Transport & Trucking Issue 125

www.truckandbus.net.au Issue 125 2019

$8.95 incl. GST

ALL THE ACTION FROM THE BRISBANE TRUCK SHOW

ISSN 2206-1495

9 772206 149012 >

25

VOLVO’S NEW XXL CAB BENZ SPRINTER CAB/CHASSIS HINO KTM RACE TRUCK FOLLOWMONT CELEBRATES 25

ISUZU’S RE A DYTO-WORK RANGE #1 Traypack

#2 Tipperpack

The takeaway truck.

When you order some trucks, you have to wait around 12 weeks for a body to get built. But our Ready-to-Work models are good to drive away the day you buy them. That’s why we call them takeaway trucks. And our menu includes the Traypack, Tipperpack, Tradepack, Vanpack and Servicepack X. So no matter what your appetite or application, you’ll find a choice that hits the spot. Find out more at isuzu.com.au or visit your nearest Isuzu Truck Dealer now.

FSA/ISZ12479

#3 Tradepack

#4 Vanpack

#5 Servicepack X

CONTENTS CONTACT DETAILS

FEATURES

PO Box 7046 Warringah Mall NSW 2100

14 2019 ADVENTURES IN BRIS-NEYLAND

www.truckandbus.net.au admin@truckandbus.net.au Enquiries 02 9938 6408 Follow us on Twitter #truckandbusnews Follow us on Facebook at Truck and Bus Australia

Publisher Jon Thomson admin@truckandbus.net.au Editor in Chief Jon Thomson Art Director Fiona Meadows fiona@kududesign.com.au

The Brisbane Truck Show has had another successful staging, in fact arguably the most successful ever. We take you inside what – if the Truck Industry Council has its way – could be the last HVIA run Brisbane Truck Show.

22 DOG DAYS ARE OVER?

After a lifetime as a rusted on Mack user veteran Blue Mountains transport operator Bob Thompson has been let off the leash and bought his first Kenworth, a T610 SAR and now reckons he has truly got the ‘bug’.

We visited Bob to see how the Kenny has possibly ended his Dog days.

28 SLEEP ON IT

Volvo debuted its new XXL cab FH16 as the star of its Brisbane Truck Show stand and we were very pleased to get the chance to pilot the big rig on a 900km test drive as well as spending a night testing its big innerspring mattress in the extended cab. Thankfully the Volvo’s on highway noise levels were lower than the noise of our snoring in the ultra comfortable bunk and we had no trouble sleeping on It!

32 DIGGIN’ THE DIRT

Trucks are used for all sorts of things, most of them toiling on our roads to ship goods and produce around the country. However some trucks have lighter loads and less onerous time schedules but play just as vital a role in moving valuable cargo to far flung places. One such truck is the KTM off road racing team’s Hino 700 transporter. We caught up with the team and the truck at the famous Finke Desert Rally in Alice Springs.

38 A DIFFERENT KIND OF LIGHT

Most light duty truck buyers make a B-Line for Japanese trucks. They are the standard in the industry, they’re a know entity and generally they deliver the goods. While the comfort and safety of the Japanese trucks has improved in recent times, the option of going European cab chassis models like the Mercedes Benz Sprinter offers a higher standard altogether. We took a Sprinter tray truck for a weeks hard test to see how it shaped up.

Advertising Sales Jon Thomson Mobile 0418 641 959 admin@truckandbus.net.au

44 FOLLOW THE LEADER

Editorial Contributors Barry Flanagan, Mark Bean, Glenn Torrens, Peter Barnwell

50 INTERNATIONAL TRADE

Queensland transport company Followmont has logged some significant milestones in recent times taking delivery of its 150th UD and celebrating 35 years in business. The highly successful Brisbane based operation is an impressive operation and we take a look at what makes the Followmont machine tick.

International has had a very tough time of things since its return to the Australian market. The sales have not exactly been setting the world on fire, which is a pity because they are good trucks. So it is not surprising that when Inter kicks a goal and does a deal to sell six ProStars then it should be something to crow about.

We take a look at International’s best customer so far and why they chose the brand.

56 KOREA MOVE

A funny name, funny looks and uncertainty have marked SsangYong’s time in Australia in the past two decades.

Now a new look, a new local operation and some impressive vehicles the Korean brand may have finally got its act together. We take a look at its new Musso utes, both the standard tray and the long wheel base XLV.

Transport & Trucking Australia is published under licence by Transport Publishing Australia. and is distributed to road transport professionals, fleets, business professionals and the industry throughout Australia.

All material contained herein including text, photography, design elements and format are copyright and cannot be reproduced by any means without the written permission of the publisher. Grayhaze Pty.Ltd. is a member of the Copyright Agency Limited (1800 066 844).

Editorial contributions are welcome for consideration. Contact the Editor or Publisher for guidelines, fees and level of interest.

All unsolicited manuscripts must be accompanied by a stamp, addressed envelope for their return. We will not be held responsible for material supplied electronically.

Proudly printed in Australia

Single copy price $8.95 incl. GST

60 COMPANY CAR: MY BIG FAT SUV

Aussies have fallen in love with SUVs, sport utility vehicles as they are more properly called. Big fat station wagons on steroids. Why exactly they love them we have no idea, but the love and passion for them is growing stronger all the time. We recently jumped aboard one of Toyota’s frontline SUVs, the Kluger for a Company Car test.

32

50

DEPARTMENTS 04 BACK TRACKS

Musings from the Editor

06 HIGHWAY 1

News and info from all over

64 MONEY

Paul’s latest advice on finances

SMARTER. TOUGHER. SAFER. THAT’S ANOTHER HINO

Pedestrian Detection Adaptive Cruise Control

Lane Departure Warning System

Vehicle Stability Control Autonomous Emergency Braking

XAVIER_HINO36763

THE ALL-NEW 500 SERIES STANDARD CAB. THE SAFEST JAPANESE TRUCK IN ITS CLASS.

Built around the driver to take comfort and style, performance, efficiency and safety to new levels. Showcasing the latest smart technology and instrumentation to make the ultimate driving experience. Then there’s the advanced active safety package* featuring a Pre-Collision System (PCS) with Pedestrian Detection, Safety Eye and

Autonomous Emergency Braking, Adaptive Cruise Control, Vehicle Stability Control and Lane Departure Warning System included as standard. The all-new street smart Hino 500 Series Standard Cab. Visit hino.com.au. *

Active safety systems are an aid to assist the driver and have performance limitations. Please refer to our website videos for full details.

THE ARMS RACE IS ON

T

he old saying is that competition improves the breed, and if you apply that to the Australian truck market the incredible competition that we have here is breeding some incredibly improved product.

We stand on the edge of a product and technology explosion that will benefit every truck operator that embraces the new generation of trucks, and ultimately the Australian economy and society in general.

The technology and engineering in the new generation of trucks may irk some who believe that a truck needs an 18 speed crash box and a loud and rumbling diesel to push it along. To that I say, why don’t you put a crank handle in the truck so you can crank start it instead of using a fuss free electric starter. Perhaps you’d like to wind back all the technology, get rid of that smart phone, don’t use the internet, and perhaps you’d like to fly overseas on a DC3 instead of a fast, safe and efficient Jumbo jet?

Fact is that trucks have never been easier to use, safer, cleaner or more comfortable, and there is more to come, with a herd of new product on the horizon, all of which will lift the standards even further.

Already we have seen the latest generation of Euro offerings including the New Truck Generation Scania, the Benz Actros ( with another iteration on its way), ongoing tech improvements to Volvo’s flagship FH and of course Kenworth’s T610 along with more recently, its vocational siblings the T410 and 360.

Of the lesser players there has been the Iveco Stralis Xway and MAN’s D38 latest gen trucks. I’ve probably missed a couple, but you get the picture.

Then there are the massive advances made in light and medium duty, high tech trucks that drive like cars with safety and driver aids to rival anything in the passenger market. Hino and Fuso both have all of the latest electronic driver and safety aids and we hear many major fleets are now seeking these out, rather than

004 www.truckandbus.net.au

going for the cheapest options. Duty of care and chain of responsibility is partly driving that but so is the drive for better efficiency. This is not just at the fuel bowser but also in a less overt area, with things like driver fatigue and productivity.

Having recently competed a 500km loop in one of Hino’s new standard cab 500s to the NSW South Coast and back, the truck’s comfort features and ease of operation make this current crop of medium duty models a joy to use and a lot less fatiguing to drive As we say there is more to come with Mack’s new Anthem based models due early 2020, Fuso’s new Shogun heavy duty model set to land anytime now, an updated Actros with those revolutionary camera mirrors probably coming sometime next year and Daimler’s great hope, the Cascadia due at the end of 2019.

There is a lot riding on Cascadia for Daimler in Australia. It is the truck they believe, will take on the might of Kenworth head on. The Cascadia is built in Charlotte, North Carolina and is the biggest selling heavy-duty line haul truck in America. It will be packed full of Daimler technology and driver aids and we will be able to report a bit more on that after a trip to Freightliner HQ next month. It is fair to say that Daimler Trucks Australia has thrown everything at this one and its testing program has been rigorous to make sure that it will live and work in the Australian environment and that none of the early teething problems its cab over brother the Argosy suffered in its early days are repeated with Cascadia.

For all of that, the technology and engineering in Cascadia and all of the trucks we have mentioned means we are spoilt for choice and it may seem economical to hang on to old trucks and not spend the capital on new machinery.

However take a leaf from the airline industry. The airlines that are doing well and returning strong profits are the ones who have embraced the latest technology, including fuel efficient planes that are

saving money on fuel, efficiency and greater comfort.

If you are spending $100,000 a year on fuel, and it wouldn’t have to be a very big fleet to do that, then we don’t need to remind you that a five per cent fuel saving will put $5000 extra on your bottom line, just like that. The new generation trucks are promising at least that and probably more, and that is without taking onto account productivity and efficiency gains for the drivers and travel times.

Yes folks its time to embrace the technology and reap the benefits, the pluses far out weight the negatives, so get with it!

Meanwhile, in this issue of Transport & Trucking we take a closer look at the Brisbane Truck Show, where a lot of that new tech was on display. Along with that we road test and bunk test Volvo’s great new XXL ‘big cab’ version Globetrotter, we head to the Blue Mountains outside Sydney to look at a fleet that is embracing Kenworth’s T610 after years with Mack.

There is a story on the Followmont Transport Group, which has hitched its wagon to UD with great success, We take a look at the KTM off road motorcycle race team’s Hino 700 rigid race transporter and we road test Mercedes Benz’ Sprinter cab chassis tray truck for something that is a bit different and an alternative to the Japanese fleets..

All that and a whole lot more in this issue. We hope you enjoy it and until next time drive safely.

JON THOMSON

START YOUR REIGN WITH THE BRAND NEW SHOGUN.

HEAVY ON TECH AND LIGHT ON FUEL, THE SHOGUN IS OUR MOST ADVANCED HEAVY TRUCK YET. - 12-SPEED AMT TRANSMISSION - 400/460HP DAIMLER POWERPLANT - ACTIVE CRUISE CONTROL - ADVANCED EMERGENCY BRAKING SYSTEM - LANE DEPARTURE WARNING SYSTEM

CONTACT YOUR AUTHORISED LOCAL FUSO DEALER OR VISIT FUSO.COM.AU

S H O G U N

ALL THE LATEST NEWS AN

D VIEWS FROM ACROSS TH

E GLOBE

VW FLOATS TRATON/FREIGH TLINER FUEL EFFICIENCY/B YD ELECTRIC TRUCKS /VOL VO RE-SIGNS PIlBARA GIR LS

VOLKSWAGEN LAUNCHES MASSIVE TRATON FLOAT

VOLKSWAGEN’S floating of its truck division could totally remap the global truck market and change the face of VW as an automotive group while also luring rivals into doing something similar.

For decades VW, which is now the world’s biggest carmaker only knew how to expand. It added Bentley, Lamborghini and Bugatti luxury

006 www.truckandbus.net.au

cars, Ducati motorcycles and of course Scania and MAN heavy trucks while taking its network of factories to well past the 100 and its staff count to over 640,000.

Even in the face of the highly damaging diesel-cheating scandal in 2015, VW didn’t trim its portfolio, bolstering investment in electric cars instead and even creating a new

division for mobility services.

Now with the pace of change in the auto industry quickening, Volkswagen is trying its hand at re-organising the empire.

If the listing of a minority stake in its commercial vehicle organisation, Traton SE, goes well, it would give VW CEO, Herbert Diess more sway to balance the often diverging interests of VW shareholders including the Porsche and Piech owner family, the Lower Saxony government and the powerful German labour unions.

Traton and its three major truck/ bus vehicle brands will have a total market value of as much as $AUD26.25 billion (16.5 billion euros).

Volkswagen shares have risen 0.2 per cent to 141.42 euros ($AUD 229) in the past week, taking gains this year to 1.8 per cent.

Diess and Andreas Renschler, the CEO

of the Traton subsidiary are seeking deeper technology partnerships and the possible sale of assets like transmission maker Renk AG and MAN Energy Solutions, which develops engines.

It is believed that a successful Traton listing, could even spark rival Daimler to follow suit with a carve-out of its own massive truck business.

VW’s Traton truck group comprises three main brands, Scania, MAN and Volkswagen-branded budget trucks sold in South America and Africa, as well as a unit offering digital services to fleet operators.

VW/Traton’s 29 production and assembly sites globally, last year produced and sold 223,000 commercial vehicles. While that’s 14 per cent more than a year earlier, it’s less than half of the volume of Daimler’s truck division, which is the

world’s biggest truck and bus maker with sales of more than 500,000 vehicles last year. About 180,000 of those were from its US brands including Freightliner. Rival Volvo Group has gained 26 per cent this year alone.

Volkswagen is offering 50 million Traton shares at between $AUD 44 and $AUD55 (27 euros and 33 euros) each, plus a possible over-allotment of 7.5 million shares, meaning at the top end of the price range, the sale could raise as much as $AUD 3 billion (1.9 billion euros).

Here are the key points in one of the biggest initial public offerings in Europe this year: Traton is looking to woo investors by combining the technology and strong margins of the Scania unit with the prospect of a turnaround at MAN and growth potential in key markets, according to company presentations and research from advising banks Chief executive officer, Andreas Renschler, is the mastermind behind Traton. Renschler made his name turning Daimler’s commercial vehicles business into the world’s largest and he was lured to Volkswagen in 2014 with a similar brief.

Despite the partly overlapping operations of Scania and MAN, he’s improved earnings over the past four years by enforcing closer cooperation between the long-standing rival truck brands. Investor interest in Traton will largely be a bet on the 61 year old

Renschler’s veteran skills to deliver in the cyclical truck market.

The timing of the listing, which was delayed earlier from this year, has been complicated by global volatility and the current window may be as good as it gets.

“It’s no secret that the market environment is very volatile,” VW chief financial officer Frank Witter told reporters.

