Roads #3, 2017 (Quon cover) by UD Trucks Corporation

Roads

ISSUE 3 | 2017

UD Trucks - Going the Extra Mile since 1935

No ground too rough

All New Quon dump truck with ESCOT-â&#x2026;Ľ UD Extra Mile Challenge The ultimate driving competition for drivers worldwide

Smart Logistics story Japan The game changer Vietnam Shifting through the gears

ISSUE 3 2017

Dear friends,

UD around the world

04 07

Welcome to this last edition of Roads for the year 2017.

The game changer

Tokyo Motor Show 2017

Best truck for all drivers!

At the Tokyo Motor Show 2017, held in November, UD Trucks showcased different variants of All New Quon, together with Quester, representing innovation in five essential areas – drivability, fuel efficiency, safety, productivity and uptime as the trucks for the era of smart logistics. 14

These focuses are widely appreciated by our worldwide customers in their demanding daily operations, as you will discover throughout this issue.

In Japan, you will meet Masahiko Kamata, a genuine pioneer out to transform the logistics industry. In a very constrained and competitive environment, he created and grew SBS Holdings into a logistics heavyweight, through a rapid succession of mergers and acquisitions, and a thorough rethinking of where logistics should go in the future. You will also learn about CNG Vietnam, a company that relies on its fleet of UD Quester trucks to reliably supply the market with compressed and liquefied natural gas, fueling the country’s fast growing economy.

Innovation that puts people ﬁrst. Since 1935 UD Trucks has gone the extra mile to provide the products and services the world needs today. We listened to our customers and developed All New Quon to meet the needs of the times through smart technology and innovation that puts people first. The new ESCOT-Ⅵ automated manual transmission, disc brakes, advanced driver support systems and ergonomic cockpit ensure unrivaled drivability, safety and comfort. With the new road-predicting“Foretrack”function, clean high-torque GH11 engine and strong, lightweight chassis, All New Quon excels in fuel efficiency and productivity, putting your drivers and your business ahead of the rest. It is the next generation truck for the age of smart logistics. To find out more about All New Quon, visit our website at udtrucks.com

ALL NEW!

In contrast with the long distances along the often-unpaved roads of Vietnam, Alligator Transport appreciates their UD Quon trucks for their maneuverability in the tight streets of Singapore. Visibility, ease of operation, compactness, and tight turning circles are key qualities in the urban environment of the densely populated island. In this issue you will also meet seven extraordinary drivers from six countries, competing with both Quon and Quester trucks in the finals of UD Extra Mile Challenge in Tokyo. They wowed the 200-plus audience with their skills and experience. The Extra Mile Challenge is also a fantastic opportunity to meet customers who rely on their UD trucks in extremely varied environments and range of activities. To be able to support drivers to work to the best of their abilities is always at the heart of our work. Hoping you enjoy this issue, and wishing you a wonderful time with your beloved ones in this end of year.

Yoshihiro Murakami President UD Trucks Corporation

Smart logistics story Japan

It has been a very exciting year for UD with new model launches from the light-duty Kuzer, the medium-duty Croner and Condor to the heavy-duty Quon, which allow us to have the most complete lineup of trucks to meet the diverse needs of our customers operating in their markets.

All New Quon is part of the innovation UD Trucks has been pursuing since its foundation in 1935. We continue to be innovative to provide the best trucks and services the world needs today and tomorrow.

Going the extra mile for smart logistics

A passion for beauty and the driver

Testing disc brakes

16 17

New 8-liter engine for All New Quon in late 2018

No ground too rough for All New Quon dump truck with ESCOT-Ⅵ

Vietnam Shifting through the gears

UD Extra Mile Challenge 2017

UD Trucks global driver competition finals

Singapore Sailing the trade winds with Alligator Logistics

Extra Mile Stories 3 reasons to choose Quester 2 reasons why Quester is the perfect truck for Africa Roads is published by UD Trucks Corporation www.udtrucks.com Publisher Kenneth Hagas Vice President Brand Strategy & Marketing Communications Editor-in-chief Vanessa Maternini Online and Publications Manager Produced by

contact@alineaproductions.com Tel: +86 139 111 55 788

EXPRESS TOUCH & RIDE ALL NEW QUON

All New Quon and Croner win the 2017 Good Design Awards

Special edition for female drivers at UD Experience Center

UD Trucks Indonesia sells first Quester 8x2R

The first Quester 8x2R with bogie lift was sold at the Gaikindo Indonesia International Auto Show (GIIAS), to PT. Alamui Logistics, partner of Coca Cola in Indonesia.

"It is our greatest honor to be trusted by PT Alamui Logistics and their partner Coca Cola.” Valery Muyard President Director of UD Trucks Indonesia

Both All New Quon and Croner were highly praised for their designs, which meet the needs of customers in their respective markets. When awarding Quon, the Good Design Award jury particularly commented on features aimed at reducing driver stress and ensuring road safety, such as the AEBS and Driver alert support as well as the functional, clean design of the cab. As to Croner, the jury complemented the outside design and the remarkable fuel efficiency while still complying with Euro 3 and 4. “The target markets for each model range are different, but we are really proud of their designs which precisely capture the needs of the customers,” said Toshio Shiratori, Complete Vehicle Product Design Director, UD Trucks Technology, responsible for the design of both All

New Quon and Croner. “New Quon’s dignified exterior embodies the concept of “a truck with leading edge innovations putting people first” and its high-quality cabin space is equipped with renewed Human Machine Interface. Croner is intended to give the impression of an agile and reliable medium-duty truck contributing to the customers’ business in the growth markets.”

The Good Design Award is hosted by the Japan Institute of Design Promotion. In existence since 1957, today it is a global design award attracting participants from both home and abroad. This year UD Trucks won its 8th and 9th Good Design Award, following its 7th awarded to Quester in 2013.

MANDELA DAY

In September, eight female drivers from six companies participated in a test drive and panel session at the UD Experience Center. The main participants were veteran female truck drivers, including some winners of truck driver competitions. The event gave the drivers the opportunity to test the ESCOT-Ⅵ transmission, a solution UD offers to help dealing with the global challenge in the transportation industry: a shortage of drivers. After the test drive, the drivers gave “ESCOT-Ⅵ“ and “Quietness” 4.9 out of 5 points, even though many of them had never before driven a truck with automatic transmission. Japan Trucking Association staff hosted a panel discussion after the event. More events of this kind will be scheduled in the future.

UD Trucks Thailand takes Croner and Quester on the road

Test drive events in Japan Chu-Shikoku region UD Trucks also hosted two test drive events at Okayama city and Kochi city in Chu-Shikoku Region this fall, where guests from nearly one hundred companies test drove the new model.

UD Trucks Thailand organized a UD Trucks Caravan, taking Croner and Quester to nine provinces across the country. Customers and truck drivers were able to experience the trucks first hand when the caravan pitched up at UD Trucks dealerships and other public sites.

