Hino 700 Series: Custom Trucks for South Africa's Heavy-Duty Market

Hino South Africa has marked a successful first year in the market with its locally assembled 700 Series extra heavy-duty trucks, now introducing an opportunity for buyers in specific segments to receive trucks customised for their operational needs.

Itumeleng Segage, General Manager of Hino South Africa, explained: "We have identified key segments within the extra heavy market, and our Post Production Operations (PPO) unit is now ready to facilitate the fitment of special equipment to tailor trucks for various applications."

Among the modifications available, Hino SA will oversee the installation of essential components for side tippers, including a power take-off system provided by ZF, along with the hydraulic piping and fluid tank. For those utilising Hino 700 trucks as fuel or Hazchem tankers, the necessary hydraulic pump and piping will be pre-installed before delivery, although customers will need to obtain the appropriate Hazchem compliance kit to meet regulatory standards.

Hino 700 in front of the Toyota GR Racing Academy

Originally aimed at regional haul operators, the Hino 700's cost-effectiveness and impressive fuel efficiency — without the need for AdBlue — has attracted the attention of long-haul operators. However, a limitation for these longer journeys is the single sleeper cab design, which is not ideal for teams of two drivers.

In response, Hino has developed a locally designed sleeper pod that attaches to the cab's roof, enhancing aerodynamics while providing ample sleeping space for an additional driver, complete with lighting and two windows. This solution, inspired by practices in Japan, has already received positive feedback from South African operators trialling the new feature.

Further options available through Hino SA’s PPO unit include aluminium alloy rims and aerodynamic kits designed to improve fuel efficiency. Segage emphasised all PPO modifications are fully compliant with Hino's truck warranty, ensuring peace of mind for operators.

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First li-ion recycling plant opens in South Africa

The disposal of batteries from growing volumes of electric cars has become a global problem with limited facilities in place to recycle those units – but there is now an operational facility in Germiston, Gauteng able to handle not only car batteries but lithium-ion batteries from cell phones and other modern devices.

Cwenga Lib has opened the country’s first lithium-ion battery recycling facility – a milestone not just for South Africa, but for the entire Southern Hemisphere.

The Cwenga Lib process is innovative in its scale and resources. Where mega plants in Asia are constructed to cater to the mass markets abroad using harsh chemicals, huge energy requirements and highly hazardous working conditions, the Cwenga Lib process is unique.

It is efficient at room temperature, with reagents that are food safe and can be scaled to serve smaller communities or single manufacturers who want to locally recycle their own production.

“The processing facility we launched is an example of the modular type recycling stations we can deploy around South Africa and beyond,” says Cwenga’s Ed Hardwick. “They are run by 2-4 operators and produce metal oxides of various quality, depending on what the market in that area needs – back into battery production, pigment grades or even agricultural uses.”

Pottery made with glaze containing recovered cobalt from the first batch of recycled cell phone batteries was auctioned off at the event, with all proceeds going to COPESSA

“Battery waste is a wealth that is currently sitting in our landfill sites waiting for the urban mining movement. Cobalt, nickel, lithium and manganese are all imported into our country as finished products and then left to harm our environment with no responsibility given to the manufacture of those goods.

“It is working with those who can manage producer responsibility, vitalise communities and educate collectors that we can get that potential hazard out of our environment and back into our economy.”

Cwenga Technologies is the parent company to Cwenga Lib and Hardwick says: “We are fortunate our sales of purification products into the hydrometallurgy, water and food industries enable us to reinvest some of that capital into self-funded research on activated carbons and ion exchange resins.”

Battery recycling involves separating the materials inside spent batteries so they can be reused. The process typically begins with manual sorting of different battery types, followed by shredding the batteries into small pieces. Specialised techniques, such as magnets or chemical treatments, are then used to extract the various metals.

Some of these recovered materials, including lithium and cobalt, are crucial for making new batteries, while others, like manganese and zinc, may be repurposed for agriculture as fertiliser.

