06 CONTENTS
A supplement of Cmme
34
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
36
sAfetY first
DEPUTY EDITor JERuSHA SEquEIRA jerusha.sequeira@cpimediagroup.com +971 4 375 5477
In this month’s issue, we examine two
SUB EDITor AELRED DOYLE
different aspects of the highly critical topic of safety: tyres and telematics. The common thread running through the articles on tyre safety and telematics use among fleets is the idea that many undesirable
NETWORK
06 / investing in ConneCtivitY Daimler is spending half a billion euros in truck connectivity over the next five years.
driving habits – like over-speeding, overloading and harsh braking/acceleration – are still particularly in trucking. Undoubtedly, this can
ArT DIrEcTor SIMON COBON
send maintenance costs soaring by accelerating
JUNIor GrAPHIc DESIGNEr PERCIVAL MANALAYSAY
In a region where the climate is hardly conducive for optimum tyre performance
MAN Truck & Bus discusses truck tech, competition and Middle East plans at Bauma.
year-round, it’s all the more crucial for a fleet
Ashok Leyland is increasing production capacity in the UAE with a $25 million investment.
the performance of drivers, while also investing in training and feedback mechanisms. Larger fleets, like those operated by Shell and PepsiCo, have realised the benefits of using technology to track their vehicles and ensure
FEaTURE
24 / expert ADviCe Sumitomo and ZAFco shed light on tyre safety for fleet owners.
drivers are driving safely (p. 36). Many others, no doubt, are also adopting best practices and harnessing telematics for fleet safety. After all,
34 / show business Exhibitors to keep an eye out for at Automechanika this month.
44 / fAKe pArts seiZeD
DISTrIBUTIoN MANAGEr SuNIL KuMAR sunil.kumar@cpimediagroup.com +971 4 375 5476 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
as this will be my last issue of Truck&Fleet ME. It’s truly been a pleasure and a tremendous learning experience. I’m very grateful to everyone from the has helped it grow. Thank you for your support!
Registered at IMPZ PO Box 13700 Dubai, uAE Tel: +971 4 440 9100 Fax: +971 4 447 2409 www.cpimediagroup.com FOuNDer
Al-Futtaim Motors confiscates $8.5 million worth of counterfeit parts.
DOMINIC DE SOuSA (1959-2015) PriNTeD by PRINTwELL PRINTING PRESS LLC
paRTiNg sHOT
© Copyright 2016 CPI. All rights reserved
48 / going for the glorY Tata Motors debuts a category for Indian drivers at its truck racing championship.
CirCuLaTiON & PrODuCTiON
On that note, I would like to bid you farewell,
industry who’s contributed to this magazine and
WORKsHOp
MArKETING MANAGEr LISA JuSTICE lisa.justice@cpimediagroup.com +971 4 375 5498
unsafe drivers are not just a threat on the roads; they’re bad for a company’s reputation as well.
ROUNd-Up
MarKeTiNG
owner or operator to ensure tyres last longer. One means of doing this is closely monitoring
18 / the trAnsporters
AccoUNT MANAGEr BIPIN SONEJI bipin.soneji@cpidubai.com +971 4 433 2856 DesiGN
10 / spotlight on innovAtion
FEaTURE
coMMErcIAL DIrEcTor MICHAEL STANSFIELD michael.stansfield@cpimediagroup.com +971 4 375 5497
unfortunately all too common in the Middle East,
the rate of wear and tear on tyres and parts.
COvER sTORy
aDVerTisiNG
Jerusha sequeira DeputY 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.
MAY 2016 TRUCK&FLEET ME 1
ONLINE
Truck&Fleet ME’s home on the web MOST POPULAR
1
EDITOR'S CHOICE
READERS' COMMENTS
Emaar’s $1bn Dubai tower to be taller than Burj Khalifa
New skyscraper to be centrepiece of Dubai Creek Harbour
2
Top 10 facts about Dubai’s $1bn ‘tallest tower’
Emaar’s The Tower will be “a notch” taller than the Burj Khalifa
3
PHOTO GALLERIES
Al Fahid Island among 27 Abu Dhabi projects approved in Q4 The Abu Dhabi Urban Planning Council approved 27 major projects in the last quarter of 2015. See photo galleries at: meconstructionnews.com/photos
Kareem Sadek, comment to story ‘UAE storms bring lessons for construction sector’
Explaining Dubai’s new PPP law
Scott Lambert of the Al Tamimi law firm explains the
READER POLL
new law governing public-
What needs to change in the construction industry following the damage caused by the UAE storms?
private partnerships
4
63% 0%
Green light for Vertical Industrial City, Dubai Steps
Dubai Municipality gets approval for several new mega projects
VIDEO
Sustainable development to
Aerial view of Mall of Qatar construction works When complete the centre will be Qatar’s largest mall, with over 500 stores.
include 2,000 apartments
See videos at: meconstructionnews.com/videos
5
Masdar City in Abu Dhabi outlines 5-year expansion
Long-term lessons from the UAE storms The first lesson should be to actually construct buildings properly, before selling the idea of ‘premium’ or ‘luxury’, which has mostly turned out to be non-existent. I hope this issue does not get swept up under the rug as a oneoff incident, and is seriously taken into account when enforcing new building codes or monitoring how developers design their buildings.
A nationwide overhaul of compulsory building regulations
A new set of voluntary guidelines on weather-proofing for contractors
33% 4% Limited action is needed as such weather is rare
Nothing – extreme weather is a problem everywhere
Log on for the latest from across the Middle East construction sector. Write to the editor at contact@meconstructionnews.com 2 TRUCK&FLEET ME MAY 2016
Climate control keeps you comfortable as you drive – MAN Genuine© AC parts.
It has been proven, in the heat of summer keeping drivers cool improves productivity, efficiency and safety, even if your air conditioning is working today an inspection by MAN qualified technicians will help to ensure it is still working when the thermometer reaches the high numbers of mid-summer. Stay comfortable in any season with our air conditioning maintenance services. For more information please contact your local MAN authorized dealership or service center. MAN Genuine Parts© & MAN Service© the signs of quality and reliability you can trust. www.man-middleeast.com
NETWORK
NETWORK 05 16
YOUR MONTHLY GUIDE TO THE MIDDLE EAST’S truCk and fleet operator netWork
NortherN sectioN of Qatar’s truck route to opeN by eNd 2017
Image for illustrative purposes only.
The first lanes in the northern part of Qatar’s upcoming multi-billion riyal Orbital Highway and Truck Route will open by the end of next year, public works authority Ashgal said. The new highway will have two lanes in each direction dedicated to trucks, in order to allow traffic to flow freely along the main expressway. According to Ashgal, the Orbital is designed to manage up to 3,000 heavy goods vehicles (HGVs) per hour. The highway will also be able to handle general traffic volumes of approximately 8,000 vehicles per hour in each direction. Qatar’s ambitious Orbital road project entails the construction of around 200km
of new dual carriageway, stretching from Mesaieed in the south to west of Al Khor in the north. The road will include 22 main interchanges, including bridges and underpasses, which will connect the Orbital to the main roads and expressways of the East-West Corridor Project, Salwa Road, Dukhan Highway and Al Shamal Road. When complete, the Orbital will provide better connectivity for Qatar’s industrial areas, namely Mesaieed, New Hamad Port, Dukhan, Al Khor and Ras Laffan, without the need to travel through the main residential communities of Al Wakra, Doha and Al Khor. This will help alleviate congestion and better manage vehicle movement in these areas, Ashgal said.
FIRST VEHIcLES TO SUppLY 40 pUbLIc bUSES TO OMAN
First Vehicles, part of Swaidan Trading, has struck a deal to supply 40 VDL low-floor city buses to the Oman National Transport Company. As part of the agreement, First Vehicles will also provide after-sales services for the buses, which will be used in public transport. Established in 2015, Oman-based First Vehicles is a joint venture with Al Izz Group. The company offers high-end buses, passenger cars and commercial vehicles, along with maintenance services and spare parts. “This is our first major contract in Oman, and we are looking to expand our business here even further,” said Ajit Kumar, CEO of Swaidan Trading. “We not only supply VDL buses but also offer a full maintenance service and supply spare parts in Oman. We have a big team of well-trained and highly qualified technicians already on the ground.”
IranIan automaker Iran khodro IndustrIal Group ( of dIfferent models to InternatIonal markets sI 4 TRUCK&FLEET ME MAY 2016
NETWORK
sCanIa dIsplays r 730 at Bauma Scania marked its 125th anniversary at Bauma this year, showcasing the heavy-haulage R 730 10x4, capable of handling up to 150t. The R 730, labelled the brand’s “showstopper”, can carry a load of up to 250t when permitted. The manufacturer exhibited a total of five trucks at Bauma, as well as three industrial engine platforms. The new units will add to the 15 Renault trucks in the company’s fleet
NEW TRaFFiC CONTROL CENTRE TO bE bUiLT iN aL baRsha Dubai’s Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) has unveiled a plan to build a new traffic control centre at Al Barsha to cover the road network in the area. The RTA will also be expanding the use of cameras and smart technologies like mobile cameras to monitor traffic movement. Under the plan, the authority will use mobile and virtual messaging signs (VMS) to inform road users about traffic conditions, especially during emergencies or when construction work is underway. These signs will be powered by solar panels and fitted with LED lights. The announcement came following an inspection tour by RTA director-general and chairman Mattar Al Tayer of the Deira Traffic Systems Control Centre.
al attIya delIvers 12 renault truCks to Beton ready-mIx Al Attiya Motors and Trading Company (AMTC), the Renault Trucks distributor in Qatar, has delivered 12 units from the K range to Beton Ready-mix, local media reported. The new units, which will add to the 15 Renault trucks in the company’s fleet, were handed over to Robert Tarazi, managing director of Beton Ready-mix, by Samer Makkawi, sales manager of Renault Trucks Qatar. “The new additions are expected to enhance the performance and productivity of the Beton Ready-mix fleet of trucks, thanks to the reliability and robustness of the allnew K range,” a company statement said. “Our decision to buy Renault trucks is based on our experience with the current fleet and, most importantly,
WORLD pREMIERE FOR IVEcO EUROcARGO 4x4
The Iveco Eurocargo 4x4 made its first public appearance at this year’s Bauma in Germany. The truck was showcased alongside a new Daily 4x4 steel 3-lateral tipper and a Trakker 6x6 3-lateral tipper.
