Dakar 2026 tough on South African participants
The 2026 Dakar Rally delivered one of the most thrilling and competitive editions of the world’s toughest off‑road endurance race.
- Industry News
- 19 January 2026
It has been reported that the Scandinavian commercial vehicle manufacturer, Volvo Trucks, will significantly scale up local production capabilities with the launch of Euro 6 truck manufacturing in early 2026. The expansion represents a major investment in the company's Durban assembly operations.
The move capitalises on growing demand for cleaner commercial vehicles as South African businesses face increasing pressure to reduce their carbon footprints. Euro 6 technology cuts harmful emissions through innovative AdBlue chemical treatment systems and advanced exhaust filtering.
Industry analysts view the production increase as strategically important given South Africa's heavy reliance on road freight, which accounts for over 80% of cargo transported nationally. The enhanced local manufacturing capacity positions the company to serve both domestic and regional African markets more effectively.
The upgraded facility features new automated lifting equipment designed to improve production efficiency and worker safety. Manufacturing will span multiple emission standard variants alongside the company's growing electric vehicle portfolio.
A significant development includes plans to introduce an extended-range of electric truck models capable of 600-kilometre operation, addressing previous limitations of electric commercial vehicles in long-haul applications.
The company has implemented advanced fleet monitoring technology that tracks vehicle performance metrics to prevent mechanical failures. This predictive maintenance approach reportedly avoided over 400 potential breakdowns in the first seven months of this year, demonstrating significant cost savings for fleet operators.
The expansion reflects broader automotive industry trends toward local production and sustainable transport solutions across emerging markets.
The 2026 Dakar Rally delivered one of the most thrilling and competitive editions of the world’s toughest off‑road endurance race.
Volvo Cars has partnered with type specialists Dalton Maag to develop Centum, a bespoke typeface crafted specifically for the in‑car environment.
Time to enter is running out for prospective participants in the 16th Simola Hillclimb, which will be held in the Knysna region later this year from 30 April to 3 May.