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CELEBRATING 25 YEARS
OF MERCEDES-BENZ ACTROS
INTERVIEW:
HINO SA’S ANTON FALCK
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Business Fleet Africa
EDITION 27
JULY 2023
16
28
Celebrating 25 years of
Mercedes-Benz Actros
TABLE OF CONTENTS
3 Editorial
Business
4 Standard Bank is leading the fleet payment
revolution
6 SA logistics sector records fifth month of
recovery
Interview
8 In conversation with Hino SA’s Anton Falck
In the headlights: HCV Fleet Vehicles
10 Volvo electric trucks hit the road in SA
12 Mercedes-Benz Actros celebrates 25 years
14 Mercedes-Benz e-Actros LongHaul to be
unveiled in October
16 Test drive: Iveco S-Way 6x4
18 Test Drive: DAF XF105.460 FTTD
Fleet Management
20 Free road safety performance assessment
launched
22 TruckFuelNet are revolutionising cross-
border refuelling
24 Ctrack channels its power to predict
26 Poor roads boost repair business
28 TruckHive adds marketplace to mobile app
29 Cyber-attack risk in SA is on the rise
Supply Chain and Logistics
30 Logistics is adapting to the changing
business landscape
32 Digital technology boosts supply chain ROI
Fleet Ownership
33 Chery celebrates first large fleet deal with
Hertz
34 Altron are going electric
In the headlights: LCV Fleet Vehicles
36 Iveco eDaily claims Guinness World Record
37 Mercedes-Benz launches special edition
V-Class
38 Toyota Hilux hybrid unveiled at Safari Rally
in Kenya
39 Mercedes-Benz A-Class now available in SA
40 GWM expands their P-Series range
41 Toyota announces Kinto offers for Vitz
Community
42 Rally to Read transforms lives in rural South
Africa
Industry Sales
43 June a stellar month for commercial vehicle
sales
44 Buyers Guide
PARTNER WITH THE LEADING FLEET MANAGEMENT CARD
PROVIDER TO THE PRIVATE SECTOR*
africa AWARDS
July 2023
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CELEBRATING 25 YEARS
OF MERCEDES-BENZ ACTROS
INTERVIEW:
HINO SA’S ANTON FALCK
Proudly supported by
36
10
July 2023 | BUSINESS FLEET AFRICA
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Editor
Reuben van Niekerk
reubenvn@vodamail.co.za
082 837 8801
Editor-at-large
Suzanne Walker
suzanne.walker3@gmail.com
083 3789 664
Contributors
Roger Houghton
houghtonr@mwebbiz.co.za
082 371 9097
Publisher
Jacques Wilken
jwilken@mweb.co.za
083 299 7312
Supplement Editor
Tristan Wiggill
Tristan@businessfleetafrica.co.za
Advertising and Marketing
Charlene Kruger
charlene@businessfleetafrica.co.za
076 807 4613
© 1997 WCM Media CC
Disclaimer
While all reasonable precautions
have been taken to ensure the
accuracy of information supplied,
neither the editor, the proprietors,
nor the publishers can accept
responsibility for any inaccuracies,
damages, or injury which may arise
there from.
Power shift
While the South African economic outlook remains dismal, evidence
or resilience is amazingly being seen in the transport and related in-
dustries. Production figures in the mining and manufacturing sectors
for example have been surprising despite heavy load-shedding during the first part of 2023,
suggesting that these industries are becoming progressively more resilient to the effects of
load-shedding, as companies reduce their energy dependence on an embattled Eskom. I think
we may have reached a turning point as companies, industry and private individuals have
realised that they need to be self-sustaining. These investments in personal infrastructure
will take the load off the badly maintained infrastructure and with many having made those
investments the effects of load shedding could start to have less of an effect on the economy.
Vehicle market continues to outperform expectations
A consistent stream of new and updated models, particularly in significant high-volume
segments, along with improved availability of popular models, are proving to be crucial factors
in sustaining the growth trajectory of new vehicle sales in South Africa.
