The South African new-truck market will show only a 0.8% improvement this year, forecasts Daimler Trucks & Buses Southern Africa (DTBSA) CEO Jasper Hafkamp.

The domestic new-truck market reached 23 162 units in 2018.

Any growth would be positive, as the first quarter of 2019, at –3.2%, was the backdrop for the “worst quarter in the South African truck market in the last ten years”, says Hafkamp.

He expects fleet deals in the second half of the year to provide a late boost to 2019’s numbers.

Hafkamp is positive that Japanese truck brand Fuso would be able to gain from this late surge.

DTBSA sells the Mercedes-Benz and Fuso truck brands in South Africa, with Fuso accounting for around one-third all its sales.

Hafkamp says the recent growth in the local truck market has been in the heavy- and long-haul markets – markets in which Fuso “does not play”.

The Fuso portfolio consists largely of light-duty and medium-duty trucks, which operate in the lighter distribution and construction industries.

While DTBSA has seen a recovery in the long-haul market, which is around 55% of the South African truck market, distribution and construction, which makes up the remaining 45% of the market, have not yet shown any improvement.

“We are hopeful that the construction industry will pick up in the next six to eight months,” says Hafkamp.

He adds that South Africa is currently seeing an increase in emerging small and medium truck fleets. There is also strong demand in the used truck market.

The aim is for Fuso to reach 10% market share in South Africa in 2020.

Fuso’s market share last year was 5.2%, with the aim for 2019 set at 7%.

Hafkamp is hopeful various factors, such as new, dedicated technicians and sales people, as well as new trucks, filling existing product gaps, will push Fuso over the 10% line for 2020.

Currently, four of ten Fuso sales are to new customers.

New products launched in August include the medium-duty FI12-170R, as well as the heavy-duty FJ18-280S (short wheelbase), FJ18-230L (long wheelbase) and FJ26-280.

Five existing Fuso models have also received face-lifts, namely the FA9-137 (short and long wheelbase), FJ16-230 (short and long wheelbase) and the FJ26-280C.

The FI12170 is fitted with the Mercedes-Benz FIG85 transmission, while the FJ18-280 and the FJ26-280 share the same Mercedes-Benz engine and transmission.

The four new models officially introduce a number of new features aimed at improved safety and efficiency.

An E-viscous fan with intermittent operation improves fuel efficiency by reducing the load on the engine.  

For ease of operation for the driver there is cruise control, a differential lock buzzer, a solar windshield, additional cabin roof storage, LED lamps inside, as well as a music system with USB port and FM radio.

“We continue to grow in the various market segments in which we compete as a result of constantly being in close contact with our customers,” says Fuso Trucks Southern Africa head Ziyad Gaba.

“This means we know that one of the major challenges that customers face is the inherent complexity of operating in the current transport industry. Simplicity applies to providing vehicles that are flexible, allowing for a wide number of applications.”