Truck & Fleet ME July 2016 by Construction Machinery ME

TAKE A BACK SEAT HOW DUBAI WIll BE DRIVER-lESS

030 JULY 2016

MIDDLE EAST

MIDDLE GROUND MEDIUMS ON DUTY STELLAR STRALIS ME EXCLUSIVE XP AND NP REVIEW

navara Up to 168hp power for work and pleasure

Niss bliss Living and working La vida Loca in spanish-BUiLT nissan navara

10 CONTENTS

A supplement of Cmme

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 coNSULtANt eDItor GAVIN DAVIDS gavin.davids@cpimediagroup.com +971 4 375 5480

plAnninG on proGress Progress. A wonderful word that most of us take for granted, most of the time. This month we look at two major advances that are coming to the commercial vehicles market in the Middle East. Iveco has just launched the world’s first long

eDItor StEpHEN wHItE stephen.white@cpimediagroup.com +44 7541 244 377 SUB eDItor AELRED DOYLE ADVERTISING coMMercIAL DIrector MICHAEL StANSFIELD michael.stansfield@cpimediagroup.com +971 4 375 5497 AccoUNt MANAGer BIpIN SONEJI bipin.soneji@cpidubai.com +971 4 433 2856

NETWORK

haul natural gas truck, the Stralis NP (alongside the

04 / renAult roll-out

Euro VI-powered XP). Technological challenges

DESIGN

First c & K truck rolls out of renault and Zahid tractor’s plant in Saudi Arabia.

like temperature control and filtering will need to

Art DIrector SIMON COBON

be overcome before we see similar vehicles here,

JUNIor GrAPHIc DeSIGNer pERCIVAL MANALAYSAY

COVER sTORy

10 / eXClusive revieW taking Iveco’s new XP for a spin and a possible Middle east future for its natural gas-powered NP. REVIEW

but, given time and money, it seems like a nobrainer in the gas-powered economies in the region. We also examine the state of driver-less vehicle technology following Dubai’s declaration 2030. The leap that is needed can be compared to the investment and invention required by a space programme but I am confident that it can

t&FMe takes a look at the new Navara and tests it on Spain’s rugged terrain.

happen. While Dubai’s is by far the most ambitious initiative in the World, this is an international undertaking. Once all the individual advances are

18 / middle of tHe roAd A look at the new and upcoming medium-duty trucks you should be buying for your fleet.

added up, Dubai and the GCC, will find itself at the heart of an exciting new future for transport. Finally, while I was in Madrid to look at

20 / volvo sHAke-up How volvo is changing to better serve its international customers.

22 / trAnsport trAnsforms

ProDUctIoN MANAGer VIpIN V. VIJAY vipin.vijay@cpimediagroup.com +971 4 375 5713 DIGITAL WeB DeveLoPer MOHAMMAD AwAIS WeB DeveLoPer SADIQ SIDDIQUI WeB DeveLoPer SHAHAN NASEEM

PUbLISHED by

to join their group, we joked that they were making a Brexit. Looking at the financial markets as I write my editor’s letter, that joke doesn’t seem as progress doesn’t always mean going forward. Plan for the future and always have a plan B.

one of the world’s leading experts on autonomous vehicles talks Dubai’s driver-less dream by 2030.

Registered at IMpZ pO Box 13700 Dubai, UAE tel: +971 4 440 9100 Fax: +971 4 447 2409 www.cpimediagroup.com FOUNDER DOMINIC DE SOUSA (1959-2015) PRINTED by pRINtwELL pRINtING pRESS LLC

TRANsPORTATION

26 / GettinG GHAnA GoinG How Scania is helping to change the way Accra is developing its bus network.

DIStrIBUtIoN MANAGer SUNIL KUMAR sunil.kumar@cpimediagroup.com +971 4 375 5476

journalists in our junket were asked to disembark

funny now as it did then. And it reminds us that

DRIVER-LEss TEChNOLOgy

CIRCULATION & PRODUCTION

the XP and NP, I was sat on a bus with some of my European counterparts. When the English

INTERVIEW

MArKetING MANAGer LISA JUStICE lisa.justice@cpimediagroup.com +971 4 375 5498

that 25% of journeys will be autonomous by

14 / nAvArA piCk-up

MEDIUM-DUTy TRUCKs

MARKETING

STEPHEN WHITE 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.

JULY 2016 TRUCK&FLEET ME 1

ONLINE

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CONSTRUCTION

NEw DIMENSIONS ON

L&T ‘wins Qatar World Cup stadium contract’

3D-PRINTED bUILDINgS

CONSTRUCTION

Dubai tower to soar ‘100m taller than Burj Khalifa’

In pictures: works progressing at Abu Dhabi airport Midfield Terminal

The new “3D printed” building next to Emirates Towers (‘World’s ‘first 3D-printed office’ opens in Dubai’) is certainly the shape of things to come. If this structure took just 17 days to ‘print’, then it’s not difficult to imagine how such technologies will start to transform our industry. It will be interesting to see what kind of regulation and issues around buildings standards this throws up. James Scott, online comment

CONSTRUCTION

Nakheel completes ground works for $545m mall

TIME TO bLACkLIST PROvIDERS OF POOR CLADDINg

The poor quality of PROPERTY

cladding used in some

Dubai rent declines ‘accelerating’ – report

buildings means that fire can reach the top within a matter of seconds. It’s very dangerous and officials should blacklist companies supplying such panels and make a safer

INFRASTRUCTURE

Kuwait awards $4.3bn airport contract 2 TRUCK&FLEET ME JULY 2016

environment for all. video: The Future of building Things Panel Discussion

KamS, online comment

Meet the new stars of your workforce. Introducing the compact Accelo and Atego from Mercedes-Benz. The new Accelo and Atego are versatile trucks catering to a wide range of applications. Their compactness and agility make them the ideal trucks for any job, from inner-city distribution to various municipality applications. Providing the proven and unmatched Mercedes-Benz promise of excellence, both the robust Accelo and Atego are the perfect partner for your transportation business. To find out more, please contact your local authorized Mercedes-Benz Distributor or visit our website: Trucks.MercedesBenzMENA.com

NETWORK

NETWORK 07 16

YOUR MONTHLY GUIDE TO THE MIDDLE EAST’S truck AnD fleet operAtor network NEW MD FOR NISSAN IN THE KINGDOM

The arrival of first of the C & K range is welcomed in Saudi Arabia.

FIRST RENAULT TRUCKS ROLL OUT OF KAEC PLANT Renault Trucks in Saudi Arabia has started the assembly of its first C & K range models at its newly built state-of-the-art assembly facility of Arabian Vehicles & Trucks Industry (AVI), based in King Abdullah Economic City (KAEC). A milestone for AVI Industry and for the French truck manufacturer, the first Saudi-built Renault Trucks have been assembled through the collaboration of a number of Renaulttrained technicians, engineers, quality and logistics personnel from Bourg-en-bresse, and a highly trained local AVI team . AVI is a JV between Zahid Tractor & Heavy Machinery and Volvo Truck, which owns Renault Trucks. “We are delighted to see the first of many roll off our assembly line. This could not

have been achieved without the efforts of our highly-trained Saudi workforce,” said, Renault Trucks Middle East president LarsErik Forsbergh. “We hope to continue to service the construction, infrastructure and transport sectors in the region and set new standards in the region’s trucking industry.” Volvo-owned UD Trucks has also launched its new Middle East-focused range of Quester trucks in Saudi Arabia through Rolaco Trading and Contracting Holding, its distribution partner in the kingdom. The all-new Quester, which was first unveiled to the GCC region in Qatar last month, is a multi-purpose truck for a wide variety of applications.

Nissan has announced the appointment of Simon Frith as the new managing director of Nissan Saudi Arabia, effective from 1 June. Frith, who has spent almost a decade in the GCC’s auto industry, will be based in Jeddah and report to Samir Cherfan, managing director of Nissan Middle East, who until now has been running Nissan’s operations in Saudi Arabia directly. Nissan said in a statement that the new appointment will “accelerate strategic decision making, bring a greater focus on the important KSA market, and enable Cherfan to focus on overall regional management of Nissan’s business in the Middle East”. “Saudi Arabia is a key market for Nissan. His business acumen and deep regional experience will help us boost our expansion and fuel Nissan’s future success in the Kingdom,” said Cherfan. The appointment follows Nissan’s establishment of a direct presence in KSA in 2013 in the form of Nissan Saudi Arabia.

