G&R News May 2018

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NEWS Huntingwood The Truck People

Dealer Licence No: 13965 MVRL No: 29259

MAY 2018

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ISUZU – LEADING THE MARKET FOR 29 YEARS

Welcome once again to G&R News.

There’s never a dull moment in trucking, and, with a constant stream of new products from Kenworth, DAF and Isuzu, there’s always something interesting to discuss and consider just where it can fit in your fleet.

In this issue we profile Kenworth operator Norgate Haulage, with brothers Mitch and Tom Norgate being the proud owners of two new Kenworths for their Penrithbased business.

The K200 cabovers have been specced with the help of sales mananger Bill Anderson especially for heavy haulage float and extendible trailer work to move plant and equipment anywhere in the country. It’s been a pleasure for Gilbert & Roach to work closely with the Norgate family to find the perfect vehicles that will enable their business to expand.

Sam Cavanagh of Cavanagh Cranes and Transport has developed a really interesting approach to the movement of large concrete pipework. Two DAF CF eight-wheelers have been specially designed to carry a demountable forklift while towing a super dog trailer. These unique combinations have been designed in association with Ray Casley of Gilbert & Roach to locate the forklift mounted to the rear of the truck between the rigid truck and trailer combination.

Isuzu continues its role as the top-selling truck manufacturer in Australia for 29 consecutive years.

At Gilbert & Roach Finance we are dedicated to finding you the best financial solutions for you and your business.

We are able to develop a customised funding solution to suit your business needs for all new & used vehicle purchases.

Our finance team is available every day so please call and let us help simplify your next vehicle purchase.

FINANCE IS AVAILABLE TO APPROVED APPLICANTS ONLY CONTACT:

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Jennifer Wilson or Michael Petrakis PH: 02 8825 1000

GILBERT & ROACH MAY 2018

That’s a great testimony to the strength of the product range and the diversity of the models that it provides Australian operators, with the right vehicle for the job on every possible occasion.

The latest versions of the popular FX and FY models feature a variety of upgrades and specification enhancements and we detail what you can expect when you next require a vehicle upgrade for your fleet.

At the lighter end of the market we visit Flick Anticimex and learn how its fleet of Isuzu D-MAX utes fits their requirements. The latest upgrades increase power and torque for the 3.0-litre diesel engine, and, with a new six-speed manual or automatic transmission for both the D-MAX and the MU-X SUV, it means that even more customers are turning to Isuzu for its proven reliability and low cost of ownership.

And now to your chance to save your dollars when you purchase genuine parts and accessories on Saturday June 16th 2018.

At the annual G&R pallet sale last year the value of the bargains available on the day headed towards $650,000 worth of genuine parts covering all the products we support.

We are particularly proud of the service provided by our parts department, headed by Chris Richardson. Chris’s team supports a stock supply success rate of 97.6 percent, showing just how much we value our standards of customer service and how much we appreciate your support of Gilbert & Roach, Huntingwood.

Kind regards,

Gary Melrose, Dealer Principal.

FINANCE

THE ONCE A YEAR PALLET SALE

Chris Richardson

SATURDAY JUNE 16TH 2018 It’s bargain time for some great deals in genuine replacement parts at Gilbert & Roach Huntingwood as we head towards the middle of the year with the annual pallet sale.

The G&R pallet sale was originally developed over a quarter of a century ago, and has since grown into an opportunity for us to open up our stock inventory to provide our customers with real cost savings.

With up to 600 customers joining us throughout the day, the pallet sale provides an opportunity to stock up your own parts inventory or buy the accessories that you’ve been thinking about, but haven’t got around to purchasing.

It’s also a great day for catching up with friends in the industry and talking with our experts about new developments and product upgrades.

Bring the family and join us for a sausage sizzle through the day, and take the opportunity to talk to representatives from the engine and transmission suppliers as well as our own team of professionals.

