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Category:Product Reviews

The new Mercedes-Benz Vito boasts a permissible gross vehicle weight of 2,5 to 3,2 t.

November 1, 2014

Hola to the new Vito!

Daimler’s Vitoria plant has given birth to a new baby! CHARLEEN CLARKE travels to the Basque region of Spain to say hola to the...

November 1, 2014

Ups and downs

We’ve seen some vehicles from JMC – another contender from China – on our roads for the past few years now. This is GAVIN...

Rocking the establishment?

October 1, 2014

Rocking the establishment?

Ford Motor Company of South Africa is steadily expanding its local commercial vehicle offering. GAVIN MYERS gets acquainted with its largest range to be...

We have LIFT-off

October 1, 2014

We have LIFT-off

The next generation of the popular Fuso Canter has been launched locally. GAVIN MYERS attended and found the whole shebang quite LIFTing.

Transporting with the Transporter

October 1, 2014

Transporting with the Transporter

GAVIN MYERS puts Volkswagen’s Transporter Crew Bus through one of our most thorough reviews yet.

Tunbling around

July 1, 2014

Tunbling around

The Foton Tunland single cab passes through our hands, leaving GAVIN MYERS wondering why we don’t see more of them on our roads.

A modern classic

June 1, 2014

A modern classic

A Volkswagen Kombi can only mean sunny skies, smiles and serenity – GAVIN MYERS, and the rest of the FOCUS team, pile in to...

April 1, 2014

Land bruiser

Another year, another Land Cruiser – but this one has two more cylinders and an extra half a litre displacement under the hood. GAVIN...

March 1, 2014

Look twice

Nissan is planning to give the most popular integral van on sale in South Africa a run for its money. GAVIN MYERS asks if...

The Triton enigma

February 1, 2014

The Triton enigma

The Mitsubishi Triton has recently been refreshed with the introduction of a new 2,5-litre diesel engine. It still has something to offer, discovers GAVIN...

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focusmagsa

🤣 𝗙𝗿𝗶𝗱𝗮𝘆 𝗙𝘂𝗻𝗻𝘆: 𝗔𝘂𝘀𝘀𝗶𝗲𝘀 𝘀𝗮𝗶𝗹 𝗵𝗼𝗺𝗲𝗺𝗮𝗱𝗲 𝗽𝗼𝗿𝘁𝗮𝗹𝗼𝗼 𝗮𝗰𝗿

🤣 𝗙𝗿𝗶𝗱𝗮𝘆 𝗙𝘂𝗻𝗻𝘆: 𝗔𝘂𝘀𝘀𝗶𝗲𝘀 𝘀𝗮𝗶𝗹 𝗵𝗼𝗺𝗲𝗺𝗮𝗱𝗲 𝗽𝗼𝗿𝘁𝗮𝗹𝗼𝗼 𝗮𝗰𝗿𝗼𝘀𝘀 𝗱𝗮𝗻𝗴𝗲𝗿𝗼𝘂𝘀 𝘀𝘁𝗿𝗮𝗶𝘁

Some might say it could only happen in Australia. In May 2025, friends Alex Craig and Paul Graham crossed the stretch of ocean between Cape Jervis and Kangaroo Island on a homemade barge complete with an outhouse and a barbecue.

🚽 Determined to avoid expensive shipping fees, the two embarked on the treacherous four-hour journey across Backstairs Passage in order to deliver the toilet to Craig’s piece of land on Kangaroo Island. Transporting it via ferry would have cost him over $2000, apparently.

🫕 While aboard the unconventional vessel, the pair also enjoyed a cook-up. “We had short ribs, pork ribs and some gourmet sausages,” Graham said. He added that this would not be their final adventure – so watch this space…