Quester tankers refueling airport on Mauritius

Be the change “We can change the world and make it a better place. It is in our hands to make a difference.” – Nelson Mandela

UD Trucks Southern Africa staff from its head office and assembly plant in Rosslyn took these words to heart in honor of Mandela Day. The UD team was out in full force at the Kids Victory Care Center in Klipgat in the North-West Province, to make a tangible difference in the lives of the children and the elderly residing there. The Kids Victory Care Center cares for 18 orphaned or disabled children, a number of elderly people, and also serves as an aftercare center for around 40 primary school children every afternoon. This is the second year that UD Trucks has returned to the center to assist. The team spent time painting the exterior and interior of the facility, fixing electricity problems, tending vegetable gardens, clearing rubble, as well as

erecting a new fence. Staff also once again generously donated everything from clothes, electronics, books and toys to food and linen, to help alleviate some of the residents’ immediate needs. The residents and community were also given a hearty meal by the Shoprite Soup Kitchen feeding program – a UD Trucks supported project – as well as free health checks courtesy of Realty Wellness. “Today we are the change we want to see in our community,” said Aubrey Rambau, Rosslyn Plant general manager. “Our team really rallied to make a difference. Helping really changes something within you, and we look forward to continuing to invest in our community at every chance we get.”

Shai Land Investments from Mauritius recently took ownership of two new Quester E30 tractors. The two trucks were specifically purchased with 40,000 liter fuel tankers to transport fuel between the airport and the company’s depot in the capital city. One of the drivers, Mr Clency, with more than 25 years of experience as a heavy-duty truck driver, said he was impressed with the truck’s comfortable ride. “I am also looking forward to working with the Fuel Coach System on Quester to get the most out of my truck,” he added.

HEAVY-DUTY

Australia launches All New Quon

50 dealership representatives in Australia hosted series of launch events, welcoming over 100 customers to test drive All New Quon at the Mount Cotton Training Facility. Seven models from the range were available to drive in a variety of specifications.

Quester and Croner arrive in Latin America

People depend on logistics. And logistics depend on people. When we innovate we always put people at the center of everything we do. We are smart and modern, bold and proud. When the world changes, we change with it. This is our vision, to provide the trucks and services the world needs today, and innovate for the age of smart logistics.

In October, both the Quester and Croner ranges were unveiled in Ecuador followed by Bolivia. The events took place at the local importers, Automekano in Guayaquil, Ecuador and Nibol in Santa Cruz de la Sierra, Bolivia. 400 customers, local authorities and media were introduced to the complete range of the trucks and service available. Automekano also showed their renewed workshop, and a new UD Latin America Training Center hub was inaugurated at Nibol, reinforcing the commitment to prepare the frontline team to support customers' success in South America.

t UD Trucks, we have a timeless quest for Ultimate Dependability. We pledge to always go the extra mile in everything we do, to excel in the areas that make a real difference to our customers.

Our founder had a vision…

MEDIUM-DUTY

LIGHT-DUTY

New Condor is now on the market in Japan

UD Trucks announces world premiere of Kuzer in Indonesia

UD Trucks launched the medium-duty truck, New Condor, in July, which complies to the current Japanese emission standards – PPNLT. New Condor has more variations than those of the legacy Condor such as variations in engines, cabs and transmissions. AMT is newly implemented to meet broader needs of customers.

BEST 06

Going the extra mile for smart logistics

UD Trucks Indonesia has responded to the needs of the light-duty truck segment by introducing Kuzer to support the productivity of businesses in this fast growing Southeast Asian powerhouse. Kuzer made its world premiere at Gaikindo Indonesia International Auto Show (GIIAS) 2017. An 8.5 ton GVW truck, with a robust 150 HP engine and high torque versus the other trucks available in the market, the new Kuzer is“Made to deliver extra” on all essential dimensions. Together with its partner PT Astra International, UD Trucks will be able to provide exceptional aftermarket services in Indonesia.

R ANGE

EVER

Our journey began 80 years ago, with a vision and a legendary test drive. A 3,000km run, through grueling mountain roads for 13 days, to prove the durability of our first truck before bringing it to market. Our founder took the wheel himself to ensure the truck was durable and offered Ultimate Dependability in line with his vision – “to make the truck the world needs today”.

…and the gemba spirit His vision has driven our work ever since. We put our hearts and minds into our gemba, from our manufacturing plants to our dealerships and customer sites. Our people have remained passionate, professional and dependable throughout the UD generations. This is UD Gemba Spirit, the foundation of UD Trucks that lives on to this day.

UD – the challenger We have never stopped challenging ourselves and the market. Our groundbreaking “UD” engines in the 1950s and 1960s made UD a champion of power and reliability; together with the legendary 6TW it became the symbol of ultimate dependability during that era. In the 1990s, we started the journey towards automatic drivelines with the first ESCOT transmission, and with the launch of Quon in 2004 we became the first truck manufacturer in the world to commercialize the urea SCR emission reduction system, now a

global standard to meet today’s environmental challenges.

Towards smart logistics Thinking like a challenger gives us the right mindset. Today we see tough business challenges in the transportation industry around the world: severe cost pressure, a shortage of skilled drivers, and stricter demands in terms of logistic efficiency, safety and environment. Our conclusion is that what the world needs today is smart logistics. And we are committed to go the extra mile to provide the smart and modern solutions for smart logistics.

All New Quon – the best truck for all drivers In 2017, All New Quon brought our commitment to smart logistics into reality. It is the quintessence of innovative, humancentric technologies to meet today’s diverse business needs. UD’s people-centric philosophy guided our efforts to deliver a truck with unparalleled drivability that will smartly support all types of drivers. We made All New Quon to be the "Best truck for all drivers!"

Going the extra mile together into the future Looking into the future, smart logistics will require innovations in connectivity, electromobility and automation. We stay ahead by combining the best of three worlds. Our Japanese heritage ensures craftsmanship, quality and a service mindset. Being part of one of the world’s largest commercial vehicle groups gives us access to world-class technology and global resources, today and tomorrow. And we have our gemba spirit.

We are one UD family and we go the extra mile for each other and for our customers every single day.

Smart Logistics story Japan

The game changer Text: Yuta Yanagishita / Photos: Nicolas Datiche

SBS Holdings has been growing rapidly and celebrates its 30th anniversary this year. We interviewed the president, Masahiko Kamata, about his philosophy and company.

growth strategy based on making a series of large mergers and acquisitions has turned SBS Holdings into one of Japan’s leading logistics companies just 30 years after its foundation. The company has annual sales of 150 billion yen (USD13.25 billion) and employs more than 13,000 people. However, the starting point for Masahiko Kamata, who established SBS in 1987 and still steers

its success, was very humble. In fact, the surprising inspiration for his determination to succeed came from experiencing the bankruptcy of his father’s business when he was a child. The bankruptcy that devastated his family made this 8-year-old boy more aware of the risks, and determined never to face a financial disaster when he built a company of his own. “I turned the bankruptcy experience to my advantage,” he says. “I began by doing everything in the opposite way. I saw my

father’s downfall, and I learned that for any business to stay and develop in the market, decisiveness, vision, and the ability and willingness to innovate are essential.” Because of his family’s financial issues, Kamata started working right after graduating from high school, with the idea of saving up enough money to study abroad. He began working as a truck driver for a large transportation company. Having accidentally discovered the world of

logistics, he would eventually go on to build his own business: SBS Holdings. Throughout its development, Katama gained a reputation as a president who worked his way up by taking a gembaoriented approach. The core part of his philosophy was influenced by his childhood experience and by the early days of running his own operations with only three or four employees. Today, he still is very hands on and can sometimes be seen giving instructions to workers on how to load cargo.