Firth has been appointed to accelerate growth in the KSA market, says Nissan.

A DubAi police crAck Down on illegAl rAces hA AnD confiscAteD. rAces regulArly exceeDeD s 4 TRUCK&FLEET ME JULY 2016

NETWORK

bin bother for AD motorists The placement of rubbish bins in Abu Dhabi is creating blind spots on the city’s

The trailer weighs 2t less than the reference model leading to payload or fuel efficiency gains, claims Volvo.

roads, according to a report in The National newspaper. Road Safety UAE’s Thomas Edelmann, said that: “In case motorists end up behind this garbage trucks emptying the bins, they have to be patient and not reckless in overtaking them or obstructing traffic.”

GCC MUsT EMbRaCE RENEWabLEs, says aNaLysT A leading asset management firm has urged GCC countries to invest in renewable energy with the price of oil set to remain low. Speaking at the second annual Berlin Investment Forum, Jochen Wermuth of Wermuth Asset Management, told delegates that the Middle East has an ‘opportunity to lead the shift towards renewable energy’. “Solar power is being offered in Dubai for $3 cents per kilowatt-hour (kWh), equating to an oil price of $5 per barrel,” he said. “GCC countries that remain dependent on hydrocarbon revenues need to take responsibility for aligning with economic realities. Ihe recent decline in oil prices provides the perfect opportunity.”

new volvo concept truck ‘uses 30% less fuel’ Volvo Trucks has developed a new concept vehicle that it says cuts fuel consumption by more than 30%. The truck uses aerodynamic design and lower kerb weight to achieve the drastic reduction in fuel consumption and shows how it is possible to boost efficiency in long-haul operations, the Swedish truck giant said in a press announcement. The Volvo Concept Truck is the result of a five-year research project aimed at creating more energyefficient vehicles with support from the Swedish Energy Agency, Volvo said. “We continuously work on developing more energy-efficient vehicles. This

FUSO AND BENTLEY DEALER IS CLOSE TO IPO IN DUBAI

is a high-priority area both out of environmental concern and in order to reduce our customers’ costs,” said Claes Nilsson, president and CEO, Volvo Trucks. A key factor behind the low fuel

The on-off IPO of Al Habtoor Group could be back on, its CEO Mohammed Al Habtoor has suggested to Bloomberg TV. He also revealed to the news channel that the St Regis Hotel resort, which includes three polo fields, will cost $500 million to

build. The group has also recently bought hotels in the U.K., Austria and Hungary. Al Habtoor said that it is also considering to extend its reach in European cities as well as developing real estate in Eastern Europe. Al Habtoor motors, the distributor of Bentley, Bugatti, also entered the Saudi Arabian market as Mitsubishi Fuso’s Saudi Arabian dealer in 2015 and it remains the group’s most profitable division. “We have all the documents ready, all that we need to do is to update all the information,” to include revenue from the recently completed Al Habtoor City project, Mohammed Al Habtoor told Bloomberg TV.

s leD to 81 vehicles being seizeD speeDs of 200 km/h, sAy police.

consumption of the concept truck is the massive 40% improvement in aerodynamic efficiency of both tractor and trailer. “We’ve modified the entire rig and optimised it for improved aerodynamics as much as possible. For instance, we use cameras instead of rear-view mirrors. This cuts air resistance, so less energy is needed to propel the truck,” explained Ake Othzen, chief project manager at Volvo Trucks. In addition to the aerodynamic improvements, the truck is fitted with newly developed tyres with lower rolling resistance. The trailer weighs 2t less than the reference trailer, which translates into either lower fuel consumption or the possibility of higher payload. The vehicle also includes an improved driveline.

JULY 2016 TRUCK&FLEET ME 5

NETWORK

MiddLE EasT MaRKET hELps bOOsTs JaC s3 saLEs The S3 is popular with younger buyers, added JAC

JAC says that it sold 100 vehicles in 30 days since launching its S3 SUV into the Egyptian market. The Chinese manufacturer has sold

300,000 S3s during the last 20 months. The S3 is fitted with disc brakes, with enhanced ventilation and anti-heat features,

giving the car greater breaking ability. It has six airbags and electronic pre-tightening seat belts, while uniquely among its competitors the S3’s body and hinges are formed from galvanized and high-intensity steel, to better protect riders in case of an accident. JAC released the S3II in September 2015 which is equipped with a rear view system, GPS/Dual mode positioning and navigation system and GSI driving shift reminder. “The S3 has set several records since its launch, from achieving a breakthrough of 10,000 units in its first month, to overtaking sales of other compact SUVs in the global market within three months. With current average sales of 15,000 units a month, the S3 has cemented its position as the SUV industry’s sales champion,” says the company.

DICV PASSES 5,000 TRUCK ExPORT LANDMARK Daimler India Commercial Vehicles (DICV) has said that its total truck exports from India crossed 5,000 mark. This milestone has been achieved in less than three years after the start of exports in 2013. While DICV is exporting India-built trucks under Fuso brand to Asian and African markets. The number of markets served includes more than 20 countries in Asia, the Middle East, Africa, and Latin America. Kuwait and Peru were launched recently, according to a company statement. Marc Llistosella, head of Daimler Trucks Asia said that Fuso played a major role in key growth regions across the globe.

DICV is exporting to 20 countries in the Middle East as well as Africa and other Asian markets.

NEW MERC TRUCKs aRE pERFECT FOR REGiON’s FLEETs The CEO of Daimler Commercial Vehicles MENA has described Mercedes-Benz’ Accelo and Atego as perfect additions to Middle East fleets. The German automaker has launched the two new medium-duty truck ranges in the Middle East and Egypt. Designed to deliver maximum productivity, exceptional driving comfort, and the highest standards of safety, the newly launched Accelo and Atego model ranges offer exceptional power and agility, a statement said. Roland Schneider, president & CEO of Daimler Commercial Vehicles Mena, said: “There is strong demand for medium-duty trucks across a wide sector

6 TRUCK&FLEET ME JULY 2016

of industries and segments in our region, so versatility for fleets is essential.” “The Accelo and Atego set new standards in terms of robustness and productivity, and with the capacity to accept a variety of body types, each model can easily be adapted to a wide range of applications and customer needs. Developing the Accelo and Atego ranges, Mercedes-Benz has deployed significant resources to ensure these trucks deliver maximum reliability. Ruggedness, driver comfort, payload, and easy body mounting are the features which set these trucks apart and make them the perfect tools for demanding fleets – in both private and public sectors,” he added.

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NETWORK

ssab appOiNTs biON iNd TO bRaNd pROGRaMME UAE-based truck body and heavy transport equipment company first in region to be approved for programme The Nordic and US-based high strength steel manufacturer, SSAB, has appointed the UAE’s heavy transport equipment maker and truck body-builder, Bion Industrial, as a member of its ‘My Inner Strenx’ brand programme, according to a statement by the Dubai-based company. The company had earlier been nominated, along with two other manufacturers, by SSAB in its ‘Hardox In My Body’ brand programme in the Middle East. Bion uses SSAB’s Strenx steel in the production of its

Bion Industrial is the first in region to be approved for programme.

trailer chassis across different product lines. other industries, the statement added. “Quality at Bion Industrial sits at the heart of our organisation. This is attributed to associating

our company with the ultimate brand in steel manufacturing, SSAB. Bion Industrial has set a new benchmark in the tipper trailer industry,” said Noas Al Rawi, CEO, Bion Group

FRENCH CAR PLANT ‘COMING TO EGYPT’

Egypt currently has more than 15 firms working in the car assembly field.

