Road Noise – Industry News

NEW OWNERS FOR FRUEHAUF

Jeff and Yvette Mear are the new owners of Fruehauf, effective 18 August.

They take 100% ownership of the transport company after purchasing the remaining Fruehauf shares from Phil and Karen Watchorn.

Both Phil and Karen depart the company to pursue other personal interests and the company thanks them for all their past contributions and wishes them the very best for their future.

“We purchased the remaining shares in Fruehauf because we believe it is a great company and capable of becoming an even better company,” said new managing director Jeff Mear.

“We have fantastic employees who are highly skilled and experienced, we have excellent and loyal customers who appreciate the quality of our products, and we have great strategic supply partners who want us to be successful by leading a mutually beneficial pathway of further growth.”

SCANIA OPENS HOKITIKA BRANCH

Scania New Zealand has chosen Service Diesel as its new partner for the West Coast.

Based in Hokitika, Service Diesel is a general cartage and freighting company that has serviced the West Coast and Canterbury regions for almost 20 years.

The appointment of Service Diesel will see the closure of Scania Greymouth.

The new service dealer means customers will benefit from a larger site than previously, which means more capacity while also increasing the size of the Scania team on the coast to eight.

UD Trucks upgrades Quon

UD Trucks has introduced a range of upgrades to the Quon heavyduty model range, focusing on better fuel efficiency and environmental performance while delivering reliability and improved cost of ownership.

The Quon’s Euro-6 11-litre engine offers improved outputs. The 290kW (390hp) version is up to 298kW (400hp) and the 313kW (420hp) variant upgraded to 320kW (430hp). The 343kW (460hp) variant remains. Torque is up across the range, 2250Nm for the 460, and 2000Nm for the 400 and 430hp variants.

The engines now also benefit from the option of extended oil drain intervals, by up to 35%, says UD Trucks. Overall efficiency is enhanced by improved piston and cylinder design, a new turbocharger, and lower offset, and low-drag hypoid drive axles.

The upgraded Quon’s ESCOTVI 12-speed automated manual transmission provides improved gear shifting to enhance fuel economy. The UD Quon is available in 4x2, 6x2, 6x4 and 8x4 configurations across a wide range of wheelbases to suit rigid and prime mover applications.

New, advanced safety features introduced on the Quon include the improved traffic eye cruise control with new ‘stop & driver initiate go’ function, which makes the vehicle safer and easier to drive by automatically controlling speed and reducing driver stress and fatigue.

The upgraded Quon is also equipped with more active safety technologies, such as the traffic eye brake system, lane-departure warning system, and UD stability control that automatically detects and adjusts engine output and braking to retain truck stability.

All Quon models will now also hit the road equipped with UD’s blind spot information system (BSIS). This utilises a radar to monitor the left-hand side of the truck and can detect pedestrians, cyclists and vehicles. A two-stage warning system moves from a visual A-pillar warning light to an audible alarm and an alert on the instrument panel.

Lindsay Wood. Dave McCoid.

Trucking Toward A Better Future 2022 – Not this time

After careful deliberation, organisers and judges have decided not to award prizes for the Trucking Toward a Better Future 2022 competition.

“Once again, entry numbers were modest. But last year, the winning entry not only defined the issue but also offered a solution. This year, the entries merely stated or restated an issue, with little in the way of suggested resolution and how that should be executed,” says Dave McCoid, editorial director at New Zealand Trucking Media.

“There’s certainly an element of frustration on my part. I know the reasoning and intellect that exists out there. I’ve been around it all my working life, and as I’ve said many times, most of my mentors are or were, at one stage, truck drivers. But we’re an industry rarely willing to pop our head above the parapet.

“Truck drivers throughout the country are as worried as anyone else about the future, but I know many are cynical about the hypocrisy they see. Then comes their perception of the value a society, ever more demanding of their service, awards them. Getting them to rise above that and have their say for me is really important.

“Like our industry associations always seeking numbers to bolster their effectiveness and voice, this competition is a stage from which drivers and industry participants can speak, and the value of what they have to say is truly appreciated.

“The prize pool this year was certainly worth an entry, but required the winning entry to be worthy of its value. It had to be of a standard that either reveals a new idea or builds on an existing one.”

“Nothing in this has diminished my belief in a huge reservoir of great ideas in the minds of individuals in the trucking sector,” says competition co-organiser Lindsay Wood, director of climate strategy company Resilienz Ltd.

“Maybe Dave and I need to open up new channels to reach those ideas; maybe the sector just needs a little longer to warm to the notion of sharing them. But I never forget that truckies see into almost every corner of the country – and a devil of a lot in between – in a way that nobody else in the universe does. Whichever way, I’d guarantee if I were a fly on the wall of any smoko room in any yard in the country, it wouldn’t be long before I’d hear some genius of a concept. It might start with ‘Jeez mate, if only they’d…’ or ‘Don’t they ever think that…?’ but, sure as hell, round the next corner in the conversation would be a cracker of an insight.”