Our company is often called the leading company but fundamentally, it is an entrepreneurial company. We move instantly with a sense of speed. Masahiko Kamata President, SBS Holdings

Smart Logistics story Japan

The current models of UD trucks are very popular among the company’s drivers because of their spacious and comfortable interior around the driver seat, and also, because of the smooth gear changes provided by the ESCOT transmission. Masaru Misawa Driver, Keiyo Branch SBS Logicom

The automation of operations including AI, automatic warehouses and drones are the key technologies to introduce to the logistics industry.

Health and Responsibility

Masahiko Kamata President SBS Holdings

“Nowadays, our company is often called the leading company but fundamentally, it is an entrepreneurial company. We move instantly with a sense of speed,” he says. This practice of being fast and decisive is the secret of SBS’s growth, and has seen the company acquire major competitors that were bigger than SBS in terms of capital and scale. Large companies are notorious for being slow to make changes or decisions, while nimbleness and flexibility are Kamata’s weapons to achieve what he describes as “a little ant’s ambition to defeat an elephant.”

The small absorbs the great The most unique part of Kamata’s business skills is probably his knowledge of finance. Many of the SBS executives came from the banking sector, and Kamata spent a lot of time working closely with them, learning from their skills and experience. The story of SBS has been shaped by a

bold series of mergers and acquisitions. After listing on Jasdaq in 2003, the company acquired Yukijirushi Butsuryu Co. in 2004, Tokyu Logistic Co. in 2005, and went on to acquire 24 more companies in the following years.

Changes in the industry Masaru Misawa joined SBS Logicom in 1990 and has seen many changes over the years. He has divided his time between driving and operation control. He started his transportation career driving two-ton trucks. However he was longing to drive heavy-duty trucks because he was impressed by their height and size, as well as the travel long distances, which demand hard-core professional driver skills. He acquired a license for heavy-duty trucks in 1994 and started to drive an average of 500 km a day carrying cargo for a major beverage manufacturer. He has driven UD Trucks’ Big Thumb and Resona fiftyfifty, and talks about that period with nostalgia – he used to chat with other drivers by personal radio and exchange traffic information and banter with them, creating a camaraderie that is part of the attraction of being a truck driver. “The newer UD trucks are very popular among the company ’s driver s because of their spacious and comfortable interior around the driving seat,” he says, “and also, because of the smooth gear changes provided by the ESCOT transmission.”

Often when a company makes numerous acquisitions, it creates duplication in the management roles and sometimes a serious clash of opinions and management styles. Before making any moves to take over a competitor or a player in a related field, Kamata analyzes its strengths and weaknesses. He only decides to buy a company when he is sure that “it will grow if we solve their issues together. I do understand why competitors are not making money,” he says.

Masaru Misawa Driver SBS Logicom

A visionary can transform an industry Kamata has survived periods of dramatic change in the logistics industry by looking

Masaru Misawa, the driver at SBS Logicom pays particular attention to road safety. And this starts with the drivers behind the wheel. To him, the self-management of health and a strong consciousness about safety are crucial traits for a good truck driver. With the average age of the drivers at the SBS Logicom Keiyo Branch at 53, Misawa regularly stresses the importance of health management to his team, and arranges the drivers’ schedules to ensure that everyone gets at least seven hours’ sleep a day. His mantra is that, “We must be socially responsible since we use public roads.” To encourage social responsibility among his team, he organizes crew training sessions once a month to help reduce the potential for an accident. In addition, he shares information about road accidents that occur throughout the country with the drivers, and organizes discussions about the causes and countermeasures, like workshops focusing on road safety.

forward and having the vision to define the cutting-edge needs of the times ahead. In Japan’s logistics industry, where a shortage of manpower and an aging workforce are expected to become even more serious, he sees the automation of operations including AI, automatic warehouses and drones as the key technologies to introduce. In October, Kamata announced a new dynamic state management system, inspired by the model of Uber.

called iGOQ is his strategy to improve the efficiency of truck deliveries. This system instantaneously provides information about the vehicle’s location and cargo load. That information can be shared to develop a logistics system for the whole industry by automatically matching cargos to available and suitable trucks, no matter who owns them. The system was released in October and Kamata aims to have 50,000 vehicles registered on it by 2020.

Given the relentless growth of online shopping and Japan’s shortage of manpower, Kamata believes that the key to a successful logistics business in the future will be automation and the efficiency created by internet technologies. A system

Embracing a changing world, with new logistics sector constraints and new consumption habits from consumers, Kamata is on a path to revolutionize the landscape of the Japanese logistics sector, leading the way in the era of smart logistics.

Best truck for all drivers! UD Trucks at the 2017 Tokyo Motor Show At the 45th Tokyo Motor Show, which thrilled more than 770,000 visitors from October 25th to November 5th, the UD Trucks exhibits directly addressed the driver shortage challenge affecting the logistics industry by introducing the theme "Best truck for all drivers!" The stage show demonstrated how UD trucks appeal to all types of drivers regardless of age, gender or driving experience. UD's booth was a hive of activity day after day, attracting Japanese and international visitors, with an appeal that went beyond trucks and their drivers.

There was something for everyone. Enthusiastic visitors could dress up their kids in kids-size UD technician uniforms and take a fun souvenir photo Yoshihiro Murakami (left), President of UD Trucks Corporation, and Douglas Nakano, UD Trucks Technology Senior Vice-President at the Tokyo Motor Show

Showing the interior functions of All New Quon, Augmented Reality headsets helped visitors to discover what it’s like to drive a UD truck while having fun

A large selection of the newest lineup of trucks was present at the booth, with All New Quon 6x2 cargo, 6X4 dump, newly released 4x2 semi-tractor, and Quester 4X2 tractor

The Nenphi Coach System equipment on All New Quon assists drivers to improve their eco-driving skills. An interactive game based on the system was designed for visitors to experience this function. Many people – some too young to even hold a driving license – were eager to measure up to the fuel saving challenge

Quon virtual test drive was a great opportunity for the visitors to discover All New Quon’s smart interior, while also admiring a series of brand new interiors designed specifically for Tokyo Motor Show. The interiors aimed to attract the diverse profiles of drivers in the transport industry today

Bright and sophisticated

What are the highlights of the new interior?

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A passion for beauty and the driver Photo: UD / Nicolas Datiche

Toshio Shiratori, the Product Design Director of UD Trucks, led the team who designed the striking exterior of All New Quon, and a stylish interior to match. The newly styled cabin interior is an intrinsic part of the unmatched driving experience provided at the wheel of All New Quon. What were your objectives when you designed the interior of All New Quon? The existing Quon interior was well liked and we wanted to retain what customers admired about it while improving it functionally and aesthetically. We aimed to go the extra mile on UD’s core value of “Excel on the essentials”, and truly reflect “Innovation that puts people first,” – the very idea behind the creation of All New Quon.

In the design we wanted to proudly emphasize our Japanese origins, and the traditional UD hexagon that consists of six aspects: smart, caring, tough, harmonized, supportive and distinctive. Even if they don’t jump out at you, you can notice these in the general design and in multiple details. We also concentrated on creating an open and easy feeling to the cabin.

The general shape of the dashboard and the shape of each detail, the way they interact with each other, have been designed to provide a feeling of harmony. We also reworked the materials, their texture, their colors and the contrasts to create a harmonious and high quality feeling. We think this interior displays a contrast of energy and harmony typical of Japan, and perfectly matches the striking exterior design of All New Quon. In terms of functionality, one priority was to further improve the interface between the human and the machine. For example, we focused on every detail that might take the driver’s eye off the road, on simplifying and making everything easier to use. To reach our goal, improving ergonomics everywhere was key. The new simpler ESCOT lever is a good example. The different switches are now regrouped close to the driver. There was a lot of work on the new UDIS display, in front of the driver’s eyes, and the steering wheel mounted commands. We wanted every detail to reflect quality, the accurate and precise feel you have when driving All New Quon. We arranged two multi-use pockets for the driver to put various small items and attach their smart phone to their favorite position. We also worked on the access, adding a new handle to make it easier for drivers to get in and out of the truck.

