Body Electric

BODYELE

Janus Electric relies on the proven dependability of Dana TM4 propulsion systems for its unique electric truck conversions that are seeing a surge of interest from truck operators in Australia and around the globe.

The push is on to gradually diminish and eventually eliminate the gargantuan role of the time-honoured internal combustion engine (ICE), replacing it with electric motors. One of the biggest challenges with electrifying long haul trucks is providing the sustainable power necessary for lengthy inter-capital or transcontinental journeys. With charging truck batteries in situ and en route being prohibitively time consuming, why not have a truck with an exchangeable battery that can be easily removed by a forklift and replaced with a fully charged item, with the whole process taking just a few minutes? This was the thinking of Lex Forsyth and Bevan Dooley, who co-founded Janus Electric based at Berkeley Vale on the Central Coast of New South Wales in 2019. These two men head up an operation that is literally changing the face of trucking in Australia. Starting with a conventional (bonneted) prime mover, the company removes the diesel engine and associated componentry such as fuel tanks and installs a Dana TM4 electric motor/inverter which couples directly to the truck’s existing automated manual transmission (AMT). Lex Forsyth, General Manager of Janus Electric, points out that the beauty of the Janus conversion is that the existing driveline from the transmission back remains untouched. Furthermore, he maintains, the cost of converting a diesel-powered prime mover into a Janus Electric unit is around the same as rebuilding the diesel engine. Another salient point is that the electric motor/inverter takes up much less space than a 15-litre diesel engine, which means solutions work in both cab over and bonneted trucks. The transition to the Janus Side Battery (JSB) enables one battery to fit all trucks and no modification to the cab or bonnet of the truck having to be converted. “We are using the Dana TM4 SUMO products in both the 350kW and the new 540kW version and we have a number of fleets that have signed up with us to convert their existing trucks,” Lex says. The Dana TM4 SUMO HD produces peak power of 250-370kW and maximum torque of 2,700-4,000Nm, while the TM4 SUMO HP has peak power of 540kW and maximum torque of 2,500Nm. Lex explains that the technology Janus is using in its conversions, including the Dana TM4 motors, is a proven and tested formula. “There are about 130,000 of these motors operating around the world in various applications, and we have simply taken the Dana TM4 technology and put it into a really smart solution to reduce the carbon footprint of transport in this country,” Lex says, adding, “We are focused on getting Australian transport to carbon zero as soon as possible; not in 2030, 2040 or 2050 — it can be done now.” It’s well documented that there are two pathways to achieving electric power of trucks: hydrogen fuel cell and battery electric. According to Lex, battery electric is the best option. “Bevan and I sat down in late 2019 and crunched the numbers on hydrogen but we just couldn’t make it stack up as a viable option. If it had, we would have a hydrogen solution today,” he says. “The battery electric vehicle and the electric motor/inverter that Dana provides us makes it stack up from a cost/benefit analysis viewpoint.” Further to this, Lex says Janus works on the principle of not overcomplicating the design and working with the truck manufacturers to produce the best result. “At present we are using two of the Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEM) AMTs, but we plan to eventually build our own transmission that will better integrate with the electric motor,” he says. Perhaps the most important aspect of the Janus design for long haul trucking is the exchangeable battery packs. The

CTRIC

company envisions having a network of recharging stations at strategic locations along Australia’s major freight routes that will ensure electric trucks are not left stranded with insufficient range to complete the journey. As such, the company is heavily involved with initiating the recharging network as critical infrastructure to enable the success of its electric truck conversions. “You must understand the whole picture with this sort of initiative, if you don’t it can really cause some problems for the fleet operators,” Lex says. “For example, you can’t just go to mass electrification with a plug-in solution because it can black out the grids.” Lex says he saw this phenomenon first-hand when he visited Amsterdam in 2019. “Amsterdam has the highest number of electric vehicles per capita of population in the world and they had to relay their electricity grid to cope with the peak demand in the late afternoon when everyone plugs in to recharge,” he says, adding, “If every truck depot in Australia

A Western Star 4800 converted by Janus.