Everything is on sale, and, with some discounts reaching 15 percent off the recommended retail price, we guarantee that everyone will find something that tempts them with the opportunity to save hundreds of dollars.

“The pallet sale has always been a huge success at G&R, and we put in a tremendous amount of work beforehand to make sure we have the right levels of stock to make it a success,” said Chris Richardson, Gilbert & Roach’s parts manager at Huntingwood.

Gilbert & Roach Huntingwood itself holds $6.2 million of parts stock, covering the brands of Kenworth, DAF, Isuzu Trucks and Isuzu Utes. With 58,000 separate product lines held in the G&R parts warehouse, Chris has a team of 42 personnel to make sure that when a part is required it’s ready and waiting for the customer or their vehicle.

“To keep pace with our growth and to provide the highest levels of support to our customers, we’ve expanded our parts warehousing capability in recent years by over 30 percent. That objective was achieved by an increase of racking and storage options from 300 pallet spaces out to 700 pallet spaces located on five different levels,” said Chris.

“Last year’s pallet sale hit a record total sales figure of $640,000. I’d love to reach $750,000 this year as it represents such good savings for our customers.

“That’s an amazing target, and also it brings a huge demand for subsequent delivery. Customers can collect their purchases on the day, or we can deliver anything and everything from five litres of oil upwards, with savings on some items as high as 15 percent.

“The pallet sale takes place in the parts department and also in the warehouse. Everything on display in the warehouse is priced for customers to see.

“The sale covers all brands, Kenworth, DAF, Isuzu and Isuzu Ute and MU-X with general service items, brake drums, brake shoes, oil filters, air filters, and even gearboxes. At one pallet sale we sold 18 steering boxes. We get the stock in and we are ready for anything. We look forward to seeing you on Saturday June 16th,” said Chris.

GILBERT & ROACH MAY 2018

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GILBERT & ROACH Having worked in the heavy haulage sector of the transport industry for a number of years, brothers Mitch and Tom Norgate took the plunge into establishing their own company some three and half years ago.

“We had both worked together for another company and thought that we would like to have a go ourselves and form our own company,” said Mitch.

“This was a mutual interest within the family, and as we started specialising in float and heavy haul work we were joined by another of our brothers (Jack) who now runs the yard and organises the pilot and escort support for exceptional load movements. My partner, Nadine, also joined the business to look after all the administration, and our father Dave Norgate is actually employed by us as a subcontractor.

which was a K108 Big Cab, to today where we have two brand-new K200s that have recently joined the fleet.

“We have also been adding plant and equipment to our fleet, and purchased two brand-new Barker drop-deck trailers with ramps, then added a Drake 4x4 followed by a Drake 2x4 dolly. We then purchased a 3x8 float from Drake, followed by a Drake 2x8 dolly and a Drake tri-axle float.

“We have kept the original K108 in service and will be employing an additional driver for that unit to handle the more local transport requirements, but it was obvious that to cover the longer distances we needed new equipment. We could not afford to risk unnecessary downtime through equipment that was other than 100 percent reliable,” he added.

“That was three and a half years ago, and in that time we’ve progressed from a couple of secondhand trucks, one of

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“In our dealings with our local Kenworth dealership, Gilbert & Roach of Huntingwood, we worked with sales manager Bill Anderson who proved to have a great knowledge about producing the right specification for our type of work.

“I am happy to give Bill a wrap. He is very good on heavy haulage and knows his stuff. You can always catch him on the phone when you need him and the aftersales support is also good. Our previous employer bought their trucks from G&R, and Bill Anderson’s name is the one that everyone knows. It makes it so much easier when the salesman you are dealing with knows what he is doing,” said Mitch.

Both the two new Kenworth K200s share similar drivetrains using the latest Cummins X15 SCR engines at 600 hp, 18-speed manual Eaton Roadranger transmissions and 4.56:1 drive axle ratios. The first K200 features six-rod

suspension with DANA 52-190 drive axles and is a slightly heavier spec than the second unit that runs on Neway airbag suspension with Meritor 50-160 drive axles. Both are running with 7.2-tonne rated front axles.

