba during the 2026 SABOA Conference and Exhibition in Johannesburg.

Kuba provides a contactless payment platform backed by more than 35 years of industry experience. Watch this space as we share more about the technology and its potential for the bus and passenger transport sector.

While you are at the conference, be sure to visit the FOCUS on Transport & Logistics stand, meet our team and collect a copy of our special SABOA conference issue.

#SABOA2026 #FOCUSonTransport #ContactlessPayments #BusIndustry #PassengerTransport #PublicTransport #TransportTechnology

We are delighted to be exhibiting at the 2026 SABO

We are delighted to be exhibiting at the 2026 SABOA Conference in Johannesburg!

Be sure to visit the FOCUS on Transport & Logistics stand, meet our team and collect your copy of our special SABOA conference issue. This commemorative edition celebrates the people, companies and developments shaping South Africa’s bus and passenger transport industry.

Come and discover why FOCUS is the transport industry’s most trusted source of news, insight and analysis.

We look forward to welcoming you to our stand!

#SABOA2026 #FOCUSonTransport #BusIndustry #PassengerTransport #PublicTransport #SouthAfrica

🔎 𝗣𝗥𝗔𝗦𝗔’𝘀 𝘀𝗲𝗰𝘂𝗿𝗶𝘁𝘆 𝘁𝗲𝗻𝗱𝗲𝗿𝘀 𝗳𝗮𝗰𝗲 𝗳𝗼𝗿𝗲𝗻𝘀𝗶𝗰 𝗽𝗿𝗼𝗯𝗲 🚉

🔎 𝗣𝗥𝗔𝗦𝗔’𝘀 𝘀𝗲𝗰𝘂𝗿𝗶𝘁𝘆 𝘁𝗲𝗻𝗱𝗲𝗿𝘀 𝗳𝗮𝗰𝗲 𝗳𝗼𝗿𝗲𝗻𝘀𝗶𝗰 𝗽𝗿𝗼𝗯𝗲

🚉 Two separate forensic investigations have been ordered by Transport Minister Barbara Creecy to explore alleged irregularities involving security contracts at the Passenger Rail Agency of South Africa (PRASA).

💸 The order followed a Sunday Times report alleging that proper tender processes were not followed when security company Reshebile Aviation & Protection Services secured contracts worth ~R1 billion from the rail agency. The security company is linked to an ANC veteran.

🗣️ Addressing Parliament’s Select Committee on Public Infrastructure, Creecy said her department required clarity on whether PRASA’s contracts were properly awarded and complied with the law. The investigation would also probe the legality of the contract, the process of contract administration and the governance and oversight of the contract.

Because this is not the first time allegations have been raised against the entity, Creecy said she also requested a separate forensic review of all other active security contracts at PRASA.

#Investigations #Corruption #Rail #PRASA #Transport

🚑️ 𝗪𝗼𝗿𝗹𝗱’𝘀 𝗳𝗶𝗿𝘀𝘁 𝘀𝗼𝗹𝗮𝗿 𝗮𝗺𝗯𝘂𝗹𝗮𝗻𝗰𝗲 𝗯𝘂𝗶𝗹𝘁 𝗯𝘆 𝘀𝘁𝘂𝗱𝗲𝗻𝘁𝘀

🚑️ 𝗪𝗼𝗿𝗹𝗱’𝘀 𝗳𝗶𝗿𝘀𝘁 𝘀𝗼𝗹𝗮𝗿 𝗮𝗺𝗯𝘂𝗹𝗮𝗻𝗰𝗲 𝗯𝘂𝗶𝗹𝘁 𝗯𝘆 𝘀𝘁𝘂𝗱𝗲𝗻𝘁𝘀

A group of students at Eindhoven University of Technology in the Netherlands has unveiled what they say is the world’s first solar-powered ambulance, designed to bring medical care to remote regions where poor roads and a lack of fuel or electricity put healthcare out of reach.

☀️ Solar panels on the roof power both the motor and the medical equipment on board. On a sunny day the vehicle, called Stella Juva, is expected to cover 715km without needing any charging infrastructure.

The students developed the vehicle with international health organisations including Amref Health Africa, formerly known as the Flying Doctors.