The new Eurocargo 4x4 is designed for demanding off-road work, and is suited for construction and urban job-sites. It is available with a day or sleeper cab with standard roof. The Euro 6 truck has a gross vehicle weight (GVW) of 11.5t or 15t and a range of wheelbases measuring 3,240-4,150mm. It runs a Tector 7 engine in 220 and 250hp variants on the 11.5t version, and 250 and 280hp variants on the 15t version. Iveco teamed up with sister brand Case Construction Equipment at Bauma to exhibit their offerings.
(IkCo) has exported 30,000 vehICles InCe marCh 20, the Company saId.
our confidence in Al Attiya Motors and Trading Company in providing excellent after-sales service,” Tarazi said. Commenting on the deal, Mohamed Maali, CEO of AMTC, said: “Beton Ready-mix’s choice to go with Renault Trucks reaffirms the success of Renault Trucks and its ability to offer the right truck for the right application.” “The success achieved by Renault Trucks in the Qatari market can be attributed to its brand, which is renowned in this field, and to the excellent reputation enjoyed by AMTC in terms of the service and transport solutions offered to our customers.” In a separate announcement, Renault Trucks recently said it had strengthened its financing and after-sales solutions for customers in the Middle East. The new solutions are said to help the French manufacturer increase productivity and truck efficiency and decrease the overall cost of ownership for fleet managers.
MAY 2016 TRUCK&FLEET ME 5
NETWORK
daimler to iNvest $560m iN truck coNNectivity
Daimler Trucks will add new service packages to its telematics systems, beginning at IAA this year.
Germany’s Daimler Trucks is investing around half a billion euros ($559.6m) over the next five years in connecting its trucks and creating new services and digital solutions, the manufacturer announced. Beginning at the IAA International Commercial Vehicles Show this year, Daimler Trucks will add new service packages to its telematics systems and make platforms accessible to third parties. “The company has also set up the structural framework for the digital transformation
of the truck business, and established corresponding structures in all business units,” Daimler Trucks said in a statement. Around 365,000 Daimler trucks worldwide are already connected via the FleetBoard telematics system and the Detroit Connect system in North America, a partnership between Daimler Trucks and Zonar Systems in truck connectivity. “We are connecting the truck with the internet, making [it] the mobile data centre of the logistics network,” said Dr Wolfgang
Bernhard, board member at Daimler AG responsible for Daimler Trucks & Buses. Connected trucks will benefit all parties involved in goods transport – drivers, schedulers, fleet operators, workshops, manufacturers, insurance companies and authorities, Bernhard said. “They receive information in real time which was previously unavailable: about the condition of the tractor unit and semitrailer, traffic and weather conditions, the parking availability at motorway service stations, rest areas and much more.”
AL-FUTTAIM INkS DEAL WITH EMIRATES DRIVING INSTITUTE
An initial batch of 140 Yaris sedans has been handed over to EDI.
6 TRUCK&FLEET ME MAY 2016
Al-Futtaim Motors has inked a partnership with Emirates Driving Institute (EDI) that will see it supply a new fleet of Toyota Yaris hatchbacks and sedans for existing and new students. An initial batch of 140 Toyota Yaris sedans has been handed over to EDI, with the remaining units to be delivered by the end of the year. All cars have been modified with a dual pedal system that is said to improve
safety for both student and instructor. “We expect this to be a solid milestone in a longstanding relationship with EDI,” said Saud Abbasi, managing director of Toyota at Al-Futtaim Motors. Amer Ahmed Belhasa, managing director at EDI, said: “This partnership with Al-Futtaim Motors is a step in the right direction, ensuring that our training fleet is of the highest quality.”
NETWORK
TURKEy’s aKia TO OFFER aLLisON xFE TRaNsMissiON Turkish bus-maker AKIA has teamed up with Allison to feature the latter’s fully automatic xFE transmission, making it the first manufacturer in Europe to do so. Allison’s T 3375 xFE fully automatic transmission will be offered in the AKIA Ultra LF model, a 12m city bus powered by a Mercedes Euro 6 engine delivering 1,200Nm and 220kW (300hp). Allison’s xFE models are designed to deliver significantly more lock-up operation while operating at lower engine speeds in higher ranges. Allison now offers three new xFE models outside North America – the T 3280 xFE, T 3325 xFE and T 3375 xFE transmissions. Both Allison and AKIA will exhibit at Busworld Turkey at the Istanbul Expo Centre, April 14-17.
MOST UAE DRIVERS FAIL TO USE INDIcATOR Only 15% of drivers in the UAE use indicators while driving, according to a study conducted by RoadSafetyUAE and QIC Insured. This is a key contributor to deadly road accidents in the Emirates, accounting for 21% of fatalities in 2015. Some of the reasons for not using indicators could be indicative of the cultural backgrounds of UAE drivers. In instances where respondents did not use their indicator, the reasons given were: distraction by traffic (23%), non-indicating out of habit (16%), indicating seen as a sign of inexperience (16%) or weakness (9%), and indicating not usual in the respondent’s home country (11%).
One of the reasons given for not using indicators was that it is seen as a sign of “weakness”.
MaLaysiaN LOgisTiCs FiRM aCqUiREs 70 MaN Tgs UNiTs Malaysia’s Lee Ting San Group (LTS Group) has expanded its long-distance haulage fleet with 70 MAN TGS 19.360 4x2 BLS tractor units. Commenting on the choice of the MAN TGS vehicles, Lee Kah Chye, CEO of the LTS Group, said: “The MAN TGS convinced us with its performance, payload and low fuel consumption. In addition, the vehicle is convenient and easy to operate, which is greatly appreciated by our long-distance drivers.” The LTS Group’s headquarters are close to the MAN subsidiary in Prai, reducing the time needed for maintenance and servicing, he said. In comparison to other tractor units
in the Malaysian market, the MAN TGS offers an extra 360kg of payload, the Munich-headquartered manufacturer said. Driver comfort on the TGS is enhanced by the automated 12-gear MAN TipMatic gearbox and an L cab with a bunk. “The order from the LTS Group shows that MAN meets the customer’s stringent requirements for fuel-efficient and economic vehicles,” said Hartmut Müller, managing director of MAN Truck & Bus. Located in Prai, the LTS Group is a logistics service provider with a fleet of almost a thousand vehicles.
MAY 2016 TRUCK&FLEET ME 7
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he atmosphere is buzzing at the MAN stand on the first day of Bauma 2016, as a group of journalists wait for a press conference to kick off. Outside, the exhibition hall is still quiet as the gates are yet to be officially open to visitors. Five MAN trucks stand parked around the large booth, gleaming under the overhead lights, almost as if they’re awaiting the inspections to come from visitors and potential customers. The display on the stand includes a crane tipper from the TGL series, a two-axle MAN TGS with HydroDrive as a semitrailer tractor, a truck mixer on a four-axle MAN
10 TRUCK&FLEET ME MAY 2016
TGS, a 33t MAN TGS designed for the mining industry and a three-axle MAN TGX tipper with the new 560hp D38 engine. Bauma is an important show for the German manufacturer. Held over 605,000sqm of space, not only is it the world’s largest trade fair for the construction industry, it’s also organised in Munich, where MAN is headquartered. While the exhibition attracts visitors from the world over, it is a crucial means of reaching customers from the European truck market, which grew 17% last year, senior vice president for Truck Sales Johan Björnör tells reporters at the press conference. Globally, however, the scenario for truck
sales last year was a mixed bag. Russia and Brazil were among the worst performers, with truck markets shrinking by 44 and 49% respectively, Bjornor says. China, too, saw a severe contraction in sales, with the truck market decreasing by 32%. Meanwhile, the Middle East and African markets overall declined by 2% in 2015. Although the situation looks bleak for Russia and Latin America particularly, MAN Truck & Bus executives did not seem too concerned when Truck&Fleet ME sat down with them for an interview. “Truck markets are volatile everywhere,” says Dr Robert Seeger, head of Segment Management for trucks. “You see it in North
Cover CovER story sToRy
SpoTlighT on innovaTion Jerusha sequeira sits down with MAn truck & Bus executives At BAuMA 2016 to discuss truck technology, coMpetition And plAns for the Middle eAst
America, you see it in South America.” Markets tend to experience a downturn every other decade or so, which is quite normal, he explains. Through MAN’s global presence and its strong establishment in Europe, where the market is growing, it is able to compensate for losses in other territories. Looking ahead, the manufacturer sees a slight recovery in Russia, and has products at the stand specifically targeted towards the Russian market, such as a 6x6 with tipper heating. “We also have a strong organisation in Latin America. We are market leaders [there] since 2003. We are in good shape there, and once the market comes back, we're there.”
