Truck&Fleet ME October 2019

VEHICLES/ TECH / TRANSPORTATION/LOGISTICS

O69/OCTOBER 2O19

MIDDLE EAST

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CONTENTS

CONTENTS FEATURE

24 / OUT OF THE RANGE Daimler unveils a revised, smarter public transport fleet.

ALSO THIS ISSUE … NETWORK

06 / NEWS FROM THE MONTH CNH plots new off- and on-highway strategy and split Astra from IVECO in the process.

06

12

20

32

36

38

LAUNCHES

12 / NEW CONTINENTAL Bentley unveils ground-breaking Continental and AG AUTO introduces new CMC range.

OPINION

14 / FORGING A NEW ROAD Why city planners should focus on what has always worked for their cities.

TRAILERS

16 / KINGDOM COMING Schmitz Cargobull on why the Saudi market is ready for more advanced trailers.

TRAILERS

18 / A LIGHTER TOUCH SAF-HOLLAND on allowing higher additional loads and thereby boosting profitability for fleets.

TRUCKS

20 / MISSION: MOSCOW An inside look at the Russian market as the COMTRANS 2019 event returns.

SMARTER TRANSPORT

28 / SHARED MOBILITY UITP highlights the trends and challenges that are shaping public and urban transport.

OCTOBER 2019 TRUCK&FLEET ME 01

WELCOME

GROUP MANAGING DIRECTOR RAZ ISLAM raz.islam@cpitrademedia.com +971 4 375 5483 EDITORIAL DIRECTOR VIJAYA CHERIAN vijaya.cherian@cpitrademedia.com +971 4 375 5472 EDITORIAL EDITOR STEPHEN WHITE stephen.white@cpitrademedia.com +44 7541 244 377

PREPARE FOR THE WORST AND HOPE FOR THE BEST IN FUEL PRICES The news this month that oil supplies will be impacted by the drone attacks on Saudi oil facilities was an unwelcome and poorly timed challenge for fleets and transport companies across the globe.

The impact of fuel prices is not yet fully known but will doubtless be under pressure in the coming weeks and possibly longer. T&FME goes to press before governments release their price changes, but it is unlikely that we will see the drops that we saw in, say, the UAE last month when the price of diesel was set at Dh2.38 a litre, a decrease from Dh2.42 a litre in August and the petrol fell to Dh2.08 down from Dh2.18 in August.

The possible rises come at a time when transport costs have increased and the transporters themselves are having to charge at competitive prices to keep their fleets moving.

There are so many opposing forces at play at the global scale it is almost impossible to fully appreciate the part they are playing in the day-to-day operations of fleets in the region. Certainly, the continuing sluggishness of the global economy is holding back the volume of trade and freight here, as is the permafrost that has covered the on-going US/China trade discussions. When global trade winds are blowing this region benefits, and we can only hope that they will be resolved sensibly in the coming months.

For now, the best policy is not to bury your head in the sand, but instead face-up to the challenges affecting your business.

Fall back on your best fleet practices, examine your route efficiency and driver roster. Ensure that you don’t cut corners on your maintenance and service routines. And most of all, don’t be afraid to look for ways to grow your business that you may not have tried before.

Our Changes are Coming feature looks at how the US is being affected by technology and it touches on the Freight-as-a-Service approach that is still in its early stages here. However, there are companies out there that are already offering cloud-based logistics. If you haven’t done so already, perhaps now is the time to give them a go.

SUB EDITOR AELRED DOYLE aelred.doyle@cpitrademedia.com ADVERTISING SENIOR SALES MANAGER BIPIN SONEJI bipin.soneji@cpitrademedia.com +971 4 433 2856 DESIGN ART DIRECTOR SIMON COBON simon.cobon@cpitrademedia.com DESIGNER PERCIVAL MANALAYSAY percival.manalaysay@cpitrademedia.com PHOTOGRAPHY MAKSYM PORIECHKIN maksym.poriechkin@cpitrademedia.com MARKETING MARKETING MANAGER SHEENA SAPSFORD sheena.sapsford@cpitrademedia.com +971 4 375 5498 CIRCULATION & PRODUCTION PRODUCTION MANAGER VIPIN V. VIJAY vipin.vijay@cpitrademedia.com +971 4 375 5713 DISTRIBUTION MANAGER PHINSON MATHEW GEORGE phinson.george@cpitrademedia.com +971 4 375 5476 WEB DEVELOPMENT MOHAMMAD AWAIS SADIQ SIDDIQUI FINANCE ACCOUNTS NAHEED HOOD naheed.hood@cpitrademedia.com +971 4 375 5474 CREDIT CONTROL EXECUTIVE CAMERON CARDOZO cameron.cardozo@cpitrademedia.com +971 4 375 5499 FOUNDER DOMINIC DE SOUSA (1959-2015)

The publisher of this magazine has made every effort to ensure the content is accurate on the date of publication. The opinions and views expressed in the articles do not necessarily reflect the publisher and editor. The published material, adverts, editorials and all other content are published in good faith. No part of this publication or any part of the contents thereof may be reproduced, stored or transmitted in any form without the permission of the publisher in writing. Publication licensed by Dubai Development Authority

STEPHEN WHITE EDITOR, TRUCK&FLEET ME STEPHEN.WHITE@CPITRADEMEDIA.COM 02 TRUCK&FLEET ME SEPTEMBER 2019

to CPI Trade Publishing FZ LLC. Printed by Printwell Printing Press LLC. CPI Trade Media. PO Box 13700, Dubai, UAE. +971 4 375 5470 cpitrademedia.com © Copyright 2019. All rights reserved.

The new generation Scania has never lost a fuel challenge No matter the competition, Scania has always ended up on top – in every test and every challenge. So when we say that we can deliver he best fuel consumption with the Next Generation Sania, you don’t have to take our word for it. The numbers speak for themselves.

Read more about fuel efficiency at scania.com/ae

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FEATURED

CONSTRUCTION

THE POWER OF EFFECTIVE COMMUNICATIONS IN CONSTRUCTION

Empower announces construction of Jumeirah Village plant is 80% complete

I read this article with a lot of interest and, while this centres largely on marketing, it occurred to me just how difficult it is to avoid being reactive and relying on gut instinct in

CONSTRUCTION

daily work without a clear

Neom awards Construction Village contracts to AlTamimi Group and Satco

communication strategy across the organisation.

This isn’t just a fault of the construction industry but

Feature: ‘Class Of Your Own’ launches ‘Design Engineer Construct!’ in Dubai

of business as a whole. As individuals we often fall back on our experience to make informed

CONSTRUCTION

decisions but how much

Sliding phase on world’s largest cantilever begins at One Za’abeel

better would they be if we kept a clear head when all around were losing theirs? Managing upwards, sideways and downwards through effective communication is absolutely essential in construction and

CONSULTANT

can act as a check and

Abu Dhabi residents to use e-scooters to help keep communities green

balance against the often entrenched views you may find on a project.

So, whatever service or product you bring to the construction team, clear messaging from the start is vital and that stays true

CONSTRUCTION

Tasmim’s Habitat project on track for Q1 2022 completion 04 TRUCK&FLEET ME OCTOBER 2019

Insight: JLL’s Thierry Delvaux on Dubai’s new higher committee for real estate planning

through to the end.

Name withheld by request

NETWORK

IVECO AND ASTRA TO BE SPLIT / PAY-PER-KM FOR INSURANCE / MASDAR JEDDAH BUILDING NEW LINKS / MEET THE CAB-LESS SCANIA AXL

NETWORK

IVECO to be split from Astra CNH TO SEPARATE ON- AND OFF-HIGHWAY SEGMENTS MANUFACTURERS CNH Industrial, the owner of brands such as Case Construction Equipment, New Holland and Iveco, will split its on- and offhighway assets into separate business entities under a new five-year plan that the company calls Transform 2.

Announcing the plan, CNH said it had done a “deep portfolio review process”, which determined the move as the most suitable way to tackle what the company

sees as diverging sectors.

CNH said its review had found that the on-highway and off-highway businesses have regulatory and customer requirements that differed from each other and responded differently to new industry trends such as “digitalisation, automation, low-/zero-emission propulsion and servitisation”.

In 2018, CNH saw both off- and on-highway segments nearly match each other in

revenues, with the divisions returning $15.6bn and $13.1bn respectively. Construction equipment contributes around 19% of the off-highway segment’s revenues while 75% comes from the group’s agricultural division.

CNH said its three construction brands - Case, New Holland Construction and Astra quarry trucks - would focus on “improving profitability, product range simplification and growing share in application specific segments”.

CNH added it will now embark on a five-year plan to double its profit margin on current levels to 10% by 2024.

The firm said that it will invest $13bn into product development in the next five years.

Industry observers have noted that the separation of CNH’s division follows that Volkswagen’s decision to list part of its own truck brands, MAN and Scania, which began trading as Traton Group in June.

SAUDI TRANSPORTATION MINISTRY REGISTERED MORE THAN 18MN VEHICLE “ACTIVITIES” AT KSA’S MAIN CITY ENTRANCES IN AUGUST

06 TRUCK&FLEET ME OCTOBER 2019

NETWORK

MASDAR BOOSTS $86MN FUNDING ON EV CHARGING PROJECT IN UK

BEEMA LETS DRIVERS PAY-PER-KILOMETRE FOR INSURANCE FLEET

Start-up automotive services company Beema has launched the region’s first pay-perkilometer car insurance. Under the scheme, Beema gives customers cash back after one year based on the distances they drive.

A kilometre reading is taken annually from the vehicle’s odometer - customers’ journeys will not be tracked by Beema - with customers able to upload a Tasjeel certificate or visited to record their vehicle’s odometer.

Cashback amounts are then based on kilometers driven. If, over the course of one year, the motorist has driven less than 20,000 kilometers, they can receive up to 25% cashback.

Regardless of the distance they drive, customers will never pay more than their original quote.

Beema launched in July 2018 as part of ENOC’s accelerator program, NEXT, and in partnership with BCG Digital Ventures.

According to the company, the team observed that many motorists in the UAE were being subjected to a range of offline car insurance services that failed to specifically tailor to their individual needs.

“In particular, customers were faced with the same policy pricing, irrespective of how much they drove - a common problem for multi-car owners. Beema’s pay-per-kilometer model addresses this challenge, and, with a fully online experience, customers can easily obtain a quote in seconds and be fully insured within minutes.”

Commenting on the launch, His Excellency Saif Humaid Al Falasi, Group CEO of ENOC stated: “In line with the UAE’s innovation agenda, we wanted to offer a service that would truly revolutionize the insurance market and have broad appeal for drivers.”

Underwritten by AXA, Beema provides the highest levels of motor protection in the Middle East. As such, it builds on and leverages the experience, security and service quality of AXA – ranked as the number one global insurance brand to deliver truly comprehensive cover for customers.

Policies include 24-hour accident recovery, guaranteed repairs and round-the-clock service.

ELECTRIC VEHICLES Masdar is helping to fund a $500 million initiative by the UK government to introduce 3,000 electric vehicle charging points across the country.

The UK Treasury said the $86 million contribution to its Zouk Capitalmanaged Charging Infrastructure Investment Fund (CIIF) by the Abu Dhabi sustainability organisation will bolster charging infrastructure and take the number of points to 5000.

The UK already has one of the largest electric vehicle charging networks in Europe, and this investment will help make that the fastest by installing state-of-the-art technology, said the Treasury, adding that a review is currently underway to explore the provision of charge points across major road networks “Today’s announcement builds on our track record of successful partnerships in the UK, where we are already an investor in two of the world’s largest wind farms, the world’s first utility-scale floating wind park, smart battery storage, and ongoing research and development into next-generation clean technologies,” said Mohamed Jameel Al Ramahi, CEO, Abu Dhabi Future Energy Company (Masdar).

He added that Masdar wants to build on its a decade of experience of development sustainable mobility solutions at Masdar City.

“As one of the cornerstone investors into the Charging Infrastructure Investment Fund, working alongside the UK’s Infrastructure and Projects Authority and Zouk Capital, we hope to encourage closer collaboration between government and the private sector in promoting the wider use of electric vehicles and green transport - here in the UK, the United Arab Emirates, and other counties.” $1.85 billion has been allocated by the UK government to boost the uptake of electric vehicles and “make cleaner vehicles more accessible to everyone” as it targets the banning of petrol and diesel vehicles by 2040.

“We are driving ahead with plans to make travel greener while backing British innovation and technology,” said Exchequer Secretary Simon Clarke of the UK Treasury.

“I am delighted to announce this funding today that will more than double the number of rapid charge points for electric vehicles on our roads. Britain already boasts one of the biggest networks of charging infrastructure in Europe and soon we will have the fastest thanks to this investment.

“This is the latest in our proud record on climate change - having slashed emissions by over 40% since 1990, whilst simultaneously growing our economy, and setting an ambitious target for net zero emissions by 2050.”

OCTOBER 2019 TRUCK&FLEET ME 07

NETWORK

JEDDAH TO UPGRADE ROAD LINKS

ROADS

Feasibility studies are now underway for the construction of the Obhur Suspension Bridge in Jeddah, a senior official at Jeddah Metro Company has said.

According to a report by Saudi

Gazette, Dr Osama Abdu, chairman of Jeddah Metro Company, was quoted as saying that there are three major projects in the pipeline, one of which is the Obhur Suspension Bridge.

