Truck & Fleet ME April 2015 by Construction Machinery ME

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sealing the deal iveco grows in me region

prime time for tata new tipper and tractor

w. parting shot CONTENTS

24 / smooth sailing Dongfeng Trucks leverages sport to connect with buyers, sponsoring the Volvo Ocean Race.

a supplement of Cmme

MIDDLE EAST

GROUP CHAIRMAN AND FOUNDER DomInIc De SouSA GROUP CEO nADeem HooD PUBLISHING DIRECTOR RAZ ISLAm raz.islam@cpimediagroup.com +971 4 375 5483 EDITORIAL DIRECTOR VIJAYA cHeRIAn vijaya.cherian@cpimediagroup.com +971 4 375 5472

editOrial

serviCe is like exerCise Routine maintenance can be a headache for a company, but if trucks and vehicles

NETWORK

02 / man sales soar MAN Truck & Bus Middle East posts a 35% sales increase in the UAE.

06 / tata launChes prima India’s Tata Motors unveils the tractor and tipper from its Prima range in a UAE launch.

08 / invest in safety Telematics can help monitor driver behaviour and make roads safer, writes Alan Hall.

the results will be felt, typically – according

COMMERCIAL DIRECTOR mIcHAeL STAnSFIeLD michael.stansfield@cpimediagroup.com +971 4 375 5497

to Murphy’s Law – with a breakdown at the worst possible time for the business. maintenance programmes in place and

SALES EXECUTIVE BIPIn SoneJI bipin.soneji@cpidubai.com +971 4 433 2856

monitor their fleet regularly distinguish

deSiGn

Companies who have professional

will notice – whether a vehicle runs better or is simply better turned out. Maintenance is a little like exercise. The more often and more regularly it is the result. Predictive maintenance can

10 / tyre talk Proper tyre maintenance can pay off through fuel savings and greater safety, professionals say.

16 / sealing the deal Iveco’s Luca Sra discusses the firm’s plans for growth in the Africa and Middle East region.

MARKETING MANAGER LISA JuSTIce lisa.justice@cpimediagroup.com +971 4 375 5498 CirCUlatiOn & PrOdUCtiOn

to rely on experience and guidance from expertise in a specific part of your vehicle. This issue of Truck & Fleet ME focuses on a number of different areas where experts can help reduce overall fleet running costs, course tyres. As the market continues to develop, there are many professional after-

PRODUCTION MANAGER VIPIn V. VIJAY vipin.vijay@cpimediagroup.com +971 4 375 5713 diGital WEB DEVELOPER moHAmmAD AwAIS umAIR SHAmIm PUbliShed by

market support, service and maintenance companies willing to offer their expertise to fleet and service managers.

26 / keep it rolling

Registered at ImPZ Po Box 13700 Dubai, uAe Tel: +971 4 440 9100 Fax: +971 4 447 2409 www.cpimediagroup.com

CSN describes how they can produce drive shafts for vehicles and other applications.

Printed by Printwell Printing Press LLc

paRTiNg shOT

Al-Futtaim Motors marks six decades of business since its first shipment arrived in the UAE.

MarKetinG

DISTRIBUTION MANAGER SunIL KumAR sunil.kumar@cpimediagroup.com +971 4 375 5476

MaiNTENaNCE

28 / 60 and Counting

JUNIOR GRAPHIC DESIGNER PeRcIVAL mAnALAYSAY

blow-outs. And just like exercise, it’s helpful

including Cardan shafts, telematics and of

iNTERviEW

ART DIRECTOR SImon coBon

prevent small problems becoming major

experts, especially when they have in-depth

FEaTURE

SUB EDITOR AeLReD DoYLe advertiSinG

done, the easier it becomes and the better

OpiNiON

REPORTER JeRuSHA SequeIRA jerusha.sequeira@cpimediagroup.com +971 4 375 5477

aren’t serviced regularly then very quickly

themselves, and naturally customers

NEW vEhiCLEs

ACTING EDITOR STIAn oVeRDAHL stian.overdahl@cpidubai.com +49 176 271 203 87

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.

APRIL 2015 TRUCK&FLEET ME 1

NETWORK

NETWORK 04 15

YOUR MONTHLY GUIDE TO THE MIDDLE EAST’S TRUCK AND FLEET OPERATOR NETWORK MAN’s UAE distributor expects growth to continue in 2015.

MASSAR SOLUTIONS UpGRADES cOLD STORAGE fLEET

MAN sAles soAr 35% iN UAe MAN Truck & Bus posted a 35% increase in sales in the UAE last year. “2014 was a very successful year, with 35% growth in volumes compared to 2013,” said Mohamed Razzaqi, brand manager of Darwish Bin Ahmed and Sons, MAN’s distributor in the UAE. Razzaqi added that he expected growth to continue in 2015. “We have witnessed steady growth in the Middle East region in 2014, and see that in markets where MAN holds the market leadership, we were able to stabilise and even increase this position,” said Franz von Redwitz, newly appointed managing director of MAN Truck & Bus Middle East.

He outlined two key reasons for MAN’s success in the UAE. “The first reason is that we have a very good distributor, that we have somebody who is close to the market, who is close to the customers and gives the customers the right support,” von Redwitz told Truck & Fleet ME in a recent interview. “The second reason is that we have proven that we are a reliable partner in the region. We can really deliver to the customer what he needs, and our engineers have done their homework and modified all our product range to a state where it really fits the market specifications,” he added.

Abu Dhabi-based fleet management firm Massar Solutions is ramping up its cold storage fleet with the acquisition of GORICA Designed by Krone reefer body semi-trailers. Manufactured by UAE’s GORICA Group, the 15m semi-trailers are equipped with Thermo King SLX 400-50 chiller units, capable of storing produce at temperatures between -20 and +18 degrees Celsius. “Advanced, optimised logistics solutions are imperative to meet the challenges presented by transporting food and pharmaceutical products for long distances in a harsh climate,” said Brent Melvin, Massar’s general manager of supply chain solutions. “We decided to modernise our current fleet after careful consideration of our growing operational needs.” The reefers will be equipped with telematics systems and rear space monitoring systems. Last year, GORICA Group purchased a suite of plant equipment from Krone in a bid to increase its refrigerated semi-trailer production capacity.

VOLKsWAgEN is LOOKiNg TO sELL iTs 50% sTAKE iN DUTCh CORPORATiON. ThE CAR-mAKER is iN TALKs WiTh FRiEDRiCh VO 2 TRUCK&FLEET ME

APRIL 2015

NETWORK

gmC sALEs RisE 11% iN sAUDi GMC had 11% year-on-year sales growth in KSA in February, with trucks and pickups being high performers. The models driving growth were the GMC Yukon, the Yukon XL SUV and the Sierra pickup. The Yukon XL SUV registered 98% sales growth, while the Sierra had triple-digit growth, the car-maker said.