While there is a wide range of vehicles on display at the stand, the highlights of the MAN exhibit are the new solutions on offer, Seeger says. The two he draws attention to are the HydroDrive, being exhibited in combination with the MAN TipMatic gearbox for the first time, and the new light hypoid tandem axle being launched at Bauma. The MAN HydroDrive is an optional hydrostatic drive in the front axle, which increases traction when required and delivers a strong braking effect on steep off-road slopes. Typical areas of application are unsurfaced roads and construction sites, farm and forest tracks and unclean roads, and roads covered
in ice and snow. One of the main benefits of the HydroDrive is a payload advantage of 500 to 750kg compared to conventional all-wheel drives, depending on the vehicle configuration. Another solution offering a payload advantage is the new light hypoid tandem axle unit, launched at Bauma. Compared to fitting a planetary axle, the light hypoid tandem axle unit weighs in at approximately 280kg lighter. Also making its premiere at the show was the MAN DriverConnect App. The new app establishes a connection between driver and dispatcher, enabling them to communicate via text message. The app helps the driver keep the dispatcher up to date regarding arrival at the
MAY 2016 TRUCK&FLEET ME 11
Cover story
destination address, breakdowns and so on. He also receives information regarding orders and addresses, which he can accept through the MAN navigation system integrated in the vehicle. This avoids transmission and typing errors. PLATOONING When talking truck technology, it’s hard not to bring up the concept of platooning, increasingly gaining popularity in the wake of the recent European Truck Platooning Challenge (see box-out). Truck platooning, which has the potential to make transport cleaner and safer, is the linking of two or three trucks in a convoy. These vehicles follow each other at a fixed, close distance by using connectivity technology and automated driving support systems. This helps reduce aerodynamic drag, thereby decreasing fuel consumption. MAN, like other major European commercial vehicle manufacturers, has been actively researching the technology, says Martin Böckelmann, head
of Media Relations at MAN Truck & Bus. However, despite the advantages platooning offers, numerous issues remain to be tackled before it can take off, he points out. The key challenge is varying regulations for trucks across different European countries. “We have difficulties in terms of harmonisation of legal aspects in Europe.” For platooning to become a reality, a high level of cooperation will be required between EU member states and stakeholders from the industry and traffic planning entities, in particular coordination of traffic regulations and legislation in different countries. “This was the main thing we learnt from this. The platooning technique works, although it is not available today for customers. But if the demand comes, we are ready to deliver,” Böckelmann says. Regardless of the issues associated with platooning, the challenge was a success. One of the main takeaways is that drivers do not have to
fear losing their jobs, he emphasises, noting that even if the trucks in a platoon are electronically linked, they still need to be manned by drivers. The only aspect that will take some getting used to on the driver’s part is driving so closely behind the preceding vehicle, Böckelmann adds. Once drivers get used to this, however, they only need to be aware of the traffic situation when a vehicle wants to cut in to take an exit, or another motorist wants to enter the motorway. “Then the platoon dissolves and others are let out or let in.” sYNerGY ANd cOmPeTITION Five other manufacturers participated in the platooning challenge last month, among them MAN’s sister truck brand under the Volkswagen Group, Scania. The intense competition between major European truck brands is more or less an open secret, but the nature of MAN’s relationship with Scania in particular is interesting. “Of course, there are huge synergies
“We hAve A sTrONG OrGANIsATION IN LATIN AmerIcA. We Are mArkeT LeAders [There] sINce 2003. We Are IN GOOd shAPe There, ANd ONce The mArkeT cOmes bAck, We're There” 12 TRUCK&FLEET ME MAY 2016
Cover story
The MaN platoon which took part in the european Truck Platooning Challenge last month.
between the two companies, and we are in discussions with Scania. There have been already established projects that have been announced,” Seeger says, referring to cooperation between MAN and Scania on vehicle gearboxes as an example. As part of the collaboration, Scania's gearbox hardware will be gradually implemented in TGS and TGX series MAN vehicles from this year on. Despite internal synergies, however, both brands – like the others under the Volkswagen Group umbrella – will remain independent and stick to their core identities, he notes. Franz von Redwitz, managing director of MAN Truck & Bus Middle East, points out that while MAN and Scania may have technical synergies, they will continue to compete. He adds that he views Scania as just as big a rival as MAN’s most fierce competitor, Mercedes. “Scania is a very strong brand. And I hope it remains a strong brand in the market, because it's good to have good competition.” deveLOPmeNTs IN The reGION When asked about MAN’s plans for the Middle East this year, von Redwitz says that MAN is currently testing TGX units with refrigerated trailers for a prominent Saudi-based dairy customer. While a large portion of the company’s fleet currently is MAN (1,200 out of 1,800 units), they are predominantly TGS units at the moment. The TGX units being tested come equipped with a solution initially developed for cold countries: an insulation package for the cab.
14 TRUCK&FLEET ME MAY 2016
The insulation was developed in order to cut back on the problem of engine idling during summers, when drivers generally leave the air conditioning running while they sleep in the vehicle, causing the engine to run 24x7. “We have now put a solution with an insulation and a cooling system which works independently from the main engine to save fuel, and so a package made for cold countries is now used
in Saudi Arabia to keep it cold inside.” Moreover, von Redwitz notes that seeing several trucks on the road operated by the same customer makes him wonder if platooning will be viable in the Middle East – particularly given the ability to save up to 10% on fuel costs. “Imagine, 1,800 trucks on the road every day saving 10% on fuel, even with Saudi fuel prices.” Like other manufacturers, MAN is also keen on resuming business in Iran, von Redwitz says. “We have appointed two new importers for trucks and for buses last year. We're ready for the market start. We have the first order for 500 trucks in-house, so the Iranian business is starting now.” MAN currently has one importer for trucks and one for buses in the Islamic Republic, he says. While the bus importer has a long history with the German brand, the truck importer is newly appointed. Apart from increasing personnel in Iran, MAN is also taking the first steps towards CKD production in the country to localise its trucks, as part of its strategy to penetrate the market, von Redwitz says. “We're in the process of training staff, building a flagship workshop in Tehran, and we're building the sales and after-sales network at the moment, so our importer is very busy in negotiating projects with dealers and appointing service partners at the moment.”
The eurOPeAN Truck PLATOONING chALLeNGe Last month saw europe host the world’s first cross-border initiative with smart trucks, involving six platoons of semi-automated trucks. The convoys, from six different truck brands, began their journeys from various european cities, reaching their final destination of the Port of rotterdam in the Netherlands on april 6. The european Truck Platooning Challenge was organised by the Netherlands as part of its eu Presidency. The european automobile Manufacturers’ association (aCea) and its commercial vehicle members – DaF Trucks, Daimler Trucks, iveco, MaN Truck & Bus, scania and Volvo Group – were involved in the
initiative, with each member supplying one of the platoons. “The results of this first ever major try-out in europe are promising,” says Melanie schulz, the Dutch minister for infrastructure and the environment, who spearheaded this initiative. she adds that the experience gathered from the challenge will help towards eventually making self-driving transport a reality. For platooning to work, the distance between each semitrailer combination should be under 15m, or around half a second of driving time. Depending on vehicle type and the length of the convoy, this enables fuel savings of up to 10% for the whole platoon, bringing with it a reduction in
CO2 emissions. The desired effects are best achieved at a speed of 80km/h. Other manufacturers besides MaN have noted that differences in legislation between eu member states could hinder the roll-out of truck platooning across europe. “harmonisation is needed if we want a wide-scale introduction of platooning,” says harrie schippers of DaF Trucks. Moreover, it is also crucial that there be sufficient demand for platooning to ensure the right level of market uptake. Following the Truck Platooning Challenge, many companies have expressed interest in the technology, such as unilever and major Dutch supermarkets, the aCea said.
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.
Scania Middle East FZE www.scania.com
AdvertoriAl AdvERToRiAL
BUILT FOR THE GULF
Scania haS releaSed a new off-road truck for the Gcc, fit for hard work and touGh buSineSS 16 TRUCK&FLEET ME MAY 2016
AdvertoriAl
has to be cleaned or replaced, improving the life of the engine and powertrain components. "The Scania Gulf Tipper is designed to provide all you need to reliably move your business ahead in the most challenging conditions, offering great torque, extraordinary traction, outstanding power and Scania’s renowned robustness and serviceability," says Ulf Erickson, regional sales director at Scania Middle East.
The Scania Gulf Tipper is equipped with the Opticruise automated gear shifting system.
S
cania has a new offering for the GCC construction industry in the Scania Gulf Tipper, an off-road truck built for tough missions. Equipped with new features, the Scania Gulf Tipper is made especially for the region, offering improved reliability and durability with maximum up-time and service life. The unit is equipped with the Opticruise automated gear shifting system to ensure superior driveability, comfort and operating economy. It has a specially designed frame and brackets to give superior rust protection and robustness to the body with an extra heavy-duty draw beam, which increases strength when tipping. An air restriction indicator on the instrument panel identifies when the air filter
KEEPING THE CONSTRUCTION INDUSTRY GOING Every day, Scania vehicles can be found hard at work at construction sites throughout the world. Durability, reliability and drivability are a few reasons why professionals rely on Scania to move their business ahead. "At Scania, we offer more than trucks. Together, we can tailor complete solutions that support your operations in the best possible way. With Scania construction trucks and services, you get all you need to support your operations," Erickson says. IMPROVING TOTAL OPERATING ECONOMY • Up-time. You get a robust and durable truck that is built to never let you down. You also get access to our global service network – we’re dedicated to your profitability. • Productivity. You get a truck that takes payload, drivability and productivity to the next level, perfectly specified to your operating conditions. • Fuel efficiency. You get a truck that is fine-tuned to achieve just the right balance between performance and fuel efficiency.
SCANIA’S OUTSTANDING POWERTRAIN: The best way to improve total operating economy is to find the perfect balance between drivability, startability and fuel consumption. Scania does it by optimising its powertrain. • The traction panel – how to put power to the ground. On the dashboard you will find a panel dedicated to improving traction. Controls include differential lock, traction, weight transfer and off-road mode. Every feature is designed to give you total control of your vehicle’s traction. • Scania Opticruise – gear-changing intelligence. Scania Opticruise is an automated gear-changing system that ensures the correct gear is always selected, thus optimising fuel consumption and reducing stress on the powertrain. The system is available with either a classic clutch pedal or a fully automated version with a rocking function. Multiple modes can be specified to deliver the correct strategy for different conditions. Standard, power and off-road mode can be specified. Features such as hill-hold and retarder complete the system. THE SCANIA HERITAGE Scania has been on the road for more than a century. Durable, robust and ingenious solutions have always been our trademark, and our innovations continue to be a driving force within the industry. It’s no wonder then that Scania trucks are appreciated by drivers and operators around the world.
