Daimler refocuses on Africa

DAIMLER Trucks & Buses Southern Africa (DTBSA) has invested up to US$60 million in its new setup in order to achieve its strategic objective of being the preferred truck provider in Southern Africa.

I was invited last week to the spectacular Johannesburg launch of the brand-new FUSO TV33-400S.

To assure continuity and growth in its operations, enough resources, and a functional operating infrastructure for the DTBSA business, a sizeable investment of up to US$60 million is assisting in setting up this new, well-rounded business.

It will be premised on unmatched customer service and parts (CSP) availability, own retail, a manufacturing plant, and value-added services, including TruckStore, FleetBoard, Mercedes-Benz Uptime, Service24h, TruckParts, and FUSO Value Parts (FVP).

The brand-new FUSO TV33-400S that was on exhibit, of course, drew my attention, but what really stuck in my ears was DTBSA's planned foray into Southern Africa.

Zimbabwe is a country in Southern Africa, which explains why the news was sweet music to my ears.

When discussing investment-related concerns, it is impossible to avoid thinking of my motherland.

You may wonder what gains Zimbabwe will experience. We are getting new products. You can order the truck that was launched last week and you will get it.

There is training for local skills. Service facilities are being furnished with cuttingedge technology. These advantages can be passed on to clients via Zimoco Commercial, the local Daimler dealership.

Since it was founded more than 60 years ago, Daimler Trucks & Buses Southern Africa (DTBSA) has led the commercial vehicle industry in the region by providing industry-leading transportation options and services.

It is now more customer-focused and dedicated to trucks and buses. It is pushing for a sustainable transportation system to better meet the expanding business needs of the Southern African market.

This historic milestone marks the profound reshaping of DTBSA. The launch itself made me appreciated the changes for the better that DTBSA is embarking on.

They are talking to the customer more and more.

They are involving the media more as one of their pillars of their growth strategy.

In response to the new organisational design, Michael Dietz, President and CEO of Daimler Trucks & Buses Southern Africa, says: "This is undoubtedly a big turning point for us as DTBSA and a huge investment for the Southern African market.

“With the creation of DTBSA as a legal organisation in 2019 and the more recent launch of our very own captive financial mobility services, Daimler Trucks Financial Services, we have already made some significant changes (DTFS).

“I am convinced that the new configuration encourages the focus on our core business that is required, creates favourable conditions for us to be more competitive, and speeds up the development of key technologies so that we can continue to offer cutting-edge products and services to meet the unique needs of our customers.

“It goes without saying that this independence fully supports our growth strategy and further solidifies our position in the markets we serve. Our dedication to everyone who keeps Africa moving remains intact as we prepare for a peaceful transition,” he added.

Daimler Truck Financial Services South Africa, a dedicated captive financial and mobility service, will be available to DTBSA for the first time as part of the new organisational structure (DTFS).

DTFS, a fully-owned subsidiary of DTBSA, will be essential in boosting sales by providing specialised financing, leasing, and mobility solutions.

By doing this, it will improve customer retention and loyalty and make it possible for the market to have support tailored to commercial vehicles and clients.

Banks would be competing to extend credit to firms if we had a functioning economy. Dealerships would have their own credit programs that were bank-financed.

I suppose we will just have to smile while people with functioning economies enjoy such amenities. To expand your business, you need credit.

The lifeline for a firm is having access to business credit. It enables you to access the funding required for growth, day-today expenses, inventory purchases, hiring more workers, and preserving cash on hand to cover operating costs.

Back to the FUSO TV 33 400S itself, its DNA see a commitment to its FUSO’s brand's key principles of offering the best value for money, the best customer support, and a solutions-focused attitude.

In order to satisfy the increasingly complex client expectations in Southern Africa, FUSO Trucks keeps setting new standards by offering complete products and variants across segments and applications (from 4 ton to 33 ton).

The new FUSO TV33-400S 6x4 truck tractor was designed with a significant emphasis on safety, driver comfort, fuel efficiency, and productivity. It is a big, powerful truck tractor.

Maximum torque from low rpm is one of the key design elements in the brand-new FUSO TV33-400S 6x4 truck tractor. This feature provides the right power and control to pull goods from a standstill while also giving the driver access to enough torque to maintain the actual speed and optimise vehicle acceleration, which results in significant fuel savings.

An automatic manual transmission is another innovative technology that comes standard on the new truck. This transmission has a favourable impact on fuel efficiency, vehicle performance, safety, and driver comfort, and it continues to raise the bar for the industry.

The upgraded cruise control system and speed limiter in the new model make driving easier by enabling the driver to keep a consistent and fuel-efficient pace, which lowers driver fatigue and accidents, especially while traveling on open highways.

The brand-new 6x4 truck tractor also gives business owners peace of mind because it was built on a heavy-duty hub reduction rear axle with a differential lock, allowing it to tackle any chores thrown at it to satisfy a variety of business needs.

Maretha Gerber, Vice President: Sales and Marketing Daimler Truck Southern Africa, says: “I am proud to say we have always been a brand that aligns itself with its customer’s business needs and our journey continues unabated.

“Southern Africa remains a focus market for Fuso Trucks and today with the launch of this new truck, we are confident that it will move us into a stronger position across all major segments.”

To suit the growing needs of the driver, cab interior design has long been one of FUSO Trucks' primary priority areas. Its ergonomically designed features and interiors improve driving enjoyment and significantly lessen tiredness.

The intelligent instrument cluster, a multi-information display, is a great example. Information like coolant temperature, ambient temperature, engine run hours, average speed, fuel efficiency DTE, and shift indicator are all provided by this amazing function.

The sleeper cab of the new truck was likewise created with great attention to detail in order to maximize productivity, make drivers feel at home while driving, and reduce weariness.

Customers are promised a "Future Together" by FUSO, a resolute promise that spurs the corporation to promote safe, environmentally sustainable transportation while your business makes money.

This year, the FUSO brand will have been in existence for 90 years, marking yet another important turning point in its long-standing heritage of establishing benchmarks for affordability, efficacy, safety, and comfort while still generating a profit for your businesses.

It is built strong to power your business.