19 minute read
TRUCK AND FLEET AWARDS
WHAT IS THE REGION’S
BEST TRUCK?
T&FME on why the time is right for its new Truck and Fleet Awards
Later 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 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.”
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
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 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.
COUPLED TOGETHER
Industry stalwarts Hyva and Continental have also been drafted in to help to design new hydraulic systems and high-performing tyres.
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
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.”
ALLISON DELIVERS 2MNTH 1000/2000 UNIT
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 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.
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.
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.
INJECT LIFE INTO YOUR FLEET
BG shares its approach to injecting some life back into ageing diesel engines
As 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 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
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.
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. 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
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.
Diesel injector plunger with deposit buildup.
BG Diesel Injection Service maintains optimal fuel spray pattern.