MAY 2016 TRUCK&FLEET ME 17
Feature FEaTURE
The TransporTers IndIan commercIal vehIcle powerhouse ashok leyland Is steppIng up Its productIon game wIth a $25 mIllIon upgrade to Its uae plant
18 TRUCK&FLEET ME MAY 2016
Feature FEaTURE
O
ne of the most widely visible commercial vehicle brands in the GCC, India’s Ashok Leyland has long been a strong player in the region’s bus segment. Buses bearing the Indian brand’s marque are a familiar sight on roads, ferrying children to schools and workers to construction sites. Indeed, with a market share in the UAE of over 70% in school buses and over 90% in construction transport, Ashok Leyland’s dominance in these two segments is tough to challenge. The high demand in the region, coupled with the UAE’s position as a hub, saw the $2.2 billion company set up an assembly plant in Ras Al Khaimah (RAK) in 2010. The opening of the plant was part of a wider strategy to establish a stronger Middle Eastern presence and build closer ties with customers in the region. Six years later, that decision appears to have paid off, as Ashok Leyland gears up to increase production at its RAK facility. In early March, the company announced that it would increase the factory’s production capacity, in order to expand production of current models and introduce new models into the regional market. The foundation stone for expansion was laid at a ceremony attended by Sheikh Saud Bin Saqr Al Qasimi, Supreme Council Member and Ruler of Ras Al Khaimah; dignitaries from the parent company Hinduja Group; and other guests and media.
Supreme Council Sheikh Saud Bin Saqr Al Qasimi, mah, with Member and Ruler of Ras Al Khai ly. fami uja Hind the of bers mem
MAY 2016 TRUCK&FLEET ME 19
Feature
The expanded plant will be able to assemble 10 trucks a day, Ashok Leyland says.
Spurred by an investment of about $25 million, the expansion will see production double from 12 to 24 buses daily, says Vinod K Dasari, managing director. The plant will also more than triple its annual installed capacity to 6,000 units a year. In addition to the buses, the plant will be able to assemble about 10 trucks a day, Dasari says. “This plant is key for the supply of buses to address the needs of GCC countries, and with Ashok Leyland’s ambitious plans for Africa, we foresee further expansion of the facility.” As it sets its sights on a wider footprint in the region, the manufacturer is looking to introduce new models in the market, including midi buses and trucks. At a press conference held to announce the factory expansion, Ashok Leyland executives admitted the brand had historically lagged behind in some segments, like tour buses. However, this gap will soon be tackled with the introduction of a new 8m bus a few months down the line, says K. M. Mandanna, head – International Assembly Operations. “With the launch of this new product that we're bringing in, we'll be getting into the hospitality industry in a very big way.
20 TRUCK&FLEET ME MAY 2016
We'll be getting into executive transport. So we will be moving away from our traditional segments into those segments.” In addition to the bus, the brand will also be launching a medium-duty truck available in 8t and 12t versions, Dasari says. “These will both be world-class products that will showcase the quality and capability of this facility.” Nevertheless, given that school and staff transport are the company’s bread and butter, what’s the outlook for these segments? It’s certainly still positive for construction, and Ashok Leyland remains confident that the region’s upcoming mega events will continue to drive demand for staff transport. The school segment is also booming, as many educational institutions and groups undergo expansion and open new schools, Mandanna says. As a result, despite the current market uncertainty, the company does not see any fear of the crisis of 20082009 repeating itself, he notes. In the construction segment, the brand is confident of the continued success of its Falcon bus, which commands a majority of the market, going from a 40% market share prior to the establishment of the
“This is noT a shorT-Term commiTmenT To jusT do some local assembly, buT To build The capabiliTy here so ThaT This can become a cenTre of excellence for all our inTernaTional operaTions”
Apollo Tyres Middle East FZE T : + 971 488 41603 www.apollotyres.com
Feature
The upcoming mega events in the region will drive demand for staff transport in the construction segment.
Shaikh Nahyan Bin Mubarak Al Nahyan, Minister of Culture and Knowledge Development, tours the plant.
“WiTh The launch of This neW producT ThaT We're bringing in, We'll be geTTing inTo The hospiTaliTy indusTry in a very big Way” RAK plant to a 90% share currently. “Since we put up this plant, we continued to expand capacity, brought customers here [and] customised the vehicles to their requirements. Today, not a single vehicle comes directly from India. All of them are made here,” Dasari says. Local manufacturing is certainly one of the secrets to Ashok Leyland’s success here, Mandanna notes. “Having set up a plant here, our credibility is high in the existing customer base. We're able to support them right here, because the plant is here, the product is made here, the components are available here." “It's a commercial vehicle, so the support is the most critical part of it. That is where we're scoring phenomenally. Being a local company, we're able to offer customers local service and the correct price. That makes a lot of difference.”
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Meanwhile, Dasari is careful to point out that the bus is not simply assembled in the UAE with components brought in from India. Apart from the engine, gearbox and driveline, the entire bus is manufactured locally, he says. “We have developed the supply chain, and we have customised the product for local requirements. This is not a shortterm commitment to just do some local assembly, but to build the capability here so that this can become a centre of excellence for all our international operations.” Staff from the RAK plant are currently evaluating plants in East and West Africa, he says proudly. Experts from the RAK plant are also sent to the manufacturer’s facility in the UK to help improve performance. “We are also sending people from here
back to India to help them improve the performance in India, because what we have achieved here is truly a global benchmark in terms of quality and productivity,” Dasari says. Going forward, the brand is keen on investing in and developing the local capability that has been vital to its success. One means of achieving this will be the establishment of a design and service training centre at the facility. “The capability exists here. The talent exists here. We're going to augment that talent and capability by building a design office,” Dasari says, noting that 80% of vehicles worldwide are left-hand drive, as opposed to righthand drive vehicles in India and the UK. Ashok Leyland’s RAK facility, therefore, is currently its only plant producing lefthand drive vehicles. Designs for left-hand vehicles to be supplied anywhere will thus come from the RAK plant, Dasari says. “The people here have the capability to go set up a greenfield site, set up a local supply chain, as well as help set up a service training centre," he concludes. "We will be bringing people from wherever we expand to Ras Al Khaimah to learn how to do servicing.”
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Feature FEaTURE
vic
Tyre-makers explain how you can run your fleeT more safely by paying aTTenTion To Tyre care
24 TRUCK&FLEET ME MAY 2016
FEaTURE Feature
Raghavendra Sanga, head of Product Communication & Marketing at ZAFCO.
I
n a region like the GCC, where harsh weather is a norm and trucks are usually subjected to especially demanding use, tyre safety should be a priority for fleet owners. Tyres form a significant portion of a fleet’s running costs, and neglecting them is a significant safety hazard, in addition to being financially unwise. Truck&Fleet ME decided to speak with tyre manufacturers to get their perspectives on the most common tyre-related violations in the region, and their advice for fleet owners. Unsurprisingly, the biggest challenge for tyres in the GCC is the high ambient temperatures characteristic of the region, manufacturers agree. “Tyre components have to be designed to have sufficient heat dissipative qualities and be resistant to heat generation,” says Toshifumi Yuze, senior general manager of the Technical Service Department at Sumitomo Rubber Middle East. However, besides ambient temperature, tyre heat can also be generated from operational issues such as running on low pressure, or continuously for long distances, he notes. “Proper maintenance and education of truck users is key.” Raghavendra Sanga, head of Product
Communication & Marketing at UAE-based tyre distributor ZAFCO, echoes Yuze’s observations, noting that heat is a tyre’s “worst enemy”. High ambient heat can lead a tyre’s casing to deteriorate, leading to premature failure, he explains. “Considering such high ambient temperature in the region, we use cooler running compound and tailor-make our tyres accordingly for such weather conditions.” However, even the best of engineering and R&D can go in vain if tyres are subjected to prolonged abuse, as is unfortunately all too common with trucks in the region. Among the most commonly observed tyrerelated violations are overloading and failing to maintain proper inflation pressure, Sanga says. “When it comes to the commercial vehicle sector, the maximum load carrying capacity is often overlooked by the truckers in some GCC countries, and they tend to overload to maximise
their revenue. On top of this, the inflation pressure of the tyres is not maintained properly.” This combination of overloading and under-inflation is a dual blow to tyres, leading to severe heat generation and tyres failing prematurely rather than lasting a full life and being retreaded thereafter. Moreover, ZAFCO has also noticed that when trucks or trailers have dual tyre fitments on their axles, the inner tyres generally do not have accessible valves. This means they are mostly ignored. “Mismatch of inflation pressures on duals can cause adverse effects and can reduce fuel efficiency.” When asked for advice to help fleet owners make the most of their tyres, Sanga and Yuze both emphasise that maintaining the right pressure is paramount. “Tyres used with the right pressures can deliver long mileage, stable driving performance and retreadability,” Sanga, says, noting that pressure should be checked once a fortnight. In addition, ZAFCO recommends that fleets implement a pre-trip inspection policy, which covers all basic checks on trucks before they leave for long trips. Yuze also recommends checking tyre pressure once a fortnight, and not forgetting spare wheels. “These checks should be made only when the tyres are at ambient temperature, commonly referred to as the cold inflation pressure. An increase of pressure during running, which may reach or even exceed 20%, is normal and is allowed for in the design of the tyre.” “Therefore the inflation pressure of warm tyres must never be adjusted back to the recommended cold values. Note that the valve cap, which should be of the sealing type, acts as a supplementary air seal and must be fitted at all times.” Pressure maintenance is especially key, considering that it is not the tyre itself that bears the vehicle’s load, but the air inside it. “Hence, pressure maintenance is the
“as far as possible, mount only the same brand of tyre with the same tread pattern, depth and pressures in a dual assembly” MAY 2016 TRUCK&FLEET ME 25
Feature
Toshifumi Yuze, senior general manager of the Technical Service Department at Sumitomo Rubber Middle East.