Egyptian Trade Minister Tarek Qabil claims a French automaker is planning to set up a car assembly unit in Egypt which will operate using a high proportion of locally manufactured components, Amwal Al Ghad reports. Following a meeting with the vice president of a French company, the minister said that Egyptian auto component firms will be contracted to cover the needs of the parent company and its branches. According to Qabil, the government plans to develop the automotive industry in Egypt in an attempt to attract other international firms to the country.in the car assembly field in Egypt.

bEE’ah WiNs aL KaLba MUNiCipaLiTy WasTE CONTRaCT Bee’ah, the Sharjah-based environment and waste management company, has signed a contract with Al Kalba Municipality for the provision of waste collection, management and treatment services in the city. According to the five-year contract, Bee’ah will provide waste management services for public, residential, commercial and agricultural areas under the municipality’s jurisdiction, as well as hauling services to the landfill in Kalba Bee’ah will be committed to provide a modern fleet and work on increasing public awareness of environmental issues among Kalba’s residents, urging them to keep the city clean and beautiful.

8 TRUCK&FLEET ME JULY 2016

““This contract will support our efforts in providing the best environmental solutions for the Emirate of Sharjah, and in ensuring a sustainable environment for future generation” said Khaled Al Huraimel, Group CEO of Bee’ah. “It is a step forward to achieve our goal of creating a greener and more sustainable Sharjah - establishing the Emirate as the environmental capital of the Middle East. “Kalba Municipality will greatly benefit from our wide experience in providing high quality environmental services, encouraging the environment-friendly practices and promoting the culture of recycling amongst residents.”

REVIEW

2.47 longer rear axle

Gianalberto Lupi, the head of Iveco’s heavy business line says that the service packages will be crucial.

aking the new Iveco Stralis XP out onto the highways that surround the Spanish capital of Madrid is a little like getting a jumbo jet off a runway – in a good way. There is nothing exceptional when taxiing out of Iveco’s plant onto the surrounding roads of the industrial area where it is located. On an unexpectedly cool day for June, it rides like you expect a modern heavy truck to feel. It’s all grunt and noise as it saunters onto the multilane highways that encircle the famous city but, as we head towards the mountains north of the city, we turn on the cruise control and like a 747 stretching above the clouds; a calmness and notable quietness

10 TRUCK&FLEET ME JULY 2016

fills the cab. Ahead of us is a 5km stretch of gently undulating asphalt and you are left waiting to see if the air crew will drop into the Hi-Way-inspired cab with a lemonade. At work is Hi-Cruise – a GPS system that is used to predict the changing conditions of the road ahead, modifying the cruising speed and transmission to deliver the most fuel efficient journey as possible. As a taster of what greater vehicle autonomy will bring, it is impressive to experience at the wheel. When back in control there is a lightness to the steering and a smoothness to the gear-shifting and braking – there are other reasons to admire too.

Two Trucks, Two fuels Both the Stralis XP and NP arrive with the

promise of lower fuel consumption and lower or, in the case of the NP, negligible emissions – hence the TCO2 Champion campaign. With more and more multinational firms being set demanding emission targets, such as Nestle or Ikea, Iveco is hopeful they can appeal to both fleet budgets and sales development. The Stralis 480XP and 570XP feature the Smart EGR system, which works in combination with Iveco’s HI-SCR after-treatment system to optimise combustion, resulting in significant fuel savings on long distances, claims the company. The system uses a relatively small amount of exhaust re-circulation – just 8% – to allow an earlier start of injection. The result is greater fuel economy while maintaining high (97%) tailpipe NOx conversion.

REVIEW

Champing aT The biT

The new Iveco STralIS heavIeS are beIng pITched aT The long haulage markeT aS Tco2 champIonS. we may have To waIT for The euro 6 Xp buT could Technology behInd The gaSpowered np fInd a nIche here? The XP launches alongside the NP, the first long-haul natural gas truck in the world. The EU has stipulated that by 2025 the maximum distance between filling stations will be reduced to 150km for Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) and 400km for Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG). The truck is equipped with a 400hp engine, retains the same payload as an equivalent diesel truck with a range autonomy of up to 1,500 km. It can travel from Madrid to Frankfurt without refuelling, says Iveco. Anybody who remembers the biodiesel fiasco and the mandatory blend targets that were later dismantled by the EU may wince at Iveco diving in two footed into the natural gas realm for long-haul but Iveco’s brand president Pierre Lahutte told T&FME that he is fully confident

that this will be upheld. The considerable lists of upgrades and additions to lower fuel consumption by as much as 11% include: the EcoSwitch speed and torque limiter and new 12-speed HI-TRONIX automated transmission, that the Italian manufacturer claims is bestin-class. There is also [deep breath]: a new driveline, rear axle, rear suspension, re-mapped engine, new electronics, new pipework, optimised pneumatics, and even a redesigned catwalk behind the cab. In addition to these, there are a set of services that are exclusive to the XP and NP which Iveco claims can improve total cost of ownership (TCO) by a further 3%. Iveco is promising that changes to the XP and the addition of the NP alongside a rethink to its service offering (its Uptime Guarantee

ensures repairs are done within 24 hours, or a replacement truck is sent to the customer) can save as much as 5.6% on its total cost of ownership of long haul missions. Arguably it adds up to a more radical upgrade on previous editions than say the Volvo FH and FMX – crawler gear, et al – that T&FME reviewed last month. The impressive set of vital statistics even moved one of the veteran truck hacks who had just returned from a test drive at the event to announce to a room full of executives that: “We think you have a very good truck.” The work that has gone into the XP and NP suggest that Iveco has spotted an opportunity that is not immediately obvious, particularly in Europe where it continues to have an 8% market-share leaving it behind some other big

JULY 2016 TRUCK&FLEET ME 11

REVIEW

The case for naTural gas While the XP will be strictly for Europe, for now, the NP presents Iveco with the opportunity to approach other markets. Telematics and GPS aids cruise control and feeds mission profile data to tailormake truck packages for fleet buyers.

Product director Clement Chandon says there are technological obstacles for the NP and its other gas-powered vehicles – such as dust and extreme climate – to contend with in the

marques it is clearly challenging. “We need volume,” Gianalberto Lupi, head of heavy business line, tells T&FME. “We did 8% market share in the last 12 months and it is not enough. To be a real player you need to have 10% and to get to that dimension you need customers all over Europe recognising you as a heavy truck producer. By the time you get that penetration the wheels start turning in the right direction. The emphasis on total cost of ownership is a deliberate attempt to appeal to Northern European buyers that as Lupi puts it, are more “rational” buyers. “With a heavy truck they like to know what the fuel consumption and TCO is. (They say) ‘if the truck is good I will buy it. The southern Europeans are more emotional. I see that with our salesmen even. Maybe they are better than the salesmen where our market share is not so strong, but the approach has to be completely different. We wanted to have a truck that was rational – TCObased – as we need our fair share.” Lupi says that the Iveco now wants to challenge its competitors with its TCO. The

XP may be a Euro 6 engine truck, but there are elements to its overall approach to TCO that will surely filter into higher emission markets, such as the Middle East, down the line. T&FME was particularly impressed by its use of telematics data from trucks to compile a database of mission profiles. Having gone through a virtual testing phase, trucks have been gifted to some partners to allow customers to test them on real live missions. This data also feeds back to the database. The ultimate goal is to enable buyers to input their own requirements and journeys, and find the right truck for them. While the more data collected will lead to greater accuracy of this process, Lupi says that the incoming data corroborates the expected performance of the trucks. “Now we have a tool in our hands that shows you the best TCO you will receive as an output. The results are in line with expectations,” he enthuses. “We are convinced this is a good truck, fuel consumption is 40% of TCO, and then you have the price – putting all the cards on the table we believe that this is a good truck.”

