FOCUS on Transport and Logistics

FOCUS on Transport and Logistics FOCUS on Transport and Logistics is Africa's leading magazine for the commercial vehicle, transport, bus and logistics industries.

FOCUS on Transport and Logistics started as a newsletter of the Road Freight Association over three decades ago. In 2001, Charmont Media acquired the title, which has grown to be one of the biggest serving the South African commercial vehicle, transport, logistics and bus industries. Please note that we do not offer jobs within the transport industry.

19/11/2025

The Kia PV5 makes its journey to claiming its title as the 2026 International Van of the Year!

Want to know which company makes the best van in the world? The answer is clear. It is Kia, which has just won the 2026 ...
19/11/2025

Want to know which company makes the best van in the world? The answer is clear. It is Kia, which has just won the 2026 International Van on the Year with its PV5.

19/11/2025

The Ford Ranger PHEV is officially the world's best bakkie.

It has just won the 2026 International Pick-up Award at Solutrans.

A suitably jubilant DAF team with the 2026 International Truck of the Year award.
19/11/2025

A suitably jubilant DAF team with the 2026 International Truck of the Year award.

19/11/2025

It is official: DAF makes the world's best truck. Harald Seidel, President & CEO of DAF Trucks, expresses the team's delight at winning the 2026 International Truck of the Year.

๐——๐—ถ๐—ฒ๐˜€๐—ฒ๐—น? ๐—›๐˜†๐—ฑ๐—ฟ๐—ผ๐—ด๐—ฒ๐—ป? ๐—˜๐—น๐—ฒ๐—ฐ๐˜๐—ฟ๐—ถ๐—ฐ? At Solutrans, MAN has made one thing abundantly clear: when it comes to decarbonising transp...
19/11/2025

๐——๐—ถ๐—ฒ๐˜€๐—ฒ๐—น? ๐—›๐˜†๐—ฑ๐—ฟ๐—ผ๐—ด๐—ฒ๐—ป? ๐—˜๐—น๐—ฒ๐—ฐ๐˜๐—ฟ๐—ถ๐—ฐ?

At Solutrans, MAN has made one thing abundantly clear: when it comes to decarbonising transport, ๐˜ฐ๐˜ฏ๐˜ฆ ๐˜ด๐˜ช๐˜ป๐˜ฆ ๐˜ฅ๐˜ฆ๐˜ง๐˜ช๐˜ฏ๐˜ช๐˜ต๐˜ฆ๐˜ญ๐˜บ ๐˜ฅ๐˜ฐ๐˜ฆ๐˜ด ๐˜ฏ๐˜ฐ๐˜ต ๐˜ง๐˜ช๐˜ต ๐˜ข๐˜ญ๐˜ญ. Their stand is massive, their line-up diverse, and their message refreshingly pragmatic โ€“ different jobs need different technologies.

And, amid the sea of metal, MAN has pulled off a world premiere.

๐Ÿš› Key insights from MANโ€™s Solutrans press conference:
โ€ข Over 20% of MANโ€™s sales in France already involve biofuels
โ€ข The MAN Powerlion D30 driveline delivers up to 3.5 litres/100 km fuel savings versus rivals
โ€ข The same engine uses 5% less fuel than its predecessor
โ€ข MAN has sold 400+ eTrucks across Europe
โ€ข Around 70% of those are working in Germany, France and the Netherlands
โ€ข TCO parity for eTrucks in Europe sits at around 3โ€“4 years compared with diesel
โ€ข In France, 30% of eTruck uptake comes via rental offers
โ€ข And for the future? Hydrogen remains on the table

๐ŸŒ ๐—ช๐—ผ๐—ฟ๐—น๐—ฑ ๐—ฃ๐—ฟ๐—ฒ๐—บ๐—ถ๐—ฒ๐—ฟ๐—ฒ: ๐˜๐—ต๐—ฒ ๐— ๐—”๐—ก ๐—ฒ๐—ง๐—š๐—Ÿ ๐—ฅ๐—ฒ๐—ณ๐—ฟ๐—ถ๐—ด๐—ฒ๐—ฟ๐—ฎ๐˜๐—ฒ๐—ฑ ๐—ง๐—ฟ๐˜‚๐—ฐ๐—ธ