👀 More: https://buff.ly/5hiawDx

#FridayFunny #AussieAdventures #Transport #Toilets

🥔 𝗦𝗺𝗮𝗿𝘁 𝗹𝗼𝗴𝗶𝘀𝘁𝗶𝗰𝘀 𝗰𝗿𝗶𝘁𝗶𝗰𝗮𝗹 𝘁𝗼 𝗽𝗼𝘁𝗮𝘁𝗼 𝗶𝗻𝗱𝘂𝘀𝘁𝗿𝘆 𝘀𝘂𝗰𝗰

🥔 𝗦𝗺𝗮𝗿𝘁 𝗹𝗼𝗴𝗶𝘀𝘁𝗶𝗰𝘀 𝗰𝗿𝗶𝘁𝗶𝗰𝗮𝗹 𝘁𝗼 𝗽𝗼𝘁𝗮𝘁𝗼 𝗶𝗻𝗱𝘂𝘀𝘁𝗿𝘆 𝘀𝘂𝗰𝗰𝗲𝘀𝘀

While potatoes are a cornerstone of SA’s food security, speakers at the Potato SA Congress highlighted that solving supply chain bottlenecks is necessary to keep the staple competitive and affordable.

🚚 While local farmers produce quality crops and are efficient at harvesting them, greater value can be unlocked by improving how potatoes move from farms to consumers, because logistical bottlenecks further along the value chain are limiting industry growth.

🗣️ Peter van Zyl, procurement head at Freshmark, said retailers now have unprecedented insight into consumer behaviour and producers should use that data to better plan harvesting and logistics.

👀 More: https://buff.ly/PMgzFnF

#Agriculture #Transport #Logistics #Potatoes #SouthAfrica

👏 𝗣𝗿𝗲𝘀𝗶𝗱𝗲𝗻𝘁 𝗵𝗮𝗶𝗹𝘀 𝗧𝗼𝘆𝗼𝘁𝗮’𝘀 𝗥𝟭𝟬.𝟰𝗯𝗻 𝗛𝗶𝗹𝘂𝘅 𝗶𝗻𝘃𝗲𝘀𝘁𝗺𝗲𝗻

👏 𝗣𝗿𝗲𝘀𝗶𝗱𝗲𝗻𝘁 𝗵𝗮𝗶𝗹𝘀 𝗧𝗼𝘆𝗼𝘁𝗮’𝘀 𝗥𝟭𝟬.𝟰𝗯𝗻 𝗛𝗶𝗹𝘂𝘅 𝗶𝗻𝘃𝗲𝘀𝘁𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁

🛻 South African president Cyril Ramaphosa has hailed Toyota South Africa Motors’ R10.4-billion investment in the production of the ninth-generation Hilux bakkie as a strong vote of confidence in the country’s economy, saying it demonstrates South Africa’s ability to convert investment commitments into jobs, industrial growth and exports.

🗣️ In a virtual address during the official Hilux line-off launch at the company’s Prospecton plant in eThekwini recently, the President said the milestone was less about a new vehicle launch and more about confidence and long-term investment in South Africa, as well as a “shared determination to build an economy that produces, innovates, exports and creates jobs”.

He added that the Hilux has become part of South Africa’s story over the past five decades, being “designed for our conditions, built by South African hands and exported from South African shores”.

🔬 As South Africa marks National Science month, the launch of Toyota’s new-generation hybrid vehicle highlights the growing role of science, technology and innovation in modern manufacturing in the country.

#Investment #Toyota #SouthAfrica #Bakkies #Hilux

🐅 𝗜𝗻𝗱𝗶𝗮 𝘀𝗮𝘃𝗲𝘀 𝘁𝗶𝗴𝗲𝗿𝘀 𝘂𝘀𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗰𝗼𝗹𝗼𝘂𝗿𝗲𝗱 𝗿𝗼𝗮𝗱𝘀 A 12km

🐅 𝗜𝗻𝗱𝗶𝗮 𝘀𝗮𝘃𝗲𝘀 𝘁𝗶𝗴𝗲𝗿𝘀 𝘂𝘀𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗰𝗼𝗹𝗼𝘂𝗿𝗲𝗱 𝗿𝗼𝗮𝗱𝘀

A 12km stretch of road running through the Veerangana Durgavati Tiger Reserve in India was shown to have been crossed over 40,000 times in 40 days by wild animals ranging from golden jackals, leopards and tigers to spotted deer, peacocks and elephants. 🐘

💥 The road, like many cutting through natural wildlife corridors, posed a growing threat to both animals and drivers because of the high risk of collisions.

Having already constructed 25 wildlife underpasses on the road, the Ministry of Road Transport & Highways and the National Highways Authority of India took a novel approach to encouraging drivers to slow down and remain vigilant – and it took the form of colour psychology.