“We went with a spec that we know and understand, plus we prefer the cabover because it removes overall length concerns when coupling. It’s also much easier to manoeuvre when in the city,” said Mitch.

“Custom Air in Melbourne did a great job installing the auxiliary cab air conditioning systems, which are mounted between the chassis rails just ahead of the rear closing member. We also added Alemlube automatic greasers on both units.

It’s top quality all the way for Norgate Haulage as the company grows its presence in the heavy haul segment.

GILBERT & ROACH MAY 2018

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GILBERT & ROACH “Service schedules are handled more on a kilometre basis that fuel burn, and having started off with an initial oil drain at 10,000 km, the second oil drain was after an additional 30,000. Subject to advice from Gilbert & Roach, there is potential to extend oil drain intervals, and we will investigate the options of extending these intervals further through evaluating oil-sampling results. We specify Valvoline Premium Blue Extreme oil in all our trucks and expect annual distances to be in the region of 120,000 km per unit.

“Although it’s been suggested that oil drain intervals of 60,000 km are attainable for our type of highway work, we may prefer to standardise on 40,000 km intervals as our normal operating procedure,” said Mitch.

“Business is building up and going 100 percent. We try to give an all-round service, and it’s based on our aim to supply everything we can to our client.

“We arrive on time, come hail or shine, and being a family business everything we do is on a more personal basis. We will move heaven and earth to ensure they get what they need, when they need it,” added Mitch.

Both Tom and Mitch prefer the latest Cummins X15 to the performance of the previous EGR Cummins engines, with Tom also commenting that the X15 feels torquier down low in the rev range.

“The X15 is a more driver friendly motor with constant power delivery that is much more linear, and smoother in its performance, right from idle speed. We have also been impressed with the improved fuel economy,” said Tom. “We also had an airbag upgrade kit from Haire Bag suspension at Wodonga that uses a larger airbag, and we have found it works extremely well and gives a very good ride”.

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Although both new K200s have stayed with the Kenworth pure white paintwork, additional detail work has been completed by A & I Auto Electrics, Custom Chrome and Fabrication, of Wetherill Park in Sydney.

The fabrication work is beautifully completed to a very high standard with stainless steel tank wrapping and additional stainless steel accessories. Selected areas such as the tank end caps have been painted in red as an eye-catching contrast to the stainless steel. Electrical work includes a new fabricated taillight assembly plus LED lighting on the rear of the cab structures with the inclusion of a King Bars bullbar.

PREMIUM USED TRUCKS

2015 Isuzu FSR 850 Medium auto 4x2 rigid tipper 2012 Isuzu FSD 850 Premium auto 4x2 curtainsider

$109,900

$99,900

Kilometres: 135,912

Kilometres: 198,800

SITEC 235 engine - 4 metre tipping body by Combined Truck Bodies. 14 tonnes GVM. S/N 15862.

SITEC 235 engine - 12-pallet curtainsider with 2000 kg alloy upright rear tail lift. New gates and curtains. S/N 15881.

2013 FUSO 515 manual trans 4x2 Pantech

2012 Isuzu NPR 200 Auto 4x2 Pantech

$43,900

$45,900

Kilometres: 131,001

Kilometres: 167,557

150 hp, Tuckaway tail lift. Can be driven on car licence Choice of two similar units. S/N 15877.

Can be driven on car licence - with Tuckaway rear tail lift.

Euro V engine. S/N 15859.

FOR MORE DETAILS PLEASE CONTACT:

Wayne Simpson: 0407 515 425 Royce Field: 0447 117 798

Sold fully roadworthy with 12 months unlimited-kilometre driveline warranty supplied by National Warranty. Conditions apply.

Price includes GST but does not include registration or stamp duty. Finance is available to approved applicants.