most critical factor in tyre maintenance.” Another top tip is to avoid reckless driving, such as over-speeding, harsh braking or acceleration, and driving over footpaths. “Harsh or panic braking and sudden acceleration can result in the tyre wearing out severely on the tread. This leads to loss of road grip,” Sanga says. Also, driving over footpaths can result in the breaking of tyre cords, he adds, meaning air infiltrates the tyre and appears as a bulge on the sidewall. When it comes to tyre care, the importance of timely tyre rotation and wheel alignment also cannot be overstated, Sanga says. As far as dual tyre fitments are concerned, Yuze notes that mismatching of dual tyres is a significant problem in trucking, though it’s difficult to determine exactly how prevalent it is. Dual assemblies with significantly different diameters return less-than-optimum wear results because the tyre with the larger diameter carries more of the load, causing rapid wear. Meanwhile, the tyre with the smaller diameter is subjected to very high levels of
slip, creating rapid and irregular wear. Moreover, tyres in a dual assembly should not be inflated to different pressures, as the tyre with the higher inflation pressure will have a higher contact pressure with the road, carrying more of the load, leading to rapid wear. “As far as possible, mount only the same brand of tyre with the same tread pattern, depth and pressures in a dual assembly,” he suggests. Yuze’s final tip to fleet owners, operators and drivers is to carry out periodic visual inspections to identify conditions that can damage tyres if left unattended. “The tyres on a vehicle should be examined regularly, with particular attention being paid to the tread for evidence of abnormal wear, cuts, localised deformities and foreign bodies (like grit and nails).” Sidewalls should be inspected for cuts, cracks, impact damage, abrasion and localised deformities, while the bead/rim flange region needs to be checked for signs of chafing, rim damage and misfitment. “In cases of any such damage, the tyre must be checked by a specialist.”
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2016/04/19 10:19
Torn or worn out cardan sha s? We offer the solu on! For the first me in the region! 1 year warranty unlimited mileage / opera ng hours no me loss - 24 hours produc on for all cardan sha s* European manufacturer standards vs. local repair with possible consequen al damages exchange program old against new for all types of cardan sha s available • cardan sha components sourced from Germany • assembled in the UAE • according to German manufacturing standards • all commercial vehicles, heavy equipment and industrial applica ons • general cardan sha assembly & balancing * from point of order confirma on delivered within 24 h in UAE/48 h GCC
CSN Middle East FZCO PO Box 35790 Dubai Silicon Oasis United Arab Emirates CSN Middle East is a partner of the WiCHMANN-group CSN is a brand of the WiCHMANN-group
Tel. +971 4 3333 731 Fax +971 4 3333 732 info@csn-me.com www.csn-me.com Leistung, die bewegt
INTERVIEW
GOING GREEN
At the UItP MeNA trANsPort CoNgress lAst MoNth, exeCUtIves froM volvo BUses ANd fAMCo hIghlIghted growINg treNds IN PUBlIC trANsPort IN the regIoN 28 TRUCK&FLEET ME MAY 2016
INTERVIEW
I
“SINcE 2007, ThE RTA hAS bouGhT EuRo 4 buSES, AND cuRRENTly ThEy ARE ASkING foR EvEN hIGhER STANDARDS”
n a region where fuel is cheap and residents love their cars, encouraging people to switch to public transport is not without challenges. But with growing traffic woes and rising pollution levels, authorities in the GCC and wider MENA region are now much keener on increasing the use of public transport – evident through investments in railway lines, trams and, of course, buses and coaches. Volvo Buses is one of the many manufacturers looking to capitalise on this. At the UITP MENA Transport Congress & Exhibition held in Dubai last month, the Swedish brand sought to highlight its solutions for the Middle East. Although oil prices and geopolitical tensions are slowing take-up in some markets, the overall picture is still strong, notes Hysen Rebello, director – Commercial Development for the Middle East, Africa & CIS at Volvo Bus Corporation. In Saudi Arabia, for instance, the market is currently low on account of the above factors. The other chief obstacle is that nearly all transport in the Kingdom is carried out in private cars, Rebello explains, noting that people’s attitudes towards public transport will need a major overhaul. “When you have been travelling in your private luxurious car, you have a mind-set issue, so they're working on that to get people out of their cars and into the buses. The focus will be to have really high-end luxury buses for people to use for public transport.” Saudi authorities, however, are now seeing the need for change and are working on developing BRT systems in major cities, he says. “The direction is very clear: it is going towards public transport. In some cities, the tendering process has started. Riyadh is done tendering. Next in line are Makkah, Madinah, Jeddah and Dammam.” While Volvo Buses doesn’t currently carry out assembly in Volvo’s King Abdullah Economic City facility – used primarily for trucks at the moment – there is potential to build buses there if demand is sufficient. “Right now, we don't sell so much in Saudi, so the focus is on restarting the market.” In the Kingdom, Volvo is also currently focusing on large customers like Saudi Aramco and certain universities which are seeking premium European buses, points out Abdalla Haylouz, regional sales manager – Bus & Coach at AlFuttaim Auto & Machinery Company (FAMCO), the dealer for Volvo buses in UAE and Qatar. In Qatar, too, much of the bus market for Volvo is driven by the oil & gas industry. “The oil & gas sector wants premium products, and Volvo fits over there.”
The brand delivered its first coach in Qatar two years ago, he adds. “Most of the oil & gas companies have started approaching us now for quotations to upgrade their current fleets. Within two years, we should have very good business in Qatar.” Meanwhile in the UAE, FAMCO supplied 18 Volvo buses to the Sharjah Roads and Transport Authority last year, says David Sawiras, national sales manager – Bus & Coach, FAMCO. The company is also receiving enquiries from other emirates as they seek to develop their public transport fleets, in addition to being shortlisted in a tender released by Abu Dhabi’s Department of Transport to upgrade the public transport system in the Western Region. EMERGING TRENDS A growing trend in the public transport arena is the use of low-entry buses, as opposed to low-floor, Sawiras says. A key factor behind their success could be that low-entry buses are considerably cheaper than low-floor options. “They can also accommodate a greater number of passengers, so authorities realised that they can save a really big amount of money by adapting this mid-range solution.” Volvo has been focusing on promoting low-entry buses for a while now, Rebello points out. “We’ve had some very good examples in Latin America and in Asia, where the authorities have indeed seen the added benefit of low-entry as opposed to low-floor.” There is also increasing interest in greener options like hybrid and hybrid-electric buses, solutions currently running in Europe. But although these products are available, the demanding air-conditioning requirements in the Middle East continue to hinder their widespread introduction here, Rebello says. It may be a while before hybrid buses become a norm in the Gulf, but the region can certainly expect to see higher emission standards soon. Starting from 2017, there will be a GCC-wide upgrade to Euro 4. However, governments are already leading the charge towards low-emission diesel, with Dubai’s Roads and Transport Authority in particular demanding higher emission standards. “Since 2007, the RTA has bought Euro 4 buses, and currently they are asking for even higher standards. The DoT also asked for Euro 4 as a minimum in the last tender that they launched this year. So we see that the governments are leading the whole region in low-emission standards.”
MAY 2016 TRUCK&FLEET ME 29
AdvertoriAl AdvERToRiAL
GoinG onCE, going twice… Over a thOusand equipment items and trucks will gO under the hammer at the Ritchie BRos. auctiOn this mOnth Auctioneer Ritchie Bros. will hold a massive auction in Dubai on May 24 and 25, featuring a large number of heavy equipment items and trucks. On day two of the auction, May 25, the auctioneer will sell a selection of trucks and other transportation equipment to the highest bidders. Interested people can register for free and join the auction in person at the Ritchie Bros. site in the Jebel Ali Free Zone, or live online via rbauction.com. The Dubai auctions are growing in popularity and continue to be a highly powerful market place for buyers and sellers of machinery, trucks and other equipment. Some highlights of the May auction in Dubai include: • A selection of truck tractors, including eight unused 2013 International Paystar 5900I 6x4 truck tractors
30 TRUCK&FLEET ME may 2016
• A selection of excavators, including 10 unused 2015 Volvo EC210BLC Prime excavators • A selection of mobile cranes, including low hour Sany hydraulic truck cranes (25 to 75t) • A selection of wheel loaders, including an unused 2016 Doosan SD300D and a 2009 Caterpillar 950H high lift wheel loader • Selection of dump trucks, including two 2013 Volvo FM480 8x4 dump trucks • Complete listings with photos can be found at the Ritchie Bros. website Ritchie Bros. auctions are unreserved, which means all equipment is sold to the highest bidders on auction day, without minimum bids or reserve prices. It’s considered a fair and transparent auction method which attracts online and on-site bidders in large numbers. In turn, this makes it an attractive channel
for equipment owners that have a desire to sell industrial assets they no longer need. Once added to the inventory the equipment is actively advertised through various channels, reaching buyers from all corners of the world. Businesses of all sorts and sizes sell their surplus trucks and machinery at the auctions. At an average Dubai auction, bidders from 60 countries join in person and online. At Ritchie Bros.’ most recent auction in Dubai, held in March 2016, the company sold more than 2,000 items generating more than $41 million in auction proceeds. Anyone interested in buying or selling at an upcoming auction should visit the Ritchie Bros. website at www.rbauction.com or contact the Dubai office directly at +971 4 812 0600
STRONG ON BUSINESS
SUITABLE FOR VARIOUS CONSTRUCTION APPLICATONS
RANGE K GVW: UP TO 40 Tons (6x4) and UP TO 48 Tons (8x4) Available in different axle conямБgurations.
