Toll Tariffs
March 2009
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Innovation
Through teamwork
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Women on Trucks...

We thought that with Women’s Day being in the month of August, we’d find out how women not associated with the trucking industry perceive trucks on our roads. Their perception of trucks and trucking…is NOT good! 

Stopping Distances...

No owner of any truck would like to be in an aircraft that runs out of runway on take-off. Why then do they let their drivers operate trucks that run out of stopping distance, asks our technical correspondent Dave Scott. 

A DRIVER does not perceive the relationship between brake lining temperature and stopping distance from the comfort of a modern airconditioned cab.

Cape to Cape...

A convoy of rugged and powerful French muscle trucks recently completed a 30 000 km overland journey from North Cape, the most northern tip of Norway, to the Cape of Good Hope. Andrew Parker was at the end of the journey. 

The Renault Kerax has become established as the vehicle of choice in the construction, mining and forestry sectors in many countries around the world and has a strong foothold in sub-Saharan Africa. 

MICHELIN WAS THE chosen exclusive tyre supplier for the Renault Trucks Cape to Cape expedition. This is the second time that the two companies have partnered in an adventure of this type, following their joint participation in the 2005 Silk Road expedition. 

How legal are foreign drivers?...
Alta Swanepoel, our correspondent on transport legislation, sketches out the position regarding the legality of foreign drivers and their documents. There are serious flaws that need to be ironed out. 

Show me the Money...

The widespread decline of business activity has affected all aspects of life and trucking, being the lynchpin of the country’s supply chain, has taken a serious knock. Paul Collings hits the money-lenders for some insight. 

It’s all about standards...

While economic activity may have slowed in recent months, it is business as usual for fleets that run according to best practices and who embrace the principles of RTQS says Kathy Bell of Standard Bank Vehicle and Asset Finance. 

A stalwart of the commercial vehicle financing industry is WesBank, with a substantial portfolio of trucks and trailers, and an estimated market share of 10 percent.

A new lease on trucking...

The National Credit Act introduced in June 2007 effectively harnessed reckless lending in South Africa. However, smart OEM, Mercedes- Benz, has an alternative to the stony-faced suits down Marshalltown way. 

The In-house deal...

Scania Southern Africa, through Scania Finance, offers a full service package of finance, repair and maintenance as well as vehicle insurance to both new and existing customers. Roger Hutton, financial manager, Scania Finance Southern Africa, gives an update. 

MAN Alive...

With sales of new trucks down by over 50% from June 2008, FleetWatch asked Michael Kaiser, managing director, MAN Financial Services, for his thoughts on the current crisis. 

Rocky road for insurance industry...

The virtual collapse of the global finance sector has infected almost every facet of commerce and industry. Andrew Parker takes a look at how the insurance sector is faring in the trucking industry in this climate. 

Insurance premiums are just one of the many major expenses of operating a vehicle fleet and there is just no getting away from it. Andrew Parker reports. 

The supply of aftermarket products to the local trucking industry has become increasingly challenging with the arrival of new models and brands, all needing reliable, budgetfriendly retrofit components and spare parts.

FuelWatch Contents ...

This issue of FuelWatch reports on current trends and developments in biofuels and the growing focus on the need to determine specifications for cleaner future fuels that contribute to improving air quality....

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You and Your Driver

FleetWatch has always held the view that the driver holds the key to a trucking company's success.

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