GILBERT & ROACH

DAF CF 8x4s are providing new solutions for servicing the concrete industry In the year that Dutch manufacturer DAF celebrates its 90th anniversary, it’s great to find new applications for this award-winning European brand that are unique to the Australian market.

DAF has always been an innovator and can proudly claim to have produced the first range of turbocharged diesel engines in line-haul transport. This year also marks an important step forwards for the brand with PACCAR Australia, the parent company of DAF and Kenworth, announcing that local production will commence this year for selected models in the CF range as a new assembly line opens at the company’s Bayswater, Victoria, manufacturing centre.

Gilbert & Roach at Huntingwood is proud to represent the DAF brand as it forms an important part of its product portfolio for the LF, CF and XF models in weight ranges from 12 tonnes through to 70 tonnes GCM.

Cavanagh Cranes and Transport company of Camden, NSW, recently took delivery of two specialised 8x4 CF85 rigid trucks to create a unique supply solution for its customer, Reinforced Concrete Products Australia (RCPA).

“We wanted to find a better way to service the requirements of RCPA when delivering concrete pipes and products for RCPA at building sites and other destination,” said Sam Cavanagh, managing director of Cavanagh Cranes and Transport.

“In working with Gilbert & Roach’s DAF salesman, Ray Casley, we developed a tray-backed rigid 8x4 DAF CF85 that could increase productivity by adding a super quad dog trailer while at the same time enabling us to mount a demountable forklift truck between the truck and trailer.

This new development is unique in the market, and with the forklift occupying space over the drawbar there is no impact on overall length,” said Sam.

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GILBERT & ROACH MAY 2018

“The result is a combination with a payload potential of 30 tonnes that is self-sufficient when it comes to loading and delivery of products.

“I love the DAF product. It looks tough, it drives really well and it offers all the sophistication of the best of the European products. With two of these DAF CF combinations already commissioned in our fleet, it’s proving so successful that we already have a third unit on order.

“Our operating rationale is that everything we do is for the customer. We try to service the customer requirements to the highest level possible, and by working with them we can create unique solutions that fit their business requirements better.

“We founded our company in 2006 and have been expanding ever since, both with rigid trucks carrying forklifts and prime movers with semitrailers or rigid trucks carrying cranes. I started with one truck, and with me as the driver, but I soon realised that to grow the business I

needed to be running the business and be able to monitor and develop its growth.

“I like working with Gilbert & Roach. They are proactive and solutions based. The relationship we have has reinforced our position in the market,” added Sam. With a GVM of 37,000 kg and a GCM of up to 58,000 kg the DAF CF85 SR1360T is powered by the 13-litre, PACCAR MX six-cylinder, in-line turbocharged and intercooled diesel engine that produces 510 hp (375 kW) at 1500-1900 rpm. Peak torque of up to 1850 lb-ft (2500 Nm) is rated at 1000-1410 rpm. The transmission is a 16-speed overdrive ZF-AS Tronic automated gearbox.

Complying with Euro 5 emissions requirements, the MX 13-litre uses SCR (selective catalytic reduction) technology with AdBlue. The rear suspension is the DAF eight-bag ECAS design rated at 21,000 kg while the front suspension uses parabolic springs to ensure a smooth and comfortable ride.

GILBERT & ROACH MAY 2018

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GILBERT & ROACH From a safety perspective the DAF CF85 incorporates anti-lock braking systems (ABS), anti-slip control (ASR), hill start aid (HSA), drag torque control and brake assist. Also available is a range of driver assistance systems including adaptive cruise control, lane departure warning, forward collision warning system and axle load monitoring. Airbag and seatbelt pretensioners are also optionally available.

Having the right equipment is an important part of being able to provide the correct level of customer service. The customer in this instance is Reinforced Concrete Pipes Australia (RCPA), a leader in the Australian pipe and precast concrete products market and the only national supplier of steel reinforced concrete pipe that is wholly Australian owned.

Concrete pipes have been an integral part of most civil contracts since the late 1800’s.