🗣️ “In remote areas, healthcare workers sometimes travel great distances by bicycle, and reliable energy is not a given,” said Femke Maurits of Amref’s Dutch branch. Energy is essential, she said, for keeping vaccines cooled and running medical equipment.

💉 Unlike a traditional ambulance, Stella Juva is designed to bring care to people, allowing healthcare providers to carry out blood tests, screen for diseases such as tuberculosis and malaria, administer vaccinations and perform pregnancy ultrasounds.

🦒 In August the team will take Stella Juva to Kenya, starting with a kick-off at Amref International University. The vehicle will then be tested at two field locations where healthcare scenarios will be simulated, such as the treatment of tuberculosis patients.

👀 More: https://buff.ly/45jarti

#Ambulance #EmergencyTransport #HealthCare #Students

📢 𝗦𝗵𝗼𝗿𝘁𝗹𝗶𝘀𝘁 𝗿𝗲𝘃𝗲𝗮𝗹𝗲𝗱 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝗜𝗻𝘁𝗲𝗿𝗻𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝗮𝗹 𝗩𝗮𝗻 𝗼𝗳 𝘁𝗵𝗲

📢 𝗦𝗵𝗼𝗿𝘁𝗹𝗶𝘀𝘁 𝗿𝗲𝘃𝗲𝗮𝗹𝗲𝗱 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝗜𝗻𝘁𝗲𝗿𝗻𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝗮𝗹 𝗩𝗮𝗻 𝗼𝗳 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗬𝗲𝗮𝗿 𝟮𝟬𝟮𝟳

FOCUS magazine’s editorial director, Charleen Clarke, will once again be part of the jury for the International Van of the Year 2027 (IVOTY), proudly representing South Africa.

🎉 Celebrating its 35th anniversary, the annual competition recently released the shortlist of contenders for this prestigious prize in the light commercial vehicle industry.

Five main brands presenting nine models, some with shared engineering, are listed in alphabetical order:
• Farizon V7E
• Hyundai Staria Electric
• Maxus Deliver 7
• Renault Trafic E-Tech
• Stellantis Pro One New Smart Compact van - Citroën Berlingo Van First/Fiat Professional Doblò EasyPro/Opel Combo Start/Peugeot Partner Active
• Volkswagen Caddy Cargo

The mix of European and Asian OEMs in the contest makes selecting the 2027 trophy winner all the more interesting for the 26-member jury.

🗣️ Jarlath Sweeney, chairman of the International Van of the Year & Pick-up Awards, explains the qualification procedure: “The main criterion for the nomination and the election of any van as International Van of the Year is its contribution to high standards of efficiency, safety, with respect to environment and the sustainability of the transport of light goods by road in the countries involved in the IVOTY International Van of the Year organisation.”

🔋 In line with current technology trends, most contestants are zero-emission offerings, chasing the success of the KIA PV5 Cargo that won the award for last year.

👉 The 2027 award will be presented at the Night of the Stars Gala evening at the forthcoming IAA Transportation exhibition on Monday 14 September 2026.

📷️ Image: Last year’s winner, the KIA PV5 Cargo van

#IVOTY2027 #ZeroEmissions #BestVans #Awards #FOCUS

⏰ Time is running out to enter @isuzusa's Legends

😮 𝗔 𝗽𝗹𝘂𝗴-𝗶𝗻 𝘁𝗼 𝗺𝗮𝗸𝗲 𝗱𝗶𝗲𝘀𝗲𝗹 𝗳𝗿𝗲𝗶𝗴𝗵𝘁 𝘁𝗿𝘂𝗰𝗸𝘀 𝗺𝗼𝗿𝗲 𝗲𝗹𝗲

😮 𝗔 𝗽𝗹𝘂𝗴-𝗶𝗻 𝘁𝗼 𝗺𝗮𝗸𝗲 𝗱𝗶𝗲𝘀𝗲𝗹 𝗳𝗿𝗲𝗶𝗴𝗵𝘁 𝘁𝗿𝘂𝗰𝗸𝘀 𝗺𝗼𝗿𝗲 𝗲𝗹𝗲𝗰𝘁𝗿𝗶𝗰?

US-based robotics company Revoy has developed a detachable dolly with an electric motor and batteries that sits between the truck’s tractor and its trailer. Not intended to replace diesel, the unit works alongside it to cut carbon emissions and fuel costs without major disruption, while also extending the life of the truck.

