The industry’s premier event, the Brisbane Truck Show opened its doors this morning to industry heavyweights and the general public. Truck and Bus News was on hand to deciepher the news from brands pumping up their own tyres during the media tour.
UD TRUCKS
UD looks like it’s shrugging off its ‘poor relation’ image, with the release of the new Quon truck range. The stylish Show display prime mover was a clean sheet of paper exercise, although retaining the somewhat weird ‘Quon’ model name. We reckon UD would be better off highlighting its familiar model numbers instead of the name.
The new truck is powered by the Volvo Group 11-litre engine, with a very useful rating of 460hp and 2200Nm at 1200rpm. The standard transmission is a distribution-task friendly 12-speed automated manual Group gearbox, driving to UD heavy duty drive tandem, suspended on an eight-bellows air rear suspension.
The chassis is a new pressing and the standard braking system is air-actuated discs all around.
GCM is an impressive 60 tonnes.
HINO
The big news at Hino was the preview of its much anticipated 300 Series 4×4 light truck. This market segment is dominated by Isuzu’s NPS 300 and the crumbs are fought over by Fuso’s Canter 4×4 and the Iveco Daily 4×4.
The display truck was a crew cab prototype and specification details weren’t available. However the shifter looked like it stirred a six-speed manual box. The massive transfer case was straight out of the much heavier GTS 4×4 truck that now has an automatic transmission option, so we wouldn’t be surprised to see an auto option offered in the 300 Series 4×4.
The new truck had long front leaves a wide-track front axle and all-wheel disc brakes. The release date is scheduled for the last quarter 2017.
SCANIA
Scania’s star of the show was a version of its new S500 that was revealed in Paris last year and won the International Truck of the Year award in Hannover. However while the Swede had a UK spec version on the stand the reality is that truck could be years away from being launched down under as testing and development work is underway to spec it for our conditions.
“As a result of this impressive vote of confidence in the new all-new Scania, we took the decision to fast-track the delivery of an example of the S 500 to Australia, even though the commercial launch of the New Truck Generation range is still some considerable way off,” said outgoing Scania MD Roger McCarthy.
“The truck on display is representative of a specification that could be offered to the Australian market once the New Truck Generation is launched here.
“The Brisbane Truck Show is the only place this vehicle can be inspected and admired, prior to its return to Europe. It is joined on the Scania display stand by a selection of the current generation of Scania prime movers including the current flagship, the R 730 V8, a G 480 prime mover and a P 310 8×2 rigid,” he said.
The Scania S 500 on display was a right-hand drive UK-specification vehicle, shown in 6×2/2 configuration with a pusher axle (with single wheels) and rear drive axle with dual wheels and will return to Europe immediately after the show.
KENWORTH/DAF
They called it PACCAR World and the makers stand at Brisbane was something behold with 11Kenworth and DAF models on the stand.
PACCAR Australia’s Director Sales and Marketing, Brad May, says the Brisbane Truck show offers those in transportation the ideal forum to congregate and experience the best developments and innovation the industry has to offer.
“PACCAR World has on display a range of advances, including from DAF the official launch of the DAF CF85 with 510Hp and the display of the new FAP LF 280, touted for release later in 2017.”
“For Kenworth, the show is all about the revolutionary T610 and T610SAR. Launched little more than five months ago, the new model is certainly living up to its billing as, ‘Our Best Truck Yet’. We are delighted with the market’s response due to its versatility, space and safety features, and the T610 and two T610SARs on display are certain to draw in everyone to have a look.”
The other ‘star’ on the PACCAR stand is the latest version in the Kenworth Legend Series the Legend 900, which is a tribute to long time Kenworth employee Allan Stead who passed away recently. Truck and Bus News broke the story of the new Legend offering back in February and the new truck is sure to sell in quick time once people see the first example in Brisbane
“Complementing our two truck brands will be the full range of PACCAR Australia products and services. We will have professionals from most areas of our business, including production, engineering and sales, as well as dealer representatives from across Australia on hand to explain how PACCAR Australia offers the complete solution for fleets, operators and drivers,” said May.