The total market reached 46 810 units in June, which is 14% better than the same month
last year. Witnessing continued growth in the current challenging economic environment is
encouraging, given that vehicle buyers are facing affordability pressures, a depreciating rand
that drives prices higher, low business confidence and political instability.
Rental sales made up 10% of total sales and 13,4% of passenger car sales, indicating
good activity in the car rental space as providers start to bolster their fleets for the July and
December holidays.
Logistics industry continues to recover
The overall SA logistics industry as measured by the Ctrack Transport and Freight Index also
showed good performance with the majority of the sub sectors improving resulting in the in-
dex reaching its highest level yet. The only non-performing sector continues to be Rail Freight
but I am afraid that may be a lost cause. Statistics SA has tracked the ratio between rail and
road freight of total freight payload being transported and from a ratio of 75.1% in 2017, road
freight as a percentage of total freight being transported, has gradually improved to 84.4% in
2022. This is good news for heavy commercial vehicle suppliers and all their related industries
as the demand will only continue to improve.
Contributing positively to SA’s GDP
The transport industry was among the top three sectoral performers in the first quarter of
2023, increasing by 1.1% compared to the previous quarter seasonally adjusted (vs. 0.4% for
total economy), contributing positively to the overall economic performance of the South
African economy.
Reuben van Niekerk
Editor
Editorial
EDITORIAL
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To kick start 2023, we at Business Fleet Africa will be rewarding one lucky reader with a R10 000 prize.
Each month (From the February 2023 issue) there will be a set of questions, the answers to which
can be found on the pages of that issue of Business Fleet Africa. Each month, up until the July issue,
you can enter as many times as you like. The winner will be drawn randomly on the 31st of July 2023.
To view the final round of questions, enter and for the Terms & Conditions of this competition
please click on the link above.
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With advancements in technology
and changing market dynamics, the
fleet payments industry is witnessing a
paradigm shift that promises enhanced
efficiency, security, and flexibility.
The traditional methods of fleet
payments, primarily reliant on cash
transactions, are gradually giving way to
digital payment solutions. The prolif-
eration of mobile wallets, contactless
payment technologies, and virtual cards
has revolutionised how fleet payments
are processed.
Fleet managers now have access to
secure and convenient payment options
that streamline operations, reduce
administrative burdens, and enable
seamless transactions.
The integration of telematics tech-
nology with fleet payments has emerged
as a game-changer. Telematics systems
allow for real-time tracking of vehicles,
monitoring driver behaviour and the
collection of crucial data.
By linking payment solutions with
telematics, fleet managers gain valuable
insights into fuel consumption, driver
performance, and vehicle maintenance.
This integration facilitates automated
payments based on vehicle usage, fuel
consumption, or toll charges, optimising
cost management and enhancing
operational efficiency.
Blockchain technology is making its
mark in the fleet payments industry
by addressing key challenges such
as transparency, security, and trust.
Blockchain offers decentralised and
tamper-proof record-keeping, ensuring
BUSINESS
‘As fleet payments
become increasingly
digital, the wealth of
transactional data
generated presents
an opportunity for
advanced data analytics
and reporting. Fleet
managers can harness
this data to gain insights
into spending patterns,
identify cost-saving
opportunities, and
optimise resource
allocation.’
BUSINESS FLEET AFRICA | July 2023
WWW.BUSINESSFLEETAFRICA.CO.ZA
Standard Bank is leading
the fleet payment revolution
July 2023 | BUSINESS FLEET AFRICA
WWW.BUSINESSFLEETAFRICA.CO.ZA
secure transactions and reducing the
risk of fraud.
Fleet payment platforms built on
blockchain provide end-to-end visibility
of transactions, streamline auditing pro-
cesses, and enable instant settlements.
