Truck&Fleet ME February 2022 by CPI Trade Media

VEHICLES/ TECH / TRANSPORTATION/LOGISTICS

O95/FEBRUARY 2O22

MIDDLE EAST

LI CENSED BY D U BAI D EVELO PM ENT AU TH O RIT Y

Y A W S N A C E W IVECO:

! D N I M R U O Y ay W S w e n he t w o h n o y O t i C r E a V l I u t p a o p m nd’s a r Th e t e a b e h t t s boo n a c y a W and T io n g e r e h t n i with fleets

2 2 0 2 S E C T G ES CO LO U R TECH A AT CHAN

W TH E C A R TH AUTO SHO S A G E V H LT L E A DS S T E A

CONTENTS

CONTENTS INTERVIEW

12 / ON THE RISE T&FME talks to IVECO about how its new generation will reposition the brand in the region.

ALSO THIS ISSUE … NEWS

06 / NEWS FROM THE MONTH Major deals for Renault Trucks and MercedesBenz in Abu Dhabi. ANALYSIS

18 / THE UAE SHINES DHL’s latest look at world trade sees the UAE leading the way in globalisation.

GUIDE

20 / TRUCK SAFETY Mercedes-Benz Trucks breaks down its approach to truck safety with an A-Z guide for T&FME readers. AWARDS

22 / TRUCK AND FLEET AWARDS T&FME previews the upcoming Truck and Fleet Awards 2022 in Dubai. SPECIAL REPORT

28 / AFRICA ANALYSED In the first of a triple-header collaboration, T&FME and Glasgow Consulting Group look at the African market. CES 2022

30 / A NEW EXPRESSION The BMW iX M6’s My Mode Expressive and adaptive exterior steal the show in a packed car line-up at CES 2022. PARTING SHOT

32 / A RAPTOR RISES Ford claims its new Raptor is the most capable it has ever produced.

meconstructionnews.com

FEBRUARY 2022 01

WELCOME

GROUP MANAGING DIRECTOR RAZ ISLAM raz.islam@cpitrademedia.com +971 4 375 5483 MANAGING PARTNER VIJAYA CHERIAN vijaya.cherian@cpitrademedia.com +971 4 375 5472 DIRECTOR OF FINANCE & BUSINESS OPERATIONS SHIYAS KAREEM shiyas.kareem@cpitrademedia.com +971 4 375 5474

THERE’S STILL TIME TO GET YOUR FLEET NOMINATED I write as the voting for the Truck & Fleet Awards 2022 has passed a quite staggering 1,000 votes. I thank everyone who has participated so far in ensuring that our first-ever awards event has gotten off to such a great start. I’ve been overwhelmed by the support that we have had since formally launching the voting process in December, particularly as we have never seen a vote like this in the market. I also had some fantastic feedback on our decision to move the event to the end of February due to the current disruption caused by the fourth wave of Covid-19 and on the advice of our many industry partners. The move of dates extends the nomination process and voting will now close on 12th February 2022. The Truck & Fleet ME Awards themselves will now take place on Monday 28th February 2022 at the Raffles Dubai. As we have all learned over the last two years, it is best to be flexible when it comes to dealing with the disruption caused by Covid-19. The new date will give sufficient time to deliver an industry event that is as inclusive as possible. Personally, I can’t wait to reveal the winners at the end

of February at what can now – fingers crossed – be a true industry event. While it is great to have Product Awards – such as the Truck and Fleet ME Heavy Truck of the Year – open to voting by the industry (and making it possible for industry professionals to pick their favourite from the list of shortlisted options on the official Awards site), for me the most important category remains the Truck and Fleet ME Fleet of the Year The run-up to the awards will now be concentrated on ensuring that we get the absolute best the region has to offer in terms of fleet operators on the winners’ podium. I’m repeating myself here but if you are a fleet in the region you really should be considering participating right now. Partly because I want to ensure that your hard work and professionalism is recognised by your peers but, more importantly, winning and even being nominated is an accolade in itself and will set you apart from the competition when you got for the next contract. This is your opportunity to put yourself in the winners’ circle at the end of the February and also the shop window. Don’t miss out!

STEPHEN WHITE EDITOR, TRUCK&FLEET ME STEPHEN.WHITE@CPITRADEMEDIA.COM 02 FEBRUARY 2022

PUBLISHING DIRECTOR ANDY PITOIS andy.pitois@cpitrademedia.com +971 4 375 5473 EDITORIAL EDITOR STEPHEN WHITE stephen.white@cpitrademedia.com +44 7541 244 377 ADVERTISING SALES MANAGER BRIAN FERNANDES brian.fernandes@cpitrademedia.com +971 4 375 5479 DESIGN ART DIRECTOR SIMON COBON simon.cobon@cpitrademedia.com DESIGNER PERCIVAL MANALAYSAY percival.manalaysay@cpitrademedia.com PHOTOGRAPHY MAKSYM PORIECHKIN maksym.poriechkin@cpitrademedia.com MARKETING & EVENTS EVENTS & CONFERENCE PRODUCER PAUL GODFREY paul.godfrey@cpitrademedia.com +971 4 375 5470 EVENTS EXECUTIVE MINARA SALAKHI minara.s@cpitrademedia.com +971 4 433 2856 SOCIAL MEDIA & MARKETING EXECUTIVE GLADYS DSOUZA gladys.dsouza@cpitrademedia.com +971 4 375 5478 CIRCULATION & PRODUCTION DATA & DISTRIBUTION MANAGER PHINSON MATHEW GEORGE phinson.george@cpitrademedia.com +971 4 375 5476 WEB DEVELOPMENT SADIQ SIDDIQUI ABDUL BAEIS FINANCE 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 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 2022. All rights reserved.

meconstructionnews.com

Date

Venue

28 Feb

Raffles

RAFFLES / DUBAI / UAE

Honouring the champions of the truck and fleet sectors, rewarding outstanding performance 28 February 2022

About

2022

Winning an inaugural Truck & Fleet ME Award will be a recognised badge of excellence amongst clients and peers.

Open Voting Categories

Nomination Categories

These awards celebrate the champions whose vehicles play a key role in the operations, logistics and projects at the heart of the GCC economy. They award the manufacturers and dealers whose trucks lead the way – whose out-of-the-box innovations deliver critical commercial ‘edge’, day in, day out. They honour the achievements of the key players responsible for the industry’s dramatic post-Covid re-set.

z Heavy-Duty Truck of the Year

z Innovation in Mobility

The Event

MOST POPULAR

READERS’ COMMENTS

FEATURED

CONSULTANT

BIG PROJECT MIDDLE

Select Group launches new development in Dubai’s Business Bay

EAST AWARDS 2022 WINNERS ANNOUNCED

Congratulations to all the winners at this year’s Big Project Middle East Awards. Anyone who has received recognition this year can

CONSTRUCTION

truly pat themselves

Aldar and Diamond Developers combine forces to launch new $489mn sustainable community

on the back after a pretty challenging

INSIGHT: How a tumultuous 2021 is shaping the outlook for the year ahead

us. Covid continues

to cause difficulties even if it feels like the construction industry

years. Hopefully we can now start to look ahead and all being very well this could be the year where we see the light at the end of the tunnel. Talking of the future, I always look at the winners’ podium at

CONSULTANT

event like these as an

Heriot-Watt University Dubai Campus achieves LEED Gold certification

indication as to where the market is heading and it was great to see so many of those collecting awards were doing it on behalf of companies that are serious about safety

CONSTRUCTION

Damac announces second Paramount Hotel in Dubai

04 FEBRUARY 2022

ANALYSIS: Magic Kingdom – The outlook for Saudi Arabian construction

it over the past two

35% of construction complete on Hatta hydroelectric plant says DEWA

12 months for all of

has learned to live with CONSTRUCTION

and sustainability. Name withheld by request

meconstructionnews.com

CMY

osram.com/nightbreaker-200

Upgrade your service with 200% more brightness The new NIGHT BREAKER® 200 Introducing our brightest halogen headlight, ever. With up to 200% more brightness1 to guide the way, this high-performance halogen lamp is a valuable addition to any automotive business. Far-reaching light beams and up to 20% whiter light1 provide excellent vision and visibility for up to 150 meters—enabling drivers to see farther and react sooner. Now, you can enhance customers’ safety and offer a modern look with a simple halogen upgrade that is globally approved for road use. Whether its quality, performance, or style they’re after, the new NIGHT BREAKER® 200 will make your customers see halogen lamps in a whole new light. Insist on OSRAM – the No. 1 in Automotive Lighting.

Compared to minimum ECE R112/R37 requirements

Light is OSRAM

NETWORK

NEED FOR GREATER TRANSPARENCY IN GCC / PIONEER AUCTIONS EXPANDS B2B OFFERING TIER SET FOR FIFA WORLD CUP MATCH UP / BEEAH GROUP FORMED IN UAE

NETWORK

CarSwitch calls for ‘greater transparency’ in used car market NEARLY 60% OF RESPONDENTS ACROSS ALL AGES AND NATIONALITIES IDENTIFIED QUALITY AND RELIABILITY AS KEY CONCERNS WHEN BUYING A USED CAR CARS A new report by CarSwitch is calling for greater transparency in the $16 billion GCC used car industry. The survey of 1,000 UAE residents, CarSwitch’s second study looked at purchasing behaviour, found the leading issue, among all buyers, was the need for greater levels of trust and transparency in the auto sector. The study polled 1,024 UAE Drivers aged 25-plus in the UAE and found that 58% cited quality and reliability as the leading factor when looking to buy a used car with the ability

to see full accident and service histories being the key priority. Nearly 60% of respondents across all ages and nationalities identified quality and reliability as key concerns when buying a used car. The 25-34 group were most cautious at 59% with the 35-44 group just behind at 55%. Asian-Pacific respondents led the field from a geographic perspective (59%). Both buyers and sellers remain male-focused, women 62% felt greater clarity when seeing condition reports, accidents and service histories was vital. “Our business was built on the market need to drive more value,

quality and transparency in the market,” said Imad Hammad, Founder and CEO, CarSwitch. “Peace of mind is a key issue for buyers and sellers in an industry that has been reliant on dealers. By incorporating technology at the heart of our business, we can empower our customers to take full control of their transactions while ensuring that they can do so safely and securely.” CarSwitch’s report is part of the ongoing GCC-wide research into changing consumer priorities and is the foundation of their new Get More Campaign, which provides customers with even greater detail

about their deals. The launch of the 360 feature for private sellers gives customers even higher direct confidence in buying used cars. Over the last five years, CarSwitch has grown from a startup to a business with over 500k app users and an annual turnover approaching $100m. It is one of the highest-rated automotive experiences in both iOS App and Google Play Store. Following CarSwitch’s successful KSA launch, the GET MORE Campaign will roll out across the UAE and KSA from January 2022, and the firm is looking to roll out new features to cater to the needs of the growing KSA market.