DUbai DRiviNg CENTRE sWiTChEs TO biOFUEL Dubai Driving Centre and Lootah Biofuels have inked an agreement for the driving school’s vehicles to be powered by biofuel. The agreement will see Lootah Biofuels supply B5 biodiesel to meet the institute’s fuel requirements. The fuel will be produced from used cooking oil. This agreement provides Dubai Driving Centre access to a secure and stable supply of renewable fuel with the most efficient logistic support from Lootah Biofuels, said Yousif Bin Saeed Al Lootah, CEO, Lootah Biofuels. “We’re glad to sign this historic agreement by becoming the first driving training

institute in the UAE to adopt biofuels and are pleased to be associated with Lootah Group,” said Tarun Kapoor, head – HR and Business Excellence for Dubai Driving Centre.

Vikas Thapar, CEO, Emirates Money.

EmiRATEs mONEy sigNs WiTh CNh CAPiTAL Buyers of construction equipment and commercial vehicles in the UAE could have improved finance options now that Emirates Money, the consumer finance arm of Emirates NBD, has signed a preferred partnership agreement with CNH Capital. The deal covers financing on CNH Industrial brands – including Case Construction Equipment and Iveco – sold through authorised dealers in the UAE, and means that Emirates Money is able to offer local businesses captive-alike financing under the brand of CNH Industrial Capital for a wide spectrum of products.

Yousif Bin Saeed Al Lootah, CEO, Lootah Biofuels.

The agreement comes as sales of commercial vehicles in Dubai continue to grow. According to estimates by

SAUDI’S GAScO TO bUY 100 MERcEDES-bENz TRUckS

GASCO upgrades gas transport fleet.

KSA’s National Gas and Industrialisation Company (GASCO) has signed with Juffali Industrial Products Company (JIPCO) to purchase 100 Mercedes-Benz trucks.

Dr Eyas Al-Hajeri, CEO of GASCO, said the deal will help the company upgrade its gas transportation fleet and ensure constant availability of gas products in the Kingdom, helping address any deficiencies before they occur. “We have signed this agreement for 100 truck bodies in line with the special specifications that meet the company’s standards in the security and safety of transporting hazardous substances,” Al-Hajeri noted. “Transporting hazardous substances such as gas requires the highest levels of safety, and this is what Mercedes-Benz trucks provide,” said Sheikh Khaled Ahmed Al Juffali, chairman of E.A. Juffali and Brothers.

h FLEET mANAgEmENT FiRm LEAsEPLAN ON mETzLER, WhO ALsO hAs A 50% sTAKE.

Emirates Money, about 16,000 heavy and light commercial vehicles were sold in Dubai alone in 2013. Around 35% of these were heavy commercial vehicles, with the rest being light and heavy buses. The figure represents growth of 15% on the previous year, a trend that Emirates Money CEO Vikas Thapar expects to continue over the next few years, as a result of developments in Dubai and the wider UAE. Thapar said that access to finance can help companies meet their fleet requirements. “Access to finance is a major challenge faced by the wider plant, machinery and commercial vehicles sector, and our partnership with CNH Capital is predicated on expanding the range of products that can be financed to help customers meet their fleet requirements.” Thapar added, “Emirates Money’s strong reputation in the UAE, combined with CNH’s global leadership in the equipment industry, will undoubtedly provide a strong foundation for a successful partnership.”

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EDITOR'S CHOICE

READERS' COMMENTS

Riot police called in over workers’ strike near Dubai Mall Police were called in during a rare pay dispute by employees of the Arabian Construction Company working on Emaar’s Fountain Views development.

Dubai Torch fire: Façade materials called into question Doubts raised over the quality of the material used in 79-storey tower following dramatic fire that left many residents temporarily homeless.

PHOTO GALLERIES

Site visit: Hyatt Regency Dubai Creek Heights A look at Dubai’s latest five-star hotel as it prepared to open its doors to the public. See photo galleries at: meconstructionnews.com/photos

Dubai protest: Contractor “not obliged” to pay incentives Arabian Construction Company says “No one will be deported” after strike of estimated 200 workers.

Ahmed Abbas, Comment to the story, ‘Dubai Torch fire: Were lessons from Tamweel incident heeded?’

Architect Chris Brown appointed Middle East design director at Woods Bagot Brown is a familiar face in the industry, with 21 years of experience in the UK, Hong Kong, the US and the Middle East.

Dubai property group offers free flats to Torch fire victims The First Group to provide 20 apartments as temporary accommodation for those left homeless after blaze on February 21.

Governments and company bosses can do all they like to ensure better fire safety. But in the end it’s the on-theground employees that really matter – everyone from site managers to security guards in finished buildings. There needs to be more safety training and awareness campaigns – as well as greater recognition of these workers.

READER POLL

What is the biggest challenge your company faces?

VIDEO

Watch the Liebherr L550 wheel loader in action An open day was held in Dubai to demonstrate Liebherr’s earthmoving equipment to prospective customers. See videos at: meconstructionnews.com/videos

20%

Cost of raw materials

Competence of sub-contractors

13% 60% Poor contract margins

Non-payment or slow payments

Log on for the latest from across the Middle East construction sector. Write to the editor at contact@meconstructionnews.com 4 TRUCK&FLEET ME

APRIL 2015

Driving the next century

100 years MAN Truck & Bus – 100 years of expertise. In 2015, MAN is celebrating its 100th anniversary in commercial vehicle manufacturing. But the history of the MAN Group started more than 250 years ago in Germany, with the establishment of the St. Antony ironworks in Oberhausen in 1758. Ever since MAN has significantly influenced the development of trucks and buses with its advanced and often revolutionary Innovations – and is still continuing to do so. Today the latest MAN trucks and buses operate worldwide with a century of expertise. MAN Kann. Bahrain: Ahmed Mansoor Al A‘ali Co.BSC (c) Tel.: + 973 1 777 1030

Kuwait: Al-Ahlia Heavy Vehicle Selling & Import Tel.: + 965 2 483 9210 /1

KSA: Haji Husein Alireza & Co. Ltd Tel.: + 966 2 6049 444

Qatar: Qatar International Automobiles Tel.: + 974 4603 288

Jordan: Integrated Automotive Tel.: + 962 6 5728 400

Oman: Arabian Engineering Services LLC Tel.: + 968 245 78 000

UAE (Abu Dhabi): Darwish Bin Ahmed & Sons Tel.: + 971 2 558 4800

UAE (Dubai): United Motors & Heavy Equipment Co LLC Tel: + 971 4 2829080

new vehicles nEw vEhiCLEs

TaTa MoTors launches Prima tractor and tiPPer in Uae 4038K tipper starting price:

AED 299,000 ($81,403)

The IndIan brand Is aImIng To esTablIsh ITself In The heavy Trucks segmenT wITh The launch of The 4438S tractor head and 4038K tipper 6 TRUCK&FLEET ME APRIL 2015

new vehicles

ata Motors has officially launched the 4438S (4x2) tractor head and the 4038K (6x4) tipper from its Prima range in the UAE. The two models were unveiled in March at the Meydan Hotel, in partnership with the brand’s UAE distributors, United Diesel in Dubai and Dalma Motors in Abu Dhabi. The tractor and tipper models both come equipped with a 380hp Cummins engine and nine-speed Eaton manual transmission. The 44t 4438S tractor head, featured in Truck & Fleet ME last May, is suitable for general cargo, industrial and construction applications and starts at a price of AED 215,000 ($58,534). The 4038K, with an 18m3 box tipper, covered in January this year, is suited for construction and municipal applications. Starting price for the tipper is AED 299,000 ($81,403). The Prima range is poised to “give a total uplift to the Tata brand”, says Ravindra Pisharody, executive director, Commercial Vehicles Business Unit at Tata Motors. “We’re not a developing market brand. We’re actually a global brand.” The urge to go global is evident in the marketing of the Prima as a ‘World Truck’. The range has been built with technical input from the US, Germany, Italy, Mexico, Japan and Korea on everything from cab design to chassis. “We are sitting on 60% market share in India, and India is an open market,” Pisharody says on the sidelines of the event. “There’s no way we can defend 60% market share in India unless the products upgrade to world-class products. You can’t be a global company with only dependence on India. We have to have a presence in the larger part of the world.” While Pisharody expects the tractor head to perform better overall in Middle East markets,

the tata prima 4438S tractor head, with 44t capacity.

4438S tractor starting price: he notes he feels the tipper might have a stronger market in Qatar as the country undergoes a construction boom in the run-up to the World Cup. R T Wasan, head of international business, Commercial Vehicles Business Unit at Tata Motors, says launching the two models helps the Indian automotive giant address a gap in Middle East markets. “The biggest challenge that we faced was the fact that we didn’t have a full product range. We were limited to selling only a few of the product segments, which are basically the buses,” he notes, adding that the Prima models will enable the brand to establish itself as a serious player in the heavy trucks segment as well. Tata Motors is also looking at offering telematics solutions in products for the international market, by virtue of its partnership with UK-based provider Microlise. “We have started introducing [telematics] on all our premium trucks,” Wasan says. “Very soon, we intend to tie up for the entire international market also. So what will happen is that we will be providing the telematics system built into the truck as an OE fitment, with a preloaded SIM card which will ensure that all the data is captured on an ongoing basis.” Total cost of ownership is primarily where Tata is looking to compete with European players in the region, Wasan adds. “We believe that our trucks give the best operating economics for a customer. End of the day, he’s looking for the total cost of ownership being the lowest.” “This truck gives you the best kind of return on investment for what we offer. And given the fact that this vehicle is specification-wise built and designed in an optimal manner, you get the best out of this vehicle compared to what some of the other brands are able to offer.”

AED 215,000 ($58,534) Commenting on plans down the line, Wasan says Tata plans to introduce new models across different segments this year. “We have a new segment which is coming, which is the light commercial vehicles segment where we are getting the Ultra range of products soon to be launched. They will be in the 5t going up to the 10-11t category. And then we have a small delivery truck called the Super Ace which we will be launching very soon.” The Prima trucks were launched in the UAE and Oman around the same time, and Saudi Arabia can expect to see a launch within the next six to eight months, Pisharody says. In addition to Middle East markets, the range will soon be rolled out in ASEAN countries and East Africa. “We will extend these products also to the East Asian area, so Indonesia, Thailand, Philippines and Malaysia. This is where these products will also be launched in the next few months,” Pisharody says. “We’re already in South Africa, and we’ll be trying to create versions for Nigeria, Kenya and the East African countries also.” However, East African countries present a challenge on account of price-conscious customers, he notes. “In East Africa, price is always a challenge because many of the countries don’t have new vehicles sales. A large part of the market is used vehicles. But I think we will have a good offer in Africa also.” “The challenge is to get customers to migrate to this segment for the first time and then to make sure the competition is contained. But again in Africa, like the Middle East, we have longstanding distribution arrangements and I think that will give us the strength to go ahead.”

APRIL 2015 TRUCK&FLEET ME 7

COMMENT

GCC fleet owners need to pay serious attention to fleet manaGement solutions “How is my driving?” sticker is not enougH Alan Hall, managing director of MiX Telematics (Middle East and Australasia)

“I

f you have comments on my driving, please call this number.” How many times have we read this line on the rear of trucks in front of us – and how many of us actually report bad driving when we witness it? Furthermore, when it is indeed reported, there’s no guarantee that the incident will be followed up for corrective action. Without a fleet management solution, operators are simply not in a position to confirm which vehicle was involved in which incident, nor will they necessarily know which driver was involved; so having a channel to vent does not prevent incidents from happening again. With road fatalities and injuries increasing and telematics offering proven safety solutions, stickers just don’t cut it anymore. To be frank, fleet operators in the Gulf are still not very proactive in adopting fleet management solutions, despite their broad awareness that a properly implemented solution reduces accidents and road-related injuries. Forward-thinking fleet operators should be adopting these solutions at the same pace that the technology itself is developing. Telematics solutions equip operators with the means to monitor and improve driver behaviour. This

“The oil and gas indusTry in The Middle easT places high iMporTance on TeleMaTics; iT’s a piTy oTher indusTries are noT following suiT” 8 TRUCK&FLEET ME APRIL 2015

reduces accidents and saves lives, as well as decreasing fuel consumption by up to 15%. By properly managing mobile assets as well as training drivers and monitoring their driving, fleet owners automatically lower risk and enhance compliance. The oil and gas industry in the Middle East places high importance on telematics; it’s a pity other industries are not following suit. Telematics solutions are a true enabler of value across a variety of industries. In other parts of the world, these solutions are delivered for customers in bus and coach, rental and leasing, emergency services, government and FMCG. The rapid uptake of telematics in countries like the UK and the US will hopefully propel the Gulf to follow suit. We do see a definite trend – we’d just like to see speedier uptake of the proven tools available. The significance and feasibility of telematics solutions as a catalyst to achieve the business objectives of fleet owners should be highlighted more in Middle East markets. A telematics solution implemented effectively, as shown through our experience, pays for itself less than 12 months after installation, through fuel savings, improved driver behaviour, fewer road accidents and lower fleet operating and maintenance costs. This type of return should be attractive to any commercially-minded fleet owner. When operators consider the safety and efficiency challenges they face on a daily basis, the next logical step should be for them to view fleet management solutions as a ‘need to have’ rather than a ‘nice to have’ enhancement to their business.