“To be a real player you need To have 10% share you need cusTomers, all over europe recognising you as a heavy Truck producer” 12 TRUCK&FLEET ME JULY 2016

Gulf but the recent discoveries of large gas fields in the eastern and southern parts of the more clement Mediterranean could stimulate demand. He says that first countries interested in using gas for heavies must develop a suitable network to make it feasible. “Turkey, apparently are looking at both CNG and LNG. Seems like the business case is good,” says Chandon. “Egypt has found a new gas field which is very big. So we can support that market from southern Europe. The only thing I can tell you about the Gulf, is that we have a request for medium (trucks). We will struggle with the climate because at 50OC not all our products are made for that. “The engine is not too much of the issue, but you have to size the radiator to work for the climate. You have to check around the engine that you don’t get too high a temperature for the alternators, things like that. If we can’t make the standard, we don’t sell and Iveco’s standards are extremely high in terms of cooling. You need investment but nothing is impossible.” natural gas is the most eco-friendly fuel for internal combustion engines, capable of bringing significant environmental advantages: • It improves local air quality, nearly eliminating air pollutants (-70% NOx, -99% PM, -90% NMHC vs EURO 6 limits), • It mitigates global warming by significantly reducing CO2 emissions (about -15% compared to a diesel equivalent, up to -95% with biomethane), • And it can dramatically reduce noise pollution in city centres and during night deliveries

NEW LAUNCH REVIEW

NissaN Navara: TIME TO FEEL BULLISH

NissaN is coNfideNt that the two New versioNs of Navara caN help it aim at the top of the dual-use utility heap. aNirbaN bagchi takes the pick-up oNto the high roads of spaiN 14 TRUCK&FLEET ME JULY 2016

NEW LAUNCH REVIEW

he ancient Kingdom of Navarre in northern Spain used to straddle the western side of the Spanish Pyrenees Mountains. Established circa 900, the small kingdom fought great odds to retain its independence for hundreds of years, keeping much larger powers such as the Emirate of Cordoba, and the Spanish Castile and Aragon kingdoms south of its border and the mighty French empire to its north at bay. When Nissan adopted a local version of its name as the moniker for its workhorse pickup truck 19 years ago, no one probably had an inkling that the fate of the vehicle would echo that of the kingdom it was named after – at least in the Middle East market. Yet, that is precisely how life has panned out for the Nissan Navara 1-ton pick-up truck. Sandwiched in the regional market between Toyota’s class-leading utilitarian giant – the Hilux – and the aspirational and lifestyle choice – the Ford Ranger – the Navara has always had a fight on its hands to protect its market share on both fronts. And, like the small Kingdom of Navarre, it has always been able to hold its own, despite the odds. But Nissan is not content. It wants the Navara to enlarge its small kingdom in the region. And so it has armed its latest iteration with goodies galore to take on the competition on both sides and try to beat it at its own game. This latest iteration of the Navara was revealed to the Middle East press at a test drive in Barcelona, Spain, where it is being manufactured. Not all of those goodies the new Navara comes with are visible on the surface, though. One of the biggest new features is under the pick-up’s skin – the new heavy-duty, fully boxedin frame. There have been questions asked of the previous versions of the Navara in terms of durability and Nissan is acutely aware that a workhorse vehicle aimed at the tank-like Toyota Hilux needs to back up its ambition with equally robust build and durability. The new frame’s solidity, therefore, addresses an issue vital for the Navara’s success. On the road, not only does the rigidity of the frame impress but also the general build quality. The new Navara seems to be a well put-together vehicle that gives the impression it is built to last.

TwO vErSIOnS A significant aspect of the new model is the two versions it will be available in – narrow- and wide-body. Both sport dual cabs, but while the

narrow-body version is designed as a no-frills, commercial vehicle, the wide-body one boasts SUV-like luxury appointments that will appeal to a more dual-use market or to a customer who would like to use his pick-up for both commercial and leisure applications. “Our research identified a demand for a dual-use pick-up truck that lends itself to both heavy-duty applications and activities associated with more sporty vehicles. The new wide-body Navara seeks to fill that gap in the market and will be one of the best appointed pick-up trucks in the segment,” says Samir Cherfan, managing director of Nissan Middle East. Well-appointed it has to be to appeal to its dual-use target market. And Nissan backs up the talk with an array of features. For starters, the wide-body version offers class-leading interior space and the largest cargo bed area in the utility pick-up segment, where it competes with models from the likes of Mitsubishi and Isuzu, besides of course the Hilux. In fact, when the tail is dropped, the 2.5sqm cargo area can comfortably hold a couple of motocross bikes for those users who would like to go dune bashing on two wheels for their weekend of leisure after having transported concrete blocks or bags of cement in that same cargo bed throughout the week. Inside the dual cab of the up-scale widebody, there are an impressive 16 combinations of trim-levels and options available, which include many features you wouldn’t expect to find in this category – such as a Bluetooth touch-screen display with navigation in the centre console, power adjustable seats, a multi-speaker music system and a choice of interior colours between black, grey and red. Fit and finish levels of the interior, too, are budget sedan-like and so a few notches above what is standard for the segment. Behind the wheel on the highway to the Pyrenees from Barcelona, the Navara felt mainly solid and planted, except in the bends and corners, where body roll was quite pronounced. The steering, while lightened by the power assist, was fuzzy and gave almost no feedback of what the front wheels were doing, resulting in handling that was a bit vague. Braking was adequate with discs in the front and drums at the rear, but could have been better with an all-disc set up. Let me not nitpick, however. This is after all a utility pick-up, not a luxury SUV. Compared to the Hilux, the Navara is a huge departure - in a positive way. While the Toyota lets you feel its tank-like build and suspension when seated in its

JULY 2016 TRUCK&FLEET ME 15

NEW LAUNCH REVIEW

comparatively stark inside, the Navara has quite a plush, quiet ride with unexpectedly low levels of wind and road noise. The suspension – which will be only a leaf-spring at the rear for our region instead of the coil-springs at all four wheels – did a good job of soaking up undulations on the road and offered a ride quality that could well be the best in the Navara’s segment. Where the Navara really shone was in light off-roading. Winding along mountain trails and off-road tracks in the Pyrenees, the Nissan felt in its element. Gravel or dirt tracks, rutted and broken trails – it tackled all of these with poise and aplomb. The ground clearance was high enough to provide easy passage over small rocky sections and also adequate to ford a stream – so fleet-owners who turn into prospective weekend Wadi-bashers in the Middle East can rejoice. Helping the truck’s off-road ability is selectable-on-the-go four-wheel drive with low range and a locking differential. Grip levels were adequate enough to suggest that it will be completely at home on the rough and sandy terrain in the GCC’s off-road areas, whether making deliveries at construction sites or tackling dunes. Driving it off-road also highlighted the build quality, so much so that when, in an overzealous moment, yours truly rammed the right front wheel at considerable speed against a sharp rock jutting out of the dirt trail, what followed was only a slightly bent wheel rim and a flat tyre. The suspension acted is if it never knew what happened.

figures of 168hp and 244Nm of torque for the petrol engine and 161hp and 405Nm of torque for the diesel version. Transmission choice on the Navara is between a six-speed manual and a seven-speed automatic. Now, when you consider that the truck will be hauling a metric tonne of cargo for much of its working life, often on demanding terrain, the petrol engine, at least, just does not feel adequately powerful. This was amply demonstrated in the Pyrenees when uphill sections saw the auto ‘box repeatedly downshifting to remain in the power band even as the vehicle dropped speed. Driving the manual improved matters marginally, but I found myself shifting between second and third most of the time while searching for non-existent acceleration. The diesel’s high torque makes it the more capable of the two engines, especially when mated with the manual ‘box. With the penchant for petrol engine pick-ups and automatics in the

region, however, there is little chance of that combination finding much favour. But I’m nit-picking again. In the mainly flat Arabian landscape there will be no Pyrenees-style inclines for the Navara to tackle. And even the petrol-automatic combination will be enough for anything the Hajar Mountains can throw at it. In the final analysis, Nissan has taken its existing Navara and changed it so much that it could well be a new and better model from the ground up. So why retain the Navara name, you may ask, especially if it has not enjoyed as much brand equity in the Middle East as some of its competition? Perhaps Nissan has a bullish feeling about it now: invoking the bull-run in Pamplona, the historic capital of the Kingdom of Navarre from where the pick-up borrows its name. This new Navara is an offering worthy of consideration for anyone out to buy a utility pick-up in the region with a lot of extras.