UN ECONOMISTS: GLOBAL TRADE WORTH ABOUT $28 TRN IN 2021, AN INCREASE OF 23% OVER 2020, BUT 2022 OUTLOOK VERY UNCERTAIN

06 FEBRUARY 2022

meconstructionnews.com

NETWORK

PIONEER AUCTIONS EXPANDS B2B OFFERING AUCTIONS

TIER ‘PROVES’ MICROMOBILITY CAN BE FIFA WORLD CUP KEY PLAYER MICROMOBILITY

A tournament organised as a dress rehearsal for the FIFA World Cup 2022 has proven that micromobility can play a key role when it begins next year, according to the organisers and TIER, one of Europe’s leading shared micro-mobility providers. The German company supplied this year’s FIFA Arab Cup Qatar 2021 with the brand’s environmentally-friendly, greener transportation alternative for staff to seamlessly move around the event with zero carbon emissions. This comes as part of the agreement TIER has with the Supreme Committee to support the event’s goals of having a low impact on the environment. The Arab Cup matches took place in six World Cup stadiums across the country, including Al Bayt, Al Thumama, Ahmad Bin Ali, Education City, Stadium 974, and Al Janoub. The decision to provide these industry-leading e-scooters at the event comes in line with Qatar’s vision to organise a carbonneutral and sustainable World Cup. The launch of the e-scooters in Qatar, in March 2021 comes in accordance with the country’s goal to protect the environment by achieving a 25% reduction in greenhouse gas emissions by 2030. TIER is the first micro-mobility provider to be fully climate-neutral, setting the industry standards in sustainability and tech innovation, assisting Qatar with a positive step towards reaching its carbon emissions target. In parallel to Qatar’s climate change action plan, the country is set to deliver the first Sustainability Strategy for a carbon-neutral FIFA World Cup in the history of the event. meconstructionnews.com

UAE government-accredited auction house, Pioneer Auctions has revealed it recently expanded its platform offerings for the car industry market by adding new and pre-approved in-demand and niche products, “which are sought by general consumers and businesses alike.” Pioneer Auctions launched a mobile app version of its car auctioning platform last month, providing users with a more seamless online bidding and item listing experience. In addition to making its digital auction service accessible on a 24/7 basis for buyers and sellers, the mobile app has been developed to utilise the latest AucTech auctioneering technology.

Users can purchase and sell a variety of items on Pioneer Auctions’ interactive website or mobile application under five key categories; Vehicles, Number Plates, Building & Construction, Marine and General Items. For General Items, users can expect to find items such as IT equipment, furniture,

metal and machinery, for Building & Construction; cranes, generators, MEP material and heavy machinery are displayed for sale and purchase. Established in 2008, Pioneer Auctions was one of the first auction houses in the UAE to allow customers to bid in real-time, through its live-streaming services.

BEE’AH TRANSITIONS TO BEEAH GROUP FLEET Bee’ah, the Sharjah-based sustainability firm, has announced its transformation into the BEEAH Group, adopting the structure of an investment holding company and a new visual identity. As BEEAH Group, the organisation is unifying its growing businesses across industries and countries, including operations in UAE, KSA, Egypt and global joint ventures, a statement said. HE Salim bin Mohamed Al Owais, Chairman of the Board of Directors at BEEAH Group,

said: “This new structure and identity highlights our journey as an organisation over the past decade, while ushering in the next future-ready chapter. We have now evolved from a business with operations across future-critical industries, into a holding group of businesses that are shaping the future of these industries in the Middle East and beyond.” Since its founding over a decade ago, BEEAH has been driven by national, regional and global sustainability agendas. The company has established itself as a leader

in the waste management industry, its first core business, while diversifying into new industries such as clean energy, environmental consulting, technology, and green mobility. BEEAH’s waste management businesses have achieved a 76% waste diversion rate in the emirate of Sharjah alone, the highest in the Middle East. Soon, BEEAH will launch its first clean energy project, the Sharjah Waste to Energy plant, which will realise the target of 100% waste diversion for the emirate and make it the first zerowaste city in the Middle East.

FEBRUARY 2022 07

NETWORK

BINA READY MIX EXPANDS PRODUCTION FLEET

KiCE Construction, one of the largest equipment dealers and manufacturers in Saudi Arabia, is set to supply Bina Ready Mix Company with two new batching plants for a mega project in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. As a leading producer and supplier of ready mix concrete in Saudi Arabia, Bina is working on the Al Narjis Residential Compound project, which features 162 residential units, including 31 villas and 131 apartments. Sales Director Engineer Hany Mongy said: “With the help of our

concrete batching plant, Bina will not only increase their capacity for their ready-mix concrete business but also continue to produce the concrete for their Residential Compound Project.”

The company has a major presence in the Saudi market due to its integrated highly experienced team of administrators and technical competencies who strive to provide the highest quality of services, comprehensive products, and technical support to a wide range of projects, he added. KiCE Construction boasts a dedicated and knowledgeable team that helps customers to get the best products available in the market from top global equipment brands including Snowkey, Zenith, Mcneilus, Volucon and Junjin Truck mounted pumps, he concluded.

RTA OPENS $1.4BN INFINITY BRIDGE ROAD NETWORK Dubai’s Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) has opened the Infinity Bridge, a key component of its Al Shindagha Corridor Project, which spans 13 kilometres along Sheikh Rashid Street, Al Mina Street, Al Khaleej Street and Cairo Street, and has been built at an investment of USD$1.4 billion. In a statement, the RTA said that the Infinity Bridge consists of six lanes in each direction. It features an architectural arch shaped in

the form of the infinity symbol, which references the bridge’s inspiration of the infinity concept, which is symbolic of Dubai’s ‘unlimited ambitions.’ The Infinity Bridge supports the city’s development needs and improves the link between Deira and Bur Dubai by raising the total number of lanes cross Dubai Creek to 60 from 48. It can accommodate 24,000 vehicles per hour in both directions and also features a combined 3-metre wide track for pedestrians and cyclists.

The Al Shindagha Corridor Project is a key strategic project undertaken by RTA that consists of 11 phases. Construction work began in 2016 and will be completed by 2027, as per the urban development plan of the area. There are currently two circular roads to ease traffic flow and support economic activity in the city. The first is an external road that constitutes an extension of Sheikh Rashid Street and passes along Al Mina Street, Al Khaleej Street, Cairo Street and Al Ittihad Street.

KARWA MOTORS ADDS NIPPON PAINT ME TO BUS ASSEMBLY BUSES

Nippon Paint Middle East and Karwa Motors have entered a partnership to create a strategic investment initiative for the assembly and manufacturing of buses in Oman. With funding and support by Qatar and Oman, Nippon Paint will work closely with Karwa Motors, in a green field project for bus assembly and manufacturing to “address the growing demand in the GCC and wider Middle East”. The firms said Nippon Paint was preferred as the exclusive paint solutions partner for Karwa Motors thanks to its innovative product and technical solutions, in addition to its value propositions. It has invested in state-of-the-art infrastructure to address long-term demand in the region for buses and plans to cater to the luxury coaches, city buses and school bus segments. While the FIFA World Cup 2022 is not mentioned directly, the firms stated initial orders executed under the new collaboration are for “the export of buses to Qatar for a major sport event to be held in 2022, with the Nippon Paint Technical Services team addressing the specific requirement for customised product, shade and technical solutions.” “Nippon Paint, with its expertise in the Commercial Vehicles Business shall add value to the partnership through best in class product and technical solutions ,” said Sharad Malhotra, director, Nippon Paint Middle East.

INSIDE THIS ISSUE: IVECO FINDS A WAY IN THE REGION, UAE EMBRACING GLOBALISATION, A-Z OF SAFETY, THE T&F AWARDS, AND MUCH MORE!

08 FEBRUARY 2022

meconstructionnews.com

NETWORK

FARNEK PLUGS MOBILE TECHNICAL TEAMS INTO FLEET

EMC APPOINTS NEW GENERAL MANAGER IMPORTERS

Emirates Motor Company (EMC) has appointed Mohammad Ghazi Al Momani as its new general manager. Al Momani will manage the overall performance of Mercedes-Benz at EMC and Ahmed Abdul Jalil Al Fahim, chairman of Al Fahim Group said he was delighted to welcome him into the EMC family. “His vast knowledge of the automotive industry in the region will be an exceptional addition to the team,” he added.

meconstructionnews.com

UAE-based FM company Farnek, has deployed a remote monitoring solution using the Internet of Things (IoT) in a pilot project at select Aster facilities in UAE. The system which alerts mobile technical teams to respond to problems at each location, uses sensors to record temperature changes and energy consumption based on current voltage, amongst other data including footfall. These statistics are then collated by a remote management system, which provides live readings for technicians, explained Farnek. The data is then subsequently driven by Machine Learning (ML) and an artificial intelligence (AI) based analytical platform, producing timely alerts, analytical reports and dashboards utilised for day-to-day and predictive

maintenance, forecasting and planning. Thresholds can then be set and benchmarked against similar facilities and assets and if there is a breach of those standards, alerts are sent in real time to a 24/7 command centre and technical teams who by using mobility solutions can take appropriate action. The platform also uses encryption protocols safeguarding the data with bank grade security.

“Introduction of the smart system will enable us to set a model for IoT-enabled FM aimed at bringing in energy efficient and effective management. With plans to extend the set-up to all clinics, pharmacies and hospitals, the introduction is in alignment with Aster’s ESG goals,” said Hanie Abdul Sathar, director of EuroHealth Systems managing the project for Aster. “Data about footfall, can be extremely valuable to our clients. If they correlated footfall with revenue and product portfolio over regular periods and benchmarked that with other stores in different locations, it could initiate changes in stock ordering or opening times. It could also help managers plan their staffing requirements to cover heavy demand periods,” said Markus Oberlin, CEO, Farnek.

FEBRUARY 2022 09

LAUNCHES

FIAT CLAIMS NEW SCUDA BEV RANGE MAKES IT BEST-IN-CLASS / VOLVO TRUCKS LAUNCHES AN ENHANCED VERSION OF ITS VOLVO VNR ELECTRIC

LAUNCHES BESTIN-CLASS 330KM RANGE

Scudo joins Fiat’s electric ranks ITALIAN SAYS IT IS LAUNCHING A BEST-IN-CLASS BEV OFFERING TO TACKLE PROFESSIONAL USES WITH NO COMPROMISES Fiat’s Scudo van has joined the Ducato with its very own 100% electric powertrain. Based on the Stellantis mid-van platform, it is also available with a so-called last generation diesel engine. Fiat describes the launch as being a wider range to meet “the needs of a varied clientele made up of real professionals, who live their vehicle first and foremost as a work tool and a source of income.” The New Scudo opened its ordering in the main European markets in mid-December and the electric version a claimed best-in-class range of up to 330

10 FEBRUARY 2022

km in the WLTP cycle, making it ideal for those who work in the city and inner suburbs. Load capacity does not change whatever the powertrain, and payload in the core of the segment: up to 6,6 m3 loading bay volume, payload up to over 1 t and likewise, a towing capacity of 1 t. The target audience is professionals who use their vehicle for 8 hours or more per day; another aspect carefully considered in the design phase was therefore comfort. The aim of the New Scudo is to offer a stress-free experience at work,

via various measures such as a car-like driving position, top level soundproofing, to minimise jolts and vibrations. It delivers a complete set of safety and ADAS (Advanced Driver Assistance Systems) features, all 14 of them, such as: automatic road sign recognition; automatic emergency braking, triggered when there is a high risk of collision; Lane Departure Warning, to advise the driver if they veer out of lane; and Blind Spot Alert, which provides notifications of any vehicles hidden in the wing mirror blind spot when overtaking. The vehicle also comes

with advance notification systems for obstacles in the direction of travel, frontal collision warning, and the practical rear camera that offers a 180° panoramic view, to facilitate parking. To deliver optimal performance and improved traction in all condition, such as snow, mud or sand, Scudo can be equipped with the Grip Control system. Moreover, the Head-up Display will provide all the most important information to the driver, avoiding him to look away from the road, while he is fully supported even when parking thanks to the front and rear parking sensors,

meconstructionnews.com

LAUNCHES

VNR ELECTRIC GETS RANGE UPGRADE VOLVO TRUCKS LAUNCHES ELECTRIC TRUCK WITH LONGER RANGE FAST CHARGER The zero-emissions version boasts two battery sizes – 50 and 75 kWh, an AC charging capacity of up to 11 kW, and up to 100 kW in DC, to charge the more capacious battery to 80% in just 45 minutes.