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COVER STORY

Tyre Talk

Tyre care is ofTen a neglecTed aspecT of running a fleeT. BuT paying more aTTenTion To mainTenance can lead To significanT improvemenTs in fuel efficiency and safeTy, Jerusha sequeira learns

n a region where fuel prices have always been low, tyres are a significant contributor to the cost of running a fleet. Moreover, as the sole point of contact between a vehicle and the road, it stands to reason that properly maintained tyres are key to running your fleet efficiently and safely. Truck & Fleet ME spoke to industry professionals to find out the most common maintenance mistakes by fleet owners and drivers, and tips to keep tyres in top shape. According to Sreejith Nair, business development technical manager at Apollo Tyres Middle East, tyre manufacturers customise their products for different applications. Not using them according to their intended application is asking for trouble.

“We have identified those applications which are common to GCC and we design tyres as per those applications,” he says, adding that tyres designed for use on paved roads differ from off-road ones. “For someone who is driving from UAE to Saudi on paved roads, his requirements are lower downtime, a fairly good tread mileage on the life of the tyre, good retreadability [and] a better fuel efficiency. These are the requirements generally that a highway customer would be looking for.” On the other hand, construction companies, for instance, would have a different set of requirements for their vehicles. “Construction companies will not be running their vehicles on paved roads. There

will be a little bit of off-roading, so we need to design the tyres as per those requirements. There, the most important thing would be the structural integrity,” Nair says, pointing out that for customers like this, fuel efficiency and retreadability might not be as important. “The tread compound that we design for such an application should be chipresistant, or the rubber should have that tearing resistance, so we design a special compound which is far superior with respect to the chip and chunk resistance. We design a casing which can withstand penetrations.” As tyres are designed differently for various applications, misapplication can lead to product failure, Nair cautions. For instance, tyres specifically designed for off-road use, such as on

5-7%: saving on fuel costs through maintenance 10 TRUCK&FLEET ME APRIL 2015

cover COVER story STORY

New tyres are a major cost for a fleet business, so selecting the right tyre is critical to controlling your costs.

“There is only one conTacT poinT beTween your vehicle and The road, and ThaT is The Tyres. if you don'T respecT The conTacT poinT, you are in danger” construction sites or quarries, are typically built to handle a certain degree of overloading, he says. “Since it is an off-road application, there are no load restrictions. Because it runs inside a site or it runs in a short distance, so the load may not be the same as what is rated by the authorities or by the vehicle manufacturer. They carry 30% overload, 35% overload. When we design a casing for such an application, we need to take care of the safety factor of the casing also. We just cannot go by the standards alone.”

MAKING THE RIGHT CHOICE Bearing this in mind, professionals say it is crucial to choose the right kind of tyres for a fleet, taking into consideration factors like

mileage, intended application, make, pattern and the loads that vehicles in the fleet typically carry. “From a fleet manager's perspective, I'd say he has to see what kind of mileage and how long are these trucks running for in a day. Application of use and mileage is very, very important,” says Chirenj Chandran, business development director at Amin Tyre Care. “The second part is choosing which tyre. Tyres are very complex. They range from very cheap Chinese brands all the way up to prestige, premium brands,” he says, adding that customers often want the cheapest option available, instead of opting for reliable alternatives that cost more up front. “What they don't understand is that a brand that has a brand name and has been proved time

and time again will give them a higher mileage. So in the long run, they're saving money." As customers are very price-conscious in the region, Chandran notes they generally don’t pay attention to tyre pattern, brand, temperature and traction rating, or GSOcertification, which indicates that the tyres can be used in the Gulf region. Moreover, it’s important to consider the loads that vehicles in a fleet will typically be carrying, he says. “Many people don't pay regard to load index. Every truck, every bus, every van has a specified load that you can take. And you should buy a tyre according to the load index that is specified by the vehicle manufacturer, or according to your application of use."

10-15%: more mileage through regular rotations APRIL 2015 TRUCK&FLEET ME 11

COVER STORY

As much as 70% of a tyre's performance depends on the inflation pressure.

“The front two wheels experience a lower load than the back two wheels. So obviously, you'd have to put a tyre with a higher load index behind and [one] with better traction and a lower load index in the front. Like that, you can save your costs as well.”

COMMON MISTAKES When asked about the most frequent tyre care mistakes in the region, Chandran and Nair both note that many customers neglect to check inflation pressure regularly. “The lifeline of a tyre is the inflation pressure, because the whole performance, I would say 70% of it, is based on the inflation pressure. In this part of the world, mostly customers don't keep the right pressure which is required for the particular load,” Nair says. “There are three parameters which go hand-in-hand. It's a triangle. Speed, load and the inflation. So if you are changing one of these three, you have to change either of the other two. So, for example, if I am going to change my load, then I Chirenj Chandran, business development director at Amin Tyre Care.

need to change either my inflation or my speed.” Nair adds that running at low inflation pressure causes heat to build up inside the tyre, degrading the rubber. Chandran concurs: “If you run at a low tyre pressure, you're going to be creating more drag on your wheels and that's going to make you consume more fuel. You'll be saving 5-10% of fuel costs just by checking your pressure.” Additionally, it is common for truck tyres to be fitted in pairs on either end of the axle, creating further complexities in monitoring pressure, Nair points out. “From a customer point of view, it is very difficult for a customer or a driver or a fleet [manager] to check the inner tyre pressure.

And normally it is not checked. They just check the outside pressure and they assume that the inside pressure is also the same." “But if you look at it from a performance point of view, the inner tyre is more important than the outer tyre because [it] is closer to your brake drums. The brake drums get heated when the vehicle is on the run, so the first tyre which is going to get affected is your inner tyre.” Neglecting inner tyres runs the risk of both tyres being damaged in the long run. Nair recommends using extension valves to check inner tyre pressure. Reckless driving, besides endangering lives on the road, is also rough on tyres. “A tyre is pneumatic. It's made up of rubber. It's

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30%: improvement in tyre life by maintaining inflation pressure 12 TRUCK&FLEET ME APRIL 2015

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COVER STORY

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and outer tyres.

patterns. Making Tyres must be used according to their intended application.

not steel. So there is an interaction which is happening between the tyre and the road. How smoothly you're interacting with the road gives you higher mileage. If you're interacting aggressively, it lowers the mileage,” Nair says. Common problematic behaviour among drivers includes driving onto or parking on sidewalks, not slowing down for potholes on the road, and sudden acceleration or braking. “If I get ten complaints from customers on structural failures, eight of them would be these kind of failures,” Nair says. “Either it will be a sidewall cut, where you go very close to the kerbs and hit the kerb and then damage the sidewall. Or you hit a pothole at a very high speed and you damage the casing or the structure.” Some companies are unaware of drivers operating vehicles in this manner, Chandran says. “What happens is that these trucks come back and they have alignment problems, they have sidewall of the tyre cracking, they have the tyre damaged.”

