Against a backdrop of economic pressure and market volatility, UD Trucks Southern Africa is charting a course of confident and stable growth. This is anchored by disciplined execution, solid retail partnerships and a consistent focus on keeping customers' vehicles on the road.
These points were central to the recent UD Trucks 2026 Media Engagement at Zwartkops Raceway under the theme ‘Confident, Stable Growth though Volatile Underneath’.
The operating environment continues to present challenges, from rising input costs and fuel price fluctuations to infrastructure concerns. Despite this, UD Trucks Southern Africa is maintaining a resilient performance, which in turn strengthens customer trust in the brand’s support for long-term business sustainability.
This is reflected in the company’s annual figures. UD Trucks Southern Africa achieved an 8% share of the overall new-vehicle market, and a 10,8% share in the heavy-duty segment. This contributed to aggregate industry sales which rose to 31 652 units, up from 31 190 units in 2024. The aftermarket business also saw considerable growth, with Service Agreement uptake reaching around 50%, underscoring the focus on long-term customer value, vehicle uptime and operational efficiency.
“While the operating environment remains challenging, our performance shows that customers trust UD Trucks to deliver reliable solutions that support their businesses,” says Filip Van den Heede, Managing Director of UD Trucks Southern Africa. “Our focus remains clear: to drive further for better by offering innovative products, strong retail partnerships and solutions that make a real difference to customer operations.”
The UD Quon, the flagship long-haul model, continues to lead innovation within the range. Built for demanding heavy-duty applications, the Quon integrates advanced technology with a focus on productivity and uptime for customers facing intense commercial pressure.
“The Quon represents the height of UD innovation—from performance and safety to driver comfort and connectivity. It is engineered for customers who expect more from their vehicles,” says Van den Heede.
The event also showcased the UD Quester, a model that has been integral to the brand’s success in growth markets globally. Since its launch in 2013, the Quester has established a reputation for efficiency, durability and versatility across sectors like long haul, general cargo, construction and waste management.
Its development is directly informed by customer feedback, with a clear emphasis on fuel efficiency, safety, driver comfort and uptime—all critical factors in managing the total cost of ownership.
Notable features on the 2026 UD Quester include:
• The ESCOT Direct Drive Gearbox, which contributes to fuel efficiency and consistent driving.
• A 4-Stage Retarder for enhanced braking performance and vehicle control.
• UD Stability Control to aid in rollover prevention and directional stability.
• A driver crash bag for added occupant safety.
• A refreshed cab interior designed with driver comfort and usability in mind.
“Quester is more than a truck—it is a business partner,” says Esaia Taunyane, Sales Director at UD Trucks Southern Africa. “Every feature on the Quester is guided by customer feedback. By improving efficiency, safety and the driver experience, we help customers reduce total cost of ownership and achieve stronger long-term returns on their fleet investments.”
With fuel being a major operational cost, the Quester’s engineering—including efficient powertrains, driving support systems and UD Connected Services—is designed to help customers achieve more kilometers per litre without compromising on performance or reliability.
Uptime remains a fundamental part of UD Trucks Southern Africa’s offering. Through proactive maintenance planning, predictive servicing and responsive breakdown support, the company helps customers reduce unplanned downtime and safeguard productivity.
“Uptime is about anticipation, not reaction,” says Sanjay Naipal, Aftermarket Director at UD Trucks Southern Africa. “By combining proactive maintenance solutions with strong dealer support and connected services, we help customers manage costs, protect productivity and keep their fleets moving—even in demanding operating conditions.”
UD Trucks Southern Africa continues to invest in its dealer network, understanding strong retail environments are crucial to customer experience and uptime. Recent developments include the opening of the new CMH Commercial Pinetown dealership, upgrades to the McCarthy Commercial Boksburg facility to enhance service capability, and a major expansion at McCarthy Commercial Alrode to increase workshop and parts capacity. Further facility improvements are underway in Richards Bay, Worcester, Kimberley, Bloemfontein and Port Shepstone.
People are central to UD Trucks Southern Africa’s long-term strategy. Ongoing investment in cadet development, driver training and leadership programmes reinforces the commitment to building industry-ready skills.
“Driving further for better goes beyond our products,” Van den Heede concludes. “It reflects our purpose of creating a better life—for people, for the planet and for sustainable growth. It is about how we support our customers, empower our people and contribute meaningfully to the communities in which we operate.”
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