THE DEFINITIVE TRUCKING SITE

October 2008

On 23 November 2007, the announcement read like divorce proceedings: Commercial Vehicle Holdings, the Imperial Holdings subsidiary that imports, assembles and distributes DAF medium and heavy commercial vehicles in South Africa, has reached agreement with PACCAR Inc. not to renew their contract which expires November 27th, 2007. The additional paragraphs to this announcement contained the usual expected platitudes of support for DAF customers. To quote: ‘... the further expansion of the DAF product range and support capabilities in South Africa (should) be in place by the beginning of the second quarter, 2008.’ It went on: ‘Customers and others (the media?) within the transport industry will be kept informed on an on-going basis.’ 

Ten months later the market  has been a harsh judge – Imperial Group shares plunged horribly. DAF, or rather their spin doctor, was also far too optimistic about when DAF could re-group and how they would keep the market and ‘others’ updated. But here we are, entering the last quarter of 2008, and FleetWatch was invited to meet Johan van Geel, director, business development, sales & marketing, visiting from DAF in the Netherlands. 

Despite the pernicious effects of silence to date, there is good news for the owners of the 1 900 DAF trucks operating out there. DAF has renewed their pledge to stay here, provide reliable products and develop their support infrastructure. 

“DAF’s strategic business policy is not to own their retail outlets” says van Geel, adding, “Our expertise lies in manufacturing quality trucks, not in the entrepreneurial spirit of truck retailing”. 

In line with this, seven dealers have signed up with another five to come. In addition, 10 emergency support dealers will be appointed to complement the DAF dealers. 

Here’s a check list of positive local developments 

• A DAF call centre commenced operations on 1 October 2008. 

• A Parts Distribution Centre has been established and they will pursue a strategy of supplying ‘Truck Related Parts’ – TRP components. This means trailer servicing where a DAF operator can  expect support for the complete rig, not just the truck tractor. 

• They acknowledge that southern African conditions demand exceptional engine robustness. Re-engineered DAF MX engines have been tested for 5,5 million kilometres over three years with good results. A durability target of 1,6-million kilometres is achievable prior to first engine overhaul. The ‘new’ MX is designed to use mineral oil and offer 40 000km service intervals. 

• A new 6X4 DAF truck tractor equipped with the latest engine will be homologated in November 2008 and launched in the first quarter of 2009. This model will be equipped with a 16-speed ZF AS-tronic automated shift transmission. 

Ron Smith, director, African operations and a long-time good friend of this country says: “We take a long-term view of our presence in Southern Africa and want to only promise what we can deliver.”

Hear-hear Ron! We could not agree more but just keep us informed as silence breeds rumours resulting in negative perceptions that can whiteant good intentions and destroy a fine product.