🛑 On a critical stretch of the highway, the NHAI applied red, 5mm-thick thermoplastic surface layers to the roads, stating that “the bright red colour immediately alerts drivers that they are entering a speed-restricted, wildlife-sensitive corridor”.

🌧️ Because red has the longest wavelength of visible light, it’s highly visible in rainy or foggy weather. Studies also show that the human brain processes the colour red up to 10% faster than any other colour.

The slightly raised surface layer also has a subtle but recognisable impact on drivers, generating “mild tactile and audible feedback, naturally encouraging drivers to slow down, without causing discomfort or sudden braking”.

👀 More: https://buff.ly/RNhKOgw

#RoadSafety #Psychology #WildlifeCrossing #CollisionAvoidance

💵 𝗡𝗲𝘄𝗹𝘆𝗻 𝗴𝗲𝘁𝘀 𝗥𝟱𝗯𝗻 𝗳𝗿𝗼𝗺 𝗔𝗯𝘀𝗮 𝗖𝗜𝗕 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝗱𝗲𝘃𝗲𝗹𝗼𝗽𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁 𝗽

💵 𝗡𝗲𝘄𝗹𝘆𝗻 𝗴𝗲𝘁𝘀 𝗥𝟱𝗯𝗻 𝗳𝗿𝗼𝗺 𝗔𝗯𝘀𝗮 𝗖𝗜𝗕 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝗱𝗲𝘃𝗲𝗹𝗼𝗽𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁 𝗽𝗶𝗽𝗲𝗹𝗶𝗻𝗲

Newlyn Group, the logistics property and infrastructure giant, has secured a R5-billion financing deal with Absa Corporate & Investment Banking. It’s touted as one of the largest single funding deals of its kind for a private property company in South Africa.

⚓️ The group, which has a 30-year history of investing in the country’s specialist port logistics sector, is tasked with developing the R3.4bn Newlyn PX Terminal near the Port of Durban. Its national portfolio of large-scale logistics parks and properties spans 32 assets and more than 1.3 million sqm of gross lettable area (GLA).

📷️ Pictured is Newlyn’s Bayhead Rail Terminal, near Durban Port.

#Financing #Logistics #DurbanPort #NewlynGroup #AbsaCIB

⛽️ 𝗔𝗿𝗮𝗯 𝗼𝗶𝗹 𝗴𝗶𝗮𝗻𝘁 𝗶𝗻 𝗹𝗶𝗻𝗲 𝘁𝗼 𝗮𝗰𝗾𝘂𝗶𝗿𝗲 ~𝟲𝟬𝟬 𝗦𝗵𝗲𝗹𝗹 𝗳𝘂

⛽️ 𝗔𝗿𝗮𝗯 𝗼𝗶𝗹 𝗴𝗶𝗮𝗻𝘁 𝗶𝗻 𝗹𝗶𝗻𝗲 𝘁𝗼 𝗮𝗰𝗾𝘂𝗶𝗿𝗲 ~𝟲𝟬𝟬 𝗦𝗵𝗲𝗹𝗹 𝗳𝘂𝗲𝗹 𝘀𝘁𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝘀

In a deal worth about $1 billion (R16.3 billion), Abu Dhabi’s largest energy company would purchase 580 Shell-branded fuel stations in South Africa, with a 28% stake to be taken by a local empowerment partner.

🤝 Bloomberg reported that Shell and the retail arm of Adnoc, the Abu Dhabi National Oil Company, are expected to announce the agreement shortly.
Adnoc Distribution became the preferred bidder earlier this year after negotiations failed with commodity trader Gunvor Group.

Part of its global expansion strategy, the acquisition would give Adnoc Distribution ownership of roughly 10% of the country’s fuel retail market.

🛢️ Shell is disposing of non-core assets to focus on supporting long-term oil and gas production, including major projects in Canada.

