The South African heavy commercial vehicle market is a tough and highly competitive one, and discerning buyers in this sector are basing their purchase decisions on product reputation, affordability, reliability, durability, aftersales service and low overall cost of ownership. Products from FAW Trucks tick all these boxes and as a result it has become the brand of choice for many successful businesses.
Says Yongjun Li, CEO of FAW Trucks South Africa: “Since first entering the local market in 1994, it has been our mission to provide South African buyers with products of high quality that are not only well suited to local conditions, but also boast high levels of safety, convenience and comfort. We have managed to combine this with competitive pricing, low running costs and excellent aftersales service. Our remarkable sales success thus far is proof that we are doing something right as more and more buyers are opting for our trucks.”
One of the main reasons for FAW Trucks’ continued growth in South Africa is the fact that it caters for virtually every need. With a 16-strong model line-up that includes freight carriers, truck tractors, as well as tipper trucks and mixer trucks, and a host of different engine capacities and payload allowances on offer, businesses big and small can rely on FAW Trucks to get the job done.
The list of companies that have chosen FAW Trucks as their commercial vehicle partner is long and impressive and stretches across various industries including transport and logistics, civil engineering, construction, agriculture, mining, waste management and even skills development and training.
Magnum Sand & Stone
Established in June 1996, Magnum Sand & Stone’s core objectives are to successfully supply a quality range of building and civil materials at competitive prices. The company is considered to be one of the largest distributors of building and civil materials and continues to expand its operations.
“We expect the same ambition, service and dedication from our business partners and FAW Trucks has consistently proven that it is up to the challenge,” says Riaan Schoombie. “Not only are the trucks reliable, durable and cost-efficient, but the aftersales service is also of the highest standard. Our industry is an unforgiving one and sub-standard products and service just won’t do. Magnum Sand & Stone has come to rely on our trucks from as integral contributors to the solid reputation we have in this country.”
T-Marc Logistics
Motivated by its motto for excellence, efficiency and seamlessness within the logistics and warehousing fraternity, T-Mark Logistics is part of a group of companies with a vast national reach. It endeavours to provide its customers with safety and efficiency and therefore places a high premium on the maintenance and servicing of its fleet of trucks.
“We are committed to knowing more, sourcing experts and benchmarking against international trends, which in turn helps us to offer our customers realistic logistics solutions,” says Lesang Mpakoba. “In turn FAW provides us with trucks that are versatile, practical and well suited to our business. The synergy between the two companies is obvious and it is a mutually beneficial working relationship we intend to maintain well into the future.”
Chippa Training Academy
Chippa Training Academy (CTA) prides itself on providing services and programmes that not only benefit its clients, but also the community. It focuses on finding innovative ways of empowering people through skills development and ensuring those skills are utilised effectively to boost the economic standing of the South African community at large. The company is wholly black owned and biased towards a qualitative output.
“We chose FAW Trucks because of the ease of operation of its products and because all the models have been tested for local operating conditions. In addition, the affordable purchase price and the cost-effectiveness of service and maintenance mean that we get real value for money, without sacrificing quality,” explains Simon Mpengesi.
M-Civils
Having realised the opportunities offered by government’s Reconstruction and Development Programme, M-Civils undertook its first contract within the infrastructure development sector in 1997. After completing several contractors as a sub-contractor, the company has since grown and expanded to become a formidable force within the sector. Embracing the need for black empowerment, it has a strong focus on the training and empowerment of previously disadvantaged groups.
“M-Civils is fiercely protective of its solid reputation and can’t afford to be let down by its equipment. FAW Trucks has more than 25 years’ experience in South Africa and therefore appreciates the importance of reliability and trustworthiness when it comes to providing products and services. Its track record in this country speaks for itself and we had no qualms about incorporating products from FAW Trucks in our fleet of hardworking trucks,” says Petrus van Blerk.
Sungu Sungu
Based in Bedfordview, Sungu Sungu is a waste management company that has a sizeable fleet of over 80 trucks that travel well over 200 kilometres a day fulfilling waste transportation duties.
“Our fleet must deliver on reliability, durability and fuel efficiency, while also offering ease of service and maintenance,” says Thabang Khomo. “We expect our trucks to work as hard as our drivers do and FAW Trucks delivers this and so much more. The products can’t be faulted, and we continue to be impressed by the high level of customer service we receive. Thanks to reliable and efficient aftersales service, downtime is also kept to a minimum, which is obviously good for business.”
Luxor Paints
Luxor paints is the largest independently owned manufacturer of automotive and industrial paints in the country. It has been supplying retail distributors and end users throughout Southern Africa since 1970 and has built endearing relationships with many of its customers as it continually refines its product offering to ensure that it meets even the most stringent requirements.
“We recognised this same dedication in FAW Trucks as it, too, places a high premium on building lasting relationships with its customers. Luxor has distribution centres in Johannesburg, Polokwane, Durban, Cape Town, Bloemfontein and Port Elizabeth and I can happily report that the FAW trucks in our fleet continue to impress through their practicality, versatility and ease of operation.”
There is a common thread that binds all these businesses together. In a challenging economic environment where companies seek to expand their operations and capitalise on all available opportunities, they have recognised the importance of having a heavy commercial vehicle fleet that is easy to operate, uncomplicated to maintain and service, and delivers impressive fuel consumption figures.
By choosing FAW Trucks these businesses also benefit from support from 22 dealerships and sales and service centres located around South Africa, with another seven situated in other Southern African countries. In addition, the dedicated parts distribution centre in Spartan ensures that service and maintenance parts are readily available, thus keeping downtime to a minimum.
“When trucks leave the showroom floor after a sale, clients can expect a long-term relationship with the brand and it is heartening to see so many of our loyal customers continuing to put their trust in trucks that are built in South Africa, for Africa,” concludes Li.