IVECO/INTERNATIONAL
Iveco had plenty to show off at the Show, with the release of its new seven tonnes GVM Daily van in three volume sizes, up to 19 cubic metres, the new Euro 6 Eurocargo in three horsepower ratings and International Prostar trucks in rigid and prime mover configurations.
Our feelings are that the van should be a big seller for Iveco, because it offers light truck payload capacity, with much easier access for drivers doing pick up and delivery work. The new Daily van comes with choice of automatic and manual boxes, as well as air or leaf spring rear suspension.
FREIGHTLINER
In a celebration of its history and current line-up, Freightliner presented its ‘dual-stack’ Coronado 112 to the public for the first time in Brisbane.
Until now the Coronado 112 has features a single cab mounted exhaust on the back of the cab.
According to the brand’s director Stephen Downes, the new configuration frees up more room behind the cab and increases productivity.
“The Coronado 122 is a great proven model for us and these minor changes make it even better,” he said.
Freightliner has livestock haulers in mind with the 140-tonne capability of the 122 model. It has also revised the interior slightly with new soft touch dashboards and Australian-developed double cup holders which are friendlier to local sized drinks. The new cup holder can also be retro-fitted to existing models.
Freightliner’s other star of the show is its Cummins X15 fitted Argosy. The American born brand is the only to offer a choice of Detroit Diesel or Cummins 15-litre power plants.
Also on display is a rare ‘Bubblenose’ A64-800 which was restored in Oregon and brought to Australia for the show, as well as The Coronado 114 and Colombia 112 Agitator model.
FUSO
With no new models on show and only glimpses of new Sumo inspired marketing creative at Brisbane, Fuso admits its focus has been on the value proposition of its current offerings.
Fuso Truck and Bus director Justin Whitford told assembled media the brand has been experiencing unprecedented change over the past year largely because of expansion of the aftersales service team.
Whitford says Fuso’s focus has been on lowering the cost of ownership.
“Never before as the cost of life of a Fuso been lower,” he said.
“We’ve re-priced around a thousand service items and focussed on our value proposition with the introduction of our standard five-year warranty.
Fuso has the low-roof Canter 515 City Super Low model on display as well as its 715 Canter Tipper, FK Fighter 1224 medium duty truck and its range topping FV54 prime mover.
ISUZU TRUCKS
Isuzu is busy at the Brisbane show with a range of new models and services to tempt buyers.
Their Servicepack vehicles have been described as ‘tool sheds on wheels’, and the latest additions to the range – the NLS 45-150 All Wheel Drive Crew Servicepack, the NPR 45/55-155 Servicepack, the NPS 75-155 4×4 Servicepack and the NPS 75-155 4×4 Crew Servicepack – will enable drivers to securely transport more equipment to the job site, wherever that may be.
The NLS 45-150 All Wheel Drive (AWD) Crew Servicepack is poised to be the new ‘go-to’ vehicle for fleet and service managers.
The truck specialist announced its Ready to Work NNR 45-150 AMT Vanpack, Traypack and Tradepack, trucks built to take the compromise out of last-mile freight transport.
Boasting a GVM of 4,500 kg and an Isuzu 4JJ1-TCS engine capable of producing 110 kW @ 2,800 rpm and 375 Nm @ 1,600 – 2,800 rpm, the NNR 45-150 AMT Vanpack delivers an outstanding level of capability and convenience.
IAL Chief Engineer, Product Strategy, Simon Humphries said Isuzu developed the Vanpack in response to feedback from Australian businesses, specifically engineering the truck to suit drivers transporting goods in urban environments
Isuzu’s Ready to Work range is underpinned by a simple philosophy – to make life easier for Australian tradies by eliminating the lead times traditionally associated with purchasing a heavy vehicle.