Q&A
Back on Track
After A slowdown in 2015, business is growing AgAin for CArdAn shAft network Middle eAst. hAns georg brune, MAnAging pArtner, outlines the CoMpAny’s plAns And MArket trends he expeCts
32 TRUCK&FLEET ME MAY 2016
Q&A
CSN delivers shafts within 24 hours in the UAE and 48 hours in the GCC.
Can you give us a brief background of your company? Cardan Service Network (CSN) Middle East is a full-service cardan shaft manufacturer operating under the auspices of the WiCHMANN Group, a German provider of cardan shafts for over 30 years. CSN has operations including an assembly line for all kinds of cardan shafts in the GCC and MENA region. We are headquartered at Dubai Silicon Oasis, a logistically perfect hub for our growing regional footprint. How was business for CSN in 2015? Did you have any new major customers or orders? There were ups and downs. It started very strong in 2015, but it was not stable. After the oil price went down in the last quarter of 2015, things became slow, but they started to improve again from February this year. February and March were good, and April is even better, so it looks like we are back on track now. We have had a lot of big enquiries from various sectors, such as commercial vehicles, construction equipment and marine applications. There are more and more clients now recognising the value of our products. Are you eyeing any new markets at the moment? We're now looking at partners to open up branches in the remaining GCC markets. We are already in contact with people in Qatar, and we're also looking at people in Bahrain and Saudi Arabia. We want to set up production, assembly lines and distribution in Qatar and Saudi Arabia, and most likely only distribution in Bahrain because the market is smaller.
Hans Georg Brune, managing partner at CSN Middle East.
What gives CSN its competitive edge? We are the only one doing what we do. Everybody else manufactures outside of the GCC, and then they typically sell it to the market wholesale. But nobody produces here, and nobody can match the delivery time we offer. For the UAE, we deliver within 24 hours from receiving the order confirmation, and for the GCC, we deliver within 48 hours. Our customer base is everybody who needs a cardan shaft. It could be for commercial vehicles, construction equipment, or industrial applications like steel factories, paper mills, marine and oil & gas. We currently supply into all the GCC and MENA countries, and in some cases even further. We now have clients who have started to order from us after learning about the company through the internet or word of mouth. Do you see the market picking up in 2016? There's a big chance it will, especially in the commercial vehicles side, towards the last quarter of this year. As Expo 2020 draws nearer, projects will have to be completed on time. That would definitely mean a lot of the transportation requirements for concrete, materials and earthmoving equipment, so that will be a boost for the commercial vehicle market.
Because the market is currently slow, people don't ask you how long it will take to make a shaft; they just ask how much it costs. By the end of the year, they will instead be asking how long it takes, because then people will be in a hurry to fulfil their contracts. That's what I'm looking forward to in the last quarter of 2016. At the moment, many of the trucks in fleets are idle. When Expo 2020 and the 2022 World Cup go online, there can't be enough vehicles to transport concrete and other materials, so that will be when people begin to focus on how soon the shafts can be delivered. The price will become secondary. What are your plans for Automechanika? How was your experience at the show last year? At Automechanika, we plan to showcase our key strengths, which are performance, precision, fast delivery and quality service. From innovation and development to manufacture and maintenance, we cover all aspects of cardan shafts for commercial and industrial use. Automechanika 2015 was a perfect ground to introduce our services and products to the market for the first time. This year, we're looking at Automechanika to find more contacts for wholesaling operations.
“Because The markeT is currenTly slow, people don'T ask you how long iT will Take To make a shafT; They jusT ask how much iT cosTs� MAY 2016 TRUCK&FLEET ME 33
Round-up
Show Business
AutomechAnikA DubAi 2016, the region’s lArgest Automotive After-mArket show, is bAck in town this month. here Are some compAnies to keep An eye out for
The Mann+Hummel stand at Automechanika last year.
MANN+hUMMEL When asked why Mann+Hummel is taking part in Automechanika this year, Axel Grossmann, Middle East managing director, says the German manufacturer wants to continue emphasising the importance of using high-quality OE filters. “Vehicle owners in the Middle East and Africa are dedicated to maintaining their vehicles but tend to turn towards cheap spare parts as an affordable solution, filters being among the commonly replaced parts. Our objective is to continue educating all stakeholders on the importance and benefits of using quality filters to extend life of the vehicle.” Social media and platforms like
34 TRUCK&FLEET ME MAY 2016
Automechanika have helped increase public awareness of using quality filters, he notes. Mann+Hummel’s product portfolio includes air filter systems, intake manifold systems, liquid filter systems, cabin filters and sound-design components, as well as filter elements for motor vehicle maintenance. The company established a representative office in DAFZA in 2006, and then began stocking its own automotive and industrial filters in Jebel Ali in 2012. “We are the only German-manufactured filter company that stocks automotive and industrial filters for the Middle East market,”
Grossmann says. “Our distributors benefit from our business model, as they do not need to stock for long periods and have much better lead times than our competitor offering.” At Automechanika 2016, the manufacturer plans to mainly interact with filter distributors, garage owners, retail shops and the general public, Grossmann says. As Mann+Hummel launches over 20 products every month, it will be challenging to showcase its entire line-up at the event. “We intend to show products catering to the Middle East market for all automotive segments.” Visit them at: Hall 7, B24
Round-up
BKT will be launching new patterns and sizes in the all-steel OTR segment.
BKT Also returning to Automechanika is India’s Balkrishna Industries (BKT), a prominent global player in the off-highway tyre segment. At the show, BKT will be launching new patterns and sizes in the all-steel OTR segment. New releases will include two tyres for port applications: the 18.00R25 PM90, a radial tyre for reach stackers, and the 16.00R25
A-MAP Dubai-headquartered A-MAP is another exhibitor this year. The company, which operates a network of branch offices in China, South Africa and the US, specialises in the distribution of automotive spare parts, batteries, tyres and lubricants. “With leading brand names like Solite, Sebang, Everstart, Tiger, Delkor, HICA, Aero Force, Asimco, Hyundai Xteer, Fenix, Achilles and RBI associated with A-MAP, we have been able to consolidate a client network over five continents successfully,” says A-MAP managing director Asad Badami. At Automechanika 2016, the company will be showcasing a range of products and services, including Korea’s Solite and Sebang batteries and Achilles tyres. Solite is an OEM supplier to automotive brands like Hyundai and Kia, while Sebang has been a player in the Korean battery industry since 1952.
PM93, a radial tyre for straddle carriers. Also on display will be tyres for construction and earth-moving, built for motor graders, rigid dump trucks and wheel loaders. BKT will also showcase new tyres for forklifts and multi-purpose trucks. The company operates four manufacturing facilities in India, along with sales offices in Italy, the US, Canada and India, offering a range
of tyres encompassing more than 2,400 stockkeeping units (SKUs) for different applications. The company supplies to more than 130 countries across the globe and is focused on expanding market share in the off-highway tyre segment, says Rajiv Poddar, joint managing director at BKT. This year at Automechanika, BKT is looking forward to the increased presence of customers and end users from all major markets, he adds. “We also look forward to meeting all our important customers who will be visiting the event.” Notably, BKT recently inaugurated a $500 million manufacturing facility in Bhuj in the Indian state of Gujarat, about 100km from the Pakistani border and 60km from the Port of Mundra on the Arabian Sea. After reaching a daily production of 150t – approximately 50% of maximum production capacity – the BKT Bhuj plant was inaugurated at the beginning of December 2015. Tyres currently produced in Bhuj include 22 sizes of the Maglift solid tyre and various measures of Liftmax LM 81 tyre, both for forklifts, in addition to Portmax PM 93 in size 280/75 R 22.5 for straddle carriers, and the Earthmax SR 45 Plus tyre for dumpers. Looking ahead, Poddari expects opportunities in the OTR segment in the GCC. “BKT will be coming out with more sizes in the all-steel OTR range, which will increase our product offerings to the users.” Visit them at: Saeed Hall 1, E12
A-MAP distributes spare parts, batteries, tyres and lubricants.
Meanwhile, Achilles tyres are manufactured in Indonesia by PT Multistrada Arah Sarana, which was established in 1991. Launched in 2005, Achilles is now an OEM supplier for brands like Mitsubishi Motors, Hyundai, Daihatsu, Hino and Proton in Indonesia. Badami says he expects many serious buyers
and companies at Automechanika this month, which is undoubtedly a large platform. However, when asked about his experience at the exhibition last year, he notes that it could have been better marketed. “Not many potential buyers were shortlisted, compared to previous years.” Visit them at: Saeed Hall 1, C12
MAY 2016 TRUCK&FLEET ME 35
Tech TaLK TECh Talk
36 TRUCK&FLEET ME MAY 2016
Tech Talk
Driving change Truck&FleeT Me takes a look at how companies with large fleets use telematics to boost safety
F
or a company looking to improve fleet operations with telematics solutions, there’s undoubtedly a wide range of options in the market, from both vehicle manufacturers and third-party providers. But despite the multitude of options available, it can still be a tough task to effectively incorporate telematics solutions into a fleet’s day-to-day operations. Large and established firms that have realised the benefits that telematics can bring, however, are often happy to share their success stories. As part of a recent webinar organised by MiX Telematics, executives from PepsiCo and Shell discussed how they managed to effectively integrate telematics into their businesses. One of the most important benefits telematics brings to the table is providing an impartial assessment of a driver’s behaviour and skills, explains Ashok Kulkarni, road safety manager – East Region, Shell. This eliminates the possibility of anyone complaining that they are being unfairly targeted or others are being favoured, he says. The next advantage, of course, is the ability to monitor a driver once he leaves the compound. “We are confident that we are getting the right and reliable information, and the drivers also now know that it is impartial
and they cannot hide under something. That's the biggest advantage of the in-vehicle monitoring system (IVMS) for me.” DRIVeR SeLecTIOn anD TRaInIng For any business looking to boost the efficiency and safety of its fleet, the driver is naturally the first place to start. While training and subsequently monitoring drivers is crucial, it’s first important to select the right drivers, says Cormac Gilligan, senior director – HSE at PepsiCo. “The driver selection piece is really key. Historically, in the past we would have just advertised for drivers and taken anybody's word at face value that they could drive and so on.” However, PepsiCo has changed this approach and has begun to use driver simulators for recruitment instead. “Using driver simulators has really helped us increase the quality and competence of the drivers that we bring in-house. If you score less than 50% on the simulator, you won't be allowed to progress with your application for employment with us.” Besides helping assess the abilities of new drivers, the simulator also helps keep existing drivers employed by the F&B giant on their toes, he says. “It's interesting to see the progression of their skills when they start first as a pre-recruitment selection in the simulator, and then they go and get their
MAY 2016 TRUCK&FLEET ME 37
Tech Talk
Monitoring driving behaviour can yield significant results in terms of fuel savings and safety.
