Truck & Fleet October 2014

iaa highlights the world’s biggest cv show

MIDDLE EAST

009 OCTOBER 2014

sedans on stage meet your new fleet how will it fare? uber in the uae out of the sun Transport your cargo frozen even when it’s 50°C outside

Keeping COOL HOW REFRIGERATION TECHNOLOGY KEEPS GOODS CHILLED ACROSS THE REGION

08 CONTENTS

A SUPPLEMENT OF CMME

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MIDDLE EAST

GROUP CHAIRMAN AND FOUNDER DOMINIC DE SOUSA GROUP CEO NADEEM HOOD GROUP COO GINA O’HARA PUBLISHING DIRECTOR RAZ ISLAM raz.islam@cpimediagroup.com +971 4 375 5483 EDITORIAL DIRECTOR VIJAYA CHERIAN vijaya.cherian@cpimediagroup.com +971 4 375 5472

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EDITORIAL ACTING EDITOR STIAN OVERDAHL stian.overdahl@cpidubai.com ASSISTANT EDITOR NEHA BHATIA neha.bhatia@cpimediagroup.com +971 4 375 5476

EMBRACING CHANGE

SUB EDITOR AELRED DOYLE ADVERTISING

While visiting the IAA 2014 show in Germany

ROUND UP

02 / SEDANS TAKE STAGE Separating the best from the rest for your fleet options.

REFRIGERATION

08 / STAY COOL Truck & Fleet ME examines the region’s refrigerated transport operations.

INTERVIEW

12 / ORGANICALLY GROWN Yousif Saeed Lootah, CEO of UAE-based Lootah Biofuels, on the uptake of biofuels in the GCC. NETWORK

14 / NEW DOHA WORKSHOP FOR RENAULT A round-up of truck and fleet markets.

SHOW REVIEW

16 / IAA WOWS AUDIENCES The new vehicles and systems launched at IAA 2014 may soon find takers in the Middle East.

FEATURE

20 / UBER UNDETERRED

last month, it was good to see the impressive range of vehicles that manufacturers have on offer. Beyond the ordinary fare of petrol or diesel engined vehicles, there were a number of innovative new uses of fuels, including MAN’s long-haul concept vehicle that runs on CNG;

COMMERCIAL DIRECTOR MICHAEL STANSFIELD michael.stansfield@cpimediagroup.com +971 4 375 5497 SALES EXECUTIVE BIPIN SONEJI bipin.soneji@cpidubai.com +971 4 433 2856 DESIGN

and a new hybrid city bus from Volvo Buses

ART DIRECTOR SIMON COBON

which can run portions of its route as fully

JUNIOR GRAPHIC DESIGNER PERCIVAL MANALAYSAY

electric. It’s clear that manufacturers haven’t got their head in the sand when it comes to the challenges facing the vehicle industry, as well as the global environment and economy.

Traversing the huge halls of the IAA, it was also clear to see many of the brands organised into their respective ‘families’ (with one or two notable exceptions). There’s certainly a high level of consolidation that has taken place in the industry, and that can mean bigger budgets for R&D, given the security that the technology will be shared across far higher unit numbers.

MARKETING MARKETING MANAGER LISA JUSTICE lisa.justice@cpimediagroup.com +971 4 375 5498 CIRCULATION & PRODUCTION DATABASE AND CIRCULATION MANAGER RAJEESH M rajeesh.nair@cpimediagroup.com +971 4 440 9147 PRODUCTION MANAGER VIPIN V VIJAY vipin.vijay@cpimediagroup.com +971 4 375 5713 DIGITAL

Announcements that should please customers in the Middle East, and which are a direct result of the consolidations that have taken

DIGITAL SERVICES MANAGER TRISTAN TROY MAAGMA PUBLISHED BY

place, include MAN’s plan to develop its own transmissions in-house, and Fuso’s plans to launch a new range of trucks here next year, built in India and designed to appeal to priceconscious buyers.

Global opposition and criticism is not keeping Uber from growing in the UAE.

Registered at IMPZ PO Box 13700 Dubai, UAE Tel: +971 4 440 9100 Fax: +971 4 447 2409 www.cpimediagroup.com PRINTED BY

PARTING SHOT

Printwell Printing Press LLC

24 / TRACK TO THE FUTURE

© Copyright 2014 CPI. All rights reserved

Mercedes-Benz Trucks launches its futuristic concept of the self-driving truck.

STIAN OVERDAHL ACTING EDITOR

While the publishers have made every effort to ensure the accuracy of all information in this magazine, they will not be held responsible for any errors therein.

OCTOBER 2014 TRUCK&FLEET ME 1

ROUND UP

SPOTLIGHT ON SEDANS

THERE’S A LOT OF PRESSURE ON SEDANS – THEY’RE EXPECTED TO DELIVER FUEL EFFICIENCY, PASSENGER SAFETY AND DRIVER COMFORT – ALL WITHOUT EXCEEDING BUDGETS. FORTUNATELY, THERE ARE PLENTY OF OPTIONS TO BUILD YOUR FLEET AROUND

TOYOTA CAMRY Toyota says it is the company’s most popular model, and Dubai Taxi Corporation (DTC) has sworn by it for years, making the Toyota Camry one of the most commonly found cars on Dubai’s roads. Alan Carpenter, general manager for Al Futtaim Motors (AFM) – Toyota, says the Camry was one of the two models supplied as a part of the agreement for 1,638 vehicles Toyota will provide for DTC.

Camry 2014 features a 2.5l four-cylinder in-line engine with Toyota’s Variable Valve Timing with Intelligence (VVT-i) controlling the inlet and exhaust valves for better fuel efficiency. The sixspeed automatic transmission can be shifted to manual control with paddle switches, a feature exclusively available in the SE grade. The anti-lock brake system (ABS) is used with Electronic Brake

2 TRUCK&FLEET ME OCTOBER 2014

force Distribution (EBD) control to optimise braking force distribution.

For those with poor reversing skills, Camry includes a back guide monitor as well. Nine colour options are currently available, and Carpenter says AFM will continue to work with fleet operators to modify vehicles as required. AFM also supplied DTC a fleet of 20 hybrid Camry vehicles earlier this year.

The hybrid Camry combines an

internal combustion engine with electric power. Emission savings are made through the use of only electric power at lower speeds or while stopped at lights, while the batteries recharge during braking to ensure minimal power wastage.

Toyota Camry vehicles were delivered to Cars Taxi early in 2014, making it the first private taxi company in the UAE to operate a hybrid fleet.