installed a fast charger, we would have exactly the same problem here.” To avert this issue, Lex explains, the Janus solution is to switch off the charging of its batteries during the peak demand periods. He says that this is possible because the trucks aren’t parked up to be charged, rather the batteries are charged out of the vehicle and then are ready to be exchanged when needed. Another advantage of the Janus system, Lex points out, is that future advances in battery technology can be incorporated to reduce battery weight, which translates to a reduction in all-important tare weight. “In the last three months, just through evolutionary changes in battery cell technology, we’ve managed to pull one-tonne of weight from the batteries,” Lex says. Another advantage Janus has is that the batteries don’t need to be fast charged, which means longer battery life and full capacity charging. “Fast charging is fantastic, but you only get about 60 per cent of the charge capacity into the battery and the process tends to shorten the life of the cells,” Lex remarks. Returning to the reasons why Janus Electric has partnered with Dana TM4 for its electric motor/inverter needs, Lex says the great thing about Dana is that it is a turn-key solution. “It’s a great product which is very easy to work with and the after-sales service and support from the Dana people including the engineering team is fantastic,” Lex enthuses. “They have provided a very reliable, simple and easy solution for us to move forward with and being a robust, tried and tested product, we know it will stand the test of time.” Lex says that Dana TM4 has shown Janus Electric great commitment and support. “They’ve shown us great support and loyalty and we intend to return the favour by using their products exclusively now and into the future,” he says. In the final wrap-up, it would seem the mutually beneficial partnership between Janus Electric and Dana TM4 has enabled the development of a ground-breaking solution for the viable electrification of long-distance heavyweight truck movements, both in this country and abroad.

The Janus Conversion Module JCM350 utilising the Dana TM4.

STEERING RIGHT

Sydney Commercial Finance is making things happen quickly for transport operators who need finance on the run.

Moving with speed is not just critical in the movement of freight and infrastructure projects. In the world of finance, having urgent response time for customers can be the difference between them accessing equipment for work that cannot wait. Sydney Commercial Finance (SCF), a start-up financial brokerage, is steadily putting together a growing list of impressed road transport clients. One of the ways it is achieving great outcomes for its customers is by making a process, not known for its convenience, as easy as possible. “We understand people don’t get into what they’re doing so they will have to shuffle through multiple documents and spend time speaking with banks that may or may not get back to them in a finite period of time,” says Anthony Rahme, SFC Director. “People in the transport industry run great businesses and we want to work with really good businesses. But they’re not in the finance space in the same way that I wouldn’t be expected to jump into one of their trucks and do a good job.” The team at SCF are all trained to adapt to different tasks as they come to hand. As a business it does not shy away from doing more than just equipment finance or being locked into acquiring funds for transport work. “It means that we can take a broader look at where the customer is and where they want to be,” says Anthony. “Maybe they want to sell some assets or build up their cash reserves for the next three years so they can acquire a business in the refrigeration space in order to diversify. If you only do equipment finance, you can’t see these other things.” SCF also funds secured and unsecured business loans, commercial property and property development deals. With a background in financial planning, Anthony is well versed in consulting with dynamic businesses. The view he takes for his client base is this: Where are you now? Where are you going? Where would you like to be? How do we get you where you’d like to be? As it has the same credit considerations as any bank, SCF can perform those tasks internally, effectively predetermining whether the lender is going to accept or decline the deal. This is also part of how SCF decides upon which lender to take each deal to. “Where a lender might go through a number of stakeholders to determine an outcome, we can bypass that process and do it far more quickly,” says Anthony. “All of those steps are done internally. We can predetermine if it will go to a bank, which bank and what the rates will be all before they would hear back from their business manager from one of the large banks.” For transport operators dealing directly with a bank, the process involves rounds of documentation over several weeks all of which will need to be chased up, often with a banker they have never met before. “That’s part of the advisory aspect of the business,” says Anthony. “Turnaround time is a huge factor.” Speed of response, as Jacques Lotter found out, is one of its advantages. Tempus Civil Consulting handles waste and spoil disposal, construction demolition removal and is active in most of the big infrastructure jobs underway in Sydney. At present they are removing the tunnel spoil from the M6 as part of the Stage 1 project which involves using a lot of transport contractors. Tempus Civil Consulting, according to Jacques, is currently in the process of building up its own fleet so it isn’t as dependent on as many subcontractors. “With the new trucks we’ve just received Anthony pushed hard to get some good deals for us which were much better than what I could get at my personal bank,” he says. “He talks me through the best financial options available to us. He then presents the best price. It’s very easy. Otherwise, it takes away time from me that would interfere with me running my own business.” Jacques recently had a new Mack Trident quad-dog delivered, with assistance from SCF, who has subsequently completed the financing of two newly acquired Mack Anthems. The trailers for both are being built in Brisbane.

