Capital Equipment News July 2025

COMMERCIAL VEHICLES

From left: Jan and Gys Jacobs – Directors of Jacobs Transport and David Reynders, New Vehicle Sales Executive at Scania South Africa.

is built on history. “There are cheaper trucks out there, sure,” he says. “But Scania has proven itself. My first one lasted over a decade. When we sat down with David and their pre-sales analyst, Michael Marosi, we worked through every spec. That kind of support makes a big difference.” Looking ahead, Jacobs sees continued collaboration. “There’s no contract work lined up for these trucks just yet – they’ll be used for ad hoc work in SA and cross border. But more are likely in the future. These are rare beasts. You don’t find them behind every bush.” A strategic step for Scania SA Scania views this rollout as part of a broader regional growth plan. “These trucks will put us on the map in the heavy haulage space,” says Reynders. “The market is small, but growing fast. Once these are out there, people will talk, and more orders will follow.” With a robust service network spanning Southern Africa and strong aftersales support, Scania is ready. “All our technicians are trained, and our parts strategy ensures high availability,” Reynders adds. “It’s about peace of mind. These are big machines doing big jobs.

powertrain specs – and that’s what matters for now. I’ll leave the cab experience to the guys on the road.” Momentum builds across the market While Jacobs Transport may be first, they certainly won’t be the last. “Other clients are already placing orders,” says Reynders. “There’s a sudden boom in demand for heavy haulers – wind farms, transformers, coastal shipyards. One

client told me if I had 20 of the 6x4s in stock, they’d take them all today.” He believes the visibility of Jacobs’ units will fuel even more interest. “Once these trucks are seen on the road – and you can’t miss them – others will want them too. The mindset is shifting. Customers don’t want to be left behind.” Built on trust and track record For Jacobs, the partnership with Scania

We’re here to keep them moving.” As South Africa’s logistics sector

continues to evolve, the arrival of Scania’s 8x8s and Jacobs Transport’s pioneering role may well mark the start of a new era in heavy haulage. b

CAPITAL EQUIPMENT NEWS JULY 2025 16