BENEFITS OF MAINTENANCE What then are the advantages of maintaining tyres well? One key benefit is enhanced fuel efficiency, Nair points out, with fleet owners looking at potential savings of 5-7% on fuel costs. Apart from maintaining proper pressure, wheel rotation at regular intervals is also a must. If using tyres of different patterns for different axles, rotation can be done by switching the tyres on either end of the axle, Nair says. “In a commercial truck tyre, just by

maintaining a proper inflation pressure, you can improve the life of the tyre by 30%. By doing a proper rotation, you can achieve 1015% more mileage. So at the end of the day for a fleet operator, these are all costs. In this part of the world, if you see the investment for a fleet owner, apart from vehicles, the second largest investment is the tyres.” Nair recommends checking pressure every fortnight, as well as carrying out wheel alignments and balancing at regular intervals to improve performance. Moreover, undertaking proper repairs of tyres when damaged is crucial. “There are proper ways of repairing a tyre, particularly in the commercial segments because these are all steel-belted, steel casing tyres. Steel has got a property to rust so once a penetration happens, if you keep those areas exposed to the atmosphere, the steel can rust,” he cautions, adding that this can separate the rubber and steel. “We need to properly repair the tyre both from outside as well as from inside so that you plug whatever damage has been done locally, so that can improve the life also.” The most important reason to care for tyres, however, is safety. “There is only one contact point between your vehicle and the road, and that is the tyres. If you don't respect the contact point, you are in danger. More than tread mileage, more than fuel efficiency, it is safety that is at risk when you're not properly maintaining your tyres. That is the most important thing.”

This naturally

the wrong selection

leads to the

can impact on

question of which

performance

is a better option

or wear down

for fleets. Nair

more quickly.

says this depends

“A truck has got

on customer

a steering axle,

requirements.

[and] it has got a

“The tyres that

drive axle where the

are designed for

power is generated.

that particular axle

Then a trailer is

will give better

fitted on to that

performance, but

vehicle so it has

an all-wheel pattern

got a trailer axle.

can give you the

Each axle performs

ease of usage

at a different level.

at a fairly good

The requirements

amount of mileage

of each axle

because you

are different,”

can optimise the

Nair notes.

mileage by doing

Hence, tyres designed for the

a lot of rotations.” “Even if you are

front axle are

stuck with one tyre

different from those

failure, you can

for the rear. This

easily replace it

is a factor that

because it's all the

many don’t take

same tyres you're

into consideration

using in all the

when buying them.

axles. So ease of

However, tyres

usage, optimising

are also available in

all wheel patterns

all-wheel patterns,

are good. But

which can be

specifically, if you

fitted onto any

need performance

axle and easily

from special axles,

rotated between

you can go for

axles. Rotations for

different tyres.”

“if you see The invesTmenT for a fleeT owner, aparT from vehicles, The second largesT invesTmenT is The Tyres” 14 TRUCK&FLEET ME APRIL 2015

Apollo Tyres Middle East FZE T : + 971 488 41603 www.apollotyres.com

IntervIew InTERvIEw

Iveco organised its annual aME convention for dealers last month in Turin, Italy.

Sealing the deal

Luca Sra, Iveco AfrIcA & MIddle eAst busIness dIrector, tAlks to jerushA sequeIrA About the brAnd's recent deAler conventIon And Its growth strAtegy for the regIon 16 TRUCK&FLEET ME APRIL 2015

IntervIew

or any international brand to be successful in a market, adapting to customer needs at the local level is crucial. For a global manufacturer like Iveco, this localisation happens through a strong network of dealers, welltuned to the needs of the markets they operate in. But overseeing distributors in a territory as vast and diverse as Africa and the Middle East (AME) brings its share of challenges. Thus, gathering importers under one roof has become a tradition every year for Iveco, as it brings together business partners from across the region for its annual AME Convention, explains Luca Sra, Iveco Africa & Middle East business director. Last month, in keeping with the tradition, about 300 delegates flew down to Turin, Italy for the convention, held on March 17-18. The attendees included general managers, owners and commercial directors from Iveco’s importers, along with the Italian vehicle maker’s business partners like body builders and traders. “We do see that these meetings are an important chance for us to set up the scene to focus on the main opportunities of the year and to concentrate on the main actions to develop throughout our network of business partners,” Sra says. “It's also an opportunity, because the [AME region] is very wide and we are looking after some 70 countries. It's not so easy to get in touch with all of our business partners on a regular basis.” The convention helps make dealers feel part of the “Iveco family”, as Sra puts it, adding that feedback has been very positive. The convention took place on the morning of the 17th at the CNH Industrial Village in Turin, a 74,000sqm facility exhibiting products across the Iveco, Case, New Holland and FPT Industrial brands. As part of the event, one-to-one meetings took place between importers and Iveco executives from different departments, where importers could raise any concerns or issues with the relevant people.

BUsInEss In ThE REgIon Business in the Middle East and Africa has been strong for the brand so far this year.

Luca Sra, Iveco africa & Middle East business director.

Iveco has, however, been facing uncertainty with issues surrounding stability in African countries, Sra says. Another ongoing concern, of course, is the oil price drop. However, he is quick to point out that while the oil slump might mean slower growth in some markets, like GCC countries and African oil producers like Nigeria and Angola, it creates opportunities in others, specifically those reliant on oil imports. “We were able to compensate and to develop throughout basically our South African operation and western Africa, where we are developing quite a successful partnership with the new importers,” he says. The firm is also doing well in markets like Morocco and Algeria, and is optimistic about other countries in the continent which can benefit from low prices, such as Namibia, Botswana, Malawi, Zambia and Tanzania. Even in oil-rich GCC countries, there’s not much to fear, Sra says. Their economies are “much more structured as compared to the Central Africa ones." "In terms of funds and reserves available, we do not see any immediate concern on

governmental revenues and impact on governmental expenditures. In many countries such as Oman and Qatar, where there are big projects in terms of infrastructure, we still see governments are keeping their commitments that they put in place.” The GCC is crucial for the brand, contributing to a significant chunk of sales in the Middle East last year, he says. Iveco delivered 4,000 trucks in the region in 2014, at least 2,500 of them in the Gulf region alone. The Middle East contributed to a third of sales across the AME region in 2014, up from about 24% the previous year. “We're very strong in Dubai, where we delivered 1,500 units last year. We're very strong in Oman, where we delivered some 500-600 units,” Sra says, adding that deliveries in Abu Dhabi and Qatar constitute the remainder of the 2,500 units. In Saudi Arabia, Iveco managed to deliver about 800 units in 2014. Sra acknowledges there is work to be done in terms of stepping up its market share and is confident about the partnership in the Kingdom with UAE’s FAMCO, which acquired Iveco’s Saudi dealer, Omatra, in December 2013.