Production of these pipes has progressed from early handtamped concrete, through spinning techniques, to the latest vertically cast, bi-directional machines as installed and operated by RCPA. By working with a transport provider such as Cavanagh Cranes and Transport, RCPA is confident their products will be handled efficiently and arrive on site in the same condition as they left our factory. The specialist equipment such as the DAF and its ability to self-load and unload through the truck-mounted forklift adds to high levels of service that RCPA provide their customers.

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The increasing popularity of DAF Trucks in the Australian transport scene has been further reinforced for 2018 with the decision by PACCAR Australia to commence local assembly of selected models in the DAF CF range at its manufacturing centre at Bayswater, Victoria.

The opportunity to add local Australian assembly to the DAF CF range will result in shorter lead times when ordering new models, and greater flexibility in being able to satisfy specific product requests from customers.

PREMIUM USED TRUCKS

2012 Fuso 515 auto 4x2 - 4.5 m steel tray & drop sides

2013 UD PK 16250 4x2 fridge pantech

$39,900

Kilometres: 78,383

$95,000 – 110,000

Kilometres: 95,921

Choice of 2 similar units priced at $75,000 and $65,000 Can be driven on a car licence Euro V. S/N 15844.

10 pallet fridge pan body – Choice of 3 similar units.

Rear barn doors and wide side door. Trans Freez fridge unit mounted to Prestige Truck Body. S/N 15882.

2013 Isuzu FTS 800 Crew Cab manual 4x4

$119,500

Kilometres: 48,655 Fitted with chassis mounted Palfinger crane and steel tray. S/N 138569.

FOR MORE DETAILS PLEASE CONTACT:

Wayne Simpson: 0407 515 425 Royce Field: 0447 117 798

Sold fully roadworthy with 12 months unlimited-kilometre driveline warranty supplied by National Warranty. Conditions apply.

Price includes GST but does not include registration or stamp duty. Finance is available to approved applicants.

GILBERT & ROACH

AT YOUR SERVICE

When you need short-term solutions in a hurry – rent or lease through Gilbert & Roach Every fleet owner knows there are times when urgent solutions need to be found to maintain the highest levels of customer service. If that description sounds familiar, Gilbert & Roach can assist you by providing an additional truck in a hurry from its comprehensive range of truck rental and leasing options covering rigid trucks and prime movers.

PacLease Australia was launched in 2015 in Australia and has grown since its inception into providing a national solution for Kenworth and DAF customers.

“The availability of PacLease rigid trucks and prime movers from the DAF and Kenworth ranges for hire or leasing is proving really popular when our customers need to solve seasonal variations in demand,” said Tim Weiss, the G&R PacLease manager at Huntingwood,

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“With 13 locations across the country, PacLease now has more full service truck rental and leasing locations than any other provider in Australia,” said Tim. PacLease provides solutions starting with short-term loans from as little as a day, to cover for situations such as breakdowns, routine maintenance, and short-term surges in workload, through to long-term loans, full service leases, or contract maintenance.

“We see these types of value-added services as a strategic addition to our portfolio that will benefit our customers,” added Tim. Take your pick from DAF products, such as the Euro 5 DAF LF55 6x2 rigid with a 14-pallet capacity curtainsider body.

PacLease

These are fitted with barn doors at the rear and include a 2400 kg capacity D’Hollandia hydraulic taillift.

choose from Kenworth conventionals and cabovers in the PacLease fleet to keep your trailers out on the road.

Also available through PacLease is the DAF CF85 configured as a prime mover and single-trailer application and powered by the PACCAR MX13 engine rated at 510 hp and with 1850 lb-ft of torque matched to a 16-speed AMT. Another option is the availability of the DAF CF85 with full Dangerous Goods fuel haul specification compliance, powered by the PACCAR MX13 engine of 510 hp and matched to a 16-speed AMT.