👀 More: https://buff.ly/nFAFqnY

#Fuel #Diesel #Shell #Adnoc #Energy

🐫 𝗧𝗼𝘆𝗼𝘁𝗮 𝗶𝘀 𝘁𝗮𝗸𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗵𝘆𝗱𝗿𝗼𝗴𝗲𝗻 𝘁𝗼 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗗𝗮𝗸𝗮𝗿 𝗥𝗮𝗹𝗹𝘆 🚙

🤖 𝗖𝗮𝗻𝗮𝗱𝗮’𝘀 𝗳𝘂𝘁𝘂𝗿𝗲-𝗳𝗼𝗿𝘄𝗮𝗿𝗱 𝘁𝗿𝘂𝗰𝗸𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝘁𝗿𝗲𝗻𝗱𝘀 What in

🤖 𝗖𝗮𝗻𝗮𝗱𝗮’𝘀 𝗳𝘂𝘁𝘂𝗿𝗲-𝗳𝗼𝗿𝘄𝗮𝗿𝗱 𝘁𝗿𝘂𝗰𝗸𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝘁𝗿𝗲𝗻𝗱𝘀
What innovations can truck drivers expect when travelling this country’s roads?

📷️ Firstly, they need to be aware that some provincial law enforcers, with the backing of the Ontario Ministry of Transportation, have been using drones equipped with thermal imaging to help identify commercial vehicles with potential brake defects.

🚚 The initiative took place at commercial vehicle inspection stations during a Canada Day programme in which 183 trucks were inspected.

⛽️ Then, in Greater Vancouver, Canada’s first commercial heavy-duty hydrogen fuelling station has been opened, capable of fuelling Classes 7 and 8 trucks (11,794kg to 14,969kg and above) as well as other hydrogen-powered commercial vehicles.

🗣️ “Today we open what we believe to be the first 700-bar commercial heavy-duty clean hydrogen station… in the entirety of Canada,” said Marnie Wu, a director at HTEC, the company delivering fuel supply, stations, leasing and support for zero-emission trucking.

#Canada #Drones #Trucking #GreenTransport #HydrogenFuels

🔋 𝗕𝗬𝗗’𝘀 𝗦𝗼𝘂𝘁𝗵 𝗔𝗳𝗿𝗶𝗰𝗮𝗻 𝗴𝗿𝗼𝘄𝘁𝗵 𝘀𝘁𝗼𝗿𝘆 𝗲𝘅𝗽𝗮𝗻𝗱𝘀 𝗯𝗲𝘆𝗼𝗻𝗱

🔋 𝗕𝗬𝗗’𝘀 𝗦𝗼𝘂𝘁𝗵 𝗔𝗳𝗿𝗶𝗰𝗮𝗻 𝗴𝗿𝗼𝘄𝘁𝗵 𝘀𝘁𝗼𝗿𝘆 𝗲𝘅𝗽𝗮𝗻𝗱𝘀 𝗯𝗲𝘆𝗼𝗻𝗱 𝘃𝗲𝗵𝗶𝗰𝗹𝗲 𝘀𝗮𝗹𝗲𝘀

China-headquartered new energy vehicle maker BYD is exploring local production of batteries and components, with a particular focus on its lithium iron phosphate Blade Battery technology for passenger EVs.

👉 This signals a localisation strategy built around NEV technology rather than traditional vehicle assembly, and could support South Africa’s industrial ambitions, especially as policy incentives begin to favour battery component manufacturing and regional mineral sourcing.

❓ Will truck battery production be next for SA?

🛻 At the same time, the newly launched BYD Finance joint venture with Absa is designed to make NEVs more accessible through dealer funding, flexible consumer finance and guaranteed future value options.

With BYD already one of SA’s leading NEV brands and expanding its dealership network, the combination of potential local component production and stronger finance solutions could play a meaningful role in accelerating the country’s transition to cleaner mobility.

#BYD #NEVs #GreenTransport #Localisation

✈️ 𝗕𝗶𝗴 𝗻𝗲𝘄𝘀 𝗶𝗻 𝗦𝗼𝘂𝘁𝗵 𝗔𝗳𝗿𝗶𝗰𝗮𝗻 𝗮𝘃𝗶𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 Harith Avi

✈️ 𝗕𝗶𝗴 𝗻𝗲𝘄𝘀 𝗶𝗻 𝗦𝗼𝘂𝘁𝗵 𝗔𝗳𝗿𝗶𝗰𝗮𝗻 𝗮𝘃𝗶𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻

Harith Aviation has secured clearance from the Competition Commission to acquire Safair Holdings, the parent company of FlySafair. This marks a pivotal step in strengthening FlySafair’s long-term future and ensuring compliance with South Africa’s 75% local ownership mandate.