“Once I tell him what we need and give him that information he’s quick on responding and notifies me straight away on what I need to submit and once everything is with him, he deals with everybody,” says Jacques. “I don’t have to do anything. He deals with my accountant. He deals with the truck supplier, who he has a previous relationship with ,which makes it a lot easier.” In the cut and thrust of daily driving with its long hours, finding the time for many drivers to access funds when they are looking to expand or go out on their own can be tough. Financial planning is, after all, a job in itself. George Ghobrial of SGK Logistics, who specialises in container cartage in the dynamic segment of bulk grain vessels in Western Australia, has been using Anthony’s services for the last five years. “I’ve always been impressed with the way Anthony has operated,” he says. “He helps where he can in every sort of aspect – even for our subcontractors.” SGK Logistics uses multiple prime movers across the Volvo and Scania brands. A newer entrant for the SGK fleet was purchasing a prime mover, also a much larger truck than they had previously owned, with two grain tipper trailers at the ready as it was grain season. It proved no problem for SCF given the hard and fast deadline. “For guys starting their own business Anthony provides different ways to come up with a deposit — so that they can transition into buying their own trucks,” says George. “He doesn’t charge heavily on fees. He’s always within reach and available the same day and provides comprehensive options on getting equipment or lease loans.” Through its more personal touch, SCF is aiming to grow with partners that are also exemplars of best practice in their industry. “We are happy to battle against the odds to get them in a good position,” Anthony says. “The mission for us is to put the customer’s needs first. Sometimes the best outcome is not about getting them

Anthony Rahme.

the best rate. Sometimes it’s about getting them the best deal as quickly as possible. Sometimes, the best deal might not be the fastest one. Sometimes the best deal involves how to plan for the expansion they are working towards over five years. Or it’s the acquisition of another business.” For SCF helping smaller road transport outfits is an important part of the job especially if they are displeased by their current experiences in the marketplace. With that said, the business also works with larger sized operators who have existing loan facilities with a major bank, but might be are debt-capped on their spending, which is to say they are growing faster than their bank is prepared to lend them money. SCF has a range of solutions for those types of businesses as well. “There’s no hierarchy that separates clients according to spend or investment. Everyone is treated equally. Everyone’s business is equally important to us as it is to them,” says Anthony. “We do our jobs well so it makes their jobs easier.”

Fuso Shogun.

THERMAL

EFFECTS

Eurocold has teamed up with Fuso for flexible rentals of Shogun refrigerated trucks.

Eurocold offers a range of long-term refrigerated truck rentals that give customers the flexibility to grow their business. The Brisbane-based company has more than 30 years of research and development experience in the refrigerated transport business and builds the best refrigerated solutions for sale or long-term rental. More recently, Eurocold teamed up with Fuso to offer the ultimate Fuso Shogun refrigerated delivery truck along with a comprehensive support package for rental periods of one year or longer. Flexibility is built-in and customers can change their requirements after 12 months, with just three-months notice. The Fuso Shogun is a new heavy-duty truck packed full of Daimler Truck technology, including advanced 8-litre and 11-litre engines, fully automated transmissions and a full-suite of active safety features designed to keep drivers safe. The Eurocold Shogun is available with a premium Eurocold refrigerated body that can be customised to suit every customer with options of tailgates, divider walls and roller doors. It is available in 12- or 14-pallet specification, with customers able to choose from single-steer and twinsteer models. The Eurocold refrigerated truck rental package is comprehensive, allowing customers to get on with the job. This includes truck servicing, carried out by qualified Daimler Truck technicians using genuine parts, and fridge servicing, as well as windscreen and tyre replacements. Customers can rest assured knowing they have 24/7 roadside assistance and customer support and Vision Trak truck and fridge monitoring with a unique customer login. The Eurocold Shogun package also includes high quality signwriting to ensure the truck looks like a customer truck. Eurocold is the exclusive distributor of ISOKIT Isothermal Solutions temperature controlled premium bodies and only uses premium Carrier fridge technology. It offers a full range of refrigerated transport vehicles including everything from utes and small trucks through to the large 14-pallet models such as the Fuso Shogun unit. Family-owned ISOKIT was established in Italy in 1992 and is known for its durable refrigerated bodies that are 18 per cent lighter than its nearest competitor in Australia, freeing up around 300kg of additional payload. Eurocold units boast the best K factor number, meaning the units require the least amount of energy to drop the temperature inside the unit. It is another way of measuring the thermal efficiency of the combination. Eurocold Chief Executive Officer, Avraam Solomon, says the company is committed to offering its customers the best refrigerated trucks available.