“The Obhur Suspension Bridge project is one of the most

important projects in Jeddah’s public transport system and it will connect north and south Obhur, passing over Sharm Obhur with a length of 350m and width of 74m.

“It includes 8 two-way car lanes with a capacity to pass 6,000 vehicles per hour. This will be one of the widest concrete suspension bridges in the world,” he said.

He added that feasibility studies on implementing a sea taxi service in Jeddah will also be conducted soon.

A contract for the study will be signed in the near future, Dr Osama added.

The Corniche Tram is the third project in the pipeline, the report concluded.

RTA OPENS $353MN EXPO 2020 ROADS ROADS Dubai’s Road and Transport Authority (RTA) has announced the opening of Phase 3 and Phase 4 of roads leading to the Expo 2020 project, including bridges and roads extending 5km and 17km respectively, at a cost of $353 million.

The RTA said that works completed included the construction of intersections of Sheikh Zayed bin Hamdan Al Nahyan Street, with both Expo and Al Yalayes Streets, building two flyovers on

Sheikh Zayed bin Hamdan Al Nahyan Street at Dubai Investment Park, and widening Sheikh Zayed bin Hamdan Al Nahyan Street from two to five lanes in each direction.

“Due to the immense nature of the project, it had been divided into six phases to ensure the delivery of all works on the prescribed timeline, well before the opening of Expo,” said Mattar Al Tayer, chairman, RTA. Explaining the nature of work undertaken for Phase 3 of the project, Al Tayer said that

it covered the construction of bridges and roads extending 3km and 6.5km respectively.

It also involved upgrading the intersection of Expo-Sheikh Zayed bin Hamdan Al Nahyan Streets into a flyover ensuring free traffic in all directions.

Work included elevating Sheikh Zayed bin Hamdan Al Nahyan Street along with collector roads by constructing five bridges and four turns.

It also included constructing ramps to ensure a smooth flow of traffic from Expo Road.

SCANIA APPOINTS NEW HEAD OF MIDDLE EAST OPERATIONS MANUFACTURERS

Swedish heavy vehicles major Scania has announced the appointment of Erik Bergvall as the new head of its operations in the Middle East.

According to a statement from Scania Middle East, the company welcomed Bergvall as the new managing director for the region as of September 1 this year. Erik has moved from his previous position as regional director at Scania Germany and will now be based in the Scania Middle East head office in Dubai, the company said.

“I am very much looking forward to participate in Scania’s journey in the Middle East. With our strong product and service offering we are in a great position to continue delivering value to our customers in terms of operating economy, service and safety,” said Bergvall.

Among Scania’s recent activities in the Middle East was the launch of its complete range of new generation trucks, which was officially launched late last year.

The company said at the time that with the complete, new truck range, it aimed to set “a new standard for what is premium in the region’s transport industry”.

The result of 10 years of development work and investments of over two billion euros, the new truck generation draws on Scania’s 127-year heritage. It has been playing a role in the region’s transport sector for more than four decades and says it provides “outstanding fuel efficient and optimised vehicles, fully customised and adapted to the requirements and operating conditions of the Middle East”.

INSIDE THIS ISSUE: LIFTING THE IRON CURTAIN AT COMTRANS 2019, THE FUTURE OF MOBILITY, TRAILER TECHNOLOGY IN FOCUS, AND MUCH MORE

08 TRUCK&FLEET ME OCTOBER 2019

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NETWORK

CWT-SML LOGISTICS’ DEEPAK KATARIA WINS AT MHME LOGISTICS

NEW AXL IS A GAME CHANGER FOR TRUCKS AUTONOMOUS VEHICLES

The CEO of Scania says the Swedish commercial vehicle and engine manufacturer’s first-ever self-driving heavy duty truck is a “significant step” towards smart transport systems of the future.

The Scania AXL concept is cab-less and can operate autonomously in specially controlled environments such as mines and large closed construction sites. The company says the Scania AXL is based on the company’s famous modular system and was developed by a team of engineering and software talent from across the firm.

“With the Scania AXL concept truck, we are taking a significant step towards the smart transport systems of the future, where self-driving vehicles will play a natural part,” said Scania president and CEO Henrik Henriksson.

The Scania AXL is steered and monitored by an intelligent control environment. Scania says that in mines, for example, its autonomous operation is guided by a logistics system that tells the vehicle how it should perform.

It is also powered by a combustion engine powered by renewable biofuels and a new intelligent front module replaces the traditional cab.

“We already have self-driving trucks in customer operations. However, there has been room for a safety driver who can intervene if necessary. Scania AXL changes the game significantly,” added Claes Erixon, head of R&D at Scania. “The development in self-driving vehicles has made great strides in the past years. We still don’t have all the answers, but through concept vehicles like Scania AXL we break new ground and continue to learn at great speed.”

10 TRUCK&FLEET ME OCTOBER 2019

Returning winner Deepak Kataria, a forklift driver from CWT-SML Logistics, retained his first place among 41 participants in the Forklift Challenge held at the recently concluded Materials Handling Middle East 2019 exhibition.

The competition was held in three rounds, the first of which took place on the opening day of the show last week, with the other two rounds the following day. The participants, who came from 15 companies, were put through a series of trials in which they were judged on three main criteria: safety, speed and efficiency. Nine finalists progressed to the final round.

“I’m very excited to be taking home the win again. As the returning champion from the last contest, I found

there was some tough competition this year, but I was for up the challenge,” said Kataria, who had won the last edition of the competition.

Participating companies also included Lulu Centre Logistics, DP World, Agility and Global Shipping and Logistics, among others, said a statement from the

organisers of Materials Handling Middle East, which hosted close to 100 exhibitors from over 30 countries, which included Japanese automation providers, Daifuku; Germany’s Schafer; the regional branch of industrial solutions provider, ACME; and Kuwaiti transportation logistics giant, Agility.

ABU DHABI RESIDENTS TO USE E-SCOOTERS SUSTAINABILITY Three60 Communities is partnering with micro-mobility company Circ to provide e-scooters for residents of Reem Village, Marina Square and City of Lights in Abu Dhabi.

The Eltizam Asset Management Group subsidiary said the initiative is in support of Abu Dhabi’s Environment Vision 2030, “which prioritises mitigating the impact of climate change and ensuring safe and healthy living conditions through the provision of clean air and reduced noise pollution”.

In a statement it added

that Circ will hold offline education and training events at these communities to ensure the highest levels of safety and best possible driving experience to customers as they promote micro mobility.

“Simultaneously, both entities will work together to establish operating parameters including GEO zones, go/ no-go zones, speed limits, parking and hotspot locations in the designated communities, ensuring the scooters add value to residents’ living experience in a Three60 Community without inconveniencing any stakeholders,” said the firm.

“Three60 Communities, as one of the largest and most qualified OAM and PM companies in the region, is committed to ensuring we meet the expectations of our customers through the delivery of innovative solutions by our trusted and highly talented partners,” said Chris Roberts, CEO, Eltizam Asset Management.

“Circ’s electric scooters offer residents an enjoyable, convenient and eco-friendly micro transport solution; they are also the fastest and most affordable transport option over short distances.”

LAUNCHES

SPEED AND PANORAMIC VISION HEADLINER THE NEW BENTLEY CONTINENTAL RANG / AG AUTO AND SUPER VERYCA CMC COMMERCIAL VEHICLES RELAUNCH FOR REGION-READY TRUCK

LAUNCHES 318 KM/H CONTI GT TOP SPEED

Range reveal: Bentley unveils groundbreaking ‘Continental’ BENTLEY HAS NEW MODEL YEAR, INCLUDES THE CONTINENTAL GT AND THE GT V8 A Panoramic Glass Roof is now available on what Bentley is calling its ground-breaking Continental GT W12. A high gloss carbon fibre technical finish for fascia and doors is now offered on all models.

Courtesy of its powerful V8 petrol engine, the Continental GT V8 blends “a lively and engaging drive with unparalleled levels of luxury and cutting-edge technology”, says the venerable brand, which has enjoyed a resurgence in recent years.

The V8 model has recently launched on Bentley’s car configurator, where customers can explore the vast array of options

12 TRUCK&FLEET ME OCTOBER 2019

available to build a truly unique car matching perfectly individual tastes, needs and lifestyle. Often regarded as one of the most configurable cars available, the Continental GT has 7 billion different configurations possible alone.

The Continental GT V8 is equipped with a new-generation 4.0-litre, twin-turbocharged engine developing 542 bhp (550 PS) and 568 lb.ft (770 Nm) of torque. It combines immense power with impressive fuel efficiency, plus a characterful V8 burble though the stylish quad exhaust pipes.

Designed, engineered and handcrafted in Crewe, Great Britain,

the third generation Continental GT V8 and GT V8 Convertible combine driver-focussed performance with exquisite refinement and cutting-edge technology.

“The third-generation Continental GT represents the pinnacle of Bentley’s design and engineering achievements and sits in the modern luxury Grand Tourer segment that the British brand created in 2003 with the launch of the first-generation model,” says the company.

Excellent weight distribution makes the dynamic GT V8 feel even more agile and responsive. The new-generation 4.0-litre, 32-valve

V8 petrol engine delivers a top speed of 198 mph (318 km/h) and 0-60 mph in 3.9 seconds (0-100 km/h in 4.0 seconds) for the Coupe; and 0-60 mph in 4.0 seconds (0-100 km/h in 4.1 seconds) for the Convertible.

The engine can de-activate four of its eight cylinders in suitable conditions, without compromising the drive. Stop-Start technology, which operates at ‘near-to-stop’ speeds, is also available.

The new V8 features 20-inch, 10-spoke painted alloy wheels and the option to choose from nine other designs measuring up to 22-inches.

Both Coupe and Convertible models

LAUNCHES

REVOLUTION RELAUNCH

SUPER VERYCA CMC HAVE BEEN COMPLETELY REVOLUTIONISED TO SUIT E-COMMERCE NEEDS

READY TO ENTERTAIN YOU The on-board infotainment system includes a 10.1inch touch screen, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. Cruise control comes as standard.

ALL-ROUND SAFETY A high-tensile steel cage is hidden under the exterior and the MG5 boasts a series of active measures.

are distinguished by quad exhaust pipes and subtle V8 badging to the front wings.

The Continental GT V8’s innovative, luxurious interior offers unrivalled Grand Touring refinement. It seamlessly integrates natural materials such as the highest quality leathers and rare, sustainably sourced veneers into the finest handcrafted cabin. A 10-speaker Bentley Audio system pumps out l 650 watts of entertainment.

The GT V8 comes with an advanced, fully digital,

driver-focussed instrument panel and the optional Bentley Rotating Display. The latter features a 12.3-inch touchscreen housed in a threesided unit, which revolves from the veneer to reveal the touchscreen, as well as three elegant analogue dials.

The new Continental GT V8 provides the driving character expected of a class-leading Grand Tourer, along with the opportunity to explore the range of performance available via the Bentley Drive Dynamics selector.

Al Ghurair Automobiles (AG AUTO) is now selling the new range of CMC commercial vehicles.

According to the distributor, the Super Veryca CMC commercial vehicles have been completely revolutionised before being relaunched under a new exclusive deal for the brand in the UAE, AG AUTO. Declan McCluskey, CEO, AG AUTO said the distributor worked closely with CMC to develop the vehicles to make them suit transport and logistics customers in the UAE before relaunching the vehicles at its dealership.

“While the Super Veryca vehicles might look deceptively compact in size from the outside, they are very spacious on the inside and are equipped with a superior 1.5L engine meeting Euro-IV emissions standards boosting efficiency in operations,” he said.

The new Super Veryca CMC vehicles are also equipped with the latest safety features and are available in range of models, all equipped with the 1.5L engine and manual transmission.

Starting with the van range, there are options of a full panel van ideal for efficient and cost-effective last mile delivery; a semipanel van combining excellent load space

with the option to carry five passengers; and a full window van offering space for eight people. A second choice is the pickup with a solid rear deck with rail surround offering a flexible load space; and finally there is the factory built freezer model with a high-tech integrated chiller body capable of keeping loads cooled to temperatures ranging between -20°C to - 30°C inside.

“With the rapid growth of the e-commerce sector in the UAE, where consumers expect almost anything to be delivered to their doorstep within a few hours, we believe that our new range of CMC vehicles are tailored to enable online businesses operate more efficiently.” adds McCluskey.

SPECIFICATIONS Engine

1.5l

Emissions standards

Euro IV

Transmission

Manual

Refrigerated option

-20°C to -30°C

Semi-panel capacity

5 passengers

Full window capacity

8 passengers

AED 49,000 CMC STARTING PRICE

SPECIFICATIONS Engine

4.0l, 32-valve V8 petrol

Power

542 bhp

Torque

770 Nm

Top speed

318 km/h

0-96.5 km/h

3.9 seconds

OCTOBER 2019 TRUCK&FLEET ME 13

OPINION

SMART CITIES REQUIRE SMART FOUNDATIONS Hamid Iravani, Parsons’ Transportation Planning Director, says planners should focus on what has always worked for their cities

M

any supply lines feature an economy of scale, meaning the price per unit is reduced as the size of the output increases. For sewerage and water, for instance, a bigger pipe costs less than several smaller pipes. When examining transportation and roadway systems, however, this theory does not hold. In roads, there is a diseconomy of scale, as several narrower roads function much better than one wide road.