🔋 Similar to fully electric trucks, the dolly carries a 575-kilowatt-hour battery. It pushes the truck forward using its own powered axle, giving the diesel engine a break and saving fuel.

When fully charged, Revoy’s electric dolly can haul a 36-tonne single-trailer truck for over 320km.

🚚 The start-up believes its battery-powered trailer add-on will allow any truck to drive electric for part of its journey, reducing emissions by as much as 85%. While the dolly adds mass, most truckloads fill trailers by volume, not weight. Revoy says over 60% of loads qualify, making this a practical fit for the majority of long-haul routes.

⏲️ Having raised $27m to scale up its operations, Revoy’s vision is to build out a network of hubs along highways where truckers can swap in a fresh device. The first swap stations are already live in Texas and Arkansas. The swap-out is quick and easy, requiring no special tools, and drivers don’t need to learn a whole new way of operating.

🗣️ Some stakeholders in the US logistics sector have apparently voiced concerns about payload impact, regulatory compliance and the cost-benefit balance.

👉 What do YOU think about this?

#GreenTransport #FuelCrisis #ElectricTrucks #Logistics #Freight

🚏 𝗣𝗼𝗿𝘁𝗼 𝗰𝗶𝘁𝘆 𝗿𝗲𝘀𝗶𝗱𝗲𝗻𝘁𝘀 𝗴𝗲𝘁 𝗳𝗿𝗲𝗲 𝗽𝘂𝗯𝗹𝗶𝗰 𝘁𝗿𝗮𝗻𝘀𝗽𝗼𝗿𝘁

🚏 𝗣𝗼𝗿𝘁𝗼 𝗰𝗶𝘁𝘆 𝗿𝗲𝘀𝗶𝗱𝗲𝗻𝘁𝘀 𝗴𝗲𝘁 𝗳𝗿𝗲𝗲 𝗽𝘂𝗯𝗹𝗶𝗰 𝘁𝗿𝗮𝗻𝘀𝗽𝗼𝗿𝘁

Residents of Portugal’s second-largest city can now travel free of charge across the Porto metropolitan public transport network, under a municipal programme expected to cost up to €25 million a year.

⛴️ From 10 July onwards, eligible passengers can now use metro, bus, suburban rail, tram and river services across the wider metropolitan area without paying fares.

While the scheme is funded by Porto City Council, eligible residents are not restricted to journeys within the city boundary and may travel throughout the Porto Metropolitan Area.

💶 The programme will require a substantial and continuing commitment from the municipal budget, and the Mayor has suggested that his city could raise its tourist tax from €3 to €4 per night, matching the rate charged in Lisbon, as one possible source of additional revenue.

👀 More: https://buff.ly/CgGwlBu

#PublicTransport #FreeRides #Portugal #Bus #Rail

🏆️ 𝗜𝘀𝘂𝘇𝘂 𝗰𝗼𝗺𝗽𝗲𝘁𝗶𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝘄𝗶𝗻𝗻𝗲𝗿 𝗯𝗮𝗴𝘀 𝗻𝗲𝘄 𝗗-𝗠𝗔𝗫 𝗫-𝗥𝗶𝗱𝗲𝗿

📷 𝗕𝗬𝗗 𝗽𝗮𝘁𝗲𝗻𝘁𝘀 𝘂𝗻𝗱𝗲𝗿𝗯𝗼𝗱𝘆 𝘃𝗶𝘀𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝘀𝘆𝘀𝘁𝗲𝗺 𝘁𝗼 𝘀𝗮𝘃𝗲 𝗹𝗶𝘃𝗲

📷 𝗕𝗬𝗗 𝗽𝗮𝘁𝗲𝗻𝘁𝘀 𝘂𝗻𝗱𝗲𝗿𝗯𝗼𝗱𝘆 𝘃𝗶𝘀𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝘀𝘆𝘀𝘁𝗲𝗺 𝘁𝗼 𝘀𝗮𝘃𝗲 𝗹𝗶𝘃𝗲𝘀

BYD has published a new patent covering underbody living-organism detection, in an effort to extend computer-vision technologies beyond driver assistance and battery systems.

🐈 Detecting living organisms underneath vehicles tends to pose different challenges to those of conventional occupant-monitoring systems.