ROUND UP

HONDA CIVIC With a deserved reputation as a thrifty and reliable sedan, the Honda Civic is an integral ingredient of fleets in the region. The Civic 2014 features a 1.8l intelligent Variable Valve Timing and Lift Electronic Control enabled (i-VTEC) in-line four-cylinder engine. Five-speed automatic transmission is combined with the ECON switch to control energy consumption, making the Civic match its predecessors as an economic car option. A key

VOLKSWAGEN JETTA safety enhancement feature in new Civic models is the Tire Pressure Monitoring System to warn drivers about low pressure in the wheels, which can cause accidents. For those wanting more from their drive, upspec options are also available. The Civic has graced the inventories of many car rental companies working in the region and Colin Cordery, regional managing director at AlFuttaim Honda in Dubai, expects Civic sales to grow in 2014.

Al Nabooda Automobiles, the sole distributor of Volkswagen vehicles in Dubai and the Northern Emirates, signed an agreement with car rental company Thrifty UAE to supply Jetta models for short- and long-term leasing. The Volkswagen sedan range has gained popularity since the Jetta was introduced in 2011.

Jetta offers six-speed automatic transmission and consumes 6.78l per 100 km on urban roads. Built over a Volkswagen Group vehicle

platform shared with a number of models including the Audi A3 and Skoda Octavia, it offers plenty of legroom and space. With a petrol tank capacity of 55 litres and a luggage compartment offering 510 litres, the Jetta is also an ideal option for tourists and travellers.

Jetta features multiple airbag systems for the driver, front-seat passenger and backseat passengers, and extra trim levels can take the vehicle beyond its base spec.

Mercedes-Benz’s E-Class range is used by Emirates for its luxury chauffeur services

MERCEDES E-CLASS You don’t buy a Mercedes, you earn it. And if your business has performed exceptionally well all year, then you could well consider gifting yourself a fleet of Mercedes-Benz’s E class sedans: sheer value for money, considering you’d join the elite company of a global air carrier giant, Emirates Airline (EK). Valued guests of the airline are chauffeured around Dubai before and after flights, a nod to the vehicle’s status.

There are countless reasons why EK chose the E-Class for its all-black First Class chauffeur services fleet. For starters, the luggage space offered by the spacious sedan, whose regular boot capacity alone is 695 litres.

Stowage space is offered through intelligent solutions such as its load compartment, folding load compartment floor and optional load-securing kit management systems. Options include a tailgate

and load compartment cover.

The E-Class is also one of the smartest sedan collections in the market, most notably for offering technologies like Attention Assist (AA) and Traffic Sign Assist (TSA).

AA can come handy when driving long distances. When driving between 60 and 200 kmph, sensors can analyse driving behaviour and detect deviations from a previously determined driver profile, enabling timely alerts

in the event of serious lapses in concentration. With TSA, a camera registers the surroundings, detects signposted speed limits by comparing with data from the navigation system, and indicates the detected maximum speed on the central display.

It isn’t everyone’s cup of tea, but if luxury is what your company sells, then the E-Class is, perhaps, the best sedan to sell it from.

OCTOBER 2014 TRUCK&FLEET ME 3

ROUND UP

CHEVROLET CRUZE Chevrolet’s compact Cruze was first launched in 2008 by General Motors, and the car has of late been in the news for having registered sales three million units around the world.

For a few bucks above its standard listed price, Cruze 2014 offers one of the most impressive set of safety features a sedan might offer. Both the L S 1.8l and L T 1.8l Cruze models offer optional traction control and seatbelt reminders, besides the standard ABS brakes commonly found in the category today. The car also features Chevrolet’s trademark LATCH technology to aid the

KIA OPTIMA installation of child safety seats. The Side Blind Zone Assist alerts drivers about any vehicles in the blind spot zone.

The Cruze is a fairly engineered sedan due to its fuel efficiency of around 7l per 100 km, but is yet to cement itself as a top choice for fleet operators because of its steep price.

However, the car is a decent option in the market for small and medium enterprise (SME) firms looking to build their fleet around a car which combines interior comfort with mid-range economic value, and carries the Chevy tag too.

The Optima’s 14-year journey has been filled with defining plot twists which have contributed to the making of the Kia Optima 2014 as it is today.

The 2.4l four-cylinder Optima 2014 has a 0-100 kmph time of 9.5 seconds, while the 2l four-cylinder Optima takes 11 seconds to hit the 100 kmph mark. Paddle shifters are available as a part of a special Sports Package.

Standard offerings such as parking sensors, a well-crafted dashboard display screen and a powerful sound system, coupled

with modifications to the car’s exteriors, would put the Optima in the premium segment, ensuring fleet operators from the hospitality and aviation sectors can provide passengers with a respectable ride.

The Optima’s leather and plastic interiors add a sleek and stylish feel, and the navigation system also stands out. Aiming to provide value above its standard price point, the Kia marque should prove an attractive option for fleet managers looking to equip their fleet with vehicles boasting all the latest modcons, and a comfortable ride.

NISSAN ALTIMA A highly trusted sedan in the region, the Altima’s affordability and spaciousness have largely contributed to the brand holding its own in the GCC’s highly competitive auto market. A reliable Nissan engine keeps the car running no matter how much dust it has to chew through, while spare

parts are relatively cheap and in good supply.

A key feature of the new model is improved safety with six standard air bags, and supplemental front air bags which adjust their inflation rate depending on the severity of impact and seat belt usage.

The new Altima achieved an

4 TRUCK&FLEET ME OCTOBER 2014

overall crash-test rating of 5 by the NHTSA in the USA, and the car includes other safety features such as antilock brakes, a standard rear-view camera, blind-spot monitoring features and traction control. The 3.5l Altima also offers an optional lane departure warning system. The Altima 2.5 S, 2.5 SV

and 2.5 SL are each equipped with four-cylinder engines, while the 3.5 SV and 3.5 SL models feature V6-cylinder engines. For models as powerful as these, the Altima’s fuel efficiency and running costs have been lauded across the market, making it a viable option for firms looking to expand their fleet.

The new MAN TGS WW for Construction.

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ROUND UP

RENAULT FLUENCE The Fluence family was launched in 2009 by French manufacturer Renault. Fluence came to the Middle East through the UAE in 2011, imported from Korea, with two engine options: 1.6l and 2l.

The Fluence offers a continuously variable transmission (CVT) gearbox in both versions, which reach 0-100 kmph in under 13 seconds. The car includes an electronic parking brake which

turns off automatically when the vehicle pulls away and is applied again when the vehicle is stopped.

A button allows manual control of the brake. The electrochrome rear-view mirror darkens in high lighting to reduce the effect of reflected light (dazzling). Sensors automate windshield wipers during the rain, which can come in handy while driving in the unpredictable winter months of

the GCC. The same sensors also illuminate the windscreen when the vehicle enters tunnels, or at nightfall.

Fluence Z.E., an electric version of the car, was launched in 2009 at the Frankfurt Motor Show. The Fluence was designed by then-Renault designer Patrick le Quement with a length similar to that of the Renault Laguna.

Fluence is a modestly priced

vehicle by Dubai standards, and going by the features it offers, might well be a wise choice to build a fleet around.