defensive driver training programme and the coaching that goes with that. When they come back into the simulator, the quality of their driving has substantially increased.” WhaT cOMPanIeS aRe RecORDIng Perhaps unsurprisingly, road safety is high on the agenda for both companies when they use telematics. For PepsiCo, key performance indicators monitored include speeding, harsh acceleration/deceleration and excessive idling, alongside ensuring drivers are using seatbelts and turning on headlights at night. “Each driver has a dedicated blue key, in addition to the ignition key, that has to be plugged in to start the vehicle, so that we can track the driver as opposed to tracking just the vehicle. Integrating this element of the technology into our programme has been absolutely fundamental.” Telematics has proved particularly valuable in terms of incident investigation, Gilligan says, such as when an accident occurs and the driver insists he wasn’t speeding. IVMS offers clear insight into whether the driver was at fault. Meanwhile, Kulkarni points out that monitoring harsh acceleration and braking
38 TRUCK&FLEET ME MAY 2016
alone can yield significant results, in terms of both safety and fuel savings. “Every time you brake harshly, it could have been an incident. If you count every harsh braking as a potential incident, you will automatically start eliminating them, and that contributes to your safety.” Shell also watches out to ensure that drivers are in and out of delivery points in a set amount of time. Driving hours are also monitored in order to prevent driver fatigue, Kulkarni says. “We wanted to make sure that nobody goes beyond a certain number of hours in driving, irrespective of whether he will be able to deliver or not.” IMPLeMenTIng change The sophistication telematics systems offer is certainly of no use without a concrete plan to
change driver behaviour. A key means of achieving this is incentivising drivers by rewarding good performance and penalising violations. “We rate the number of violations per thousand kilometres driven,” Gilligan says, noting that PepsiCo has a system of first- and second-degree violations. Firstdegree violations are considered totally unacceptable, whereas second-degree violations are still serious but less of a concern. “We take that data and link it to [drivers’] commission. We can't impact their base salary; that's legally protected. But commission is over and above.” Hence, drivers shown to be driving well, through the data gathered from black boxes, earn bonuses on top of commission. On the flip side, staff driving with significant violations can expect to see a deduction of commission that gets progressively more severe. Kulkarni agrees with Gilligan on incentivising drivers, and highlights the importance of giving them feedback on their performance. Training is also crucial, he notes, recommending that fleets approach OEMs to offer training to drivers. “Any of the European brands are more than willing to help. In the case of India, local manufacturers like Tata and Ashok Leyland have worked with drivers and trained them,” he says. For PepsiCo, the overall outcome of implementing telematics solutions and using them to monitor driver behaviour has paid off significantly, Gilligan says. “We've improved our collision frequency rate by over 40% now. We've had savings in our freight repair cost by 30%.” Drivers have also embraced the system, viewing it as a way of making additional commission over and above their base, he adds. “That's been one of our big breakthroughs in terms of modifying their behaviours, and over time we're beginning to see a shift in how our businesses and our drivers are viewing road safety. It's becoming fundamental for them.”
“We RaTe The nuMbeR Of VIOLaTIOnS PeR ThOuSanD kILOMeTReS DRIVen. We Take ThaT DaTa anD LInk IT TO [DRIVeRS’] cOMMISSIOn”
new vehicles
Jaidah UnvEiLs isUzU diEsEL sUv Qatar-based Jaidah Heavy Equipment launched a new seven-seater diesel enginepowered SUV, the Isuzu muX, at a recent Isuzu customer event held by the dealer in Doha. The muX is offered with a choice of a 2.5L or a 3.0L turbo diesel engine, and comes in 4x2 and 4x4 drive configurations. The SUV is available with both manual and automatic transmission, said Hari Subramony, Isuzu sales manager at Jaidah Heavy Equipment. Organised at the Regency Halls in Doha, the event was held to promote Isuzu SUVs, D-Max pickups and Isuzu trucks to contractors, logistics and distribution firms, and rental companies, among others. Isuzu is an important player in the pickup and truck market in Qatar, said Ayman Ahmed, managing director at Jaidah Equipmet. The Japanese brand’s heavy-duty truck range is available in 6x4 and 8x4 configurations for rigid chassis and 4x2 and 6x4 for tractor heads. “We are very proud seeing a lot of big fleet customers using Isuzu vehicles,” Ahmed said. In order to enhance its after-sales
facilities, Isuzu will be building a new 2S service centre exclusively for Isuzu in the industrial area, he added. “This
will help us in enhancing after-sales support to benefit our valuable customers and aid future business relations.”
aL-FUTTaiM REvEaLs 2016 FoRTUnER
aEd105,900 Starting price for the 2.7EXR Al-Futtaim Motors, the Toyota distributor in the UAE, has launched the secondgeneration Toyota Fortuner, featuring fully redesigned exterior and interior styling. The exterior of the seven-seater SUV has been completely overhauled, and the new
40 TRUCK&FLEET ME MAY 2016
Fortuner now stands longer, wider and lower. The large, slanted upper grille is framed by thick chrome plating that extends around the Bi-beam LED headlamps with integrated Daytime Running Lights (DRL). The new Fortuner is equipped with a six-
speed automatic transmission and is available in a 2.7-litre four-cylinder engine which produces 164hp and 244Nm of torque. The vehicle is also offered with a 4.0-litre V6 engine, churning out 235hp and 376Nm of torque. The Fortuner’s suspension uses a double wishbone (front) and a four-link suspension (rear) combination that has been redesigned for comfort. An additional rear stabiliser has been installed to aid on-the-road smoothness and stability. “The medium SUV segment constitutes 46% of the volume of the SUV market in the UAE, and the Fortuner has played a major role in maintaining Toyota’s leadership of this segment in the past five years,” said Saud Abbasi, managing director of Toyota at Al-Futtaim Motors. The 2016 Fortuner comes with a Drive Mode switch, offering a choice of an ECO driving mode for optimum economy and a POWER mode for enhanced acceleration. The new Fortuner is available across all Al-Futtaim Motors showrooms, with prices starting at AED 105,900 for the 2.7L EXR, AED 127,900 for the 4.0L GXR and AED 139,900 for the top-of-the-line 4.0L VXR.
new vehicles
REnaULT TRUCKs RELEasEs 2016 T RangE
114kg:
Increase in payload Renault Trucks has released the 2016 version of its T range, an upgrade that it says will be more cost-efficient for users. The new T sees improvements to the chassis and driveline, enabling it to reduce
fuel consumption by a further 2%, while increasing the payload by up to 114kg. The T 2016 also features Optivision, a predictive cruise control system with GPS. “We have been working along three
tracks to make our [vehicles] even more cost-efficient: improve the aerodynamics to reduce fuel consumption, reduce the weight to increase payload and encourage ecodriving by means of a predictive cruise control system with GPS,” said Sophie Rivière, Long Haul segment manager at Renault Trucks. To improve aerodynamics, the French manufacturer drew upon recent work carried out with the experimental Optifuel Lab 2 vehicle. This led to the T 2016 featuring an optional built-in spoiler under the bumper, to reduce aerodynamic disturbance. Many components on the chassis have been redesigned or lightened, so that payload can be increased as much as possible. Customers now also have the option of having their tractors fitted with an aluminium fifth wheel. In addition, the DTI 11 and DTI 13 engines have benefited from an upgrade, enabling them to further improve their combustion and reduce consumption. These engines also use the common rail injection system on the DTI 13, and comply with the upcoming Euro 6 step C standard, which becomes mandatory on December 31, 2016.
China’s Changan To hiT UaE Roads Chinese auto manufacturer Changan Automobile is launching in the Emirates under an exclusive dealership arrangement with UAE-based MAN Investments. Established in Shanghai in 1862, Changan Automobile entered the auto manufacturing business in 1984. The company sold about 2.8 million units globally last year, and is currently present in more than 65 countries. “We are excited to represent this brand in the UAE,” said Raymond Ma, general manager, Changan UAE. “Changan is growing extremely fast across the globe, and is already known across the region for its great pricing strategy, innovation, quality after-sales service and reliability.” Changan will have dedicated showrooms in Dubai, Ras Al Khaimah and Abu Dhabi, where its line-up of vehicles, from hatchbacks to SUVs and commercial vehicles, will be showcased. The initial Changan range on offer will include the Eado compact sedan, the 1.6L CS35 SUV, and the top-of-the-range CS75 1.8L turbo six-gear automatic SUV. Prices for the
Eado start at about AED 35,000, while the base CS35 SUV costs around AED 40,000. “We are anticipating great interest from all over the UAE, and expect Changan to be a big hit with fleet operators as well as individuals,” Ma said.
“Investing more than $8 billion in R&D clearly underlines Changan’s commitment to design excellence, safety and reliability. We look forward to seeing the Changan range make a serious impact on the UAE motoring scene.”