A grid system consisting of several interconnected smaller roads provides travellers with many route alternatives from each origin to each destination and evenly distributes traffic on the roads. This diseconomy of scale is illustrated by comparing a grid system to an expressway system when applying a basic smart-city feature, such as one that relays real-time information online, allowing travellers to divert their routes when the downstream segment of the road is congested. While the grid system enables easy access to alternative routes, the expressway system either doesn’t provide alternative routes or only provides occasional access, at much greater distances than the grid system.

Travelers will continue to use and congest roads unless planning and policies—coupled with suitable design and land use measures— discourage use of private automobiles and provide incentives for public transit and non-motorized transportation modes. Merely applying technology will not produce a smart city. A major prerequisite for a truly smart city is a multimodal system that encourages people to move from private 14 TRUCK&FLEET ME OCTOBER 2019

automobiles to public transportation or nonmotorized means of travel. When technologies further promote such a system, they would build on a smart foundation to make a city even smarter. Developing a smart public transit system takes more than putting rails, trains, or buses on the roads and complementing them with real-time information from smart-city technologies.

More important smart factors include developing the correct urban fabric, along with densities, the appropriate complementary transit feeder and pedestrian network system, and transit-oriented development, to create a place in which alternative transportation modes such as walking, biking, and public transportation are equally viable options to private vehicles, if not preferred choices.

Regardless of how advanced the technologies are and how extensively they’re applied, having a few public transit routes rather than a transit network system, in the absence of an efficient land-use pattern, requires travellers to transfer to different transit lines to move between any given origin and destination, thus discouraging ridership. The challenge for transportation planners and engineers advocating smart cities is how to build an efficient transportation system without further expanding roads while promoting growth and economic activity. It is encouraging to see many high-density cities moving more people in less time. The key to their success is a smart vision, tackling the demand side of the transportation equation instead of the supply side.

When complemented by technology, like automation and real-time information, a

In roads, there is a diseconomy of scale, as several narrower roads function much better than one wide road”

smart strategy is enhanced, resulting in a much smarter system. The thinking that less accessibility provides better mobility has produced the illusion that because expressways have less access to ingress and egress, they can move traffic without any delay. This concept could be viable if no traveller needed to get on or off expressways, but a significant proportion of traffic on any expressway is there because drivers need to get to the next interchange to get off and go back to access their original destination.

That is not smart. A roadway hierarchy that depends solely on expressways and wide roads will collapse if an incident occurs, as most of the expressway will be clogged.

The term “smart city” is often thought to be synonymous with technology, but the foundation of a smart city is its land-use system. The roadway hierarchy system which depends on expressways and wide roads brings along with it a land-use system that exacerbates an already bad situation— local roads get residential pods surrounding them while commercial areas gather around the expressways. This separates origins, making them further from destinations, thus increasing traffic.

Land use in such system results in the sprawl effect and segregation of uses. In contrast, an interconnected grid roadway system with dense and narrower roads promotes mixed land use, resulting in origins that are closer to destinations, which is a smart feature for a smart city. All this is not to say that planners should be technophobic, only that smart-city planners should also consider all the great community and traditional values that have already functioned in cities so well.

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INTERVIEW

TRAILERS FRONT AND CENTRE

T&FME talks to Schmitz-Cargobull’s Fabian Bahlmann about the KSA market

T

hink trailers and a number of companies come to mind. High up on your list will be Schmitz Cargobull, particularly if your fleet is running with side-curtain or refrigerated trailers on the back.

Having doubled its production at its main production facility in Vreden, Germany to an impressive capacity of 61,000 trailers per year, it is also arguably the continent’s leading maker of the semi-trailers, truck bodies, and trailers for temperature-controlled freight, general cargo, and bulk goods. Its keen on becoming the global market leader for refrigerated semitrailers and platform semi-trailers, as well as a reference point for tipper trailers in Europe.

The company has been supplying its trailers to the Middle East for over decades. Fleet customers from Iraq to Saudi Arabia continue

16 TRUCK&FLEET ME OCTOBER 2019

to benefit from the company’s expertise in providing a huge variety of tailored trailers based on its modular systems for the running gear, chassis and body. And with the founding of Schmitz Cargobull Middle East in the United Arab Emirates in 2016, the company is more focused than ever on the market.

It also thinks that fleet operators in certain segments are more and more enthusiastic about smart trailer technology that could lead to greater efficiencies and productivity.

Returning from the successful Refrigerated Transport open house event at the Riyadh base of local partner Haji Husein Alireza Co. (HHA), Fabian Bahlmann, general manager, Middle East & East Africa tells T&FME that the company is learning learned where it should position itself in the market.

“With transportation markets in the region becoming increasingly saturated, we

Outside Saudi Arabia, we have a network of trained workshop partners in UAE, Oman, Kuwait, Egypt and Iraq”

feel that there are smart fleet-owners in the market, who raise the bar in terms of smarter, safer and more efficient transport,” he says.

The event is the latest stage in a process that has seen the company look to engage a Saudi market that many would argue is price-driven and resistant to technology.

Bahlmann however argues that there is a shift underway from that traditional thinking.

“Accepting that there will always be a manufacturer ‘cheaper than Schmitz’ at the moment of purchase, we feel that customers increasingly accept that professional products, processes and services may still result in both, quality and cost leadership,” he adds.

In its S.KO COOL trailer, Schmitz Cargobull created what it believes is a true improvement of trailer hardware, fitting a new floor for quieter intercity travel, improving the bulkhead design so that the cooling air

INTERVIEW

can circulate better and upgrading the fixating point to enable easier loading and unloading of goods. Out of the box, these features alone make it a potentially more economical and productive choice for fleets on the cold chain. Bahlmann says that the product has been adapted for the Saudi market after finding out what local fleets really need.

“Together with our Saudi Arabian partner HHA, we have conducted many discussions with transport and logistics professionals in the Saudi-Arabian market. We understood that with defined product adjustments, our S.KO COOL product can add significant value to any refrigerated-transport customer. It offers the greatest capacity and payload in class, advanced safety features and was manufactured in line with highest hygiene standards.

However, there is more to the S.KO COOL than that. For many markets, the company has also worked to make reefer semi-trailers smarter, by installing its own TrailerConnect telematics system as standard. The system presents an opportunity for optimum control over an interconnected, integrated logistics chain and can help boost efficiency and reduce total cost of ownership (TCO).

The Saudi market is changing with fleets dealing with greater competition and more scrutiny under tighter transport regulation.

Safer and more efficient platform and curtainsider semi-trailers are becoming more popular as a result, and it was no surprise that dozens of business professionals, representing the central region’s leading fleets, were present throughout the course of the ‘open house’ event.

Bahlmann says it was an important chance to showcase how the company is preparing solutions that can immediately fit

TRAILERS CATERING FOR ALL MARKETS

UNDERSTANDING THE NEEDS OF THE MARKET Schmitz Cargobull looks at trends in the market offering owned or rented fleets a range of products and support.

With transportation becoming saturated, we feel that there are smart fleet-owners in the market”

SAFETY BECOMING MORE IMPORTANT Safer and more efficient platform and curtain-sider semi-trailers are becoming more in the Saudi market, says Bahlmann.

their businesses’ changing requirements.

“We invited customers for ‘casual but professional’ individual presentations and discussions around our dedicated models.

Considering important key accounts in the central region, we aimed to showcase our capabilities as their preferred semi-trailer solution provider,” he adds. “The main part was a vehicle presentation of our latest S.KO COOL semi-trailer with smart functionalities.

Apart from that vehicle specific part, we ran presentations centred on our regionally available value added services (VAS).”

The open house event has been an integral part of a market development strategy in the refrigerated transport segment.

“More activities in similar and different formats are planned and are about to follow, as the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia is of major importance in terms of our business operation in Middle East.”

The addition of HHA in 2017 was a significant step in shoring up its support in the Saudi market and the partner is now providing extensive training on Schmitz Cargobull technology in addition to representing the brand in the Kingdom.

“Offering our products through HHA’s network enables customers to receive the highest level of aftersales support through professional systems combined with experienced experts on the ground,” explains Bahlmann emphasising the importance of after-sales support to his company. “After-sales services are offered through service centres and mobile workshops nationwide, and is aided by unique systems and online tools. Even outside Saudi Arabia, we have a network of trained workshop partners in UAE, Oman, Kuwait, Egypt and Iraq.

“Schmitz Cargobull is a brand that is known in the industry for technology leadership in many countries of the world, with a range of special solutions for many different markets and customers. At the same time, we must acknowledge that not every feature is of advantage for every customer. Therefore, we generally see ourselves as ‘road transport consultants’ for our customers, because only with a full understanding of our customer’s transport task, we can advise on a right mix of products and services.

“Working in competitive B2B environments, we generally aim to support our customers to be more efficient, to reduce their total cost of product ownership. This can be achieved through different measures such as robust, low-maintenance design, lowest tare weight and highest payload capabilities of our trailers, maximises uptime through advanced, smart functionalities.

“Moreover, Schmitz Cargobull offers products that offer safety.

Road safety through the use of advanced safety equipment in 100% of its products (eg. EBS system with Rollover-Stability programme), safety in terms of load security on and inside the trailer through a range of load security features. Food safety through the most hygienic semi-trailer design available in the market, with fully HACCP-certified construction and materials used.

“Schmitz Cargobull semi-trailers offered in Saudi Arabia and the wider Middle East consider the special demands of customers, such as high ambient temperatures, heavy duty operation, etc. We have equipped our range of regional demonstration semi-trailers with a value adding options plus our full range of smart functionalities (eg. smart-monitoring, pro-active maintenance, geo-fencing, smart repair and maintenance support).”

OCTOBER 2019 TRUCK&FLEET ME 17

FEATURE

A LIGHT TOUCH

SAF-HOLLAND discusses its latest trailer tech

L

ightweight, economical and efficient: With its weightreduced components for trucks and trailers, SAFHOLLAND allows higher additional loads, thereby boosting profitability for fleets. The improved premium trailer axle, the practical tyre pressure monitoring system and extra-light fifth wheels all optimise the payload of articulated lorries.

In delivery and distribution transport, every single kilo counts – and those who equip their vehicles with weight-optimised and payloadoptimised components are the ones who reap the benefits. This is because lightweight components that are precisely matched to the respective requirements save fuel and increase the maximum payload. Fleets also operate exceptionally efficiently and economically when their vehicles are on the road as long as possible, without any breakdowns or stoppages.

“In terms of payload optimisation, SAF-HOLLAND supports fleet managers on an individual basis, offering high-quality components such as fifth wheels or axles plus accessories, even when it comes to the configuration and original equipment of trucks and trailers,” says Elmar Weber, product manager OE Europe, SAF-HOLLAND. With the new ten-spoke wheel end design, SAF-HOLLAND is optimising the weight of its SAF INTRADISC plus INTEGRAL axle. The lighter design was presented at the IAA Commercial Vehicles 18 TRUCK&FLEET ME OCTOBER 2019

PRODUCING FOR THE WORLD SAF-HOLLAND is headquartered in Luxembourg and is the largest independent listed supplier to the commercial vehicle market in Europe and is present in most of the world’s markets.

2018 and has been in series production since the spring of 2019. In combination with the brake caliper SBS 2220 H01, the optimised trailer axle reduces the weight by 8kg.

“Products and systems are getting lighter and lighter: On a three-axle semi-trailer, our premium axle reduces the weight by a total of 24kg ex works. Fleet operators do not need to invest any extra money for this, in contrast to aluminium rims, for example,” says Weber.

In order to reduce the weight of the brake, the suspension specialist has adapted the topology of the cast parts while maintaining the same high performance and service life of the disc brake. The 22.5” brake SBS 2220 H01, developed jointly with HALDEX, is designed for axle loads of up to 9t.

There are other ways of reducing weight, and thus costs, in articulated lorries that do not involve additional expenditure. For example, by commercial vehicles making do without the spare wheel, one trailer tyre, steel rim and bracket together weigh around 160kg. If these are not on board, the unladen weight of the tractor/trailer combination is reduced and the payload is significantly increased – tangible added value for cost-conscious fleet managers.

Trailers do not have to be dependent on having a spare wheel.

In many cases, the SAF TIRE PILOT, the automatic tyre-inflating system, can prevent punctures: The extra system weight of approx.

5kg is only a fraction of the possible savings.

In the event of puncture damage, the control

We are systematically developing our products and tailoring them individually to tractor units and applications”

system reliably maintains the tyre pressure at the pre-set level, allowing the articulated lorry to safely reach the nearest garage or home. Once there, the wheel can be changed. This prevents vehicles from being left stranded and minimises downtimes due to puncture damage. The truck and trailer are always securely connected with the weight-optimised fifth wheels.

“Our best-in-class solutions, can cope with any connection task, whether it involves lightweight 7.5t lorries or abnormal loads of up to 75t. To this end, we are systematically developing our products and tailoring them individually to tractor units and their areas of application,” explains Dr Rainer-Rudolf Gärtner, head of truck business Europe, SAF-HOLLAND. In order to keep the weight of its fifth wheels as low as possible, the supplier for commercial vehicle parts has, for example, optimised the topology of the mounting brackets and the top plate. Time, and therefore costs, are also reduced thanks to direct mounting, which eliminates the traditional mounting plate.

SAF-HOLLAND developed the FW 3214-W, the first chassisintegrated fifth wheel with an imposed load of up to 14 t, specifically for the Mercedes-Benz Actros and Antos tractor units.

