In commercial truck transport, a million kilometres on the clock is more than just a number. It represents years of uptime, maintenance, sharp drivers, safe loads and iffy road conditions but above all, it’s about a truck that has continued to earn its keep.

And that’s the story emerging from Isuzu Motors South Africa’s Legends of the Long Run campaign, which has uncovered an Isuzu F-Series truck that has clocked an impressive 1 057 000 kilometres and is still working for its owner, putting it in the running for a complete OEM restoration from Isuzu.

A million-kilometre workhorse
Known as RB09 within the fleet of RB & Son Transport, the F-Series continues to support the company’s logistics operations across South Africa.

RB & Son Transport has relied on Isuzu trucks for more than 25 years. Specialising in the transportation of hazardous cargo, the company operates in demanding conditions where vehicle reliability is critical to keeping customers, businesses and supply chains moving.

According to Gareth Jefferies, senior operations controller at RB & Son Transport, RB09 has remained remarkably original throughout its working life, with many of its major components still intact.

“For us, this is an incredible milestone. RB09 has travelled more than 1 057 000 kilometres and it’s phenomenal that it has gone that far and is still going strong,” says Jefferies.

The truck’s workload has been equally impressive, with Jefferies noting that it has made repeated journeys between Johannesburg and the Northern Cape, as well as frequent trips to the Eastern Cape.

“Whenever it comes to buying a new truck for our local fleet, it’s always Isuzu. It’s an amazing workhorse. The truck has travelled from Johannesburg to the Northern Cape multiple times and to the Eastern Cape every other day. Our driver, Martin, treats it like his baby. It’s an amazing vehicle that continues to serve us exceptionally well,” says Jefferies.

Reliability that builds a business
For RB & Son, RB09’s longevity is about more than the durability of a single truck. It is part of a long-standing relationship with Isuzu that has supported the company’s development from a small family-owned operation into a nationally recognised transport business.

“Having a reliable vehicle that stays on the road helps us grow because the more deliveries we can complete, the more dependable we become for our customers. Reliability is everything. That’s why our owner, Bruce, has made it clear that Isuzu is the way forward for us. There are many new brands entering the market but we’re sticking with Isuzu,” adds Jefferies.

Beyond the truck itself, RB & Son credits Isuzu’s after-sales support with strengthening the long-standing relationship between the two companies. Through its nationwide dealer network, factory-trained technicians, genuine Isuzu parts and 24/7 roadside assistance, Isuzu supports customers in maximising uptime.

Clarissa Booysen, bookkeeper at RB & Son Transport, says the support has consistently exceeded expectations: “The service is excellent and communication is always great. Whenever we need assistance, even in an emergency, the team is ready to help. We have built a great relationship because whatever we need gets done.”

For Isuzu, the discovery of RB09 provides a tangible example of the kind of customer story the Legends of the Long Run campaign was designed to uncover.

Mpho Nkhumeleni, department executive: commercial vehicle sales at Isuzu Motors South Africa, says the truck demonstrates the durability and customer loyalty behind the campaign.

“When we launched Legends of the Long Run, we knew there were remarkable stories waiting to be discovered, and RB09 is exactly the kind of vehicle we hoped to find. Travelling more than 1 057 000 kilometres while continuing to support its owner’s business is a testament to the durability of Isuzu trucks and the trust our customers place in our brand.

“We know there are many more stories like this across South Africa, and we encourage owners to come forward and share them,” says Nkhumeleni.

RB09 is not being retired to celebrate its achievement. It continues to travel South Africa’s roads and deliver for customers.

Reflecting on the truck’s journey, Jefferies says its longevity has become a source of pride for the company.

“If this truck could talk, it would have an incredible story to tell. It has travelled just about every road in South Africa, taken everything our roads can throw at it and it’s still going. That’s something we’re incredibly proud of,” concludes Jefferies.

The search for South Africa’s next Legend of the Long Run continues, with Isuzu inviting owners to submit stories of hardworking trucks that have travelled hundreds of thousands of kilometres – or crossed the one-million-kilometre threshold.

Entries close on 31 August 2026, with one truck set to receive a complete OEM restoration from Isuzu.

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