The deal not only stabilises FlySafair’s licensing position but also positions Harith to leverage its stake in Lanseria International Airport, potentially transforming the hub into a regional aviation powerhouse.

💵 With Harith’s assets under management exceeding $3 billion, this acquisition – estimated at over R8 billion – represents a significant investment in the country’s aviation infrastructure. Importantly, much of the capital originates from the Government Employees Pension Fund via the PIC, meaning South Africans indirectly hold exposure to a large share of the domestic aviation market.

🏆️ This move could reshape competition, bolster FlySafair’s dominance, and accelerate expansion into regional African routes.

👀 Read the full story here: https://buff.ly/TTkejUT

#Aviation #FlySafair #CompetitionCommission #SouthAfrica #Airports

🏋𝗦𝗾𝘂𝗮𝘁𝘀 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝗯𝘂𝘀 𝗿𝗶𝗱𝗲𝘀? A novel way of getting cit

🏋𝗦𝗾𝘂𝗮𝘁𝘀 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝗯𝘂𝘀 𝗿𝗶𝗱𝗲𝘀?

A novel way of getting citizens to live healthier was introduced in a city in western Romania as part of a 2021 sports festival campaign.

Residents of Cluj-Napoca could get a free bus ride by doing squats as part of a “health ticket” that was valid for a single trip on the city’s public transport network.

🚌 Instead of paying around 0.5 Euro, participants could earn their pass by doing 20 squats in two minutes in front of a camera in a booth at a bus station.

Run with the support of local council and private partners that covered the ticket cost, the project aimed to encourage the general public to find ways to introduce sport/movement into their daily routine.

Originally a two-week pilot, it proved so successful, with 14,500 health tickets issued, that the project continued until the end of the year. By this time residents had done over a million squats.

💡Given that almost half of adult South Africans are overweight or obese, according to an HSRC study, could this inspire the Rainbow Nation to follow suit?

#PublicTransport #Bus #Commute #HealthyLifestyles #Exercise

⚓️ 𝗦𝘂𝗲𝘇-𝗥𝗲𝗱 𝗦𝗲𝗮 𝘁𝗿𝗮𝗻𝘀𝗶𝘁 𝗿𝗲𝘃𝗶𝘀𝗶𝘁𝗲𝗱 𝗯𝘆 𝗺𝗮𝗷𝗼𝗿 𝘀𝗵𝗶𝗽𝗽𝗶𝗻

⚓️ 𝗦𝘂𝗲𝘇-𝗥𝗲𝗱 𝗦𝗲𝗮 𝘁𝗿𝗮𝗻𝘀𝗶𝘁 𝗿𝗲𝘃𝗶𝘀𝗶𝘁𝗲𝗱 𝗯𝘆 𝗺𝗮𝗷𝗼𝗿 𝘀𝗵𝗶𝗽𝗽𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗰𝗼𝗺𝗽𝗮𝗻𝗶𝗲𝘀

Maersk and Hapag-Lloyd are cautiously returning one Gemini service to the Suez Canal-Red Sea corridor, signalling a possible shift for Asia-Europe container flows after years of disruption and Cape of Good Hope diversions.

🚢 The AE15 service, connecting Asia with the Mediterranean and Europe, will move back to the trans-Suez route following fresh security assessments. The first sailing is expected to be the 19,000 TEU Majestic Maersk, with transit around 24 July.

⌛️ For the global transport industry, the implications are significant: shorter Asia-Europe transit times, improved schedule efficiency, lower fuel exposure and potential pressure on freight rates as capacity normalises. But the move remains conditional on Red Sea stability, with contingency plans to revert to the Cape route if risks escalate.

This is not yet a full-scale return – but it is an important signal that major carriers are testing how quickly the Suez corridor can regain its role as a critical artery for global trade.

