Care. It’s what we do.

At Isuzu, we’ve always taken great care of our customers.

We’re Australia’s number one truck… an honour we’ve held for over three decades.

That means more businesses put their trust in us than any other truck brand.

We understand that reputations are riding on us and that’s why Isuzu Care is more than just an aftersales service package.

It’s part of our DNA.

From day one, we support customers and demonstrate that reliability is everything. We pride ourselves on being proactive and always going the extra mile.

And as we look to new frontiers, we’re finding new ways to help our customers exceed their goals.

Isuzu Care is what sets us apart. Always has, always will.

> Autonomous truck convoy milestone for Australian Army

The Australian Army successfully operated an autonomous truck convoy on a public road for the first time earlier this year. The National Transport Research Organisation and Deakin University supported the leader-follower trial on 6 June, in which a convoy of four autonomous Army trucks followed a crewed ‘leader’ vehicle on a public road in Victoria. Colonel Robin Smith, of Army’s Future Land Warfare Branch, said the autonomous vehicles performed well. “This trial showed how a convoy could undertake a resupply mission between an airfield and a military base, giving us an idea of how this kind of technology could be used in the future,” Colonel Smith said.

“Driving on a highway in traffic meant the technology was tested to stop safely, and leave distances between other vehicles, while following the path set by the leader.

“Down the track, technology like this could remove our soldiers from dangerous environments, or help free soldiers up for other roles.”

During the highway trials, Army simulated an autonomous resupply mission between Mangalore Airfield and Puckapunyal using the Goulburn Valley Highway and the Hume Highway.

The trial is part of Army’s modernisation, which includes exploring “human machine teaming”, quantum technology, artificial intelligence and electrification.

Prior to this five modified Land 121 40M cargo trucks were trialled at Royal Air Force Base Point Cook. The autonomous leader-follower vehicle technology, using Rheinmetall/MAN medium tactical vehicles, was initially developed under a contract between the Institute for Intelligent Systems

Research and Innovation (IISRI) at Deakin University, and the Army’s Robotic and Autonomous Systems Implementation and Coordination Office (RICO).

Eventually, it is anticipated the trucks will be able to travel on various roads, even without markings. First announced in late 2021, the $12.2 million project helps address future operational challenges, including for humanitarian assistance and disaster relief, and in combat operations.

Evaluations of autonomous M113

AS4 with BAE System installing hardware and software into Armoured Personnel Carriers to allow soldiers to operate them autonomously, however, date back to 2019. The Army said it would continue to collaborate with industry and academia to explore how technology can increase mission success and lower risk to soldiers.

SEE PAGE 2 OF CATALOGUE FOR FULL ARTICLE

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> Mack Masters’ Australian teams to take on world-best

Round three of the Mack Trucks global aftersales competition, Mack Masters, wrapped up recently in a nail-biting finale. The third round ended in a sudden death knock-out between six perfectly scoring Australian teams from Mack Trucks’ dealerships. These included one team from CMV Truck & Bus Epping, one team from Western Truck Group Townsville, and two teams from both Truck Centre WA Forrestfield and Volvo Commercial Vehicles Prestons.

Mack Masters is designed to increase aftersales competencies, celebrate and promote teamwork among dealership service, warranty and parts professionals by putting teams against each other in knowledge-based aftersales questions.

The competition is ultimately aimed at improving customer satisfaction, and culminates in a global final in Allentown and New York in October where the best aftersales teams from around the world face off over a series of workshop tasks.

The two Australian teams who reigned victorious in the 24-hour Sudden Death battle, Top Dogs from Truck Centre Forrestfield, and V Mac IV+ from Volvo Commercial Vehicles Prestons, are now preparing to take on the best teams from Latin America, Canada and the United States. Volvo Group Australia Vice President Services and Retail Development, Richard Singer, said he was thrilled to see the strong engagement from Australia for the country’s first year of Mack Masters.

“Mack Masters offers an engaging and challenging competition that doubles as an unparalleled training opportunity for dealer aftersales teams,” he said. “For our first year competing, we had 79 teams register which really demonstrates the enthusiasm and commitment of our colleagues across the Mack Trucks dealer network.

“A big congratulations to everyone who has taken part, and particularly to our two Finalist teams.”

Mack Trucks Australia Vice President, Tom Chapman, said he is looking forward to watching the two Australian teams throw down in October.

“We take a lot of pride in knowing our dealerships are staffed by some of the most professional and capable staff in the industry,” he said. “We’re really looking forward to sizing up against some of the best in the world in what we hear is going to be a real spectacle of an event.

“We’re quietly confident that either one of our two dedicated Aussie teams have what it takes to bring home the title.”