“It’s not ideal, but it’s not bad either,” Witter said.

VW remains open to sell more Traton stock at a later stage, up to a maximum stake of 24.9 per cent, if market conditions are supportive, he said.

Traton’s biggest perceived weakness is that it has only a quite small beachheads in the key North American and Chinese markets and the prospects for expanding those positions face some obstacles.

In North America -- the truck industry’s largest profit pool -Traton owns a mere 16.8 per cent shareholding in Navistar, which at present does not deliver VW a huge benefit.

Lifting the stake will cost money and add complexity for Traton but is believed to be Renschler’s main target to try and increase the company’s penetration in the North American market. Navistar has already benefited from the capital injection that came from Traton’s 16.8 per cent

buy in, with some saying that this helped save the organisation from possible bankruptcy.

Renschler of course was the architect of Daimler’s buy in to the US market, engineering the deals to purchase Freightliner, Western Star, and Detroit Diesel engines as well as Thomas Built Buses. Freightliner has become the largest truck maker in the USA largely on the back of the organisation Renschler designed.

Meanwhile Traton’s vehicle for gaining a larger footprint in North America, Navistar faces fierce competition from the market leaders including Freightliner, Volvo/Mack and of course the Paccar brands, Kenworth and Peterbilt.

Daimler and Volvo also both have functioning production ventures in China, which is the world’s biggest truck market by volume. Traton does have a cooperation agreement with Sino Truck in China, where it holds a 25 per cent stake through MAN. However this link up is also yet to deliver hoped-for results.

Alliances can often fall short of aspirations to create economies of scale, with the recent tensions in the Renault-Nissan-Mitsubishi Alliance being a reminder of the difficulties in uniting disparate cultures.

Traton of course has also recently inked a cooperation agreement with the Toyota Group truck maker, Hino, involving electric technology,

product development and purchasing.

However any speculation that Hino is also on Renschler’s shopping list must be tempered by the fact that Toyota would be unwilling and not that interested in offloading its truck making company as it is both too profitable and a valuable addition to its corporate operations.

MAN has long attempted a turnaround, but improvements have been tepid compared to the aggressive restructuring at Volvo in the past five years that doubled its margins within three years. MAN’s production footprint in high-cost Germany and a lineup that includes less-profitable medium-duty trucks limits the potential for improvement.

For all of those challenges the fact remains trucks are a profitable and in demand and Renschler will have plenty of financial and business resources to build Traton into a global truck maker.

Whether Andreas Renschler can deliver the same results to Traton and its VW masters that he was able to achieve for Daimler, in consolidating its global truck making operations will not be know for a few years yet.

However if the determined German’s track record is an indicator and given the massive war chest the IPO will deliver only massive market downturn will prevent him from creating another global truck marketing monolith for VW.

www.truckandbus.net.au 007

ALL THE LATEST NEWS AND

VIEWS FROM ACROSS THE

GLOBE

VW FLOATS TRATON/FREIG HTLINER FUEL EFFICIENCY /BYD ELECTRIC TRUCKS /VO LVO RE-SIGNS PIlBARA GIR LS

FREIGHTLINER HAS ANNOUNCED that it has introduced a new fuel efficiency package for its Coronado and Argosy models with Detroit DD15 engines.

The company is offering the package in models fitted with Eaton Ultra Shift AMT models and includes the neutral coast feature as well as an optimised rear axle ratio and targeted fuel-efficiency software calibration for trucks running at up to 68 tonnes.

The company says its own tests with a Coronado B-double tautliner returned fuel economy improvements of five per cent, although customer

008 www.truckandbus.net.au

results would be dependent on individual specification, load and route.

Freightliner Australia Pacific Director, Stephen Downes, says the company’s engineers were excited to introduce the changes.

“We are always looking for ways to drive down costs for our customers, so we have been working very hard with Eaton to bring these changes to the Australian market to further improve our Detroit offering,” he says.

“The upgrades that we have introduced are significant and we

know our customers will appreciate the fuel efficiency improvements they will deliver,” he adds.

However the company says fuel economy gains are not the only benefit of the upgrade, with a lower cruising rpm at highway speeds reducing engine noise in the cabin.

The neutral coast function of the Eaton Ultra Shift AMT enables the transmission to select neutral for short periods on modest gradients in order to save fuel by using the momentum of the truck. The function will only operate if the driver has

selected cruise control.

The upgraded transmission ECU also senses the combination weight and shifts accordingly by skipping gears and shifting early. On steep grades, the transmission will shift down two or three gears to maintain momentum. The new rear-axle ratio is 3.73 and leads to a 150rpm reduction in 18thgear at100km/h.

The company also says that operators will also have the option of customising top speeds at load and empty to further improve fuel economy and safety.

Scania’s New Truck Generation range has attracted record Australian orders.

Here’s why: • Fantastic pulling power: More torque at low revs for unbeatable driveability.

• Fuel efficiency: Engines, transmissions and aerodynamics are all more efficient than before.

• Safety: Australia’s safest truck range thanks to our standard, world-first side curtain roll-over airbags, plus available active electronics safety pack.

• Driver comfort: Excellent visibility, quiet cabin, customised digital dash, luxury-car build quality.

And now, all New Truck Generation Scanias come with 5-year/500,000 km Maintenance included.*

5 YEARS or k

FOR THE ONLY BUSINESS THAT MATTERS. YOURS. Visit www.scania.com.au *Conditions apply

i

l

o

m

e

t

R

E

maintenance INCLUDED

5 YEARS or

ALL THE LATEST NEWS AND

VIEWS FROM ACROSS THE

GLOBE

VW FLOATS TRATON/FREIG HTLINER FUEL EFFICIENCY /BYD ELECTRIC TRUCKS /VO LVO RE-SIGNS PIlBARA GIR LS

AN AUSTRALIAN company, with

and Macquarie’s CAF Division for the

move into heavy medium duty trucks

buying direct from Nexport with no

backing by Macquarie Group’s

Australia and New Zealand markets.

in 2020 particularly targeting the

distributors or dealers, while the

Corporate and Asset Finance has

The order signed by Nexport,

refuse market.

company is saying service will be

announced it will start importing and

Macquarie and BYD is for an initial

Todd says that typically the purchase

tailored to customers with a range

selling Chinese built BYD electric

run of 200 electric medium duty

price of the BYD electric models will

of options to suit the size and nature

trucks later this year and that.

trucks, the first of which will arrive

be about $50,000 to $60,000 more

of the fleet.

It has signed the largest electric

here later this year.

than a current technology diesel

“We will provide bespoke service

commercial vehicle (ECV) order

Todd says that under the agreement,

equivalent but that the running and

options, for instance with larger

in Australia to date.

Nexport will be responsible for local

whole of life costing will make the

fleets we can install a self contained

Founder and former CEO of

sales and support of electric BYD

electric trucks more cost effective.

solar powered service pod which is

Carbridge, Luke Todd is the man

trucks sold in Australia and New

“Nexport and BYD are working with

based on a shipping container, which

behind the company Nexport, which

Zealand and the range will initially

Macquarie to develop rental and

would be stocked with replacement

is described as a ‘new energy truck

consist of BYD’s T5 and T6 models,

fleet managed service solutions for

parts, and diagnostic equipment etc

and bus specialist’ and he says

designed to meet the needs of

customers seeking alternatives to

and we would provide training for

the agreement is a key step in the

operators using 4.5-7 tonne logistics

outright purchase,” said Todd.

their mechanics or technicians,” said

business and market development

and general commercial trucks.

The company will pursue a direct

Luke Todd. “For smaller fleets and

cooperation between BYD, Nexport

The company says it intends to

sales model with customers

single operators we can train their

010 www.truckandbus.net.au

local or regular mechanic to handle

this project, it is a company that

the maintenance and service.”

is very protective of its brand and

“The reality is that there is an 80 per

would not be involved if this project

cent reduction in maintenance and

didn’t have a future and longevity,

repairs with electric trucks so there

it is right behind this,” he added.

is no money to be made in service

Scott Simpson, associate director

for us, so it is better to equip buyers

of Macquarie Corporate and Asset

to handle that,” Todd said.

Finance said the organisation sees

Todd says pre-sales work on the BYD

increasing interest in fleet and rental

electric truck range begins here next

solutions in a range of industries

month and that he expects delivery

and markets where demand for LEV’s

and dispatch of trucks to fleets late

is growing.

this year or early in 2020.

“We look forward to working

The trading name for the Nexport

with BYD to explore this, not only

HINO ANNOUNCES NEW DAKAR RALLY TRUCK AS NEW DRIVER SLIDES IN

operation is set to be known as

in electric trucks, but also other

AFTER DECADES OF SUCCESS at the wheel of his Hino rally raid truck,

Electric Trucks Australia and Todd

significant EV markets, such

the so called ‘Ironman of Dakar’ Yoshimasa Sugawara has announced

told Truck and Bus News that

as airports and logistics,” said

his retirement and at the same time his team has unveiled a new

the company has already had

Simpson.

truck and a replacement driver ahead of next month’s Silk Way Rally

discussions with major transport

Luke Todd told Truck and Bus

in China.

operations and fleets.

News that operators could expect a

Hino Team Sugawara has released images of its new truck, based on

Asked about the poor quality image

reduction in running cost of around

the bonneted Hino 600 and confirmed Ikuo Hanawa as its new driver.

and patchy track record of Chinese

40 per cent for normal driving

The team will run the new bonneted 600 Series in addition to its

built vehicles and in particular trucks

conditions using an equivalent

current Dakar 500 Series machine, presumably with an eye to

in Australia and how Nexport would

electric truck compared with a

promoting the team exploits in the all important US, the only market

counter those perceptions Todd said

typical 7-tonne diesel truck

where the 600 is sold.

that BYD was different to other truck

currently returning around 4-5 km

Ikuo Hanawa, is an experienced international off-road racer and well

makers from China.

per litre of diesel fuel.

step into the drivers seat of the 600 joining recently-promoted lead

‘We have had a lot of experience

“Our BYD ECV would be expected to

driver, Teruhito Sugawara, who won the Under 10-litre category in

with BYD through our involvement

consume around 2-3kWh of energy

2019, and finished 9thoverall, beating larger rivals to the finish line.

with their buses at Carbridge so we

for the same mileage and at current

“The team’s goal is to continue its recent dominance of the Under 10

know the company and also BYD

diesel prices of around $1.50 per

litre class which has included 10 years of consecutive wins, and also

has pursued a very European design

litre compared to around $0.30

propel it further up the standings in the overall truck category,” said

strategy with its products including

per kWh equates to “like for like”

Dimitri Andreatidis, Hino Australia’s Head of Customer and Brand.

trucks, cars and buses,” he said.

savings of 40 per cent in fuel costs

Both of the Hino Dakar Rally vehicles will use an enhanced version of

“Several years ago BYD hired

which potentially will save between

the Hino A09C 6 cylinder engine, with the production version available

German Wolfgang Eggar from Audi to

$6,000 and $10,000 in fuel costs

in the 500 Series Wide Cab trucks in Australia.

head up its design and engineering

annually for a typical small truck

A derivative of the A09, the A05 engine, powers the all-new 500 Series

operations and so it has a Euro feel

travelling 50,000 km a year, he said.

Standard Cab, which is currently available in Hino Australia’s extensive

embedded in its design and quality,”

Todd told Truck and Bus that the

dealer network.

he added.

2019 BYD models will have an

Key specifications of the two 2019 Dakar Rally Hino trucks include

Todd also said the BYD’s home city

operating range of around being

full-time 4WD and a 8,866 litre direct injection turbocharged

of Shenzen has driven much of its

300km on a single charge for its

and intercooled engine, which is matched to a six speed manual

electric truck technology because

T5X model.

transmission in Car 1 and six speed automatic transmission in Car 2.

diesel trucks are set to be banned in

BYD first entered the Australian

The new truck and driver will make their debut at the Silk Way Rally

the city within the next three years.

market seven years ago with its K9

which will be held in Russia, Mongolia and China from 6-16 July,

“We have the opportunity to take

bus electric bus and in May 2016

2019 before taking on the 2020 Dakar Rally in Saudi Arabia from

the technology that has been

was awarded its first contract for the

2-17 January 2020.

developed there and also because

supply of buses to operate at Sydney

BYD committed to right hand drive

Airport. This is now the biggest

production, I can assure you it is

BYD’ K9 electric buses commenced

very focussed on export and this is a

operations at Sydney Airport in

serious move into the Australian and

August of the same year, since

NZ markets,” said Todd.

then an additional 40 K9 buses

After starting and growing the

for the same operator while it

Carbridge bus operation here, Todd

won trial bus orders from the ACT

sold the company to private equity

government’s Canberra public

operations and says he is now totally

transport operator, ACTION Bus, and

focussed on bringing Electric Trucks

has delivered 11 new electric buses

Australia to the market.

for operation at the international

“The fact that Macquarie is involved

terminal at Brisbane Airport

should underline the bona fides of

Corporation.

www.truckandbus.net.au 011

ALL THE LATEST NEWS AND

VIEWS FROM ACROSS THE

GLOBE

VW FLOATS TRATON/FREIG HTLINER FUEL EFFICIENCY /BYD ELECTRIC TRUCKS /VO LVO RE-SIGNS PIlBARA GIR LS

VOLVO HAS RENEWED its backing for WA based transport and training organisation Pilbara Heavy Haulage Girls with its head, Heather Jones receiving the keys to a brand new Volvo FH16 at the recent Brisbane Truck Show.

The new Pilbara Heavy Haulage Girls truck was on show in the Brisbane CBD during the show and the new truck, wrapped in bright Pilbara pink, was personally handed over by Volvo Trucks Australia vice president of sales Tony O’Connell.

“The new FH16 is absolutely wonderful, I’m excited to hop in and drive it home,” said Heather.

Volvo Group Australia partnered with Pilbara Heavy Haulage Girls in 2016 to support their driver training program in Western Australia, as they look to increase the involvement of women within the trucking industry.

“The relationship with Volvo Group Australia means the world to me because without their support and sponsorship we wouldn’t be able to do what we do.”

012 www.truckandbus.net.au

Heather isn’t the only one delighted about the relationship, with Tony O’Connell citing how important it is to help out those striving to better the community.

“We are so passionate about helping Pilbara Heavy Haulage Girls because they do such good work in our industry,” said O’Connell.

In May 2016 Volvo Group Australia handed over the first of a number of trucks to Heather, beginning a unique partnership that has helped Pilbara Heavy Haulage Girls grow not only their training program, but also their output as an active haulage company.

“We were using older trucks, 10 to 12 years old. If something happened to those trucks it would have been the end of our business,” remembers Heather.

“These new trucks have the latest technology to train our new drivers so they’re trained to the latest equipment.”

The new FH16 will be put to work in Pilbara Heavy Haulage as a

long-haul transport vehicle as well as to train aspiring drivers.