CABIN FLEXIBLITY The Scudo features a special kind of cabin modularity which transforms the passenger seat into a workstation and an extension of the load compartment and to increase the volume by 0.5m3, to a total capacity of up to 6.6m3.

the rear camera which is able to deliver a the topview 180° reconstituted image of the rear area to enhance easy and safe parking manoeuvres. The New Scudo is available in four configurations (Van, Crew Cab, Cab with platform and Combi M1), three trim levels (Easy, Business and Lounge), and four diesel engines on top of the electric powertrain.

It has been designed as an all-round commercial vehicle with the advantage of offering smart, concrete solutions while maintaining compact dimensions. It is fully configurable up to 9 seats. Seats are foldable to increase load capacity according to the needs. Thanks to the folding partition walls that enable to carry 3 additional people than a van.

Volvo Trucks has launched an enhanced version of its Volvo VNR Electric with up to 85% increased range and faster charging. The Volvo VNR Electric is one of Volvo Trucks six all-electric heavy truck models and is specially designed for the North American market. Sales start was in December 2020. The first generation of Volvo VNR Electric had an operating range of up to 240 km (150 miles). Now an enhanced version of the class 8 electric truck is launched, with an operational range of up to 440 km (275 miles) and increased energy storage of up to 565kWh. The improved performance is due to, among other things, improved battery design and a new six battery package option. The new Volvo VNR Electric also reduces the required charging time, as the 250kW charging capability provides an 80% charge in 90 minutes for the six-battery package, and 60 minutes for the four-battery version. “It is a testament to Volvo Trucks’ leadership in a continuously evolving industry that we are bringing the enhanced version of our VNR Electric to the market only a year after sales of the VNR Electric first started,” said Peter Voorhoeve, President, Volvo Trucks North America. Production of the enhanced Volvo

VNR Electric will start in Q2 2022 in the company’s New River Valley plant in Virginia, which is the exclusive producer of all Volvo trucks in North America. Globally, Volvo Trucks has set the target that half of all trucks sold are electric by 2030. “We are determined to lead the transformation of the transport industry. In only eight years’ time, our goal is that half of our global truck sales are electric. The interest among customers is high, and it’s quickly becoming a competitive advantage for transporters to be able to offer electric, sustainable transports. That is very encouraging,” commented Roger Alm, President Volvo Trucks. Volvo Trucks started serial production of electric trucks in 2019, as one of the very first truck brands in the world. The product range now includes six electric truck models – the Volvo FH, Volvo FM, Volvo FMX, Volvo FE, Volvo FL and the Volvo VNR. SPECIFICATIONS Capacity

565kWh

Range

Up to 440km

Charging

80% in 90mins

Torque

5,492Nm

Battery Config

x4 or x6 batteries

RANGE UPGRADE 440KM

SPECIFICATIONS Electric

100kW (136hp)

Battery sizes

50kW / 75kw

AC charging

100kW DC

Payload

Towing capacity

meconstructionnews.com

FEBRUARY 2022 11

INTERVIEW

WE WANT TO

CHANGE PEOPLE’S MINDS

IVECO talks to T&FME about how its new generation repositions the brand in the region

VECO has kickstarted the new year with the launch of its new off-road truck IVECO T-WAY and the on-road truck IVECO S-WAY. Sitting with T&FME’s Mark Dowdall, the IVECO team explain why its new generation of trucks presents a new opportunity to grow the brand’s popularity in the Middle East and Africa. “This is a crucial event in IVECO history of the Middle East because we are launching a totally new generation of products which the market has been expecting for more than 10 or 15 years,” begins product and 12 FEBRUARY 2022

marketing manager Giuseppe Cariello. “So, with the new way range, the new generation is coming; not only for the technology because what I really appreciated in the new range is the versatility, but finally we really have a product which is able to match any customer needs. We extend our capability to satisfy the markets with a full set of vehicles which is really going to strike and increase our presence and capability to satisfy the customer more. “We have to change the mind of the customer. Sometimes here the customer is really focused on the off-road truck range but we have found some overlap with our

In Africa and Middle East, I see only opportunities in general”

S-Way range. For example, today heavy trucks 6x4 in the off-road segment can be replaced with the S-Way due to the applications. The fuel tanker, for example, doesn’t allow any overloading because it’s a closed structure so we can now move to a more reliable fuelefficient truck which is definitely the S-Way.” According to Marco Torta, IVECO has recovered quickly from the dramatic drop in sales seen in the market after the onset of the crisis caused by the Covid-19 pandemic. “We have gone back to the level of the business, which was really high in 2019. It was the same for Africa and the Middle East,” he meconstructionnews.com

INTERVIEW

says. “We recovered what we lost due to the first half of the pandemic in 2020, so the outlook is absolutely positive, meaning that if you look at the quarterly results it’s encouraging. But in general, this year, a lot of programmes have started for development, for recovery of the economy even in the Middle East and Africa so the activity of our customers has already been already planned for the following 12 months. The demand for trucks is at a very high level and is still continuing to go this way.” With the new Way-range now in the open, Torta says the company is optimistic that it can maintain its momentum in Middle East, even as it faces on-going uncertainty in Africa. “In Africa and Middle East, I see only opportunities in general. But, of course, there are challenges too and the real challenge in Africa and Middle East is the social stability. In Africa, there are many countries where, despite the pandemic, the social stability is the key driver because we really see some customers that, even though they have a good outlook for their country, to further invest and decide whether to go ahead or not, we are trying to understand the political scenario that will involve their country in the near future,” he remarks. “We have seen in Tunisia that we have 17 authorised networks but sometimes we struggle. There are many countries like Libya, Ethiopia, Sudan where the main challenge is to be able to go ahead despite the political scenario. It’s not to develop the product because we see that the customers in these countries are really developing their approach and knowledge of the transport business. The way they measure the business is as good as the best everywhere else. This is something which was not at the same level 10 years ago. So, the progress of the operations in transport in these areas has been huge.” He adds that the first S-Way Truck has already been sold in the region with the T-Way expected to start in February: “Already the dealers have started orders and are finding customers for the first units of S-Way.” Part sales specialist Luca Vinceti explains that the after-service network prepared well in advance of the launch, including ensuring that importer workshops were stocked with the special tools and parts needed for the new vehicles. “That is fundamental to make a successful launch. Technicians needs to be trained and ready so the whole system around the trucks must be ready and put into place.” IVECO is currently undertaking an overhaul of its operation with a split meconstructionnews.com

THE WAY TO GROWTH The launch of the T-Way and S-Way can lead to further growth in the region as IVECO targets a 20% share of the GCC market in three years.

The demand for trucks is at a very high level and is still continuing to go this way”

of the group at a corporate level. Fabio De Serafini, Africa & Middle East business director, describes it as another key milestone for the company. “We will have the agricultural and construction business separated in a different company to Iveco as a unique company for transport solutions. We will have a standalone company in order to achieve all the development and change that will occur in the next five to ten years. Electrification, as you know is one of the challenges we have and to have a unique company dedicated to transport; this is the future.” It is debatable as to how much of difference the split will make immediately here but the company is hoping to upshift its current market share of 8%-14% in the

GCC to 20% in the next three years. Torta explains that growth will not signify a move to expand its local assembly set-up. “At this stage, no, we don’t (have local assembly, even though in a lot of countries in the Middle East, for example in Saudi Arabia, there are reasons to have local assembly,” Torta remarks. “So, we don’t build the truck from scratch as we do in Europe. The truck arrives disassembled and we assemble locally because in Saudi, for example, there is a different level of custom duty between local assembly and any units that arrive from Europe. In certain countries, in Africa for example, it’s only allowed to have local assembly. We have overall eight local assembly facilities in the area, but we don’t plan on having a single platform of production inside the region at this stage.” Local Partners

IVECO has spent the past half decade adding to its distributor roster in the region. Moves have been made across the Levant and North Africa, although Elvira Ferrara, Africa & Middle East network manager, reminds T&FME that in some areas it is maintaining decades-long partnerships. “Well, we have two types of dealers today – first are the historic ones. We talk mainly about UAE where we have a relationship with Saeed Mohammed Al Ghandi & Sons (SMAG) in Dubai and Al Saqer Heavy Equipment in Abu Dhabi for almost 35 BOLSTERING AHEAD OF LAUNCH IVECO has been steadily strengthening its local representation across the region ahead of the launch.

FEBRUARY 2022 13

INTERVIEW

DRIVER FOCUS In the face of fierce competition, logistics operators need top-level uptime, efficiency an productivity from their fleets. The new IVECO S-WAY provides a complete package of features developed with focus on driver centricity.

years,” he remarks. “We signed a contract with them immediately after Iveco was created because Iveco was created in 1975. Most of our other dealers, we have signed in the past five or six years. This is because of the evolution of our research to find a better dealer but all our dealers have trucks only. We don’t have a multi-franchise. We don’t have dealers that sell other products.” Whether they are recent additions or veteran distributors, most are pushing for greater financial options for fleets. Understandable with so much disruption in the market. A ROBUST HERITAGE The IVECO T-WAY builds on the heritage of robustness and reliability of the brand’s long lineage of champion off-roaders.