The competition is queued to go again in the new year, and McCoid and Wood are undeterred and as positive and enthusiastic as ever. They are adamant that those at the execution end of the transport industry must be heard.

“Oh, absolutely,” says McCoid. “You’ll never stop me advocating for the value and quality of people in the cabs of our trucks, nor will I stop petitioning them over the value of the knowledge they hold and the imbalance it creates in real-world outcomes if they’re not heard. Like I said two years ago, this process is like getting a bear out of a cage with a stick.”

“And it kind of fits, doesn’t it?” Wood adds, with a wry grin, “that to win over the long-haul sector, we need to be in it for the long haul too. Roll on, 2023!”

eActros heads down under

Four eActros trucks will get to work in Australia and one unit will hit the road in New Zealand, with additional units to follow.

Mercedes-Benz Trucks Australia Pacific director, Andrew Assimo, says he is excited to start the local evaluation program for eActros as part of a drive towards CO2neutral goods transport.

“We are excited to conduct this extensive testing program on the roads of Australia and New Zealand for the advanced and innovative all-electric eActros, a truck that represents an exciting new chapter for sustainable road transport in our region,” he said.

“Mercedes-Benz Trucks always makes sure the advanced technology we introduce locally is tailored for our unique conditions and meets the specific requirements of our customers with extensive local evaluation and it is no different with zeroemission electric technology.”

The focus of the eActros is for heavy-duty short radius distribution and development trucks have been working away in select fleets in Europe since 2018.

“Our key customers are very passionate about advanced electric heavy vehicles and we are thrilled to begin the evaluation program that will ensure our electric Actros will succeed in our market,” Assimo said.

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JAC ELECTRIC TRUCKS ARRIVE

Specialist vehicle importer and distributor BLK Auto NZ will distribute the JAC range of battery-electric trucks ahead of trials with major logistics companies.

Two JACN55EV trucks are currently in Auckland, with a further 10 trucks en route for distribution and sale – expected to arrive in New Zealand in the coming months.

To incentivise sales, BLK has put together a $40,000 bonus package for every truck sold, including a box body worth $25,000 and a 20kW 3-phase 32amp CCS2 charger worth $15,000.

The JACN55EV truck boasts a 90-minute 0%-to100% charge time, a GVM of 5500kg and a driving range of 185 to 200km on a single charge.

Globally, there are more than 10,000 JACN55EV trucks in use, with major fleet companies such as PepsiCo, DHL and Electrolux seeking to incorporate them into fleets.

More JAC vehicles will be brought to the Australian and New Zealand markets in coming years, including the 4x4 dual cab pick-up.

Jason Pecotic, managing director of BLK Auto, says BLK Auto NZ is in the final throes of appointing a national dealer network to support the JAC EV range in New Zealand.

Zero-emission electric trucks get to work in Christchurch

Nine battery-electric Fuso eCanter trucks are being leased by nine companies who signed on to participate in two projects launched by Christchurch City Council to help it achieve its goal of halving greenhouse-gas emissions for the district by 2030.

More than $3 million is being invested in the two projects, with funding coming from the nine companies leasing the trucks, the Low Emission Transport Fund (administered by the Energy Efficiency and Conservation Authority) and EROAD. The trucks are leased through TR Group.

Mercury NZ is also supplying some funding towards on-route truck charging infrastructure as part of the Shopping District Delivery Services Project.

The first project – the Civil Construction and Maintenance Services Project – involves five civil construction and maintenance services companies (Citycare Property, Fulton Hogan, HEB Construction, Higgins Contractors, and Isaac Construction) that work for the council. They will use specialist battery electric trucks to perform their contracted services.

The second project – the Shopping District Battery Electric Truck Delivery Services Project – involves commercial property owners investigating the opportunity of having zero-exhaust emission areas for delivery vehicles. Four transport companies – Bidfood, Hall’s, PBT Transport and Toll New Zealand – will be using battery electric trucks to deliver goods to the Papanui shopping district, with Northlands and Northlink Shopping Centres involved, and to the Christchurch Airport shopping district.

“The projects aim to show what’s possible with the electrification of commercial trucks. With transport making up most of our district’s emissions, it’s critical that we find a path towards zero-exhaustemission trucks, in addition to battery electric passenger cars,” says Christchurch City Council resource efficiency manager Kevin Crutchley.

“We’re gathering practical learnings from the projects so that truck operators can see how to best use battery electric truck technology for their operations.”

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NEW GM FOR MOTOR TRUCK DISTRIBUTORS

Rob Woods has been appointed the new general manager for Motor Truck Distributors (MTD).

“Rob’s heavy transport expertise and leadership credentials quickly put him at the front of a strong field of internal and external candidates,” says Michael Doeg, general manager, retail sales at Sime Darby Motors NZ. “We’re delighted to welcome him as the new general manager for MTD.”