“Eurocold works with the best suppliers to ensure our customers have access to the highest quality refrigerated transport solutions,” he says. “Using Fuso, Carrier and ISOKIT means we have the best supplier from each field and our customers benefit.” The Shogun, as Avraam sees it, is an excellent model for use as a Eurocold refrigerated truck. “The Shogun is perfect for this application thanks to its full suite of active safety features, its proven reliability and the advanced engine and transmission packages,” he says. “Customers really do appreciate the strong performance of the Shogun.” The competitive price to purchase and run the Shogun models is also a key selling point as it allows Eurocold to pass on the savings to its customers. Solomon says the Eurocold solution is not the cheapest, but customers want a high-quality refrigerated truck that is reliable so they can get on with doing business. “Our high-quality trucks and flexible rental arrangements mean that our customers don’t need to worry about the truck and can instead focus on serving their customers and growing their business,” he says. The flexibility of the Eurocold rental business also endears it to customers. “If you go and get a chattel mortgage for five years from a bank, you can’t ask to change it if your business conditions change after a year or so,” Avraam says. “But demand can change. Customers might need smaller trucks or larger trucks, more or less trucks, depending on market conditions and our flexible rental solutions allows for that. Our customers appreciate it.” The Eurocold Shogun models use advanced Daimler Truck six-cylinder engines. The single steer Shogun uses an 8-litre unit, while the twin-steer unit uses an 11-litre engine. Both engines deliver torque from very low down in the rev range for optimal drivability. Meanwhile, the Shogun meets strict Euro 6 emissions standards, ahead of the current Euro 5 standard enforced in Australia. The two-pedal fully automated 12-speed transmission delivers fast and smooth shifts and is very easy to use. It features a powerful three-stage engine brake. The Eurocold Shogun models are supported through the Daimler Truck Australian dealership network across Australia. “Having the Daimler Truck network supporting these units is a massive plus and means our customers will be looked after wherever they are operating,” Avraam says. Safety is also a high priority at Fuso and each Shogun includes Advanced Emergency Braking System (AEBS) and Active Sideguard Assist (ASA). ASA uses radar to detect a vehicle, cyclist, pedestrian or any physical obstruction on the passenger side blind spot. When the truck is turning left or moving into a lane to the left it issues a warning. In addition to the warning, it can now also initiate braking in order to avoid or mitigate a collision or impact at speeds of up to 15km/h. The latest generation AEBS uses camera and radar camera technology to provide enhanced pedestrian sensing capability, making it able to completely stop for a moving pedestrian in the event the driver does not respond to an audible warning. Adaptive cruise control, which automatically keeps a set distance to the vehicles in front makes life easier for the driver, especially in stop/start traffic. A Hill Start System (HSS) assistance function takes some stress out of the drive, along with Intelligent Headlight Control, which automatically turns on and off the truck’s highbeam function in response to traffic and is standard. Daytime LED running lamps, positioned below the main headlight assembly are also standard. The ergonomic Shogun interior features a push button start button and a 7-inch high-resolution touch-screen centre display with easy to reach controls.

ISOKIT supplies Eurocold’s premium refrigerated bodies.

A DAF CF 530 undergoes diagnostic tests.

GLAD TO BE OF SERVICE

As the number of new truck deliveries grows month on month, PacLease Australia continues to add contract maintenance agreements to help give customers that added piece of mind.

