CAPITAL EQUIPMENT NOV 2018

TRANSPORT & LOGISTICS NEWS

Commercial vehicle market bucks recession

Sales in the MCV segment are slightly down by 2,3% so far this year, for a year- to-date total of 5 730 units. HCVs are up 1,7% year-on-year to 4 039 units, while the EHCV segment increased by 5,9% to 9 391 new vehicle sales so far this year. Bus sales have declined to 779 units, a 1,9% decline. “The sharp increase in diesel prices is a source of great concern to the transport industry,” says Swanepoel. “As a manufacturer we have for several years now put cost of ownership as our central focus, assisting customers to keep fuel expenses low through measures such as driver training, advanced engine technology, fuel coaching through telematics.” Swanepoel also says that it is encour- aging to see that government and the automotive industry are currently formu- lating a roadmap to implement stricter emission regulations. “Customers are looking towards more environmentally friendly transport solutions, and even though we as truck manufacturers can offer these technolo- gies, local infrastructure needs to adjust to support it at this stage,” explains Swanepoel. “With government and indus- try stakeholders taking hands to come up with workable solutions for the region, we believe the future of smart modern technology is here.” b

A total of 19 939 new trucks and buses have so far been sold this year.

The South African commercial vehicle market continues to defy economic trends by increasing overall sales by 2,3% year- on-year at the end of the third quarter in September. According to the latest results released by the National Association of Automobile Manufacturers of South Africa (Naamsa), Associated Motor Holdings (AMH) and Amalgamated Automobile Distributors (AAD), a total of 19 939 new trucks and Gareth Lucas from South Africa’s P & L Machine Moving and Rigging made a special trip to Belgium and Luxemburg recently to visit Faymonville facilities and get first-hand training on his new 6-axle MultiMAX semi-trailer. The fully steerable trailer on hydrau- lic suspension is equipped with timber floor, outriggers and hydraulic double ramps, which significantly reduce the drive-on angle for any type of machin- ery. Thanks to its extendable loading deck, the MultiMAX is a really versatile all-rounder, making it the ideal tool for P&L’s abnormal transport and rigging activity. “I am very impressed with the facili- ties and quality of the product. We are looking forward to putting this trailer to work and excited to keep building a strong partnership with Faymonville,” says Lucas, who can’t wait for the unit to be shipped now, so it can soon fulfil its first transport tasks on South African roads and job sites. b

buses have so far been retailed this year. “The initial growth seen in the Extra Heavy segment has now started to filter down to the Heavy and Medium Com- mercial Vehicle segments,” says Gert Swanepoel, MD of UD Trucks Southern Africa. “More specifically, sales to oper- ators in the distribution industry, includ- ing long-haul, are driving growth, while demand from the mining, agricultural and construction industries have declined.”

MultiMAX semi-trailer for P & L Machine Moving and Rigging

Gareth Lucas (left), with Julian Thelen, Faymonville sales representative for South Africa.

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