A pIEcE OF THE pIck-Up pIE Nissan’s main aim behind

“We are looking to

into its dominance. “Saudi

launching the new Navara is

increase our pick-up sales

Arabia is the biggest market

to increase its market share of

volume in the region by more

for us for the dual-use

the Middle East’s pick-up truck

than 40% in three years and

Navara and we are looking to

segment, which saw sales of

raise our market share here

double our showroom count

close to 200,000 units last year.

higher than the current 12%

in the country to 57 in the

in the segment,” says Samir

immediate future,” he adds.

The company said its research found that Saudi

Cherfan, Nissan’s managing

Arabia leads the market in the

director for the region.

segment, buying a whopping

The Toyota Hilux is the

“The Navara has been extensively tested in the Middle East for both durability

60% of all pick-ups sold in the

runaway market leader with

and off-road capability, and

pOwEr MATTErS

region, while 80% of pick-ups

close to 75% market share

we are confident it is the right

Which brings me to the one gripe one can have about the Navara – the powertrain. On offer is a choice between a four-pot petrol and diesel engine, both displacing 2.4l. Nissan claims power

in the GCC sport dual cabs

but Cherfan feels with the

product for us to appeal to

and petrol engines dominate

Navara, Nissan stands a

the dual-use pick-up truck

around 85% of the market.

chance of making in-roads

segment,” Cherfan says.

16 TRUCK&FLEET ME JULY 2016

- East Industrial Area Street - Industrial Area; T: 44638804 | F: 44602440 After Sales Service, Doha - Jaidah HED Main Service Center - Gate 57, Al Wakalat Street - Industrial Area; T: 44638885 | F: 44602440 Al Khor - Jaidah HED Quick Service - opposite Al Khor Mall; T: 44170388 | F: 44170351 E-mail: info@jaidahhed.com | www.jaidahhed.com

The largest and most reliable heavy equipment supplier in Qatar.

A foundation you can build your success on.

TRUCK PREVIEW

Middle Weights

MEDIUM-DUTY MEANS BANG FOR YOUR BUCK

n a tough economic climate it might be tempting to look at cheaper light trucks and pick-ups or heavy-duty tractors with a variety of trailer options. However mediumduty trucks should be a serious consideration for a large segment

of fleet owners. The extra heft they offer can lead to savings in suspension and brake repairs, as well as reducing journeys, while meeting a huge range of roles both in and out of urban environments. Medium duties enable you to build a specialised body to the

cab and chassis, such as platform and dump bodies for roles in landscape, catering, wrecking, utility, crane and bucket, dry freight, refrigeration and more. Your primary considerations are type and size of load, operating environment and annual mileage/

years in service. Driver skill-sets come into play as well. Consider shorter body lengths if you need to get around city areas or extra horsepower if you’re making longer journeys. Also ask your dealer about frame strength if you’re a heavy loader.

Ultra. Models are already available at some dealers in the Middle East with a full launch expected later this year. Like the heavy Prima, Tata has worked hard to match the finish of arguably bigger names in the segment. More importantly, from a driver’s perspective, is the dash-mounted gear lever, AC provision and a new generation instrument cluster.

Tata also claims the Ultra has the strongest chassis in its class with bolted design for increased modularity. The range is equipped with disc brakes and tubeless radial tyres (an industry first) for increased fuel efficiency, besides better road grip and gradual deflation in the event of puncture. An enhanced power steering system with has been introduced

to enhance vehicle stability at high speeds.

NEW ULTRA ROAD STAR

NeW: tAtA ULtRA 1012 The Tata Ultra was first unveiled to the Indian market in 2014, completing a triumvirate of launches including the heavy-duty Prima and the Xenon pick-up. In the two years since those two models were reviewed in T&FME, the Indian manufacturer has successfully enhanced its standing in the medium-duty truck segment; with the launch of the

18 TRUCK&FLEET ME JULY 2016

TATA ULTRA 1012 specs Torque: 400 Nm @ 1300-1500 rpm Wheelbase: 3.31m GWV: 10.4t Gearbox: 6-speed Brakes: Front and rear air brakes Min. ground clearance: 189mm Body lengths (in m): 4.2, 5.2, 6

TRUCK PREVIEW

GERmAN SmALL GIANT

A FLEXIBLE RIGID FUsO FA Rigid Fuso says the FA has been designed to maximise cost-effectiveness for fleet buyers and offers a competitive carrying capacity. Available for as little as $22,000 internationally, Fuso believes that it is also competitively priced and therefore plugging its lower total cost of ownership. The FA comes in two models: the tipper and the freight carrier, standard across both models comes a

6-speed transmission, a common rail electronic engine and robust chassis. To further increase load capacity, the heavy duty banjo-type rear axle has been strengthened with a larger crown wheel and diameter shaft. FUSO FA RIGID specs: Axle: 4X2 Gross combination weight: 9.6t Gearbox: manual 6-speed, Power: 134hp

GOING FAST FORWARD

isUZU FORWARd FsR 33L The Euro II version of the popular Isuzu Forward FSR is a durable medium-duty truck. The F-Series offers a wide range of models that can address the demanding requirements for any operators needs from cargo body applications to freight carrier and medium haul operations, for any payload range between 7.5t to 12t. The cab styling is design with comfort in mind for any

NeW: MeRc AtegO 1418 The new Atego is being rolled out across the region and fills the allrounder medium role from 7.5t to 16t GVW. Predictably given the market, itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s being pitched at the construction industry and ancillary trades. It is available as a three-way tipper, an all-wheel drive dump truck, a skip loader or as a dump truck with a crane. At the front of the vehicle, in the area of the cab, the frame has been drawn downwards, allowing

the cab to be positioned very low down. An optional movable bottom step on the AWD variants gives on contact with rocks and boulders in off-road conditions. Mercedes Atego 1418 specs: Engine power: Euro III @ 177hp ABS: Standard GVW: Up to 14t Wheelbase: 4.1m Transmission: 625l Gross vehicle weight: 18t

C-ING IS BELIEvING

operator resulting in a ergonomic working environment. Forward trucks have a high roof, efficient ventilation, and good visibility through a large windscreen. FSR 33L specs: Wheel config: 4x2 GVW: 11t Engine: 6cyl, 8,266cc Gross power: 195hp Gearbox: 5-speed direct drive

FOtON AUMARk c BJ1089 The Foton Aumark C crosses the light to medium divide and is suitable for many short-haul distribution fleet. The Aumark C is available in a number of GVW configurations, from 3t to 14t At the heart of the BJ1089 Foton truck is a Euro II Lovol Phaser135Ti engine that delivers sufficient power and torque and surprising economy and reliability. Their vehicle

volume makes Foton the largest commercial vehicle manufacturer in the world. With a high ground clearance and a tight turning angle, the truck is well suited for tight urban and logistic spaces. Aumark C, BJ1089 Specs GVW: 9.62t Rated payload: 3955t Length: 7.750m Rated power 101kW

JULY 2016 TRUCK&FLEET ME 19

DEALERS

All chAnge at the top Reflecting an evolving maRket, volvo tRucks is undeRgoing a majoR RestRuctuRing of its inteRnational cv sales appRoach, T&FME speaks to vp peR foRsBeRg to heaR how the changes affect its pResence in the middle east

olvo Trucks is nearing the end of a period that has seen a huge amount of change in the truck market and its own top-tier management. However with an industry veteran now in place as CEO and a range of heavy trucks to shout about it is close to re-shaping its international sales team as a fresh and freshened up outfit ready for its next assault in the heavy truck segment.