👀 More: https://buff.ly/MLSyFKf

#Shipping #SuezCanal #RedSea #Maritime #GlobalTrade

⛽️ 𝗪𝗵𝗲𝗻 𝗳𝘂𝗲𝗹 𝗲𝗳𝗳𝗶𝗰𝗶𝗲𝗻𝗰𝘆 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝘂𝗽𝘁𝗶𝗺𝗲 𝗮𝗿𝗲 𝘁𝗼𝗽 𝗼𝗳 𝗺𝗶𝗻𝗱

⛽️ 𝗪𝗵𝗲𝗻 𝗳𝘂𝗲𝗹 𝗲𝗳𝗳𝗶𝗰𝗶𝗲𝗻𝗰𝘆 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝘂𝗽𝘁𝗶𝗺𝗲 𝗮𝗿𝗲 𝘁𝗼𝗽 𝗼𝗳 𝗺𝗶𝗻𝗱

🗣️ “We are operating in an environment where efficiency is no longer simply a technical benchmark. It has become central to profitability and sustainability,” says Erik Bergvall, MD of Scania Southern Africa.

“Customers are increasingly evaluating what efficiency delivers per kilometre, per load and over the full lifecycle of the vehicle.”

🚚 Bergvall is highlighting the relevance of the Scania Super, which features a new 13-litre engine platform designed to improve fuel efficiency and overall operating economy.

📊 The engine achieves up to 50% brake thermal efficiency and can reduce fuel consumption by as much as 8% compared with the previous generation.

This is significant, considering that fuel can account for 30-50% of total operating costs in heavy-duty transport operations.

👀 Read more in FOCUS June: https://buff.ly/Vm8ndpL

#Scania #FuelEfficiency #Uptime #Transport #SouthAfrica

𝗕𝗿𝗲𝗮𝗸𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗻𝗲𝘄𝘀! 𝗠𝗔𝗡 𝗶𝗻𝘁𝗿𝗼𝗱𝘂𝗰𝗲𝘀 𝘂𝗻𝗶𝗾𝘂𝗲 𝘂𝘀𝗲𝗱 𝘁𝗿𝘂𝗰𝗸 𝗹𝗼

𝗕𝗿𝗲𝗮𝗸𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗻𝗲𝘄𝘀! 𝗠𝗔𝗡 𝗶𝗻𝘁𝗿𝗼𝗱𝘂𝗰𝗲𝘀 𝘂𝗻𝗶𝗾𝘂𝗲 𝘂𝘀𝗲𝗱 𝘁𝗿𝘂𝗰𝗸 𝗹𝗼𝘆𝗮𝗹𝘁𝘆 𝗽𝗿𝗼𝗴𝗿𝗮𝗺𝗺𝗲

MAN Truck & Bus South Africa has introduced a unique loyalty programme for all used MAN vehicles sold through MAN TopUsed South Africa and its dealer network.

The programme offers preferential labour rates, discounts on parts and access to refurbished components – helping operators manage total cost of ownership through the second and third economic life of their trucks. These vehicles automatically qualify for the programme regardless of age or kilometres.

Find out more here: https://focusontransport.co.za/man-targets-lower-tco-with-topused-loyalty-programme/

#MANTruckAndBus #MANTopUsed #UsedTrucks #TruckSupport #TransportIndustry #FleetManagement #TotalCostOfOwnership

@man_southafrica
@mantruckandbus

Mercedes-Benz Trucks has introduced the new Actros

Mercedes-Benz Trucks has introduced the new Actros range, a truck designed around the realities of modern transport operations.

Rather than focusing on adding more features, the new Actros range has been refined to deliver the qualities that matter most to operators: proven performance, trusted reliability, and the engineering excellence synonymous with the Mercedes-Benz name.

Built to handle the demands of the road and backed by decades of experience, the new range demonstrates that confidence comes from what a truck can do, not how much it comes with.

The new Actros range.

