FAW aiming to shine
FAW aiming to shine
By Colin Windell
FAW South Africa will be showcasing several trucks at the upcoming Nampo Show, including a Truck Tractor model that will make its public debut.
This year marks the 17th time FAW will participate at Grain SA’s Nampo Harvest Day – the largest collection of agricultural exhibitions under private ownership – in the southern Hemisphere.
The annual event in Bothaville in the Free State attracts local agricultural role players as well as many visitors with an agricultural interest from other continents.
“Last year’s interest in our stand and our vehicles was astounding,” says Jianyu Hao, CEO of FAW Vehicle Manufacturers South Africa. “Visitors to the stand remarked on the exceptional finish of our vehicles and our reasonable pricing”, he adds.
This year FAW will attract visitors to its NAMPO display using locally produced trucks, ranging from the yet to be released FAW 8.140 Fully Automatic with Cummins engine, through to the new 420 hp FAW 33.420 truck tractor.
Showcasing different applications, the 8-ton FAW 15.180FL in drop-side configuration, the FAW 16.240FL with Cattle Body, and a Truck Tractor model which is yet to be launched in South Africa will also be available for viewing.
“Our continued participation at Nampo demonstrates our commitment to the farming community in South Africa. FAW vehicles have become increasingly popular, and the number of FAW’s in this sector is growing all the time. Apart from farming, the company caters to the mining, construction, distribution and long-haul sectors.
In 2017 FAW achieved its highest ever sales (more than 1200 units – including exports) in what was – and still is – a tough and highly competitive commercial vehicle market. According to Hao, the local truck market in 2017 was the most competitive since FAW started operations in South Africa more than 23 years ago.
In 2017, FAW’s Coega-based factory witnessed the 3 000th locally built truck roll off the production line. FAW Vehicle Manufacturers SA, was also recognised and awarded the ‘Global Distributor of the Year’ award in 2016 / 2017 by the FAW Group.
The Coega-plant has also been the bedrock for further investments in the Eastern Cape region as a number of China-based industrial giants have visited the modern FAW Coega assembly plant to see first-hand what the region can offer in infrastructure, logistics and labour.
The Nampo Harvest Day commence on May 15 and runs until May 18.