Debuting at Solutrans 2025, MAN is unveiling a new all-electric eTGL chassis designed specifically for refrigerated box bodies. This 12-tonne truck enables quiet, emission-free transport of temperature-sensitive goods โ€“ perfect for urban and regional distribution.
With 160 kWh usable battery capacity, the eTGL delivers up to 310 km on a single charge. Thanks to rapid charging (10โ€“80% in ~35 minutes), daily operational range can hit 600 km, making clever use of breaks and unloading stops.

Alongside the eTGL, MAN is also showcasing the eTGX, eTGS, and the award-winning hTGX hydrogen combustion engine.

Multiple fuels, multiple solutionsโ€ฆ MANโ€™s message is simple: the future of transport isnโ€™t one technologyโ€ฆ itโ€™s all of them.

SOLUTRANS
MAN Truck & Bus
MAN Truck and Bus South Africa

There are plenty of giants roaming the halls at Solutrans this year. But, as the saying goes, dynamite sometimes comes i...
19/11/2025

There are plenty of giants roaming the halls at Solutrans this year. But, as the saying goes, dynamite sometimes comes in very small packages. And two pint-sized stars have absolutely stolen the show (for us, anyway)โ€ฆ

๐Ÿ”‹ ๐—™๐—ถ๐—ฟ๐˜€๐˜ ๐˜‚๐—ฝ: ๐—ฎ๐—น๐—น-๐—ป๐—ฒ๐˜„ ๐—ฒ-๐—ฐ๐—ฎ๐—ฟ๐—ด๐—ผ ๐—ฏ๐—ถ๐—ธ๐—ฒ

Renault Trucks and Kleuster are levelling up their partnership with a seriously impressive bit of kit. Built for the rough-and-tumble world of urban logistics, the Kleuster 350 punches far above its weight. Jointly developed and manufactured by Renault Trucks, it brings heavy-duty engineering to a compact, agile cargo bike.

Why are we excited?
โ€ข It has a clever chainless transmission for less faff and more uptime
โ€ข Swappable batteries keep deliveries rolling
โ€ข Proper front and rear suspension for city streets that feel like off-road courses (exhibit A: Johannesburg)
โ€ข A 2.4 m turning radiusโ€ฆ so tight it could probably pirouette

With e-commerce booming and urban delivery rules tightening, this little powerhouse feels bang on time.

๐Ÿš— ๐—ง๐—ต๐—ฒ๐—ป ๐˜๐—ต๐—ฒ๐—ฟ๐—ฒโ€™๐˜€ ๐˜๐—ต๐—ฒ ๐— ๐—ผ๐—ฏ๐—ถ๐—น๐—ถ๐˜‡๐—ฒ ๐——๐˜‚๐—ผ... ๐—ฎ๐—ป๐—ฑ ๐˜†๐—ฒ๐˜€, ๐˜„๐—ฒ ๐˜„๐—ฎ๐—ป๐˜ ๐—ผ๐—ป๐—ฒ.

Quirky? Absolutely. Sensible? Weirdly, yes. Mobilize โ€“ Renault Groupโ€™s next-gen mobility brand โ€“ has created a tiny electric car thatโ€™s perfect for zipping through congested cities.

โ€ข โšก 160 km range
โ€ข ๐Ÿ 80 km/h top speed
โ€ข ๐ŸŽ’ Cargo version available
โ€ข ๐Ÿ’ถ Around โ‚ฌ10,000 (R200,000 or so)

Itโ€™s light, electric, affordable, and brilliantly compact โ€“ the kind of vehicle that makes you rethink what urban mobility should look like.