This technology also opens doors for
innovative payment models like smart
contracts, enabling automated pay-
ments based on predefined conditions.
The concept of Mobility-as-a-Service
(MaaS) is also gaining traction, reshap-
ing the way transportation services are
accessed and paid for. Fleet payments
are no longer limited to individual
transactions; they are becoming an
integral part of the comprehensive
mobility solution.
MaaS platforms integrate multiple
transportation options, including
ridesharing, car sharing, and public
transit, providing users with a seamless
and unified payment experience. This
shift towards integrated payment
systems promotes multimodal transpor-
tation and encourages sustainable fleet
management practices.
“As fleet payments become increas-
ingly digital, the wealth of transactional
data generated presents an opportu-
nity for advanced data analytics and
reporting. Fleet managers can harness
this data to gain insights into spending
patterns, identify cost-saving opportuni-
ties, and optimise resource allocation,”
says Derick de Vries, Executive Head of
Standard Bank Fleet Management.
Robust reporting tools and custo-
misable dashboards empower fleet
operators to make data-driven decisions,
measure key performance indicators,
and evaluate the financial health of their
operations.
While the evolution of fleet pay-
ments brings forth numerous benefits,
it also poses certain challenges and
considerations. As digital payment
methods become prevalent, ensuring
robust security measures and fraud
prevention mechanisms becomes
imperative. Integrating diverse payment
systems, telematics platforms, and MaaS
solutions may require careful planning
and collaboration between stakeholders
to overcome technical and operational
challenges.
Fleet payment providers need to nav-
igate evolving regulatory frameworks,
data protection regulations, and privacy
laws to ensure compliance and protect
customer information. Fleet operators
must also invest in user education and
training to ensure a smooth transition
to new payment methods and tech-
nologies, minimising resistance and
maximising the benefits of the evolving
landscape.
The future of fleet payments
As the fleet payments industry continues
to evolve, Standard Bank has introduced
the Visa Fleet Card, a reliable and
secure payment option equipped with
advanced Chip-and-PIN technology.
Each card is equipped with an
embedded microchip that encrypts
transaction data, significantly reducing
the risk of fraud or unauthorised use.
This advanced technology adds an extra
layer of protection, giving fleet man-
agers peace of mind when it comes to
payment security.
To generate accurate statistics and
data about running costs, the Visa
Fleet Card provides a dedicated card
for each driver or vehicle in the fleet.
This vehicle-specific approach allows
fleet managers to monitor individual
expenses, track fuel consumption,
and identify areas of possible cost
optimisation.
“By having precise insights into
running costs at driver or vehicle level,
fleet managers can make informed de-
cisions to improve efficiency and control
expenditures,” adds de Vries.
Every driver issued with a Visa
Fleet Card receives a unique Personal
Identification Number (PIN). This PIN
serves as an additional layer of security,
ensuring that only authorised drivers can
access and use the cards.
By requiring a PIN for card trans-
actions, fleet managers can mitigate
the risk of unauthorised spending or
fraudulent activities, maintaining the
integrity of their fleet budget.
The Visa Fleet Card offers fleet man-
agers the ability to view and approve
card transactions online in real-time.
This feature allows for immediate
oversight of expenses, reducing the
administrative burden associated with
reconciling paper-based receipts.
Real-time monitoring ensures
transparency and empowers fleet
managers to proactively manage fleet
expenditures, promptly addressing any
anomalies or unauthorised transactions.
The Visa Fleet Card streamlines
payment processes for a wide range of
fleet-related expenses. Fleet managers
can use the card to pay for fuel, oil, tolls,
repairs, and maintenance services, all
through a single payment solution.
By consolidating these expenses onto
one card, fleet managers gain better
control over costs and simplify the pay-
ment process for drivers, eliminating the
need for cash or personal credit cards.