Refined to its essentials. Simplified by design. Proven by performance.
#MercedesBenzTrucks #NewActros #BuiltWithWhatMattersMost #Actros

🔋 𝗙𝗔𝗪 𝗝𝗶𝗲𝗳𝗮𝗻𝗴 𝘁𝗲𝘀𝘁𝘀 𝗻𝗲𝘄-𝗲𝗻𝗲𝗿𝗴𝘆 𝘁𝗿𝘂𝗰𝗸 𝘄𝗶𝘁𝗵 𝘀𝗼𝗱𝗶𝘂𝗺-𝗶

🔋 𝗙𝗔𝗪 𝗝𝗶𝗲𝗳𝗮𝗻𝗴 𝘁𝗲𝘀𝘁𝘀 𝗻𝗲𝘄-𝗲𝗻𝗲𝗿𝗴𝘆 𝘁𝗿𝘂𝗰𝗸 𝘄𝗶𝘁𝗵 𝘀𝗼𝗱𝗶𝘂𝗺-𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗯𝗮𝘁𝘁𝗲𝗿𝘆

FAW Group’s truck-making operation, FAW Jiefang, has finished systematic testing of a sodium battery heavy-duty truck in cooperation with Chinese sodium-ion battery maker Hina Battery.

🚚 A breakthrough for new battery technology, the development could offer an alternative to lithium batteries, solving industry challenges such as cold-weather degradation and slow charging for new-energy heavy trucks.

💡 The Jiefang J6P battery-electric tractor was the test model over the nearly seven-month period, fitted with a high-capacity 339-kWh sodium-ion battery. Its cumulative road-test mileage exceeded 15,000km and involved real-world operating conditions.

❄️ In a -40°C environment, the battery retains +90% of usable capacity, accommodating freight needs in the cold regions of northeast and northwest China. The truck is fully charged in only 20 to 25 minutes, and the battery has a cycle life of more than 8,000 cycles under fast-charging conditions, far exceeding conventional industry standards, according to FAW Jiefang.

🗣️ The GM of Hina Battery previously predicted that sodium battery prices could catch up with lithium batteries in 2027 or 2028, noting that sodium battery costs are falling rapidly while lithium prices are rising.

👀 More: https://buff.ly/Oa0i6kY

#SodiumIonBattery #GreenTransport #FAW #NECV

🛠️ 𝗭𝗙 𝘁𝗼 𝘀𝗵𝗼𝘄𝗰𝗮𝘀𝗲 𝗹𝗮𝘁𝗲𝘀𝘁 𝗮𝗳𝘁𝗲𝗿𝗺𝗮𝗿𝗸𝗲𝘁 𝘀𝗼𝗹𝘂𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝘀 𝗮𝘁

🛠️ 𝗭𝗙 𝘁𝗼 𝘀𝗵𝗼𝘄𝗰𝗮𝘀𝗲 𝗹𝗮𝘁𝗲𝘀𝘁 𝗮𝗳𝘁𝗲𝗿𝗺𝗮𝗿𝗸𝗲𝘁 𝘀𝗼𝗹𝘂𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝘀 𝗮𝘁 𝗙𝗿𝗮𝗻𝗸𝗳𝘂𝗿𝘁 𝘀𝗵𝗼𝘄

From 8-12 September, when Automechanika Frankfurt brings the international automotive industry together, what will ZF highlight at its booth at Messe Frankfurt?

👉 For workshop partners, there are two major developments:

1. A new AI Voice Agent in ZF [pro]Manager, which adds real-time, natural-language phone interaction to transform ZF’s digital workshop management solution into a virtual front desk application, improving customer intake and scheduling.

2. A new High Voltage Battery Training Program for members of its ZF [pro]Tech network, combining practical training with theoretical understanding to help workshops build advanced expertise in high-voltage battery technology and related components.

♻️ The company will also present braking innovations, including the TRW DOT 4 Brake Fluid ESP Recycled – a sustainable alternative to conventional brake fluid.

#AutomechanikaFrankfurt2026 #ZFAftermarket #Aftermarket #Expo

📢 𝗛𝗶𝗻𝗼 𝗶𝘀 𝗳𝗶𝗻𝗮𝗹 𝗢𝗘𝗠 𝘁𝗼 𝗲𝗻𝘁𝗲𝗿 𝗧𝗿𝘂𝗰𝗸 𝗧𝗲𝘀𝘁 𝟮𝟬𝟮𝟲 Jus

📢 𝗛𝗶𝗻𝗼 𝗶𝘀 𝗳𝗶𝗻𝗮𝗹 𝗢𝗘𝗠 𝘁𝗼 𝗲𝗻𝘁𝗲𝗿 𝗧𝗿𝘂𝗰𝗸 𝗧𝗲𝘀𝘁 𝟮𝟬𝟮𝟲

Just before entries closed on this year’s Truck Test event, Hino signed up its Hino 700 2845 truck tractor to participate.

