Ahead of the curve Scania

aHEaD of tHE curvE

Scania AB is a world leader in transport solutions for trucks and buses designed for heavy transport applications. The company is well ahead of the curve in the development of more efficient, eco-friendly vehicles. Its latest XT truck range for heavy construction work, its lightweight urban range and its new Scania hybrid buses are already making a major contribution to a cleaner, safer world, as Philip Yorke reports.

Scania was founded in Sweden in 1900 and began as a bicycle manufacturer before moving in to the development of light vehicles in 1911, following its merger with Vabis, a producer of railway cars.

Today the company is a world leader in transport solutions and combines this with an extensive service offering. With almost 50,000 employees located in over 50 countries, Scania is strategically placed to be close to its global customer base. Research and development activities are focused in Sweden, Brazil and India.

Vehicle production takes place in ten countries worldwide, including Europe, Latin America and Asia with global facilities for the interchange of both components and complete vehicles. Today Scania is part of the Volkswagen Bus and Truck Group and is listed on the Swedish Nasdaq OMX stock exchange in Stockholm. Targeted offensive

Recently Scania launched its world-beating XT truck range, designed specifically to target the growing global construction industry. This latest construction range of heavy-duty trucks represents the second stage in Scania’s introduction of new generation trucks, which are the fruits of more than ten years’ development and an investment of more than €2 billion.

“This industry is facing increasing demands for sustainable and cost-effective production components in the complex construction logistics process, therefore we must adapt to higher standards for efficiency and Scania XT is our contribution to this shift,” said Henrik Henriksson, president and CEO of Scania trucks.

Following an extensive analysis of the multi-faceted construction industry, Scania has also developed a comprehensive range of

vehicles to meet the highly diverse transport assignments within this sector. Scania says that it is uniquely placed to offer solutions for the entire range of new specifications available from its range of cab and engine specifications, which means that customers can select engines with power ranging from 280 to 739 horse power, in order to meet their individual needs. These broad specifications are also complemented by a host of services to ensure the highest possible uptime, reliability and profitability for customers.

The introduction of the new XT range by Scania marks the start of a targeted offensive with tailor-made solutions focused on Europe’s most demanding customers. Henriksson added, “We are putting a higher emphasis on construction. We now have the right products, the right services and the right skills to match Scania’s leading position in long-distance vehicles.”

Showcasing ‘Citywide’ electric buses

A few months ago Scania unveiled its hybrid, Scania Interlink Low Decker bus and also premiered its new battery-electric Scania Citywide bus at the Busworld Trade Fair in Kortrijk, Belgium. With the addition of this latest hybrid technology, Scania now meets the entire scope of alternatives for suburban and intercity operations.

The Scania Interlink Low Decker bus is presently available for diesel, biodiesel, HVO, CNG/CBG, ethanol and hybrid applications. “The accelerating urban growth in the world is largely suburbanisation rather than expanding city centres. That means longer commuter trips to work and, in fact, suburban public transport presently consumes three times more fuel than city centre transport. Thus we need a greater focus on finding non-fossil alternatives for these journeys,” said Karin Radstrom, head of Buses and Coaches at Scania.

New low carbon solutions

Following the introduction of its next generation trucks for long haulage and construction, the focus is now on urban and additional low carbon transport solutions. With the recent launch of its lighter trucks powered by its latest 7-litre engine, Scania offers urban transportation new levels of vehicle efficiency with fuel savings of up to 10 per cent. With its more compact dimensions, the new P-Series cab can feature a lower engine tunnel, which opens up a more spacious cab interior.

As a result, drivers can enjoy the best possible driving conditions in the industry in vehicles that excel in handling, steering and driveability, all of which are essential in urban traffic.

Low entry means higher efficiency and the latest L-series is Scania’s newly developed cab series for urban transport, for applications such as distribution, refuse collection and maintenance. Drivers benefit from vastly improved direct vision of the surroundings and are also at the same height as other road users, with the added advantage of improved working conditions when repeatedly entering and exiting the cab. The Scania L-series features a ‘kneeling mode’ and lower boarding steps on both sides of the cab.

As well as providing a better view over traffic, Scania also introduces the ‘City Safe Window’, which offers better opportunities for drivers to detect nearby pedestrians and cyclists. The window on the passenger door is available for all P-series and L-series cabs, which are those in most common use in urban transport. n

For further details of Scania’s latest highly efficient, eco-friendly transport solutions visit: www.scania.com