20 TRUCK&FLEET ME JULY 2016

One of those awaiting a re-defined role under the new structure is acting VP commercial trucks international sales area Per Forsberg. Fittingly he is hovering for interviews while passing through the truck-maker’s Gothenburg plant. He pauses to talk to T&FME which is in Sweden to review the trucks and learn more about their technology (see T&FME June 2016). He explains the current state of play regarding his own position. “We are in a period of transition developing a new international sales area so we don’t have

any ‘roles’ yet,” he says. “We hope to finalise the strategies under the new organisation in the near future so we know exactly where the new responsibilities will be.” Speaking to others around the Swedish plant, there is a clear sense that Martin Lundstedt, the new Volvo CEO that moved from rivals Scania, understands the Volvo culture. “Volvo Group has been through quite a substantial set of changes over the last five years; we have changed the CEO and the

DEALERS

Volvo is determined to stay in the Middle East, says Per Forsberg.

new CEO has his own view on running the operation,” he says. “He wants to have a more brand-specific approach at the same time utilising the benefit of having five different brands in the group. That’s why the latest changes are happening.” Volvo has made great strides in the heavyduty segment in an increasingly tough Middle East market; taking share in some markets from more established names such as Scania and group member Renault. “I think Volvo is doing well overall in the Middle East but as everyone is having the same issues with the current economic situation in the region that is of course hampering development in sales. Volvo is determined to stay in the Middle East.” Forsberg has previously spent several years in the Middle East and has twice been based in Dubai – the first time with Al-Futtaim. He jokes that he always manages to leave the Emirates at an economically prudent time. “I was in Dubai for five years between 1994 and 1999 then I was there again between 2005 and 2008 full stop since then I’ve been traveling backwards and forwards from there. Look what

happens when I left.” Forsberg argues that it is the group’s product offering from trucks to construction equipment – which in some instances, such as the UAEs Famco, is available from a single supplier – that is powering its progress. “Looking at the FH range, I think that is a well-proven product in the Middle East especially when it comes to heavy haulage – the typical 3 axle tipper trailer you see when going from Fujairah and Dibba (in the UAE),” he says. “Drivers are very happy with them and we have a good safety level. On the other side we are concentrating on the FMX products. They are very good products for the construction site and of course that has been a focus for some years. “I think we are one of the few suppliers in the world that can supply equipment with the FMX together. Using Famco as an example it makes life very simple for them to have the same type of components. Technicians gain a lot more transition of knowledge even if they themselves are quite specialised.” He says that demand in the logistic sector is dependent “on what market you are talking about” but its reach is, perhaps ironically, limited. “In Saudi Arabia, we are quite strong on the logistics side on the long range haulage, for instance, but when you come into the city districts then it tends to be more suited to a product range that we are not selling. You are getting down into a segment that is below our range. It is also a very different customer that is very cost-driven on the purchase price and they are not always looking at the total picture, you know.” Forsberg’s current role asks him to support both the internal and external hubs of Volvo.

Volvo Group’s new CEO Martin Lundstedt is a truck market veteran.

He says he spends much of his time fielding questions, sharing market knowledge and ensuring that the internal production hubs are producing the correct number of chassis for the network of dealers and distributors. As a fulcrum in the orders and production process he can see the value of strong regional partners. “In the Middle East we see private importers as our right hand man,” he says. “Yes, we get quite a lot of intelligence from them but we also take them through the same process that you have taken place in this week to give them even more in-depth product knowledge.” Looking back on the previous five years he sums up the moves that Volvo has had to make. “I think to start there was a determination and long term vision of what the group wanted to do. There were then a lot of acquisitions. The last five years have been about developing a cost-efficient structure. We had to have all of this change.”

on global trends: “This is my personal view, not Volvo view, I would say a few years ago the trend was for a lot of truck makes disappearing but the trend now is quite opposite - there are now actually more players getting in. I think people see a business opportunity, like the Chinese players who are growing more interested in the Euro 6 market. If the Chinese, for example, feel the need to be in the European market, they will comply. Of course, it’s not easy to develop those types of engines. A lot Chinese are looking for partners in Europe and trying to gain some knowledge. I think Volvo Group is set for very bright future.”

JULY 2016 TRUCK&FLEET ME 21

Driverless DRivERLEss Technology TEChnoLogy

Professor Nick Reed is excited by the potential in the health sector.

The RTA will be watching the GATEway project with great interest taking place in London later this year.

TransporTaTion TRAnsFoRMED

T&FME asks Professor Nick reed of TrL: is dubaiâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s dream of a quarTer of road jourNeys beiNg driver-Less by 2030 a feasibLe TargeT? 22 TRUCK&FLEET ME JULY 2016

Driverless Technology

Cars already have a high level of automate d, but the technolo gy has yet to be proven in urban environm ents .

heikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum’s bold plan to bring driver-less, or rather autonomous vehicles, onto the roads of Dubai could be one of the most radical urban transportation shake-ups since the first metro systems were introduced a century and a half ago. While the aims of cutting costs and traffic accidents seems straightforward enough, it will require new thinking, new approaches and technology, some of which will need to be invented on the hoof. But speaking to Professor Nick Reed, director at Transport Research Laboratory, it quickly becomes clear that the technology is nearer than you may think. “Thinking about Dubai and its targets and ambitions – if we are thinking about cars that can do some journeys in an automated mode, then that can happen very quickly; with the right support from the authorities; and with the right testing and regulations in place,” he says. Shaping this plan will be the RTA, Dubai’s road and transport authority. Director-general Mattar al-Tayer, recently revealed that the agency had already contacted a number of driverless vehicle sellers – including France’s EasyMile and its boxy 10-person people carrier – with plans to conduct live test-runs for these vehicles in Dubai. Reed thinks the city is a good fit to explore what this technology can do; 2030 is viable, he says. “The first thing to do is recognise there are already a significant number of journeys in Dubai on self-driving transport (on the metro),” he remarks. “Certainly, we have worked with the RTA (in the past). Their plans are being formulated now and it will be very interesting to see what they are doing.” The TRL, or Transport Research Laboratory, that Reed represents is a leading body in the

field of transportation. He tells T&FME that the organisation was founded in 1933: “The laboratory was set-up to understand how you build infrastructure to support the use of cars. Our remit was expanded to include road safety and how it can be improved.” Today, the non-profit organisation acts as an independent and impartial voice in both domestic and international development of transport and mobility initiatives. Later this year, it will conduct one of the largest scaled tests of autonomous vehicles in London's UK Smart Mobility Living Lab @ Greenwich, a unique environment where CAVs or connected and automated vehicles and other cars can be safely built, tested and integrated within the local community. TRL is not only leading that initiative but it also has its own £8 million project called GATEway that will trial and validate a number of automated vehicles, including driver-less shuttles and automated urban delivery systems. “We will be testing three different types of vehicle; one of which is an automated passenger shuttle that will operate on a fixed route,” he explains. “That route is completely unsegregated so they will be mixing with other traffic as it crosses roads. We will not only be testing how they are performing in that environment but also how people respond to it.” He adds that crowd-sourcing experts, Commonplace, will use digital and social media tools to map public responses. It is impossible to ignore the opinion of those most at risk should something unplanned happen. “It may be demarcated in some way with maybe paint to show where the vehicle will operate but there will be pedestrians and cyclists crossing between the route. It (GATEway) will be able to detect the other actors in the scene and make the appropriate responses. We will be learning about how these vehicles can be made

to work in a complex urban environment but also how to build trust across the public and industry. We feel there are so many benefits from their use. They are zero emissions, they are driverless, they are quiet vehicles and can transform mobility in the urban landscape.” The RTA which sits on the advisory board will be interested in the outcome of the research conducted in Greenwich, he adds. The field of autonomous vehicles continues to grow on a daily basis with the technology progressing almost a century on from the earliest experiments. It seems a critical mass is forming that should see the emerging technology break into mainstream adoption. “I'm very confident. Just look at the calibre of organisations that are pulling together a huge amount research resource into this: the Googles, Toyota, Nissan, Mercedes – all the major technology and automotive and Tier 1 supplier organisations are investing in this area,” says Reed. “How do you take the learning from the technology development that is going on to bringing self-driving systems to a wider audience; whether that is the movement of goods all passengers around the City?" According to Reed, sensors and software are emerging that with the capability of understanding the evolving environment around the vehicle enabling it to make appropriate decisions about how the vehicle should proceed within unsegregated and populated areas. “What we are doing now is understanding how vehicles need to be designed and how they can genuinely work in unconstrained normal road environment. It is a massive leap to go from a car that can fall-back on the capabilities of the driver to one that can do everything or itself.” He emphasises that the TRL is working to advise authorities how to ensure the public is safe while refraining from regulation that may

AUTOMATION IN LOGISTICS David O'Callaghan of Etali says that materials handling does lead the way in automotous technology. He is less enthusiastic on its use in the Middle East's warehouses. "In warehousing, jungheinrich has done some type of automation for a number of years and are very good at it," he says. "I would not be surprised to see a

automative company buying into Jungheinrich just for their automation technology. As for counter balance forklifts it will come probably in Europe and North America where wages are much hire and low cost labour is not available. How good it will work will be interesting as trailers will have to be parked in safe areas for loading and generally areas

where automation is happening are separated from pedestrians. I can't see it happening in the Middle East. First the cost is too high because you can get low cost labour from Asia. Secondly, local employment governments are trying to get their populations into work for a number of reasons not just economic, but also give young people employment."