🚚 The vehicle will tackle the N3 route together with a record-breaking line-up of extra-heavy trucks from other OEMs including Daewoo, DAF, FAW, Foton, MAN, Mercedes-Benz, Powerstar, Scania, Shacman, Sinotruk and Volvo Trucks.

⚖️ Official technical partner TruckScience will ensure a transparent and data-driven evaluation process – giving operators the evidence base they need to make smarter procurement decisions. The official fuel and lubrication partner, Engen, will supply all the fuel used during the event.

🏅 Truck Test 2026 has received endorsement from the Road Freight Association (RFA), the Southern African Association of Freight Forwarders (SAAFF), the Chartered Institute of Logistics and Transport South Africa (CILTSA) and SAPICS, the supply chain professionals body.

Other official event partners include Afrit as trailer partner, Bandag as tyre partner, ZF as aftermarket partner, Ctrack as telematics partner, and WearCheck partnering to deliver condition monitoring through oil analysis.

👉 Follow FOCUS in the run-up to the industry’s ultimate test of productivity and performance.

#TruckTest2026 #Hino #FuelEfficiency #PayloadProductivity

𝗧𝗿𝘂𝗰𝗸 𝗵𝗲𝗮𝘃𝗲𝗻 𝗶𝗻 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗨𝗞! 🚛🔥 Last week, we visited

𝗧𝗿𝘂𝗰𝗸 𝗵𝗲𝗮𝘃𝗲𝗻 𝗶𝗻 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗨𝗞! 🚛🔥

Last week, we visited the Road Transport Expo (RTX) in the UK – and what an event it was.

From the latest long-haul legends to seriously impressive specialist vehicles, RTX delivered a brilliant showcase of what is happening in the world of road transport. It is definitely an exhibition worth visiting, especially if you love trucks as much as we do.

For us, the highlight was the incredible selection of trucks on display. Big, bold, beautiful machines everywhere you looked.

Now we want to know: which one is your favourite?

#RoadTransportExpo #RTX #Trucks #Transport #Logistics #RoadFreight #SouthAfrica #FOCUSonTransport

@roadtransportexpo

🚨 𝗟𝗮𝘁𝗲𝘀𝘁 𝘂𝗽𝗱𝗮𝘁𝗲 𝗼𝗻 𝗔𝗔𝗥𝗧𝗢 𝗿𝗼𝗹𝗹-𝗼𝘂𝘁 𝗶𝗻 𝗦𝗼𝘂𝘁𝗵 𝗔𝗳𝗿𝗶𝗰𝗮

🚨 𝗟𝗮𝘁𝗲𝘀𝘁 𝘂𝗽𝗱𝗮𝘁𝗲 𝗼𝗻 𝗔𝗔𝗥𝗧𝗢 𝗿𝗼𝗹𝗹-𝗼𝘂𝘁 𝗶𝗻 𝗦𝗼𝘂𝘁𝗵 𝗔𝗳𝗿𝗶𝗰𝗮

28 years after the launch of the Administrative Adjudication of Traffic Offences (AARTO) Act, a presidential proclamation is bringing key operational and administrative sections of the Act into effect across 60 municipalities, alongside Johannesburg and Tshwane. The start date was set as 1 July 2026.

👮 Among other things, the proclamation empowers the Transport Minister to classify traffic violations as minor or major infringements or criminal offences, and to assign the associated penalty points.

🚚 Fleet operators will need to tighten driver behaviour monitoring, infringement management, licence status checks and internal escalation processes, as repeat offences could carry operational consequences.

The licence demerit point system will be rolled out at a later date.

⚠️ The bid by South African Local Government Association (SALGA) to halt the roll-out, based on concerns about municipal funding and readiness, failed when the North Gauteng Court in Pretoria dismissed the case. Companies relying on road-based operations should therefore not delay reviewing their fleet policies, driver training, fine administration and risk controls.

#AARTO #TrafficInfringements #RoadSafety #Transport #SouthAfrica

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