Full service vehicle leasing is very popular in Europe and North America, as transport operators seek new ways of financing their vehicles. The tax benefits, as well as the off balance sheet structure of a vehicle operating lease, can be particularly attractive to potential operators. As this trend in vehicle operation becomes more common in Australia, it places PacLease in a strong position to capitalise on such a trend.

If your business demands are for higher horsepower or an increase in gross combination weight, you can

For all further details on the range of hire, rental and leasing options, contact Tim Weiss PacLease manager at Gilbert & Roach Huntingwood.

GILBERT & ROACH MAY 2018 13

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RELIABLE OUTCOMES Isuzu heads towards its 30-year record of market leadership

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Sales records come and go, but, in the case of Japanese truck maker Isuzu, the company has achieved something that is unmatched by any other manufacturer, in any segment of vehicle manufacturing.

Achieving a continual number-one spot for 29 years consecutively as the leading vehicle supplier in the entire commercial vehicle market is testimony to the effort and ability expended by its Australian management team.

Throughout the history of the brand in the Australian market, the Isuzu team has continued to fine-tune the individual model specifications to keep the various product lines highly competitive and supported, with one of the strongest and most efficient customer service support systems within the truck and transport industry.

Isuzu Australia Limited (IAL) and its service partner, National Transport Insurance (NTI), are pioneering the latest industry-leading technology to enhance its 24-hour roadside assistance program, Isuzu Assist.

Once a request for service is received, Isuzu Assist service providers will use the app to SMS a link to the customer.

Customers can then follow this link to access a webpage showing their respondent’s real-time location, giving them an accurate estimated time of arrival.

Integrating this modern GPS technology into roadside assistance services will reduce the uncertainty of waiting for a mechanic after a breakdown.

“The result is superior performance, towing capacity and durability for Isuzu operators”

As part of its commitment to providing innovative support services, Isuzu is integrating NTI Truck Assist’s service provider app into the Isuzu Assist program.

The app is a management tool that will provide Isuzu Assist customers with real-time updates of their service technician’s location.

In addition to tracking a technician’s progress, the innovative Truck Assist app allocates breakdown cases to service providers in a more efficient manner by finding the nearest available respondent, leading to shorter wait times for users.

Location monitoring also assists with the safety of service providers who are responding to breakdowns on roadside areas. By adopting this technology, Isuzu is focused on enhancing the roadside assistance experience for its customers.

With over 3000 highly trained and experienced specialists available through NTI’s Truck Assist program, Isuzu Assist offers industry-leading support and expertise to its customers.

From flat batteries to towing, the Truck Assist service provider app brings a helping hand when it’s needed most.

GILBERT & ROACH MAY 2018 15

GILBERT & ROACH This technology empowers customers through an informative, real-time display, and also allows the user to give instant feedback following the job’s completion.

The Truck Assist service provider app is the latest development in the productive relationship between Australia’s market-leading truck brand, Isuzu Trucks, and the leading provider of truck and transport insurance, NTI. By combining their decades of experience in the Australian trucking industry, Isuzu and NTI are constantly pushing the boundaries of what their customers can expect, by adapting the latest global technology to meet the unique requirements of the Australian transport industry.

In other news, Isuzu has announced a series of upgrades to its FX and FY ranges of heavy-duty trucks.

First introduced to the market back in 2008, the 325 hp FX models were subsequently uprated to 350 hp and Euro 5 in 2011. Further updates in 2013 saw the introduction of the twin-steer 8x4 and 10x4 FY range with its load-sharing front-suspension, industry-best standard American driveline and highly competitive tare mass.

These models operate in the highly competitive world that covers a broad range of businesses and applications. They seldom attract extreme customisation, unlike the long-distance prime movers running interstate, but they provide the highest level of productivity and the lowest possible total cost of operation.

When looking for a simple description of the reasoning behind their purchase, it’s best summed up as reliability.

They go out and do the job and don’t cause their owners many concerns.

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With the latest updates to the FX and FY range of heavy-duty trucks, Isuzu has delivered an increase in towing capacity combined with leading-edge technology and engineering features to boost efficiency and deliver a stress-free driving experience.