Huge trucks may dominate Solutransโ€ฆ but these small wonders are making a mighty big impression!

SOLUTRANS
Renault
Renault Trucks

19/11/2025

At Solutrans 2025, visitors literally stop in their tracks at Michelinโ€™s stand. Why? Because Michelin hasnโ€™t just pushed the boundaries of mobility โ€“ it has blasted straight past them and onto the Moon.

Taking centre stage is the amazing MiLAW (Michelin Lunar Airless Wheel), an engineering masterpiece that looks like itโ€™s been teleported straight from a sci-fi film. Designed for NASAโ€™s ARTEMIS programme as part of the Moon Racer consortium, this wheel isnโ€™t just futuristic โ€“ itโ€™s built for actual lunar exploration.

Imagine a wheel that has to survive temperatures from +100ยฐC to -240ยฐC, endure brutal solar and galactic radiation, grip ultra-abrasive moon dust, and protect a roverโ€™s precious battery life. Michelin took that brief and said, โ€œSure. Letโ€™s make it airless, too.โ€

The result? A mind-bending combination of 20+ years of expertise in high-tech materials, airless tyre technology, injection moulding, and 3D printing. The same pioneering spirit behind the Vision concept tyre showcased at Solutrans in 2023 now powers this interplanetary breakthrough.

But hereโ€™s the best part: what Michelin learns on the Moon doesnโ€™t stay on the Moon. These innovations will filter directly into Earth products โ€“ meaning better longevity, more energy efficiency, tougher materials, superior traction and tyres that simply refuse to quit.

Michelinโ€™s stand also showcases an impressive new AI assistant integrated into MyConnectedFleet โ€“ a 24/7 tool that answers natural-language questions, analyses vast datasets in seconds and delivers customised reports instantly. No data leaves the platform, ensuring confidentiality while giving fleets faster, smarter, data-driven decision-making.

From the Moon to motorways, Michelin is proving that the future of mobility is already under construction. And, at Solutrans, you can see it up close. ๐Ÿš€

SOLUTRANS
Michelin

If thereโ€™s one place where Renault Trucks truly rules the roost, itโ€™s Solutrans โ€“ and this year, the home-turf advantage...
19/11/2025

If thereโ€™s one place where Renault Trucks truly rules the roost, itโ€™s Solutrans โ€“ and this year, the home-turf advantage is on full display. The stand is absolutely packed with metal, muscle and innovationโ€ฆ but one machine is drawing crowds like a magnet: the Renault Trucks T 01 Racing used truck (yes, you read that right...it's a used truck).

Renault Trucks has been steadily redefining what a used truck can be, and the T 01 Racing proves just how far the brand is pushing the envelope. Inspired by the world of motor racing and refreshed to match the Renault Trucks T Evolution, this latest version blends sporty attitude with serious sophistication.

The design team have gone all-in: sleek lines, a mix of matte and gloss finishes, and LED headlights that donโ€™t just light the road โ€“ they announce your arrival.

But the flair is backed by function. Inside, drivers get improved ergonomics, more storage, and an optimised sleeping area. A three-way adjustable steering column ensures every driver can find the perfect fit. On the road, LED lighting boosts safety, while refined aerodynamics, cruise control tech and class-A tyres deliver up to 3% better fuel efficiency.

If youโ€™re at Solutrans, trust us: donโ€™t miss this exhibit! ๐Ÿš›๐Ÿ”ฅ

SOLUTRANS
Renault Trucks

๐Ÿššโœจ ๐ˆ๐ฌ๐ฎ๐ณ๐ฎ ๐Œ๐จ๐ญ๐จ๐ซ๐ฌ & ๐”๐ƒ ๐“๐ซ๐ฎ๐œ๐ค๐ฌ ๐š๐ญ ๐‰๐š๐ฉ๐š๐ง ๐Œ๐จ๐›๐ข๐ฅ๐ข๐ญ๐ฒ ๐’๐ก๐จ๐ฐ ๐Ÿ๐ŸŽ๐Ÿ๐Ÿ“ Isuzu Motors Limited and UD Trucks Corporation recently showcase...
18/11/2025