14 FEBRUARY 2022

Finally we really have a product which is able to match any customer needs”

“More and more there is a high request in terms of financial solutions. This means not only to finance the vehicle but to offer a complete solution so typically, like in Europe you pay 1000dhs a month and you get your vehicle with after sales and everything,” says Fabio De Serafini. “We have some partnerships with banks too. It depends on the dealer. We have started to launch this in the light range. Of course, in heavy trucks where the value is much higher, we are working on solutions, but it will come soon, especially in the new ranges.” Dealers and their distributor suppliers have been instrumental in shaping the new S-Way and T-Way – it will be there needs that will dictate where the range develops from this point onwards. “What you do is you follow the market and the demand of the market and the needs of each country. So, we started with diesel, then we moved to CNG (compressed natural gas), now we are going to electric and hydrogen. So, this is the trend,” says De Serafini. “The key point for it to evolve and become even more competitive than what we have today is the capability to be all connected. So, in Europe it’s already done. There’s a standard way of working. The truck is fully connected between the customer, the dealer and the manufacturer. We have a control room based in Italy. “It could be based anywhere, where a

IVECO OPENS FIRST MINIBUS LINE IN AFRICA A Daily minibus assembly line at the SOTRA INDUSTRIE plant in Koumassi, near Abidjan, started production early this year, making the Ivory Coast the first country in Africa to have a minibus assembly line. The project, which began in 2018, is the most recent outcome of a collaboration between IVECO BUS, an Iveco Group brand and leading manufacturer of buses and coaches, and SOTRA (Société des Transports Abidjanais), the public transit provider for Abidjan and its suburbs, that started nearly 40 years ago. The new plant – which has an annual production capacity of 1,000 units and employs 500 people – will manufacture the Daily Minibus, specially renamed “Daily Ivoire”, which can have from 16 to 26 seats. The first 60 Daily Ivoire minibuses have already rolled off the production line, powered by natural gas engines from FPT Industrial, another Iveco Group brand and a renowned leader in propulsion technologies. The minibuses are destined for the Ivory Coast market and for export to other African countries, starting with Western and Central Africa. “This contributes to the Ivorian Government’s extensive programme for modernising the transport supply and diversifying the national economy through industrialisation. The new minibuses, which will use alternative, environmentally friendly propulsion, also highlight our continued commitment to sustainable mobility in Africa, a core region for IVECO BUS,” said IVECO.

meconstructionnews.com

DRIVE THE NEW WAY

NEW IVECO T-WAY: HIGH PRODUCTIVITY AND SAFETY ON OFF-ROAD TERRAINS With a complete line-up of AWD and PWD versions and the the 16-speed HI-TRONIX automated gearbox, the IVECO T-WAY features a host of functionalities such as Rocking Mode, Off-road Mode, Creeping Mode and 4 reverse gears to tackle with ease the toughest off-road conditions. The new architecture of the EBS system, combined with disc brakes on all wheels, greatly improves the vehicle’s performance and the driver’s safety in the most demanding applications.

NEW IVECO S-WAY: HIGH TECHNOLOGY AND EFFICIENCY FOR ON-ROAD MISSIONS The new IVECO S-WAY, with a completely redesigned and reinforced cab, offers a wide choice of Euro III/V diesel engines, a delivering class-leading power from 360 HP to 560 HP Euro III / 570 HP Euro V and superior fuel-saving devices, such as anti-idling feature, Ecoswitch, Ecoroll and Smart Alternator. 12-speed HI-TRONIX automated transmission with the most advanced technology in its category, electronic clutch and best-in-class torque-to-weight ratio.

INTERVIEW

CHANGING PERCEPTIONS AND MINDSET IVECO has bounced back impressively since 2019 and is among only a few manufacturers able to provide a complete range of vehicle options for fleets.

technician or someone can look at the fleet every day and is able to predict the behaviour of our trucks. And this is key, because in this way you can strongly reduce the cost of ownership of the truck through the fact that you’re able to prevent the event of the truck. And then you can even make a reparation on a vehicle where necessary too. In Europe, when we launched two years ago, we had a market share of 6%. Today, we have a market share of more than 8%. We are the only manufacturer that has gained market share during the pandemic and during the re-start of the market. But this is due to this concept. The more you integrate the customer activity with your capability to manage the truck, also involving the dealership at the same time, this makes the difference in front of the customer.” “I think we are not at the end; we are at the beginning in this digitalisation process. Of course, there will be electrification and then there will be the hydrogen as part of the official business plan of Iveco and so on. The reality of the customer and the biggest thing you can bring is the value in the pocket of the customer. Because at the end of the day this is what they looks at.” Unlike in Europe, IVECO finds itself in the position of underdog across the region. Cariello says the company is hungry to bite into the market share of the major players in whatever market they are selling into. “We are used to fighting. I think we are very hungry to take any business and to take care of each customer in a way other manufacturers are not able to do. We are very focused on the customer and that’s our main goal to take care of the customer from the beginning of the relationship to the end. 16 FEBRUARY 2022

We are launching a totally new generation of products which the market has been expecting for more than 10 or 15 years”

An enthused Marco Torta interjects: “If I could add. I am here for 10 years. I have been working in Africa and Middle East for almost 30 years. I am proud to say, absolutely, reliability is number one because in the last 30 years I have heard very few customers who are not happy about our trucks. I can say our trucks are absolutely comparable to any other one on the market, if not better.” Looking ahead to 2030, the IVECO team see sustainability as being a major factor in the Way platform’s potential in the market. “First of all, definitely there will be an evolution in line with sustainability. Some of the countries in Africa and Middle East are already moving to Euro 6 trucks, in Morocco, for example. We expect UAE even to do this eventually,” says De Serafini. “This is part of the game, the emission level, but

CHOICE OF STANDARDS The new engine line-up meets Euro III/ V emissions standards. The Cursor 9 and 13 engines provide a wide range of power ratings starting from 360 hp to 560/570 hp.

one thing to think to is the electric vehicle. That will be zero emissions in the future but right now, Iveco already has a reality in place, which is the natural gas application. “This is really a key experience because we started the distribution of this about six or seven years ago, in Europe, when the key issue at the beginning was the development of the network for the fuel stations. There were 50 fuel stations six years ago and today there are more than 450 because that was a programme that was developed in conjunction with single governments, in each country, in order to promote this level of transport management. So with the natural gas we are almost at zero emissions. The challenge was to build the network but governments subsidised a lot with the building of infrastructure needed. He adds: “And we moved from a marginal presence of natural gas trucks in Europe – between 250k to 300k in a year – from below 1% and today it’s almost 20%. With natural gas you have very good cost of ownership too because fuel consumption is different and time costs are different. It will take time, but we see by 2030 all three – diesel, natural gas, electrification - will be present. We see an evolution in favour of natural gas but diesel will not disappear in a few years.” “The pressure absolutely is there but for all the big manufacturers to develop and put into the market mass quantities of vehicles is not easy. It takes time,” says De Serafini . Vinceti concludes: “We must also remember that sustainability is not just about the engine, it goes down through Iveco through all levels. Starting next year, we are introducing bio-degradable packaging for all our engine parts.” meconstructionnews.com

FEATURE

WE ARE

CONNECTED The UAE shines in a special report on the 10th anniversary of the DHL Global Connectedness Index

n the report celebrating the 10th anniversary of the DHL Global Connectedness Index, DHL and the NYU Stern School of Business highlight strong links between global connectedness and prosperity. The United Arab Emirates is among the five countries that the report examines (other being Mexico, The Netherlands, Sierra Leone and Vietnam,) which have stood out for their strong or rising connectedness over the past two decades. The various paths these countries took to greater connectedness show that there is no onesize-fits-all prescription – instead, each country can pursue the international opportunities that make the most sense in its own local context. This report shows how policymakers can actively impact the connectedness of their countries. Five key areas for improving a country’s connectedness are peace and security, an attractive domestic business environment, openness to international flows, regional integration, and societal support. Remarkably,

18 FEBRUARY 2022

an attractive domestic business environment may boost a country’s global connectedness even more than traditional pro-globalisation policies. DHL and the NYU Stern School of Business have also released the 2021 update of the DHL Global Connectedness Index. Now in its 10th year, this report provides a fresh view on the impact of the pandemic on globalisation by analysing international flows of trade, capital, information, and people. While there are different trends across types of flows, the overall DHL Global Connectedness Index just declined very modestly in 2020 and is on track to rise in 2021. Nonetheless, the Covid-19 ‘stress test’ also revealed longstanding vulnerabilities that demand attention moving forward. “Even as global trade set new records in early 2021, countries with the lowest per capita incomes were still trading less than they did in 2019. The world’s poorest countries are still dangerously disconnected, which means that bolstering the foundations of a connected world – and better integrating less developed

The UAE’s preeminent position as the most globalised nation in the region is an outcome of economic development strategies”

countries – could help countries recover faster and build resilience for the future. Looking at the Middle East, the UAE’s pre-eminent position as the most globalised nation in the region is an outcome of economic development strategies that aggressively pursued growth via globalisation, strongly supported by the private sector and public,” said Amadou Diallo - CEO, DHL Global Forwarding Middle East & Africa. “Many feared that the global crisis would jeopardise the progress of globalisation. We have been analysing the various international flows worldwide for years and after 1.5 years of the pandemic, we can now safely assure: the pandemic has not caused globalisation to collapse. After initial dips in 2020, the DHL Global Connectedness Index is already on the rise again this year,” says John Pearson, CEO DHL Express. “Trade has provided a lifeline for countries around the world.” The UAE is among five countries examined in the special report marking the 10th anniversary of the DHL Global Connectedness meconstructionnews.com

FEATURE

Index. With Mexico, The Netherlands, Sierra Leone and Vietnam among the other countries which have stood out for their “strong or rising connectedness” over the past two decades, DHL and the NYU Stern School of Business said the report highlights the strong links between global connectedness and prosperity. The various paths these countries took to greater connectedness show that there is no one-size-fits-all prescription – instead, each country can pursue the international opportunities that make the most sense in its own local context, finds the study. This report also shows how policymakers can actively impact the connectedness of their countries: “Five key areas for improving a country’s connectedness are peace and security, an attractive domestic business environment, openness to international flows, regional integration, and societal support. Remarkably, an attractive domestic business environment may boost a country’s global connectedness even more than traditional pro-globalisation policies.” DHL and the NYU Stern School of Business have also released the 2021 update of the DHL Global Connectedness Index. Now in its 10th year, this report provides a fresh view on the impact of the pandemic on globalisation by analysing international flows of trade, capital, information, and people. While there are different trends across types of flows, the overall DHL Global Connectedness Index just declined very modestly in 2020 and is on track to rise in 2021. Nonetheless, the Covid-19 ‘stress test’ also revealed longstanding vulnerabilities that demand attention moving forward. “Even as global trade set new records in early 2021, countries with the lowest per capita incomes were still trading less than they did in 2019,” said Amadou Diallo - CEO, DHL Global Forwarding Middle East & Africa. “The world’s poorest countries are still dangerously disconnected, which means that bolstering the foundations of a connected world – and better integrating less developed countries – could help countries recover faster and build resilience for the future. “Looking at the Middle East, the UAE’s pre-eminent position as the most globalised nation in the region is an outcome of economic development strategies that aggressively pursued growth via globalisation, strongly supported by the private sector and public. “Many feared that the global crisis would jeopardise the progress of globalisation. We have been analysing the various international flows worldwide for years and after 1.5 years meconstructionnews.com

32 The UAE first entered the DHL Global Connectedness Index in 2002 with a rank of 32nd out of 152

In the 2021 Index, the UAE now ranks fourth out of 169

Its score on the index has risen even more dramatically, from 57 to 82 points

of the pandemic, we can now safely assure: the pandemic has not caused globalisation to collapse. After initial dips in 2020, the DHL Global Connectedness Index is already on the rise again this year,” added John Pearson, CEO DHL Express. “Trade has provided a lifeline for countries around the world, and DHL Express has played a key role in areas ranging from vaccine distribution to e-commerce.” The UAE first entered the DHL Global Connectedness Index in 2002 with a rank of 32nd out of 152. It now ranks fourth out of 169. Its score on the index has risen even more dramatically, from 57 to 82 points (out of a potential 100): “The UAE stands out not only because it is one of the most rapidly globalising countries, but also because it is one of the most globalised overall and one of the strongest outperformers relative to expectations based on its economic development, size, and distance from global markets,” says the report. A rebound in some trade

After plummeting at the beginning of the Covid-19 crisis, merchandise trade has rebounded swiftly to above pre-pandemic levels, powerfully supporting the global recovery. The latest forecasts call for trade growth to outpace GDP growth through 2022, expanding the role of trade in global economic output. However, services trade has been hit harder than merchandise trade by the pandemic, and the proportion of global output traded across national borders remains below its peak level. The Covid-19 shock caused the steepest decline in global merchandise trade on record, followed by an almost equally swift recovery, as depicted in Figure 16. From February to April

THE UAE’S PURSUIT OF TRADE The UAE’s pre-eminent position as the most globalised nation in the region is an outcome of economic development strategies that aggressively pursued growth, says Amadou Diallo - CEO, DHL Global Forwarding Middle East & Africa.