4,000: trucks delivered by Iveco in the Middle east last year APRIL 2015 TRUCK&FLEET ME 17

IntervIew

ThE MovE To aUToMaTEd

“For sure, there is a job to be done going forward because everybody else is basically assembling in Saudi Arabia. So first, we have to fix and to establish the new partnership, and second, we have to evaluate. We're currently evaluating what to do in terms of assembling in the country.” Iveco also delivered 600 trucks to the Ministry of Electricity in Iraq last year, part of a three-year deal to supply a total of 1,660 vehicles to the ministry.

BEsTsELLERs In terms of bestselling products in the region, the firm is a key player in the heavy-duty off-road segment. “The bread and butter is the Iveco Trakker. We're doing very well also with Astra too,” Sra says. The new Iveco Trakker range offers customers a choice of two engines (Cursor 8 and Cursor 13) as well as two cabins, Active Day and Active Time, designed to boost driver comfort. Rigid truck versions for the Trakker are available in 4x2, 4x4, 6x4 and 8x8 configurations, with power ratings from 310 to 500hp. Meanwhile, tractor versions are available in 4x2, 4x4, 6x4 and 6x6 configurations, with power ratings from 360 to 500hp, ensuring the range is suited to a

diverse set of customer needs and applications, including the construction and quarry segments. However, Sra points out that a vehicle like the Trakker that is used for off-road applications in GCC countries, which have well-developed roads, might find use in long-haulage or logistics sectors in central African or North African markets, on account of poor road infrastructure.

PLans down ThE LInE Looking ahead, Sra says Iveco is looking to develop after-sales, as customers in the GCC region in particular become more discerning. “After-sales is definitely a mid-term and long-term big opportunity,” he says, adding that the brand is working on offering extended warranty packages, repair and maintenance contracts and the like for customers in the region. “The appetite of the end customer in countries such as Saudi and UAE is becoming closer and closer to Western European countries, which is something that is pretty natural.” Over the past four or five years, Iveco has grown business in the region by 40%, with plans to grow by another 50-60% within the next three to five years. This growth will come through three main drivers. First, the firm will continue

“We do see that these meetings are an important chance for us to set up the scene to focus on the main opportunities of the year” 18 TRUCK&FLEET ME APRIL 2015

Iveco is seeing a growing interest in vehicles equipped with automated gearboxes, Sra says. “We are running the Eurotronic solution so we can supply the market and the customer both with manual and automatic transmission. There is growing interest [in automatic gearboxes] because, first of all, automatic transmission decreases vehicle breakdown." Other important benefits include less wear and tear on components like clutches and transmission. “another factor is that the level of specialisation, the ability to drive of the drivers somehow is missing in some cases.” While manual gearboxes are better for expert and properly trained drivers, automatic options are more suitable when running a large fleet. “We do see an increasing interest in this kind of supply.” Iveco’s new New Daily Hi-Matic, which made its show debut in Brussels this January, offers an eight-speed automatic transmission, reducing maintenance and repair costs by 10% compared to the manual gearbox. The manufacturer has very recently opened orders for the New Daily, named Van of the Year 2015. It will be on the market from June, Sra says.

to be on the lookout for new business partnerships and countries currently missing from its map. The second driver is product expansion, while the third is localising vehicles to suit different market needs. “It would be a mistake to supply countries simply with European products or with Chinese products,” Sra says. Adapting products to local needs can be achieved by assembly at the local level. “This is currently happening in Morocco, in Tunisia, in Libya, in Ethiopia and South Africa, where we opened a very big assembly plant in July 2014,” he says, adding that many more countries are on the radar for assembly. “We have to look at Saudi, that's for sure. Jordan could be another opportunity. Nigeria and Kenya could be two other countries of interest. In a flexible environment, we have to be as fast and as flexible as required.”

WORKSHOP woRKsHop

WORKSHOP Maintaining yOuR fleet’S efficiency

Saudi SpearheadS GCC demand for CV partS Saudi Arabia is currently at the forefront of a surge in demand across the GCC for commercial vehicles spare parts and services, with the Saudi market estimated to value $3.65 billion by 2020. According to analysis from Frost & Sullivan, there are currently 750,000 trucks and buses on Saudi roads; this number is growing 8.4% annually and will reach 1.2 million in the next five years. Moreover, the influx of new and used commercial vehicles in the country means demand for spare parts is also growing. The market for parts in the Kingdom was valued at $2.05 billion in 2014, and is expected to reach $3.65 billion by 2020. Japanese brands have the lion’s share of the market for commercial vehicles in Saudi, said Subhash Joshi, regional head of Automotive & Transportation – MENA at Frost & Sullivan, speaking at an Automechanika Network event in Dubai. “In terms of market share, Isuzu and Mitsubishi have led the light commercial vehicle market with a whopping 70% share.

$7.7 VAlue oF recenT Pirelli AcquiSiTion by cHemcHinA

TRUCK&FLEET MEAPRIL APRIL 2015 2020TRUCK&FLEET ME 2015

There are currently 750,000 trucks on Saudi roads.

For the medium and heavy commercial vehicle segment, the dominance of used vehicles was much higher when compared to light vehicles.” Automechanika Dubai, an automotive aftermarket exhibition, will run from 2-4 June

2015 at the Dubai International Convention and Exhibition Centre. An increased focus on commercial vehicles will be one of the highlights of this year’s show, according to the event organisers Messe Frankfurt.

HanKooK TRUCK TyRE paTTERn bags dEsign awaRd Hankook Tire has been awarded the iF Design Award 2015 for its all-season truck and bus radial tyre, the SmartFlex AH31, recognised for its design adapted to provide even wear and high

mileage performance with very low rolling resistance. The iF Design Award, established in 1953, assesses entries based on criteria including design quality, functionality, safety and environmental impact.

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WORKSHOP woRKsHop

PHilliPS 66 lubRicantS aPPOintS abu DHabi DiStRibutOR Phillips 66 Lubricants has announced that Central Motors & Equipment (CME), a member of the Al Fahim Group, will be its authorised distributor in the UAE. The dealership is the first of its kind for Phillips 66 Lubricants in the UAE, and is part of the American lubricant supplier’s strategy for the Middle East. CME plans to cater to clients across several

sectors including construction and oil and gas, said general manager Bilal Al Ribi. CME will be introducing Kendall motor oil and transmission fluids for petrol and diesel vehicles. It will also offer a full selection of commercial and industrial lubricants and greases for cars, trucks, heavy construction equipment and industrial applications.

