Trucks for Sale in South Africa | MAN, IVECO & Mercedes
Looking for reliable trucks for sale in South Africa? You might run a road freight company on the N3 between Durban and Johannesburg, supply a platinum mine in the Bushveld, or need refrigerated trucks for citrus and deciduous fruit from the Western Cape. In each case, Schaften Automotive is your European partner for trucks, commercial vehicles and complete fleet solutions. From our headquarters in the Netherlands, we supply Mercedes-Benz, MAN, IVECO, Scania and other leading European brands to customers in South Africa, from Johannesburg and Pretoria to Durban, Cape Town, Gqeberha and Polokwane. We arrange everything from A to Z, including the import requirements, so you receive a truck that is ready for work.
More Than a Supplier: Your Sparring Partner from A to Z
Buying a truck for South Africa involves more than choosing a brand. On the Highveld, at an altitude of around 1,500 to 1,800 metres, engines lose power. Routes such as Van Reenen's Pass bring long climbs and descents. Limpopo and the Northern Cape are hot and dusty, and the coast around Durban is humid. On top of that, South Africa has its own import and registration rules for commercial vehicles. The right configuration and the right paperwork make all the difference. That is why we start by understanding your operation: what you transport, which routes you drive and how intensively your vehicles are used. Based on that, we advise you on the configuration that gives you the best value over the long term.
Once you have made your choice, we take care of the rest. That includes sourcing a right-hand-drive vehicle, custom bodybuilding, technical modifications, export documentation, support with import requirements and international shipping to South Africa. You have one point of contact for the entire process, so you can focus on your business while we handle the details.
Which Trucks Does South Africa Need? Solutions per Sector
South Africa has the most industrialised economy in Africa and one of the largest road freight markets on the continent. Mining, logistics, agriculture, construction and energy all create strong demand for commercial vehicles. Below you'll find the truck types our customers in South Africa ask for most often.
Mining: Platinum, Coal, Iron Ore and Manganese
South Africa is the world's largest platinum producer, with major mines in the Bushveld Complex around Rustenburg and Northam. Coal comes mainly from Mpumalanga, and iron ore and manganese are mined in the Northern Cape. Mining operations need 8x4 and 6x4 tippers such as the Mercedes-Benz Arocs, MAN TGS and IVECO X-Way or T-Way, as well as water bowsers, fuel trucks, crane trucks and mobile workshop vehicles. Heavy tractor units are also needed for ore and coal transport by road. For specialised or off-road applications, we supply all-wheel-drive trucks such as the Mercedes-Benz Zetros.
Road Freight and Logistics: Durban, the N3 and Cross-Border Routes
The Port of Durban is one of the busiest container ports in Africa. The N3 corridor to Gauteng is the country's most important freight route. Cape Town, Gqeberha and Richards Bay are also key ports, and many South African hauliers run cross-border routes to Zimbabwe, Zambia, Botswana and the DRC. These operations call for reliable tractor units with good fuel economy and comfortable cabins, such as the Scania R-series, MAN TGX, Mercedes-Benz Actros and IVECO S-Way. For urban distribution in Johannesburg, Pretoria, Durban and Cape Town, we supply medium-duty trucks such as the IVECO Eurocargo, MAN TGM and Mercedes-Benz Atego.
Agriculture and Food: The Cold Chain for Fruit, Citrus and Grain
South Africa is one of the world's largest exporters of citrus fruit, with production in Limpopo, the Eastern Cape and the Western Cape. The Western Cape also exports large volumes of grapes, apples and pears, while maize and wheat come from the Free State and North West. These sectors need refrigerated trucks for fresh produce, grain trucks and tippers for harvests, and curtainsiders for packaged goods. We supply the chassis and have the right body built to your specifications.
Construction and Infrastructure: Roads, Housing and Energy Projects
Road maintenance and upgrades, housing developments and investments in water and energy infrastructure create steady demand for construction vehicles. This demand covers tippers for earthmoving, concrete mixers, bulk cement tankers, low-loaders for excavators and graders, and truck-mounted cranes. We configure these vehicles for heavy use on building sites and for long distances between projects.
Renewable Energy and Fuel Distribution
South Africa is building large numbers of solar and wind farms, especially in the Northern Cape, Western Cape and Eastern Cape. Building and maintaining these projects requires heavy tractor units for oversized loads, crane trucks and service vehicles for remote sites. Fuel distribution across the country and to neighbouring states adds demand for fuel tankers combined with tractor units such as the Mercedes-Benz Actros and MAN TGX.
Mercedes-Benz, MAN, IVECO, Scania & More
Our range covers the leading European commercial vehicle brands:
- Mercedes-Benz: the Actros, Arocs, Atego and off-road Zetros, known for their durability.
- MAN: the TGX, TGS, TGM and TGL, with strong drivetrains for heavy work.
- IVECO: the S-Way, X-Way, T-Way, Eurocargo and Daily, covering everything from light vans to heavy construction trucks.
- Scania: a popular choice for long-distance transport.
Other brands are available on request. South Africa drives on the left, and only right-hand-drive vehicles can be registered for road use. We therefore source right-hand-drive trucks through our European network. An added advantage is that all of these brands have service networks in South Africa. Not sure which brand or model suits your operation best? We compare the options with you objectively, based on your application, budget and service requirements.
Configured and Built for South African Conditions
High altitude, mountain passes, heat, dust and long distances put extra strain on any vehicle. We help you choose the right specifications, including:
- right-hand drive and a specification that meets South African requirements;
- sufficient engine power for the Highveld and a retarder or strong engine brake for mountain passes;
- an upgraded cooling system and air conditioning for hot regions;
- heavy-duty air filtration for mines and building sites, and corrosion protection for coastal use;
- the right axle configuration, suspension and tyres for your loads and routes.
Through our network of European bodybuilders, we can deliver tippers, tankers, refrigerated bodies, crane installations and other specialised builds. Your truck leaves Europe fully prepared for the job it has to do in South Africa.
Get in Touch
Do you have questions about our trucks in South-Africa or want to know how Schaften Automotive can support your business? Our experts are ready to provide you with personalized advice.
Robert Brand
Sales Executive