2020, global trade volume plummeted 14%, but by September that entire plunge had been reversed, and growth continued all the way up to 5% above the pre-pandemic level by early 2021. As a result, merchandise trade volume fell only 5% over the full year of 2020, and the value of world trade in US dollars fell just 7%. A surge of international trade to well above its pre-pandemic level ran up against pandemic-induced capacity constraints, raising shipping costs and adding to the stress on supply chains. Delays at key ports and container shortages exacerbated these challenges. But the fact that record amounts of goods were delivered to international buyers demonstrates both the resilience of trade and the important contribution it has made during the pandemic. The rebound of international trade in 2020 is even more impressive when one considers how shifts in demand dramatically changed the mix of goods traded across national borders. The mix of products traded changed as much in 2020 as it normally does over a five-year period. Plummeting trade in products such as mineral fuels, vehicles, and most types of apparel was partially offset by soaring trade in products where demand spiked due to the pandemic. These included electronics (for working, learning, and playing at home), pharmaceuticals (including vaccines), gold (a traditional safe haven commodity) and personal protective equipment (such as face masks). While the world’s least developed countries are lagging behind on the recovery of both exports and imports, the recent weakness is especially pronounced for imports. This affects both current consumption and the capacity countries have to invest for future growth. In contrast to a swift rebound and relative strength of merchandise trade during the Covid-19 pandemic, services trade suffered a larger decline and has been recovering more slowly. Looking forward, the latest forecasts call for trade in both goods and services to continue recovering in 2021 and 2022. The IMF’s October 2021 World Economic Outlook calls for trade in goods to expand 10.5% in 2021 and 6.0% in 2022 in volume terms (and 23% and 8% in U.S. dollars). This forecast also implies a major rebound in services trade, with 13% growth in 2021 and 12% in 2022 (both in U.S. dollar terms). It also calls for trade to continue growing faster than global output through 2022, boosting trade’s contribution to the world economy, as shown in Figure 19.57 However, overall trade intensity is still expected to remain below its all-time peak recorded in 2008. FEBRUARY 2022 19

FEATURE

THE A TO Z OF MERCEDES-BENZ

TRUCK SAFETY

Mercedes-Benz Trucks gives T&FME readers an A-Z update of its approach to safety

ntirely avoiding accidents or, at the very least, reducing the severity of their consequences is a top priority for Mercedes-Benz Trucks. That is why new and effective safety and assistance systems are continually being developed - and why existing systems are regularly optimised. In addition to the latest innovation in assistance systems such as Active Brake Assist 5, Active Drive Assist 2, etc, there are many more functions and initiatives which contribute to vehicle and road safety. Although not an exhaustive list, here we present the A to Z of Mercedes-Benz Trucks Safety. Which ones do you recognise?

20 FEBRUARY 2022

Attention Assist

Comfort Telephony

Increases driving safety and helps to avoid accidents by warning the driver if fatigue or lack of attention are detected.

Enables the driver to talk via the phone without taking the hands off the steering wheel.

Active

Brake Assist 5

The fifth generation of the system assists the driver in under ideal conditions. And within the system’s capabilities, it can apply maximum full-stop braking when approaching stationary and moving objects by applying a partial or maximum full-stop braking for moving pedestrians* thus mitigating and even preventing accidents entirely. (*Pedestrian detection remains active in a speed range of up to 50 km/h at most.)

Active

Drive Assist

First semi-autonomous driving system in a series produced truck. Supports the driver in lateral and longitudinal direction.

codes constantly. Support preventive maintenance and increases uptime.

Genuine Parts Provides the best possible quality for the Mercedes-Benz Trucks.

Hold Function and Hill Holder Prevents the truck from rolling back when accelerating at an incline.

Electronic Parking Brake

Inline six-cylinder engine

Engages automatically in case of emergency and is released if the driver forgets to release it.

The New Actros truck is equipped with a fuel efficient inline six-cylinder engine ensuring the best possible fuel consumption for fleet drivers. The New Actros is the best possible combination for a fuel efficient and safe truck.

Fleetboard Mercedes-Benz in-house telematics system. Able to read from all ECU’s all

meconstructionnews.com

FEATURE

Telescopic

Jack

Vehicle Pre-delivery inspection

Optional two-piston telescopic jack with high lifting power in two stages. Easy handling thanks to low overall height.

The workshop PDI ensures all systems of the vehicles are in perfect condition thereby guaranteeting the overall safety of the vehicle.

Kraftstofffilter

Wireless Charging

Additional fuel pre-filter that can help prevent particles falling into the fuel tank.

Ensures that the battery of the mobile phone is always charged without a connecting cable which can prevent the driver or co-driver from tripping over.

L ane Keeping Assist

X-Pulse

Warns the driver on time before drifting out of the lane. S IS FOR SIDEGUARD ASSIST Sideguard Assist is an assistance system that controls the environment next to the truck. It warns the driver if there is a pedestrian or bicycle next to the truck when turning.

MirrorCam Provides best possible view to the driver by adjusting the angle of the camera lens so that the end of the trailer is always visible. By removing the outside mirror, the view next to the A-pillar is much better when approaching conjunctions and roundabouts, thus improving safety. Reduction of fuel consumption is also achieved due to aerodynamic design.

Nachlaufachse Also known as ‘Trailing Axle’ in English – It provides high driving stability and safety for high payloads, in addition to enabling maximum payload. Frame

The X-Pulse fuel-injection system reduces the fuel quantity required for combustion to a minimum and thus reduce the burden on environment – safety for environment. 125

Years

Is an electronically controlled suspension and damping system with adaptive damper adjustment for partially and fully air-sprung vehicles. Supports the truck to drive in stable conditions.

Prevents dangerous accidents.

Offers the driver the possibility to control all functions without taking the hands off the steering wheel.

Mercedes-Benz Trucks celebrates 125 years of anniversary this year. The products and safety assistance systems are the result of 125 years of innovation and passion.

Sideguard Assist

Underide Guard (Rear)

Zero accident vision

Assistance system that controls the environment next to the truck. Warns the driver if there is a pedestrian or bicycle next to the truck when turning.

Enhanced passive safety to protect other road users since it is more difficult to drive under the vehicle rear end.

Mercedes-Benz Truck’s vision is to reduce accidents to a minimum – this is called the so called Zero Accident vision.

Touch Control Buttons

Overhang

Individual selection of the frame overhang allows the vehicle to be adapted to the subsequent body length, contributing to improved vehicle quality.

Predictive Powertrain Control Supports the driver by using topographic maps to optimise the fuel consumption. The driver can fully concentrate on the driving tasks and can be sure that the truck optimises fuel consumption itself.

Quality Every vehicle is developed, built and tested with daily use in mind. Endurance testing of more than 6 million kilometres in the Middle East under extreme conditions was done on the Actros prior to the launch here.

Roll Control Assist meconstructionnews.com

A IS FOR ACTIVE BRAKE ASSIST 5 The fifth generation of the Active Brake System assists the driver in under ideal conditions. And within the system’s capabilities, it can apply maximum full-stop braking when approaching stationary and moving objects by applying a partial or maximum full-stop braking for moving pedestrians, thus mitigating and even preventing accidents entirely.

FEBRUARY 2022 21

FEATURE

WHAT IS THE REGION’S

BEST TRUCK? T&FME on why the time is right for its new Truck and Fleet Awards 22 FEBRUARY 2022

meconstructionnews.com

FEATURE

ater this month, the great and good of the commercial vehicle and fleet sector will gather to see which truck or fleet operation is the best in the region at the inaugural Truck and Fleet Awards 2022. The awards uniquely include a mix of online voting and judged categories including Middle East Fleet of the Year. Ranging from the manufacturer to distributor, from fleet operator to providers of tyre technology, and embracing every scale of enterprise, the diversity of the categories aims to empower the industry’s key players and contributors. Voting for the awards is now open with members of the regional fleet sector and auto industry invited to choose winners from across a number of categories. The winners will be announced at the official awards ceremony on 28 February 2022 at the Raffles Hotel in Dubai. The past two years have been a tumultuous period for everyone involved in transportation and logistics. Even now, the spectre of a new variant of the Coronavirus means that we start the new year with new uncertainty in the market. But what has been certain is the positive role that both fleets and their vehicles have been playing in keeping all of us safe. Not only have many fleets been more in demand than ever, the sector has faced up to and often embraced new digital technology to change the way they serve their clients and customers. T&FME editor Stephen White says he hopes the winners are examples to their peers in how to tackle the challenges ahead. “Unlike many similar events, these aren’t all product focused awards,” says White. “Critically we want to also reward fleets in the region that setting their own benchmarks for us to follow. The fleet sector has shown remarkable resilience and perseverance since the start of the Covid crisis. It has also demonstrated that it can think on its feet and come up with new strategies to work with clients. I don’t think it is any exaggeration to claim that this has become a sector that is very much on the frontline in the fight against Covid.” “There is still time, if you feel your fleet or a peer’s operation is worthy of nomination please do not hesitate to get a nomination in before the process closes later this month. All the details can be found at www.tfawards. com or you can contact me by email at: stephen.white@cpitrademedia.com.” While awards like Fleet of the Year reward the excellence of those out of the roads, they also feature a string of accolades meconstructionnews.com

for the vehicles that fleet operators rely on daily. On the night, awards will be handed to vehicles of almost every class with the winners decided by a unique online vote made by the readers of T&FME and the wider industry, White explains. “We have created a series of awards that I hope will excite some interest in the vehicles we rely on the region and also set a benchmark to follow in the years to come,” he continues. “Voting is also deliberately easy to do as we want to be as inclusive and as appealing as possible. Anyone can go on there and spend five minutes to pick the winner and check later on in the month to see if they picked the winner!” The onset of the pandemic has perhaps ironically coincided with one of the busy launch windows in recent memory with most major

I hope this excites interest in vehicles we rely on and also sets a benchmark to follow in the years to come”

WHAT ARE THE TRUCK AND FLEET MIDDLE EAST AWARDS? The awards celebrate the champions whose vehicles play a key role in the operations, logistics and projects at the heart of the GCC economy. They award the manufacturers and dealers whose trucks lead the way – whose out-ofthe-box innovations deliver critical commercial ‘edge’, day in, day out. They honour the achievements of the key players responsible for the industry’s dramatic post-Covid re-set. The inaugural Truck and Fleet ME Awards is brought to you by Truck

& Fleet Middle East. Most importantly of all, in a competitive and contractdriven environment, the Awards are a snapshot of the touchstone products enabling operational performance and safety – and bringing best-ever uptime. To ensure complete objectivity, the Awards are judged by a mixture of public votes and a specially recruited judging panel; they are influenced by one criteria only – the informed decision that they are truly the best-in-class.