“Because it is installed directly in the vehicle frame and individually adapted to the tractor unit, it significantly lowers its dead weight and thus increases the payload potential,” adds Dr Gärtner.

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FEATURE

MOSCOW UNMASKED

Vladimir Chekhuta gives an insight into the Russian market on a tour of COMTRANS

T

he COMTRANS international commercial vehicle trade fair was held in Moscow between 3-7 September. There were all the European’s giants of transport machinery and well-known CV-makers from Russia and Asia countries.

In total at the auto salon were stands featuring more than 265 companies from 13 countries from across the globe. An interesting fact was that several companies celebrated their anniversaries at stands of COMTRANS. For instance Kamaz’ main plant will celebrate its 50 years in December, MAZ commemorated his 75th birthday and Renault Trucks celebrated its 125 years.

Speaking about the situation on the Russian truck market, I must say that things there are not going well. According to the consulting

20 TRUCK&FLEET ME OCTOBER 2019

firm “AUTOSTAT info”, in the first half of 2019, only 38,844 new trucks of medium and heavy classes were registered in Russia. This is 6.4% less than in the same period of last year. The main factors for the declining sales have been a recession in industry, a reduction in – and closures of medium and small enterprises – as well as the decline of Russian exports as sanctions by Western countries bite.

The leader of the Russian market is Kamaz. It holds a share of 33.2% and had 12,908 registered trucks (+4.5%) in the first part of the year. In the second position is GAZ Group at 4,152 units (-3.8%). Third place is taken by Volvo Trucks (trucks assembled in Kaluga) with 2,691 registered vehicles (-15.0%). Mercedes-Benz with its flagship Actros is the leader among the imported brands in the market at 1,650 units (- 6.9%).

Kamaz brought its new long-distance

Speaking about the situation on Russian truck market, I must say that things there are not going well”

tractor Kamaz-54901 to the exhibition. It is not a prototype but a series truck with the tractor equipped with a new generation cabin model, the K5, whose structure has been based on the Mercedes-Benz Actros MP4. (The new cabin has been produced by the joint enterprise of Kamaz and Daimler based in Naberezhnye Chelny. Estimated investment into the project reportedly reached about $220 million.)

On the stand for the company, I was able to climb inside the new cabin of the Kamaz-54901. With an attractive interior, good safety and comfort, the cabin has a flat floor and width of 2,500 mm. It creates very good ergonomics and convenience for the driver. Underneath the driver, the truck is equipped with 12l 6-cylinder in-line 450 hp engine Kamaz Р6 (class Euro-5 or Euro-6).

The portfolio of engines from Kamaz range from 380 to 550 hp. The drivelines

FEATURE

MAN STEPS UP RUSSIAN PRESENCE At the heart of the 750sqm MAN booth was the all-electric 26-tonne MAN eTGM truck, with its range of approximately 180 kilometers.

MAN also presented the eTGE, its first mass-produced electric vehicle, at COMTRANS. Available in 3.5 tons, the van has a range of approximately 130 kilometers, covering the typical daily mileage in urban delivery. Since 2019 it is also available in a combi version for passenger transport.

MAN’s truck division was just as impressively represented on the COMTRANS trade fair, and among the trucks MAN could present a real winner. In the lead up to the event, the MAN TGS 41.440 8x4 BB-WW won the «Best Tipper Truck» category in the Russian competition for construction machinery innovations.

The four-axle MAN TGS 41.440 8x4 BB-WW is ideally suited for particularly extreme conditions in rough terrain with high total weight requirements. At the same time, however, it has extensive electronic security systems for maximum safety use. the highlight of the MAN Truck presentation in Moscow was the XLION special edition packages. XLION stands for extreme reliability, endurance and performance. Here, equipment is bundled to make the stay in the cab pleasant and to visually enhance the exterior of the vehicle with exterior details.

feature the 12-speed automated ZF TraXon transmission helping to extend the service interval for the truck to 120,000 km. The new Kamaz Р6 power unit was designed by Kamaz together with the engineers of German powerhouse Liebherr. Production has currently be limited to 80 tractors but full-fledged production of the new truck should begin at the end of the year. Prices have been published with the standard Kamaz-54901 tractor to cost 6.5 million rubles (1€ = 73 Rus ruble). This price includes a standard three-year service contract.

Another standout news was an unusual heavy truck, the Kamaz -6355 “Arctic” (8x8).

The all-terrain vehicle is designed to operate in the wild territories of the extreme far north of the country where you can experience low temperatures down to - 60°C. The truck is equipped with a 12l, 450 hp engine Kamaz P6.910.12-450 (Euro 5), 6-speed automatic transmission from Allison (the 4500), a hydrostatic transmission and the K5 cabin. A key feature of the Kamaz – ‘Arctic’ is its articulated frame. This system enables the machine to turn using its “breaking” half-frames. Special, wide tyres – another important feature for the all-terrain vehicle allows the truck to move on soil with low load-bearing capacity (in wetlands, tundra and snow). The load capacity of the vehicle is 14,900kg, curb weight 26,580kg with the length of the “Arctic” reaching 12m.

I also want to share some words about the new long-haul Kamaz – 5490 NEO-2 LNG tractor. The truck is powered by a Chinese-made 400-hp gaz engine from Weichai Power, the WP12NG400E50 (Euro-5), which is paired with a 16-speed transmission ZF, cabin MB

A LOCAL INTERNATIONAL EVENT COMTRANS featured over 250 companies from inside Russia and across the globe.

IVECO BUILDING ON PRESENCE 150 IVECO-branded natural gas trucks have been sold in the Russian market over the last 12 months.

What pushes transport companies to buy gas trucks and buses?

Of course, money”

Axor and drive axel Daimler HL6. Gas fuel is stored in a cryogenic container with a volume of 530l. With one fillin, the Kamaz-5490 NEO 2 LNG can travel up to 750 km. Serial production of these trucks should begin next year. The price of the tractor is about 7 million rubles.

Belarus truckmaker Maz showed its new truck tractor MAZ-54A02K-520-030 (4x2) LNG equipped with a 400-hp natural gas engine Weichai Power WP12NG 400E50 (Euro-5) and 16-speed gearbox ZF16S2520TO. The truck uses a fueling system with gas-tanks from “CHART” (USA) or “CIMS” (China).

The total volume of tanks is more than 700l which allows the truck to move up to 500 km.

GAZ Group also presented the new 10t GAZonne NEXT 10 LNG/CNG model. It was designed to work on long-distance routes and features a powertrain that begins with the YaMZ534 (Euro-5) engine which has a total power output of 170 hp and a maximum torque of 600 Nm. It is mated with a 9-step transmission.

The LNG tank has a volume of 225l and a maximum speed of vehicle is 105 km/h.

Miass’ automobile plant Ural AZ unveiled its updated model cabover truck. At the exhibition, we could see a reincarnation of the old Iveco TurboStar cabin. The new range still has the original front panel but a completely modernised interior. The cabover dump truck Ural C26.328R (6x4) on the stand is equipped with 328hp YAMZ-53676.10 (Euro 5) engine, a 9-speed transmission (the ZF9S1515TO), drive axles from China’s HandeAxel and a 16 m3 tipper body.

The load capacity of the truck is 16.5t.

During the last year, more than 150 IVECO gas trucks were sold in Russia. The Italian company presented a range of its own vehicles OCTOBER 2019 TRUCK&FLEET ME 21

FEATURE

based on natural gas including its flagship tractor the IVECO Stralis NP 460 LNG. Other heavy trucks with the IVECO branding included those assembled by its Russian joint-venture “IVECO-AMT”. In Moscow, we could see special version of IVECO Trakker (6×6) tractor, designed to work with an autotrain gross weight of 97t.

The tractor is equipped with a 13l, 6-cylinder 450-hp Cursor 13 engine and a 16-speed transmission from ZF. The cabin has two air suspension seats with electric heating, independent heater and air conditioning.

Volvo Trucks demonstrated to Russian’s consumers its serial truck tractor Volvo FH 460 LNG, using liquefied natural gas for the first time. Another interesting vehicle was the Vera concept, ‘the future of autonomous electric transport’. It is equipped with a full electric drive and is fully autonomous.

(While it as very interesting, you may ask why the Swedish company chose to show this concept in Russia, where the Euro-6 standard has not been implement and the roads are substandard?)

In September, NOVATEK-AZK opened in Kopeysk (Chelyabinsk region) the first LNG gas station in Russia. Leonid Mikhelson, chairman of the board of NOVATEK, took part in the opening ceremony of the new gas station. He said that his company is finishing building plant for the production liquefied natural gas in Magnitogorsk.

It is expected that the plant will be completed in 2020. As previously reported by the portal “Kommersant-South Ural” Chelyabinsk region is going to buy 300 LNG city buses. Natural gas has huge potential and could be substitute for diesel in trucks and

UNDISPUTED LEADER Kamaz remains the undisputed truck brand in Russia and sold over 12,000 vehicles last year.

22 TRUCK&FLEET ME OCTOBER 2019

SHADES OF THE PAST, A LOOK TO THE FUTURE Ural showcased its new dump truck which still draws some of its design features from IVECO.

buses. The exhibition has clearly demonstrated that almost all the automakers are ready to offer on Russian’s market CNG-vehicles.

What pushes transport companies to buy gas trucks and buses? Of course, money.

Have a look on offer of at NOVATEKAZK fuel stations in the Chelyabinsk region.

The price of LNG will be 26.7 rubles/kg. IN comparison, 1l of diesel in Russia costs from 44 to 48 rubles. As 1kg of LNG has the same energy value as 1.39l of diesel fuel, we can do a simple calculation and get the price of gas fuel at the level of 19.2 rubles/l, using “diesel” prices. (It is very good!) Also, LNG has two very significant advantages over to diesel. First, liquefied natural gas cannot be stolen from the fuel tank. This, of course, is very happy news for Russian carriers.

And the second is that LNG will not freeze,

LNG will not freeze, even if you use such vehicle during extreme Russian’s winter. This mean the LNG-direction is very interesting”

even if you are using the vehcile during the extreme Russian winter. This makes the LNGdirection very interesting and we will probably see this alternative fuel increase in Russia.

The official distributor of Japanese company Hino Motors also took part and presented new models from the HINO 500 series.

One of them was the HINO 500 FM Euro-5 dump truck with GVW 26t.

Updated trucks of Hino 500 series were released in finish of 2018. and the new models received a cabin with an updated design, new three-section bumper, new drivetrain and new high-strength frame. Visually, the main difference between the new cabin design is the V-shaped form of the front panel, a easily distinguishable logo Hino, as well as an improved optics. The interior has got a new dashboard with multifunctional LCD screen and more comfortable driver’s seat. At the exhibition, we were able to look at the 26t, 6x4 chassis Hino 500 series FM. It is equipped with a more powerful 9l , 350hp engine (with a maximum torque of 1,422Nm), an updated transmission and locking wheel differential.

Almatruck is the first tractor unit (4x2), issued by Kazakhstan company “SAKTAGAN”.

This is a joint project with the Chinese company C&C TRUCK. The cabin of the C&C trucks were developed by Italian company Torino Design. Sets of units and parts arrive at the Kazakhstan city of Almaty and there workers assemble kits with some additional local components. The truck itself has got a 6-cylinder, 10.3l Yuchai YC6K1034-50 (Euro5) engine which outputs at 340 hp. This is mated with a 12-speed manual transmission.

The curb weight of tractor is 7,505kg, and the gross weight of vehicle is 25t.

HIGHEST INTERNATIONAL BRAND Volvo Trucks is the third largest brand in the Russian market and assembles at its plant based in Kaluga,150km from Moscow.

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FEATURE

ON THE TEAM COACH

Mercedes-Benz unveils its latest line-up at this year’s Busworld in Belgium

A

s a full-line provider Mercedes-Benz covers the entire spectrum of low-floor city buses through inter-city buses to the touring coaches, flanked by minibuses which also cover the entire range. At this year’s Busworld, the new venue in Brussels was treated to a representative cross-section of its range in the form of the eCitaro, the versatile Intouro and the Tourismo, which it claims is as profitable as it is safe and comfortable. Celebrating its world premiere at Busworld, was also the Sprinter Travel 75.

The Mercedes-Benz minibuses, all based on the Sprinter, take a leading role in Europe when it comes to minibuses over 3.5 t permissible gross weight. The range has been condensed into a four model series: the specialised Sprinter City which covers urban and suburban regular-service, the flexible Sprinter Transfer which takes care of inter-city routes, school bus services, excursions and shuttle services, the 24 TRUCK&FLEET ME OCTOBER 2019

Sprinter Mobility for passengers with restricted mobility and the Sprinter Travel tourism.

Front and centre was the premiering Sprinter Travel 75, an 8.5m long minibus which shares the Sprinter design up to its B pillar with a selfsupporting integral minibus skeleton behind.

This offers advantages including around ten centimetres more interior width in the passenger compartment than minibuses on the basis of the Sprinter Panel Van, says the company.

The new city Sprinter Travel 75 has an autonomous wheelbase of 5100 mm, a permissible gross weight is 6.5 t and offers sufficient reserves for comfort-enhancing equipment, passengers and luggage. The high permissible gross weight is provided by a highload rear axle with air suspension developed exclusively for Mercedes-Benz minibuses.