In mid-2020, PacLease re-launched their contract maintenance offering, with more options available to customers. The updated offering consists of three maintenance levels, Standard, Advanced and Premium. The Standard package includes oildrain services at a set rate with intervals determined by the application of a customer’s usage, the Advanced package provides the addition of driveline repairs including engine, transmission, diffs and axles, while the Premium package is like a hamburger with the lot that covers everything. “Our team endeavours to work with our customer base to assist in selecting the best option for their business model”, says PacLease Australia General Manager, Andrew Molnar. At all times, PacLease’s number one priority is getting to know its customers’ needs and providing a tailored solution that suits their business models. “That’s the benefit of the PacLease national network,” says Andrew. “We are able to locally monitor our customers’ needs at each of our 26 branches on a month-by-month basis which enables us to respond quickly and adjust contracts to suit changes in circumstances. Our local teams work with PACCAR Financial and PacLease regional managers in each state and territory, which gives us comprehensive coverage nationally via the extensive PACCAR dealer network.” Furthermore, plenty of customers are using PACCAR Financial as a traditional funding method and then attaching a contract maintenance program to the finance contract. As a result, the customer has the benefit of a fixed monthly cost with the added advantages of owning the truck after it has been paid off and receiving the

Kenworth T360 is one of the premium products PacLease can offer its customers.

Government’s tax benefits. Dedicated fleet managers monitor the vehicle mileage to allow PacLease to help schedule services. PacLease thereby, according to Andrew, can maintain the vehicle as required, with the option of a backup vehicle in the case of breakdowns or accidental damage. This way the customer has limited exposure to the vagaries of unscheduled downtime. “PacLease gives operators the flexibility to choose the most suitable option for their business model, either leasing or a chattel mortgage with PACCAR Financial along with the addition of a contract maintenance agreement,” he says. Boasting one of the largest commercial heavy vehicle rental fleets in Australia, PacLease has multiple equipment offerings across the Kenworth and DAF range from 26 locations. With demand on the road transport network increasing in recent years, PacLease can offer rentals from a day to a year to assist keeping road transport businesses on the road. PacLease units can be fitted with hydraulics and dangerous goods fit-ups to ensure they have a vehicle to meet most applications. One of the biggest factors affecting road transport in the past 12 months has been lead times on new vehicles for operators. In an attempt to promote growth in 2022, PacLease has successfully obtained sufficient stock of the Kenworth and DAF product to continue to supply their rental fleets, as well as to support their sales teams in the continued growth of the full-service lease business. “In an endeavour to stick to our core values of supporting the rental market with a premium product and modern fleet, PacLease has managed to secure Kenworth and DAF stock throughout 2022 to update and grow our rental fleet without sacrificing our premium quality offering,” says Andrew. The stock numbers will also allow PacLease to promote its already successful full-service lease offering. During 2021, PacLease launched a DAF CF 530 24/48-month lease program to great success. “The 2021 DAF lease program gave fleet operators a taste of full-service leasing without the normal longer-term commitment associated with leasing,” says Andrew. “With the fleet we have set aside to grow the full-service lease portfolio in 2022. We believe we will be able to convert some traditional outright purchase fleets that may have a need to update their fleet, or add additional vehicles but may not have access to them due to increased lead times.” PacLease is a global commercial truck leasing company that provides customised full-service lease, rental and contract maintenance programs for Kenworth and DAF trucks. Designed to meet the specific needs of customers, the company’s service offering also includes vehicle upkeep, 24/7 roadside assist and flexible lease structures. PacLease’s direct connection with Kenworth, DAF and PACCAR, according to the company, means its customers receive premium equipment and services which have been thoroughly tested and assessed for suitability for the needs of each and every customer.

COLD FRONT

Set to celebrate its 30th anniversary later this year, Scully RSV, Australia’s largest dedicated refrigerated truck and trailer hire business, is, thanks to its deeply entrenched relationships, always market-ready.

Lasting relationships with key partners and the longevity of its manufacturing base has kept Scully RSV in good stead no matter the flux of external influences that can impact the economy and, by extension, its customers. Based in the Archerfield area of Brisbane, the company is a stalwart of the truck and trailer hire segment, providing dedicated refrigerated leasing across a range of products from one-tonne utes to interstate specc’d B-double combinations. Using the latest Carrier and Thermo King refrigeration units, Scully RSV enjoys, given the breadth of its fleet, the ability to supply bespoke product to the hire market. Its two major chassis providers Isuzu and Hino supply a range of rigid vehicles from 2- to 14-pallets and everything in between. “Working right across the gamut we are able to meet the needs of the most diverse customer base and provide trailer configurations as well,” says Scott Davidson, Scully RSV Managing Director. “Certainly, in the rigid truck body we’ve got the ability to meet those needs on a short- and long-term basis. We’ve a proven flexibility with the depth of our bench I suppose.”

A Scully refrigerated body with Carrier unit.