Possibly a long way from competing with the Camry or Civic where large clients are concerned, an affordable Fluence fleet belonging to a small or mediumsized company in Dubai or the rest of the region may not be a far-off dream after all.

1973 through to 2008 more than 6 million units were sold.

The Lancer Fortis and Lancer EX are not priced far apart, and both make budget-friendly options for fleet owners looking to purchase sedans in bulk for their employees. The car is available in

1.6l and 2l engines which are kind on fuel economy.

The Lancer Fortis has been designed using Reinforced Impact Safety Evolution (RISE) technology. A RISE body protects occupants, with extensive front and rear crumple zones that absorb

impact energy before it reaches the cabin. The Fortis climbs 0-100 kmph in 11.7 seconds. Its 1.8 litre engine is mated with a continuously variable transmission (CVT), meaning smoother accelleration and better fuel economy on the open road.

MITSUBISHI LANCER Mitsubishi’s 41-year-old sedan is available today in three versions – Lancer EX, Lancer Evolution and Lancer Fortis. Locally, Lancer provides stiff competition to its Japanese compatriot, the Toyota Corolla, and for good reason too.

Indeed, from its introduction in

6 TRUCK&FLEET ME OCTOBER 2014

ROUND UP

OCTOBER 2014 TRUCK&FLEET ME 7

REFRIGERATION

STAY COOL

SEASONED REFRIGERATION TECHNOLOGY PROVIDERS SIT DOWN WITH TRUCK & FLEET ME’S NEHA BHATIA TO TALK ABOUT THE HAZARDS OF POOR COOLING TRANSPORT PRACTICES IN THE REGION 8 TRUCK&FLEET ME OCTOBER 2014

REFRIGERATION

B

esides the splendour of its record-breaking supertalls and impressive cars, the one thing Dubai is globally renowned for is its long summer months.

The summer-sand-shopping combination has greatly aided the city’s transition into a luxurious tourism spot. But how does Dubai, where a typical summer day can be anywhere between 35°C and 40°C, keep its impeccable imports of food and drink safe from the sun?

Enter the cool kids. Over the years, refrigerated trucks have become an integral part, if not the lifeline, of Dubai’s many industries which require that goods are maintained at feasible temperatures.

Paul Austin-Price, senior business development manager at Gorica Group UAE, tells Truck & Fleet ME about the need for refrigerated vehicles in Dubai and the rest of the GCC. “Pharmaceuticals is one industry which wants you to tell them what state you’re delivering their goods in,” Austin-Price says. “The F&B industry is along these lines too. The market for refrigerated trucks is usually for those goods which have to be kept at a constant temperature.

“Goods like computers, for instance, tend to use dry boxes, which are really just boxes and don’t require a standard temperature while in transit.”

However, while the F&B and pharma industries are both massively spread across the UAE, they aren’t the only ones driving demand for refrigerated vehicles in the country.

Lars Moller, general manager of the after sales division at Al Shirawi Enterprises, says a city like Dubai uses chilled vehicles for more than just food and medicines.

“Healthcare is definitely a huge market for refrigerated vehicles. They’re used to transport tetra packs for blood banks, for instance, besides medicines,” Moller says.

“Even water transportation, which isn’t refrigerated locally yet, could do with such trucks. The liquid is really taken around town in bottles which are made of plastic and packed in a container without an opening to let the heat out. That could be dangerous and is an issue refrigerated transport can resolve.

“But there’s other areas where such trucks are equally functional too,” Moller continues. “For instance, if you’re transporting wine or high-end cigars across the city, then you need refrigerated trucks, because these products demand maintenance at a certain temperature.

“Imagine transporting wine in an ordinary truck which cannot control the humidity or heat levels around the product,” Moller shudders.

“The fermentation will most definitely spoil the wine, and you’ll end up with some very expensive vinegar instead!”

Moller isn’t wrong. In August 2014, Reuters quoted a report by the Institution of Mechanical Engineers (IME) in London that said India “is forecast to spend $15 billion by 2019 on cooling infrastructure” due to the rise in demand for fresh produce, meat, fish and milk.

The IME report continues: “[A survey] in India showed that at least 40% of all its fruit and vegetables is lost between grower and consumer due to lack of refrigerated transport,” besides other infrastructural shortcomings.

To Moller, health safety is the largest benefit of refrigerated transport. “When I go to get my groceries, I tend to park around their loading areas. Some of the stuff I’ve seen there is just…” he trails off.

Prodded further, Moller elucidates: “Drivers tend to leave the vehicle doors open in high temperatures without consideration for the produce inside. They’re supposed to keep the

THE WEAKEST LINK “Drivers could lack proper education about how a truck should be treated, especially a refrigerated one transporting sensitive goods. But the blame also lies one level above the driver level, with the man managing their activities. Has he educated and told the driver what the correct methods of handling a truck are? If not, he’s the one who needs to be educated.

Buyers such as supermarkets should also accept responsibility. If they care about their customers, then they should ensure their products have been transported the right way.” – Lars Moller, general manager, after-sales division, Al Shirawi Enterprises

OCTOBER 2014 TRUCK&FLEET ME 9

REFRIGERATION

THERMO KING OF OPTIONS Thermo King, part of Ingersoll Rand, supplies a range of temperature control solutions sold by dealers across the GCC. The brand produces diesel powered chillers, as well as units that also can draw

refrigerated door latched at all times, but not all of them do.

“I’m a big fan of ice cream, but the quality of ice cream in many supermarket chains tells me it has been refrozen, which means the vehicle must have been left unrefrigerated for a while.

“The attitude is a serious gap in the system and in the way things should be done.”

It is perhaps to correct this gap that the UAE introduced a new draft law in April 2014, according to which food dealers stocking or selling rotten goods face up to three years of imprisonment and a fine of $544,514.

“I’M A BIG FAN OF ICE CREAM, BUT THE QUALITY OF ICE CREAM IN MANY SUPERMARKET CHAINS TELLS ME IT HAS BEEN REFROZEN, WHICH MEANS THE VEHICLE WAS LEFT UNREFRIGERATED FOR A WHILE” 10 TRUCK&FLEET ME OCTOBER 2014

“All the food that you consume comes in refrigerated trailers, such as fruit from Syria and meat from North Africa,” Gorica’s Austin-Price says. “It’s all pre-packed into refrigerated trailers, and you can rent refrigerated or chilled trucks.

“How cold they want the container to be depends on the operators. They can alter it and even take it down to –20°C if they’d like to.”

Ask him whether the basics of refrigerated transport are adhered to, and Austin-Price is quick to point out the role of electronic control systems in ensuring driver behaviour is monitored for satisfactory performance.

“Airlines like Emirates and Etihad tend to use telematics systems to check what temperature their in-flight meals were placed in the truck at; what temperature they were transported at; the temperature at the time of unloading and so on,” Austin-Price says.