And whilst Heather is passionate about getting more women into the industry and promoting safety on the road, training over 60 drivers in the last three years, it is not the only motivation behind what she does in Western Australia.

“One of our latest drivers came to us as a domestic violence victim, but we didn’t know that. When she came, she was quite a quiet, crushed soul, but when she left she was a really happy person. She was empowered because her life had been changed,” recalled Heather with a healthy dose of goosebumps. The driver now tows triple road-trains in Queensland and, according to Heather, is living a new life.

“We’re not just training people, we’re not just teaching them road safety and driver education, we’re actually changing peoples’ lives as well and that is something we never thought – we’re giving them a future.”

During their four days at Reddacliff

Place in the Brisbane CBD, it was estimated that more than 1,000 people interacted with the Pilbara Heavy Haulage Girls, with an overwhelmingly positive response.

“So many people from so many walks of life want to come over and have a chat, and hundreds want photos.”

While her popularity continues to rise, Heather is only focused on getting everyone involved who is able to contribute.

“This is a really awesome industry and if you’ve got an opinion on the industry, go and get your license and come and make change.”

Volvo Group Australia says it is passionate about driving change in the transport industry, and added that this is why it partners with Heather Jones and her team. The company says it is eager to promote new entrants into the industry,] and believes the partnership will grow in the future to increase the level of driver knowledge and safety on the road.

TRANSCOM INDUSTRIE’S NEW CHEVRON MUDFLAP RANGE DELIVER GREAT LOOKS AND DURABILITY LEADING Australian mudflap manufacturer, Transcom Industries has launched a new range of truck mudflaps, which have been designed and engineered for Australian conditions and for added strength and durability.

The Transcom Chevron “BX” range of truck mudflaps feature a unique inverted V or chevron design theme to deliver an attractive look as well as added durability and strength.

Like all Transcom products the Chevron BX range is manufactured using only the highest quality virgin Australian injection moulded PVC raw material using a formula designed for Australian conditions.

The unique formula means that the Chevron BX range copes better and is more durable against harsh Australian heat and sun as well as the constant abrasion from stones and gravel.

Each Transcom mudflap is date stamped and features recycle codes and full traceability so that when they do come to the end of their useful life they can be easily recycled.

The Transcom Chevron BX mudflaps are a registered design and also feature the patented reinforced mounting face designed to extend mudflap life.

According to managing director of Transcom Industries, Stephen Langham, the Chevron range delivers a great looking, long lasting and durable mudflap that will sharpen the look of any truck or trailer while protecting the equipment and vehicles following.

“The Chevron is a unique design and presents well on the back of trucks and trailers,” Stephen Langham.

“Because we design and develop our mudflaps here in Australia they

are made to handle local conditions whether it is rain, hail or shine,” he added.

The Transcom Chevron BX range are sold ready for fitment in standard industry sizes with industry standard mounting slots.

Transcom specialises in embossed mudflaps with company names / logo in either white or black format, all printed using your exact company colours.

Transcom Industries was established in 2004, by Stephen Langham who brings more than four decades of experience in road transport and is a well-respected figure within the industry.

The combined wealth of knowledge and experience makes Transcom a supplier of choice with Australian designed and manufactured components to ensure that all its products are of the highest quality.

Transcom Industries is continually improving its range, designing innovative new products and staying in touch with the latest in engineering innovations and is a family owned company which understands the needs of the industry from owner drivers to fleet managers, parts distributors and original equipment manufacturers.

Along with several different types of mudflap Transcom also offers a range of transport components including spray suppressors, anti-sail brackets, mudguard mounts, tray capping and body blocks as well as urethane load restraint protectors and even boot scraper mats to keep your office and workshop clean and free from mud.

The full Transcom Industries range can be seen at www. transcomindustries.com

TRUCKSMART PROVIDES A COST EFFECTIVE, RELIABLE ALTERNATIVE FOR VOLVO TRUCK PARTS A NEW FORCE has been established in the market for replacement Volvo truck parts with a Newcastle based company establishing itself as a viable alternative supplier.

Trucksmart has quickly become a key alternative source for Volvo truck replacement parts and has positioned itself as a more cost effective and a highly reputable, specialist provider to the market.

Trucksmart, based at Beresfield near Newcastle, brings more than 100 years of experience in truck parts and only sources its Volvo replacement truck parts from leading suppliers in England, Germany, Turkey, Brazil, Italy and the USA. According to Trucksmart managing director David Body the company only sells parts compatible with Volvo trucks and offers 12 months unlimited warranty on parts and fitting.

“With the management team at Trucksmart we have a collective century of experience in selling truck parts and we realised there was a demand in the market for quality Volvo replacement parts at a lower price,” said David Body.

“Truck operators want quality and replacement parts they can rely on but the bottom line is important and if you can save without compromising quality then it makes good business sense,” he said.

“We have the knowledge and expertise to ensure we source the right parts from the right suppliers and we regularly travel the globe searching for high quality parts from OE suppliers including ZF, Sachs, Lemforder, Wabco and Knorr-Bremse to name but a few.”

“As well as genuine OE parts we also source high quality parts from proven and reliable European global brands including Cola Sonel, Trucktec, Lema, Kahveci, SNP, Unitruck and Diesel Technic,” he added.

“Trucksmart doesn’t stock parts from China and we have a very strict protocol for selecting our suppliers,” he emphasised.

Trucksmart can supply Volvo replacement parts to all parts of Australia with fixed price, fast freight to ensure you get your truck back on the road as quickly and cost effectively as possible. It promises 100 per cent secure online purchasing or alternatively over the phone along with 12 months unlimited warranty and a best price guarantee.

All Trucksmart orders placed before 1pm are shipped that day by road express to capital cities on the East Coast and in most cases will be received the next day, while all other regions should receive their items within seven days. Faster shipping can be arranged at an extra cost.

www.truckandbus.net.au 013

Truck Show

THE BRISBANE TRUCK SHOW HAS HAD ANOTHER SUCCESSFUL STAGING, IN FACT ARGUABLY THE MOST SUCCESSFUL EVER, DEPENDING ON WHO YOU SPEAK WITH, BUT MOST TRUCK MAKERS ARE PRETTY HAPPY WITH THE TURN OUT AND THE REAL CUSTOMERS THAT CAME THROUGH THE DOORS AT SOUTHBANK. WE TAKE YOU INSIDE WHAT – IF THE TRUCK INDUSTRY COUNCIL HAS ITS WAY – COULD BE THE LAST HVIA RUN BRISBANE TRUCK SHOW.

W

ith bumper crowds and more manufacturers and industry suppliers clamouring to show their wares in the halls of the Brisbane Exhibition Centre the spectre of the Truck Industry Council’s declaration, made the week before the Show, that it wants to stage its own show in future seemed a little less potent than it did when it made the statement. This was particularly felt when we spoke with key executives from some of the manufacturers.

The Show was run in the shadow of that threat from TIC but we learned that the industry is far from 100 per cent behind

014 www.truckandbus.net.au

the concept of a new show.

T&TA understands that one leading manufacturer which represents three major brands abstained from voting on the decision to stage a rival truck show event and that at least two other makers are not particularly happy about the decision either.

All of this came against a backdrop of big crowds across the four days of the Show that saw thousands of serious buyers along with punters touring the show halls and many favourable and positive comments from the manufacturers and suppliers exhibiting there. Only time will tell if the highly successful Brisbane event can see off its potential rival as it has

done with every pretender in the past 51 years, since its inception in 1968.

A total of 36,921 people went through the doors over four days and the halls were constantly busy, with manufacturers reporting the Show was “busier” than in previous years.

“I have had so many of our exhibitors telling me the level of business that was done on the stands,” HVIA CEO Todd Hacking said.

The show saw all of the leading makers there along with some new entrants including Chinese maker Foton, which is returning under its own factory owned distributorship, the Australian owned

but Chinese made Diamond Reo brand which despite the venerable name plate has virtually nothing in common with the famous but long dead US brand, SEA electric, the Melbourne based company developing electric drivelines for existing OEM truck chassis’ and the WA based distributor of Czech truck maker Tatra.

Penske made its return to the show with its MAN and Western Star brands after missing 2017, while the majors all put their best efforts forward with some big glitzy stands to show the best and brightest trucks and technology available in the industry.

So let us take you on a tour around the Brisbane extravaganza to reveal what

was on show and what it all means in the bigger scheme of things.

DAIMLER – MERCEDES BENZ Daimler really staged an all out blitz with its stand with key brand Mercedes featuring the next gen Actros that debuted at Hanover last year, as centre piece for its exhibit. Bristling with technology the new Actros had everyone talking.

While the current gen Actros took almost five years to reach Australia, Benz says the new truck will be here next year 18 months after debuting at Hanover.

The company also confirmed it has begun an Australian validation program for the truck, which features some amazing tech, including

MirrorCam, the system that uses cameras connected to two large screens in the cabin to not only boost driver vision but also reduce aero drag to increase fuel efficiency and safety.

It was certainly a talking point at the show.

Benz also presented its SoloStar Concept in Brisbane, with a huge fold down bed with an 850mm wide inner-spring mattress and lounge-style seat that the company says delivers more usable space for drivers without imposing an axle weight penalty.

The company says it could be made available soon in Australia depending on feedback. It was a counterpoint to Volvo’s new XXL cab on the stand next door to the Daimler ‘village’.

www.truckandbus.net.au 015

FREIGHTLINER Daimler showed off its Freightliner Cascadia test truck fleet, including the first right hand drive version, joining the left hand drive models which have been pounding Australian roads for the past 10 months or more, as part of a $100 million right-hand drive development program for Australia and New Zealand, ahead of its proposed local launch early next year.

Cascadia is the best-selling heavy truck in the USA, and the company says it will set a new standard for safety, efficiency and driver experience for bonneted trucks in Australia when it goes on sale.

FUSO On the other side of the Benz display was Fuso with its new heavy duty model with the company officially revealing its new name, Shogun.

The Fuso Shogun will be available for sale at Fuso dealers across Australia from 1 June with its new Euro 6 compliant Daimler OM470 11-litre in-line sixcylinder common rail engine, which features a special pressure booster and an asymmetric turbocharger. It boasts outputs up to 455hp and 2200Nm of torque and mates to a Fuso iteration of the Daimler 12-speed A/MT. “The Shogun is a revolutionary model for Fuso and the Japanese heavy duty truck segment in Australia,” says Fuso Truck and Bus Australia director, Justin Whitford.

Like Volvo with UD, Daimler is aiming Fuso toward a bigger role in the higher yield Heavy Duty market.

With a newly redesigned cab the Shogun has the looks and underneath there is also an extensive array of safety along with a new interior while it will be available as an 8x4m, 6x4 or single drive and ratings up to 63 tonnes.

PACCAR Occupying its massive stand, in its usual spot at one end of the Brisbane Show, was heavy duty market leader Kenworth with a vast array of models including the newly launched T360 and T410s based around the 2.1 metre cab so successfully launched on T 610 back in 2016 with the 360 using Cummins power, and the 410 offering the Paccar MX-13 engine.

Speaking of the 610 Kenworth also debuted the new T610 600mm sleeper and the T610SAR with its new 1400mm sleeper.

While the technology and glamour of the massive Daimler stand across the aisle had the industry talking it was clear the big line up of red ‘Kennies’ had the

016 www.truckandbus.net.au

attention of the vast majority of punters pouring in the doors of the Show.

There on the Kenworth stand was a K200 proudly bearing a banner proclaiming it as Euro 6 with its Cummins X15 SCR engine.

Who would have thought that PACCAR would be loudly shouting its Euro 6 credentials while its European heavy duty competitor Volvo is firmly wedded to Euro 5 in its locally made trucks, it is a funny old world sometimes.

Along side the Kenworth fleet was the other Paccar brand, DAF showing the new locally assembled CF85. 510 taking pride of place alongside the first public display of the Euro 6 LF260 12T and LF290 18T 4x2 cab/chassis models, which were launched in Australian in late 2018, along with the flagship XF105 510.

VOLVO Volvo Group as usual was on home turf in Brisbane and centre-piece of its large and brightly lit stand was the new XXL cab Volvo FH16 Globetrotter.

The new ‘supersized’ version of the FH cab Volvo says responds to demand for extra living space from the truck industry.

To achieve the extra space, it has reengineered the XL cab, moving the rear wall back 250 mm making the bed in the XXL 130mm longer and 250 mm wider than in a regular Volvo FH. Volvo also showed a special 25th anniversary model FH celebrating a quarter century of FH manufacture at the Volvo factory in Brisbane.

UD Volvo’s Japanese brand UD unveiled its new Croner model, which will be launched in Australia in early 2020 replacing the company’s PK models at the upper end of medium duty. The Croner will be sourced from UD’s Thai manufacturing plant. This just confirmed what was possibly the world’s worst kept secret. Dealers and customers of UD’s excellent medium duty offerings will have to wait for the replacement’s arrival here late this year or early next, and while there is a bit of pain to be endured through that we reckon the wait will be worth it.

In the meantime, the exciting news in Brisbane for UD was the release of the 8.0-litre version of the Quon, adding a downsized engine for lower weight tasks and better fuel efficiency. It is also the same engine that will be used in the Croner when it arrives. It was another clear demonstration of Volvo’s influence on the UD brand it has owned for almost a decade now.

MACK At Mack the company’s new flagship Anthem model took centre stage with a display model, which was built locally to showcase the new flat floor stand up sleeper cab. The Anthem is currently being tested on Australian roads and is expected to be launched here, in various forms, sometime in 2020. While the Anthem is a single model in the US, locally Mack is planning on using and adapting the new cab to a variety of models except the Metroliner, which is popular in the concrete agitator market.

Mack also showed a spectacular Superliner show truck finished in a superb green paint scheme while the specially airbrushed ‘Jimmy Barnes - Working Class Man’ Superliner which is being auctioned for draught relief was a massive crowd puller across the River at the top of Queen St Mall.

SCANIA At Scania ‘the other Swede’ headlined with some lighter models with the P 340 6x2 rigid fuelled by Compressed Natural Gas, and the P 280 rigid with its new Scania 7.0-litre diesel engine.

The gas truck is claimed to reduce CO2 emissions by up to 90 per cent and is aimed at urban distribution work, delivering a 360 kg lower weight over the front axle targeting a sector of the market Scania has not tackled before with the low entry P-series cab.

The flagship on the Scania show stand was of course its big banger the V8powered R 650 Euro 6.

PENSKE On what was a compact stand, which some speculated was payback for its absence from the 2017 Show, Penske highlighted some of its newest offerings from Western Star and MAN, with the big trucks shoulder to shoulder on the stand.

The new 5800FE Western Star was the star of the bonneted offerings along with a 6900 which was finished in the colours of its new owner Neil Mansell, who took delivery of the truck at the Show and will put tit to work on B Double work in Queensland right about now.