Part of that depth means also accommodating the one-tonne utility vehicle sector with Hiluxes supplied by its other partner in Toyota. Entering its 30th year of operation, the Scully customer portfolio encompasses a truly national footprint and includes the largest of logistics and 3PL providers in the country and scales down to the smallest startup venture that needs a refrigerated vehicle. Now with two facilities in its hometown of Brisbane, Scully RSV has, in recent years, expanded down the east coast with depots in Melbourne and Sydney. Given the current economic climate in which a business might be more reluctant than usual to commit to owning mobile assets, not knowing if a surge in work will last, Scully RSV offers great flexibility in determining whether an operator requires a unit for one or two days, a week or a fiveyear engagement. “If their workload increases they can increase vehicle size, they can go from a two-pallet up to a six-pallet or eight-pallet if their work expands and conversely if that work drops off it certainly enables them to hand that vehicle back at the end of the hire agreement,” says Scott. “Offering our customer base flexibility in terms of vehicle size and length of tenure is a key pillar of what we do, and we enable our customers to focus on their core business and we take all of the noise away from the transaction.” On this front, Scully RSV will manage the service, maintenance and the insurance. All of it goes through a cutting-edge digital platform which is about to be augmented by an innovative telematics system that is currently in the process of being rolled out across the entire fleet. This according to Scott makes it a one-stop shop. “Customers that way come in and have a very simple transaction process and then they’ve got flexibility to scale as their business peaks and troughs,” he says. “Our platform enables our vehicles to plug and play with any of the suite of products that are out there in the marketplace.” Operationally, with 24/7 callout support in place, all scheduled maintenance for truck, trailer and fridges is carried out by OEMs in the truck space or by a dedicated national provider. Scully RSV offers a replacement vehicle should a vehicle, for any reason or length or time, encounter an issue. As Scott sees it, the customer should have full confidence in knowing that Scully’s vehicles comply with the highest national heavy vehicle standards (HVIS). “That’s something we take very seriously within our role of chain of responsibility,” he says. Scully RSV was well placed to accommodate the increases in both food deliveries in last mile logistics and the shuttling of ambient freight to distribution centres, as supermarkets have tried to stay on top of demand during two years of lockdowns. Through the COVID period the food services category, a large customer pool for Scully RSV, has undergone a major re-emergence. “It’s a market we have a lot of exposure to,” says Scott. “We’ve been able to flex with that market as it’s grown. We’ve seen phenomenal demand through Valentine’s Day and into Mother’s Day with florists and associated sectors. More broadly, last mile deliveries are picking up pace again.” Post-COVID demand, meanwhile, shows no signs of abating. Despite the throttle of imports on commercial vehicles and parts, Scully RSV according to Scott, remains in a strong position thanks in large part to the longevity of its strategic alliances. “Those entrenched relationships over 30 years certainly put us at the forefront of our OEM partner’s purchasing patterns,” he says. “We have very solid banks of inventory right through 2022 into 2023 which enables us to meet the short- and long-term demands of our customer base. We still handmake these vehicles with a team of highly skilled craftsmen.” Old and new customers, more recently in response to the impact of floods across the east coast of Australia, have sought out Scully to provide immediate solutions in a period of business crisis. “One of the true benefits of our hire business is that ability to meet immediate and urgent demand,” says Scott. “We’ve been able to pick up some fantastic new customers and also support our existing customers as they’ve needed us to keep vehicles on the road in that really valuable crisis time. That’s something we really thrive on.” Scully RSV has also been able to help out on a number of social endeavours where third parties have required short-term hire, not only for delivery, but for storage when stock in commercial kitchens, disrupted by floods, was under threat. “People used our assets under these challenging circumstances also for shortterm immediate storage,” says Scott. As for the next phase of the business, Scott explains there are more sites under consideration for expansion. This includes Western Australia. “It won’t be long before we’re on the West Coast and able to support our growing market out there,” he says.

Scully RSV handmakes the refrigerated bodies at its Brisbane facility.

AGREED VALUES

Daimler Truck Financial Services is the only truck financier that offers a guaranteed buyback product and it is available across three Daimler Truck brands.