Rob began his career with Imperial, one of South Africa’s largest automotive groups, currently responsible for one in three of all car rental transactions, 40% of the market in passenger vehicles, and about 7500 heavy trucks. He was appointed dealer principal for Mitsubishi Cars in his mid-20s, then became Mitsubishi brand manager before moving into heavy transport. By the time he emigrated to New Zealand in 2017, Rob had held franchise director roles at Freightliner and Hino and gained almost 20 years’ experience in the industry.

Once in New Zealand, Woods worked with Iveco and Isuzu before joining MTD’s parent company, Sime Darby Motors NZ, in mid2021.

“I’m excited and proud to be working with two premium, topquality brands like Mack Trucks and Volvo Truck and Bus,” says Woods. “We have a very strong team of people at MTD with great technical credentials and well-established relationships throughout the transport industry.” Greg Cox is one of the operators concerned that transport operators understand their rights and ensure they remain compliant when HPMV combinations are towed from the scene of a breakdown.

Towies concerned over transport operator rights

If having your HPMV breakdown on the road isn’t a big enough headache, summoning the wrong equipment to rescue you, or worse, having the wrong salvage equipment summoned for you can make it a whole lot worse. That’s the sentiment expressed by Cox Heavy Salvage managing director Greg Cox.

“The breakdown is the workplace of the vehicle owner, and as such, they control who tows the stricken vehicle or vehicle combination. That’s critically important to know in respect to the salvage of HPMV vehicles.”

There’s no doubting what HPMV vehicles brought to the table in terms of productivity, but at the time of their genesis, little consideration was given to what happens when things go wrong and they need rescuing.

After years of intense lobbying by a group of concerned tow and salvage operators, that issue has finally been resolved.

“If you have a stricken vehicle, you must get a compliant HPMV combination salvage operator to retrieve it,” says Cox. “Not doing so risks all manner of comeback in terms of potential gear failure, compliance issues, and health and safety. As the owner of the vehicle to be towed, you – not the police or the roading authority – determine who retrieves the vehicle or combination. If they do it without your approval, it’s all on them.”

Cox says the country has full coverage of compliant operators able to tow an HPMV combination to a depot or repair facility, nominated by the owner of the breakdown, up to a maximum distance of 250km radius from the breakdown location.

“Yes, there is full coverage. Currently it’s Ace Towing & Heavy Salvage in Auckland covering Waikato and Northland; Rowe Motors in Tauranga and Rotorua; Taupo Towing for the Bay Plenty, far east and Taupo region; Cox Heavy Salvage in Palmerston North and Wellington for Taranaki, National Park, Manawatu, Wairarapa, and the lower North Island; Nelson Tow & Salvage covering Tasman, Marlborough and Buller; Parks Towing in Christchurch, covering Canterbury; and Reilly’s Heavy Salvage in Dunedin for Otago and Southland. For the West Coast it’s a matter of who is closest and able from the South Island three.”

TRUCKSTOPS GAINS INTERNATIONAL RECOGNITION

Truckstops has been awarded the 2021 Parts Department of the Year Excellence Award by Hino Motors Japan, placing the Hino-authorised New Zealand aftersales support partner in the top tier of distributors worldwide.

The award criteria evaluate various categories from unit sales and supply rates to market share and process improvements.

“It is great that the team has been recognised for their hard work and focus on our Hino customers,” says Phillip Wilson, business development manager for Truckstops.

“Our Hino aftersales service has been built up over years of continued focus and innovation, putting customers at the centre of everything we do.”

TR Group launches fatigue management course

TR Group has launched an online course to help drivers, machine operators, supervisors and managers tackle fatigue and sleepiness.

With at least 10% of road fatalities attributed to drowsy driving, motorists must be vigilant and educate themselves on the dangers. Fleet managers and operators should also be aware of their health and safety obligations to manage fatigue.

“We’ve all seen the catastrophic consequences of crashes where a driver has fallen asleep at the wheel, and it’s a sign of our times that more and more people are pushing the envelope and driving while sleepy or fatigued,” says Neil Bretherton, general manager at TR Driver Training.

“If we can help drivers of all vehicles with reducing fatigue, we can reduce the risk for all road users.”

The course details the differences between fatigue and sleepiness, how people can improve their sleep, what illnesses and conditions cause fatigue, the role of medication, drugs and diet, and how managers and supervisors can create policies and plans to minimise fatigue risk in the workplace.

An average of three people a month lose their lives on the road because of fatigue, which drivers may be aware of but don’t know how to address.

“We shouldn’t underestimate the role fatigue plays in a person’s reaction time, visual acuity and the person’s mental state; driving fatigued can be as bad as driving drunk,” says Dr Simon Dean, a contributor to the course.

“This material is in plain English, making it easy for anyone to apply its recommendations, whether driving or managing drivers.”