The range has been expanded to include more wheelbase options, more models with automatic transmissions, more GCM ratings, more technology and more engineering improvements. Isuzu Australia Limited (IAL) director of sales and marketing, Andrew Harbison, said Isuzu engineers were aware of the need to provide cutting-edge technology while retaining the reliability their customers have come to expect.

Both the FX and FY offer impressive GVM and GCM ratings, and the updated range benefits from the introduction of eight new models to the FX range, and an additional three to the FY range. With a range of wheelbases and suspension configurations in both model ranges, as well as the availability of the Allison 4430 automatic transmission in most models, Isuzu has responded to the demands of the market by ensuring the specification options are targeted to key heavy-duty applications.

Some of the broad improvements include new coolant temperature gauges, relocated height sensors, uprated alternator (to 90 amps), and standardising tail lamp connectors and ABS connectors for towing across various models.

Other changes include the FYJ, FXZ, and FXY auto medium-wheelbase models with drivelines specified for short-distance construction applications, and the associated stop-start, lowspeed driving.

Satellite navigation systems are now a standard inclusion across all FX and FY models, combined in a package that includes map updates and truck-centric information to help operators and drivers get the best return on their time.

“Isuzu has chosen to maintain the competitive power and torque ratings of the popular 6UZ1-TC engine, even when fitted with an Allison automatic, by selecting the higher capacity HD Series transmission. The result is superior performance, towing capacity and durability for Isuzu operators,” said IAL chief engineer of product strategy, Simon Humphries.

FXD 165

“All FX 4x2 and 6x2 models now feature a 38,000 kg GCM rating, regardless of transmission, while all FX 6x4 and FY 8x4 and 10x4 models have a standard GCM rating of 45,000 kg,” he added.

FXL 240

FYJ 300 GILBERT & ROACH MAY 2018 17

GILBERT & ROACH

SETTING STANDARDS The latest upgrades to the Isuzu D-MAX and MU-X increase their appeal across Australia The D-MAX, Isuzu UTE Australia’s highly capable contender in the ultra-competitive ute and pickup market, is renowned globally for its strength and reliability in a world where so many different options fight for market share. Since the D-MAX name appeared in 2003, the marque has continued to grow its appeal with the addition of the highly practical MU-X SUV, with the aim to reach total production figures of two million by 2020.

Manufactured in Thailand, fast becoming known as the Detroit of Asia, D-MAX outsold the Toyota HiLux in its home market in 2017. In Australia, the same year saw record sales of 25,804 units, a growth rate of 10.4 percent over the previous year and ranking the brand as #13 in the total market performance.

The MU-X Sports Utility Vehicle (SUV) joined the D-MAX on the showroom floor in 2013, selling 8087 units nationally last year and ranking in #6 position against all SUV competition. If the first quarter sales for 2018 are any indication, Australians are showing their appreciation of both the D-MAX and MU-X, with both products moving up the sales performance ladder to each score #5 placing in the ute and SUV categories.

The appeal of both the D-MAX and the MU-X can be attributed to the parentage of the brand, with Isuzu Trucks having held the #1 sales position in the Australian truck market for 29 consecutive years. Testimony indeed to the fact that the D-MAX and MU-X are built to truck standards of toughness rather than inheriting DNA from a car brand and trying to appear tougher.

Both models receive major improvements to trim levels and general specifications for May this year, but, before outlining these in detail, G&R News interviews one of Australia’s major D-MAX fleet operators to find out firsthand what makes the D-MAX the preferential brand to buy for either business or private use.

Simon Farah is the procurement and fleet manager for Pacific region for Flick Anticimex, one of the global leaders in pest control and the provision of hygiene services and the solutions supplier to over one million residential properties and 450,000 business sites within Australia alone.

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“Maintenance-wise they are perfect. They display one of the strongest examples of engine reliability and performance.

We operate a total fleet of over 700 vehicles on a national basis that ranges from small sedans to utes and 4.5-tonne light trucks.