Daimler Truck Financial Services is solely-focused on the commercial vehicle business and its wide range of finance solutions are built on the knowledge that operating a fleet of trucks or buses is very different to running a fleet of passenger vehicles. As the exclusive provider of financial solutions for Mercedes-Benz Trucks, Freightliner and Fuso trucks and buses in Australia, Daimler Truck Financial Services has extensive knowledge of the local freight industry. The products and services have been developed in consultation with customers over the years. Many truck customers were keen to have a guaranteed buyback promise and the peace of mind and certainty it would provide their business. They also wanted flexibility because, as anyone in the freight business knows, things can change quickly, especially in turbulent times. With this in mind, Daimler Truck Financial Services came up with a unique product called Daimler Guaranteed Buy Back. As the name suggests, the central premise of this finance product is that Daimler Truck Financial Services will honour an agreed value of the vehicle at the end of the term. This is a great feature for many customers, but the benefits of the Guaranteed Buy Back product go beyond this central element. Customers also have flexibility to respond to the business conditions and make the choice that is right for their business. At the end of the term, customers can choose to either return the vehicle and walk away, trade in the vehicle and upgrade to the latest model or keep the truck and simply refinance or pay out the agreed remaining amount. “There simply is no other product in the industry that offers all the benefits of the Daimler Guaranteed Buy Back,” says Daimler Truck Financial Services Chief Executive Officer, Craig Cubitt.

Daimler Truck Financial Services is the exclusive provider of financial services for Mercedes-Benz, Freightliner or Fuso trucks.

“We are prepared to back Daimler Truck products and give customers peace of mind as well as the unmatched flexibility of the Guaranteed Buy Back product. It allows our customers to get on with growing their businesses efficiently and profitably.” There are some conditions, of course. For example, if the customer chooses to trade or hand back the truck, it must meet the Fair Wear and Tear conditions. Be sure to call 1300 243 052 or visit www.daimlertrucks.com.au/finance for more information. Daimler Truck Financial Services also offers a suite of other finance options that have been developed specifically for business customers. These include an Asset Loan, Asset-Hire Purchase, Operating Lease and Finance Lease. The customer can choose from a wide variety of financial products tailored to their business requirements. Daimler Truck Financial Services understands how busy customers are and have developed a service called Fast Track Finance that makes finance approvals a far less time-consuming process. The Fast Track finance program gives customers the convenience of a streamlined credit approval process with no need for income verification. As a specialised truck financier, Daimler Truck Financial Services makes it easier and faster to obtain credit on MercedesBenz, Freightliner or Fuso truck for up to $350,000. Knowing its customers and the logistics business is key at Daimler Truck Financial Services, says Craig. “We are a truly customer-focused organisation that puts our truck customers at the centre of everything we do,” he says. “Our position as a standalone finance company focused solely on trucks means we can serve our truck customers better than anyone.” Daimler Trucks covers all segments of the road freight industry in Australia with advanced solutions across the light, medium and heavy-duty segments supported by a vast dealership network. Japan’s Fuso range starts off with the iconic Canter, which has been helping Australians get the job done for more than 50 years and moves up to the larger Euro 6 Fighter and Shogun models. Last year, it became the first truckmaker with an original equipment manufacturer all-electric truck with the eCanter, which is now in service with Australia Post, Centurion, Lion and Bunnings. It has also lead the market by making advanced safety features standard across the light-, medium- and heavy-duty truck classes, as well as on its recently updated Fuso light bus. Freightliner builds America’s best-selling heavy-duty truck, the Cascadia, which is now winning over Australians. It is the only bonneted truck with fully integrated advanced safety technology and also features the advanced Detroit engine and transmission package that make it a fuel economy champion. Able to optimise economy using GPS and topographical information to ensure the truck is always in the right gear, the Cascadia is proving its efficiency around Australia, while raising comfort levels with a range of comfortable sleeper cabs starting off with 36-inches through to a cavernous 60-inch option. Mercedes-Benz Trucks offers a range of technically advanced models from the Atego medium duty urban expert and Econic waste hauler through to the Arocs and Actros heavy-duty leaders. The Actros is a common sight on Australian highways thanks to it legendary efficiency, comfort and advanced safety features. Highlights include latest generation engine and transmission technology, including the range-topping 13-litre and 16-litre six-cylinders are a key strength, along with a clever 12-speed fully-automated transmission (AMT). Actros models are at the front of the pack with features such as the Multimedia Cockpit, which features two 10-inch high-resolution screens that ensure all the information and control a driver could need is at their fingertips.

Craig Cubitt.