The patented system captures an image of the vehicle’s underside when the vehicle is powered down and stores it as a reference image. Subsequent real-time images are compared against that baseline. Static components like suspension parts, battery enclosures, aerodynamic panels and structural members remain unchanged between scans, so that computational resources only focus on newly detected objects or movement beneath the vehicle.

BYD also recently developed a solution for detecting forgotten occupants inside a vehicle. Together, the two systems address opposite sides of the vehicle.

#VehicleSafety #Detection #BYD #Trucks

⚠️ 𝗥𝗼𝗮𝗱 𝘀𝘂𝗽𝗽𝗼𝗿𝘁 𝗱𝗿𝗶𝘃𝗲𝘀 𝘂𝗽𝘁𝗶𝗺𝗲 𝘁𝗵𝗿𝗼𝘂𝗴𝗵 𝗳𝘂𝗹𝗹-𝗰𝘆𝗰𝗹𝗲 𝗰

⚠️ 𝗥𝗼𝗮𝗱 𝘀𝘂𝗽𝗽𝗼𝗿𝘁 𝗱𝗿𝗶𝘃𝗲𝘀 𝘂𝗽𝘁𝗶𝗺𝗲 𝘁𝗵𝗿𝗼𝘂𝗴𝗵 𝗳𝘂𝗹𝗹-𝗰𝘆𝗰𝗹𝗲 𝗰𝘂𝘀𝘁𝗼𝗺𝗲𝗿 𝘀𝘂𝗽𝗽𝗼𝗿𝘁

A comprehensive support ecosystem featuring preventative maintenance, 24/7 roadside assistance, performance monitoring and service innovation is being offered by UD Trucks Southern Africa (UDTSA).

🛠️ Preventative maintenance remains a cornerstone of UDTSA’s approach to maximising customer uptime. Rather than responding to failures after they occur, the focus is on proactively identifying and addressing potential issues before they impact vehicle performance.

🗣️ This is according to Steven Fabricius, GM: service commercial at UDTSA, who notes that uptime is more than a metric for the company – it is a commitment. “Through comprehensive roadside assistance and full-cycle customer support, we help customers maximise vehicle availability, reduce operational disruptions and keep their businesses moving.”

Fabricius goes on to outline how this service philosophy is brought to life through end-to-end uptime solutions that keep customers moving.

👉 Read all about it in our July issue of FOCUS: https://buff.ly/apQ5Gli

#UDTrucks #RoadSupport #CustomerService #UptimeEdge

📢 𝗧𝗿𝘂𝗰𝗸 𝗧𝗲𝘀𝘁 𝟮𝟬𝟮𝟲 𝗮𝗽𝗽𝗼𝗶𝗻𝘁𝘀 𝗲𝘅𝗽𝗲𝗿𝗶𝗲𝗻𝗰𝗲𝗱 𝘁𝗲𝗰𝗵𝗻𝗶𝗰𝗮𝗹 𝗱

📢 𝗧𝗿𝘂𝗰𝗸 𝗧𝗲𝘀𝘁 𝟮𝟬𝟮𝟲 𝗮𝗽𝗽𝗼𝗶𝗻𝘁𝘀 𝗲𝘅𝗽𝗲𝗿𝗶𝗲𝗻𝗰𝗲𝗱 𝘁𝗲𝗰𝗵𝗻𝗶𝗰𝗮𝗹 𝗱𝗶𝗿𝗲𝗰𝘁𝗼𝗿

The technical credibility of Truck Test has been strengthened with the appointment of Jayesh “Tiny” Daya as technical director of the 2026 event.

📐Specialist technical oversight ensures every process, measurement and operational decision is managed professionally, fairly and safely – delivering greater value to participants, sponsors and readers alike.

🛣️ The appointment is also necessary because of the event’s sheer size – it’s the largest test ever on the African continent.

With over 35 years in the SA motor industry, Tiny has worked closely with fleets, OEMs, dealers and suppliers across the transport sector, with a strong focus on vehicle uptime, driveline performance and practical operational efficiency. He is also director of TDRSA, a local driveline remanufacturing and technical consulting business.

💡 Tiny has also been involved with TruckScience for many years, supporting technical benchmarking, fuel economy analysis and CV performance discussions within the industry. This has given him valuable exposure to the evolution of truck testing methodologies, operational benchmarking and the importance of credible, data-driven testing within the local transport environment.