MAN’s flagship 640hp TGX 26.640 ‘Performance Line’ version was the star of the cab-over side of the room at Penske and with its big cab it should be a competitor for Volvo’s new big cab but the German brand has not had big sales numbers to the private market in recent times (its sales have been bolstered by a large military contract

www.truckandbus.net.au 017

but private sales have been languishing).

All eyes are on MAN’s parent company Traton and where global boss Andreas Renschler takes the MAN brand in years to come. As we have said before, we would not be surprised to see MAN, Scania and perhaps Navistar in a consolidated operation at some stage in the future like Volvo and Daimler have successfully demonstrated.

ISUZU Market leader Isuzu concentrated on its Ready to Work range with a vast array of bodied trucks from concrete agitators to tippers, tautliners and service body models highlighting the trend in light and medium duty for buyers seeking trucks that come ready built and set for work.

Isuzu has taken a large chunk out of Iveco’s Acco agitator market in recent times and the Japanese brand appears to be redoubling its efforts in this area and also in other vocational apps especially

018 www.truckandbus.net.au

in refuse with a new dual control FY targeting the waste industry on display.

While local electric maker SEA had its own stand the Dandenong based EV producer had its stamp on the Isuzu display as well with one of its test and development trucks to demonstrate Isuzu’s commitment to electrification of its trucks down under. The question we ask is why Isuzu Australia has to run this development program with an external partner in Melbourne and why this has not been undertaken by its parent company in Japan where budgets and resources would be more plentiful. Strange days indeed.

HINO Hino gave its recently released Standard cab 500 series models their first showing at a truck show with an array of variants from the new model line up along with the smaller the 300 Series 817 4x4 which debuted at the Brisbane Truck Show two years ago and the flagship 700 series

heavy duty coupled to the company’s ‘Sportsdeck’ display unit that normally sees duty at rounds of the Supercar series.

The standard cab 500 is the most impressive medium duty truck we have ever driven and its little wonder that it has become a sales hit for the Toyota owned truck brand.

Hino also showed a wide cab FM2632 model fitted with a six-speed Allison automatic and electronically controlled rear air suspension.

IVECO Iveco concentrated on sustainability and featured its Euro 6 engine range across its light, medium and heavy duty ranges.

It was of course the first show for the new locally made Stralis X-Way and the Stralis based new Acco. The stand showed both a X-Way prime mover and rigid model. The Euro6 Acco, is still in the middle of in-field development testing ahead of its launch later this year.

Two Accos were on the stand with a 6x4 featuring a Bucher compactor body and an 8x4 with a Hiab hooklift body.

There was also a Euro6 Eurocargo equipped and a Daily 70C van and a prototype Daily 4x4 with an increased 7 tonne GVM.

FOTON Chinese truck makers have struggled here but Foton has so far been the most successful of what has been a lacklustre performance. Foton is now on its third distributor in about six years with a short lived Queensland operation being followed by Ateco and now for its third attempt it has taken matters into its own hands and is handling the distribution itself from a factory owned operation on the Gold Coast.

Somewhat chequered, you might say.

Like a lot of companies Foton says Australia is a strategic market despite the crowded and competitive truck sales arena

and at least initially it is starting with two models, which bare a passing resemblance to Isuzus. The light medium models in the Foton line up are the Aumark S and the Auman EST. The Aumark boasts a GVM of almost 7.5 tonnes while the Auman has a 12 tonnes GVM. Both use Cummins power with the Aumark using the 3.8-litre Cummins ISF engine with 112kW and 500Nm of torque while the Auman uses the 4.5-litre ISF with 138kW of power and 700Nm of torque while both use a ZF six-speed manual.

Lets see if Foton can make it third time lucky in Australia.

TATRA West Australian based Off Road Trucks Australia the distributor for the Czech brand Tatra were as proud as punch to whom off the 6x6 Tatra Phoenix on its small stand in Brisbane.

Tatra has a close affiliation with DAF and the Phoenix uses Paccar’s DAF developed MX engine mated to a ZF transmission and can be had in both 6x6 and 8x8 versions.

ORTA has been making steady inroads into the mining industry especially with the specialised and rugged Tatras and the company boasts operations in two of the country’s mining capitals, Perth and Mackay.

DIAMOND REO Don’t be confused by the name, the only association these trucks have with the legendary US brand is the name.

One time Diamond Reo distributor in Australia and chief of the Daysworth container tractor truck business, Ivan Vodanovich has re-birthed the name using Chinese built versions of European cab overs.

Some cynical colleagues dubbed the Chinese built trucks ‘Diamond Leos’

www.truckandbus.net.au 019

for obvious reasons. The company unveiled the new trucks with some bold claims, however in such a competitive and cut throat market one doesn’t feel they will cause too much bother to the scorers in the Aussie truck arena in the near future.

One wonders what any remaining Diamond Reo insiders in the USA must think of these Sino-Euro machines.

They’re a long way from the Speedwagon!

CUMMINS A century is a long time in anyone’s language and that is what Cummins is logging up this year. In 1919 Clessie Cummins started the company in Indiana and one wonder if he ever imagined it would one day be the World’s leading specialist diesel engine maker.

The star turn at Cummins 100th anniversary display in Brisbane was the new X15 Euro 6 heavy-duty range, which also starred in the aforementioned Kenworth K200 on the Paccar stand.

Thankfully for Cummins and its

020 www.truckandbus.net.au

employees, the three letters that make most of them break into a cold sweat - EGR, have been dropped from its on highway line up.

Cummin’s X15 Performance boasts power output options from 525 to 625hp and torque of between 1850 to 2050lb-ft with the X15 Efficiency range taking in the 460 to 550hp spectrum with torque from 1650 to 2050lb-ft.

Interestingly there was also the first fruit of Cummins alliance with Eaton with the X12, mated up to one of Eaton’s new 12-speed boxes on display on the stand.

ALLISON Allison showed its new nine speed auto which the automatic specialist says will hit the roads in the next two or so years while also reinforcing recent announcements about its buy into a couple of electric driveline specialist companies that it hopes will future proof its business as the industry changes and morphs into a more environmentally sensitive electric future.

DETROIT As the once numerous truck engine makers have diminished with an increasing orientation towards truck makers doing their own drivelines and companies like Caterpillar retreating from the heavily regulated on highway market Cummins now pretty much has this market to itself.

This didn’t stop Detroit from showing its big banger DD16 as its star display on the Penske Power System stand. It was this big Daimler developed 16 litre’s first showing, apart from in a Daimler truck chassis. It is of course the same engine as in the big Benz Actros and will also be the engine for the upcoming flagship Freightliner Cascadia when it hits town in early 2020.

Well that’s Brisbane for another two years. It will be fascinating to watch the machinations over the next 24 months and whether TIC’s ambitions win the battle of Brisbane or whether the HVIA can retain its cash cow and continue to serve the industry with the best truck show on this side of the Equator.

.

Australia’s No. 1 truck insurer.

With more than 45 years as Australia’s leading heavy motor insurer, we know exactly what it takes to become #1.

Our specialised staff and expert partners, leading Premium Repair networks, along with our awardwinning claims solutions are second to none.

So talk to your broker about how NTI’s awardwinning claims solutions can protect you and your business. Because that’s what we specialise in.

For more information, visit nationaltransportinsurance.com.au

Insurance products are provided by National Transport Insurance, a joint venture of the insurers Insurance Australia Limited trading as CGU Insurance ABN 11 000 016 722 AFSL 227681 and AAI Limited Trading as Vero Insurance ABN 48 005 297 807 AFSL 230859 each holding a 50% share. National Transport Insurance is administered on behalf of the insurers by its manager NTI Limited ABN 84 000 746 109 AFSL 237246.

Operator

AFTER A LIFETIME AS A RUSTED ON MACK USER VETERAN BLUE MOUNTAINS TRANSPORT OPERATOR BOB THOMPSON HAS BEEN LET OFF THE LEASH AND BOUGHT HIS FIRST KENWORTH, A T610 SAR, AND NOW RECKONS HE HAS GOT THE ‘BUG’. WE VISITED BOB TO SEE HOW THE KENNY MAY END HIS DOG DAYS.

W

hen Bob Thompson started in the transport industry in 1959 the world was a very different place. Back then the young Bob gained an apprenticeship in a garage at the top of the punishing Mt Victoria pass on the western edge of the Blue Mountains where trucks would struggle with miniscule loads by comparison to today’s super efficient 600 horsepower behemoths.

“I have seen a few things come and go,” said Bob with a wry smile.

“When I started out it was Blitz and GMC trucks and all sorts of petrol engines

022 www.truckandbus.net.au

and then it moved on through Ford F series, Accos, Benz 2624s, ERFs and B Model and R Model Macks, trucks have come a bloody long way since then,” Bob laughs.

A bit like the bloke that bought the shaver company, Bob liked the business so much in 1974 he bought that garage where he had started his apprenticeship 15 years earlier. The business ran its own heavy tow trucks, often having to rescue stranded trucks on that torturous mountain pass that snakes up from the Hartley Valley to the garage perched at the top of the hill.

Bob owned the business for 29 years and trained another 13 of his own apprentices

before he sold out in 2003 and while some might have thought of retirement Bob loved trucks too much to give it all away and so he bought a tipper dog and started hauling quarry product out of the valleys on the western side of the mountains for customers on the Sydney side of the range.

For a long time Bob was a rusted on Mack man and has owned close to 50 Macks over half a century but that has changed recently with the arrival of his first Kenworth, a shiny new T610 SAR with a Cummins 15 litre sitting under the cab, mated to a venerable RoadRanger.

www.truckandbus.net.au 023

“ YES I LOVE TRUCKS, ALWAYS HAVE AND THEY HAVE COME SUCH A LONG WAY IN THE TIME I HAVE BEEN IN THE INDUSTRY”

024 www.truckandbus.net.au

Bob still has four Macks on fleet with three Superliners and an old Mack Ultraliner cab over.

The Kenny is eating up its role, carting quarry product across the mountains three times a day, clocking up about 660 km of hard punishing work six days a week, coping with the hard climbs, the increasing traffic through the mountains and western Sydney and then heading back again to do it all again.

As well as the torturous climbs and descents there are also the wild temperature swings from mid 40s in summer to negative temps in the depths of a Blue Mountains winter. In fact when

we ventured to Mt. Victoria to do the story it had snowed overnight and we were ankle deep in the white stuff.

The unrelenting stream of raw product to the Hy-Tec concrete plants in Sydney is needed to ensure Sydney’s massive infrastructure and building boom, which is demanding more and more concrete to ensure projects keep progressing. As well as that, real work is still yet to start on the massive Western Sydney Airport at Badgerys Creek, where earth work and preparatory excavation is currently underway.

Bob reckons that is going to demand an awful lot of concrete and keep his

trucks busy for a long time to come.

Despite having logged almost six decades working with trucks his enthusiasm and passion has not been dimmed and Bob clearly just loves being around and working with trucks.

“Yes I love trucks, always have and they have come such a long way in the time I have been in the industry,” he added.

Bob is particularly impressed with the T610 and the way it is handling the task it is assigned to.

“The Kenworth is handling it very well, we love it and it is returning 2.0 km/litre which is pretty good I reckon,” he said.

www.truckandbus.net.au 025

Indeed it is pretty good as the T610 is running on PBS at 57 tonne gross with a 15 tonne tipper body and hauling a 19 metre quad tipper dog.

“I specced it all up and it is working very well indeed and I sourced the dog trailer from BorCat, who are the best people you can deal with in trailers,” Bob adds.

The rig boasts a payload of 40.5 tonnes enabling it to shift an awful lot of quarry product to Hy-Tec’s cement operations scattered around Sydney including Smeaton Grange in the South West, Prestons near Liverpool, Glendinning near Blacktown and even Alexandria in the inner south.

“PBS has been a real boon for us, if you do the right thing and spec the truck the right way with the latest safety gear and technology you can gain some real productivity and efficiency gains.”

Although he is still not averse to getting

026 www.truckandbus.net.au

behind the wheel after almost 60 years in the business, Bob employs a father and son to drive his trucks, Frank and Dennis, and he reckons they do a great job.

“They’re a great team and never put a foot wrong and they love the Kenny,” said Bob. “I always said there are only two trucks Mack and Kenworth and although this is my first Kenny, it won’t be my last,” he adds.

“I was always a Mack man but there were a few issues and I thought it was time to try a Kenworth and I am glad I did,” he said.

Down the valley at Hartley, Bob’s son Jody runs a Mack Superliner with a 16 litre Cat as a low loader float but he too is going to follow the old man and purchase a Kenworth as well.

“Yep my Kenny has won him over and he is going to purchase one soon,” Bob adds.

The T610 Is running 4.3 diffs giving it a good mix of climbing ability and flat

running as well as good pick up from the many sets of traffic lights encountered on every run across the mountains.

The truck has logged more than 370,000 kilometres since Bob purchased it from Sydney Kenworth dealer Gilbert and Roach in-mid 2018.

“Look it is a good truck and I am very pleased with it, it is doing everything we are asking of it and doing it well, efficiently and economically so you really can’t argue with that,” he said.

“The service we are getting from the Kenworth dealer is really good as well and that makes things easier,” he added.

“It’s a good truck but it is a bit like a spanner oin my tool bpx, it is there to make money,” said Bob. After so many years being a Bulldog fancier it seems Bob Thompson has been won over by the Kenworth T610 and he has now got the ‘Bug’.

Improve Your Fuel Economy

With Advanced Shifting Technology

With DynActive™ Shifting

Allison has taken fuel economy to a new level with FuelSense® 2.0. Through a set of proprietary software enhancements, FuelSense 2.0 provides distribution vehicles with a 6.3% improvement in fuel economy.* Using an infinitely variable combination of shift points, rather than relying on fixed points from a shift table, FuelSense 2.0 uses a learning algorithm to continuously find the ideal balance of fuel economy and performance. It’ll even stand up to the heavy start-stop duty-cycles of fleets like yours. Discover the difference FuelSense 2.0 can make today.

To learn more, contact your Allison Transmission representative.

allisontransmission.com/fuelsense

*Over current production baseline © 2018 Allison Transmission Inc. All Rights Reserved.

New Product

VOLVO DEBUTED ITS NEW XXL CAB FH16 AS THE STAR OF ITS BRISBANE TRUCK SHOW STAND A MONTH BACK. WE WERE VERY PLEASED TO GET THE CHANCE TO PILOT THE BIG RIG ON A 900KM TEST DRIVE AS WELL AS SPENDING A NIGHT TESTING ITS BIG INNERSPRING MATTRESS IN THE EXTENDED CAB. THANKFULLY THE VOLVO’S ON HIGHWAY NOISE LEVELS WERE LOWER THAN THE NOISE OF OUR SNORING IN THE ULTRA COMFORTABLE BUNK AND WE HAD NO TROUBLE SLEEPING ON IT!