The Visa Fleet Card can be seamlessly
linked to additional value-added services
offered by Standard Bank. These services
include fines and licensing management,
roadside assistance, driver training,
telematics solutions, and other special-
ised offerings. BFA
BUSINESS FLEET AFRICA | July 2023
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TRANSPORT AND FREIGHT INDEX
The Ctrack Transport and Freight Index
(Ctrack TFI) reached its highest level on
record with 122.2 points at the end of
May 2023 (121.7 in April 2023), improving
for the fifth consecutive month. This
confirms a fairly synchronised recovery
of the overall logistics sector even though
the pace of improvement moderated
somewhat. The Ctrack Transport and
Freight Index increased by 0.4% in May
compared to April, which was somewhat
muted compared to the average monthly
increase of 1.9% in the preceding four
months. In addition, four of the six
sub-sectors that form part of the index in-
creased on a monthly basis. Road Freight
remained stagnant while Rail Freight
declined somewhat. On an annual basis
the Ctrack Transport and Freight Index
tracked 7.5% higher in May, compared
to the 5.6% year on year trend that was
recorded in April. This is evidence of
the encouraging momentum building in
the sector, but also partly reflects the
recovery that was required in the wake of
the KZN floods of May last year.
In a welcome development and
confirming the synchronised nature of
the current recovery, all six segments of
the Ctrack Transport and Freight Index
increased on a quarterly basis ending in
May 2023. On an annual basis, three of
the six segments have declined, despite
the overall index level increasing by a
healthy 7.5% compared to a year earlier.
Among the segments, Road Freight
remains the most resilient, with growth
of 15.2% for the year ending in May. The
three worst performing sectors continue
to be Rail Freight, Pipeline Transport and
Air Freight.
The logistics sector has been com-
pletely transformed in the past five years,
specifically relating to payload moving
from rail to road. The main driving factor
for this change has been the ongoing
deterioration and underperformance of
rail services offered by Transnet Freight
Rail. In its monthly Land Transport data
release, Statistics South Africa reports on
developments in Rail and Road Freight.
From reaching a rock-bottom low of only
10.3% of total freight payload being trans-
ported via rail in November 2022, the
performance of the Rail Freight segment
has improved somewhat to 16.1% in April
2023, though still notably lower than the
10-year average (2008-2017) of 25.9%
(Rail Freight to total payload) prior to the
onset of the significant deterioration. The
private sector operators have had to fill
the void and Road Freight has boomed,
especially post pandemic. From a ratio of
75.1% in 2017, Road Freight as a percent-
age of total freight being transported,
has gradually improved to 84.4% in 2022.
Although plans are afoot to reverse this
trend, many obstacles remain, and it will
most likely take a considerable amount of
time, motivation and noteworthy effort
to address all the current challenges
before a significant shift back to the use
of rail happens.
SA logistics sector records fifth
consecutive month of recovery
Graph 1 Ctrack Transport and Freight Index
70
60
80
90
100
110
120
Nov-18
Nov-19
Nov-20
Nov-21
Nov-22
May-18
May-19
May-20
May-21
May-22
Feb-19
Feb-20
Feb-21
Feb-22
Feb-23
May-23
Aug-18
Aug-19
Aug-20
Aug-21
Aug-22
130
CTRACK
Graph 2 Quarterly growth in sub-components of the Ctrack Transport and Freight
Index (%)
Storage
11.9
Rail
9.1
Pipeline
6.2
Air
3.4
Road
3.3
Sea
2.0
0%
2%
4%
8%
6%
10%
12%
14%
CTRACK
July 2023 | BUSINESS FLEET AFRICA
WWW.BUSINESSFLEETAFRICA.CO.ZA
Table 1 Change in Ctrack Transport and freight Index in May 2023
Percentage change between
Rail
Road
Pipeline
Sea
Air
Storage and
handling
Ctrack Freight
Transport Index
May 2023 vs May 2022 (y/y)
–9.6%
15.2%
–2.3%
2.1%
–3.6%
1.7%
7.5%
May 2023 vs April 2023 (m/m)
–1.7%
0.0%
1.7%
1.3%
0.9%
4.1%
0.4%
Quarter to May 2023 vs. Quarter to February 2023 (q/q)
9.1%
3.3%
6.2%
2.0%
3.4%
11.9%
4.9%
Note: The row highlighted in blue is the main Ctrack Transport and Freight Index values used.
