South Africans and South African machines roaring at Dakar
For South Africa, this race is more than just a contest of speed and endurance: it is a showcase of local engineering excellence.
- Industry News
- 14 December 2025
The automotive business council, naamsa, recently released the 2023 new vehicle statistics and for the fourth consecutive year, Mercedes-Benz Trucks claimed the market leader position for heavy commercial vehicles, reaffirming why the Mercedes-Benz Actros won the naamsa Extra-Heavy Commercial Vehicle of the Year award in 2023 in South Africa.
The Actros range for construction and distribution, significantly grew its unit sales in 2023 compared with the previous year. This once again indicates that the construction industry is regaining momentum and that the Actros, which is focusing on reduced maintenance costs for customers, is a force to be reckoned with.
“In a market where customers are spoilt for choice, we are beyond being grateful for our customers who trust Mercedes-Benz Trucks to support their businesses. We are positive that the heavy commercial vehicle market will remain strong, and we look forward to further serving our customers in 2024,” says Maretha Gerber, Vice President Sales and Marketing, Daimler Truck Southern Africa.
In addition, Daimler Truck Southern Africa (DTSA) and its brands, Mercedes-Benz Trucks, FUSO Trucks and Mercedes-Benz Buses, remain the largest Commercial Vehicle seller in South Africa, ranking number 1 in the Top 15, according to naamsa’s Industry New Vehicle Sales Report, December 2023.
For South Africa, this race is more than just a contest of speed and endurance: it is a showcase of local engineering excellence.
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