“Furthermore, these systems are also handy if you want to monitor how many times the door was opened, how long it was left open for and other such factors which lead to change in temperature.

“It’s becoming increasingly more complex, because if you’re moving food all around the country, then you’ve got to be careful with your operations,” the Gorica senior manager warns.

You’d assume refrigeration would go handin-hand with food safety in a region known for recording temperatures as high as 50°C, but the case isn’t always so. In August 2013, The National reported 83 shops in Sharjah had been fined for turning off refrigeration on their premises.

This led to 720kg of food being confiscated since it had gone stale as a result of poorly managed refrigeration practices. The case may be no different with refrigerated trucks, making

power off a vehicle’s engine. Liquid CO2 powered chillers are also produced, but aren’t used in the Middle East where the temperatures are too high, Laurent Debias, distribution portfolio leader at Thermo King, North America & EMEA, told T&F ME. Concentrating on the temperature technology rather than the body work gives Thermo King a specialised focus, and it produces single zone and multizone temperature controllers. Highly engineered units mean that the brand can offer the best fuel economy in the market, said Debias. Other notable features include ultra-quiet operation that can be activated in residential areas, and a Piekcertified Whisper model is available for deliveries in noise sensitive areas.

Training of its dealer staff is a major aspect of providing a quality service to Thermo King customers, and in this it is helped by its association with well-known HVAC company Trane, also a subsidiary of Ingersoll Rand, with Thermo King dealers’ staff trained at Trane facilities in the GCC. Telematics are an essential aspect of temperature control: with individual cargos costing in excess of a million dollars in the pharmaceutical industry, telematics can save companies money on their insurance, and also avoid liability claims if a product is ruined and they can prove it wasn’t while it was in transit.

Other features include an app for fleet users which locates their nearest Thermo King dealer, which can be used globally including in the GCC terrritories.

REFRIGERATION

telematics a greater need for the local truck industry, ASE’s Moller says.

“If you compare the value of what they’re transporting versus the value of the telematics system, then it’s peanuts! The problem isn’t that we lack the methods to control refrigeration, because we really don’t.

“The problem is in the approach of the fleet operator. Refrigeration is a market where easy money can be made and you often have a lot of these small shops refrigerating their minivans and pickups with poor HVAC units.

“It might be easier to work with these smaller firms if they’re the more sophisticated kinds, but often a lot of firms resist telematics, saying it costs too much. The truth is, it’s a small slice of the total cost of the unit if you view it practically.”

Clearly, refrigerating vehicles is perhaps an activity best left to the more experienced players in the market, where Gorica has established itself as a reliable manufacturer of refrigerated vehicles.

Next year, the firm will relocate its factory to Dubai International City, where production will be ramped up to meet the growing demand for Gorica’s services, which can refrigerate

vehicles ranging from mini trucks to supersized ones. Austin-Price puts it succinctly: “The boys [companies] newly entering the market manufacture refrigerated vehicles only about 6 m long. We can go up to 15 m and refrigerate trailers as well.”

ASE’s Moller echoes the need for only experienced firms to undertake installation of refrigeration technology for transporters, saying that in the long run companies will save money.

“We are the authorised dealer for Carrier Transicold in the region, so we know our market and products very well. We’ve noticed fleet

companies often pick unit providers which may offer products at a lower cost than ours, but the long-term impacts of those units can be extremely expensive, monetarily and in terms of quality too.

“My homemade Scandinavian philosophy is to invest in time or I will be dead tomorrow, but some companies here seem to think, ‘Why should I invest now? I’ll be dead tomorrow anyway,’” Moller rues.

“It’s a very short-sighted point of view.

Not all firms are bad, but some companies could really work to improve their quality and performance,” he says.

TELEMATICS FOR ECONOMY “Switching off refrigeration in

for fleet operators to install

year. It isn’t a very high price

a truck is a common mistake

telematics systems in their

to pay, especially when you

committed by drivers. They

vehicles so driver behaviour

compare it to the total value

think they’re saving fuel, but it

– towards the truck and while

of the vehicle. But its benefits

isn’t really a major cost benefit.

driving – can be tracked.

are immediate and last

It can, however, damage the

Telematics units themselves

long.” – Santhosh Varghese,

goods being transported in

cost around $1361, and an

service manager, Al Shirawi

the vehicle. It makes sense

additional charge of $40 per

Enterprises

OCTOBER 2014 TRUCK&FLEET ME 11

INTERVIEW

FUELLING CHANGE USE OF BIOFUELS BY THE GLOBAL VEHICLE FLEET IS EXPECTED TO REACH 8% BY 2022. AND CLIMATE AND COSTS WILL HASTEN UPTAKE IN THE MIDDLE EAST, SAYS YOUSIF SAEED LOOTAH, CEO OF LOOTAH BIOFUELS What is the capacity of your plant in Dubai?

Our pilot project for biodiesel production has capacity for 300,000 litres of B100 (100% biodiesel) in a month.

In the first stage, we are providing B5, which is a blend of 95% of petro diesel and 5% of biodiesel B100.

We cater to logistic and transport companies and school buses in Dubai. The Dubai Road and Transport Authority has joined hands with us to become a part of our green initiative.

What are the advantages of biofuels in the Middle East compared to other markets?

Biofuels have a better future in Middle East compared to the US and Europe. In northern US, Europe and other cold regions of the world, a major concerns among the users is the fuel’s unfavourable cold flow properties. In cold climates, it can be a challenge to fuel vehicles with high blends of biodiesel because it tends to freeze at higher temperatures while conventional diesel doesn’t. In the Middle East, however, temperature are relatively high which best suits the use of biodiesel. According to the standards set up by the Worldwide Fuel Charter Committee, EN 590 and ASTM D975 fuel specifications for petroleum-based automotive diesel fuel permit a biofuel extender content of up to 5% (B5) of the blend. This is up to 20% in the US because it represents a good balance of cost, emissions and cold-weather performance and does not require engine modifications. Much like traditional, pure diesel, these blends can be used in any application.

Engine manufacturers recommend B5 blending as it calls for no modification in the engine or fuel system. This is a great opportunity for governments

12 TRUCK&FLEET ME OCTOBER 2014

INTERVIEW

to encourage mandatory B5 blending, given its long-term advantages.

How has your business of extracting biofuel from used cooking oil progressed?

We have managed to build up a systematic mechanism to collect used cooking oil from the restaurants, bakeries and food processing units throughout the UAE. We have a dedicated team for used cooking oil collection. Presently we are collecting waste oil from more than 250 outlets and we are expecting that this number will go up. In cities like Dubai and Abu Dhabi, there are more than 4,000 restaurants having a great potential to deliver used cooking oil for biodiesel production. The challenge is to get it consolidated and converted into biodiesel and get it dispensed through the dispensing channel. This requires great synergy between various stakeholders such as waste management companies, biodiesel producers and fuel companies as well as support and incentives from the government.