Source: Ctrack and economistscoza, TNPA, StatsSA, SARS, N3 and N4 toll concessions, ACSA, ACOC, IATA.
“Ctrack believes that Road Freight will
remain the best choice for the transport-
ing of goods in South Africa for many
years. Therefore, we are always innovat-
ing and refining our offering to ensure
that our clients have the best chance of
success in a cut throat business environ-
ment that needs to operate in unpredict-
able conditions,” says Hein Jordt, Chief
Executive Officer of Ctrack Africa.
Reflecting this ongoing phenomenon
is a 15,2% annual improvement in the
Road Freight segment of the Ctrack
Transport and Freight Index, the 29th
consecutive month of growth for the
sector. These increases are evident in
the increased heavy vehicle traffic on
both the N3 and N4 routes during May.
The Rail Freight segment declined fur-
ther during May, after having recorded
some recovery during February and
March, albeit off an extremely low base.
The Rail Freight segment remains deeply
in the negative on an annual basis,
declining by 9.6% for the year ending
in May.
The Sea Freight segment of the
Ctrack Transport and Freight Index,
which was one of the segments hardest
hit by the Transnet strike of October
2022, is still in a gradual recovery mode.
Sea Freight increased by 1.3% during
May and moved into positive territory
on a year-to-year basis, for the first time
since September 2022. Although up by
2.1% on an annual basis, the sub-sector
remains 14.6% below the September
2022 pre-strike level. Container handling
increased by a notable 7.7% on a
monthly basis in May, while other cargo
handling increased by 2.7%.
The transport of liquid fuels via
Transnet Pipelines (TPL) increased by
1.7% during May, with the pipeline
component of the Ctrack Transport and
Freight Index improving significantly
on a quarterly basis, by 6.2%, although
it is still 2,3% behind the levels of the
previous year.
The Storage and Handling sub-sector
of the Ctrack Transport and Freight Index
continued to perform well during May,
with a 4.1% increase compared to April
and tracking 1.7% higher on an annual
basis.
Ctrack TFI and GDP growth
The transport industry was among
the top three sectoral performers in
the first quarter of 2023, increasing by
1.1% compared to the previous quarter
seasonally adjusted (vs. 0.4% for total
economy), contributing positively to the
overall economic performance of the
South African economy.
Additional improvements as indicat-
ed by the Ctrack Transport and Freight
Index in April and May are already indic-
ative of a sustained recovery in the logis-
tics sector that should benefit activity in
the broader economy during the second
quarter and beyond. While the econom-
ic narrative remains dismal, evidence of
resilience has recently been coming to
the fore, with better-than-expected eco-
nomic data releases. Production figures
in the mining and manufacturing sectors
have been surprising despite heavy
load-shedding during April, suggesting
that these industries are becoming
progressively more resilient to the
effects of load-shedding, as companies
reduce their energy dependence on an
embattled Eskom. Though it is still early
days, it is an encouraging trend that
could, if sustained, result in a somewhat
better economic scenario, than what
was previously envisaged.
“Despite a tough economic environ-
ment it is clear that goods still need to
be transported and Ctrack offers a wide
variety of solutions that assist operators
in doing so as safely and efficiently as
possible,” concludes Jordt. BFA
-125 000
-75 000
-25 000
25 000
75 000
125 000
2017
2018
2019
2020
2021
2022
175 000
Rail freight
Road freight
Graph 3 Annual change in Land Transport payload (000 tons)
CTRACK
Despite a tough economic
environment it is clear that goods
still need to be transported
and Ctrack offer a wide
variety of solutions that assist
operators in doing so as safely
and efficiently as possible
Business Fleet Africa (BFA) met recently
with Anton Falck, the new Vice President
of Hino South Africa to discuss his role
and get further insights into what lies
ahead for the company.
