Author:focus-on-transport

SA’s new vehicle market: Naamsa’s assessment

South Africa’s domestic vehicle market ended 2019 on a high note with aggregate new sales for December reaching 41 698 units – an increase of 1 678 units, representing a rise of 4,2 percent compared with the 40 020 units recorded during the corresponding month the previous year. The December figure reflected a year-on-year volume increase of 9,1 percent in the new passenger car market, but a decrease of 6,7 percent in the case of light commercials. Sales of medium […]

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Toyota leads the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Torch Relay Convoy

Marathon 121-day event aims to promote Olympic spirit The Tokyo Organising Committee of the 2020 Olympic and Paralympic Games recently unveiled the designs that will feature on the line-up of Toyota buses, vans and cars that will make up the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Torch Relay Convoy. The convoy will accompany torch bearers along the relay route, which runs through all of the country’s 47 metropolitan districts from Fukushima, the southern-most prefecture in the Tōhoku region, to the new Olympics Stadium […]

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Thermo King scoops top sustainability award

Innovative, zero-emission refrigeration unit seen to promote efficiency and reduce energy consumption Ingersoll Rand’s Thermo King brand has won the European Transport Award for Sustainability 2020, it’s fully electric, zero-emission E-200 unit for vans and trucks below 3,5 t taking the honours in the competition’s cooling and heating category. The refrigerated unit – which incorporates a patented power management system that reduces energy consumption – was seen by the competition’s judges to promote efficiency and reliability in the delivery of […]

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Renault, Nissan and Mitsubishi shift alliance strategy

Appointment of general secretary aims to strengthen business efficiencies On Monday this week, Hadi Zablit officially became general secretary of the Renault-Nissan-Mitsubishi Alliance – a position created with a view to accelerating business efficiencies among the three companies. His appointment comes as the brands – which last year together sold more vehicles than any other motor company – battle to improve profitability in the face of sharply declining sales. “The general secretary will coordinate and facilitate all of the major […]

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Meet Scania SA’s new MD

Less than two months into office, Scania Southern Africa’s new managing director reveals the approach he intends to adopt in getting to grips with the country’s challenging market conditions Fabio Souza, 44, the recently appointed managing director of Scania Southern Africa, sees the company’s products not simply as trucks, buses or engines, but as solutions. “My intention is to continue to bring to our customers, through our depth of knowledge and expertise, the best possible solutions to their challenges – […]

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FOCUS Issue 12 2019

FOCUS Issue 12 2019 is available to view as an Ebook or to download in pdf format. Click here to download in pdf format.

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State of the commercial vehicle market, October 2019

The National Association of Automobile Manufacturers of South Africa (Naamsa) welcomed the marginal uptick in new vehicle sales during October. With 51 978 units sold, the total represented an increase of 122 units – 0,2 percent – compared with the figure for October last year. However, bakkie and minibus sales were down by 5,9 percent to 13 366 units compared with figures for the corresponding month last year, while sales in the medium and heavy truck and bus segments reflected […]

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Opel takes the electric route – but SA models stick with diesel

Groupe PSA’s Opel brand is planning to launch an electrically driven version of its medium-sized van, the Vivaro, early next year. The move follows the introduction of a plug-in hybrid version of the Grandland X SUV in Europe, as well as an all-electric Corsa. “The Vivaro-e marks the next chapter in Opel’s electrification strategy. The brand is committed to delivering eight electrified models by 2021 and electrifying its entire product portfolio by 2024, as part of its PACE! strategic plan,” […]

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New chapter for Bidvest Panalpina Logistics

After 46 years of partnership, Bidvest Panalpina Logistics (BPL) is splitting from DSV/Panalpina to form Bidvest International Logistics (BIL). Regulatory changes are expected to be completed early next year. Owned by the Bidvest Group in conjunction with empowerment company the Makana Investment Corporation – which was established by Nelson Mandela, South Africa’s late former president – the remodeled business will team up with EMO Trans Global Logistics as its international forwarding network partner. In a statement, a company spokesman says […]

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Ford partners with government

Ford Motor Company of Southern Africa (FMCSA) has embarked on a public-private partnership with national, provincial and local government to facilitate the creation of the Tshwane Automotive Special Economic Zone (SEZ), situated adjacent to the company’s Silverton Vehicle Assembly Plant in Pretoria. The project, officially launched last month by South Africa’s president, Cyril Ramaphosa, envisages the establishment of an automotive component supplier park designed to bolster investment and job creation in the Tshwane area, simultaneously enabling future expansion opportunities for […]

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