Its panoramic windscreen is drawn far upwards intentionally giving impression of a touring coach. The cab and body merge with one another to form a single unit. The glazing on the body is distinctively arrow-shaped at the front,

These are examples for the rapid and practically-oriented electrification of local public transport in cities and conurbations”

whilst at the rear the window support climbs aft of the rear axle. The side panoramic double glazing features black glass and, at the rear, a touring coach tail end rounds off the body of the vehicle.

Behind the luggage compartment flap there is a 2.0 m³ stowage space. To the left and right it is supplemented by side stowage spaces with respective capacities of 0.3 m³.

The reversing lamps come from the EvoBus range, emphasising the family likeness and simplifying the supply of replacement parts.

“The exterior panelling in FRP with its perfect fit and smooth surfaces conveys the impression of the high quality level boasted by the Sprinter Travel 75,” says Mercedes-Benz.

Passengers enter the passenger compartment of the Sprinter Travel 75 through a wide electrically operated outward-swinging door aft of the front axle. The passenger compartment has an high bus ceiling with room for integrated luggage shelves with side air ducts and LED light rails.

The standard seating consists of six double seats facing the direction of travel on the left

FEATURE

and six individual seats in the direction of travel on the right, amounting to 18 passenger seats.

On request up to 21 passenger seats and one co-driver’s seat are available. The high-quality 450 mm wide TravelStarXtra (TSX) seats are based on those in the Mercedes-Benz Tourismo touring coach and are available in numerous variants. A further feature of the high level of travel comfort in the Sprinter Travel 75 is the heating and climate control: circulating hot-water convectors heat the passenger compartment, as does a hot-water auxiliary heater with a stationary heater function.

Also standard is a driver’s air conditioning system with an output of 7 kW and the passenger compartment air conditioning with an output of 11 kW in fresh-air and air-recirculation mode.

The cockpit ranges from the functional standard equipment to the multifunction leather steering wheel, a colour display between the clearly arranged instruments as well as a high-resolution display in the area of the centre console, which can be selected in the maximum format of 10.25 inches. The multimedia system Mercedes-Benz User Experience MBUX is available as an option, including voice control and realtime navigation.

The engine on the basis of the MercedesBenz OM 651 with 2.15 litres displacement is tried and tested. The standard engine output on the Sprinter Travel 75 is 120 kW (163 hp).

As an alternative the V6 turbodiesel MercedesBenz OM 642 with 3.0 litres displacement and 140 kW (190 hp), unique in this class, is used. Power transmission to the rear axle is taken care of as standard by the comfortable and economical 7G Tronic PLUS automatic transmission with torque converter.

Numerous assistance systems fulfil the high Mercedes-Benz safety standards.

Standard equipment on board alongside ESP with many subfunctions includes Crosswind Assist, Active Brake Assist, start-off assist and the HOLD function. Active Distance Assist DISTRONIC supports the driver as an option. On request the Sprinter Travel is also fitted with the new LED headlamps.

The low-floor Citaro city bus also on the stand combines versatility with economical and future proof drive technologies, “exemplary safety technology, comfort and environmental friendliness”.

The large number of variants has recently increased even further thanks to the Citaro hybrid – also as the Citaro NGT hybrid with a natural-gas engine – and the fully electrically powered eCitaro. The classic is the 12.14 metre long Citaro solo bus. It is framed by the compact Citaro K and the Citaro G articulated bus. For maximum passenger capacity the four-axle large-capacity CapaCity

VAN TO MAN All Mercedes-Benz minibuses are based on the Sprinter and are the market leader when it comes to minibuses over 3.5 t permissible gross weight.

and CapaCity L buses are recommended; they are derived from the Citaro. The Citaro Ü and Citaro GÜ do the inter-city transport. As a low-entry model, the Citaro LE combines the advantages of a barrier-free front section with a high-floor tail end, says Mercedes-Benz.

“The Mercedes-Benz Citaro is the success story among low-floor buses. The proof: Mercedes-Benz recently built Citaro number 55,555, two years after the premiere of the first-generation low-floor city bus,” the company informed the event.

The eCitaro is currently a major focus of attention for the manufacturer with a drive system built on an electric portal axle with electric motors on the wheel hubs. The peak output of the engines is 2 x 125 kW, the torque at the driven wheels 2 x 11,000 Nm. Lithium-

Thanks to highly advanced thermal management the eCitaro achieves tremendous energy efficiency”

ion batteries with an overall capacity of up to 292 kWh take care of the power supply. They consist of a maximum of twelve modules.

“Thanks to highly advanced thermal management the eCitaro achieves tremendous energy efficiency,” the German giant claims.

With the maximum amount of batteries fitted the eCitaro achieves a system relevant range of around 170 kilometres, even in difficult conditions, 365 days a year.

With its charging technology the eCitaro can be adapted individually to particular applications.

At series introduction it started out with charging via plugs. In future, as announced, it will also be optionally chargeable via a current collector (pantograph) if intermediate charging is required.

Initially, the eCitaro will now optionally be equipped with an integral current collector. In this case it can be fitted with up to ten battery modules. In 2020, a variant with charging rails on the roof for charging via charging stations with integrated contact arms will be available.

“These are examples of the steps in the announced innovation initiative with the eCitaro for rapid and practically-oriented electrification of local public transport with buses in cities and conurbations.”

The company is developing its next generation of lithium-ion batteries, and greater capacity will be made available to customers as early as 2020/2021. During the second half of the year 2020, solid-state batteries with an especially long service life and high energy density will be in use.

With the eCitaro G Mercedes-Benz is extending the range of fully electrically powered eCitaro models to include an articulated bus variant. It meets the requirement for locally emission-free mobility in highly trafficked cities

THROUGH THE PORTAL A major focus for the company, the eCitaro’s portal axle and twin motors on the hubs system create 125kW each.

OCTOBER 2019 TRUCK&FLEET ME 25

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and metropolitan regions with a high volume of passengers and traffic. It is anticipating that the range of the eCitaro will be increased yet again, with a range-extending fuel cell for generating electricity likely to be available in 2022.

“It will be designed to allow the eCitaro to fulfil nearly 100 percent of all requirements on city buses. Intermediate charging is superfluous with this technology – the eCitaro will be able to replace city buses with a combustion engine virtually one to one,” says Mercedes-Benz.

Anyone who can add up chooses the Mercedes-Benz Intouro: the highly profitable and functional inter-city bus is a favourite with keenly calculating bus companies throughout Europe.

A solid technical basis, high reliability, strong price/performance ratio, high overall cost-effectiveness – the Mercedes-Benz describes its Intouro as being “made for cool calculators”.

The vehicle is also plugged as a crew and labour transporter and features a single-leaf door at the front, single- or twin-leaf central door, an optional lift for wheelchairs - on request a pram or wheelchair space inside - a demountable platform and a wide choice of overland seating for a number of roles. The Intouro is available as a two-axle model in three lengths. It is driven by compact six-cylinder inline units from the Mercedes-Benz OM 936 model series with a displacement of 7.7 litres and an output of 220 kW (299 hp)/260 kW (354 hp). There is an especially wide selection when it comes to power transmission: a six-speed manual transmission, fully automated Mercedes-Benz GO 250 8 PowerShift transmission or an automatic transmission with torque converter – the Intouro is also highly flexible in this regard, too.

The Mercedes-Benz Tourismo celebrated a double anniversary this year: first presented

PROLIFIC PEOPLE MOVER The Tourismo celebrates its 25th birthday this year. Mercedes-Benz has now produced around 30,000 Tourismo touring coaches.

25 years ago, Mercedes-Benz has now produced around 30,000 Tourismo touring coaches.

A third generation is now out on the road and the company says there were ambitious specifications for the high-decker touring coach from Mercedes Benz: maximum economy, safety, functionality and comfort.

“The result is the Tourismo RHD – a touring coach whose characteristics impress companies, passengers and drivers in equal measure. Its field of possible uses ranges from long-distance bus routes to long-distance tourism and also includes shuttles, day trips and the occasional use on inter-city bus routes.

This makes the Tourismo RHD a star in the business segment, which is how MercedesBenz defines this especially wide-ranging field of application for the bus sector,” it explains.

The Tourismo RHD is a touring coach whose characteristics impress passengers and drivers in equal measure”

“The Tourismo is a true Mercedes Benz: the standard-fit emergency braking assistance system Active Brake Assist 4 (ABA 4), Sideguard Assist, distance control with Stop-and-Go Assist, Attention Assist (AtAs) – just some of the highly advanced safety technology in the new Tourismo RHD. The Tourismo RHD impresses with its high profitability.”

The basis for this is the six cylinder inline Mercedes-Benz OM 470 with a displacement of 10.7 litres. The new top-of-the-line engine variant delivering 335 kW (456 hp) combines high driving dynamics with low fuel consumption. The compact six-cylinder inline Mercedes-Benz OM 936 with 7.7 litre displacement and an output of 260 kW (354 hp) is available as special equipment. It combines low consumption with low weight. Five output categories are available to choose from in total.”

Handling fuel economically is not just theory, it is practised by the Tourismo. This was proven by the “EcoChamp 2018” consumption competition: the top result for use by bus drivers in touring operations in real conditions was under 20 litres/100 km for the two-axled Tourismo.

On the three-axled Tourismo L it was virtually 22 litres/100 km – across 94,000 km with 24 drivers. The campaign is currently continuing in many European markets as “EcoChamp 2019”.

A high-deck touring coach is an investment item for a company and a driver’s place of work.

They both call for maximum functionality. The Tourismo RHD lives up to this aspiration thanks to its modular system. With four models in three different lengths, ranging from 12.3 m to 14.0 m, and a choice of either a two- or three-axle variant, the high-decker has something to suit almost any requirements. All models are optionally available with either left- or right-hand drive.

VAN HOOL PRESENTS THREE WORLD PREMIERES AND 18 VEHICLES Van Hool, the Belgian independent manufacturer of buses, coaches and industrial vehicles, had three world premieres to the general public, as well as a swathe of new technological features for its vehicles at Busworld.

Following the range’s debut four years ago, Van Hool showcased the EX11, the fourth model in the EX-range, and a response to increasing market demand for a “well-equipped and comfortable vehicle” in the 11-metre class.

Including the L and H variants, with low or standard boarding

height, the full EX-range now consists of ten versions with the EX11 going immediately on sale. All are available with powerful but economical DAF engines of the latest ‘NG’ generation, coupled with a wide range of manual, automated and automatic gearboxes.

In 2017 the French city of Pau placed an order with Van Hool for eight Exqui City 18 FCs, its hydroge-powered singlearticulated tram-buses. This drive converts hydrogen and oxygen into electrical energy

26 TRUCK&FLEET ME OCTOBER 2019

through reverse electrolysis. On the one hand the electricity is used to power the vehicle and, on the other, unused energy is stored in lithium batteries for additional power where and when needed, for example when pulling away from a stop. The only emission from this “zero emission” vehicle is water vapour.

The hydrogen-powered single-articulated 18-metre tram-bus Exqui.City 18 FC has a capacity of 125 passengers.

The vehicle can be fully refuelled in 10 minutes, and can travel

approximately 300 km. Hence these buses afford bus companies the highest level of operational flexibility and productivity.

The CX45E is a fully electricallypowered coach for the US market.

Van Hool selected Proterra, the leading American producer of battery technology for heavy vehicles, to supply the E2 battery technology. The 100% electrically powered vehicle will have a working radius of approximately 300 km and will primarily be used for the commute of Silicon Valley employees.

Free attendance for industry professionals.

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GOOD TO SHARE?

Consultancy Movmi takes a close look at shared mobility in the region

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he Middle East is home to many cities with vast innovation and infrastructure that is ripe for shared mobility integrations, and this region is considered to be pioneering some more futuristic forms of travel such as autonomous and electric vehicles. While the ridesharing industry might be lacking in the Middle East, due to the illegal nature of carpooling in countries like the UAE, other forms of shared mobility like carsharing, peer-to-peer, and ridehailing are alive and bustling. Read on to learn more about Middle East shared mobility.

The Middle East is host to many options in carsharing, both station-based and free-floating models. Having launched in 2016 as a pay-bythe-hour car hire service, Ekar was the pioneer as the Middle East’s first shared mobility option of its kind. movmi worked with EKar to setup

28 TRUCK&FLEET ME OCTOBER 2019

and launch their entire operations, including the commercial launch for the cabin crew members working for Ethiad or Emirates airlines.

In early 2017, Ekar and its competitor Udrive won contracts with Dubai’s Road and Transport Authority to implement their pay per minute carsharing service, and initially launched with a fleet of 100 cars each. Ekar is now expanding their fleet with an additional 100 cars of a higher calibre than their original Nissan Tiidas, and today their fleet consists of luxury vehicles such as Mini Cooper, VW Jetta, and Infiniti Q50. In Dubai, Udrive claims to have a market share of around 70% with a current fleet of 400 vehicles; the company has had 150,000 trips and more than 100,000 hours of usage since January of 2017.

YOYO is an hourly and daily carsharing program in Istanbul, Turkey. In 2017, it was announced that leading telecom innovator, Zain

The Middle East has some unique shared mobility offerings – such as mopeds, boats, and electric scooters”

Group, formed a joint venture with YOYO to bring a carsharing club model to Bahrain with plans to expand across the MENA region.

In 2015, Zipcar entered the Turkish market in Istanbul with Otokoç Automotive, a car rental service for the past 41 years. Other competitors in Istanbul include Mobilizm, founded in 2011, which was the first free-floating carsharing company in Turkey which now has a fleet of 60 cars and 4,000 members. Mobicar, founded in 2013, has 41 cars and 3,500 members.