028 www.truckandbus.net.au

T

he full moon appeared in our mirrors as we motored along the Barwon Hwy from Goondiwindi towards our overnight stop at Talwood about 100km further west. The huge silvery plate-like face of the moon lit up the countryside while the high beam on the big 700 hp Volvo FH 16 XXL outlined a bright corridor ahead along the narrow ribbon of bitumen The 16-litre hummed along in the green band, hauling the BDouble laden to around 60 tonnes, with ease.

We were headed to Talwood, partly to test this road train spec Volvo FH but more importantly to test the new XXL cab, which Volvo has developed here in Australia and which it unveiled at the recent Brisbane Truck Show. The XXL

cab would be this writer’s home for the night while our ‘minder’, Volvo Group fuel efficiency manager, Matt Wood, adjourned to a bunk at the local Talwood pub for his night’s rest. I reckon I may have gotten the better option.

The exercise was to demo how comfortable the big bunk and its well sprung mattress is, and from our perspective, that was a point well proven.

It is in fact a big wide bunk and the Volvo people had equipped it with a fluffy doona and a XXL branded pillow. With that big moon shining brightly it was absolutely necessary to draw the drapes, shutting the cab off from the moonlit plains extended with some very effective curtains that slide around on tracks to cover the side windows and windscreen.

Once in the trackie dacks, brought along to ensure a warm night’s sleep, it was time to slide under the doona and watch a bit of telly before turning the lights out for the night. We need not have worried about staying warm, the cab stayed a comfortable temp all night particularly under the comfy doona. By 9.30 a coma like sleep had overcome me and the next thing remembered was waking fresh and ready for the road early the next day. We have to admit that there have been beds in decent hotels that did not provide as good a night’s sleep as the XXL’s bunk.

Drivers spend a lot of time in their trucks, hours at the wheel and often many hours catching some rest in the cab and the move to deliver an extra big cab, we believe, will be eagerly embraced.

www.truckandbus.net.au 029

The XXL cab has one of the biggest truck cab beds going around and is 130mm longer and 250 mm wider than in the normal Volvo FH. As we mentioned, it is a full innerspring mattress with an adjustable reclining section that adapts to the shape of your body, ensuring a terrific level of comfort.There’s also the option to have a second upper bunk fitted for two up operations.

Along with the improved sleeping experience, additional storage has been added around the cab to stow the necessary accoutrement of day to day existence living in your truck on the road.

For Volvo, creating the XXL underlines the importance of the Australian market, small as it may be in global terms.

However clearly with local manufacturing and engineering operations, Australia is not only an important market but a place where Volvo can try things to meet our unique transport demands.

As Volvo VP of sales Tony O’Connell says, Australia is one of a very few selected markets that will see the all-new XXL cab and it has been designed with Australia’s vast distances in mind.

“We listened to our customers and developed a truck that delivers world-class driver comfort and is a home away from home when drivers are out on the road.

A well-rested driver is safer and happier and the bigger bed and space to stretch out will help ensure a well-rested sleep,” O’Connell added.

We can but agree.

The only criticism we would have is the shift lever positioning on the side of the driver’s seat. We just found it got in the way when moving between the seat and the bunk area, even with its fold down mechanism. Small criticism though and for us it still wouldn’t be a deal breaker.

The truck can also be ordered with a dash mounted shift according to Matt Wood.

Volvo, always with an eye on safety, emphasised that while the XXL cab’s differences in size are big, the approach to safety is the same as any other Volvo cab, with extra C-pillars making sure the cab is strong enough to meet Volvo’s stringent Swedish Cab Strength Test safety standards and the latest European Cab Strength ECE R29-03 which now includes roll over simulations. Thankfully we didn’t have to test this during our time in the truck.

Our test started at Volvo’s HQ at Wacol in Brisbane around lunch time when Woodie and I set off, navigating the narrow freeway entrance before wheeling

030 www.truckandbus.net.au

west toward Ipswich and the Cunningham Highway to Cunninghams Gap. The Gap is always a stern test of any truck. It is a long, steep and unrelenting climb and we hit the bottom of the hill in 12th auto, top gear in the Volvo A/MT and the 700horses dug in to grind away at the climb, smoothly downshifting to ninth where it hung in and pulled strongly, gathering up a Kenworth BDouble in its stride. The last hard pinch came and when it dropped down the box to sixth, manual was selected so it would hold on for the final tight up hill bend. The performance was impressive, particularly with a full load on board on one of the toughest climbs in the country.

The big Swede ambled down the road to Warwick where a mid afternoon coffee and snack gave us the chance to contemplate the drive so far and the drive ahead, pushing west in the late afternoon with the low winter sun off our starboard bow.

Volvo had specced the 700 horse FH to road train standard with big super single tyres on the steer as well as on the drive axles. These proved a revelation, particularly on the badly rutted and bumpy Queensland bitumen that we encountered virtually from the time we turned off the New England and on to the Barwon Hwy at Warwick. The Volvo tracked across the uneven road as if on rails and nothing seemed to phase it or throw it off line.

Often on ordinary back country sealed roads there are some-heart-in-mouth, take-a-deep-breath moments when another BDouble is headed toward you with bumps and potholes lining your side of the track. You hope and pray that the bumps won’t throw the truck off its line.

Not so with this Volvo. It tracked straight as a die, riding over the bumps and steering perfectly with the right amount of assistance and damping.

Even with the excellent steering and straight tracking, the last hour of the run into Talwood saw us running down the middle of the road on the long straights when no oncoming traffic was present, to avoid the poor camber on the edges and to give a better strategic position against our mate Skippy and friends.

There is something quite wondrous about pushing into the darkness on a cold winter’s evening, with the moon rising behind you, the horizon ahead a deep orange turning to purple and dark blue as the sun sinks further below the curvature

of the earth and the big diesel below you humming away as the truck ambles along at 100km/h.

The 16 litre Volvo straight six is quiet, thanks to the terrific insulation job Volvo engineers have done on the cab. Obviously it is not totally silent, but the noise levels are very low for a truck at 100km/h and conversation can be comfortably carried on while sitting on an even dollar with 60000kgs behind you.

“ THERE IS NO QUESTION OF THIS TRUCK’S CREDENTIALS, IT IS THE FLAGSHIP OF THE VOLVO RANGE”

The cab’s dash layout has been well documented and is excellent, very well designed, easy to use, easy to read and very intuitive. Within an hour or so of climbing behind the wheel everything felt right and we were at home with every control becoming second nature, which is the way it should be.

The next morning we rose before the sun and hit the highway around 6am for the 450 odd kay haul back to Brisbane.

With the moon still setting in the west the sky lightening ahead we danced around the roos before a shower and breakfast at Goondiwindi.

The run back into the Queensland capital saw us head through Millmeran and the Darling Downs to Toowoomba before heading down the Range, in what could be one of the last times we tackle the challenging descent, with the second Range crossing bypass due to open any time.

Just like the run out and the climb up Cunninghams, the drive back was equally easy and comfortable . This is a truck that is a pleasure to drive and one that always inspires confidence and a safe feeling. We could see ourselves eating up many miles behind the wheel of the FH16 XXL. It is a bloody good truck There is no question of this truck’s credentials, it is the flagship of the Volvo range and as a piece of design and engineering we, as Australians should be very proud of it. Even though Volvo is a Swedish company this truck has some very strong Australian DNA coursing through its veins and long may it stay that way.

Can we put you down for one, or would you like to sleep on it?

www.truckandbus.net.au 031

Operator

032 www.truckandbus.net.au

TRUCKS ARE USED FOR ALL SORTS OF THINGS, MOST OF THEM TOILING ON OUR ROADS TO SHIP GOODS AND PRODUCE AROUND THE COUNTRY. HOWEVER SOME TRUCKS HAVE LIGHTER LOADS AND LESS ONEROUS TIME SCHEDULES BUT PLAY JUST AS VITAL A ROLE IN MOVING VALUABLE CARGO TO FAR FLUNG PLACES. ONE SUCH TRUCK IS THE KTM OFF ROAD RACING TEAM’S HINO 700 TRANSPORTER. WE CAUGHT UP WITH THE TEAM AND THE TRUCK AT THE FAMOUS FINKE DESERT RALLY IN ALICE SPRINGS.

www.truckandbus.net.au 033

A

ustralian motorcycle racer Toby Price has become a star of motor sport thanks to his exploits on a KTM dirt bike, aboard which he has captured two Dakar Rally titles and six wins in Australia’s torturous Finke Desert Race, a mad 460km two day off road race from Alice Springs to Apatula (Finke) and back every June Long Weekend.

As a part of the KTM factory dirt bike team Toby Price has helped lift the prominence of the Austrian motor cycle brand and made it the go to bike for many Aussie dirt riders.

KTM Australia runs its Off Racing and Enduro teams from its Sydney base and the task of moving a herd of off road racing dirt bikes around the country to the various Desert races and Enduros falls to a bright orange and black Hino 700 rigid

034 www.truckandbus.net.au

that redefines the term Hi-Viz. We caught up with the KTM team at the recent Finke Desert race and spent some time with the crew that drives the transporter and also fettles the racing bikes during race weekends.

Unfortunately Toby Price was not riding a bike in the Finke this year, after surgery to reconstruct his hand, which he broke on this year’ Dakar, meaning he would ‘rest’ and only drive an off road race pick up truck down the bumpy dirt track in 2019, but he will be back in 2019 when he hopes to win both the car and bike divisions of the Finke, by racing down in a car and then jumping a helicopter back to Alice to start the bike division. They don’t call him an ironman for nothing!

The team manager and the team mechanics reckoned it was a quieter weekend in Alice this year without

Toby racing his KTM, but they still had their hands full fettling the factory bikes of 29 year old local Alice rider David Walsh on his 500cc KTM and 18 year old Victorian tearaway Callum Norton on his 450cc machine.

The Hino 700 rigid used by the KTM team features a special pantech body by Melbourne body builder Genuine. The nine-metre body on the back of the rigid is fitted with tanks that hold around 2000 litres of water for washing the bikes, the truck and the team’s ancillary equipment.

As well as that there are compressors, generators and everything the team needs for a race weekend.

The rear area holds six of the team’s dirt bikes which are loaded via a rear hydraulic tail gate lift, as well as a workshop with the mechanics tool boxes and work benches for making essential repairs to the bikes.

“ WE GET TO GO TO SOME PRETTY COOL PLACES THAT YOU WOULDN’T EVER GET TO GO TO IN NORMAL LIFE SO WE ARE VERY FORTUNATE”

At the front of the Pantech is a team lounge area with a kitchenette where the riders and spanners can chill out and relax before or after racing. The body also has extensive belly lockers holding spares and the massive side canopy that gives the team an extra weather proof work area alongside the truck .

The KTM Hino 700 Series FS 2848 runs on air bag suspension and is powered by a 13-litre 480H engine mated to Hino’s ZF sourced 12 speed A/MT with an integrated retarder.

For the two KTM team mechanics who usually drive the big beast, Michael Carusi and Jordan Yeo the truck presents a comfortable and enjoyable way to move the team’s bikes around the country. The drive from the Sydney base to Alice for the Finke, was a three day trek heading south and then west across the Hay

Plains to Mildura for an overnight stop, before heading further west and then north up the Stuart Highway with the second overnighter spent in the truck at the Glendambo Roadhouse. From there it was a simple drive up the tar to Alice for a week of prep before the Finke.

Michael Carusi reckons the Hino is a pretty comfortable place thanks to the creature comforts on board which includes digital radio, a DVD player, Bluetooth connectivity, cruise control and of course the most important part of the package the ISRI seats as standard.

Michael, started his working life as an apprentice mechanic before working as a bike mechanic in a KTM dealership.

There he started helping out ‘spannering’ for a KTM rider at various races and in time he picked up a full time gig as a mechanic with the KTM factory team

where he remains today.

He reckons it is a dream job and is rapped with the fact that he not only gets to be directly involved in the sport he loves but that he also gets to see Australia from behind the wheel of a very comfortable and enjoyable truck.

“Its a pretty cool to drive, like a big car really, it is very comfortable, it’s got heaps of power and it doesn’t feel that heavy when you’re driving it, especially with the A/MT and the ISRI seats,” said Michael.

“We get to go to some pretty cool places that you wouldn’t ever get to go to in normal life so we are very fortunate I reckon.”

The team has a pretty busy schedule across the year with trips to Mildura for the famed Hattah Desert race, to Gympie in Queensland and to Dungog in NSW for enduros along with another round at

www.truckandbus.net.au 035

Kyogle in the far north of the state and an off road round at Broken Hill in the west, the famous Finke, obviously, and also to Dewhurst in South Australia, as well as forays from the workshop for testing and promotional events.

The team is managed by Glenn Kearney who is also KTM Group Australia’s motorsports manager, overseeing KTM’s Enduro Racing Team as well as managing the KTM Desert Racing Team.

Kearney also has a direct involvement with the KTM Motocross Racing Team, and also has input into the Husqvarna Enduro Racing Team. He is recognised as one of the sport’s most respected professionals, following a racing career that spanned more than a decade, winning off-road championships locally and also internationally.

“Races don’t wait for you if something goes wrong – you have to be there on time,

036 www.truckandbus.net.au

every time,” he said.

“We needed trucks that were reliable, easy to drive and helped our drivers stave off fatigue.

“With Hino’s range of trucks and nationwide dealer and service network, we can rely completely on our equipment and focus on the race.”

Glenn mentions that the team also has a smaller Hino 300 that was used by the off road team before they stepped up to the bigger Hino 700 a year ago.

‘The Off road team took over the Hino 700 from our motocross team and it is a great billboard for us both on the road and in the pit paddock area at the races we contest, said Glenn “Both trucks are painted in the full KTM orange and black livery and they look fantastic and stand out in the paddock, which is an important part of our

marketing and image,” he added.

In the paddock at Finke, arguably the biggest off road race of the year, attracting 650 bikes and 150 cars, the KTM truck really was a standout.

When we left the KTM crew they were celebrating the win for David Walsh, a popular victory for the local rider who has had to play second fiddle to Superstar Toby Price in recent years, but with Toby resting his wrist it was to be Walshy’s time to shine. Young protege Callum Norton would bring his machine home in fifth outright with KTMs accounting for five of the top ten bike finishers.

The next day, with all the bikes safely strapped down and the awning packed away it was time for the crew to hit the road for the three day trip back to Sydney to prepare for the team’s next foray to Kyogle in late July.

“ To deliver the BESTyou need the BEST TRUCK”

“With 85,000 kilometres covered every day, we put our 150+ UD Trucks in some of the harshest places, and they work day in day out. We commit to being the best for our customers; to deliver the best, you need the best truck.”

Mark Tobin

Managing Director Followmont Transport

New 8-litre Quon now with up to 2 years FREE scheduled servicing* Offer ends 31st August 2019.