Until now, South Africa’s battery recycling efforts have focused on lead-acid car batteries. For lithium-ion batteries, recycling has been limited, requiring expensive exports to facilities in Europe or China. This led to many batteries ending up in landfills.

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Volvo FH 750hp Truck Delivered to Wardens Cartage in South Africa | Colin on Cars

Volvo Trucks has marked a significant milestone recently with the delivery of South Africa’s very first Volvo FH 750hp Version 6 XXL cab to its long-standing customer, Wardens Cartage. The handover of the truck, a Euro 5 6X4 tractor unit, was held at a special VIP ceremony at the renowned World of Volvo in Gothenburg, Sweden.

Wardens Cartage, a Volvo Trucks customer for 20 years, received the vehicle, which comes equipped with full air suspension and Volvo's latest-generation Globetrotter XXL cab. The truck’s 16-litre engine delivers 551 kW, designed to handle heavy-duty loads across challenging terrains, ensuring both productivity and safety on the road.

Anders Friberg, Director of New Truck Sales at Volvo Trucks South Africa, highlighted the importance of the model: “The Volvo FH16 is our most powerful truck, built to tackle the toughest jobs where extra horsepower and torque are essential. Its D16 engine and enhanced driver comfort features are perfectly aligned with the demands of our customers, ensuring high levels of productivity and safety.”

Wardens Cartage, a specialist in the transportation of petroleum and petrochemical products, has been providing vital logistics services for 47 years. The company’s transport network spans not only across South Africa but also into neighbouring countries including Botswana, Namibia, Zimbabwe, Zambia and even as far as the Democratic Republic of Congo. Their fleet carries a range of essential products such as aviation fuel, oils, lubricants and food-grade items.

Commenting on the handover, Per Erik Lindström, Senior Vice President of Volvo Trucks International, expressed pride in the partnership: “It is an honour to present this new-generation truck to Wardens Cartage. As one of our most loyal customers, this event signifies an important moment for both of us, as we bring this advanced model to South African shores. We believe that success starts with the driver, and we wish Wardens many safe and productive miles ahead.”

Pragasen Govender, General Manager at Wardens Cartage, shared his thoughts on the momentous occasion: “It’s a proud day for our company to take delivery of this remarkable vehicle in Gothenburg, the home of Volvo Trucks. We have consistently chosen Volvo for its reliability, exceptional service, and focus on driver and fleet safety. This latest addition will undoubtedly enhance our operations and enable us to continue growing our business.”

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Africa Automotive: All go for IATF 2025 with eyes on Auto Sector

With the ‘go’ button having been pressed on the Intra-Africa Trade Fair 2025 taking place in Algiers, Algeria in September next year, the countdown has begun towards an event expected to result in trade an investment deals exceeding US$44-billion.

Although only a sub-set of the entire IATF event, the Africa Automotive Show will play a large – and significant – part in the proceeedings given the intense activity in the automotive sector taking place throughout Africa that, together with full acceptance and implementation of the African Continental Free Trade Are (AfCTA) is helping to turn the continent into one large automotive hub.

Some 35000 attendees from more than 140 nations are expected to gather in Algiers for the Intra-African Trade IATF2025 and the week-long exhibition will feature 2 000 exhibitors from Africa and around the globe, showcasing goods and services to potential buyers and industry professionals.

Organised by the Government of Algeria under the theme ‘Gateway to New Opportunities’, the event will leverage the AfCFTA, which comprises around 1,4-billion people and a combined GDP of more than US$3,5-trillion. The biennial fair is run by the African Export-Import Bank (Afreximbank) in collaboration with the African Union and AfCFTA Secretariat.

Chief Olusegun Obasanjo, Chair of the IATF Advisory Council and former Nigerian president, highlighted the fair’s impact: “The IATF has become a vital platform for fostering intra-African trade and investment by facilitating business interactions and providing access to trade and market information. With more than 70 000 visitors and more than 4 500 exhibitors at the last three editions, the fair has contributed $100-billion in trade deals. We encourage African businesses to seize this opportunity to expand their markets and engage with peers."