Peer-to-peer carsharing schemes that operate between private vehicle owners and the public are not as popular in the Middle East.

Cost, congestion, and pollution are several reasons why the younger generations in the Middle East are turning to alternative methods of transportation like ridehailing.

Fuel subsidy-cuts in countries like Egypt have made it even more expensive

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to own a car, driving up demand for alternative shared mobility options.

Careem is the leading ridehailing app in MENA, Pakistan and Turkey, operating in over 100 cities and 14 countries. Careem launched services in Abu Dhabi in May of 2018 with 300 economy cars in an effort to tap into new market potential offered by the area at a cheaper price point.

In 2017, Careem raised $150 million in funding, closing out a $500 million Series E round. Careem’s Co-Founder and CEO says that the funding brings their valuation to $1 billion.

While ridehailing giants like Careem are soaring, differences in ridehailing in the Middle East do exist, with the lack of the shared option, as carpooling is banned in areas like the UAE to deter members of the public from becoming a victim.

“There are a number of threats associated with using an unlicensed taxi, which include sexual harassment, theft, fraud, quarrels, and the driver may also be in violation of residency laws,” said Brig Al Zaabi.

And even as ridehailing popularity continues to climb around the globe and is expected to do more of the same.

Bikesharing, while not the leading form of shared mobility in the Middle East, has also made a footprint in many of the region’s bustling city centres. Initiated in 2009, Istanbul’s Metropolitan Municipality İSPARK launched a bikesharing service called İSBIKE with 142 bike rental stations across the city and a 144-kilometer smart bike track. In 2013, Byky, a station-based bikeshare program (operated by by the German firm NextBike) launched in Dubai.

ADCB bikesharing is another station-based bikeshare in Abu Dhabi; their partnership with Cyacle was expanded in 2017 and now provides 164 bicycles across 28 locations.

In addition to traditional shared mobility options, the Middle East also has some unique shared mobility offerings – such as mopeds, boats, and electric scooters.

Careem Scooter is available in Cairo, allowing riders to choose between a bike or various types of ridehailing vehicles. In the bustling, congested centre of Egypt, scooters help to avoid the usual delays caused by traffic, delivering passengers to their destinations at a fraction of the time and cost as a vehicle would.

Careem runs about 2,000 scooter trips every day.

Uber first arrived in Egypt in 2014 and has been growing rapidly ever since. In the summer of 2017, Uber launched its commuter boat service providing a new form of shared transportation up and down the Nile River to bypass congested streets and car fumes.

While UberBOAT is a seasonal service

RIDEHAILING IS ALIVE AND BUSTLING Due to the illegal nature of carpooling in countries like the UAE, other forms of shared mobility like carsharing, peer-to-peer, and ridehailing are alive and bustling.

GET ON YOUR BIKE Bikesharing, while not the leading form of shared mobility in the Middle East, has also made a footprint in many of the region’s bustling city centres.

A PIONEER IN MOBILITY Ekar was the pioneer as the Middle East’s first shared mobility option of its kind. movmi worked with EKar to setup and launch their entire operations, including the commercial launch for the cabin crew members working for airlines.

during the summer, the company may be starting a year-round bus service in Cairo.

In addition, California-based scooter company, Qwikly, is launching a standingelectric scooter shared platform to Dubai in November of 2018, focusing on shorterdistance travel of 1-3 kms. This shared micro mobility option will be focused in city centers and campuses in the MENA region, Asia and Europe. Authorities predict that the Qwikly scooters will provide a first and last mile mobility option for people to get to and from the bus or metro station.

The Middle East is a region with many progressive, futuristic cities like Dubai, where skyscrapers stand the tallest and infrastructure is just as beautiful as it is efficient. Like all major cities around the world, Middle Eastern cities still face the challenge of integrating the infrastructure needs for autonomous vehicles with what is already existing with current mobility offerings.

In a recent study by KPMG on global preparedness for Autonomous Vehicles, United Arab Emirates ranked number 7, with high rankings in the policy and legislation and infrastructure categories.

Based on infrastructure, UAE had the highest ratings of all 20 countries included in the study, based on road quality and technology infrastructure.

However, UAE lacks AV technology company headquarters, patents or investments, which brings its rating down based on technology and innovation.

Naturally Dubai, as a modern and innovative city, is a host to autonomous vehicle pilots. The first autonomous taxi in the region was unveiled at GITEX 2018 in Dubai, which is a robotaxi with cameras and sensors that interpret road conditions and have full control of the vehicle.

As a part of the clean energy project, Masdar City in the United Arab Emirates also unveiled its autonomous shuttle, which has the capability of transporting up to 12 passengers.

Designed by NAVYA, this AV is a self-driven electric vehicle with a top speed of 25 kilometres per hour. In 2019, a fleet of seven autonomous shuttles are expected to expand the implementation of Masdar City’s wider transportation strategy.

Dubai has also begun testing autonomous pods last year in the hopes that this form of transportation will transform Dubai into one of the smartest cities in the world. The cube-shaped AV pods built by Next Future Transportation, a US-based company, are powered by electricity, seat six passengers, and have a top speed of 80 kms/hour.

OCTOBER 2019 TRUCK&FLEET ME 29

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FORD PRESENTS ITS FUZZY LOGIC / CONTINENTAL ADVISES ON THE SCHOOL RUN / AXIOM IMPLEMENTS AUTOSTORE / BOSCH LOOKS AT THE CLOUD FOR CHARGING

WORKSHOP Ford turns to ‘fuzzy’ logic NEW FORD EDGE USING AI TO REDUCE FUEL AND ACCIDENTS CARS The new 2019 Ford Edge is smart enough to detect various driving conditions and automatically shift between two-wheel and all-wheel drive (AWD). The feature provides AWD traction when it is needed, and helps reduce fuel consumption when it’s not.

The system is called allwheel-drive disconnect, a first-for-Ford technology that uses a form of artificial intelligence. Based on information received from dozens of high-tech sensors,

the new Edge can determine in a fraction of a second whether AWD is needed.

“The concept is pretty simple, it was the execution that was the challenge,” said Adriaan Coetzee, Ford MEA’s product marketing director. “Shifting between two- and AWD needs to be fast and seamless enough that the customer doesn’t know it is happening.”

The system uses an all-new dedicated electronic brain that receives inputs from dozens of sensors throughout the vehicle. It interacts with the

TAKING CONTROL Fuzzy logic’ refers to the algorithm that processes environmental data to control vehicle traction.

traction control system to detect wheel slip, receiving inputs from the anti-lock brakes to learn if that system is active.

It even detects if the windshield wipers are on, whether the Edge is towing a trailer, and the outside temperature.

An algorithm that uses “fuzzy logic” processes all of the data to determine if allwheel or front-wheel drive are optimal. Constantly monitoring, the system can detect in 10 milliseconds the need to engage or disengage the AWD.

CONTI JOINS THE SCHOOL RUN TYRES

Continental Tires launched a ‘Back to School’ initiative last month in the UAE as part of its “ongoing endeavour to raise safety awareness” amongst parents and drivers.

In the first week of the school year, the German tyre manufacturer checked over 240 tyres at Emarat Petrol Station, including at the Fasttrack servicing outlets, and shared safety tips with the drivers to help increase road safety.

To boost the enthusiasm of the drivers of the future at the start of the school year, Continental gifted over 160 kits to students, including a backpack, baseball cap and a fun safety booklet.

This initiative comes on the back of the German tyre maker’s Vision Zero initiative – zero fatalities, zero injuries and zero accidents – and complements the brand’s successful safety campaigns with leading schools and universities in the Emirates.

INSIDE THIS MONTH’S WORKSHOP: INTERVIEW ON AUTOMATION WITH SWISSLOG’S KADDOUM, HOW TO DRIVE LIKE A ‘BOSS’, AND MUCH MORE 30 TRUCK&FLEET ME OCTOBER 2019

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CLOUD BATTERY BURST FOR BOSCH

AXIOM TELECOM IMPLEMENTS AUTOSTORE SYSTEM WAREHOUSING

Swisslog has announced the completion of the design and implementation of a new Dubai-based automated warehouse facility using its AutoStore automated material handling solution for the Middle East telecom distributor, Axiom Telecom (Axiom).

Making the announcment today at the Materials Handling Middle East (MHME) exhibition, Alain Kaddoum, GM, Swisslog Middle East, said the global warehouse automation specialist is proud to work with Axiom to optimise space storage and speed up the order handling and dispatch for their e-commerce and retail operations.

This completion of Axiom’s new facility confirms Swisslog’s leading position in logistics automation and increases Swisslog’s footprint in the region to more than a dozen of major automated projects in just four years, he said.

“Swisslog is well-placed to deliver the technology convergence and deep integration necessary to facilitate omnichannel, multi-modal movements across the supply chain - of which warehousing is a critical component. The installation is a testament to our dedication has helped Axiom deliver an efficient and accurate service for its customers,” said Kaddoum.

Axiom has more than 5,000 points of sale and 2,000 employees across the UAE and Saudi Arabia, and represents many of the world’s leading technology brands in the telecom industry. With a high volume of daily orders delivered across multiple channels, Axiom expects to provide speed, accuracy, and a competitive service to ensure its future in the face of increased competition.

BATTERIES According to experts, the average service life of today’s lithium-ion batteries is 8-10 years or between 500 and 1,000 charge cycles.

Battery makers usually guarantee mileage of between 100,000 and 160,000 kilometres. But rapid battery charging, high numbers of charge cycles, an overly sporty driving style, and extremely high or low ambient temperatures are all sources of stress for batteries, which makes them age faster.

Bosch says it is using cloudbased services designed to recognize – and counter – these stress triggers. All battery-relevant data – e.g. current ambient temperature and charging habits – is first transmitted in real time to the cloud, where machine-learning algorithms evaluate the data.

With these services, Bosch is not only offering a window into

CHARGING UNDER THE WEATHER Bosch’s cloud services ensure that batteries are not charged to 100% when conditions are too hot or too cold, says the company.

the battery’s current status at all times, but enabling a reliable forecast of a battery’s remaining service life and performance to be made for the first time.

The new insights gained into a battery’s current status enable Bosch to also actively protect

it against aging. Fully-charged batteries for example age more quickly at particularly high or low ambient temperatures. Bosch’s cloud services thus ensure that batteries are not charged to 100% when conditions are too hot or too cold, says the company.

FOUNDER OF FASSI CRANES PASSES AWAY TRAILERS

Franco Fassi, the president and founder of Italain truck-mounted loader crane maker Fassi, has passed away. Fassi, who founded his crane business in 1965, died on August 26 aged 89. According to reports, he remained at his company until August 1.

Fassi’s company was originally started as a family business in 1946 by his farther Giacomo Fassi, and

specialised in the sale and transport of timber, coal and building materials. As a part of the business, Franco began to work with trucks in the 1950s and 1960s, installing buckets of dumper trucks.

During the challenging times of Italy’s mid-1960s financial crisis, Fassi made an agreement with Swedish company Foco to import truck cranes into Italy, which gave him the idea of manufacturing cranes.

NEVER STOPPED, NEVER SATISFIED Fassi was known for a philosophy that embraced new challenges and has never stopped or been satisfied.

The Fassi Group began as a crane manufacturer with a 3t capacity crane with a maximum lift height of 2m.

With experiments and research, the company sold 150 cranes within three years in both Italy and outside. By the 1980s Fassi produced a thousand units each year and led the Italian market.

The next decade saw it expanding exports, eventually growing into a major group of companies that owns several brands.

Fassi’s French holding CTELM owns Marrel, a producer of loading equipment mounted on industrial vehicles. CTELM owned access equipment and truck mount producer Socage, which it sold in 2009, and this year it added another access equipment maker ATN to its stable.

The Fassi Group also owns other well-known brands, such as Cranab, Slagkarft, Vimek, Brake Forest and Jekko spider cranes.

Franco Fassi’s son Giovanni Fassi carries on his father’s legacy and remains at the helm as the group’s CEO.

OCTOBER 2019 TRUCK&FLEET ME 31

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A CHANGE IS COMING

Susan Beardsley, principal analyst, ABI Research, says change is coming to the industry but is it progress?

C

ommercial vehicle makers from across the globe will join the great and good of the North American fleet market this month at the North American Commercial Vehicles show in Atlanta, Georgia. With the driver fatigue tackling electronic logging device (ELD) mandate coming into full force (essentially enforcing FMS into trucks above 10,000lbs as drivers must stop for 10 hours after 11 hours of driving) at the end of the year, as well as a digital revolution underway in the sector, Susan Beardsley, principal analyst, ABI Research says she expects a raft of new announcements.

“This year is not just about big data itself but actionable and customised insights to improve your business operations,” she says. “SAE level 2 (the second level of vehicle autonomy) is coming in its early stages this year and I would expect a host of announcements from major OEMs and Tier 1 suppliers in Atlanta.

32 TRUCK&FLEET ME OCTOBER 2019

Trade in the US and Canada remains dependent on shipping goods on the endless highways that criss-cross the nations.

Despite the presence of massive private and public fleets, most of the drivers using them work for relatively small operations.

“The American Trucking Association states that 91% of fleets operate with six or fewer trucks in the US,” notes Beardsley.

“That is, by the way, relatively consistent with a number of other mature countries.”