Another challenge is to make people and restaurants aware of the hazardous consequences of utilising used cooking oil intermittently because of the high acid content which can cause several diseases. We do a 100% conversion of the waste oil into biodiesel by the process of recycling, thereby converting waste into energy. Our awareness campaigns to promote a green environment have subsequently shown positive results which is evident from an increasing number of food chains that provide us used cooking oil and are partners in our sustainability drive.

According to estimates, biofuels will make up 8% of the world’s oil volumes by 2022.

“I AM QUITE CERTAIN THAT THE GCC WILL HAVE AN IMPORTANT SHARE OF BIOFUELS BY 2022. AMONG THE GULF COUNTRIES, THE UAE IS THE PIONEER” Do you think the GCC will have an important share in this?

I am quite certain that the GCC will have an important share in the demand and market of biofuels by 2022. Among the Gulf countries, the UAE is the pioneer in biofuels production. Lootah Biofuels has plans for expansion in the entire GCC, Europe and US. Our initiatives have raised the demand for biofuels in the region as we see a clear rise in the number of organisations and people who join hands with us in our sustainability drive. This clearly proves that by 2022, the GCC will definitely have a considerable share in the global biofuel market.

Considering the abundance of hydrocarbons here, is the region serious about developing a market for biofuels?

Producing biodiesel at par with the traditional diesel prices in the GCC was once considered impossible. With more and more GCC countries removing subsidies for diesel and following market prices, biodiesel has become attractive or at least become realistic. The governments and authorities in the region have become serious about reducing the carbon emissions. Since biofuels have already entered the UAE market, the industry has full support of the government.

Working closely with universities, engineering teams and marketers, we have developed a model for biodiesel production that is complementary to various sectors such as waste, transportation, energy, education and research, thus complementing the sustainability strategy and the image of the UAE. Realising the importance of economic perspective, steps are taken on localising the technology and using the local synergies in ensuring that the cost of production remains below the cost of diesel.

SS Lootah International and Ardnt GmbH offer locally produced automated biodiesel plants for cooking oil conversion. How is the demand for these plants throughout the region?

We don’t have a solely commercial motive in this business as we highly consider the social cause involved in biodiesel production. We are promoting the use of biodiesel to save our environment and reduce carbon footprints. Hence, we are encouraging and assisting people and companies who want to build a biodiesel plant by sharing our expertise with them. With our awareness initiatives, the demand for biodiesel plants has increased considerably as organisations are coming forward to join hands with us.

OCTOBER 2014 TRUCK&FLEET ME 13

NETWORK

NETWORK 10 14

YOUR MONTHLY GUIDE TO THE MIDDLE EAST’S TRUCK AND FLEET OPERATOR NETWORK 2,000 Renault trucks are currently in operation across Qatar

RENAULT TRUCKS’ $6.5M DOHA WORKSHOP HELPS WIN CONTRACT Al Attiya Motors & Trading Co (AMTC), the importer of Renault Trucks in Qatar, announced the opening of a workshop worth $6.5m in Doha.

Furthermore, 200 additional trucks are expected to arrive in December 2014 to serve one of AMTC’s “largest tenders”, the distributor added.

2,000 Renault Trucks are currently in operation across Qatar. And with an enormous amount of infrastructure work to be completed in time for the World Cup in 2022, Renault and AMTC expect to grow their sales by over 30% between 2012 and 2015.

“We recently secured a major tender for 190 trucks from Doha Municipality. If it wasn’t for the support and contribution of Renault Trucks towards this tender, we wouldn’t have been able to bid, let alone win,” Mohammed Maali, CEO of AMTC, said.

“Our relationship with Renault Trucks is a partnership. We are not purchasers and they are not vendors. We are partners.

The Doha Municipality tender was won as a direct result of their extra support.”

The new workshop is in Doha Industrial Area and is expected to provide easy access for regular servicing and maintenance. The workshop’s capacity has been doubled to 300 job cards per month, with state-of-the-art tooling and extra parking. And a new 280HP 4x4 Midlum mobile workshop will also be operated to accommodate orders in case the main workshop is fully occupied, or for instant service in case of a breakdown on a remote site.

“Qatar is a very important market for Renault Trucks and the support of AMTC is invaluable,” Lars Erik Forsbergh, president of Renault Trucks Middle East, said.

“The business environment in the Middle East is different from Europe so this partnership helps us to gain specific local understanding, networks and expertise to make the most of this emerging market opportunity.”

UK LAUNCH FLAIR FOR JAGUAR XE Jaguar launched its new sports saloon, the Jaguar XE, at iconic locations across London as the car made its world premiere.

The event featured live performances by celebrated British personalities alongside thrilling stunts by the River Thames.

The car was airlifted by a helicopter to start its journey into London, and was carried along the Thames to Tower Bridge before landing on a high-speed landing craft. The new, reardrive Jaguar XE features advanced lightweight construction. The XE will go on sale in 2015.

Phil Popham, Group Marketing Director of Jaguar Land Rover, said: “The Jaguar XE is a really exciting car. It will be a true driver’s car that looks great, and the low entry price makes it a very attainable Jaguar.

“Such a significant car for Jaguar deserved a suitably fitting world premiere here in Britain, where the car is designed, engineered and manufactured,” he said.

Jaguar has seen significant growth in the Middle East in recent years, with new models garnering signficant interest. Led by the continued popularity of its flagship Jaguar XJ, the luxury brand reported sales growth of 21% for the April 2013 to March 2014 period, compared with the previous fiscal year.

Jaguar XE will go on sale in 2015

NATIONALS CONSTITUTE ONLY 5% OF SAUDI ARABIA’S SURFAC DESPITE THE MINISTRY OF LABOUR’S REPEATED CALLS FOR A 14 TRUCK&FLEET ME OCTOBER 2014

HEABY ROLLERS

FLAT TYRES NO MORE OKO Group, known for the manufacture of puncture-preventive tyre sealants, has launched its product line in the UAE market.

Jaspa General Trading is the authorised dealer of OKO sealants in the country. OKO’s range includes products for motorbikes, on-road

The Authorised Carrier Transicold Dealer in UAE

commercial and off-road vehicles.

GM WANTS SMARTER CARS General Motors CEO Mary Barra unveiled the company’s plans to make driving safer through handsfree and vehicle-to-vehicle (V2V) communication technologies over the next three years.

GM’s Cadillac will have a semi-autopilot mode called Super Cruise on some 2017 models. The

2017 Cadillac CTS will include V2V technology, which enables cars to react to vehicles in intersections and other situations. Barra said the new technology will be available outside the United States, as it is also in demand in Europe and in China.

“We are not doing this for the sake of the technology itself. We’re doing it because it’s what customers around the world want,” Barra said. “Through technology and innovation, we will make driving safer. Advancing technology so that people can more safely live their lives is a responsibility we embrace.”