The event will host numerous key activities, including a trade exhibition, the Creative Africa Nexus (CANEX) programme, featuring exhibitions and summits on African fashion, film, music, literature, sport, and more.

An example of the burgeoning automotive activity is the recent announcement by Stellantis to expand its Middle East and Africa (MEA) footprint by launching the locally assembled Jeep Grand Cherokee L in Egypt. This milestone, achieved at the Arab American Vehicles (AAV) plant in Cairo, is a pivotal part of the automaker’s ‘Dare Forward 2030’ strategy.

“This marks a crucial moment for Stellantis in Egypt,” said Samir Cherfan, Chief Operating Officer of Stellantis MEA. “By restarting production at AAV, we are reaffirming our commitment to Egypt's industrial growth and aiming to solidify our leadership in the region. Our goal is to capture over 22% of the market by 2030.”

Cherfan revealed Stellantis’ ambitions to become the top player in the region, selling 1-million vehicles annually by 2030, with 35% of those being electric. The plan also includes achieving 90% local production autonomy, reinforcing the company’s position as the most regionally integrated automotive manufacturer.

The local assembly of the Jeep Grand Cherokee L not only supports Stellantis' vision but also highlights Egypt’s strategic role within its wider operations. This move strengthens the company’s ability to serve markets across the MEA, boosting local job creation and skills development.

While the Egyptian production will be for left-hand drive markets, Stellantis South Africa notes it is not inconceivable this could expand to right-hand drive markets particularly in Sub-Saharan Africa.

Hesham Hosni, Managing Director of Stellantis Egypt, noted: “Our long-standing partnership with the AAV plant is key to our success here. This relaunch reflects our confidence in Egyptian expertise and infrastructure."

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August 2024 Vehicle Sales See Decline Despite Strong July Performance

New vehicle sales in South Africa took a dip in August 2024, following a robust performance in July, according to naamsa | The Automotive Business Council. Despite the positive momentum in July, the market couldn't maintain its upward trajectory into August.

The total domestic new vehicle sales for August 2024 stood at 43,588 units, marking a decrease of 2,266 units or 4.9% compared to the 45,854 vehicles sold in August 2023. The export market saw an even sharper decline, with sales dropping by 14,658 units or 34.3%, resulting in 28,073 vehicles exported in August 2024 compared to 42,731 units in the same month last year.

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Within the total industry sales, 35,503 vehicles, or 81.5%, were sold through dealerships. The vehicle rental industry accounted for 12.4% of sales, government purchases made up 3.3%, and corporate fleets accounted for 2.8%.

On a positive note, the new passenger car market saw growth, with 30,022 units sold in August 2024, an increase of 891 cars or 3.1% from the 29,131 sold in August 2023. Car rental sales were particularly strong, contributing 16.7% of all new passenger vehicle sales for the month.

However, the market for new light commercial vehicles, including bakkies and minibuses, experienced a significant decline, with sales falling by 2,941 units or 21.5% to 10,709 vehicles, compared to 13,650 in August 2023. The medium and heavy truck segments showed mixed results. Medium commercial vehicle sales rose by 8.1% to 748 units, while heavy trucks and buses saw a decrease of 11.4%, with only 2,109 units sold compared to 2,381 in August 2023.

The overall decline in vehicle exports continued, influenced by weak economic activity in Europe. Despite this, vehicle exports to the US saw a significant increase of 132% for the year to date compared to the same period in 2023.

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The naamsa SA Auto Week, scheduled for October 15-18, 2024, at the Cape Town International Convention Centre, will provide a crucial platform for networking and discussions within the South African automotive sector. The event will showcase 100 years of the industry’s history and include the naamsa Accelerator Awards and the Captains of Industry Gala, among other highlights.

Despite the challenges, there are signs of optimism. The stronger rand, lower consumer inflation, decreasing fuel prices, and potential interest rate cuts before the end of the year are expected to boost consumer sentiment and economic activity. While immediate improvements in vehicle affordability may be limited, these factors are anticipated to contribute to a more positive outlook for the remainder of the year.

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