Going the Extra Mile To find out more, contact your UD Trucks dealer on 1300 BUY A UD or visit udtrucks.com.au/offers *2 years or 200,000 kms (whichever occurs first from date of delivery) free scheduled servicing is available at participating UD Trucks dealers for all new Quon 8-litre models purchased by 31 August 2019 and delivered by 31 December 2019. Scheduled servicing excludes fair wear and tear items and any additional work or components required. Not available in conjunction with any other offers or to fleet, gov’t and rental buyers. UD Trucks may change or extend this offer. Full terms, conditions and exclusions are available at udtrucks.com.au/offers.

Road Test

A DIFFERENT KIND OF LIGHT 038 www.truckandbus.net.au

MOST LIGHT DUTY TRUCK BUYERS MAKE A B-LINE FOR JAPANESE TRUCKS AND THERE ARE SOME FAIRLY GOOD REASONS FOR THAT. THEY ARE THE STANDARD IN THE INDUSTRY, THEY’RE A KNOW ENTITY AND THEY DELIVER THE GOODS. WHILE THE COMFORT AND SAFETY OF THE JAPANESE TRUCKS HAS GENERALLY IMPROVED IN RECENT TIMES WITH THE LATEST OFFERINGS FROM ISUZU, FUSO AND HINO, THE OPTION OF GOING EUROPEAN CAB CHASSIS, LIKE THE MERCEDES BENZ SPRINTER OFFER A TOTALLY HIGHER STANDARD ALTOGETHER. WE TOOK A SPRINTER TRAY TRUCK FOR A WEEKS HARD TEST TO SEE HOW IT SHAPED UP. www.truckandbus.net.au 039

I

t occurred to us that most of the cab-over light duty Japanese trucks are fairly compromised when it comes to ride comfort and handling by comparison with, for want of a better term, ‘conventional cab, chassis truck offerings from the Euro manufacturers from the likes of VW with its Crafter, Iveco with its Daily and of course Mercedes Benz with its Sprinter.

Sprinter was updated late in 2018 and we had a brief drive back then which left us wanting more so when we had the chance to test the Sprinter light truck back to back with its sibling the Sprinter van it opened our eyes even further.

It has always amazed us that the Japanese truck makers have never jumped into the van market to any great degree, particularly given that the domestic market in Japan would be ideally suited

040 www.truckandbus.net.au

to the use of vans in commercial operations with the narrow streets and crowded cities.

The European makers do the van thing particularly well and then parlay the van chassis into light truck configurations with either an alloy load tray, pantech body or even a camper/motorhome body fitted.

The reality is that when you climb aboard a Mercedes Benz Sprinter with an empty tray body and drive it down the road you think you are driving a car, such is the quality of the ride and the low levels of noise, vibration and harshness. While the Japanese have improved and are good, the Benz is better.

Driving it is also really surprising whether laden or unladen. The truck we tested was the 516 CDI Mid Wheelbase which has a GVM of 4.49 tonnes and is fitted with the 2.1 litre four cylinder turbo diesel offering up 140kW of power at

3800rpm and 360Nm of torque which is at max from 1400rom to 2400rpm.

You can also get the four cylinder in 84kw/300Nm and 105kW/330Nm spec levels in the front drive versions while there’s also a single-turbo V6 diesel 140kW/440Nm engine available in the rear drive models.

The six speed manual is standard while the nine-speed auto is an option on FWD models and the seven-speed auto, as our truck was fitted with, is optional on the RWD and AWD models.

The 516 MWB cab chassis weighs 2175kg and delivers a payload of 2315kg.giving a 4.49 tonne GVM which means that you can drive it on a normals car licence.

The Sprinter delivers a GCM of 6.49 tonnes which means you can tow up to two tonnes braked and 750kg unbraked.

The fact is that by any measure the

“ THE BENZ IS UP FOR THE WEIGHT TASK WITH SOLID CHASSIS RAILS AND DUAL REAR TYRES HELPING IT TO COPE AND COPE IT DOES” driving experience is streets ahead of similar spec cab over rivals from the Japanese makers . The steering is very accurate, well weighted and direct and just makes the little truck very easy to drive.

Unladen the Sprinter cab chassis is quick and nimble and the small turbo diesel delivers plenty of urge and it really gets up and goes when you hit the torque band. The seven speed auto shifts sweetly, delivers easy take offs and is smooth and fuss free.

Load it up and it clearly has an affect and with about 1.5 tonnes of building products on board you really start to notice the extra weight and the speed and urge drop quite noticeably.

Its up for the task and it performs on a similar level to its Japanese rivals which also would feel the handicap of a load like that, but the Sprinter is a fair bit

more expensive and that counts for a lot in this market. However the refinement and smooth running has to be worth something as does the safety features and creature comforts. It really depends if you are willing to pay the premium.

The Benz is up for the weight task with solid chassis rails and dual rear tyres helping it to cope and cope it does.

Unlike its largely drum braked opposition the Benz has superlative stopping power with four wheel disc brakes with excellent pedal feel and, which is confidence inspiring, ensuring strong and consistent retardation either laden or unladen.

We were able to eke out an average of 12.2 litres per 100km from the Sprinter across laden and unladen duties which we thought was pretty reasonable given it is a light truck with a 2.3 tonne payload.

Many one tonne utes would struggle to match this figure. The fuel capacity in our test truck was 71 litres ( 65 in the front drive versions) while there is a 93 litre tank for those needing to travel long distances in the country.

The Sprinter cab mirrors that of its van sibling and is practical and well designed as you would expect from the German master manufacturer.

In front of the driver is a leather trimmed steering wheel which feels fantastic and features the latest Benz tech when it comes to buttons and pads to bring up information on the screen. It adds an extra bit of Benz luxury and is a bit reminiscent of its C and E class cars if not Lewis Hamilton’s F1 car.

The cab is well appointed with enough cup holders to serve morning tea for about six! There are four down low on

www.truckandbus.net.au 041

the dash and another two on top of the dash, plus another two in front of both occupants lower on the dashboard while there is a huge number of nooks and bins for stowing nic nacs that always clutter a working vehicle cab.

There are also massive pockets in the doors, which consume even more of those necessary items like invoice books, note pads etc and you can also slide a large water bottle into the moulded slot.

The centre of the dash is dominated by the crystal clear and very impressive 10.25-inch MBUX media screen. While it is very good it lacks some intuitive traits and its voice control system was hard to master, perhaps we should have been speaking with a German accent!

The seats in our test truck were the optional Comfort Seats which have enormous amounts of adjustment including base tilt, base extension, height adjust and backrest tilt. We found

042 www.truckandbus.net.au

them very comfortable and combined with the excellent ride makes for a very relaxed time at the wheel.

The standard equipment list is extensive in the cab with pushbutton keyless start, electric remote control and folding side mirrors and of course the all encompassing MBUX infotainment system as well as electric windows and air conditioning.

The seats are cloth trimmed while there is hard wearing ‘hose me out’ rubber flooring.

The Sprinter has dual front and curtain airbags It has auto emergency braking (AEB) and daytime running lights as standard and features the latest ESP91 stability program that features assist systems including crosswind assist, trailer stabilisation and load-adaptive control.

Benz gives the Sprinter a three year 200000km warranty along with 24-hour roadside assist for the warranty period.

List pricing (before on-road costs) for the cab-chassis model range starts from

$41,238 and stretches up to $69,332.

That includes both single- and dual-cab models of varying lengths.

The 516 CDI mid wheel base rear drive model we tested had an extensive options list including the $4626 Scattolini steel tray with aluminium sides, plus $611 for a ladder rack, the $715 Comfort Seat Pack, the $1067 Distronic adaptive cruise control, $2875 for a seven-speed 7G-Tronic automatic, a $231 leather steering wheel and $1584 MBUX info screen.

All of that combined takes the list price of $57,549 plus on roads up to $69,275.

Its hard to get a like for like pricing against the opposition from Japan but on our gauge it is probably 10 to 15 per cent above the rough costing for a Hino or Isuzu.

We reckon the Benz is worth a look if you value comfort and safety and you’re prepared to pay the extra premium.

Next issue we will tackle the Sprinter van and give a full rundown on that.

TRUCK TYRES

You can trust MAXXIS TRUCK TYRES for all this: Exceptional CPK returns

Premium performance Outstanding value for money

MA268

MD860

MT212

UM968

UM816

UL387

1800 MAXXIS

WWW.MAXXISTYRES.COM.AU MAXXISTyresAustralia

@Maxxis.Tyres.Australia

Maxxis Tyres Australia

Operator

QUEENSLAND TRANSPORT COMPANY FOLLOWMONT HAS LOGGED SOME SIGNIFICANT MILESTONES IN RECENT TIMES TAKING DELIVERY OF ITS 150TH UD AND CELEBRATING 35 YEARS IN BUSINESS. THE HIGHLY SUCCESSFUL BRISBANE BASED COMPANY IS AN IMPRESSIVE OPERATION AND WE TAKE A LOOK AT WHAT MAKES THE FOLLOWMONT MACHINE TICK.

3

5 years is a long time in anyone’s language and it is an especially long time in the fickle, competitive and at times cut throat road transport industry.

Cast your mind back to 1984, for those of you old enough to have been around then. Australia was a very different place way back then, the recently deceased Bob Hawke was the PM and less than a year into his eight years in office, Brocky won Bathurst for the eighth time, Canterbury were Rugby League premiers and Essendon won the AFL flag and Alan Bond bought Channel 9 in Perth.

The truck industry was also very

044 www.truckandbus.net.au

different back then and the economy was only just being shaken out of decades of heavy regulation and protection and the many years of industrial unrest had been calmed by the National economic summit.

It was also the year that Queensland based transport company Followmont came into being.

Followmont was founded from humble beginnings in 1984, when Bernie Tobin and Alan Salpietro realised a gap in the market, when a rail strike affected newspaper deliveries to regional areas in the Sunshine State.

The two men loaded their only truck and took to the road to ensure Queensland

towns remained connected and it wasn’t long before their work ethic was recognised by multi-national retailers.

They quickly established a network that had its customers’ needs as the first priority and delivered jobs the others couldn’t.

Over the years, their commitment to service saw the company evolve from two men and truck, to become Queensland’s largest family-owned transport company.

Now under the reigns of Bernie’s son, Mark Tobin, Followmont has more than 800 employees, close to 1000 pieces of equipment, 25 plus depots throughout Queensland and New South Wales and 150 local contractors.

The Tobin Family (left to right): Mark Tobin, Bernie Tobin and Ben Tobin

Managing director, Mark Tobin, said dedication to providing the best service possible is something that still rings true to the company’s values today.

“It’s been this dedication that has set a precedent for how we operate and why we have achieved so much over the 35 years. ”We form partnerships with our customers and understand what they need to be successful in their business and how we can help them achieve that,” said Mark.

Bernie said from the moment they started, they made a promise to the customers.

“If we said we would deliver the freight, we delivered it.

“Integrity is everything and when we

shook hands with our customers, they knew we were true to our words,” Bernie said.

Maintaining the family feel across the organisation is the most important factor for Followmont Transport, boasting a tagline of ‘it’s personal, not commercial.’

It’s the hands-on relationships that set them apart from the competition and something that Mark says is embedded in their culture.

“Our company was founded on family values and it’s important that legacy is carried on. We instil these values in our people and expect our team to deliver the highest level of service.

“We always pull together to get the job

done, not one person is more important than the other. When it comes to providing for our customers, every role in our organisation plays a part and we couldn’t do it without supporting each other,” Mark said.

“Our people form a family unit and we have created an environment where they feel a sense of belonging and are committed to each other. Without those values, we couldn’t drive the business forward,” he said.

Followmont has recently made enormous investments in its future with the acquisition of New South Wales based Towers Transport last year, expanding its network to now also reach every New

www.truckandbus.net.au 045

South Wales town, every night.

The strategic move was made to offer additional services to its existing customer base for the benefit of their businesses and is currently in the process of ramping up further.

Along with its continued investment in fleet, properties, people, training and compliance, the company is also transitioning to improved digital platforms, offering a better customer and employee experience.

Followmont Transport is going from strength to strength and looking forward to the next 35 years delivering for Queensland and New South Wales.

Followmont has also had an amazing relationship with truck maker UD and recently too delivery of. Its 150th truck from the Japanese maker.

Mark Tobin says the 150th UD truck is another spoke in the wheel of its relationship with the company.

“We’re excited to be taking on our 150th edition at Followmont, it just goes to show the growth of our business and the strength of our operation,” said Mr Tobin.

Followmont clocks up more than 85,000km every day, moves 3,000 tonnes and delivers 99 per cent in-full and on-time.

“We need reliable and dependable products and find the UD is a truck suited to support our growth, making our jobs easier,” said Mr Tobin.

The company’s network across Queensland is extensive and covers every where from Blackwater to Birdsville and from Cunnamulla to Cooktown serving more than 20,000 customers including Mitre 10, Repco, Australia Post and Dulux.

“We have a commitment to our customers to always go the extra mile and be relied upon for their transport needs, so we need equipment that is fit for purpose and UD Trucks provide the right product for our business, said Mr Tobin.

“We set high expectations around the service we deliver and we expect the same dedication from our suppliers.”

Vice president of UD Trucks, Mark Strambi presented Mark Tobin with the keys to the new truck, acknowledging the close relationship in a ceremony at the “As a passionate family business Followmont Transport is 100 per cent dedicated to service and hands-on relationships. These values hold the same importance for UD Trucks; our ethos is to always go the extra mile in everything we do,” said Mr Strambi.

046 www.truckandbus.net.au

“Wherever Queenslanders are, Followmont Transport is there too.

And UD Trucks will always be close by to support them.”

Followmont’s current fleet numbers 383 trucks of varying brands but the majority are from the Volvo Group. It has purchased an average of between 12 to 15 UD trucks per year from small rigids through to 60 tonne GCM prime movers.

UD Trucks Australia Of the 150 UDs that Followmont has purchased over the many years of the relationship, 123 are still currently active and on the road.

“The 150th truck is their standard spec for Brisbane metro work. Followmont has ordered the odd prime mover, but most of its UDs are 12 pallet or 14 pallet body trucks.”

Mark Tobin said that he’s been really impressed with the UD Trucks’ Quon.

“UD have been able to retain the cost value, considering the safety and product improvements. I can’t fault them,” he added.

“Mechanically we’ve experienced minimal breakdowns and our workshop finds UD accessible for ease of mechanical repairs, assisting with servicing time.”

Mr Tobin says the fuel economy makes them a smart and economical investment for local runs and short line haul too.

“Fuel economy is in excess of two kilometres per litre and AdBlue usage is below 3.5 percent,” he said.

Tobin is extremely passionate about his people and creating a work environment where everyone is proud to come to each day – and this includes having the right trucks.

“Our drivers enjoy getting behind the wheel; our UDs provide good visibility, easy entry and exit for the driver and a turning circle that’s a good fit for the work that is carried out,” said Mr Tobin.

“We have stayed loyal to UD because they have proved so reliable. Really you can put a UD on any run in Queensland and work it hard and be confident that it will not have any problems.”