With 16 model variants in the Ready to Work range pre-fitted with tipper bodies, Isuzu Australia Limited (IAL) is helping operators in the landscaping, earthmoving and local government fields – to name just a few – quickly and easily get behind the wheel of the right vehicle. A Tri-tipper is also available
VOLVO TRUCKS
Volvo headlined its Brisbane Truck Show stand with a stunning Swedish Blue and Yellow FH dubbed its Performance Edition. Reminiscent of the Polestar performance division of Volvo Cars the big FH had a massive presence on the Swedish stand.
However while the big Swede was the major hardware attraction on the stand the company also announced a brave and confident uptime promise. This is a new guarantee for Volvo owners (as well as Mack and UD operators) that if they can’t have the truck back on the road in eight hours then the operator will receive $500 a day in compensation from Volvo.
VGA president Peter Voorhoeve says the Uptime Promise is as much about Volvo having confidence in its service back up as it is about providing compensation.
“We are confident and want to guarantee that uptime and we are prepared to put money on it,” he said.
The strategy follows Voorhoeve’s mantra of Service, Service, and Service and underlines the company’s commitment to uptime.
Voorhoeve also revealed an extension and more resources for the task of better training a recruiting of drivers with the Volvo Driver Academy including an extension to the brands support for the Pilbara Heavy Haulage Girls in WA and a new relationship with TAFE NSW.
Volvo comes into the show having recorded its highest market share in Heavy Duty in 25 years with 16.1 per cent of the market in the first quarter of 2017 recording growth every year since 2012.
Mitch Peden VP if Volvo Truck also announced the company’s strategy for Euro VI in Australia unveiling a new FM prime mover aimed at distribution work with full Euro VI spec. Volvo Trucks will deploy the technology in selected segments including FMCG where customers operating in inner city areas demand reliable and environmentally friendly engine solutions.
“We are excited to be sharing our much anticipated strategy for Euro 6 technology in Australia. The Euro 6 engine is based on Volvo’s tried and tested Euro 5 technology and offers superior fuel economy and reliability. The stringent Euro 6 requirements are not compulsory in Australia today but we have the offering in place and will be ready to deploy when such standards become the norm or whenever our customers want to include this technology in their fleets,” said Mitch Peden.
MACK TRUCKS
Big, Black and Imposing is an apt description for the Mack SuperLiner that headlined the Bulldog stand at Brisbane. Equipped with a big banger 685 horse MP10 engine the Big SuperLiner featured the 110-inch sleeper and is aimed at the upper end of the cattle haulage industry covering everything from 45 to 300 tonnes. SuperLiner is the fastest growing model in the Mack range these days.
Mack VP Dean Bestwick announced that there has been a continuing move buy customers to embrace the Mack integrated driveline with 95 per cent of all Mack MP engines now equipped with MDrive transmissions and a 50 per cent increase in the use of Mack axles while there has been a 44 per cent increase in ‘Gold Dogs’, the special gold mascot used to signify a totally Mack driveline truck.
Not a lot of new news on the Mack stand this year apart from the Uptime Promise it shares with Volvo and UD.
CUMMINS
Cummins set up its stand adjacent to that of its new power train partner, Eaton. This formidable joint effort should see seamless connection between engine and transmissions in what is becoming an increasingly electronically connected road transport scene.
The Cummins-Eaton synchronicity should allow this all-American power train duo to compete on an equal playing field with its vertically integrated competitors from Europe and Japan.
Cummins also displayed Euro 6 compliant 12-litre and 15-litre engines that employ a modular emissions control package, incorporating SCR and DPF in one housing that’s designed to fit in the belly of a chassis, freeing the side rails for fuel tank mountings.
Thankfully, there’s no EGR on these engines.
There’s no plan to introduce the Cummins Euro 6 engines into Australia at present, but Cummins is ready to respond to legislation when it occurs, or to satisfy customer demands.