OEMs producing a new generation of vehicles or major upgrades to their existing platforms. In the heavy category, voters can choose from a stellar list of new trucks including vehicles from Renault Trucks’ TCK range. With two nominations, IVECO is represented by its recently launched S-Way and T-Way trucks. Mercedes-Benz Trucks has its mighty New Actros in the mix, as does fellow German giant MAN Truck and Bus with its TG Range. Traton stablemate Scania’s much-lauded NTG is also nominated, as is its innovative BEV. Swedish competitor Volvo Trucks FMX and FH are up for votes with UD Truck’s Quester which was tested by T&FME in November. The Japanese truck-maker also leads the increasingly important medium-duty class nominees with the Croner, and there are nods too for the ISUZU F-Series, Mercedes-Benz’ Atego 1726 4x4 and the fuel delivery favourite HINO 500. The HINO 300 has also been placed into the running in the Light Duty category, alongside the Fuso e-Canter and Euro 5 4x4, Hyundai HD78 GT and the ISUZU N-Series. Thanks to the growth in e-commerce, vans are gaining in popularity in the region and this is reflected in a strong line-up of vehicles including the Iveco Daily, Ford Transit, MB Sprinter, Nissan Urvan, and Renault Master. Other categories including Bus and Coaches, Tyre Technology Provider of the Year and Bodybuilder of the Year complete the voting line-up. “I have always been an advocate of making the judging as inclusive and as open as possible and by placing categories such as Heavy Duty Truck of the Year, Medium Duty Truck of the Year, LCV of the Year, Van of the Year up for a vote, we want to reach out to as many people in the region as we can,” he adds. “I’ve always followed the big industry awards, but have been frustrated that you can’t always look at the winner of the International Truck of the Year and expect we will see the same version here – and in occasional instances it can take years to see a regional launch. “I believe that by establishing the concept of the Truck and Fleet Awards we can finally begin to start looking forwards and not backwards in the market. By that I don’t just mean that we plan for a life beyond Covid but also how are we as a sector or industry going to ensure that we understand what the best fleet practices are and what the best vehicles are to meet the exploding demands on fleets in the region.” FEBRUARY 2022 23

WORKSHOP

RANDON IMPLEMENTOS REVEALS AUTOMATED SEMI-TRAILER CONCEPT / ALLISON DELIVERS 2MNTH 1000/2000 TRANSMISSION / HYPR AND ON-DEMAND BATTERIES

WORKSHOP

Randon drops autonomous load by 1t

RANDON IMPLEMENTOS DEVELOPS AUTOMATED SEMI-TRAILER CONCEPT TRAILERS

Brazilian semi-trailer specialist Randon Implementos and Volvo Trucks have combined forces to introduce a new semi-trailer dump truck that leans heavily into automation and reduces vehicle weight by as much as a ton. The new “Concept Trailer” is being tested during Brazil’s critical grain harvest on routes connecting farming regions to the main ports. It is equipped with automated features and sensors and built to a design that reduces the total weight of the trailer. The new product is intended

to optimise performance and reduce the operating costs of the transporter, said its creators. The system is part of an joint project in Brazil to develop a concept bulk transporter. The Concept Trailer reduces weight of the road train dumper by having fewer welded seams on its high-strength aluminum and steel frame. The result is a product that is a ton lighter than current similar models and it uses manufacturing processes that are unprecedented in this sector, claims Randon Implementos: “The other difference is the design. The aerodynamic

COUPLED TOGETHER Industry stalwarts Hyva and Continental have also been drafted in to help to design new hydraulic systems and high-performing tyres.

drag is reduced thanks to the lack of vertical struts on the body of the trailer and the inclusion of deflectors. It has an anti-tip system that helps to correct it in hazardous conditions.” The Concept Trailer also boasts a set of electronics intended to improve operational efficiency and safety, such as a rear sensor and camera that is interlinked to the braking system, which trigger it automatically if there are obstacles in the way. Coupling and decoupling has also been optimised. Sensors on the fifth wheel and an electric lifting device make this procedure safer and ergonomically easier. The cargo can be covered by a fully automated tarp, activated by remote control, which saves time and means that the driver does not need climb onto the trailer. In addition, the system identifies when the trailer is not loaded and automatically raises the axles, reducing tire wear and fuel consumption. “This new product has a special design, is a ton lighter and is fully connected to the tractor and the driver - it brings the future to the present, as a new concept in transporting cargo,” explained the superintendent director of the Assembly division of the Randon Companies, Sandro Trentin.

ON-DEMAND GREEN ENERGY COMING BATTERIES

CAFU, SirajPower and Creek Join believe their partnership can usher in a new era in green energy. Through a new joint venture, HYPR, the firms are launching on demand energy systems using advanced battery storage across the UAE . The initiative is the first-of-its-kind solution in the region using transportable lithium ion batteries providing customers with a reliable and cost-effective alternative to diesel generators. The battery storage systems will be developed by SirajPower. The new company will also benefit from CAFU’s on demand approach combined with it’s unique routing capabilities and operational expertise in optimising B2B deliveries, to develop an efficient and seamless customer experience. HYPR will use its own balance sheet to invest in the battery modules so customers can be offered a pay-as-you-go model with no up-front capital requirements.

INSIDE THIS MONTH’S WORKSHOP: THE AUTOMOTIVE INDUSTRY SHOWS OFF ITS LATEST TECH AT CES 2022, INJECT LIFE INTO YOUR ENGINE, AND MORE

24 FEBRUARY 2022

meconstructionnews.com

WORKSHOP

ALLISON DELIVERS 2MNTH 1000/2000 UNIT

BKT LOOKS TO THE NEXT GEN OF FARMING TYRES

The issue of the generational shift is certainly one of those which most closely affects the future of agriculture and the entire agrifood sector. Who will produce food in the future and how? And how will the figure of the farmer change? This topic was discussed by the guests and experts in the third episode of Global Trends, the new BKT Network format dedicated to the macro-themes and trends that influence global agriculture. It is estimated that in the next 15 years about a third of current farmers will retire. For most of the so-called developed world, in fact, the average age of a farmer is about fifty or sixty. Yet, fewer and fewer young people show interest in a career in agriculture, also due to the obstacles and barriers that penalize the entry of the new generations in this sector. “The difficulty in obtaining funds for investments and to buy land is certainly one of the main obstacles that the new generations face at the beginning of their careers,” said agri-expert Matthew Tilt, “Then there is the question of wages. Agriculture, compared to other sectors, unfortunately sees generally lower wages. For this reason, a fundamental ingredient for those who want to start a business in this sector is the passion and the desire to step by step build up an activity that can often be tiring and difficult, but which also offers a lot of satisfaction.” Yet, as Diana Lenzi, President of CEJA (the European Council of Young Farmers), explained, the generation shift is one of the prerequisites to improve the competitiveness of the agricultural sector in the long term and to guarantee sustainable food production in the future. “It is important to offer the new generations the right training and the necessary tools.”

meconstructionnews.com

TRANSMISSIONS Allison Transmission has revealed that it has recently delivered its 2 millionth 1000/2000 Series transmission, a milestone in the company’s history of providing reliable, durable transmissions for light and medium duty commercial vehicles. The transmission was delivered to Penske Truck Leasing, a leading global transportation services provider. “We are proud to reach this meaningful milestone in the delivery of the 1000/2000 Series,” said Rod Luke, executive director of Plant 4 1000/2000 Series Production. “This accomplishment speaks to Allison’s longstanding commitment to manufacturing high-quality propulsion solutions that are proven to help our fleet customers operate more efficiently and improve the way the world works.” The Allison’s 1000 Series and 2000 Series have a wide

A FLEET MILESTONE Allison celebrated the delivery of its 2 millionth 1000/2000 Series transmission to Penske during an event hosted at the company’s headquarters in Indianapolis.

number of applications and can be found on a range of vehicles from ambulances to school buses, to municipal, and distribution and delivery trucks that support essential businesses and critical infrastructure and support services Allison celebrated the delivery of its 2 millionth 1000/2000 Series transmission during an event hosted at the company’s headquarters in Indianapolis.

“At Penske, we equip our medium duty commercial vehicles with Allison fully automatic transmissions because of the world class assembly, attention to detail and commitment to excellence. We know we can count on them to operate reliably and maximise productivity for our fleet and our customers,” said Paul Rosa, SVP of procurement and Fleet Planning, Penske Truck Leasing.

WHAT3WORDS COMING TO VOLTA ZERO TELEMATICS

Volta Trucks has confirmed that the forthcoming Volta Zero will feature integrated navigation services from HERE Technologies, the leading location data and technology platform. The Volta Zero will use EV Range Assistant, a feature from HERE tailored for inner-city deliveries. It includes range prediction for trucks on route and allows for route planning including multiple delivery stops.

Search, routing, real-time traffic, and turn-by-turn voice guidance will be available both on- and off-line. HERE Navigation os navigationas-a-service model. The benefits include lowering costs, improving scalability, and allows Volta Trucks to deliver a unique In-Vehicle Infotainment (IVI) system that can be remotely configured and monitored, making it possible to consistently update and upgrade

the driver experience. Secure data transfer between the truck and cloud enhances driver safety and privacy, while also accessing the latest map data via streaming. With HERE Navigation, drivers will be able to use geolocation technology, what3words which identifies a location in a manner that is more precise than a street address. what3words has divided the world into a grid of three-metre squares and given each square a unique combination of three random words. Drivers can then enter what3words addresses directly into their in-truck systems, allowing them to easily navigate to locations as specific as building entrances or loading bays. “I’m delighted to confirm HERE as the provider of our navigation system for the Volta Zero, including the integration of what3words,” said Ian Collins, chief product officer, Volta Trucks. FEBRUARY 2022 25

ADVERTORIAL

INJECT LIFE INTO

YOUR FLEET

BG shares its approach to injecting some life back into ageing diesel engines

s any diesel owner knows, your engine may be just a few trips away from losing vital power just when you need it the most. Thanks to the ratcheting up of emission regulations, today’s diesel’s may be cleaner than ever and boast higher power and performance per cubic inch than a gasoline engine, but deposits can still rapidly accumulate in the fuel lines, injector pump, fuel injectors and combustion chambers, which can cause a significant loss of power. BG Products, Inc., has over 50 years of experience in designing and manufacturing professional grade tools, lubricants, and chemical products for use in proper maintenance services in the authorised dealerships/ importers, municipalities, fleets and all forms of passenger and truck vehicles manufactured domestically and internationally. All of its products are professionally tested, safe for use, and compatible with existing passenger car 26 FEBRUARY 2022

and trucks manufactured worldwide. BG’s professional staff and facilities reflect a long history of industry leading innovation and quality assurance. Its comprehensive manufacturing and research facilities reflect state of the art technologies, and we distribute our products and services to over 65 countries worldwide. BG Products, Inc., is ISO 9001, 14001, 18001, 17025 and 45001 certified. These certifications and associations are a testament to the dedication and focus BG invests in remaining the unquestioned leader in quality and performance when it comes to vehicle maintenance. BG Products Inc. in USA, represented by BG Middle East in the region, has been tackling the problem of keeping engines running smoothly for over 50 years. “When you see the BG sign it means that my vehicle runs better and lasts longer. Guaranteed,” says Gagan Kalra, director sales & marketing at BG Middle East. Guaranteeing that your vehicle will run