VCV’s Stuart Blackmore said the UD Trucks’ team is focussed on maintaining its strong relationship with Followmont into the future.

“We have done the 100th UD truck handover, now we are doing the 150th.

The next goal for us will be to continue to deliver ultimate dependability and celebrate the 200th truck handover with Followmont.”

“ WE HAVE A COMMITMENT TO OUR CUSTOMERS TO ALWAYS GO THE EXTRA MILE AND BE RELIED UPON FOR THEIR TRANSPORT NEEDS, SO WE NEED EQUIPMENT THAT IS FIT FOR PURPOSE AND UD TRUCKS PROVIDE THE RIGHT PRODUCT FOR OUR BUSINESS”

www.truckandbus.net.au 047

KUMHO QUEST TO FIND AUSTRALIA’S BEST TRUCK OPERATOR YOU OR SOMEONE YOU NOMINATE CAN WIN NOMINATIONS ARE OPEN FOR THE KUMHO QUEST TO FIND AUSTRALIA’S MOST EFFICIENT, SAFEST AND BEST TRUCK OPERATOR. IT MIGHT BE A MAJOR FLEET, IT MIGHT BE AN OWNER DRIVER, A SMALL FLEET A BIG FLEET OR A HANDFUL OF TRUCKS, SEND IN YOUR NOMINATIONS AND TELL US WHY WE SHOULD SELECT YOUR RECOMMENDATION AND THE WINNING OPERATOR WILL RECEIVE $2500 WORTH OF TYRES AND THE HONOUR OF BEING THE WINNER OF THE KUMHO QUEST SEND YOUR SUBMISSIONS TO EDITOR@TRUCKANDBUS.NET.AU OR BY MAIL TO PO BOX 7046 BROOKVALE NSW 2100

KUMHO – BETTER ALWAYS

ALL IT TAKES At Kumho, we deliver a smoother, safer ride for you and your cargo – on tyres designed to perform in all Australian conditions. Whether it’s a light load or heavy highway haulage, our commitment to quality will deliver you great value and a safer tomorrow.

And like a circle, it never ends. We’ll continue to look for new ways to make your experience better. It’s just what we do.

KUMHO TYRE. BETTER, ALL-WAYS.

Proudly Supporting

KUMHO.COM.AU

Operator

050 www.truckandbus.net.au

ITS FAIR TO SAY THAT SINCE ITS RETURN TO THE AUSTRALIAN MARKET, INTERNATIONAL HAS HAD A VERY TOUGH TIME OF THINGS. THE SALES HAVE NOT EXACTLY BEEN SETTING THE WORLD ON FIRE, WHICH IS A PITY BECAUSE THEY ARE GOOD TRUCKS. SO IT IS NOT SURPRISING THAT WHEN INTERNATIONAL KICKS A GOAL AND DOES A DEAL TO SELL SIX PROSTARS THEN IT SHOULD BE SOMETHING TO CROW ABOUT. AND CROW THEY SHOULD. WE TAKE A LOOK AT INTERNATIONAL’S BEST CUSTOMER SO FAR AND WHY THEY CHOSE THE BRAND

www.truckandbus.net.au 051

A

s we said in our road test of the Pro Star earlier this year, there is no reason why International should not be selling more trucks. They are decent, hard working, solid examples of modern American engineering and from what we gather pricing is also pretty reasonable.

So why has it taken so long for them to start moving?

Since Paul Dinicol joined Iveco as the business sales manager for International, he has been doing a lot of work to get fleet operators and owner drivers behind the wheel of the endearing Inters but its been a bit of a slow burn. Decisions are made slowly and also you cannot get away from the fact that Inter is carrying more baggage than a jilted lover at the moment.

The well documented, and badly managed Caterpillar episode, which was a cynical exercise on the part of both Navistar and Caterpillar, did nothing to give Inter’s

052 www.truckandbus.net.au

return to the Aussie market a smooth ride. That was followed by what can only be seen as a degree of intransigence and inertia at Iveco when it picked up the brand once more back in early 2017.

With Bruce Healey at the helm of Iveco and Scott Slater recruited, as sales manager there seemed to be a new resolution at Dandenong to get things moving and start selling some Inters.

One fleet, which has bought into the idea following the sales roadshows that Paul Dinicol has run around the Eastern States, is the Ryan’s Group based in the Victorian centre of Ballarat.

Ryans won a major contract, which gave the company the opportunity to put six new ProStar to work hauling frozen products around the metro Melbourne area and further afield to its operations Ballarat.

Underlining the slow burn that has been International since its return is the fact that this deal for a fleet of six is the biggest

single deal for the brand since 2017.

At best it has been moving one or two trucks. In fact Inter only sold 61 trucks in Australia in 2018 and only three months last year exceeded six sales (10 in January and also November and 9 in October). So one would imagine they might have been fairly pleased when Ryans signed on the dotted line for this fleet Ryans is a family owned business that has been operating in the transport and storage business in Victoria, South Australia, New South Wales and Queensland for more than 60 years.

The company boasts that it provides transport solutions for all freight and supply chain needs and currently services clients including Woolworths, CSR, Vinidex and a range of other companies.

The company’s international wing is run in association with Scan Global Logistics servicing logistical needs in more than 187 countries.

www.truckandbus.net.au 053

“YOU CAN HAVE ALL THE TECHNOLOGY IN THE WORLD BUT OUR PROFESSIONAL DRIVERS STILL PLAY AN ENORMOUS ROLE IN ENSURING OUR FREIGHT MOVEMENTS RUN SAFELY AND EFFICIENTLY” Ryan says it prides itself on maintaining close relationships with communities in which it operates, sponsoring and promoting local events, sharing expertise through the board’s of local organisations and by providing stable employment for more than 130 people.

Configured with day cabs, all of the new vehicles are equipped with Cummins X15 engines rated at 550hp and 2,508 Nm, coupled to Eaton ‘Ultrashift Plus’ AMT. The vehicles haul refrigerated, quad axle single trailers with steerable rear axles to allow easier maneuvering into loading docks at Newcold Advanced Cold Logistics’ facility, as well as at manufacturing facilities belonging to Peters and McCains.

Ryans Group Manager, David Howell, said that the ProStar’s specifications were a strong fit for the application “The ProStar provides a solid overall package – depending on the route the trucks will be travelling around 5,000 kilometres each per week in metro conditions as well as some highway work, they’re on-call around the clock,” he said “They have a proven driveline and they’re hearty trucks so we have every confidence that they’ll stand up to the rigors of the job.”

054 www.truckandbus.net.au

Although at present the ProStars are on single trailer work grossing around 55 tonnes, with a 90 tonne GCM, they have a broader scope to also handle B-Double and even two trailer road train work if required, providing Ryans Group with additional flexibility.

Ryans opted for the Inters because of the proven, traditional prime mover, however the trailing stock and freight management technology on board are latest tech and highly advanced.

The trailers feature roll-on, roll-off systems that allow them to be fully loaded in as little as four minutes, providing huge efficiencies and decongesting loading docks, as the trucks are loaded and back on the road faster.

All drivers are also equipped with ‘Epod’ systems; this technology was developed in partnership with Honeywell and Peacock Bros, two businesses with extensive expertise in productivity and scanning/ mobile computer technologies.

The handheld Epod device provides the drivers with real-time job information and delivery ETAs for the recipients of the goods, allowing them to better schedule their workflow. Furthermore, the driver can also photograph the load once onboard and sealed – all this information

is processed via the Epod gateway computer at the Ryan’s depot and easily available if required via a website using a consignment number.

David said that driver acceptance of the new ProStars had been excellent, with them all commenting positively on the cabin appointments and how well and they drive and feel on the road.

“The drivers certainly appreciate the automated transmission, especially considering the amount of time they spend in traffic crossing from the east to the west of Melbourne,” he said.

“It’s a comfortable cabin environment and the visibility is excellent, which again is an extra benefit in city conditions.

“You can have all the technology in the world but our professional drivers still play an enormous role in ensuring our freight movements run safely and efficiently, so we like to provide them with equipment that they want to drive.”

The ProStars were purchased from favoured, long-term commercial vehicle supplier, Adtrans Truck Centre, who will also handle maintenance of the vehicles.

Lets hope that Inter sell a whole lot more in Australia in the future, as we said before, there is no reason why it shouldn’t.

GET ALL THE LATEST TRUCK AND BUS INDUSTRY NEWS AS IT HAPPENS AT THE TRANSPORT INDUSTRY’S BEST NEWS WEBSITE

www.truckandbusnews.net.au Brought to you from the resources of Transport & Trucking Australia as well as Coach & Bus magazine

Truck e-News

We also bring you all of the latest news in an easy to consume email bulletin, Truck e-News giving you all the detail on the biggest stories and industry news allowing you to click through to the website.

SIGN UP NOW FOR FREE

LCV

056 www.truckandbus.net.au

A FUNNY NAME, FUNNY LOOKS AND UNCERTAINTY HAVE MARKED SSANGYONG’S TIME IN AUSTRALIA OVER THE PAST TWO DECADES. NOW WITH A NEW LOOK, A NEW LOCAL OPERATION AND SOME IMPRESSIVE VEHICLES THE KOREAN BRAND MAY HAVE FINALLY GOT ITS ACT TOGETHER. WE TAKE A LOOK AT ITS NEW MUSSO UTES, BOTH THE STANDARD TRAY AND THE LONG WHEEL BASE XLV.

I

t is a bit over 20 years since SsangYong started selling its vehicles in Australia. Its fair to say that the funny name and some ‘funny’ looks didn’t help the cause. That combined with a revolving door of distributors who have come and gone, has done nothing for buyer confidence and SsangYong has struggled for sales as a result.

Well we are told that things have changed and that SsangYong is back and ready to attack the market with new vigour and new product. We’ve heard that before but this time it just might be different.

The Korean company has recently rolled out the next phase in its re launch program with the arrival of the long wheel base version of the Musso, the XLV dual cab, adding to the Musso short wheel base dual cab it launched back in December last year.

SsangYong is the only Korean maker offering a ute and it has arrived into what is a fast-growing and very competitive market segment. After those years of piecemeal SsangYong efforts from various distributors along with cars with at best challenging looks, we believe it has turned a significant corner.

For a start the local operation is now factory owned and if the Musso and its SUV sibling the Rexton are anything to go by, then the days of odd-ball styling are behind the Korean brand.

SsangYong has been sold here for around 23 years on and off, and according to the company there are around 5000 SsangYongs on Australia roads, not a huge number for 20 odd years of toil but if the improvements in quality, engineering, performance and styling with the latest offerings are anything to go by they should sell a whole lot more in the next few years.

It must be said that it has modest and quite realistic sales expectations in the short to medium term, targeting 3000 sales this year, 4000 in 2020 and 5000 in 2021.

Currently it is only offering the short and long wheelbase Musso variants along with the Tivoli small sedan/SUV crossover as well as the Rexton SUV. So far this year the company says it has moved about 1000 units in Australia, so it is a little behind its projected target but says that with new models and more dealers expected on board it will finish close to the 3000 unit target figure this year The new Korando SUV is expected to join the line up in October, while in 2020 Rexton gets a model refresh, there’s a potential new C segment SUV and a new MPV expected later next year.

A battery electric model is also on the drawing board with a possible launch in 2022.

The dealer network currently numbers 40, but SsangYong Australia boss Tim Smith says they are targeting 50 dealers by the end of next year.

“We want to grow this sustainably and organically,” Smith told us at the launch.

“We want a spread of metro and rural dealers and we are looking at all areas with the aim of getting to 50 by the end of 2019 and we will look at targets beyond that then,” Smith said.

“We are under no illusions, it is not going to be an easy task but we are confident we have the product and the resources to establish SsangYong as a strong brand in Australia,” he added.

The new Musso XLV is an extremely competent and capable multipurpose vehicle with excellent fit and finish, ride and handling and a comprehensive list of standard features but most importantly sharp pricing.

As with the short wheelbase offering, the XLV will be available in three different trims – ELX, Ultimate and top of the line Ultimate Plus. Starting price for the manual ELX is $33,990 drive away, moving up to the automatic at $35,990, while the Ultimate is priced from $39,990 the Ultimate Plus from $43,990. All of the prices are quoted as drive-away. A big drawcard will be.

Those prices represent a pretty compelling case when it comes to purchasing decision, and given the strong equipment levels, a 7 year warranty and its on and off road performance the Musso should be on more dual cab buyer’s shopping lists.

www.truckandbus.net.au 057

“ ON ROAD IT WAS CONFIDENT AND SURE FOOTED WITH VERY GOOD NVH LEVELS AND A COMFORTABLE, RELAXED FEEL” The seven year warranty, which is coupled with seven year road side assistance and a seven year servicing package is, as far as we can tell, unmatched across the industry. SsangYong is calling this the Triple 7 package and it should certainly be a swaying factor for any buyers worried about any uncertainties with long term reliability and maintenance costs.

Musso is powered by the 2.2 litre e-XDi220 turbo diesel engine, which is also used in the Rexton. It boasts 133kW of power at a relatively high 4,000 rpm with maximum torque of 420Nm between 1,600 and 2,600 rpm and it is available with either a six-speed manual or a six-speed Aisin automatic transmission.

The engine is flexible, quiet, smooth and quite punchy with plenty of climbing and overtaking power and good take off.

It is perfectly mated with the six speed auto, which has good ratios and smooth shifts as well as a nifty shift switch on the side of the lever that allows for manual shifting. We didn’t get to try the manual but with such a small number of manuals being sold these days most will be choosing the auto, making the performance of the manual academic.

058 www.truckandbus.net.au

SsangYong says the XLV boasts the longest tray in the segment with a 1,262-litre capacity tub, which comes with a liner as standard. It is a big, deep load area and the extra length of the XLV model is immediately apparent. This is a feature we are sure will win buyers over. The load deck is large enough to carry a Euro pallet between the arches and it also comes equipped with 12V/120W power outlets and four tie down hooks to secure loads.

It will also be available with a choice of either leaf spring or multi-link coil spring rear suspension. It says local suspension calibration work has been done on the Musso and this was quite apparent on our test drive in the hills around Marysville in the Great Dividing Range east of Melbourne. Some may question this strategy after a disaster with Nissan pursuing a similar strategy with the two options available on Navara, but SsangYong is confident it can do it and avoid the problems Nissan encountered.

The leaf spring ELX comes with 17-inch alloy wheels, heavy duty tyres and a maximum payload of 1,020 kgs while the Ultimate and Ultimate Plus are fitted with 18-inch alloy wheels

and have a slightly smaller payload of 800 kgs.

The Musso uses the same body on frame architecture as the Rexton SUV, so like the prominent one tonne pick ups in the market such as HiLux, Ranger and Colorado it has the toughness to handle off road conditions but still delivers smooth on road manners and performance.

Interior comfort and finish is excellent, with comfortable seating for five and a dash and instrument layout that is easy to use and nicely designed.