“The D-MAX is a relatively new acquisition for us, and we operate around 60 vehicles at this stage. We acquired some of our D-MAX models when we took over two other companies, and absorbed these units into our fleet.

Although our normal fleet replacement practice is to replace a leased vehicle at five years/200,000 km, some of these acquisitions have completed over 250,000 km. We now own those vehicles, and when we get that sort of kilometre distance in a fleet vehicle it is the reliability level that stands out. At this level they demonstrate they are more of a workhorse with a chassis that does not crack of bend.

“We go for base-level D-MAX models with automatic transmission, which is a feature not available with their major competition. I think they are good, and have never had an issue with them. For maintenance we use our local Isuzu dealership of Gilbert & Roach at Huntingwood, where they predict what is needed for servicing at the recommended intervals.

“We also operate around 50 to 60 Isuzu 4.5-tonne light trucks employed in our hygiene services division. Like the D-MAX, these trucks go out and do their job. Their resale value has picked up, as have the trucks, and we are getting good resale values on all the Isuzu utes and light trucks,” added Mr. Farah.

For the 2018 year models on sale from May 1st, Isuzu UTE Australia has added further product refinements, expanding the D-MAX range with an upgraded LS-T crewcab, boasting premium features previously not part of the Isuzu UTE range.

The flagship LS-T now includes 18” wheels with highwayterrain (HT) tyres, sat/nav, roof rails and a passive entry and start system (PESS) on 4x4 LS-T only. It’s available in 2WD or with Isuzu’s “Terrain Command” 4WD select system.

Power throughout the range comes from the 3.0-litre turbo diesel 4JJ1-TC engine – generating 130 kW and 430 Nm – paired with the Aisin-built AWR6B45 six-speed automatic transmission. Upgrades to the interior include a new premium leather accented interior, featuring rich genuine perforated leather on body contact areas – plus additional accents of polyurethane leatherette on the hard wearing bolsters and rests.

The dash, glovebox and armrest are trimmed in soft touch leatherette, door handles finished in chrome and the air vents and window switches finished in gloss black for a premium look – these soft-touch refinements can also be found inside the D-MAX LS-M and LS-U variants.

Also new for the LS-M, LS-U and LS-T variants and throughout the MU-X range is the addition of two 2.1amp USB charge points – one in the dash, and one in the rear console.

Isuzu engineers have developed a new three-leaf spring setup for SX, LS-U and LS-T crew-cab ute variants in response to Australian customer feedback. The use of stronger and lighter materials for this new setup improves the ride, comfort and handling, but does not compromise the payload capacity when compared to the five-leaf spring setup.

Along with the suspension upgrade for crew-cab ute variants, the gross vehicle mass (GVM) ratings have also been reclassified, with increases on 4x2 models to 2950 kg and on 4x4 models to 3050 kg, providing increases in the payload capacity of all models by 100 kg. This upgrade gives the D-MAX 4x2 low-ride SX single-cab/chassis classleading payload capacity of 1349 kg.

Isuzu engineers have added trailer sway control (TSC) across all 18MY models (excluding the D-MAX 4x2 lowride SX single-cab/chassis manual), improving on the active safety system offerings.

Stemming from the vehicle’s electronic stability control (ESC) system, the TSC system monitors trailer movement through the ESC sensors and modulates throttle and brake inputs to individual wheels – bringing the towed trailer under control if unsolicited sway is detected. All D-MAX ute models now feature a rear bumper plus a reversing camera as standard (optional on cab/chassis models due to the nature of the tray).

All D-MAX and MU-X models are backed by the Isuzu UTE Australia Service Plus Programme of a five-year warranty, five years roadside assistance and five-year/75,000kilometre capped-price servicing programme, covering a 12-month/15,000-kilometre interval.

“We are getting good resale values on all the Isuzu utes and light trucks” GILBERT & ROACH MAY 2018 19

Huntingwood

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