Why do you have such passion for the driver? In Japan, as well as in many countries, we have a shortage of drivers. We focused on improving operability, our goal was to design a characterful interior that’s attractive, comfortable and functional, a pleasant place to be for the drivers. It is fundamental that this new interior appeals to young and old, male and female, and is functional and easy to understand for experienced as well as inexperienced drivers.

How was the UD gemba involved in the design?

The new interior displays a contrast of energy and harmony typical of Japan, and perfectly matches the new exterior design of All New Quon.

Different departments in the company including FVV (Features Verification and Validation), Cabin Engineering and Sales and Marketing were invited to view prototypes of the interior in Touch and Feel sessions, so their comments could help to perfect the end result. These sessions helped us to mature the details. For example, the finish of the UD logo on the steering wheel was changed from chrome plating to matt silver paint, to prevent reflection from sunlight bothering the drivers. The purpose of this new interior is to support drivers in all possible ways, and this attention to detail is part of it.

Seasoned and professional

Passionate and active

Diverse drivers, diverse harmonies Today’s truck driver profiles continue to diversify. With the industry eager to recruit, more freshmen drivers from all backgrounds are joining, and there are more and more women climbing up behind the steering wheel. In the context of a global driver shortage, this news is cheering. But it could be better. The young generation these days is much more expressive of its needs than previous generations. This translates into a user group who wants to show its true colors and who seeks a job that reflects who they really are. This is one way to ensure that the job of a truck driver remains attractive and to boost a driver’s pride in his work. To reflect such thoughts, three cabin interiors of All New Quon were set up at the UD booth at this year’s Tokyo Motor Show. Based on the award winning new interior design, the cabins on display featured three different moods. Inspiration was drawn from three types of drivers: the mature male, the young male, and the female driver. Each combination was designed based on research among drivers from different genders and age ranges. Three ‘typical’ drivers went on the stage at the Tokyo Motor Show and were featured in a movie that illustrates an inside view of the life of a trucker.

What’s attractive about trucking? (from the "Truck driver story" movie)

Young female

Mature male

Young male

It’s the upcoming possibilities that keep you curious “I’ve always had this thing with trucks. I guess it’s the little kid inside me who still gets excited by getting into the seat every day.”

The love of a journey by road “I think every truck d r i v e r ha s s o m e sort of love affair with the road.”

A feeling of freedom “I love the pace of the city and the thought of being on my way somewhere... I just want to experience as much as possible.”

Designed to be “The best truck for all drivers!”, All New Quon connects with all three driver types. Mature male

Young female

The pleasure of driving ESCOT-Ⅵ “I definitely had reservations about driving an automatic, but when the driving actually proved to be smoother, my attitude changed overnight. I love the long trips and the desolate roads at night, and this truck really keeps me going. Sometimes I find it hard to even remember the last time I stopped for fuel.”

All New Quon is like an extension of the driver “I feel ready for whatever is coming my way. My truck is built to last, easy to drive and I know I can trust it with all kinds of complicated maneuvers.” Young male Trust, the ingredient "It’s the only truck I know really, but I’ve never had a reason to look anywhere else. I feel confident with all the safety features backing me up and everything just seems easy. What more could you ask for?"

From the "Truck drivers story" movie Discover the movie here:

Testing disc brakes

New 8-liter engine for All New Quon in late 2018

All New Quon is the only Japanese heavy-duty truck to offer disc brakes

n constant pursuit of safety, productivity and uptime, UD Trucks is the only Japanese truck maker to adopt advanced disc brakes in the heavy-duty segment – a far superior answer to modern day logistics when compared to drum brakes. Disc brakes come as standard on all All New Quon models. In terms of drivability, disc brakes offer high resistance to fading and a progressive feel in the brake pedal, making it much easier to smoothly modulate the braking. Their maintenance is also easier, which contributes to both safety and uptime. The combined use of disc brakes and high tensile steel for the chassis of All New Quon, makes for a significant reduction of the total vehicle weight, and thereby increases payload. So, how does it feel to drive All New Quon with the advanced disc brakes? We asked our customers for their impressions after test-driving the truck. Could you describe the difference between disc brakes and drum brakes? I was very comfortable with the disc brakes, because the truck gently stopped when I hit the brake pedal. Takeshi Uemura

How did braking feel with a loaded truck? Even with the loaded truck, I could feel that the brakes were very powerful. The truck stopped smoothly and progressively. What do you see as the greatest benefit? It is great to have improved maintainability as well as overall weight reduction, as the additional payload will bring no difference when driving. Seiichi Kinomiya

Any comments about the high fade resistance?

More from our UD engineers During the test drive event, many participants said the brakes felt smooth and powerful, and the driving experience of All New Quon felt similar to driving a passenger car. How was it achieved? T h e brake s are co mp o s e d of a chain of mechanical and pneumatic elements, going from the brake pedal to the contact of the tire with the road. Every part of this chain was designed to improve safety and drivability. We actively looked at offering a truck with drivability comparable to a passenger car. The safety is also reinforced by the use of ventilated discs, similar to those used on high performances cars, which provide high braking power and improve resistance to fading. Andreas Jokel Project manager

Compared to drum brakes, disc brakes dissipate heat better, which made me feel safer using these brakes. Masayuki Takahashi

Disc brakes contribute to great drivability and safety, and increased payload

Ventilated discs reinforce safety

What can you say about the maintainability? The pads are easier to replace on disc brakes. Also, the “Brake-blending” function automatically kicks in when using the brakes, seamlessly blending the disc brakes with the auxiliary brake, contributing to extended pad life. When pads need replacement the driver is informed via the dashboard. This means the driver is reassured about safety, and maintenance can be planned ahead. Yoshikazu Suzuki Soft product management

How about the productivity with disc brakes? Besides effectively improving driver safety, the disc brakes also contribute to improving productivity for companies. Being lighter than drum brakes, they increase payload by 200kg. And this additional weight could be saved while using our very powerful 11-liter engine, not by replacing it with a smaller displacement engine. We believe that disc brakes bring benefits to both drivers and managers. Aki Hoizumi Product planning

At UD Trucks we are constantly expanding our heavy duty truck range to meet the needs of our customers with a wider range of applications. For those customers whose business would benefit from trucks with more payloads and lighter driveline, an 8-liter version of All New Quon will be launched in late 2018.

ack in 2013, UD’s Quon Fuel Demonstrator was first introduced at the Tokyo Motor Show. It was used as an incubation laboratory to explore the different directions we could develop to improve fuel economy. One of these technical solutions was the downsizing of the engine. An efficient 8-liter engine mated with the famous ESCOT-Ⅴ transmission powered the Quon Fuel Demonstrator. The new engine was on display at the Tokyo Motor Show, giving visitors a sneak preview of the technology that’s currently under development by the UD Trucks engineers. Engineer Takefumi Mochizuki is proud to be involved in the project. “What I’m happy with the most are the fuel economy and the durability of this new engine,” he says. The main benefit, however, of the 8-liter

engine, is the increased payload, which makes this downsized option a particularly fit choice for certain applications. For example, customers who operate on construction sites will find the new 8-liter engine coupled with the Escape function of the ESCOT-Ⅵ transmission ideal for concrete mixer trucks. The new 8-liter engine is designed to address the demands of heavy-duty trucks operating in Japan, with its dense traffic flow and PPNLT regulations. Associated with the ESCOT-Ⅵ transmission and other advanced technologies on All New Quon, this new 8-liter version truck will come with lots of extra miles to go for the customers. Be ready for more news on UD Trucks expanding our heavy duty range in 2018 and into the future.