IMPOUNDS LACKING IN JEDDAH Truck drivers in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia are consistently flouting traffic department rules by driving on the city’s highways during peak hours.

Trucks are banned from entering the city from 6 to 9AM; noon to 3PM; and 5PM to 1AM local time. Arab News said truck drivers navigate through the residential areas to avoid traffic police and reach the highways.

A penalty system for errant truck drivers is yet to be established by the city municipality, delayed because truck impound lots are not yet ready.

“It is hard to impound trucks temporarily without the appropriate

space,” said a representative from the Jeddah Chamber of Commerce and Industry (JCCI). The committee will study the impact of impounding on the sector three months after its implementation. The Jeddah traffic department has approached the mayor’s office to provide space for impounded trucks.

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OCTOBER 2014 TRUCK&FLEET ME 15

REVIEW

MAN Truck & Bus CEO Anders Nielsen announcing the launch of the new TGS D38.

PLENTY TO SURPRISE TRUCK & FLEET ME PRESENTS HIGHLIGHTS OF THE WORLD’S LARGEST COMMERCIAL VEHICLE FAIR, INCLUDING NEW TRANSMISSIONS, CONCEPT TRUCKS AND FUEL INNOVATIONS 16 TRUCK&FLEET ME OCTOBER 2014

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hile European vehicle manufacturers have spent a significant amount of R&D dollars on producing new Euro 6 engines, this year the excitement at the 65th IAA International Commercial Vehicle Show in Hannover was over alternate powertrains, new transmission developments, self-drive and efficiency gainers, and a few new vehicles that should get traction in the Middle East markets.

In a display of dominance, and claiming for itself the crown of largest commercial vehicle manufacturer in the world, Daimler took

up two halls, with 63 trucks, vans and buses reflecting its commercial vehicle range across the Mercedes-Benz, Setra and Fuso brands, with the vehicles having total combined power of more than 18,000 horsepower. While MercedesBenz Trucks’ self-driving long-hauler received plenty of attention with its futuristic predictions (see page 24), parked outside the Daimler stand were two vehicles which might be of more interest to fleet managers in the Middle East.

Through their Indian BharatBenz brand, Daimler displayed the 3143, a quarry hauler protoype, built as an 8x4 with two rear-driven axles and a 48-tonne gross vehicle weight, a concept vehicle designed to appeal to India’s

REVIEW

Daimler showed a BharatBenz concept vehicle, a 48t heavy duty truck designed for mining applications in India.

large mining sector, and – one would guess – in quarries and mines further afield, such as in the Middle East. The 3143 is built with the wellknown Mercedes-Benz OM 457 six-cylinder in-line engine with a displacement of 12 litres.

According to a report in the Times of India, the concept vehicle will enter production next year.

One vehicle that is confirmed, and will be launching in the Middle East next year, is the new Fuso HDT-2528R model from the FJ series.

This Fuso variant, developed and manufactured in India initially for the left-hand-drive markets, has now been engineered for right-hand-drive markets. The truck’s cab is reminiscent of the Mercedes-Benz Axor, and the Fuso 6S20 engine

is based on the Mercedes-Benz OM 906 LA with 6.4-litre displacement. Built with a sixspeed manual transmission, the built-in-India Fuso is part of Daimler’s Asian strategy, to use India as a production hub for markets in the region. Fuso’s Japan-built vehicles will continue to arrive, but expect to see the new FJ variant in dealer showrooms next year.

Announced on the first day of the show was news that MAN will begin gearbox cooperation with Scania, one of the evident synergies of the two brands being housed with Volkswagen Group. From 2016, Scania’s gearbox hardware will be gradually implemented in TGS and TGX series MAN vehicles, and MAN will develop

the gearbox software for the optimal gear changing strategy. ZF Friedrichshafen, who currently supplies transmissions to MAN, will remain a supplier for MAN’s trucks and buses.

MAN also had a host of other launches up its sleeve, including its new flagship TGX D38 truck, which, with power output options of 520, 560 and 640 hp, rounds off the high end of its family of vehicles. Its newly developed D38 six-cylinder in-line engine has a displacement of 15.2 liters, for excellent vehicle traction during demanding applications.

There was also a long-haul TGX hybrid concept, which uses a normal diesel engine with electric parallel. Designed to optimise total cost of ownership (TCO), it features an electric motor with 130 kW drive power. It acts as an alternator when coasting and braking, and the recovered energy is stored in a battery with a capacity of around two kilowatt hours. The TGX hybrid uses this energy to increase torque for the diesel engine on gradients, allowing it to be driven in the most economical engine speed range, saving gearshifts and fuel. Tests show a potential fuel reduction of around 8%; the smaller electric engine means that it is lightweight compared with traditional hybrid options. Heinz-Jürgen Löw, sales and marketing chair at MAN Truck & Bus, said the company was presenting the TGX hybrid concept to show the advantages of the hybrid drive in long-distance transport for operators and the environment. “We are looking forward to discussions with our international customers.”

A second concept vehicle was the TGM CNC, an 8-tonner driven by a six-cylinder CNG engine with 280 hp from 6.9 l displacement. On the stand model, 140 kg of natural gas was able to be stored in eight aluminium tanks with carbon coating, with cheaper steel tanks also an option.

This tank capacity allows an 18-tonner to cover roughly 400 km in distributor urban transport and around 700 km on secondary roads.

While it remains at a prototype stage, the dynamics of pricing and supply means that CNG is a fuel source of the future, and a Middle East representative from MAN suggested that CNG could prove a popular option here, due to low total running costs, established CNG distribution through some service centre networks such as ADNOC, easy transportation to remote work sites and multi-applicability.

Given Volvo Trucks’ busy launch calendar at the beginning of the year, there was never any chance of a completely new vehicle being

OCTOBER 2014 TRUCK&FLEET ME 17

REVIEW

TOO LARGE FOR FRANKFURT The IAA was formerly part of the Frankfurt Motor Show, until 1991 when it was decided the show had become too large and it was split in two, with passenger vehicles held every odd year in Frankfurt, and commercial vehicles every other year in Hanover. As the largest commercial vehicle show in the world, traversing the showground becomes a logistical challenge, and while shuttle taxis are on hand, it seemed that bicycles were the most effective way to get around. Manufacturers were looking to impress visitors with their huge displays of vehicles, and Hyundai Motors’ new H350 van was on show in three different configurations.

despite the distance, vehicle sellers were still expecting visitors from the Middle East. Markus Geyer, MAN’s managing director of Middle East & Africa, said that they were looking to engage

unveiled. But taking pole position at its stand was its new dual clutch I-Shift, which utilises a double clutch system for much faster shifting up gears, and without the loss of power or acceleration which occurs in a traditional box when the clutch is disengaged.