JULY 2016 TRUCK&FLEET ME 23

Driverless Technology

A major challenge is how to ensure the driver is ready to take back control.

limit the technology before it is ready to be used on a large scale. If you over regulate then "you can stop innovation coming" that might lead to greater efficiency in travel, he warns. According to Reed, Greenwich will help collect data that cannot be found through traditional testing. Transport authorities like the RTA need to have a workable way to assess the performance of automated vehicles. "We are going to have to think of new ways to validate the performance of vehicles because there is variability and variation in the driving environment. It is infinite when you think about traffic conditions, weather and pedestrians and other hazards. You can't do that in traditional ways. We are going to have to find virtual ways of getting that confidence. You will also need a degree on validation of that performance on roads and how do you safely take these vehicles and test that they behave in the way that you expect and that's why we have set up the Smart UK Mobility Living Lab as an environment to do all that testing.” As an emerging technology it is also difficult to predict the speed and direction of its development. “Is it really hard to predict," Reed says. "Different organisations make different predictions about when and how these things will play out. Look at Tesla and what they have done with the Model S vehicle –having an over the air update. One day your vehicle was a standard vehicle, through an over the air

update it is capable of autopilot. These kinds of transformational steps that organisations do make it very hard to predict what’s going to happen. “I think over the next five years we will see more and more driver assistance going beyond just parking, lane guidance and adaptive cruise control to moving from highway to safer driving in low speed environments. That is going to have its challenges because if you have a vehicle that does a lot driving for you on a highway how do ensure the driver is ready to continue. And there are situations when the automation can’t continue such as when the weather changes. What do you do in a situation where arrive at a motorway junction and the vehicle says you now take over please, if you’ve been asleep, checking your emails, etc, how do you ensure that you are ready to take over. These are real challenges today. "If you are talking about the pods in Greenwich, for example, you will be able to use an app and it will take you to a tube station or your home if you live near enough. That’s happening now and we’ll be doing that later that in Greenwich later this year. A city like London for instance could benefit from deliveries that are quiet low emission vehicles that operate in the middle of the night – freeing up capacity during the day for other traffic." Reed is very positive when he talks about the wider use of autonomous vehicle technology and its integration with other technology in areas such as health, traffic management or even the retail sector: “You might be offered the

opportunity to pass a shop that has a particular offer that is relevant to you. If you are sharing that automated vehicle, you might have a cheaper journey if you are exposed to advertising whilst you are on your journey." He continues: "Health is the one that I am particularly interested in. There are potentially huge benefits if you can get people to and from their appointments and medication to them using automated vehicles. You can have people retain their independent mobility for much longer." He suggests that authorities like the RTA will need to adapt infrastructure like roads and stations according to the automated vehicles that are coming to the market soonest. "I think where there are particular areas that could benefit such as airport or residential areas two workplaces where there are heavy flows of traffic you would have to modify infrastructure to suit both types of movement. Also in Dubai you need to think about the specific challenges the temperature, of course, and there are particulates such as the sand that can affect sensors. Air conditioning for these vehicles might affect their range too. Every environment is unique and there are technologies out there that might address those problems. It's exciting times." Car and truck vehicle advertising is typically keyed to celebrate the driving experience. Reed says the industry is fighting to keep up with the advances in technology. "The market has always evolved to suit the consumer. I think this is such a radical change it is difficult to adapt to the new types of mobility that are offered however they are doing so and doing so quite rapidly," he says. As exciting as the technology is and the benefits it brings, there will seemingly be fewer jobs for drivers. Reed says the human factor will still be important. "Gradually, there will be more services conducted by automated systems but it will be gradual. There will be a migration away from manual driving jobs towards more service oriented jobs, supporting elderly, for instance. It will change but it's not going to be a case of waking up on the first of the month and every bus driver is out of a job.”

“yOU MIGhT hAve A CheAper jOUrNey If yOU Are expOSed TO AdverTISING whILST yOU Are ON yOUr jOUrNey” 24 TRUCK&FLEET ME JULY 2016

BUS NETWORK

“We service all buses and train 600 drivers. they seldom have the driving habits demanded by brt”

Out on the road. Scania is helping to develop a complete BRT in Accra.

26 TRUCK&FLEET ME JULY 2016

BUS NETWORK

Rapid connections Overhauling a city’s bus transpOrt infrastructure dOesn’t just mean mOre jOurneys it can mean mOre jObs, says scania’s fredrik mOrsing

n Ghana’s capital city Accra, Scania is rolling out the most comprehensive and complete Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) system in the company’s history. With 245 connected buses operating in their own dedicated lanes, the system is intended to improve the quality of life in one of Africa’s large cities. With a population of four million people, Accra struggles with the same problems as many other major cities in the world’s developing nations. It is experiencing a major influx of people from rural areas, has rapidly increasingly traffic levels, and relies on an economy that can’t cover the required expansion of the city’s transport system and infrastructure. Some 70% of Accra’s road network is overloaded with the number of cars on the road estimated to have grown by a factor of five in the past 15 to 20 years. Ghana’s government decided in 2007 that the only long-term, economically sustainable solution for Accra’s public transport was some kind of BRT system. When the President of Ghana, John Dramani Mahama, visited Scania in 2013, he had the chance to test drive a city bus and learn more about Scania’s work with BRT systems. The president invited Scania in to discuss a complete solution for Accra’s chaotic public transport situation. Two years later, Scania rolled out its most comprehensive bus system ever. In addition to 245 buses, the BRT system solution in Accra involves long-term financing, an electronic cash-free ticketing system, a big, modern workshop for service and maintenance

of all the vehicles, training for 600 bus drivers, and advice and support on starting up and operating the BRT system. The buses are also adapted for those with disabilities. “Scania has adopted a genuine customer perspective here,” says Fredrik Morsing, Managing Director for Scania West Africa. “We’re no longer just a bus manufacturer that provides vehicles and service. We have turned our perspective around and looked at what the customer really needs.” Morsing says in this case there are actually a number of customers, as there are many stakeholders involved in the project. “What they need and get from Scania includes buses, a secure ticketing system, a system for providing important information to customers, and a fleet management system for the profitable planning and operation of the buses,” he says. “We service all the buses and train the 600 drivers. They have previously been driving minibuses and seldom have the experience and driving habits demanded by a BRT system. We also provide consultancy services to identify good solutions within the project.” “When developing this BRT-system for Accra we have looked at what the customer really needs”, says Morsing. According to Morsing and everyone else involved, the most important thing in the whole project is the long-term finance. The whole substantial package is being financed through a 10-year loan. “This allows the government of Ghana and the other stakeholders to get the bus system almost for free,” says Morsing. “Income from operations

will cover the total costs. The system can be put into use immediately without needing to spend any money. It’s a very exciting concept for a city that otherwise lacks the resources to implement all its priorities and projects at the same time.” The BRT system in Accra has aroused major interest among several other African countries and major cities with similar levels of infrastructure and rapid growth and with insufficient funds for major investments. Côte d’Ivoire, Guinea, Sierra Leone, and Cameroon are among the countries to have asked Scania for advice on similar systems. The 245 connected buses in the system will travel in two corridors that tie together central Accra and the densely populated areas to the north of the city. An additional 50 Scania coaches are being connected to the system to allow for onwards travel to Kumansi, Ghana’s second biggest city, as well as to the neighbouring country of Côte d’Ivoire.