No ground too rough All New Quon dump truck with ESCOT-Ⅵ

Exhibited at the UD booth at the Tokyo Motor Show, the 6x4 tipper version of All New Quon is now available with the latest version of the renowned ESCOT transmission – ESCOT-Ⅵ. With its smooth and quick gearshifts, ESCOT-Ⅵ transmission contributes to safe driving by reducing driver's stress and fatigue, and features the unique Escape function, specifically developed for easy operation on snowy or muddy roads. Araki Materials Transportation has already placed an order, and just before the show, the drivers and the company’s president got behind the wheel to test the exceptional abilities of this 6X4 All New Quon dump truck at their operation site.

Operating in mountain areas, moving earth, sand and other materials for road construction is Araki Materials Transportation’s specialty. Their drivers operate on unpaved mountain roads every day.

Our business is based on mobility. That’s what we are trying to sell mainly and we are now working hard to promote it. Quon is continuously evolving and the performance and ease of use are getting better and better. We definitely need this easy-to-drive truck as we are short of drivers and I want to hire more. Masaru Kageyama President of Araki Materials Transportation

I have been driving large dump trucks for 20 years. The reason I started driving dump trucks was that I saw a female driver and thought that it was cool and I wanted to try it too. I tested new Quon. It was very quiet, very easy to drive and the steering is light. Dumping was very smooth and I did not feel any stress. Sachiyo Hasegawa Driver at Araki Materials Transportation

It is a truck that I wanted to try driving as I heard that it provides a quiet and comfortable drive. The acceleration is totally different from the trucks we are driving now and it has an excellent exhaust brake. Jiichi Hasegawa Driver at Araki Materials Transportation

My impressions from the test drive were excellent acceleration, easy to drive and female-driver friendly. Miyuki Sasahara Driver at Araki Materials Transportation

I like new things so one of the reasons for purchasing it was that I wanted to get it before anyone else. With the ESCOT-Ⅵ transmission, drivers can focus on driving, it is definitely better. I would say it is more suitable for women than any other truck. UD Trucks is a hard-working company and we will continue to build our partnership with them. Masaru Kageyama President of Araki Materials Transportation

The Escape function was not available before and it is definitely a progress. Now we can move the truck just by stepping and releasing the accelerator pedal. Masaru Kageyama President of Araki Materials Transportation Escape function on All New Quon being tested in the real world

Customer story Vietnam

Shifting through the gears Text: Duncan Forgan / Photos: Tim Gerard Barker

Over the past decade or so CNG Vietnam has stepped up its deliveries of compressed natural gas in a Southeast Asian nation with its partnership with UD Trucks a key to the firm’s expansion.

ith his steady gaze, beatific smile and hushed voice Nguyen Cong Hoa is a vision of Zen calm. He needs to be. The 46-year-old driver for CNG Vietnam has (in his view) the best job in the world. It’s a profession he savors pulling on his uniform for and one he has excelled at with the company, a leading supplier of compressed natural gas – a clean, efficient fuel that can be used in place of gasoline, diesel and propane – in the Southeast Asian nation, for over a decade. It may be a dream role, but it’s also a tough one. With its towering mountains, snaking coastline and verdant jungle, Vietnam is one of the most beautiful countries on the planet. Conversely, the often narrow and frequently treacherous highways make staying safe and punctual, a priority for drivers – especially ones with a schedule like Hoa’s. Every working day, he spends around 12 hours in his truck, making deliveries to customers in seven provinces in southern Vietnam as well as Ho Chi Minh City, the country’s most populous hub. 24/7 on the road It’s little wonder then that Hoa appreciates the reliability and driving comfort of the trucks he commandeers, which happen to be predominantly UD models. “Obviously, the trucks are a vital part of the entire operation,” he says, sipping his regular pre-shift glass of potent ca phe sua da (Vietnamese iced coffee with condensed milk). “Our customers rely on us to deliver promptly and without any mishap along the way.” The words “safety” and “reliability” are ones mentioned frequently by the key players at the CNG nerve center in the province of Ba Ria, around an hour’s drive from Ho Chi Minh City. While drivers only work 12hour shifts, the company’s fleet of eight UD trucks (7 legacy models, 1 Quester) ply the bitumen 24 hours a day, seven days a week, supplying clean, efficient natural gas to customers including Coca Cola, Budweiser and Kumho Tire. Indeed, the feeling is that these

Customer story Vietnam

To negotiate the roads in Vietnam you need to be a skilful driver no doubt. But you also need a lot of help from your vehicle. Nguyen Cong Hoa Driver at CNG Vietnam

What is Compressed Natural Gas (CNG)? Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) is a fuel source that is made from compressing natural gas to less than 1% of its standard atmospheric volume, or 3600 PSI. CNG can be used in place of gasoline or diesel in any vehicle with a CNG conversion kit or a CNG engine. Natural gas tops the list of the most used energy sources because it is highly combustible and burns more cleanly than other forms of energy. It can be used in the form of compressed natural gas (CNG) or liquefied petroleum gas (LPG).

Trucks getting filled with compressed natural gas (CNG)

workhorses of the highways have been an integral element of the CNG Vietnam success story. The company has a relatively short, but hugely impressive history. Since its establishment in 2007, the firm has grown to be one of Vietnam’s leading producers and suppliers of CNG and Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG). From an initial production capacity of 30 million standard cubic meter per year, the company’s primary processing plant (the one which we are visiting) has expanded to over 110 million standard cubic meter per year and is expected to hit a total of around 250 million standard cubic meter per year by 2025. And with a new branch of CNG Vietnam in the north of the country underway since 2014, there’s little doubt that companies in Vietnam are buying heavily into the idea of utilizing CNG for their operations.