QuicK tiPS Boost your fleet performance by keeping your tyres in top shape 1. checking inflation pressure every fortnight and ensuring tyres are properly inflated can improve their life by 30% and save 5-7% on fuel costs. For tyres fitted in pairs, use an extension valve to monitor inner tyre pressure. 2. carrying out regular wheel alignments and balancing can also help in boosting vehicle performance.

ooREdoo LaUnCHEs FLEET soLUTion

tyres. Driving fast over potholes or climbing on pavements can

qatari telecom provider ooredoo

damage the sidewall or casing.

has launched Smart Fleet, a new

4. Wheel rotations at regular intervals

fleet management system, to

also prolong tyre life, giving you 10-

enhance the country’s transport

15% more mileage. rotations can

sector. The solution is a cloud-based

be carried out among wheels of

service that deploys GPS and GSm

the same axle or between different

technology to enable companies

axles, depending on the pattern.

to manage fleets, track driver Smart Fleet will enhance qatar’s transport sector.

3. reckless driving is rough on

5. When commercial vehicle tyres are

behaviour and optimise fuel costs.

damaged, they need to be repaired

Features include route control,

instantly, as the steel in them can

real-time alarms and fleet security.

rust if exposed to the atmosphere.

AL HAbtooR sIgns QAtAR deALeR foR sumo fIRenzA tyRes The UAE’s Al Habtoor Motors has appointed Qatar-based Regency Fleet as the first dealer for Sumo Firenza Tyres. Al Habtoor Motors is the exclusive GCC distributor for the Singaporean tyre brand, having added it to its portfolio in 2013. “Over the last three years, Al Habtoor Motors has been very successful in establishing the Sumo Firenza brand in the GCC,” said Larry Lee, vice president of Stamford Sumo Firenza. “With Regency Fleet, Al Habtoor Motors plans to expand the brand reach in Qatar. We believe in the core strengths of Regency Fleet and are sure this is a stepping stone to greater successes.”

Regency Fleet is a vehicle leasing and rental company in Qatar, with a fleet of over 1200 passenger cars, commercial vehicles and coaches, ranging from luxury to economical. A member of the Qatar-based Regency Group, the company also runs an automobile workshop and a roadside vehicle repair and towing service. “We are proud to be chosen as the first dealer for Sumo Firenza in Qatar. With Al Habtoor Motors support and our strong distribution network, we are sure to establish a strong base for the brand in Qatar,” said K. Aboo Sabil, general manager of Regency Fleet.

“fOR tHe MeDiuM anD Heavy cOMMeRcial veHicle SegMent, tHe DOMinance Of uSeD veHicleS WaS MucH HigHeR [tHan] ligHt veHicleS” Subhash Joshi, regional head of Automotive & Transportation – MENA at Frost & Sullivan APRIL 2015 TRUCK&FLEET ME 23

new vehicles

MAN OFFERS EEV LION COACh MAN has announced its Lion Coach will be available for Middle East countries which have Euro 5 fuel quality. The coach has a special A/C isolation package for very hot climates and secures chilled temperatures even in the hottest climates of the Gulf. Designed for comfort over long-distance travel, features include comfortable, well-appointed seats, stylish interior design and a luggage compartment with capacity of 10-11.5sqm. The bus has been thoroughly tested for aerodynamic performance, noise reduction and impact resistance. GPScontrolled MAN Tempomat Efficient Cruise technology is an optional feature. The coach complies with the Enhanced Environmentally Friendly Vehicle (EEV) norm, and operates without fuel additives such as AdBlue. The low-emission bus will only be available in countries with Euro 5 fuel quality, particularly the UAE. It will allow municipalities and private companies to offer transportation

REd wITh ENVy Ford’s distinctive all-new F-150 pickup is certainly one of the most desirable pickups on the market. The truck has been completely redesigned, with a high-strength, military-grade, aluminium-alloy body coupled with a highstrength steel frame, making it nearly 315kg lighter and more efficient. The truck has been redesigned with a high-strength aluminiumalloy body coupled with a high-strength steel frame, making it nearly 315kg lighter. Along with good looks, the pickup has a variety of on-board safety features. These

services that are comfortable but with lower fuel consumption and fewer emissions. The announcement was made at the recent Busdays, MAN’s major bus event held every two years. The event was held in Ankara, Turkey, where MAN has a major bus factory with more than 1,600 employees at a 320,000sqm plant. It produces seven buses per day on a single production line.

include adaptive cruise control and collision warning with brake support, using radar in the front of the truck to measure the distance and speed of vehicles ahead. This information allows the F-150 to automatically slow to keep a consistent following distance set by the driver. A collision warning triggers visual and audio alerts if the system detects the following distance is diminishing too, and pre-charges the brakes if the driver needs to stop suddenly. Other safety features include a lane-keeping function designed to prevent a driver drifting outside the intended driving lane, and a blindspot alert that uses radar sensors to monitor

A/C ISOLATION designed for hot climates

Events included the launch of Neoplan production in Ankara and the world premiere of the new MAN Lion.

areas that may not be visible to the driver. The sensors trigger a warning light in the side-view mirrors to indicate another vehicle is in a blind spot if the driver is attempting to change lanes. The F-150 is also available with a 360-degree camera with split-view display that uses four exterior cameras to give the driver a bird’s-eye view of up to two metres surrounding the F-150, to assist in parking and manoeuvring in tight spots. Job site-friendly features include the 400W, 110V outlets in the cab that allow drivers to easily charge corded tools, battery chargers or mobile devices on-site or while in transit, while LED spotlights on sideview mirrors provide powerful, durable and bright lighting around the truck exterior. The F-150 is available with a range of engine sizes, including a 3.5L V6 and a 5.0L V8, with power ranging from 282 up to 385 horsepower. An electronic six-speed automatic transmission comes as standard.