Speaking with Truck & Fleet ME at the stand, Astrid Drewsen, product manager powertrain at Volvo Trucks, said the feeling of driving a truck with dual clutch is excellent,

“DAIMLER DISPLAYED THE BHARATBENZ 3143, A QUARRY HAULER PROTOYPE, BUILT AS AN 8X4 WITH TWO REARDRIVEN AXLES AND A 48t GVW, A CONCEPT VEHICLE DESIGNED TO APPEAL TO INDIA’S LARGE MINING SECTOR” 18 TRUCK&FLEET ME OCTOBER 2014

and drivers are able to accelerate up at the same speed as ordinary traffic. “The heavier the transport, the tougher the driving; and the more gear changes you make, the more you gain from driving with I-Shift Dual Clutch.

It also becomes easier to follow the flow of traffic and provides more relaxed and safer driving,” said Drewsen. Volvo Trucks also staged the global launch of its latest video to promote the new technology, The Casino, an elaborate practical joke with a valet on his first day at work at the Casino San Remo in Italy, who first parks a number of exotic race cars, before a new FH pulls into the hotel and the driver hands him the keys. The tagline? “Built with the technology of a racecar” – a nod to the genesis of dual clutch transmissions.

Meanwhile, Volvo Bus did pull the covers off a completely new model, an all-electric city bus, the Volvo 7900 Electric Hybrid.

Calling it part of “a new generation of public transportation solutions”, the company said it has already signed contracts with several European cities for the first deliveries. The 7900 runs as a hybrid, with a small diesel motor, but can be switched to all electric depending on the route requirements, including being able to drive inside. The charge time for the bus is approximately six minutes, at charging stations via an overhead power connection, which takes place at end stations, and the bus can be driven about seven kilometres on electricity alone, silently and with no exhaust emissions.

Hyundai Motors was busy with the launch of their new H350 van, designed to foot it with Euro-style vans such as the Sprinter or Transit. Options include a 3.5-tonne GVW

with customers from the Middle East.

“For our markets in the Middle East it highlights our vision of how we see the future evolve with our new product launches and service enhancements. The planned adaption of stricter emission norms and the implementation of higher safety standards in the Gulf countries are just few indicators of significant developments in the transport sector which will arrive in the Middle East in the near future. There is also an underlying focus on lowering TCO (total cost of ownership) for our customers and leveraging our sustained culture of innovation to lead the way in developing alternative hybrid and gas drives.”

cargo van with two/three seats, or as a 4.0 tonne passenger bus with 14/15 seats, while the vehicle platform also supports a flatbed truck option. It was displayed at their stand as three different configurations, with mini bus, transporter and as a trade vehicle with shelves.

In other news in the segment, Iveco received the coveted International Van of the Year 2015 award for its New Daily, given out by a jury of European motor journalists. The New Daily won by a margin of 17 points over the finalists from Fiat, Ford, Mercedes-Benz and Renault/ Opel. For the third generation of Daily, Iveco completely redesigned 80% of the new model’s components, presenting a vehicle with a load volume efficiency at the top of its category, and best-in-class for volume and capacity.

Fuel savings equate to an average of 5.5%, depending on the vehicle version, reaching up to 14% with EcoPack in urban driving.

REVIEW

website newsletter OCTOBER 2014 TRUCK&FLEET ME 19

FEATURE

TAKING US FOR A RIDE?

TRUCK & FLEET ME SPEAKS TO THE HEAD OF UAE OPERATIONS OF UBER, THE RIDE-SHARING APP BREAKING TRADITIONAL TAXI HIRE PRACTICES AROUND THE WORLD

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isitors to Dubai will admit one of the emirate’s most remarkable features is its advanced transport networks, including its brand new highways with cambered turns and off-ramps. While the traffic encountered on the city’s roads is undeniably a peeve for both residents and tourists, Dubai’s array of wellestablished transit options, such as the metro, buses, taxis, water taxis and, soon, a tram, is perhaps light years ahead of most other cities in the region. Where, in this already crowded network, does Uber fit in?

It is unlikely you haven’t heard of Uber. The five-year-old phone application, launched by its namesake firm in California, has taken the world by storm with the unprecedented ease of taxi

20 TRUCK&FLEET ME OCTOBER 2014

hiring services it provides. With both luxury and affordable car fleets, Uber cures a pain point for the many GCC riders queuing up in the sun for an elusive taxi ride.

But while consumers around the world have flocked to the service, traditional taxi drivers in many markets are feeling shut out in the cold.

Quite possibly, it is this unconventional swiftness that has led taxi associations across the world to revolt against Uber. While consumers, due to substantial time and cost reductions through Uber rides, have had little to complain about so far, taxi drivers and associations from parts of Europe, America and even India have driven resistance to the app.

Taxi drivers and unions from Germany, Spain and the UK protested against the use of Uber between May and September 2014 alone.

London’s black cab drivers launched a mass protest against the app in June 2014.

Early September saw Uber have a ban slapped on it in Germany; the ban was overturned later in the month, but further clarification regarding the legality of the app in the country was not provided.

Furthermore, a change in national economic policy has raised concerns over Uber’s operations in India, where the country’s Reserve Bank is now working to enable an online payment model which goes against Uber’s existing one.

These events suggest Uber is heading towards becoming a monopolistic transport provider in its operating markets. However, a talk with JP Mondalek, general manager for Uber’s UAE operations, provides a more affable view of the app. Speaking with Truck & Fleet ME, he refers

FEATURE

to his employer as a “technology” firm to explain the ride hiring setup followed by the app.

“As a technology company, we don’t own cars or employ drivers. Instead, we partner with existing, licenced transportation providers who use our platform to grow their business.”

UberBLACK is one of two services Uber offers in the UAE, supposedly named after the Black Car service in New York City. UberX, launched in 2012, is the more affordable and less luxurious alternative Uber provides here.

Mondalek says extensive research preceded the arrival of Uber into the UAE and its expansion across the rest of the Middle East. “Before launching any city, we spend plenty of time there to understand the infrastructure and how we can best fit within the city’s transportation ecosystem.

We are currently present in Dubai, Abu Dhabi,

Jeddah, Riyadh, Doha and Beirut, with plans to expand across the region.”

“The response across the Middle East has been great and we are consistently growing, matching supply with demand and lowering our estimated time of arrival – the time from when the rider makes the request to when the driver shows up at their door. In the UAE, it is under five minutes,” he says.

But some global customers and drivers are unhappy with Uber’s services. In September 2014, the California chapter of the National Federation of the Blind filed a lawsuit against the company after it was found blind Uber customers were “refused a ride once the driver saw them with a service dog,” as per a report in the Washington Post, which also stated that a service dog was placed in the trunk of an Uber

“UBER IS CHALLENGING OUTDATED STRUCTURES THAT HAVE BEEN IN PLACE FOR A VERY LONG TIME. WITH THAT KIND OF CHANGE, THERE IS ALWAYS GOING TO BE SOME SORT OF RESISTANCE” OCTOBER 2014 TRUCK&FLEET ME 21

FEATURE

DRIVERS TURNED PROTESTORS Early in September, Uber drivers protested outside the company’s offices in Queens, New York against the company’s existing payment model for its drivers. According to the protesters, Uber’s policy does not allow them to collect tips, which further stresses the already low-paid drivers serving the app.