We’ve never once had a problem in around ten years. In everything from performance to after-sales quality, maintenance and functionalities, the partnership with UD has been all we’d hoped it would be. Tran Phu Binh (left) Technical Department Deputy Manager CNG Vietnam

Tran Phu Binh checking the cargo at the CNG Vietnam plant

That’s great news for CNG Vietnam. But it means – more than ever before – that the ability of the fleet to shoulder the growing burden of deliveries is paramount. "Never one problem in ten years" “I look back from where we are now to how we were when we started out and I’m thankful that we took the decision to invest in UD trucks right at the very beginning,” recalls Tran Phu Binh, Deputy Manager of the Technical Department. “The cost was a bit higher than other models, and of course that’s something that needs to be discussed before any outlay, but we had faith in UD’s reputation for quality and I’m thankful to say that we’ve never once had a problem in around ten years.” The seven UD legacy models at CNG Vietnam’s disposal have, say technical

and fleet management chiefs, been a godsend. “I can honestly say that we’ve not had a single major issue with any of them,” says Nguyen Van Ha, Head of Transportation. Yet shuttling around the grueling roads of Vietnam for a decade or so would take its toll on any vehicle. Ha estimates that each of the legacy models has clocked up around 1.2 million kilometers. A staggered upgrade and modernization of the fleet is, therefore, both necessary and desirable. The scent of change is already in the air at the CNG Vietnam HQ in Ba Ria. In 2016, the firm took delivery of its first Quester – a state-of-the-art model billed as UD’s most cost-efficient truck ever. And although it has only been part of the fleet for around a year, drivers and management alike are already purring

about the capabilities of the new truck. “We’ve got an extremely capable and content team of drivers here: many of whom have been with us from the very start,” says Ha. “They enjoy driving the legacy trucks and are happy to go with whichever truck to which they are assigned for their shifts. However, they all love Quester. Its comfortable and easy to drive.” Ha himself foresees a productive ongoing relationship between CNG Vietnam and UD Trucks. As the transportation manager at the CNG Vietnam HG, he has perhaps the most vital role in ensuring that the CNG and LNG produced at the plant reaches its end user. And, with capacity growing all the time, he is the guy tasked with the logistical challenge of organizing the transportation of increased volumes of

Customer story Vietnam

I saw the most amazing sunrise in the mountains this morning. I leaned back in the cabin of Quester and watched it unfold. It was beautiful. Nguyen Tien Loc Drvier at CNG Vietnam

CNG Vietnam management team at the plant with their UD fleet in the background (left to right), HSE Supervisor Mr. Hoang Manh Cuong, Deputy of Technical Department Mr. Tran Phu Binh, Deputy Director of PhuMY Branch Mr. Nguyen Giang Nam, Deputy Director of PhuMY Branch Mr. Vu Anh Tuan and Head of Transportation Department Mr. Nguyen Van Ha

The feedback from the drivers on Quester is excellent. They are happy with the higher and larger cabins. Nguyen Van Ha (left) Head of Transportation CNG Vietnam

highly combustible cargo around southern Vietnam. Not only that, but he needs to keep his work pool topped up with skilled, contented drivers such as Hoa. Despite these pressures, however, Ha cuts a relaxed figure as he contemplates the future. Researching before investing “They say that stress multiplies as capacity grows, but I’m enjoying the challenges,” Hoa laughs. “For sure we’ll need to upgrade

the fleet and plans are already in place to do so. But we did extensive research before our initial investment in UD trucks and that will be very useful to us in the future as well.“ Back in the control room, Hoa has left to start his afternoon shift. In his place sits Nguyen Tien Loc, another driver who is all smiles. His good mood can partially be attributed to the fact that he has just wrapped up for the day. But that’s not

the only reason. “I saw the most amazing sunrise in the mountains this morning,” he says. “I was at a rest stop, so I just leaned back in the cabin of the Quester and watched it unfold. It was beautiful.” When it comes to delivering clean and efficient fuel around southern Vietnam, it’s clear that a positive energy is being alchemized by the partnership between CNG Vietnam and UD Trucks.

UD Extra Mile Challenge

UD Extra Mile Challenge 2017

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Japan Daishoku Kanai Ajinomoto Logistics

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South Africa Buza Ngcelwane Dairy Farm

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South Africa Lafras Kruger RA Transport

Singapore Seng Ann Neo CWT Limited

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Thailand Boon-Peng Khongcharoen Tipco Asphalt Public Company Limited

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Indonesia Jimmy Martin Tomasowa Gresik

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Malaysia Anuar Bin Ahmad Gardenia Bakeries

November 6 - 7 Photos: Nicolas Datiche

In November, the UD Experience Center (UDEC) transformed into a competitive playground. It’s the Extra Mile Challenge time of the year! With both a Quon and Quester category in the 2017 edition, seven national champion drivers and their teams from across the UD globe, as well as more than 200 customers, spent a thrilling day at this year’s challenge. After a visit to the Tokyo Motor Show, the competing teams came to UDEC one day before the finals to get familiarized with the competition layout and to receive some final training to boost their skills and spirits. Schedules were full on finals day, with visits to the Ageo plant and the UD Trucks design studio in addition to the competition and test drives for the guests. As one customer from Singapore said, “The design studio and factory tour were very informative and interesting. We were briefed on the design stage and could follow the whole process from concept to production. We heard about where parts should go, what shapes and sizes there were and why; the ergonomics of it. It gave us amazing insights.” Like the previous year, drivers representing each country competed on safety and fuelsaving driving skills, pre-drive inspections and maneuvering skills. As the Japanese driver Daishoku Kanai said, competing with drivers from around the world, “was stimulating and inspiring!” UD Extra Mile Challenge 2017 program Design studio Tour

Training Day

Finals

Factory Tour

Test drive (Quon & Quester)

// Malaysia //

Arriving as the Malaysia national champion, Anuar Bin Ahmad from Gardenia Bakeries was feeling the pressure. “There were 20 great drivers in the national competition in Malaysia, so winning the competition was an honor. In this final, it’s no longer just about me and my company, I felt the pressure of representing my country as well. It made me feel even more nervous than usual, but it motivated me as well,” explains Anuar. Gardenia Bakeries is the largest fresh bread supplier in Malaysia with an impressive fleet of 900 trucks. “In our fleet, 60% are UD trucks,” says the CEO of Gardenia, Chin Huat Koh. “Although transportation isn’t our core business, having our own fleet gives us 100% control over the delivery schedule. Delivering fresh bread is the most important thing; it’s one of our strengths. It’s a lot like the newspaper business, our fresh bread has to reach the shelves in the morning across the country.” Drivers at Gardenia like Anuar, start their shift at midnight, and do several round trips between factories, warehouses and shops. The trucks run 360 days a year, and for Anuar, his midnight departure can be the start of a 700km-loop covering the northern region of Malaysia.

I drove a UD as well in my previous company, they also had only UDs in their fleet. Now I drive a Quon with ESCOT-V. UD trucks are very nice, comfortable and smooth to drive. Buza Ngcelwane Driver, Dairy Farmers of South Africa

// South Africa //

What’s most important to us is road safety. Our drivers have to strictly follow the speed limit and pay utmost attention to safety. An accident can damage the image of the company. Chin Huat Koh CEO, Gardenia Bakeries (KL) Sdn Bhd, Malaysia

As many of us will know from our school days, you often do better in mock exams than the actual exam. That’s how Buza Ngcelwane, the Quon driver from South Africa felt. But despite his nerves, Buza is smiling and projecting confidence. Buza came to the Tokyo finals with the fleet owner Anton Johann van den Berg. The company was previously part of the transportation branch of South Africa’s largest dairy producer – Clover, operating the milk supply end, collecting milk from farms and delivering to Clover. After splitting from the parent company, Anton has stayed in the same business as a supplier for Clover. Buza came to the Tokyo Finals with the fleet owner Anton Johann van den Berg. Milk transportation in South Africa can be very challenging. The farms are often located in areas where the roads are gravel, not tarred. In rainy season it’s not uncommon for a truck to get stuck in the middle of nowhere. A tracking system is essential in such cases, as Anton can call another truck nearby to go and assist. Anton has a fleet of nine trucks, five tractors and four rigid ones. Only two of the trucks are manual, the rest are all equipped with ESCOT transmission. The rigid trucks are often assigned to run the riskier routes. For most of their operation, the trucks pull a trailer behind a rigid, loading 35,000 liters of milk, making the total length of the truck up to 22 meters long. Drivers have to be particularly skillful and experienced to drive them.