Without adequate lubricity, gums and varnish can form in a diesel’s fuel system”

better and last longer may be a bold statement but it’s one that BG has proven over and over for five decades since the founders of BG Products in Wichita, Kansas were looking for a breakthrough in engine performance. When they developed their first BG formula, sceptics said it wouldn’t work but anyone who tried it knew that it did. You simply poured it in and engine performance and life improved. Over the past five decades, BG has been determined to not limit its ambitions to a solution contained in a can and what started in the engine has spread to every working part of every kind of vehicle in every corner of the world. Today, service and maintenance professionals use BG’s lubrication and cleaning products across the globe, and Kalra tells T&FME that its BG Diesel Fuel Injection System Cleaning Service - a certified service that can quickly flush out carbon deposits from the fuel line and combustion chambers, it is becoming a popular method to restore engine performance in the region too. meconstructionnews.com

ADVERTORIAL

Slowly we are seeing progress towards higher diesel fuel standards in the region, such as the move to the Euro IV minimum in the UAE. While markets such as Europe and the US have seen a drastic reduction in sulphur content it has ultimately resulted in decreased lubricity which is important for the protection of vital components such as the injection pump and fuel injectors. Furthermore, without adequate lubricity, gums and varnish can form in a diesel’s fuel system, Kalra explains. The reason behind this performance decline lies in how the diesel fuel is produced. Even in high emission standard countries, this can be variable and might not contain the necessary amount of lubricity to keep an engine running smooth. Designed for new electronically controlled common rail systems using direct injection, as well as traditional mechanical fuel injection systems, BG Diesel Fuel Injection Cleaning Service restores lost performance and prevents costly repairs with specialised products that boost the quality of diesel fuel. In a recent example, carried out on a truck in the US, BG’s Service resulted in a 28% reduction in emissions with similar improvements in efficiency. As well as significant reduction in NOx corresponding 8.16% cut in fuel consumption.

meconstructionnews.com

During the normal combustion cycle gummy deposits are left inside the fuel injectors and carbon deposits form in the combustion chamber, as this occurs the additional power and performance that a diesel provides is diminished, resulting in high fuel consumption. In order to restore diesel power, it is essential to restore the engine to factory fuel system cleanliness. The BG Diesel Injection System Cleaning Service is designed to remove accumulated deposits from the entire fuel system including fuel lines and fuel injectors. The BG Diesel Injector Cleaning apparatus is connected directly to the diesel fuel supply and return lines to deliver the exact amount of BG’s Diesel Care PN 22932M (as per vehicles’ OEM fuel pressure

When you see the BG sign it means that my vehicle runs better and lasts longer”

specifications) needed to clean deposits from clogged injectors quickly and efficiently. The BG Diesel Injector Cleaning service is completed by adding BG 24532 formula to the fuel tank to remove accumulated deposits from the entire fuel system including the fuel tank, fuel line, filter, fuel pump, ports, and combustion chambers. Exhaust smoke is eliminated and throttle response power and fuel economy are “remarkably restored” to just “like-new” performance. According to Kalra, it’s a proven solution for unclogging the toughest deposits from the entire diesel injector system in traditional mechanical diesel injectors as well as the new high-pressure common rail diesel injection system. BG 22932 Diesel Care has all the power needed to clean the entire diesel fuel injection system on any vehicle with light or heavy-duty diesel engine and is part of a turnkey service that requires no pre-mixing or measuring. The system can help combat the notion that diesel engine is loud, dirty, and drink too much fuel. “With this service, restoring and maintaining diesel engine to perform ‘like-new’ makes those ideas of diesel carbon build-up a thing of the past,” concludes Kalra. For more information, please visit www.bgmiddleeast.com

Improper fuel spray pattern resulting from deposit buildup on the diesel injector.

BG Diesel Injection Service maintains optimal fuel spray pattern.

Diesel injector plunger with deposit buildup.

BG Diesel Injection Service prevents deposit formation.

FEBRUARY 2022 27

MARKET REVIEW

IN AND OUT

OF AFRICA

In the first of a triple-header collaboration T&FME and Glasgow Consulting Group look at the African market

frica has more than a billion people, 17% of the world’s population, but accounts for only 1% of cars sold worldwide. After the European car industry moved much of its production into Eastern Europe, some believe the next step is Africa, both for production and a growing consumer market. However, due to limited disposable income and the high cost of new vehicles, second-hand vehicles dominate the continent’s automotive retail sector. These are mainly imported. In 2020 (the latest complete set of sales data), the market was dominated by one brand Toyota. The car-maker enjoys a 43% share of new car sales but the continent is a happy hunting ground for its other Japanese competitors, even if they are some-way behind. Indeed, the next ranking auto-company is Nissan at 13%, just narrowly ahead of its Tokyo-headquartered counterpart Isuzu at 12%. So popular are the Japanese brands that 28 FEBRUARY 2022

you have to get past Mitsubishi’s 7% to get to a non-Japan-based manufacturer with Ford (6%) placed at the fifth in the ranking of new car sales. A large geographical area and a diverse set of cultures and economies makes the African car market difficult to assess but there are clear trends that can be applied to much of the continent. It remains a market where challenges and opportunities are in plentiful supply, even if high import duties continue to hinder the imports of new vehicles. This is a market where the used car market is consequently a major force in sales. The high tariff placed on new car imports has seen aging second-hand vehicles appreciate in value but there are further constraints. The price of importing new cars is exasperated by poor availability of vehicle finance in a territory where household budgets are under pressure and unemployment is high. With government priorities often elsewhere and currencies in flux, the regulatory landscape and scattershot approaches to funding makes

In the majority of African countries, car buyers would rather buy a five- to six-year-old imported car than buy a new car”

both the import and opportunities for local assembly challenging for manufacturers and the automotive channel alike. “In most African countries, the market for vehicle manufacturing is non-existent but poses an opportunity for new investment as the sector is dominated by retail of grey inputs including pre-owned vehicles,” explains Glasgow Consulting Group’s Vishal Pandey. He adds that 85-90% of passenger vehicles are imported into Africa to cater for the used passenger vehicles market. Annually, approximately 800,000 used passenger vehicles are imported by the leading importers in sub-Saharan Africa from Japan, EU and the United States. Germany holds over 50% of EU passenger vehicles exports to Africa. West African countries import 70% of overall used passenger vehicles into Africa. “In the majority of African countries, car buyers would rather buy a five- to sixyear-old imported car than buy a new car at a price premium of 15-20%,” says Pandey. meconstructionnews.com

MARKET REVIEW

Similar to other markets, such as the GCC, Africa was expected to rise after 2019 but due to Covid the market fell further by 28%. However, Pandey says that indications going forward are positive. Disposable income is on the rise, with the automotive industry contributing as an employer to hundreds of thousands of workers in a nascent automotive assembly and manufacturing network based largely in South Africa, Egypt, Morocco, and Algeria. With further government initiatives expected to attract expand local assembly further and a growing economy the automotive industry is anticipated to grow, says Pandey. The GDP is predominantly driven by the economies of South Africa, Egypt, Nigeria, Morocco and Algeria. The fact that many of them are also integrated into the global automotive industry is no coincidence. Vehicle and component production is even the largest contributor in the South African manufacturing economy. Pandey notes that market has struggled since the onset of Covid with weak business and consumer confidence and financial pressure on consumers leading to a decline of passenger car sales. Egypt in contrast has seen a surge a new vehicle sales with around half of them assembled locally. “The Egyptian passenger car industry’s growth is driven by accelerated population growth, vehicle sales and government action on emissions,” he remarks. Nigeria in many ways typifies the wider Africa market beyond the Egyptian border. “The country majorly depends on imports POTENTIAL FOR IMPORTS AN EXPORTS Glasgow Consulting Group’s Vishal Pandey notes that the while the Africa market is dominated by used cars sales, with many countries maintaining high tariffs on imports, it that could change as incomes rise and governments encourage local assembly.

meconstructionnews.com

USED CARS DOMINATE THE CONTINENT According to Vishal Pandey, 85-90% of passenger vehicles are imported into Africa to cater for the used passenger vehicles market.

of car due to insufficient production,” explains Pandey on a market dominated by Japanese brands. “Demand for spare parts is driven by growing number of used cars in Nigeria.” Elsewhere, Morocco witnessed a slump in growth due to lower footfalls in the showrooms due to Covid 19. However, the Moroccan car industry directly employs over 200,000 people, and it could even be expanding its manufacturing footprint. “Foreign direct investment is continually increasing due to government support through various initiatives - such as tax exemptions for the first five years, VAT exemptions, and land purchase subsidies,” notes Pandey. North Africa neighbour Algeria’s

43% Toyota dominates new car sales in Africa, with a 43% share in 2020

automotive industry is recovering due to the government strategy to build up local production and ban the importing of vehicles but, Pandey explains, its passenger vehicle market also faces a decline due to COVID-19 restrictions and by the fall of oil price and exports. Since the imports of used vehicle share is high, the age of the continent’s vehicle fleet is higher than in other places. Couple with the generally poor road conditions and adulterated fuel, the demand of service is high. This has led to the continuing rise in demand for replacement parts in the aftermarket. Consequently, African demand for auto parts and accessories is growing due demand led by countries such as Kenya, Ethiopia, Tanzania, and Uganda. Authorised dealers constitute approximately 20 to 30% of the aftermarket sale of parts while the independent aftermarket distributors and retailers account for the lions share. Used engines are in great demand in many African countries which have a big market for reconditioned automobiles. Automotive batteries, tyres, spare parts, ball bearings, water pumps and a host of electronic goods are of substantial requirements in most African countries. The African automotive aftermarket is dominated by salvage parts, grey parts and cheap imports from China, as the market is highly price conscious and look for cheap bargains. The unstructured nature of the African market helps ensure the share of non-genuine parts is the biggest challenge to the automotive aftermarket in this region. However, the highly attractive trade agreements such as EFTA, EU FTA, ECOWAS, Egypt-UAE/ Agadir Agreement/ PAFTA and preferential import duties as low as 0-2.5%, that countries have amongst other African countries, and with the United States, Mexico, EU and MEAST have indeed played a central role in development of the local value-chain. Overall, the aftermarket represents a major opportunity for the those able to supply from or via Middle East hubs, according to Pandey. “The presence of significant used vehicle imports is a key contributing factor to the component potential in Africa,” he continues. “Demand in Africa for auto parts and accessories is growing at 5.7% CAGR and will be worth USD 4.7 billion by 2026,” explains Pandey. “There are nearly 657,000 vehicles on the continent’s roads today, creating huge demand for parts and accessories. Africa is therefore becoming significant market.” FEBRUARY 2022 29