With regulation changes such as the ELD mandate and 5G steadily rolling out in many areas, fleets are interested than ever to access more cost-effective FMS and telematics solutions.

“So many of the commercial telematics players have been turning their focus to the long-tail small fleets,” she adds. “Software is really moving now from on-premise and high-cost heavy deployment - both in time and money to more native cloud-based open platforms.”

Many of the commercial telematics players have been turning their focus to the longtail small fleets”

Change is coming not just in the way those solutions can help a fleet operation but also from technology that is opening up new business opportunities that may not have existed before. And unlike before your truck may come built and ‘pre-loaded’ to make use of them.

“The vehicle OEMs and their partners - tier ones and beyond - are adding FaaS (freight as a service) features and the ability to move from preventative to prognostic maintenance,” says Beardsley adding that even the biggest manufacturers in the global industry are having to partner up to keep pace with this evolution of trucking technology.

“The record-setting venture capital investments, mergers and acquisitions and consolidations point that there really is no success in a go-it-alone strategy,” she remarks.

“However, safety, flexibility and operational excellence are needed across the board to address the constant change from one-day shipping to current economic challenges, regulations and

FEATURE

even weather impacts. All of this is key to our fleet owners as they seek out a positive return on investment, profits, driver retention and more.”

The ELD mandate has honed Beardsley’s mind on the challenges that can be created when regulation forces change in an industry. States and fleets are looking at ways of providing smart rest areas for drivers that will ensure they abide by the law.

“We all know the pain point for especially with the ELD mandate in the US, and now coming to Canada, for needing parking (because on the limitations to hours of service for drivers),” she says. “There’s been a lot of interest in the Midwest and a consortia of companies and States with Iowa one of the first to implement a truck park.

She continues: “They’re using a solution from EXsquared that includes multiple technology; hardware and software solutions; including in-ground sensors and video analytics. And that provides drivers with real time parking information: anything from restaurants, rest stops to truck stops, and more.”

While the goal of the ELD Mandate to reduce fatigue of drivers and improve their working conditions at the same time as reducing accidents is laudable, it has created what has been labelled a capacity crunch. Simply put: there are no longer the number of driving hours available to keep freight moving efficiently.

However, technology is once again providing a solution with freight as a service (FaaS) companies like Uber-affiliate Powerloop looking to work with freight brokers to literally pick-up where these drivers have left off and keep loads moving. What was once a drop freight industry, where trucks ran home empty, is now becoming one where the driver is always carrying a load.

“We have different technologies that are providing the vehicle detection and then that data actually goes both to the States and the consortia, as well as third parties, to centralise that processing,” Beardsley remarks. “And then very quickly that data is delivered to the drivers so you can see there are messaging signs across multiple roadways to provide insight into how far away they are and where there are open spaces. This is obviously not a holistic solution, it’s a needed start to a solution and actually something that I’ve spoken with to C-level executives at some of the commercial vehicle OEMs, as well as commercial telematics providers and even some of the start-ups.”

Another parking solution that has caught Beardsley’s eye belongs to one of North America’s biggest truck strop providers.

“There’s tremendous investment going on in Pilot Flying J. They’re taking a peer-to-peer

This is key to our fleet owners as they seek out a positive RoI, profits and driver retention”

or crowd sourcing approach to improve the driver experience. People can input things for their peers on what is the availability of parking, restrooms, exercise areas, things like that. Going forward, this clearly requires a public-private set of partnerships. I do believe this is going to improve with the advent over greater 5G which will be increasing and really developing all the way from the silicon to the used cases, as we move into what we call vehicle-to-everything, vehicle-to-infrastructure, vehicle-to-vehicle.”

The fleets of North America can arguably be viewed as the largest group of testers for technology that will be widely used across the globe. They are the ones that are dealing with the practicalities of handling all the data and apps that are intended to create greater efficiencies but also confusion for drivers.

“FaaS really addresses freight optimisation especially when capacity is tight but there are a lot of different solutions and applications; whether that’s with the convoys

and moving freight as well as some of the 3Pls, like a CH Robinson, for example, are offering these solutions. The challenge is that they are having multiple apps on a driver’s phone. I believe there’s going to be consolidation just as much as we’ve seen growth taking place in the coming years.”

North America is of course home to some of the world’s biggest retailers, including the behemoth that is Amazon which has built its business on providing rapid deliveries to its customers and forced competitors to try and match its unprecedented levels of service. Beardsley says its move to a one-day delivery model has pressured major shippers like Wal-Mart and Target to keep pace.

“This obviously impacts changes across the supply chain from warehouses, the sizes, the locations, even utilisation of retail outlets as staging sites. Which have knock-on effects, of course, to the fleet and the drivers. This impacts changes in modes. We see more intermodal and TECHNOLOGY AT THE FINGERTIPS New ways of using technology are being discovered all the time. Renault has teamed with Diota to use augmented reality (AR).

TECHNOLOGY IN TRAINING Technology such as virtual reality (VR) has the potential to accelerated learning and improve road safety.

OCTOBER 2019 TRUCK&FLEET ME 33

FEATURE

NOT RUNNING ON EMPTY Uber-affiliate Powerloop is looking to work with freight brokers to literally pick-up where these drivers have left off and keep loads moving.

THE PURSUIT OF ELECTRICITY Trucks are going to be largely electric in the future as well as autonomous. So Mack is testing, garbage trucks that I just talked about with the New York City Department of Sanitation being the largest.

Ryan electric is having early customers show their estimated U.S. about 300 to 350 K retail. We have Amplified Power announcing some charging optimisation platforms for fleets. And then we see a lot of research coming from

KEEPING TRACK ON PARKING The ELD mandate has created challenges for fleets and forced drivers to consider where they need to park up to conserve driving hours.

really the need to track goods and this creates a lot of interest but also pressure,” argues Beardsley.

“And so how do we address that? We even see some related impacts such as Fed Ex ending its contract with Amazon on the aviation freight side. And we’ll see where things go amongst Amazon, Fed Ex, DHL, etc, so that battle and the competition is really far from over.”

Two concepts that are largely kept apart in the Middle East, Blockchain and cold chain logistics, are coming much closer in the US. Beardsley says that she has seen a lot of interest from fresh food goods and pharma transporters at conferences on the two subjects.

“It’s been interesting to me going to a number of different sites, how there are still not always a connection between the cold chain solutions, like a Thermo King, and the telematics solutions. And this year we have seen this year major retailers like Wal-Mart are requiring their green goods suppliers to get on their blockchain, which in this case is 34 TRUCK&FLEET ME OCTOBER 2019

There are going to be cases that we aren’t even aware that will begin to leverage widespread 5G”

places like the Toyota Research Institute and the MIT Massachusetts Institute of Technology that’s working on some artificial intelligence programs to accurately predict the useful life of a battery which is very key.

And then we see some smaller delivery vehicles such as Penske Truck Leasing adding some eFuso, which is a partnership between Mitsubishi and Mercedes Benz, and those are of course in the California market. There is a lot of

an IBM solution, in order to sell green goods and a lot of that is based on all the food we call green goods in the US,” she explains.

“By using those blockchains, for example, the retailers can trace all the way back to the farm where it used to take 10 days. They can do it in a matter of seconds which prevents additional illness and risk. But in the cold chain we’ve also seen a lot of returns, especially for dairy, even though it’s not necessarily unsafe, but we see yogurt, ice cream customer returns, for example.

“When you look at high-value or highrisk goods, there’s a lot of change happening and that goes across the chain. Everything from maritime and rail to trucking.”

WABCO, which is being acquired by ZF, is focussing on that at a trailer level. I see that really expanding exponentially over the next five years or so as some solutions are becoming much more granular,” she adds.

“They’re moving to the palette level in some plans; going all the way to the SKU level.”

discussion on Whether Workhorse which debuted some battery electric vehicles with drones about three years.

They were working with a variety of partners but they have fallen on some hard times. There’s a question whether they might buy the General Motors Lordstown plant.

They need a big deal, possibly something like the United States Postal Service vehicle replacement schemes, so that all of that’s going on to support this autonomy.

It is impossible to talk about trends in the truck industry without talking about electric vehicles. Despite delays and the continuing fight greater range and battery charging capacities, Beardsley is enthusiastic that the technology will become more viable for fleets.

“The momentum is, in theory, specific use cases. Many of these, based on current times, are both municipal and or lastmile delivery. So, we see, for example, buses,” she says noting the progress being made on the all-important batteries.

“Two of the largest battery developer OEMs are China-based: BYZ which has tripled, I believe, their manufacturing capacity in California and Proterra which was started by a former Tesla exec. So, if you look at municipal wins those are becoming a really big deal, not only because of carbon emissions, but also because the RoI and even the initial cost and lifetime costs are becoming much closer in parity to some of the other vehicles. So that’s become

FEATURE

a very interesting for the last mile delivery man.

“If you look at the currently available battery technology, and I’ve spent a decent amount of time looking at it across different manufacturers, it really takes up too much space in the trailer and it adds too much weight for really too little of range for any of the long haul or even regional use cases. So, in addition to that, the charging infrastructure for commercial use is going to take a tremendous amount of capital investment possibly both private and public. t ultimately it’s going to need to address, over the coming decades, a potential pressure on the grid to allow more ubiquitous adoption.”

Beardsley is particularly animated by the use of electric vehicles in waste management.

It may not seem terribly exciting, she says, but, “this is a perfect example where you can charge at night, it has sharp, shorter routes, and those routes are highly defined. You don’t even need dynamic routing capabilities. And so we see a tremendous amount of penetration for electric

battery-powered vehicles. They’re quieter, they are not as carbon intensive and, like I said, they are very popular with different municipalities.”

Despite her enthusiasm she remains only cautiously optimistic for its commercial vehicles use over the next decade.

“You don’t even see anything terribly notable for your battery electric vehicles out the total registered vehicles until the mid-2020s.

You’re not surpassing even 10% in the next 10 years and that goes back to battery technology,” she says. “If the regulatory environment changes and the battery technology, as well as infrastructure investment, change, then….

Obviously, I’m going to continue to keep an eye on this and address this on an ongoing basis.

“Even on the consumer side, as of two years ago, the only state that had even 5% penetration of battery electric vehicles was California. There are parts of Southern California with the South Coast basins that provide a significant amount of incentives and work on the fleet side, including

Software is really moving now from on-premise and highcost heavy deployment”

ELECTRIC VEHICLE PROGRESS Beardsley argues that it will be at least a decade before fleets fully adopt electric vehicles.

KEEPING IT NICHE The 26t Range D Wide ZE, the first of the second generation of Renault Trucks electric trucks. Waste management roles are obvious candidates for EV use.

coming out of the ports. But no other States are even beyond 2% as of the last two years. This “is absolutely a long-term play outside of these key use cases that I’ve identified. Battery technology improvement is largely now in the lab.”

Beardsley is less enthusiastic for the short- and medium- term prospects for autonomous vehicles although she says Daimler’s decision to focus on driverless technology rather than platooning is significant.

“Platooning is getting mixed reviews based on less-than-expected fuel savings.

So Daimler is an example of someone that’s moving their investments over to autonomous development and away from platoon,” she says.

“That said, there is no expectation of removing drivers from the cab in the foreseeable future especially for in-town driving. So, the first SAE (Society of Engineers) Level 2 vehicle is coming later this year from industry leader Daimler Trucks for the freight line Cascadia. So that means the truck is capable of both lateral steering and longitudal, or acceleration or deacceleration, control not driverless. So the company is funding work recently on S.A.E Level 4, which is highly automated, but they really anticipate that within a decade. But even that development requires a lot of regulatory and on-road testing.

It doesn’t really say whether that would be more of a ubiquitous on-road development.”

Among other trends that could have an impact she lists the rolling out of 5G as a major factor: “5G is still in the very nascent stages especially for this industry but some of the urban and suburban areas will begin to be able to add devices in the coming three to five years or less. There are going to be user cases that we aren’t even aware of now that will begin to leverage widespread 5G.” She also adds: “AR, including smart classes, is beginning to make some inroads especially for things like maintenance training. We know there’s a shortage of skilled maintenance technicians and we know as vehicles become more complex that diagnostics are becoming more and more important especially on the software side.”

“Transformation is not binary. It will largely be iterative in the near future but exponential over the next decade. Many of us, can recall buying software in boxes and life before the iPhone and apps. So this is no exception as we move up the technology roadmap.

Electrification is already here for municipal and last mile and there will also be table stakes for upcoming autonomy. Many new form factors are also developing beyond traditional vehicles to service the last mile and even last yard - from pods to robotics and drones.”

OCTOBER 2019 TRUCK&FLEET ME 35

INTERVIEW

FASTER TO MARKET

T&FME talks to Alain Kaddoum, general manager of Swisslog ME at MHME

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aterials Handling Middle East 2019’s organiser Messe Frankfurt Middle East, says several key factors are driving ‘smart warehousing’ demand in the region. They include the need to get ‘faster to market’ to serve customer demand, desire for increased efficiencies, surging regional e-commerce growth and the UAE’s bid to become a global transhipment hub for Chinese exports as part of the new Belt and Road accord signed between the two nations.

“The growth fundamentals are there and it is now vital that logistics and distribution gear up to satisfy them,” said Jasmeet Bakshi, group director of other services at Messe Frankfurt Middle East.

