5
TFL DEC
JOHANNESBURG
INTERNATIONAL
MOTOR SHOW
Hino retained its position as the second highest selling truck and bus company in the country,
with continued dominance of the medium truck category and second place in sales in the heavy
truck category. Casper said he was very pleased with the level of confidence in the brand being
shown by the dealer network.
Bob Lowden, Managing Director of Iveco explained Iveco’s 2014 market offensive, projecting
substantial growth for the brand in every segment in which the OEM was represented and, like
most OEMs, reaffirmed its commitment to the SA operator. He put it quite simply: “Iveco’s goal
is to be the best service provider in South Africa.”
Along with a number of new models, Iveco’s aftersales and financing services were represented
on the stand for visitors to learn more about the various services and product assistance
packages, original spare parts and accessories offered for the entire product line-up.
Mercedes-Benz SouthAfrica (MBSA) used the showas a platform to showcase the advancements
it has made in safety innovation, addressing the responsibility of truck drivers and owners.
Vice President for Commercial Vehicles sales and Marketing, Kobus van Zyl said, “One of the
most important peace-of-mind benefits for our fleet customers, that comes standard across
our diverse brands, is that our wide range of products will not only be an efficient part of their
business, but is backed by thoroughly tested and proven safety solutions.”
MAN Truck & Bus Chairman, Geoff du Plessis, acknowledged the many challenges facing the
industry locally and went on to say that MAN’s strategy remains focused on using the South
African infrastructure as the burgeoning platform to launch operations into Africa. The single
most important goal, he said, is consistent and continued investment into infrastructure and
development by the South African government and industry alike.
The OEM showcased some of the benefits of the ProfiDrive philosophies, as well as how Fleet
Management technologies can be combined to improve overall vehicle and driver efficiency.
“The need for on-road intelligence is crucial if fleet operators want to cut their operating
costs. MAN ProfiDrive and MAN TeleMatics, when used in conjunction, have the power to
harmonise the interface between driver and vehicle by pinpointing where either is in need of
remedial attention. MAN ProfiDrive helps drivers get the
most out of their vehicle while MAN TeleMatics allows
fleet owners to be proactive in the management of both
drivers and vehicles, putting right minor glitches before
they become major problems,” said MAN CEO, Bruce
Dickson. Powerstar’s display of trucks left no doubt about
the world-class quality of this enterprising and innovative
Chinese truck manufacturer. Impressive was the extremely
competitive pricing of these powerful and durable vehicles,
and the effort that has been put into making Powerstar
trucks custom-made for South African conditions.
Powerstar SA has shown an increase of 300% in sale of
vehicles, from 2011 to 2012 and Sales and Networking
Director, Mark Beukes, said that one of the key success
factors has been the company’s ability to do things ‘its way’.
“We have kept the elements that have been working and got rid of those that have not. We
are not afraid of using our instinct to make decisions and to get things done.We are guided by
our vast combined experience in the trucking industry and the belief that the reason for being
in business is to satisfy our customers’ needs while creating a workplace environment that our
team is happy to be in each day.”
Despite the unfortunate slow down in vehicle sales growth, 2013 is still expected to be one of
the three best years in South Africa’s history.
Market segment
October 2012 October 2013 % change
Passenger Vehicles
41 962
40 102
-4.4%
Light Commercial Vehicles
14 101
14 125
+0.2%
Medium Commercial Vehicles
901
996
+10.5%
Heavy Commercial Vehicles
567
456
-19.6%
Extra Heavy Commercial
Vehicles
1 016
1 155
+13.7%
Bus
84
93
+10.7%
Vehicle exports
24 892
21 125
-15.1%
Overall market (local)
58 631
56927
-2.9%
Naamsa figures