MAY 2016 TRUCK&FLEET ME 41
AdvertoriAl
‘ExpEct morE’ with SchAeffler “Expect more” will once again be the motto of Schaeffler Middle East’s stand at this year’s Automechanika, taking place from May 8-10 at the Dubai World Trade Centre. For the second time in a row, the after-market experts are presenting the four innovative product worlds of the LuK, INA, FAG and Ruville brands together on ca. 204sqm of exhibition space (Hall 7, Stand A11/B12). The shared trade fair presentation of the LuK, INA, FAG and Ruville brands is the result of the bundling of the sales activities implemented in 2014 at Schaeffler Automotive Aftermarket. This was undertaken in order to strengthen the company on the global spare parts market and to work towards comprehensive market penetration. Whether it’s passenger cars, light commercial vehicles or heavy commercial vehicles, we will focus the spotlight on the latest products and services for three exciting days from 9.45am
42 trUcK&fleet Me MAY 2016
to 7pm. Not only that, visitors will get a host of helpful mounting and repair tips, even for the trickiest of installation jobs. At the 2016 Automechanika, the product worlds of the LuK, INA, FAG and Ruville brands will prove themselves once again through technical excellence, innovative power and outstanding quality – in every segment. For instance, Schaeffler Automotive Aftermarket will present the INA GearBOX, a completely new kind of repair solution for passenger-car manual transmissions that lets garages fix gearbox damage inhouse. The INA GearBOX is developed for a specified transmission type and comes with all necessary components for professional transmission repair in OE quality. Besides wear parts – like gaskets, o-rings, shaft seals and main bearings inside the transmission – the repair solution also contains those components needed to fix the most common causes of transmission failure. An additional
benefit here is that the INA GearBOX repair solutions possess enormous market potential, for both garages and distribution partners. “Expect more” also means the after-market experts will be presenting a variety of innovative products and repair solutions, like the INA FEAD KIT, along with the modular LuK special tool system for removal and installation of dry double clutches. Besides exhibiting products for the passenger car, heavy commercial vehicle and transmission segments, this year the light commercial vehicle segment will have its own product display too. Visitors can truly “expect more” from Schaeffler Middle East at this year’s Automechanika (Hall 7, Stand B-11/A12). For the second time in a row, Schaeffler Middle East is presenting its four product worlds of the LuK, INA, FAG and Ruville together on one exhibition space with KBC Bearings, Continental’s VDO Passenger Cars and VDO Vehicles Electronics.
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UAE’s Al-FUttAim motors sEizEs $8.5m worth oF FAkE cAr pArts Al-Futtaim Motors, the UAE dealer for Toyota, confiscated over AED 31.3 million ($8.5m) worth of counterfeit car parts last year. The dealership conducted a total of 26 raids throughout 2015, in partnership with several law firms and government entities, it said. This led
to the issuance of AED 750,000 in fines to the offenders. Of the raids organised, 77% were conducted in Dubai, 11% in Sharjah, and 8% and 4% in Ajman and Umm Al Quwain respectively. The total number of confiscated parts exceeded
Al-Futtaim Motors conducted a total of 26 raids last year.
$74.6
AL HAbTooR MoToRs opEns TRAining CEnTRE
bn
Value of the global lubricants market by 2022, according to Global Market Insights 44 TRUCK&FLEET ME MAY 2016
220,000, including motor oil and lubricants, air and fuel filters, and brake pads and brake discs. Al-Futtaim Motors also organised 10 training sessions targeted towards over 300 government officials across six emirates, helping them spot the differences between counterfeit and genuine parts. In addition, the dealer took part in 13 different exhibitions to educate the general public about the dangers of counterfeit products. “Al-Futtaim Motors has come a long way in the battle against counterfeit products, having conducted hundreds of raids over the last few years and seizing hundreds of millions worth of confiscated products from the UAE market,” said Ralf Zimmermann, general manager After-Sales at Al-Futtaim Motors. “We have always highlighted the importance of installing only genuine and manufacturerapproved parts on vehicles. In the long run, the cost savings from counterfeit products is diminished due to highly degraded quality that requires more frequent replacing, aside from being unsafe and potentially endangering the lives of drivers and passengers.”
Al Habtoor Motors, the UAE dealer for brands including Mitsubishi, Fuso and Bentley, has opened a new technical and training centre for employees and fleet customers. The new centre offers improved facilities in
terms of space and equipment for delivering complete training to employees. For fleet customers, the centre offers training for drivers, foremen, supervisors and technicians to ensure efficient maintenance of customers’ fleets.
Visit Our
Stand: C12 , Hall: Saeed 1 Dubai World Trade Centre
May 8 - 10, 2016
Better keep things running smoothly.
lters, for example. They keep the oil circulation clean and provide for consistent performance throughout the maintenance cycle. Professionals who play it safe prefer MANN-FILTER – in OE quality. MANN-FILTER – Perfect parts. Perfect service. lter.com
Maintenance, TyREs tyres And and pARTs Parts MAinTEnAnCE,
DubAI TAxI coRPoRATIon AwARDs $3.3m TYRe conTRAcT To Al DobowI
Al Dobowi will provide services like tyre fitting, balancing and wheel alignment.
The Dubai Taxi Corporation (DTC) has awarded an AED 12 million ($3.3m) contract to the UAE’s Al Dobowi Tyres Group, under which the latter will supply Hankook tyres to the fleet. Under the two-year contract, Al Dobowi will also carry out tyre fitting and balancing, as well as wheel alignment in the case of replacing two or more tyres per vehicle. In addition, the company will repair tyre punctures in DTC taxicabs. Dubai Taxi cabs’ tyres will be replaced by Al Dobowi at DTC’s workshop at Muhaisna 4, as well as at external company centres. Al Dobowi will also purchase used and replaced tyres of various sizes for environmentally safe disposal.
QuIck TIPs Save on fuel with these tips from Scania: 1. Have a wheel alignment carried out on your trucks and trailers regularly. Badly aligned wheels result in extra fuel consumption and premature tyre wear, in addition to increasing the strain on the axle. 2. Check the brakes on both your tractor unit and trailer regularly. If you frequently use the engine retarder on your truck, it’s likely that the brakes on your trailer are not being exercised enough. This can cause them to drag or bind, leading to a drastic increase in fuel consumption.
UAE CoMMERCiAL vEHiCLE MARKET To gRow 7.5%
3. Avoid idling, and turn off the engine whenever you get the chance. If
The UAE market for commercial vehicles is set to grow 7.5% during 2016-2021, according to a new report by TechSci Research. Factors fuelling the rise in demand include the anticipated growth in infrastructure projects, rising transportation requirements from the tourism sector, and growing demand for school and staff transport buses over the next five years.
you stop for more than 20 seconds, you should definitely switch off. 4. Drop from 90 to 80km/h. Maintaining a lower speed cuts fuel costs and reduces the risk of accidents, and doing 80 rather than 90 increases journey time by just 1%.
AfRIcAN AutO PARtS MARkEt ‘tO BE wORth $15.3BN BY 2020’
Demand for parts is led by Kenya, Ethiopia, Tanzania and Uganda.
Demand in Africa for auto parts and accessories is growing 11% year-on-year and will be worth $15.3 billion by 2020. Double-digit demand for parts in the continent is led by Kenya, Ethiopia, Tanzania
and Uganda, analysts Frost & Sullivan said ahead of Automechanika this month. “Despite its highly fragmented nature, the African automotive after-market is among the most promising in terms of potential growth,” said Ahmed Pauwels, CEO of Messe Frankfurt Middle East. “There are nearly 22 million vehicles on the continent’s roads today, creating demand for parts and accessories worth more than $8 billion per year.” “It’s therefore become an increasingly significant market for global manufacturers of accessories and engine components
– with a large amount of these being re-exported from the UAE.” The UAE is a significant market for auto exports from South Africa, said Norman Lamprecht, director of the Automotive Industry Export Council (AIEC), which is exhibiting at the state-backed South African pavilion. “The South African automotive industry exported a record $9.9 billion worth of vehicles and components to 140 countries in 2015,” said Lamprecht, whose organisation represents the interests of various motor vehicle manufacturers in South Africa.
“The cosT sAvIngs fRom counTeRfeIT PRoDucTs Is DImInIsheD Due To hIghlY DegRADeD QuAlITY ThAT ReQuIRes moRe fReQuenT RePlAcIng” MAY 2016 TRUCK&FLEET ME 47
PARTING SHOT
GoinG for the Glory
TaTa MoTors debuTs a caTegory specifically for indian drivers aT iTs popular Truck-racing chaMpionship
T
he action-packed third season of the annual Tata T1 Prima Truck Racing Championship drew to a thrilling finish on March 20, with Jagat Singh and Nagarjuna A clinching top honours at the first-ever race organised for Indian drivers under the championship. Both drivers, who competed in the Super Class category, were selected through a comprehensive training and selection programme for Indian drivers, from Tata Motors fleet customers’ operations across the country. Season 3 of the Championship attracted crowds of over 50,000, and saw Singh and Nagarjuna A take home the highest prize money ever for an Indian motorsports event. Each firstplace winner in the two Super Class races was awarded INR 10 lakhs ($15,000), Tata Motors said. Of the two Pro Class races for international drivers, David Jenkins of Team Tata Technologies took top honours in the final 20-lap race, with Rick Collett and Graham Powell – both from Team Cummins – coming second and third respectively.
48 TRUCK&FLEET ME MAY 2016
Mat Summerfield of Team Castrol Vecton clocked the fastest lap in the second race, at 1 min 50:691 secs around the 3.1km race track. The truck used in the races was the Tata Prima 4038.S, which churns 370bhp at 2,100rpm and boasts a top speed of just over 130km/h. For the third edition of the championship, Tata Motors undertook several changes on the trucks for increased performance and safety. These included a reduced centre of gravity by 100mm, a lighter suspension system to
improve ride and handling characteristics, new shock absorbers for stability during high-speed corner turns, and an improved brake cooling system with jet nozzles. In addition, the commercial vehicle brand introduced new tyres and lightweight aluminium fuel tank and water tanks on the trucks this year. Brand partners for the event this year were WABCO, JK Tyre, Castrol, Cummins, Tata Technologies and Tata Motors Finance.
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