UD Extra Mile Challenge

// Singapore //

All Trucks should be equipped with ESCOT transmission. Robert Ken Van Quickelberge

I like Quester because it handles off-road driving very well. Lafras Kruger Driver, RA Transport Co., South Africa

(left)

Owner, RA Transport Co., South Africa

What I appreciate about UD trucks is their cabin design that takes consideration of the driver's operation needs, comfortability and ease to operate. Neo Seng Ann (right) Driver, CWT Limited, Singapore

I choose UD Trucks for its fuel efficiency and reliability. Lim Kian Ann Senior Manager, CWT Limited, Singapore

“It's very easy!” Whilst other drivers were sweating out in the driving skill competition trying to maneuver their truck into a tight parking lot. Neo Seng Ann's remark after finishing the competition is brimming with confidence. His outstanding driving skills and experiences have positioned him the overall championship with the Quon tractor. Neo Seng Ann is a veteran driver with CWT Limited in Singapore. The partnership between UD and CWT has been built over 10 years. Back in Singapore, Neo Seng Ann drives Quon with ESCOT transmission. Automatics are an obvious choice for operating on busy city roads; In Singapore, a driver's productivity is determine based on the number of trips performed in a day. “The average working hours for drivers is about 10 hours a day with an average of 8 to 10 trips daily under heavy road traffic condition”, says Lim Kian Ann.

// Indonesia //

// South Africa //

The national competition champion of South Africa for Quester is Lafras Kruger. He’s a bit shy, speaks softly and always delivers his words with a smile. But he certainly knows what he’s doing, and takes home the final champion title in the Quester category. Back in South Africa, RA Transport moves livestock. The owner of RA Transport, Robert Ken Van Quickelberge verifies Lafras’ point. “The road conditions can be very bad in our country, and security is also a concern. You’re safer coming back to the depot, not just stopping and parking anywhere of your choosing. That’s why

Snapshot

sometimes our drivers have to work very long hours, but also some days can be very short as well. It depends on the customer.” “Because we transport live animals, cargo safety is very important to our business,” says Robert, “We use UD trucks because they focus on the essentials and they do them well.” RA Transport's fleet consists of both manuals and automatics, but Robert much prefers the automatics. “To handle the roads in South Africa, with all their ups and downs, manual gearboxes mean much more stress for the drivers,” Robert remarks.

A Quon customer from Singapore

“We buy UD trucks for their reliability, fuel efficiency and comfort.” Chow Ta Toon Managing Director, Transworld International Pte Ltd., Singapore

Chow Ta Toon, the Managing Director of Transworld International has a unique fleet management style. Being in the logistics business, the company takes care of transporting cargos which includes forwarding and delivery to the final destination. At Transworld International, majority of the employees are drivers who have been with the company for more than 10 years. The company values employees’ opinions and actively seeks feedbacks and suggestions from its drivers before purchasing a new truck. They believe the drivers have to be comfortable with a trusty vehicle as they are working with it every day. Today, UD Trucks is the only Japanese brand that the company currently owns.

I drive a 10-ton Quon with ESCOT transmission. ESCOT is very easy to drive, I’m much less tired after an 8-10 hour day of driving. The gear change is very smooth compared to other transmissions on the market. When climbing a hill, it accelerates exactly as I want, and it climbs the hill effortlessly. The evolution on Quon is remarkable, I’m looking forward to test new Quon sometime soon. Daishoku Kanai Driver, Chuo Ace Logistics Corporation, Japan // Japan //

The fact of being the only Japanese player in the competition didn’t give Daishoku Kanai much advantage. The competing truck is a tractor with a single trailer, whereas Daishoku is more familiar with Quon rigid models. The logistics industry in Japan mostly uses rigid trucks. “The other drivers in the competition are very professional and drive so well,” Daishoku says humbly, “it’s very stimulating, and it inspires me. If possible, I’d like to challenge them again next time.”

“The competition is challenging, things like safety checking the truck is a part of everyday routine for any truck driver, but it’s not easy here, especially when there’s a time limit and you are competing against champion drivers from other countries, “ Jimmy Martine Tomasowa, the national champion of Indonesia remarked. He has spent his whole career at Sinar Indahjaya Kencana, one of the largest construction materials suppliers in Indonesia, with a fleet of 600 trucks. He worked his way up from a clerk to a heavy-duty truck driver. Back home Jimmy drives a rigid Quester truck with a single trailer, and can often spend five days on the road on 1,300 km round trips. “I transport cement and the cargo often weighs 65 tons,” says Jimmy. “Quester is very comfortable and fuel efficient. I sleep in the truck, it's almost like a second home to me now.”

UD accounts for more than a third of our fleet. They are mainly Questers. Our drivers like the UDs because they are very comfortable. And to me, they are very fuel efficient, which is also an important factor because our trucks run 110,000 km per year. Aidi Gunawan Chief Operator, PT. Sinar Indahjaya Kencana, Indonesia

Quester is powerful and also reliable. I feel that I can trust this truck. Boon-Peng Khongcharoen Tipco Asphalt Public Company Limited, Thailand // Thailand //

Having battled with 40 drivers back in Thailand, Boon-Peng Khongcharoen is not in Tokyo to sightsee. “The competition is exciting but also stressful at the same time! I’m representing not only the company but also the entire country.” Tipco Asphalt supplies asphalt to road constructors in Thailand and Myanmar. The company has a fleet of 2,000 trucks - all of them UDs. If the job is within Thailand, the drivers are expected to do around 1,000 km per trip, and if it is in Myanmar, the trip counter goes up to 2,000 km. New trucks are purchased according to contract needs, so drivers at Tipco Asphalt are expected to be able to handle proficiently both rigid and trailer trucks. The company keeps performance records of all drivers, and selected Boon-Peng to represent them based on his top performance on both safety and fuel efficiency. He also trains other drivers when he isn’t out on a job. “To be a driver at Tipco Asphalt, you have to have experience and be disciplined. The company is known for the quality of its drivers,” Boon-Peng says proudly.

Customer story Singapore

Sailing the trade winds with Alligator Logistics Text: Matt Shea / Photos: Cédric Vrolant

How UD Trucks is helping one of Singapore’s most trusted transport companies navigate uncertain times in the city-state.

he array of products says it all. Biomedical supplies. Electronics. Food. Wine. Milk powders. Polymers. Resins. Alligator Logistics‘ deputy managing director Robin Loh lists them off quickly, efficiently, without need for notes. After all, every day he’s at the center of it all, shifting everything by the container load. It’s a trucking company story typical of Singapore, a place long defined by trade and the exchange of goods. But the citystate is also changing rapidly, and Loh’s business isn’t immune. No longer is it the

busiest port in the world — Shanghai now shifts more containers a day than Singapore — and the pace of change in trade across Southeast Asia has spooked even Singapore’s firmest believers.

But then so is Hong Kong … Vietnam is going OK. Malaysia is extremely quiet. Opinions are mixed on Indonesia. It’s very hard to get an overall picture of what’s going on in the region right now.”

Evolving with the city Loh laughs when he compares his business to a viking ride at the fair ground. “It swings so much from month to month,” he says. “We’ll have a good few months in electronics and then suddenly another industry is booming.

It wasn’t always like this. Loh talks about when he first joined the family business. Fifteen years ago things were a lot easier to predict, but Alligator Logistics was still in a period of relative infancy. Loh says it was almost as if he was starting a new company. “I was working in business development. When nobody knows who you are, it’s a pretty tough job,” he laughs.