385 horsepower generated by 5.0L V8 engine

APRIL 2015 TRUCK&FLEET ME 25

Maintenance MainTEnanCE

Keep it RoLLing

Cardan ServiCe network (CSn) produCeS drive ShaftS for a range of vehiCle and maChine appliCationS, foCuSing on ShaftS for heavy truCkS, explainS managing partner Hans GeorG Brune

ith the heavy mileage trucks put in every year in the Middle East, plus regular offroad and rough road driving conditions, Cardan shaft failure is a fact of life for fleet managers. There have traditionally been a number of service options in the region, but now a new company, Cardan Service Network (CSN), is offering what it believes to be a first for the Middle East, 24-hour delivery in the UAE or 48 hours across the GCC for new or remanufactured drive shafts. CNS is a partner with Germanyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Wichmann Group, which was founded in 1980 and began

26 TRUCK&FLEET ME APRIL 2015

manufacturing Cardan shafts in 1985. CSN produces shafts for the full range of European heavy trucks on the road, as well as light commercial vehicles, construction machinery and industrial applications, explains Hans Georg Brune, managing partner at CSN. Brune has worked in the automotive sector in the UAE for the past 20 years. The company set up operations in 2014, establishing production facilities in Dubaiâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Silicone Oasis with a multimillion Dirham investment in its plant. Production uses parts imported from Wichmann in Germany. With an initial focus on the UAE, the plan is to eventually cover the entire MENA region, says Brune.

Maintenance

How it works 1. Csn receives an order

the requested shaft,

where the components are

confirmation, at which

including a parts picking

hydraulically pressed into

point the defective shaft

note with shelf locations.

the Cardan tube, welded by

may not have been

“We are concentrating on European heavy trucks and light commercial vehicles, but we can do any other kind of shaft as well – construction machinery or industrial – as long as they carry the standard flanges,” he explains. The company can build any shaft up to a tube size of 150mm, and jobs have included large shafts for a cement factory. Brune says the primary focus is on heavy trucks, due to the large population in the region and the greater potential savings for customers. The shaft is manufactured with either a new housing or an exchange part. When an exchange housing is used, all the wear parts inside are exchanged and brought back to the manufacturer’s standard. This option is more cost-effective and environmentally friendly, and remanufacturing is the favoured method in the automotive industry, whether for a shaft, gearbox or engine. The price is lower, but the quality standard (and warranty) are the same. CSN’s manufacturing service is a new option for local fleet operators, who were previously limited by the offerings in the region and forced to rely on their own machine shop to try to balance a remanufactured shaft before fitting it, says Brune. Balancing a shaft using machine shop

3. The shelf system is

a welding robot and finally

received. sometimes

arranged to always

electronically re-balanced

the old part is only

use a reconditioned

according to manufacturer

collected when the new

exchange part if one is

shaft is delivered.

available; if not, a new

2. Based on the order confirmation, the system

requirements. 5. Finally, the shaft is

part is picked and used.

painted in the colour

4. The joints and bearings

requested, a serial number

produces a work order

are pre-assembled.

is punched into the tube

that identifies the

Individual units are then

and the shaft is labelled,

required components and

placed in the Cardan shaft

packed and ready to be

measures to assemble

production unit (CsP),

delivered or picked up.

instruments is virtually impossible, says Brune, which is significant since the shafts are under high torque when in operation, spinning at 1,500-2,500rpm. “The vibrations will be back,” he says. “We can do this replacement in a professional way, and our method almost has the same cost as trying to do it with self-modified and scrap parts. We have a really cost-effective, and more importantly time-effective, solution for Cardan shaft replacements.” Shaft manufacturing is highly precise and demanding. Almost every shaft has a different configuration, even on the same truck model, since shafts are configured depending on truck options, including the engine and gearbox combination. “Because nobody stores these, you have to order them on demand,” says Brune, which can mean long wait times. CSN can ensure timeliness because the company has data on all European trucks,

allowing them to build the correct shaft based on a truck’s chassis number or OEM part number. CSN doesn’t use the old shaft for measurement. For the remanufacturing, the shaft can be sent by the customer or collected by CSN. The company offers delivery in the UAE within 24 hours of the order being confirmed, and 48 hours in the wider GCC. Brune says they’re the first company of their kind to offer this service in the Middle East, perhaps because it’s a small market compared with Europe. He expects demand to rise quickly as awareness spreads, especially because many second-hand trucks bought into the region are between five and eight years old. How long a shaft lasts is highly dependent on mileage, as well as weight factors such as overloading, rough terrain conditions and vehicle speed. On an application such as a water tanker, the shaft can degrade more quickly if it’s heavily laden and driving off-road, and especially if water is leaking on the shaft, explains Brune. For long-haul applications, typical shaft life before overhaul is 400,000km. Given the mileage expected of most trucks in the region, there’s likely to be healthy demand for shaft remanufacturing from CSN. Brune says that longer term they’re looking to open branches in all the major markets, including Saudi Arabia, Oman and eventually the wider MENA region.

“WE havE a CosT-EFFECTivE, and MoRE iMpoRTanTLy TiME-EFFECTivE, soLUTion FoR CaRdan shaFT REpLaCEMEnTs” APRIL 2015 TRUCK&FLEET ME 27

PARTING SHOT

60 years and counting Al-FuttAim motors marks six decades in the Uae this year, kicking off a series of events last month to celebrate its diamond jUbilee

ixty years ago, the first small shipment of Land Cruisers and Toyopets arrived on the shores of the Dubai Creek, paving the way for what became Al-Futtaim Motors. Last month, the UAE dealer for Toyota, Lexus and Hino celebrated its diamond jubilee with the first of a series of events, inviting customers to take a “trip through time” at the Dubai Creek to experience the beginning of Al-Futtaim’s journey in the UAE. “Al-Futtaim Motors enjoys a rich history in the UAE, having played a key role in [its] development,” says managing director Jon Williams. “From a small consignment of cars in 1955, Al-Futtaim Motors has grown to become the leading automotive distributor in the UAE.”

28 TRUCK&FLEET ME APRIL 2015

Soon after the formation of the UAE in 1971, Al-Futtaim Motors introduced Toyota Material Handling Equipment and Hino Trucks into the country, helping support the growth of infrastructure in the Emirates. As the UAE gradually prospered and lifestyles began to improve, the company expanded with it. “From a network of five facilities in the seventies, we have grown to 23 showrooms and service centres across the country,” Williams notes. In 1990, shortly after the global launch of Lexus, the distributor imported a consignment of 138 Lexus LS series cars, which soon became popular with UAE royals. Five years later in May 1995, the Dubai Taxi Service was established. 66 of the 81 vehicles

in the first fleet were Toyota Camry. Today, Toyota vehicles make up 95% of the firm’s fleet. 2007 saw the establishment of the 45,000sqm Al-Futtaim Motors Parts and Distribution Centre, facilitating operations for 600 trucks every week to distribute parts to service centres across the Emirates. Further expansion plans for the firm include opening The Wave facility in Abu Dhabi, Toyota and Lexus facilities at Madinat Zayed, and a new Hino 3S facility in Sharjah by the end of 2015. “Al-Futtaim Motors will continue to be a driver for economic growth in the UAE,” Williams says. “We will continue to support the growth of this nation by working with governments, organisations and individuals to ensure their automotive needs are met.”

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