👀 Read more in our July issue: https://buff.ly/fEZ6plu

#TruckTest2026 #TechnicalDirector #Trucks #Performance

🚨 𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗹𝗮𝘁𝗲𝘀𝘁 𝗶𝘀𝘀𝘂𝗲 𝗼𝗳 𝗙𝗢𝗖𝗨𝗦 𝗶𝘀 𝗟𝗜𝗩𝗘 – 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗶𝘁 𝗶𝘀 𝗽𝗮

🚨 𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗹𝗮𝘁𝗲𝘀𝘁 𝗶𝘀𝘀𝘂𝗲 𝗼𝗳 𝗙𝗢𝗖𝗨𝗦 𝗶𝘀 𝗟𝗜𝗩𝗘 – 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗶𝘁 𝗶𝘀 𝗽𝗮𝗰𝗸𝗲𝗱 𝘄𝗶𝘁𝗵 𝘀𝘁𝗼𝗿𝗶𝗲𝘀 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝘁𝗿𝗮𝗻𝘀𝗽𝗼𝗿𝘁 𝗶𝗻𝗱𝘂𝘀𝘁𝗿𝘆 𝗰𝗮𝗻𝗻𝗼𝘁 𝗮𝗳𝗳𝗼𝗿𝗱 𝘁𝗼 𝗺𝗶𝘀𝘀.

Our cover story is about Shacman – for good reason. The Chinese challenger is staking its claim in South Africa. Our hard-hitting cover story examines the investment, strategy and support behind its local push – and asks whether established truck brands should be looking over their shoulders. 𝗪𝗵𝗮𝘁 𝗱𝗼 𝘆𝗼𝘂 𝘁𝗵𝗶𝗻𝗸?

Also inside:
🔧 Who will repair South Africa’s trucks as technical skills disappear?
🔋 Could five-minute battery swapping transform heavy transport?
🚛 How did more than 2,500 trucks become stranded at Kasumbalesa?
🤖 Meet Dr Cool, the AI assistant taking on reefer breakdowns
💰 Why premium used trucks are becoming a strategic business choice

👉 Read the full issue here: https://tinyurl.com/mr3t4wc4

#FOCUSmagSA #Trucking #Transport #Logistics #Shacman #CommercialVehicles #SouthAfrica

👮 𝗙𝗼𝗿𝗺𝗲𝗿 𝗣𝗥𝗔𝗦𝗔 𝗖𝗘𝗢 𝗵𝗮𝘀 𝗹𝘂𝘅𝘂𝗿𝘆 𝗽𝗿𝗼𝗽𝗲𝗿𝘁𝗶𝗲𝘀 𝗳𝗿𝗼𝘇𝗲𝗻 𝗯𝘆

👮 𝗙𝗼𝗿𝗺𝗲𝗿 𝗣𝗥𝗔𝗦𝗔 𝗖𝗘𝗢 𝗵𝗮𝘀 𝗹𝘂𝘅𝘂𝗿𝘆 𝗽𝗿𝗼𝗽𝗲𝗿𝘁𝗶𝗲𝘀 𝗳𝗿𝗼𝘇𝗲𝗻 𝗯𝘆 𝗦𝗜𝗨

The Special Investigating Unit (SIU) has secured a preservation order from the Special Tribunal, freezing two multimillion-rand properties linked to former Passenger Rail Agency of South Africa (PRASA) Group CEO Tshepo Lucky Montana.

🔎 This forms part of an ongoing investigation into a controversial R5.6-billion rail security contract, in which the SIU says it uncovered a “direct and uninterrupted money trail” linking the acquisition of the properties to proceeds allegedly connected to PRASA’s Integrated Security Access Management System (ISAMS) contract awarded to Siyangena Technologies, a subsidiary of TMM Holdings.

The Special Tribunal order prevents Montana from selling, transferring, leasing or otherwise dealing with the properties pending the outcome of civil recovery proceedings instituted by the SIU.

🏘️ The assets include a luxury property in Hurlingham, Johannesburg, purchased for R13.5m, and a property in Waterkloof, Pretoria, bought for R2.25m.

👀 More: https://buff.ly/pullFsP

#PRASA #Rail #CorruptionInvestigation #SouthAfrica

Charmont Media Global • Copyright © 2026 • Privacy Policy