๐Ÿššโœจ ๐ˆ๐ฌ๐ฎ๐ณ๐ฎ ๐Œ๐จ๐ญ๐จ๐ซ๐ฌ & ๐”๐ƒ ๐“๐ซ๐ฎ๐œ๐ค๐ฌ ๐š๐ญ ๐‰๐š๐ฉ๐š๐ง ๐Œ๐จ๐›๐ข๐ฅ๐ข๐ญ๐ฒ ๐’๐ก๐จ๐ฐ ๐Ÿ๐ŸŽ๐Ÿ๐Ÿ“
Isuzu Motors Limited and UD Trucks Corporation recently showcased their latest innovations at Tokyo Big Sight. Here are some of the standout exhibits:

๐Ÿ”น Vertical Core Cycle Concept (VCCC) โ€“ world premiere!
A revolutionary modular vehicle platform designed for ultimate flexibility, supporting diverse business and community needs.

๐Ÿ”น Multi-fuel Engine โ€“ world premiere!
A next-gen engine compatible with diesel, natural gas, hydrogen, biofuels and synthetic fuels, paving the way for carbon-neutral transport.

๐Ÿ”น GIGA Heavy-Duty Truck โ€“ world premiere!
Featuring a redesigned cab and advanced safety systems, plus Japanโ€™s only low-floor, three-axle 25-ton truck for efficient logistics.

๐Ÿ”น Quester (2026 Model) โ€“ world premiere!
A heavy-duty truck for emerging markets, meeting Euro 6 standards with improved efficiency and reduced environmental impact.

๐Ÿ”น ERGA EV Autonomous Bus โ€“ world premiere!
A fully electric, autonomous route bus under development, offering safe, comfortable, and eco-friendly public transport.

๐Ÿ”น ELF EV Garbage Truck
A quiet, zero-emission electric truck with Isuzuโ€™s unique electric PTO, delivering clean and efficient urban operations.

๐Ÿ”น UD Quon GW 6x4
A robust heavy-duty tractor with advanced driver-assist features, celebrating UD Trucksโ€™ 90th anniversary.

๐Ÿ”น ISUZU D-MAX
A versatile 1-tonne pickup, now with a BEV version, popular worldwide and on display in Japan for the first time.

The Mercedes-Benz eActros 600 โ€“ the reigning 2025 International Truck of the Year โ€“ is turning heads at Solutransโ€ฆ and w...
18/11/2025

The Mercedes-Benz eActros 600 โ€“ the reigning 2025 International Truck of the Year โ€“ is turning heads at Solutransโ€ฆ and wow, we reckon that green paint absolutely rocks!

But the big question isโ€ฆ who takes the crown next?

Tomorrow night, the 2026 International Truck of the Year winner will be revealed!

The contenders (in alphabetical order) are:
๐Ÿ”‹ DAF XD/XF Electric
๐Ÿฆ MAN D30 PowerLion
โšก MAN eTGS
๐Ÿ”Œ SANY e435
๐Ÿ”ฅ Scania Super 11

So, truck fansโ€ฆ place your bets!

Which one deserves to take the trophy? ๐Ÿ†๐Ÿ‘‡

SOLUTRANS
Mercedes-Benz Trucks and Buses SA
Daimler Truck AG

Look very closely at the front of this Isuzu cab on display at Solutrans. It is very unusual. Do you like it? Do you kno...
18/11/2025

Look very closely at the front of this Isuzu cab on display at Solutrans. It is very unusual. Do you like it? Do you know why it looks like this? (We know why....answer to follow in the comments in a couple of days...)

SOLUTRANS
ISUZU South Africa

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FOCUS on Transport and Logistics is the leading publication within the fields of transport and logistics on the African continent. Follow us for all the latest news and views from experts within these fields.