DIGITAL CONNECTIONS All of the buses in the system are digitally connected. They are linked to Scania for the planning of service and maintenance, to the operators for the management of ticketing, and to the Greater Accra Public Transport Executive, which manages public transport in the region. Each bus is equipped with both inward- and outwards-facing cameras. Christian Persson is global sales manager for Scania Bus Systems and now also Project Manager for the implementation of the BRT system in Accra.

JULY 2016 TRUCK&FLEET ME 27

BUS NETWORK

“This is the first time we have undertaken such a complete system,” he says. “I think selling a complete transport solution packaged together with a financial solution is the right way to go in this part of the world. I see major potential in other African countries. Scania West Africa has been a pioneer with this project. This is Scania’s future!” Skilled technicians are key for the successful operation of the new Scania BRT system in Ghana. To provide in-demand knowledge of heavy-duty vehicles, Scania will offer students vocational training at their modern workshop facility. “It is hard to find technicians with sufficient basic education that we can give the specialised education required,” says Morsing. “There are few opportunities in Ghana to gain experience, and many service technicians are self-taught. Modern technology requires more know-how, like computerised troubleshooting and diagnostic programs.” Morsing continues: “Efficient teamwork and good skills in written communication are just as important. For us this is a great investment.” To solve the problem and, at the same time, contribute to raising the level of technical know-how, Scania has initiated a collaboration with the vocational school GTTC (Government Technical Training Centre) in Accra.

SKILLS TRAINING Today, the training at GTTC is mainly focused on passenger cars, but the school lacks equipment for training on modern vehicles, trucks and buses. By offering specialised education in heavy-duty vehicle maintenance at the new and modern Scania workshop in Tema, 30 minutes east of Accra, around 30 students per year can acquire the special skills required. “For us this is a great investment. While we hope to recruit new co-workers among the students, we can also help raise the level of education for all prospective technicians interested in this area, which benefits both them, us and the industry in general,” says Morsing. In the workshop at GTTC, the 25 year-old Adam Seisu, bends down under the hood of a broken-down, government-owned vehicle. Seisu is in his third year at GTTC and in a couple of months will start his specialised training. “I have always dreamt of being a car mechanic, and bigger vehicles give more experience and better pay. Bigger engines also require both brains and muscles,” Sisu remarks, smiling and pointing at his head and biceps.

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F&s: manuFacturing is “key” in aFrica Frost & Sullivan sees manufacturing as one of the key future industries in Africa. The sector currently faces capital, labour and infrastructure challenges which are likely to become less burdensome with improved government policy, private sector investment and better business environments. One industry which does show considerable promise in Africa is automotive manufacturing and assembly. Automotive manufacturers are moving closer to Morsing says it is difficult to find technicians with a basic education,

African markets to produce vehicles. This is regarded as a practice that has primarily been adopted due to

His classmate Michael Boampong, nods in agreement. The 19 year old’s dream is to run his own workshop. “Training in heavy-duty mechanics would give me much more prospects for my future working field,” says Boampong. Constant Tsedzah, vice principal at GTTC, welcomes the funding. “We are very grateful for the investment, as the education in modern technology for heavy vehicles will be the cream of the centre,” she says. Billy Amedro from Scania West Africa and Constant Tsedzah, vice principal at GTTC. Billy Amedro from Scania West Africa and Constant Tsedzah, vice principal at GTTC. The project, given the name WestAfrican Transport Academy, also involves training of 600 bus drivers at the National Driver Academy, which is part of GTTC. Besides Scania, the project is supported by the Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) GmbH, which works on behalf of the German government. The vehicle component manufacturers Bosch, Wabco and ZF are co-sponsors as well and will contribute in regard to teaching aid in this three-year investment. Hartwig Michaelsen, Team Leader for GIZ public-private-partnership projects in Ghana, is confident in the project’s success, especially since it is private-sector led. “The business interest guarantees a faster and more sustainable progress,” he explains, adding that he is very impressed with the contribution from Scania. “The amount of space and equipment donated for training at the Scania workshop in Tema really show how much value Scania brings. This is really unusual and should be said loudly.”

the local content promotion policies instituted by countries like Nigeria and Kenya. These policies have resulted in restrictions on imports of second-hand vehicles as well tariffs on new vehicles. Nigeria has become one such hub where global manufacturers like Nissan, Ford and Volkswagen, together with local partners, have begun assembly of vehicles. Nissan currently operates at its semi-knocked down plant in Lagos, which has been operational since 2014, and Ford has also begun assembly of its popular Ranger pickup in the country. This is largely attributed to the successful adoption and implementation of the National Automotive Industry Development Plan (NAIPD), driving the growth of automotive manufacturing in the country. The plan aims to limit the amount of second-hand car imports through steeper tariffs. The push to local content promotion by government has also led to the establishment of assembly plants in the country. Mitsubishi is also eyeing Nigeria. In a statement last year, Anand Singh, West Africa head for Mitsubishi said the company was currently at the early stages of its planning and negotiations with Nigerian stakeholders. The arrival of Chinese brands, and the pace at which Nigeria’s automotive hub is developing, is setting a precedent for what can be achieved on the continent when prudent policies are followed by sound implementation. (source: frost & sullivan)

Fleet FLEET ManageMent ManagEMEnT

Mission: Special Fleet OpS

Stand by your work bencheS and deSkS aS T&FME unveilS the Strategy you need to be a crack fleet operation

ike any tight-knit Special Ops team, an effective strategy is critical to success of your operation. It should be drafted into a single document that identifies and specifies the requirements of business, defines how your fleet should be fit for action and how you will deploy your fleet in the future. A priority of your strategy should be a consideration of your organisations main objectives. It should also mesh like a well-made German transmission with your business’ approach to asset management and other aims such as environmental aspirations. Approach as many other joint operatives you possibly can. Drivers, passengers and other clients can give wider appreciation of the field of combat and inform the strategic direction for fleet management. These groups are going to use your vehicles and their operational knowledge and experience is important in ensuring the strategy focuses on the right issues. You are risking mission failure if you users are not consulted as there may be opposition to using the vehicles that your organisation has procured. Similarly, if the strategy is developed without user input, your fleet may not meet the needs of users in terms of fleet size, vehicle type, legislative changes and training requirements. Also consider working with other

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partners and stakeholders such as sector associations and relevant government bodies when building an effective and efficient fleet. User groups and benchmarking with other public sector organisations might allow you to access the information they have collected on users’ views. This may be particularly useful if the other organisations have similar vehicles to your organisation. The ultimate aim of a fleet operation should always be to reduce the number and length of journeys. Benefits such as financial savings, reduced accident and environmental risks could be hidden by a stale and static approach to managing your vehicles. Your mission profiles are suspect to a countless number of external factors and it is therefore imperative that your strategy is constantly reviewed, updated and relevant. Understanding the availability of your vehicles (ie uptime vs. downtime) and the number of vehicles that are being utilised out of the whole fleet, can help identify the efficiency of your fleet. Examine the number of accidents to identify the training requirements of your staff and the impact they are having on your insurance costs. Count the number of vehicle defects over the past six months to highlight maintenance issues. Also look at the number of vehicle re-

registration failures to measure the effectiveness of your maintenance programme or provider. If you’re not reacting to the cost pressures being exerted by rising fuel costs, then T&FME is not entirely convinced we’re the magazine for you. Understanding your fuel usage and logging km per litre/gallon data can help identify appropriate fuel usage, what your next vehicle should be as well as training needs. While the region isn’t traditionally as concerned by CO2 emissions as others, you may already have environmental targets in mind, especially if you are looking to compete for contracts with large multinational organisations. Recording your CO2 emissions can also help identify flagging trucks and weaknesses in your fleet. Looking at your maintenance costs, especially on per vehicle basis, should be food and drink to Middle East and African fleet operators. Use the data to investigate whether certain vehicles are costing more, possibly due to poor driving causing unnecessary wear and tear. If you’re not already reviewing your maintenance charges make sure they are subject to review and checking. Find out what your tyre cost is per vehicle to spot excessive damage or when tyres are being fitted when they could be re-tread instead. Next month, we will look at the role of the fleet manager. We welcome your own insight.

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

YOUNG AT HEART has only just begun. In partnership with our customers, we will continue our successful journey on which innovative solutions meet the future.

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