accelerated price pressure across the industry.” Petersen believes adaptation will be key moving forward. “The biggest challenge for 2026 will be to reset and fully adapt to these new market dynamics.”
Segage emphasises the importance of aligning vehicles to operational needs. The first question is always fitness for purpose. The truck must match the load, route, body application, and duty cycle.
Technology driving efficiency While external pressures mount,
innovation in the HCV sector continues to accelerate, with a clear emphasis on efficiency, safety, and connectivity. At Daimler Truck Southern Africa, these developments are framed within a broader strategic goal. “The main trends in the commercial vehicle market always all ladder back to reducing Total Cost of Ownership and driving long-term sustainability,” Petersen explains. This includes “cleaner, more efficient engines with lower fuel consumption and maintenance costs” and “advanced telematics that enhance fleet visibility and reduce downtime”. He also highlights “increasingly connected and digital fleet tools that optimise routing and servicing” alongside “the early adoption of automation and Advanced Driver Assistance Systems to improve safety and operational efficiency.” MAN’s latest developments also reflect this trajectory. “Vehicles themselves are becoming more intelligent with more driver and safety assistance systems to assist with safety and vehicle performance,” says Kalil-Zackey. The recently launched TGX 26.520 exemplifies this shift. “This vehicle gives more uninterrupted torque at lower RPMs,” he explains. “The new driveline gives operators significant fuel savings through the engine’s improved thermal efficiencies and lighter weight axles.” Digital intelligence is playing a growing role. “EfficientCruise uses a topography-based gearshift strategy to determine the correct gear according to the predicted terrain,” he adds. “These new technologies, along with improved aerodynamics of the cab, improve the overall efficiency of the vehicle.” Safety enhancements are equally prominent. “New safety features like EBA Plus with pedestrian detection and VSC keep cargo and road users safe.” Hino is seeing similar trends across its customer base. “The sector is moving toward smarter, safer, and more connected trucks,” says Segage. “Telematics is becoming standard because operators want real-time visibility on fuel use, driver behaviour, maintenance, and uptime.”
criminal tactics, and ongoing admin and regulatory hurdles around licensing, permits, and enforcement,” Segage notes. Infrastructure, once again, remains a critical concern. “Road deterioration, congestion, and broader freight logistics bottlenecks all raise operating costs and reduce reliability.” From Daimler Truck Southern Africa’s perspective, these pressures are influencing buying behaviour. “We saw the HDT market decline begin in 2024, with many customers delaying fleet renewals as economic pressures intensified,” says Olaf Petersen. This shift has had broader consequences. “Lower-priced new entrants gained traction, disrupting not only the new-truck segment but also reshaping the used-truck market,” he explains. “This shift has fundamentally altered the competitive landscape and
Across South Africa, heavy commercial vehicle operators are navigating a tightening operating environment, where costs are rising, and reliability is becoming harder to maintain.
While external pressures mount, innovation in the HCV sector continues to accelerate, with a clear emphasis on efficiency, safety, and connectivity.
Poor road conditions accelerate wear and tear, impacting uptime and repair costs and highlights a challenge echoed across the sector.
For the transition to alternative powertrains to succeed, structural enablers must fall into place.
CAPITAL EQUIPMENT NEWS APRIL 2026 25
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