Uber tells the customer that their tip for the driver is included, but it isn’t. Drivers never see a dollar of that tip money,” UberSUV driver Hilal Aissani told Business Insider.

His UberSUV colleague Naresh Motwani added that he regrets his decision to join Uber and was disappointed with their response to his queries about the tip policy.

“The answer I got was ‘We do not charge tips. We give an all-inclusive fare to the customer’,” Motwani said.

“I asked, what if the customer wants to tip anyway?.

“Her response was ‘Do not accept any tip from the customer.’ I do not remember if she said to tell them the tip is included.”

Uber’s global tiff with taxi associations and corporations is due to the lack of any established legal parameters to define and monitor its operations. Uber drivers are now pushing for these regulations too.

The situation for drivers has been compounded by the reduced rates Uber is offering. Oris Fortuna, who quit his job and joined Uber four months ago, was hoping the app would make a lucrative income option.

“Since Uber implemented the 20% off discount on all Uber rides, I’ve been losing $200 a week,” Fortuna said. “To make up for it, you have to work 20% more. That means more mileage and more gas. An $8 trip is not worth it.”

The protests in Queens were illtimed for the app, already facing criticism and legal action around the world, but Fortuna believes they are the best method to draw attention to Uber drivers and the need for better representation of him and his colleagues.

“There’s no union representing us, so we have to protest.”

22 TRUCK&FLEET ME OCTOBER 2014

“IN THE UAE, WE ARE COMPLIANT WITH ALL LOCAL STRUCTURES IN PLACE” cab without prior communication with the blind customer. Elsewhere in Atlanta, a group of local taxi drivers filed a case against 13 Uber drivers for non-payment of a weekly $160 fee to the city.

A local media report said that Uber, according to the drivers’ officially-filed complaint, “illegally operates as a taxicab business as it advertises and solicits business for its drivers, dispatches the calls and charges customers via credit cards based on measured time and calculations of mileage through the use of GPS and smartphones”.

Nonetheless, Mondalek insists Uber’s operations in the UAE are fully legitimate and comply with national policies.

“We have not come across any challenges nor expect there to be many as we grow throughout the region. In the UAE, we are compliant with all local structures in place, and therefore we have had no problems whatsoever.”

Uber, Mondalek assures, has grand plans for expansion in the GCC, where governments are currently working to build a unified rail network and construct or upgrade their local metro networks. With their endeavour plagued by delays in Kuwait and Bahrain, it is natural to question whether the region is ready to travel via its smartphones.

“If there is transport, then there is infrastructure [already in place],” Mondalek responds, when asked whether GCC member states have the capacities required to allow Uber to perform to full potential.

“The technological innovation that is embedded in the Uber experience is about bringing a better service, better safety for passengers and complete and unrivalled price transparency using the current licenced supply in the market.”

Mondalek’s confidence is inspiring for a product currently famous for its functionality, yet also infamous for the severe criticism it is attracting from veteran service providers in global markets. He refuses to draw comparisons between Uber’s results in global markets, but admits that his product’s road to complete market adoption is bound to face hurdles from traditional market players.

“I am not in a place where I can comment on other markets in Europe, for example,” Mondalek says. “But Uber is challenging outdated structures that have been in place for a very long time. With that kind of change, there is always going to be some sort of resistance.”

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PARTING SHOT

Less time spent driving means that drivers can perform more planning and logistics work, currently done by office staff.

HANDS OFF WITH MERCEDES-BENZ LAUNCHING ITS AUTONOMOUS TRUCK, THE FUTURE TRUCK 2025, AT IAA 2014, WILL GLOBAL ROADS FINALLY GET DRIVERLESS VEHICLES IN THE YEARS TO COME?

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ercedes-Benz has jumped aboard the autonomous vehicle bandwagon with the launch of their Future Truck 2025 at the 2014 International Commercial Vehicle (IAA) show last month. The German truck manufacturer will connect existing assistance systems with its newly introduced Highway Pilot (a vehicle autopilot system) over the next decade, hoping to make autonomous trucks a reality for roads around the world.

This follows developments in the passenger car industry, where companies including Google have invested significantly in designing and testing self-driving cars. Mercedes-Benz has also been busy, with the Future Truck 2025 prototype tested this summer at speeds of up to 85 kmph in realistic traffic situations on a section of the A14 motorway in Magdeburg, Germany.

The path-breaking vehicle is being developed as a part of Daimler’s Shaping Future Transportation initiative, looking to conserve

24 TRUCK&FLEET ME OCTOBER 2014

resources and reduce vehicle emissions. Features include its Predictive Powertrain Control, which uses information about road topography and the route to improve gear changes and transmission performance, improving fuel efficiency.

But it also plans for its self-driving vehicle to revolutionise the role of the driver, who – freed from the requirement of watching the road – will have time to work on planning, logistics and other functions that have traditionally been the domain of office-bound managers. “On long routes driven autonomously, the tablet computer becomes as crucial as the steering wheel and pedals are otherwise,” explains Daimler.

Road safety will also be improved, which is a key area of investment for truck manufacturers and fleet owners, given the rate at which heavy vehicle accidents feature in national accident statistics. The Future Truck 2025 allows Mercedes-Benz to demonstrate the capabilities of a number of currently available safety products, including blind-spot assist, automatic braking and stability control.

To allow autonomous driving, a radar sensor at the front scans the road ahead, with a range of 250 m, scanning an 18° segment, while a shorter-range sensor has a range of 70 m and scans a 130° segment. Cameras and additional sensors feed information to the Highway Pilot system, which resembles the autopilot on an aircraft. The system can also connect with other trucks or passenger cars to improve its overall performance, but this feature is not necessary for autonomous driving.

Mercedes-Benz has said it is working to define the legislative parameters which will be needed to bring the Future Truck 2025 on the roads. Yet, while a self-driving car is one thing for the public to imagine, perhaps the safety worries about a self-driving truck will yet prove an extra obstacle. While Mercedes-Benz has plenty of experience developing cutting edge trucking technology, it may have to carry out extensive tests to convince a sceptical public of the safety and wisdom of letting a self-driving truck out on the roads.

So easy to steer a hamster can do it It’s true. Charlie the hamster steered the new Volvo FMX out of a quarry in a live test seen by millions on YouTube. That’s how easy it is to steer a truck with Volvo Dynamic Steering. An electronic motor controls the steering system 2,000 times per second, so it always provides the perfect amount of assistance. And since no driver likes a steering wheel that kicks, it cancels the effects of potholes at the same time: A perfect tool for the roughtest Middle East Terrains.

THE NEW VOLVO FMx