“The UAE-Chinese accords could see 36 TRUCK&FLEET ME OCTOBER 2019

bilateral trade via Dubai rise by 33 percent to US$70 billion next year while the Middle East’s e-commerce market, driven by increasing demand from the UAE and Saudi Arabia’s strong millennial population, is expected to grow by 16.4 percent over the next three years to be worth US$48.6 billion in 2022, according to BMI Research.

“Ability to seize the opportunities will lie in smart logistics capabilities, including ‘smart warehousing’ driven by the implementation of the Internet of Things and the associated training which underlines this transformation.

The possibilities seem endless - ranging from the automation of picking tools, storage and retrieval systems, guided vehicles inventory control platforms, warehouse management systems and collaborative robots.”

According to a report from McKinsey & Company, it estimates that the transportation

In the Middle East we are seeing more and more businesses considering or making investments in automated logistics”

and warehousing industry has the thirdhighest automation potential of any sector, yet, most logistics companies have not yet taken the plunge, globally, it states. With this in mind, T&FME speaks to Alain Kaddoum, general manager of Swisslog ME, on the side-lines of the exhibition, about the trends that are today transforming the ME logistics industry and how software is a key driver towards an efficient, datadriven, and robotic warehousing.

What is your view on the current state of automated logistics for businesses in the UAE?

In the Middle East we are seeing more and more businesses considering or making investments in automated logistics. This is translating into increasingly advanced levels of digitisation and integration. A

INTERVIEW

AI IS THE NEW NORM IN LOGISTICS Automation and AI-driven technologies are changing the face of Middle East’s warehousing industry, pushing advanced inventory control high up the industry agenda and sharpening cost-control, space optimisation and competitiveness, according to a UAE sector pioneer.

Fadi Amoudi, the Founder and CEO of IQRobotics, the name behind Dubai’s first robotic fulfilment centre, says intelligent fulfilment and Warehouse 4.0 will become an industry ‘norm’ ensuring transparent, 24/7 live inventory control while delivering accuracy three times that of humans at up to 70 percent less cost.

Amoudi believes the UAE will become an intelligent fulfilment hub.

“I see it as extremely promising since the UAE is one of the pioneering countries to introduce new technologies,” he said.

IQRobotics demoed intelligent inventory control systems, including smart in-bound trolley stations and robotics technologies at Materials Handling Middle East, the region’s dedicated trade show for warehousing, intralogistics and supply chain solutions.

The show’s free-to-attend Scalex supply chain and logistics forum, which will run September 3 and 4 at the Dubai World Trade Centre (DWTC), will this year focus on the technology which is transforming the industry with the challenges of e-commerce fulfilment among topics experts will address.

Digitalisation and automation of inventory control is making its presence felt in the UAE with Aramex this year launching a new, partially automated fulfilment centre in Dubai to support the rapid growth of its e-commerce business with B2B retailers.

report by PwC Middle East state that 41% of participants surveyed from the region say they have already reached an advanced level of digitisation and integration and over 62% expect to be at such a level in five years’ time.

This is a high level of digitisation as compared to other parts of the world.

The business focus globally and here in the region is no longer on the production of mass goods, but on the development of customised products and thus on the customer’s requirements. More importantly, leaders have the right mindset and forwardthinking vision as can be seen from smart initiatives such as Expo 2020 or trade events such as Middle East Materials Handling.

Rapid growth in eCommerce is also expected to increase the demand for modern warehouses with advanced tech solutions. Moreover, an increasing number of FMCGs, which are typically a significant contributor to the economic growth in the region, are expected to increase the demand for modern warehouses. This is likely to transform warehousing operations in the region, specifically in areas of inventory management, order picking, and real-time monitoring of stocks.

What are some key business challenges you see here in the region?

One of the key business challenges is that while businesses here are aware of the benefits of automation and are keen to adopt it to improve operational efficiency and processes, less than half are actually actioning such a transformation. This is due to a difficult economical environment

AUTOMATION IS THE SOLUTION Kaddoum says that automation delivers necessary flexibility in a new era driven by e-commerce.

in some cases, compatibility issues as well as hesitation on account of costs.

While businesses here are aware of the benefits less than half are actually actioning such a transformation”

This industry is dynamic in nature, with seasonal peaks.

How does Swisslog’s solutions manage these seasonal peaks?

Intelligent, modular robot-based automation delivers the flexibility to manage seasonal or sustained growth while minimising the risk of over reliance on human labour. Industries like e-commerce, for example, are characterised by high levels of volatility which have caused e-commerce warehouses to think twice about traditional approaches to manage seasonal peaks. The solution that delivers the necessary flexibility is automated robotics.

What is the role played by software in making automated logistics more efficient?

ECONOMIC CHALLENGES Kaddoum agues that adoption of automation is being held back by economic stress in the logistics and warehousing sector.

Software plays a critical role in making automated logistics more efficient.

An integrated intralogistics software platform offers opportunities to gain insights and better manage the operation in ways most typical WMS systems cannot. By combining warehouse management capabilities with the real-time execution of a warehouse control system, and adding in the intelligence gained from the data, businesses have a system that can revolutionize your operations.

Swisslog’s SynQ software, for example, includes an automation-centric design, a full suite of business intelligence tools that can transform big data into smart data and a modular architecture that allows users to deploy the exact capabilities they need without limiting future flexibility.

OCTOBER 2019 TRUCK&FLEET ME 37

FEATURE

DRIVE LIKE A BOSS

Ford’s guide to car hacks that will get you back in control on the road

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ommuters in the Middle East and North Africa spend a lot of their working day behind the wheel. According to one study, UAE drivers are affected the most, logging an average of 96 minutes in each direction – or more than 43.5 days a year – getting to and from work.

It’s not only drivers in the UAE who face a lengthy drive to work. In Egypt (84 minutes), Bahrain (78 minutes) and Saudi Arabia (76 minutes), commuters all spend far more time commuting to and from work in their cars than the global average (69 minutes).

Many who commute alone find the solitude relaxing. It gives them time to think about the day ahead, make plans for the week or simply relax and listen to 38 TRUCK&FLEET ME OCTOBER 2019

great music. Many others find the commute frustrating, their thinking time derailed by heavy traffic and crazy driving conditions.

“Dealing with congestion and other drivers can be the single most stressful thing we do on a daily basis,” said Adriaan Coetzee, Ford Middle East and Africa’s Product Marketing director. “That’s why it’s important that we take stock of what we’re doing. That’s why you need to start thinking and driving like a boss.”

What do we mean by “driving like a boss”? Simple. In essence, it’s all about controlling the things you can, and managing the things you can’t. It is simply a state of mind, seeing opportunity in stressful situations and adapting to any chaos in a cool and collected manner.

It’s about sitting back, relaxing and focusing on what’s important to

Dealing with congestion and other drivers can be the single most stressful thing we do on a daily basis”

you, and not allowing the stress of the outside world to bother you. Below is a list of things you can do to help make your commute a lot more enjoyable.

1. Start by decluttering the car

It doesn’t take long to accumulate a bit of junk in your car – and while it may not get as bad as this case in the UK, a clean interior makes it a much better place to be. It’s far easier to enjoy clear thoughts when your car is clean, so spend a few minutes clearing out the rubbish and removing anything you don’t need.

Empty the cupholders of coins, the storage bins of old receipts and the floors of old water bottles and any other daily detritus that you have accumulated. Don’t forget to check under the seats for loose items, and make sure you also clear out the boot.

FEATURE

THE HAVEN OF CALMNESS Clear the junk and use smell to help create a haven of calmness when you are behind the wheel in your vehicle.

situations as they arise. Plus, easing back a bit on your speed puts you in an easier mood.

5. Feeling the heat? Change your music

Music affects your mood, and while high-intensity music can help drivers focus and react to high demand situations faster, it can also make you more emotional and more prone to stress.

If you’re feeling hot under the collar, then use SYNC 3 to switch out your music for something a little more relaxing. And don’t dilly-dally: Studies show that rapid changes in music are more effective in calming drivers down than gradual changes.

So, if your SlipKnot tunes are starting to make your heart race, then try something a little more laid back. Better still, put on an audible book or comedy show: laughter not only lightens the mood, but has also been shown to stimulate your heart, lungs and muscles and soothe tension.

6. Ignore the tailgaters and boy-racers

FEELING LIKE A HAPPY DRIVER Laughter not only lightens the mood, but has also been shown to stimulate your heart, lungs and muscles and soothe tension, advises Ford.

2. Reduce your morning anxiety

Running late creates stress, so give yourself plenty of time to get ready for work.

Leaving late means arriving late, and also leaves little room for any issues you may strike with traffic on the way. Leaving a little earlier can make all the difference, particularly at peak traffic times.

A quick scan of navigation apps like Waze, which works with SYNC3, will give you an early indication of what the traffic is like on your usual route, so you can plan accordingly.

3. Create a relaxing atmosphere

Make your car a haven of calmness by spritzing something nice around the cabin. Smell is one of our most powerful senses – the smell of a new car is one people enjoy the most – but there are other

scents that will help perk you up when you’re feeling a little jaded. According to this report, the following smells help centre the mind when under stress: • Lemon scent helps you to focus and relax • Lavender helps to control stress • Jasmine calms the nerves and boosts confidence • Cinnamon also helps fight fatigue and boosts concentration and focus 4. Ease off the gas

Drive angry and you’ll probably burn more fuel. The harder you press the throttle and accelerate, the more fuel you’ll use – between 20-30% more, according to this report.

By regulating your right foot, you’ll not only make every tank of fuel last a lot longer, but you’ll be more relaxed behind the wheel and have more time to react to

It’s important that we take stock of what we’re doing.

That’s why you need to start thinking and driving like a boss”

By ignore, we don’t mean don’t take notice. We mean, don’t allow the stress of other drivers to impact the way you drive. After all, being mindful at all times is what being a safe driver is all about It doesn’t matter how close you stick to the speed limit or settle into Adaptive Cruise Control, there will always be someone willing to cut you up and slide into the gap in front or zoom up from behind and stick to your rear bumper, flashing their headlights until you get out of the way.

There will always be someone who treats every set of traffic lights as though they’re preparing to launch a quarter-mile drag race, and there will always be those drivers who thread through traffic, switching from lane-to-lane without using their indicators.

Let them. Let it go. You’re not responsible for their actions, and it’s not your job to correct them. Concentrate on your own driving and do your best to avoid the consequences of theirs.

There are a few things you can do to help, like keeping the inner-most overtaking lane clear. That will allow faster drivers to pass, and should mean that it will be clear when you need to use it. Blind Spot Information System (BLIS) will help you to make sure your blind spots are clear, and Adaptive Cruise Control will help you to maintain a safe distance from the car ahead. Some Ford models are also equipped with a speed limiter to help you to keep your speed in check.

With a simple switch of mindset and a few easy tips, anyone can Drive Like a Boss.

OCTOBER 2019 TRUCK&FLEET ME 39

PARTING SHOT

A HAIR-PIN RAZING RECORD Pirelli Collezione sets world record for the highest number of hairpin turns in 12 hours of driving

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he Pirelli Collezione range – featuring tyres for vintage and modern classic cars – has set its first world record. Scoring the highest number of hairpin turns in 12 hours of driving, the record accomplished with the iconic first-generation Mazda MX-5 on its 30th anniversary, in a test organised by Mazda Motors in Germany during the summer.

The record drive began on 17 July, 2019 at 19.00 on Kaunertaler Gletscherstraße (Glacier Road) in the Austrian Tyrol, under the strict supervision of the Hamburg Record Institute for Germany. At the wheel of the roadster was racing driver Cyndie Allemann, MX-5 Cup driver Jan Spieß, Auto Bild test driver Stefan Novitzki and rally driver Niki Schelle, alternating every hour.

After 12 hours, the team had completed exactly 2,900 hairpin bends, far surpassing the

1,500 required for the record. The panoramic Austrian road is 26km-long and has 29 hairpin bends in total, with an elevation change of almost 1,500m. It leads to the beginning of the Kaunertal glacier, at 2,750 metres.

The Mazda MX-5 was equipped with a set of P Zero Asimmetrico Pirelli 205/50ZR15 86W from the Pirelli Collezione range for vintage cars and modern classics.

“This tyre, manufactured with racing technology, features exactly the high performance required for the record in terms of strength, durability, grip, steering precision, performance and safety on wet roads,” said Jörg Schäfer, head of Outdoor Driving Tests and Dynamic Instrument Testing at Pirelli Germany. “The tread pattern of the P Zero Asimmetrico is the original pattern from the P Zero tyre, which has been very successful for more than three

decades. This tread pattern was used for rally cars as early as 1986, under a different name, and its design is optimised for high lateral loads”.

To produce the P Zero Asimmetrico for Pirelli Collezione, Pirelli engineers use modern construction processes and compounds that are currently used in ultra high performance tyres to withstand the extreme loads during cornering.

In order to evaluate the durability of the tyre structure before the world record drive, experts from Pirelli recorded the route profile of the Kaunertal Gletscherstraße on computer and translated it into a digital test programme.

After that, the tyres were physically tested in an indoor laboratory for maximum lateral acceleration, both in a straight line and through a variety of corners for 18 hours.

The wheel load was also repeatedly tested at 150 per cent of its maximum capacity.

NEXT ISSUE: THE BIG 5 HEAVY PREVIEW, SELF-DRIVING ADVANCES, UPGRADING YOUR BUSINESS, AND MUCH MORE!

40 TRUCK&FLEET ME OCTOBER 2019

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