Falck was originally a student of
Consumer Behaviour and Marketing. But
since joining Toyota SA Motors (TSAM)
in 1987, he has done duty in several
divisions of the company.
His previous experience includes
area management, marketing commu-
nications and vehicle sales, to dealer
representation, overseeing Automark,
TSAM’s used vehicle franchise and more
recently running the Toyota Academy of
Learning.
BFA: Congratulations on your recent
appointment. What attracted you to
this role, and what are your initial goals
and objectives for the company?
Falck: I was truly honoured by Toyota
South Africa and Hino to be appointed
into this position. It is a rare opportu-
nity to head up what I believe to be an
important brand in the South African
trucking industry.
I look forward to ensuring Hino makes
a positive contribution to the South
African economy, a healthy contribution
to TSAMs prosperity, our dealer’s viability
and our customers’ transport require-
ments. So that’s going to be my job, to
make sure that we make our contribution.
BFA: Hino South Africa has been a
prominent player in the local trucking
and fleet vehicle industry for many
years. How do you plan on building
upon the company’s existing strengths
and continuing its success in the
market?
Falck: Hino YTD enjoys a market share
of 10%, achieved through our Hino
200, Hino 300 and Hino 500 range of
vehicles competing in the light, medium
and heavy commercial segments.
Current conditions are however
not in favour of these segments. The
extra-heavy segment is growing very
well, and we believe this will continue to
do so. The new Hino 700 should allow us
to compete in this growing market and
add to our contribution.
BFA: The trucking industry is under-
going significant changes with the
emergence of electric and autonomous
vehicles. What is Hino South Africa’s
strategy for embracing these techno-
logical advancements and ensuring its
fleet offerings remain competitive and
environmentally sustainable?
Falck: We are constantly seeking ways
in which to reduce emissions and
INTERVIEW
BUSINESS FLEET AFRICA | July 2023
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‘We are constantly
seeking ways in which
to reduce emissions
and improve the usage
experience for the
operators of our trucks.’
In conversation with
Hino SA’s Anton Falck
July 2023 | BUSINESS FLEET AFRICA
WWW.BUSINESSFLEETAFRICA.CO.ZA
improve the usage experience for the
operators of our trucks. We think of
alternative, or sustainable fuels, rather
than just limiting ourselves to electri-
fication. We have developed hydrogen
fuel cell vehicles and while not available
locally yet, we are currently testing
Hino 300 Hybrid 4-ton haulers in
South Africa.
BFA: Safety is a critical concern in the
trucking industry. What measures will
Hino South Africa take to enhance the
safety features and capabilities of its
vehicles, and how will you work with
customers to promote a culture of
safety?
Falck: Our trucks are fitted with a
variety of features that make them
easier to drive and safer including AMT
gear selection, pre-collision systems,
adaptive cruise control, lane departure
warnings and driver alert monitoring.
The Hino Connect system features
telematics and similarly to Toyota, we
have a tracking device built in with a 24-
hour recovery team. This can be used
to monitor and track vehicles. So, Hino
comes standard with vehicle recovery.
Hino South Africa has two full-time
driver-trainers which support fleet
owners with complimentary training.
The topics covered in driver training
include vehicle orientation, economy
driving, road and vehicle safety.
BFA: Can you share any insights into
the company’s future product develop-
ment plans, including any new models
or innovations we can expect to see in
the market?
Falck: Right now, there is the Hino 700,
a vehicle which we specced for reliability
and safety and priced to be competitive.
Should the 300 hybrid prove successful
we plan to launch that as soon as
possible.
BFA: Fleet management and efficiency
are key concerns for many businesses.