“The Singapore docks are relatively quiet.

Loh was just 22 years-old at the time, recently returned from studying logistics at Curtin University in Western Australia. Convincing new clients to let Alligator Logistics shift their goods around Singapore was an uphill task. They needed to know his previous experience, to see what he could handle. But Loh had soon added a small cadre of businesses to Alligator Logistics' existing portfolio. And in the trucking industry, trust begets trust. Business begets business. Alligator Logistics was also ahead of its competition with its adoption of technologies

UD trucks are very popular in Singapore for a reason; they are just very reliable, very good trucks. Robin Loh Deputy Managing Director Alligator Logistics Pte Ltd

Customer story Singapore

ESCOT transmis sion

Improving the efficiency of fleet management With their fuel efficiency, reliability and ESCOT-Ⅴ transmission, Quon make the fleet manager, Eric Tan’s job easier. “Having the automatic, it standardizes the way drivers handle the trucks. It makes them drive properly,” he says. “With a manual truck operating in a metro environment like Singapore, you’re looking at a clutch change after six months. Our oldest automatic Quon is three years, and we haven’t had to do a clutch change on any of them.”

Eric Tan Operations Manager Alligator Logistics Pte Ltd

Navigating Singapore with an automatic Sim Tiam Joo knows about driving trucks in Singapore. Having worked the wheel in the city-state since 1989, he knows just about every road on the island. “Back when I started there was no power steering, no technology,” h e s a y s . “O n t h e d o c k s o r i n

loading bays, you’d be using two hands on the wheel, wrestling to manoeuvre the trucks. Now, it’s much easier.” Like many drivers, Sin was initially reluctant to adopt the automatic gearboxes of new Quon, but the ESCOT-Ⅴ soon made him a convert.

We’ve proven our reliability in terms of service over and over again.That’s what we need to keep doing. You’ve just got to stay relevant, keep your equipment relevant. That’s why we’ve grown even though the market is down. Robin Loh Deputy Managing Director Alligator Logistics Pte Ltd

“It is better,” he says. “I’m not having to work clutches constantly, cutting down on wear and tear. “It helps in the city where you have to stop and brake a lot. It’s just less effort behind the wheel. And it adds up,” he says. “I do ten trips to the port a day. I’d say one of those is down to saving time and effort with the automatic.”

such as GPS. “It’s compulsory now,” Loh says. “Back then it was just an option. It was costing us something like SGD8,000 (USD5,882) a month on a three-month contract. But it was worth it, particularly when it came to insurance.”

Alligator Logistics runs 43 prime movers, including 26 UDs, making it a mediumsized trucking company by Singapore standards. But that gives Loh and his team the flexibility to focus on servicing their customer’s specific needs.

“We basically now handle all kinds of goods,” Loh says. “So our typical customer is very different to, say, ten years ago.” One of the major changes is more European customers. They’re interested in Alligator Logistics' skill with biomedical supplies and food products, but also in finding a onestop shop for trucking and forwarding — something Alligator Logistics can provide in partnership with its sister companies.

Focusing on service quality “There are only so many clients you can take care of properly,” Loh says. “We could tell them the sky’s the limit but it’s more important to do the job properly. There’s a lot of business knowhow involved.”

“They’re coming to a market they don’t know very well,” Loh says. “So they’re interested in those kinds of solutions. In the past we might have been more relaxed about a client using just one of our businesses, but these days it’s about integrating those services together.” Talking to Loh, this becomes a theme: A single-minded focus on client requirements.

A solid shield for more uptime

Although Robin Loh may think of reliability when it comes to UD trucks, for fleet manager Eric Tan it’s something else upon which Alligator has built its own business: service. “Aftermarket support,” he says, “With UD, if there’s ever a problem, it gets diagnosed and fixed quickly. So the trucks spend minimal time off the road. UD knows its own product. Other brands, it can take them days just to find the problem.”

It’s that client focus that gives Loh confidence despite the uncertainty in the wider market. Provide a service that meets a client’s requirements and they will call again. It’s as simple as that. “We’ve proven our reliability in terms of service over and over again,” he says. “That’s what we need to keep doing. We need to have a feel for the market but you can’t do too much about it. You’ve just got to stay relevant, keep your equipment relevant. That’s why we’ve grown even though the market is down.” The focus on reliability is also why Alligator Logistics has such a productive relationship with UD Trucks. Despite absorbing a new company, well over half the company’s prime movers are Quon GK 17 420s. “Eighty percent of our purchases are Quons,” adds Loh. Every day, Loh’s fleet of Quons makes hundreds of runs back and forth from the port to customers all over the island. The 4x2 trucks, with their tighter turning circle, fuel efficiency and prized ESCOT- Ⅴ automatic transmission, are ideal for companies like Alligator Logistics operating in Singapore’s busy metro environment. “They’re just very reliable,” Loh says. “It’s key. But then you hardly need me to tell you that. Look around: they’re very popular in Singapore for that reason. They’re just very good equipment.”

Extra Mile Stories

South Africa

2 reasons why Quester is the perfect truck for Africa Quicksand is a supplier for construction materials, and with our sister company Quick-Mix, we sell bricks, sand and cement. It is a family business, and we still operate our business like a family. Among our group of drivers, many have been with us for 10 years and some even for 20 years. Stef Botha, owner and founder of Quicksand

“To offer a reliable service, we need a reliable truck.”

We are all for customer service, so we need reliability. This is one of the reasons we have UD trucks. We know we can rely on them, we know that every day we can get through our day’s work without any trouble. Quester is a powerful truck, and a surprising truck in fact. It’s a truck for Africa.

Myanmar

3 reasons to choose Quester “Fuel saving trucks are cost effective and environment friendly.”

We are an oil trading company; we manage the whole supply chain from importing by ocean tankers to delivering to customers, such as gas station, industrial users etc. Our distribution channel includes ships and over 240 trucks. Although the company is only four years old, we are now the second largest importer of diesel and gasoline in Myanmar. We focus on the quality of our fuel. When people see our company’s name – Best Oil Company (BOC), they see quality.

We use Quester 6x4 Prime Movers. We choose UD mainly for its reliability. Our trucks drive between 5,000 km to 7,000 km per month. On average that is 72,000 km per year. Reliable trucks are essential for us. Other reasons are cost of maintenance, availability of spare parts and fuel efficiency.

When we buy new trucks, we generally look to employ newer models. They are equipped with newer technology clean diesel engines that produce significantly lower emissions. One of the main factors that we look for while purchasing a new truck is fuel economy, as vehicles that are more efficient are kinder to the environment in addition to being cost effective.

Aung Myo Zaw Director PT Power Trading Co., Ltd.

“UD trucks are reliable and more.”

Stef Botha, owner and founder of Quicksand

“It’s safe and reliable, good for all-round performance.”

“Quester is a powerful and comfortable truck to drive.”

I have driven a number of different trucks over the years but the one I like the most is Quester GWC 370. I have driven a few models of UD trucks, I can vouch for them based on my personal experience. They are good for safety and for all-around performance and they are very reliable.

I drive a Quester Readymix truck. This truck is my baby. It has a straightforward gear change, and it’s very powerful. It’s a fantastic truck, and a comfortable one too.

Driver at Best Oil Company

Marks Kekana, driver at Quicksand

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