FEATURE

GO WITH

YOUR FLOW BMW steals the show at CES 2022

ES, the Las Vegas Consumer Electronics Show, has quietly risen to become one of the most important auto shows on the planet. If you want to see what’s on the horizon of your dashboard there really isn’t any place to be this year – shame most of us have probably missed it. The last couple of years have been dominated by General Motors, which was again on the Strip to talk Brightdrop, its big move in the last mile delivery space. As was undoubted star of the last two events Hyundai Motor Company and its metamobility vision of a future where you interact with the world through virtual reality and robotic helpers that venture out to the world when you don’t want to venture – or as we’ve seen in the past two years, you can’t. While it is verging on the ridiculous to label any one company a winner in such a days of future past event like this, but BMW could rightly look back on CES 2022 as a taking its

30 FEBRUARY 2022

chance to prove that it has moved on from its bare-bones, engine first approach of yesteryear. This was a chance to see how BMW Group has re-priotised over recent years and prove that it was now at the forefront of vehicle technology. It makes sense, then, that it chose CES for the world premiere of a new BMW model, the BMW iX M60. The car is the first performance automobile from BMW M GmbH developed from the outset for all-electric mobility. With its joint system output of 455 kW/619 PS from two electric motors, a maximum torque of 1,015 Nm in Sport mode or 1,100 Nm when Launch Control is active, its electric all-wheel drive and its M specific chassis tuning, the BMW iX M60 is bringing a phe-nomenal performance experience to zero local emissions mobility. The BMW iX M60 combines a vehicle concept tailored uncompromisingly for sustainability with a modern Sports Activity Vehicle design and handling characteristics boasting a thrilling level of dynamism. Thus it

With the BMW iX M60, we are presenting the most powerful and fastest electric vehicle in our product portfolio”

embodies the best of the three world of BMW i, the BMW X models and BMW M GmbH. “With the modern lounge character of its generous interior and its technological highlights that also encompass the areas of automated driving, operation and connectivity, the BMW iX M60 represents a new understanding of sophisticated luxury, high performance and premium char-acteristics. The BMW iX M60 sprints from a standing start to 100 km/h in just 3.8 seconds. Its characteristic overall vehicle harmony neatly packages the performance as an experience that is both emotionally engaging and at the same time reliably controlled right to the limits of driving physics,” said the company at CES 2022. The BMW iX is one of the first models to use the latest generation of the iDrive display and op-erating system. The new iDrive not only enables a particularly intense interaction between driver and vehicle, but also a greater personalisation of the driving experience with the new My Modes. They create unique meconstructionnews.com

FEATURE

moments that result from a combination of vehicle characteristics and interior atmosphere tailored to the particular situation. At CES 2022, BMW also showcased further variants of the overall user experience created in this way in the interior. With My Modes Expressive and Relax, in the future BMW customers will have additional ways of adapting the vehicle settings to the particular situation and mood. The new My Modes, create an immersive user experience in the interior, and the BMW Group gave a glimpse of four new My Modes, including the Digital Art Mode which presents digital art in an automobile for the first time and a Theatre Mode which it claims heralds in a new era for in-car entertainment. “At the beginning of December, we reached a milestone in our transformation and delivered the one millionth electrified vehicle,” said Pieter Nota, member of the Board of Management of BMW AG, responsible for customer, brands and sales. “With the BMW iX M60, we are presenting the most powerful and fastest electric vehicle in our product portfolio on the occasion of this year’s CES. At the same time, we know that the digital experience is becoming more and more important for our customers. With Theatre Mode we present a spectacular in-car enter-tainment experience; with My Mode Digital Art, we are the first manufacturer to present digital art in an automobile.” In the new My Mode Expressive, the active driving experience is combined with a particularly emotionally engaged atmosphere in the interior. The appearance of the displays on the BMW Curved Display is characterised by expressive colours and abstract patterns. Activating My Mode Expressive also provides an unconventional sound in the interior that reflects the driving situation particularly intensely. In My Mode Relax, the focus is on wellness, harmony and relaxation. The graphic displays on the BMW Curved Display are inspired by natural landscapes. In all-electric models, an understated and harmonious sound backdrop is generated to match this. In My Mode Theatre, the rear of the interior transforms into a private cinema lounge, with the BMW Theatre Screen, a 31-inch ultra-wide display in 32:9 format, surround sound and 5G con-nectivity. There, passengers on the rear seats “can enjoy a thrilling and luxurious cinema expe-rience” with an entertainment programme that can be selected individually on a display with a resolution of up to 8K. Frank Weber, member of the board of Management of BMW AG, Development meconstructionnews.com

OUTSIDE IN DRIVING EXPERIENCE With the BMW iX M6’s My Mode Expressive, the active driving experience is combined with a particularly ‘emotionally engaged atmosphere’ in the interior.

The digital experience is becoming more and more important for our customers”

explained: “We develop immersive, digital experiences for sheer driving pleasure. In Theatre Mode, the rear of the interior is transformed into a private cinema lounge. With the 31 inch display, 5G connectivity, 8k resolution, surround sound and individual streaming program, an unprecedented experience is created that sets new standards for in-car entertainment.” Just like the digital artworks on the BMW Curved Display, BMW believes the drive sound also plays an important role in making the appreciation of driving pleasure the most intense it can be. Under the IconicSounds Electric banner it revealed at CES 2022 that is developing the specific soundscapes for

all-electric models in collaboration with film score composer and Academy and Grammy Award winner Hans Zimmer. The BMW iX Flow featuring E Ink is the first car in the world whose exterior colour can be changed at the touch of a button. The interior is not the only place where digital technology is creating completely new personalisation possibilities. The unique technology uses digitisation to also adapt the exterior of a vehicle to dif-ferent situations and individual wishes. The surface of the BMW iX Flow featuring E Ink can vary its shade at the driver’s prompting. Weber explained: “In the future, digital experiences will not only take place on displays. The real and the virtual will increasingly merge. With the BMW iX Flow, we are bringing the car body to life.” Adrian van Hooydonk, Head of BMW Group Design described the BMW iX Flow as an advanced research and design project and a great example of the forward thinking that BMW is known for.” The fluid colour changes are made possible by a specially developed body wrap that is tailored precisely to the contours of the all-electric Sports Activity Vehicle from BMW. When stimulated by electrical signals, the electrophoretic technology brings different colour pigments to the surface, causing the body skin to take on the desired colouration. “BMW has always been pushing the boundaries of technology and design at the same time. We dedicate ourselves to the creation of human-centric products and experiences for all senses,” said van Hooydonk.

AN EXTERIOR THAT CAN BE ADPATED The BMW iX is bringing the car to life. The German car-maker has always been pushing the boundaries of technology and design at the same time, says designer Adrian van Hooydonk.

FEBRUARY 2022 31

PARTING SHOT

RAPTOR

APPLAUSE Is the new Ford Raptor the most capable ever?

aving launched in the summer of 2021, the new Ford Raptor has finally arrived in the region and as you would expect it is a bit of beast. As ever, the real star of the show in the power and the all-new Raptor is equipped with a thirdgeneration twin-turbo 3.5-litre EcoBoost highoutput engine delivering torque low in the rev range right where it counts. It features state-of-the-art turbos and 10.5:1 compression ratio as well as new high-power fans built into the cooling system to ensure intense off-roading sessions never end too early. With its standard 36-gallon capacity, Raptor has a projected EPA-estimated range of more than 800 kilometres on a full tank of gas. For the first time, the pick-up truck is available with either 35-inch or 37-inch tyres – the largest factory-fitted to a production light-duty full-size pickup. These specially designed BFGoodrich All-Terrain T/A KO2 tyres offer maximum traction and handling. Wearing 35-inch tyres, Raptor clears 12-inch obstacles with an approach angle

of 31 degrees, maximum departure angle of 23.9 degrees and breakover angle of 22.7 degrees. Ford believes that desert runners and rock crawlers alike will appreciate the outstanding wheel travel with 35-inch tyres, reaching 14 inches at the front and 15 inches at the rear – 25 per cent more travel than the first-generation Raptor. Ford created an off-road icon in 2009 when it introduced the desert racing-inspired F-150 Raptor. It was designed to not only speed over rough terrain, but also to jump and catch air. And today, it’s born again with an all-new third-generation F-150 Raptor that takes the mechanical and technical brilliance and precision of Raptor even further. “Raptor is the original desert truck. We just took it to another level,” said Ali Jammoul, Ford Performance vehicle programme director. “The all-new Raptor splices high-speed offroad performance muscle with advanced technology and connectivity that comes together in a unique Built Ford Tough way.” A high-performance off-road pickup is

defined by its suspension, and the all-new F-150 Raptor debuts with completely redesigned running gear. It is reengineered with an allnew five-link rear suspension developed specifically for Raptor, designed to deliver more control and power to the ground with greater confidence over rough terrain at high speeds. “Raptor has developed an enviable reputation in the Middle East for incredible performance in the desert,” said Simon Hood, brand manager for Ford trucks, Middle East. “This new Raptor really pushes every facet of performance to new levels, and we can’t wait for customers to find out just how good it is for themselves.” “Raptor is rooted in Baja 1000 racing, and its suspension advances our capability and performance – a five-link rear setup with more wheel travel than any Raptor before it,” said Carl Widmann, Ford Performance chief engineer. “And like a trophy truck, every aspect of Raptor has been engineered to deliver precision capability when your foot is flat on the floor, way out in the middle of nowhere roaring across the desert.”

NEXT ISSUE: TRUCK AND FLEET AWARDS 2022 ROUND-UP, THE UAE MARKET, WASTE MANAGEMENT ELITE FLEET, AND MUCH MORE!

32 FEBRUARY 2022

meconstructionnews.com

GIVE YOUR BUSINESS THE MAX

Discover how the most advanced technology, most powerful engine and the highest levels of efficiency in the Ford Trucks F-Max can power your business.

• ECOTORQ E5 Engine delivering 500HP: Optimum fuel consumption and maximum performance under any road condition (ECO & Power mode)

• Automated Transmission: Selecting the right gear shift to suit different driving conditions • Aerodynamic Design

• Low Cost of Ownership

DOWNLOAD THE AL TAYER MOTORS APP

premier-motors.ae

altayermotors.com

PARTING SHOT

Multimedia Cockpit New interior lighting concept

MirrorCam

Electronic Parking Brake with HOLD function

Active Drive Assist

New rear axle ratio

Active Brake Assist 5

New light signature & night lights

Traffic Sign Assist

Predictive Powertrain Control (PPC)

The new Actros. Ready to set a new standard. New Standard Equipment

New Optional Equipment

• • • • • • • •

• • • • • • • • •

Keyless start New vehicle key Electronic parking brake PowerShift 3 with four driving programmes New light signature & night lights New Mercedes-Benz emblem sign New interior light concept The new design of the steering wheel

MirrorCam Active Brake Assist 5 Multimedia Cockpit Multimedia Cockpit Interactive Trailer Stability Control Assist Independent trailer brake, electronic Remote Online Active Drive Assist (available only in Morocco) Predictive Powertrain Control 2nd generation (available only in Morocco)

Trucks.MercedesBenzMENA.com

34 FEBRUARY 2022

meconstructionnews.com

Truck&Fleet ME February 2022

Articles inside

TRUCK SAFETY

AFRICA ANALYSED

TRUCK AND FLEET AWARDS

A NEW EXPRESSION

NEWS FROM THE MONTH