How does Hino South Africa plan to
support fleet operators in optimising
their operations, reducing costs, and
maximising vehicle uptime?
Falck: Hino South Africa is committed to
the overall Hino Total Support Program
introduced by Hino Motors Limited. The
two main cogs in the aftersales business
are: 100% up time and reduced cost of
operation.
Together with an external partner,
we strive towards lower cost replace-
ment parts, by constantly monitoring
the competitiveness of parts prices.
This also allows us to focus on the
service costs (CPK), so that our custom-
ers can maintain their vehicles’ costs
effectively.
Further to this we have also created a
platform within our systems to support
standardised services for our vehicles.
When a customer buys into the service
or maintenance plan, there are a
number of benefits for the customer’s
operation and finances.
The service and maintenance plans
administration process is refined to give
the customer same day service and
release of the vehicle. The customer en-
joys the financial benefit of service cost
price protection where the customer
is shielded from parts and labour price
increases for the term of the contract.
We have very comprehensive and
cost-effective warranty offerings for
all our Hino vehicles. The extended
warranty programs help the customer
subsidise the cost of mechanical repairs
when the vehicle is out of the standard
warranty.
We spoke about Hino Connect in
terms of vehicle safety, but it also has a
built-in telematics device, tracking fuel
use and wastage reports, customised
reports for easy analysis on profitability
of each vehicle, driver scorecards and
behaviour, access to data points to
monitor for preventative maintenance,
CANBUS integration for real-time moni-
toring, alerts setting to receive real time
alerts, data to introduce better routes
and improve fuel usage.
Hino Connect also has an option for
forwarding active vehicle fault codes to
the customer fleet management system
or dashboard, minimising possible
major failures and reducing costs while
maximising uptime.
Our head office and dealer staff
are well trained in ensuring that they
understand the trucking industry and
customer business, through comple-
tion of Supply Chain Management
qualifications.
They assist and guide the customer
in selecting the correct vehicle, for the
correct application and maintenance
intervals, reducing potential break-
downs and ensuring maximum vehicle
up time.
BFA: What initiatives do you have in
the pipeline to further strengthen
the after-sales support and customer
service experience for Hino vehicle
owners?
Falck: We have a total of 65 dealers coun-
trywide which includes 21 independent
and 44 dual franchises with Toyota. Our
chief focus is on ensuring these existing
dealers are well equipped to support Hino
owners while remaining profitable. BFA
INDUSTRY NEWS
BUSINESS FLEET AFRICA | July 2023
10
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Volvo Trucks South Africa has launched
its electric truck range in the country,
starting with its most popular ex-
tra-heavy trucks: the Volvo FH, the Volvo
FM, and the Volvo FMX.
Available in truck tractors or rigid
configurations, from 4x2 to 8x4, the
range offers the industry’s most extensive
portfolio of zero-exhaust-emission trucks.
“The Volvo Group is a leading force
in the shift towards the electrification
of the transportation, mobility, and
equipment sectors, making a real impact
on our customers’ efforts to reduce
their carbon footprint,” said Waldemar
Christensen, managing director of Volvo
Trucks South Africa.
The Swedish truck manufacturer
has already sold almost 5 000 electric
trucks in about 40 countries since 2019.
Volvo aims to reach 100% safe, 100%
fossil-free, and 100% more productive
solutions, reducing CO2 emissions by
50% by 2030 and being completely
fossil-free by 2050.
“The size of the company is irrele-
vant. Transporters can see that electric
drivelines are going to play a bigger role
in our near future, and many want to get
early exposure on how the technology
works in real operations, so they are
positioned well for the shift,” comment-
ed Christensen.
The first electric FM 4X2 tractor was
presented to KDG Logistics last month,
a valued Volvo customer, which will use
the truck in its operations to move new
passenger vehicles between factories,
storage facilities, and the Durban Port.
Volvo delivers first electric
trucks to local customer