DFSK marks World LPG Autogas Day with focus on running costs
As fuel prices and operating expenses continue to challenge South African businesses, alternative energy solutions are receiving greater attention.
- New Energy Vehicles
- 15 October 2026
FAW Trucks Laubstar hosted a select group of clients for an exclusive guided tour of the FAW Trucks Assembly Plant in Gqeberha (Coega Industrial Development Zone).
The visit provided an invaluable behind-the-scenes look at the advanced manufacturing processes that underpin FAW Trucks Southern Africa’s reputation in the truck industry.
Delegates walked the full production line, observing each stage of vehicle assembly, from chassis preparation and component integration to quality control and final testing. Guests witnessed first-hand the cutting-edge technologies, automated systems, and craftsmanship that enable the plant to produce a complete range of commercial vehicles.
The Coega facility plays a pivotal role in FAW’s regional strategy, with ongoing investments aimed at scaling production capacity from its initial 5 000 units per annum to a targeted 8 000 units annually by 2028.
A R200-million upgrade programme announced in late 2024 is expanding production lines for 12 key models and enlarging the 30 000 m² facility, supporting increased local assembly and export demand while fostering job creation and skills development in the Eastern Cape.
The tour fostered direct engagement between the FAW Trucks Southern Africa leadership, plant engineers, and Laubstar representatives, reinforcing long-term relationships and providing deeper insight into the brand’s commitment. The guests gained a clearer appreciation of how FAW’s vertically integrated manufacturing ensures supply chain reliability, this is critical in a market where logistics operators face rising cross-border opportunities.
As South Africa’s transport and logistics sector prepares for continued growth in 2026, with forecasts indicating a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of approximately 6.4% for the logistics market (Ken Research, 2026 edition), driven by African Continental Free Trade Area (AFCFTA) implementation, infrastructure upgrades, and reduced load-shedding, events like this plant tour equip operators with confidence.
The visit highlighted not only the impressive scale and sophistication of local production but also the shared vision of delivering dependable, high-value trucks built to keep South Africa moving.
As fuel prices and operating expenses continue to challenge South African businesses, alternative energy solutions are receiving greater attention.
Honda has expanded its local SUV line-up with the introduction of the CR-V RS e:HEV AWD. The newcomer brings hybrid power to the CR-V range while adding updated styling, additional technology and a revised cabin layout.
South African Auto Week 2026 opened in Durban on Tuesday, 13 October, with transformation and skills development among the key issues for the automotive industry, highlighted by an Absa Group investment of R13.5 million in the Automotive Business Council | naamsa’s Dreams Academy.
Advertisement
Advertisement
Have you ever noticed that anybody driving slower than you is an idiot, and anyone going faster than you is a maniac?
George Carlin
Few can claim a bond with Mazda as deep as the Plitt family's. For more than 60 years, Mazda has been part of the family's story through Mazda Vereeniging, the oldest Mazda dealership in South Africa and a longstanding standalone representative of the brand.
UD Trucks Southern Africa has strengthened its presence in the Eastern Cape with the opening of UD Trucks Komani, a new dealership that joins the manufacturer's growing South African dealer network.
Algoa Nissan is Nissan South Africa’s dealer of the year. It is the third time that the dealership won the overall title and now for the sixth time also the top spot in die small category.