Efficiency in performance has always been central to DAF’s philosophy, and logistics operators throughout South Africa continue to put this conviction to the test. In 2020, Pretoria-based SA City Link began its journey with the DAF brand when it purchased six DAF CF 460 trucks from Babcock, for use as tippers for short-haul transportation of rock and coal in Gauteng and Mpumalanga.
Three years later, the trucks proved their performance, and SA City Link traded them in for the newer DAF CF 430 models. Optimised for African conditions, the top-performing CF series excels in demanding conditions and is ideally suited to heavy-duty industries.
Earlier this year, SA City Link looked again to the DAF brand to expand its truck fleet and purchased nine new DAF XF models. True to its reputation, the latest DAF trucks offer pure excellence in transport efficiency while setting new benchmarks for driver comfort and safety.
Higher fuel efficiencies are achieved thanks to a multi-torque PACCAR MX-13 engine providing more torque at lower revolutions per minute. Driver comfort and safety are top priorities, with the XF offering the largest interior space on the market, and enhanced features that safeguard the driver and other road users such as an advanced emergency braking system, forward collision warning, and a lane departure system.
“While the CF and XF are different trucks, we are very happy with both DAF models,” says Ruan Coetzee, director at SA City Link. “We have other truck brands in our fleet, and the DAFs have consistently performed better than its counterparts. The fuel consumption is excellent, and our drivers have found them very comfortable to drive.”
As part of Babcock’s total transport solutions for DAF customers, tailor-made maintenance packages are available for all DAF trucks. SA City Link has opted for full repair and maintenance contracts based on 60 months or 600 000km, which have been highly customised for SA City Link’s unique needs.
“Getting our trucks back on the road as quickly as possible is imperative in our business, and we have received excellent service from Babcock’s service team in this regard. We have been impressed with the quick turnaround time in the workshop, parts availability, and excellent communication,” confirms Coetzee.
