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Category:Featured December 2014

There’s no “I” in “team”

December 1, 2014

There’s no “I” in “team”

VIC OLIVER spends a lot of time working with our industry’s top transport operators, but one man that stands out for him is Andre...

Down to a, fine, art

December 1, 2014

Down to a, fine, art

Some know what they want to be right from the start, while others decide as they move through life … Godfrey Hani, divisional manager...

Filling the glass

December 1, 2014

Filling the glass

The management of MAN Truck & Bus South Africa is on a mission to be the best business partner in the commercial vehicle industry....

A 26-year stalwart of Toyota South Africa, Trautmann is excited about furthering Hino’s success in the local market.

December 1, 2014

Moving up a level

The management of Hino South Africa has a very clear vision of where the company will be in the year 2020, and it’s up...

Coolsaet is excited by the promise of a wonderful future for the South African market.

December 1, 2014

The multilingual globetrotter with big ambitions

Christian Coolsaet, managing director of Volvo and Renault Trucks, South Africa, is a die-hard petrolhead whose relationship with Volvo spans almost two decades. CLAIRE...

Christensson believes that anything is possible with a set target and a committed team.

December 1, 2014

Volvo for life

Torbjörn Christensson has been the president of the Volvo Group Southern Africa since 2012: CLAIRE RENCKEN talks to him about his experiences in this...

A really sound wager

December 1, 2014

A really sound wager

Steve Wager doesn’t need a spin doctor – the Scania sales figures speak for themselves. That makes this charismatic managing director the ideal choice...

Looming law, lowdown

December 1, 2014

Looming law, lowdown

This year has almost run its course, but the surprises aren’t over yet … the Department of Transport has published an amendment to the...

Everything will be all right in the end?

December 1, 2014

Everything will be all right in the end?

The end, it would seem, is always nigh as doomsday predictions form part of humanity’s history and continue to roll in. However, another year...

Three reasons why Truck Test 2015 will rock

December 1, 2014

Three reasons why Truck Test 2015 will rock

We’ve reached the end of another jam-packed year and, while it seems as though Truck Test 2014 has just finished, the 2015 event is...

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𝗣𝗮𝘆𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝘁𝗿𝗶𝗯𝘂𝘁𝗲 𝘁𝗼 𝗚𝗮𝗿𝗿𝘆 𝗠𝗮𝗿𝘀𝗵𝗮𝗹𝗹, 𝗦𝗔𝗘𝗣𝗔 𝗖𝗘𝗢 To m

𝗣𝗮𝘆𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝘁𝗿𝗶𝗯𝘂𝘁𝗲 𝘁𝗼 𝗚𝗮𝗿𝗿𝘆 𝗠𝗮𝗿𝘀𝗵𝗮𝗹𝗹, 𝗦𝗔𝗘𝗣𝗔 𝗖𝗘𝗢

To mark the recent passing of Garry Marshall, CEO of the South African Express Parcel Association (SAEPA), the following words have been shared with FOCUS by Maxeen Naidoo, international imports specialist at SkyNet Worldwide Express South Africa.

“Garry was more than just a leader; he was the heartbeat of our industry. A truly remarkable soul. His boundless passion for life and his relentless pursuit of excellence inspired everyone to be fortunate enough to know him. Garry possessed an incredible wealth of knowledge, but what made him truly special was his humility and willingness to share that wisdom generously. He was a mentor to many, always offering honest opinions with unwavering conviction.

“He poured his heart and soul into the express logistics industry. He built a foundation rooted in integrity, innovation and positivity. He also was passionate about skills development which is how Garry and I became acquainted. His legacy is one that the next generation can be proud of. We are grateful for his selfless service."

The FOCUS team extends sincere condolences to Garry's loved ones at this sad time.

Not every truck needs all the bells and whistles;

Not every truck needs all the bells and whistles; some just need to get the job done.

That's why Mercedes-Benz Trucks refined the new Actros range down to its essentials:

✔ Proven Mercedes-Benz powertrain
✔ Trusted reliability
✔ Engineering built for the long haul

No paying for features you'll never use or compromising on what you actually need.

The new Actros range.

Refined to its essentials.
Simplified by design. Proven by performance.

#MercedesBenzTrucks #NewActros #BuiltWithWhatMattersMost #Actros

🚍️ 𝗘𝘅𝘁𝗼𝗿𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗶𝗺𝗽𝗮𝗰𝘁𝘀 𝗠𝘆𝗖𝗶𝗧𝗶 𝗯𝘂𝘀 𝗿𝗼𝘂𝘁𝗲 𝗲𝘅𝗽𝗮𝗻𝘀𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗶𝗻

🚍️ 𝗘𝘅𝘁𝗼𝗿𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗶𝗺𝗽𝗮𝗰𝘁𝘀 𝗠𝘆𝗖𝗶𝗧𝗶 𝗯𝘂𝘀 𝗿𝗼𝘂𝘁𝗲 𝗲𝘅𝗽𝗮𝗻𝘀𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗶𝗻 𝗖𝗮𝗽𝗲 𝗙𝗹𝗮𝘁𝘀

👏 The City of Cape Town has welcomed a final High Court interdict protecting construction projects for the MyCiTi Cape Flats route expansion from extortion, intimidation and unlawful interference.

The country’s largest public transport project is set to benefit over 1,4 million residents across 30 neighbourhoods, from Mitchells Plain and Khayelitsha to Wynberg and Claremont.

🗣️ The City’s mayoral committee member for urban mobility, Councillor Rob Quintas, commented: “Extortion is a crime. When people threaten workers, demand protection money or stop construction, it delays projects and prevents communities from getting the services and infrastructure they need. The finalisation of this court order is a major victory for the City, our contractors and, most importantly, the communities who will benefit from the MyCiTi Cape Flats route expansion as well as other Urban Mobility projects that have been hampered by extortion. We will not allow threats, intimidation or demands for protection money to stop public infrastructure from being built. This court order gives us an important tool to protect our workers, contractors and the delivery of this project.”

⚠️ Other roads and mobility projects in high-risk areas have been impacted by extortion threats. On 20 July 2026, roadworks in Mzamo Crescent, Nyanga, were stopped after an unidentified man threatened to burn plant machinery and vehicles as well as shoot anyone who attempted to prevent this. The man also demanded that the contractor pay a protection fee.

🚓 The South African Police Service (SAPS) has been directed to assist with enforcement of the interdict. The City encourages anyone with information regarding related criminal conduct to report it to SAPS.

📞 The City’s Enough! Genoeg! Kwanele! campaign also encourages anonymous reporting of extortion and intimidation. A toll free tip-offs hotline (0800 00 6992) is available 24/7 for reporting incidents of extortion directly to the City anonymously.

#Corruption #Extortion #PublicTransport #BusTransport #WesternCape

🚜 The future of industrial technology is connected

🚜 The future of industrial technology is connected, intelligent and focused on results.

Electra Mining Africa 2026 will showcase the latest innovations in AI, automation, robotics, predictive maintenance, digital manufacturing and industrial technology.

Taking place 7–11 September at the Johannesburg Expo Centre, the event will feature more than 1,000 exhibitors across a record 44,000m² exhibition space.

Discover the technologies and solutions shaping the future of mining, manufacturing and industry.

👉 Find out more and register: www.electramining.co.za

#ElectraMiningAfrica #EMA2026 #Mining #Manufacturing #IndustrialTechnology #Innovation

✈️ 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

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