Faith Transport has reinforced its fleet with seven new DAF XF 530 trucks from Babcock, bringing its total number of DAF vehicles to eight. The investment follows the impressive performance of the company’s first DAF truck, which has travelled 320 000 kilometres without a breakdown.
Based in Reitz in the Free State, Faith Transport specialises in fuel tanker transport, tautliner loads and refrigerated goods. Over the past nine years, the business has grown considerably, particularly through its involvement in the agricultural sector, where dependable transport and punctual deliveries are essential.
As part of its fleet expansion strategy, the company tested several truck brands under real operating conditions to identify the best fit for its requirements.
“We made the decision three years ago to bring in a few brands in our fleet. That way, we can experience everything ourselves, write it down and consider with which one we are going to expand our fleet,” explains Angelica Jooste, Director of Faith Transport. “After doing this experiment, we determined ultimately that the DAF truck was the best in our fleet by fuel consumption, maintenance and downtime.”
Faith Transport introduced its first DAF XF 530 Power Plus in 2025. With 320 000 kilometres covered without a breakdown, the truck has demonstrated its reliability in demanding long-distance operations.
“All our trucks are travelling the same route across southern Africa and the DAF has come out on top when it comes to fuel efficiency and operating cost,” says Angelica.
These results have strengthened the company’s confidence in DAF’s ability to deliver a competitive total cost of ownership. For an operator transporting fresh produce and other goods, reliability is particularly important, as unexpected downtime can affect delivery schedules and customer satisfaction.
The seven additional XF 530 trucks were delivered in August 2026, marking a significant step in the company’s growth plans.
Beyond vehicle performance, access to dependable aftersales service was an important consideration. Babcock’s DAF dealer and service network provides access to qualified technicians, genuine parts and 24-hour roadside assistance along key South African transport routes.
“Babcock was the first to respond to our request for demos. From there, the relationship just grew,” says Angelica.
Brian Biyela, Sales Representative at Babcock, highlights the value of the partnership. “From our first discussions, it was clear that Faith Transport was looking for a truck that could prove itself in their day-to-day operations. We started with a demonstration vehicle and let the performance speak for itself. Seeing them return to invest in seven more DAF trucks is extremely rewarding. We are proud to be part of their growth and look forward to continuing to support their business.”
“Driver comfort and safety are two of the biggest considerations for us. The DAF is one of the most comfortable trucks our drivers have driven, and it is reliable too,” says Daniel Jooste, Director of Faith Transport.
Reflecting on the investment, Daniel adds: “In our fleet, DAF is one of the most reliable trucks with the minimum breakdowns and the service team from the Babcock side is great and that was the reason for us to buy seven new DAF trucks.”
For Faith Transport, maintaining high service standards remains central to its expansion plans. “As Faith Transport we see quality more important than quantity so that is the reason for having Babcock and DAF in our fleet to reach that goal,” Daniel adds.
Marius Barnard, MD of Babcock’s Transport Solutions business, concludes: “Faith Transport’s decision to expand its DAF fleet is particularly meaningful because it is based on the trucks’ performance in their own operations. Our focus is on understanding our customers’ businesses and providing the vehicles, technical expertise and aftersales support they need to keep moving. We look forward to supporting Faith Transport as they continue to grow.”
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