Equipment levels include safety features such as Autonomous Emergency Braking, Lane Change Assist, Rear Cross Traffic Alert, Blind Spot Detection, Front Vehicle Start Alert and a 360-degree camera as well as an infotainment system that includes Apple CarPlay, Android Auto and Bluetooth connectivity. The central 8 “LCD screen is easy to read and operate and everything about the dash just sits nicely with tactile switch gear and a premium feel from then material used with nice touches like contrast stitching.

Musso’s drive system features part time 4x4 with power delivered permanently to the rear wheels while 4WD is ‘dialled

in’ electronically as required, with high and low ratios available on demand.

The new Musso XLV also comes with a locking differential system to provide better traction on steep and slippery gradients, and for increased towing capability. We found the off road performance on a brief but testing drive in wet and slippery conditions to be sure footed and confident despite only being on road tyres.

On tarmac it was confident and sure footed with very good NVH levels and a comfortable, relaxed feel. It is a dual cab ute that could easily swallow up long distances on Australian roads without fuss and in comfort.

After being behind the wheel of the Musso XLV at the launch and in a week long test of the short wheel base model, we came away impressed.

The challenge for SsangYong will be overcoming the lack of brand awareness and to make people realise this is a very capable and good value ute in a highly competitive market. We hope they can win over buyers and with the pricing, performance, styling and overall finish, there is no reason why they can’t.

www.truckandbus.net.au 059

Company Car

060 www.truckandbus.net.au

T

oyota, never a company to miss a segment and always one to perfect a popular choice has a plethora of SUVs including the Kluger which has like the segment it is in, grown considerably in recent times.

From the moment you set eyes on the Kluger you realise every aspect of it was designed primarily for our brothers on the other side of the Pacific in the US of A, where they have an even bigger love affair with the genre. In fact the Kluger we get here is built in America.

It is big and heavy and tips the scales at 1980kg and under the bonnet is a substantial and unstressed 3.5-litre V6 delivering 218kW at 6600rpm and an impressive 350Nm of torque, coupled to an eight-speed automatic.

Thing with the Kluger and many others like it in this genre is the misnomer of the segment name, there is plenty of Utility but not a lot of Sport! That’s fine because most people have forgotten the meaning of the acronym and it has grown a meaning all of its own.

We had a seven-day liaison with this endearing American piloting the quiet and comfortable GXL around the suburbs and while it is not a vehicle that fits our lifestyle and preferences, it was still a pleasant and enjoyable week with the Kluger.

I have never been more aware of a vehicle’s origins than in the Kluger it just shouts the fact that it is built for the US market down to the materials Toyota has chosen and styling inside the cabin.

The design is not cookie cutter with all the other SUVs. There are some points of difference including a sort of under shelf running across the dash offering a terrific storage for items that need to be close at hand but which you don’t want slipping

off the seat or in some unreachable place, in fact there is a handy rubber surface that reduces the chance of items sliding around.

The interior of the Kluger is capacious, giving up a huge amount of space and three rows of seats for seven passengers.

There is storage everywhere you look with the aforementioned shelf, cup holders in all sorts of places and a huge centre console bin that looks like it could hold a week’s groceries (It’s probably not that big but it seems that way).

The second row has belts and positions for three passengers and the foldable seats in the third row are for two smaller adults or kids.

Fold that third row of seats up and there is a massive amount of luggage space but it is drastically reduced obviously when you do have the full compliment of seven occupants on board.

The GXL front drive version we tested comes with a price tag of $54,950 and is the mid-point in the three variant line up in the Kluger range. There is also an all wheel drive variant at $58,990 while the entry level GX model comes in at $44,990.

With the Kluger GXL comes dual-zone climate control air conditioning, DAB digital radio, 18 inch alloy wheels, cruise control, sat navigation, front and rear cameras, parking sensors, power windows and mirrors, automatic headlights, keyless entry and start, leather trimmed seats and an electric tailgate.

The Kluger is all about giving families a big spacious, versatile vehicle that will eat up miles on the open road but which most of the time gives everyone riding in it a comfortable and relaxed space whether that is one person or seven and whether it is tooling around the suburbs or sitting in traffic on the freeway

AUSSIES HAVE FALLEN IN LOVE WITH SUVS, SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES AS THEY ARE MORE PROPERLY CALLED. BIG FAT STATION WAGONS ON STEROIDS. WHY EXACTLY THEY LOVE THEM WE HAVE NO IDEA, BUT THE LOVE AND PASSION FOR THEM IS GROWING STRONGER ALL THE TIME. WE RECENTLY JUMPED ABOARD ONE OF TOYOTA’S FRONTLINE SUVS, THE KLUGER FOR A COMPANY CAR TEST. www.truckandbus.net.au 061

or heading to the beach at weekends.

As we said before the car feels like it comes from America. It has big wide, well padded seats, it is very well insulated and the car just feels like an American machine despite its Japanese brand plate.

Start the V6 and it purrs away in near silence, shift it in to drive and move away and it wafts along in a smooth and relaxed mode, just as they like it in the USA. Even with it weighing in at close to two tonnes the Kluger has plenty of grunt and it is fairly easy to switch off the traction control and provoke plenty of wheelspin from the front tyres.

This is not a sports car, it is big boulevard cruiser that lopes along and the suspension is soft and compliant rather than taut and toned. The result is a bit wallowing and mushy but it is not as bad as some of its opponents including

062 www.truckandbus.net.au

Holden’s Arcadia, which is really very soft by comparison.

It is however quite quick when you slip the welly in and jam down on the right pedal it really gathers up its skirts and starts to run.

Safety wise it comes with the full suite of Toyota electronic safety systems including ABS, seven airbags, ESP stability control, Automatic Emergency Braking, precollision warning, lane departure warning, pedestrian avoidance, lane assist, rear cross-traffic alert, active cruise control and automatic high beam dipping, traction control and rear parking sensors as well as a reversing camera.

The Kluger comes with the usual Toyota warranty of three-years/100,000km, which is quite short by industry standards these days, with most competitors offering five years and 200,000km and some giving

seven year protection. We remember when Toyota led the field with three-year warranties to convince buyers to buy ahead of the Holden’s and Fords. Now it is a bit cynical given Toyota’s iron grip on the new car market. One wonders when it might feel any pressure to align with the rest of the market.

In terms of fuel economy the Kluger is never going to be a frugal beast but we still managed to return around 12.5 litres/100km which given the weight, the performance and the carrying capacity.

In a grudging kind of way we liked t he Kluger it is a well insulated, relaxed and roomy vehicle aimed firmly at the family market.

If you need an SUV to cart the kids and the dogs and all the family accouterment around in reliable and relaxed style then the Kluger should be on your shopping list.

SUBSCRIBE TODAY ENSURE YOU STAY ABREAST OF THE LATEST NEWS INFORMATION, TECHNOLOGY AND TRENDS IN ROAD TRANSPORT WITH AUSTRALIA’S FASTEST GROWING TRANSPORT BUSINESS MAGAZINE TRANSPORT & TRUCKING AUSTRALIA

u $8.95 ndbus.net.a www.trucka /August 2017 July Issue 115

incl. GST

BUTS MERCEDES DERANGE OS RIGID ITS NEW ACTR www.truc kand Issue 114 May bus.net.au /June 2017

GREAT V5 APERLISUSUEE

I N T E R N AT I O N A C O M E B AC K L ST IF F C O M P E T

AT JUST $8.9 TER VALUE AND EVEN BETE UP OUR IF YOU TAK SCRIBE 24 MONTH SUB OFFER

IT IO N

ARTHY NIA’S ROGER MCC FAREWELL SCA PEDEN INTERVIEW H VOLVO’S MITC KING HARD IN TASSIE WOR 500 HINO

ROAD TEST – RAM PICK UP RA COMPANY CAR – NISSAN NAVA

$8.95 incl.

GST

HINO 500 FUL IVECO’S NEW L RUNDOWN NEW DAF 510 EUROCARGO

www.truckandbus.net.au Issue 114 May/June 2017

FAMOUS RETURNS TO THUS BRAND FINALLY E AUSSIE MARK ET

www.truckandbus.net.au Issue 114 May/June 2017

$8.95 incl. GST

$8.95 incl. GST

INTERNATIONAL COMEBACK

INTERNATIONAL COMEBACK

ROAD TEST - FUSO CANTER - RENAULT TRAFUPDATE IC AND KANGOO

FAMOUS US BRAND FINALLY RETURNS TO THE AUSSIE MARKET HINO 500 FULL RUNDOWN IVECO’S NEW EUROCARGO NEW DAF 510 ROAD TEST

Also available:

- FUSO CANTER UPDATE - RENAULT TRAFIC AND KANGOO

APPLE ITUNES ISSUE.COM.AU ANDROID MARKETPLACE ZINIO.COM.AU POCKETMAGS.COM.AU

FAMOUS US BRAND FINALLY RETURNS TO THE AUSSIE MARKET HINO 500 FULL RUNDOWN IVECO’S NEW EUROCARGO NEW DAF 510 ROAD TEST - FUSO CANTER UPDATE - RENAULT TRAFIC AND KANGOO

Name

Address

Phone

Email

Choose your subscription

Cheque/Money Order for the Amount of $

Expiry Date

Card Holder Name

$60.00 (12 months)

$121.00 (24 months)

Payable to Grayhaze Publishing or Please Charge my

Bankcard

Visa

Mastercard

Card Holder Signature

POST TO: Grayhaze Publishing, Subscriptions, PO Box 7046 Waringah Mall 2100 OR EMAIL TO: admin@truckandbus.net.au

*Offer Applicable in Australia Only

MONEY MATTERS PAUL CLITHROE UNNECESSARY CAR INSURANCE AND CONSOLIDATED SUPER FUNDS COULD SAVE YOU MONEY

TENS OF THOUSANDS OF AUSTRALIANS ARE ABOUT TO POCKET A REFUND FOR CAR YARD ADD-ON INSURANCE, AND IT’S WORTH CHECKING IF YOU’RE OWED SOME MONEY.

I

f you’ve purchased a car or motorbike through a car yard in the last ten years, chances are the dealer offered a range of insurance options that went way beyond comprehensive cover.

For some years motorists were being flogged a whole smorgasbord of insurance by car yards. Yet many policies did little more than take car buyers for a ride while filling the coffers of insurance companies and lining the pockets of dealers, who could earn commissions of up to 75% of the premiums paid.

Money watchdog ASIC uncovered some very questionable practices. Like drivers being sold policies they weren’t even eligible to claim on, and car buyers aged under 21 being sold life insurance alongside their new car.

Adding salt to the wound, the pay-out ratios on some of these policies were dreadful. According to ASIC, across car yard life insurance products, only $6 million was paid out in claims over a five-year period – a tiny fraction of the $90 million collected in premiums.

These practices didn’t escape the notice of the Banking Royal Commission, which recommended that car yard addon policies should only be offered after consumers have purchased the car – not on the day they sign up for the vehicle.

That makes sense. ASIC’s investigations found car buyers often face ‘information fatigue’, where they’re so overloaded with different options that it’s hard to make a reasonable decision.

In the meantime, ASIC has been pushing for refund programs from the insurers involved.

Already over 200,000 car buyers have been compensated for premiums paid on a range of car yard add-on policies, which have been found to be pretty much worthless. In the past week, ASIC announced additional refund

programs worth $14.7 million from six different insurers.

The refunds should filter through to 30,000 car buyers. But if the situation sounds familiar don’t just wait for the money to arrive.

Check your car or motorbike purchase contract to see if add-on insurance was included. Policies to look for are typically called ‘GAP’ (Guaranteed Asset Protection), Consumer Credit Insurance and Mechanical Breakdown (or Extended Warranty) insurance. If any of these ring a bell, contact the insurer involved.

If you’re buying a car in the near future, the pressure to buy add-on insurance may not be so intense. A number of insurers have left the industry altogether, and dealer commissions have been lowered in a bid to reduce high pressure sales tactics.

Ultimately though, if you start to feel the heat to buy more than just a car, it could be time to rethink the deal.

Meantime more than half of Australians have no idea about a shakeup of superannuation that’s due to kick in from 1 July.

The clock is ticking towards the end of the financial year. That matters because from 1 July more than three million Australians may be affected when default life insurance is switched off in super accounts that have been inactive for 16 months.

This change is part of the Protecting Your Super package aimed at preventing unnecessary or unwanted erosion of super savings by life insurance premiums.

It does this by ending cover for super accounts where there have been no contributions for 16 months or more.

More than 85% of Australians have life insurance through their super fund.

Yet a new study by industry body ASFA found 53% are unaware of the upcoming change to life cover held in super.

Adding to the confusion, one third of Australians rarely or never read correspondence from their super fund.

Not surprisingly, one in four have no idea what their super savings are worth, and 44% don’t know what insurance – if any – they have through super.

While holding life insurance through a super fund can provide an important safety net for your family if the worst should happen, paying multiple premiums out of different accounts doesn’t make sense. Premiums come out of your super savings, so they can eat away at your retirement nest egg. Paying several lots of premiums may provide no real benefit if you already have adequate cover in place through your main fund or if you have life insurance outside of super.

The key is to check your super before 1 July to see if you have life cover in place, and be sure you have the right level of insurance for your circumstances.

You can elect to keep your cover in place even if the fund is inactive, and sometimes there can be good reasons to do this, for example, if you have a pre-existing medical condition that would make it hard to get life insurance outside of super.

This can also be a cue to tidy up your super by rolling any small balances, or accounts that have been sitting idle, into your main fund. It’s a great way to save on fees and keep track of your super as well as cutting back on unnecessary insurance premiums.

The super industry has launched a new website, timetocheck.com.au that can help you work out how you may be affected by the upcoming changes.

Paul Clitheroe is a founding director of financial planning firm ipac, chairman of the Australian Government Financial Literacy Board and chief commentator for Money magazine.

Visit: paulsmoney.com.au for more information.

MAXIMISE YOUR PAYLOAD WITH THE T610 600MM SLEEPER.

THE T610 continues to break new ground with the release of the 600mm Aero Roof Sleeper. The most compact sleeper in the T610 range offers you an outstanding driver’s experience with in-cab comfort, combined with aerodynamic lines to support enhanced fuel efficiency.

Designed to fit within the 26m B-double envelope, the new sleeper allows for full length 34 pallet trailer sets with the inclusion of a bullbar for optimal durability.

Kenworth’s most innovative and durable truck yet, continuing to redefine productivity.

For more information contact your local Kenworth dealer.

KENWORTH.COM.AU/600SLEEPER

THE TRANSMISSION TO DEFY CONVENTION. THE UNCONVENTIONAL CONVENTIONAL. The Mack mDrive is an advanced 12-speed automated manual transmission that takes all the effort and guesswork out of gear changes by selecting the right gear, at the right time, every time. Gear up to a more comfortable drive and outstanding fuel efficiency with the mDrive.

Defy Convention at macktrucks.com.au