NZ TRUCK & DRIVER
| April 2026
April 2026 $10.90 incl. GST
BIG TEST Fuelled for efficiency | FLEET FOCUS Family First | FEATURE: Talk Dirty cleans up
S FLEET FOCU Family First FEATURE ans up Talk Dirty cle
Issue 299
r o f d e Fuell y c n e i c i eff
The Official Magazine of
ISSN 2703-6278
The all-new Isuzu truck range.
Reliability redefined.
Introducing the all-new range of Isuzu N and F Series trucks. With a sleek new cab design, new engines that comply with Euro VI or Japan pPNLT emission standards and additional advanced safety features for a more comfortable drive, the all-new Isuzu N and F Series will change the way we rely on our trucks. Forever. To find out more, visit your nearest Isuzu Trucks Dealer or visit isuzu.co.nz
*Overseas optional body and accessories shown
CONTENTS Issue 299 – April 2026
2
News The latest from the world of road transport including… New Zealand’s first Mercedes-Benz eEconic goes to work… New CVSC locations opening soon… Waikato Expressway maintenance update… Taranaki’s big truck show… Fleet Day expands to two days… Kenworth launches new C580 and Detroit announces its Gen 6 engine line-up.
24
67
Advantage Tyre Solutions Fleet Focus
72
Mechanical mayhem at Ruapuna All the action from round three of the NAPA Auto Parts New Zealand Super Truck Championship raced at Canterbury’s Euromarque Motorport Park.
75
REGULARS: 80/ Double Coin Tyres NZ Transport 81 Imaging Awards Recognising NZ’s best-looking trucks… including a giant pull-out poster of this month’s finalist.
85
CrediFlex Recently Registered It was another slow month for the New Zealand new truck and trailer market in February. We report on the segment leaders and there’s the monthly gallery of new rigs on the road.
COLUMNS: 61 National Road Carriers Association James Smith, General Manager Policy and Advocacy, looks at the culture and discipline which results in effective industry-led safety initiatives.
Truck show update February truck show fixtures attracted impressive community turnouts at both the Otorohanga and Wellington truck shows.
81
Talk Dirty cleans up The winner of the 2025 Double Coin Tyres Transport Imaging award is a Kenworth T909 working out of Napier. We talk to the winners and also the artist who created the prize painting.
Family first: Malcolm and Delma Ellis founded Auckland-based Marlin Transport more than 50 years ago. Today five of their six children work in the family business which has been involved in most sectors of the freight industry.
MANAGEMENT
Bygone Days – Hawke’s Bay Last month Rod Simmonds recounted the history of the original Foleys Transport. This month it’s the story of how the Foley name returned to the industry in 2014.
Transporting New Zealand Dom Kalasih takes the look at business pressures facing Kiwi transport operators and provides some context from overseas. There’s also a look at Transporting New Zealand’s input into improving safety at road works sites.
48
Fiona and Fiona – the two Legends in Ray Reid’s life: The story of how Ray Reid was inspired to buy his Kenworth T900 Legend from the limited edition 2018 production run.
Giti Tyres Big Test Fuelled for efficiency: Hamilton-based K&L Distributors has only purchased two large trucks brand-new during 35 years in business. Both times the choice has been an Isuzu Giga series. We test the latest addition to the fleet which works as an 8-axle fuel delivery unit.
39
FEATURES: 64 Southpac Legend
ADMINISTRATION MANAGER
Publisher
Trevor Woolston 027 492 5600 trevor@trucker.co.nz
Trudy Woolston
Advertising
Victor Georgiades 021 925 600 victor@trucker.co.nz
Trudy Woolston Phone
Hayden Woolston 027 448 8768 hayden@trucker.co.nz
admin@trucker.co.nz
SUBSCRIPTIONS admin@trucker.co.nz 027 474 6033
NZ subscription $110 incl. GST for one year price (11 issues) Overseas rates on application ADDRESS
EDITORIAL Editor
Colin Smith 021 510319 colin@trucker.co.nz
Associate Editor
Brian Cowan
CONTRIBUTORS
Olivia Beauchamp Gerald Shacklock Rod Simmonds Aaron Hunt Euan Cameron
ART DEPARTMENT Design & Production Luca Bempensante Zarko Mihic EQUIPMENT GUIDE AUCKLAND, NORTHLAND, BOP, WAIKATO, CENTRAL NORTH ISLAND Advertising Hayden Woolston 027 448 8768 hayden@trucker.co.nz
AUCKLAND, LOWER NORTH ISLAND, SOUTH ISLAND Advertising Hayden Woolston 027 448 8768 hayden@trucker.co.nz
Phone Freephone Postal Address Street Address Web
+64 9 571 3544 0508 TRUCKER (878 2537) PO Box 112 062, Penrose, AUCKLAND 172B Marua Road, Ellerslie, AUCKLAND www.alliedpublications.co.nz
PRINTING & DISTRIBUTION Printer Bluestar Retail Distribution ARE Direct Publication: New Zealand Truck & Driver is published monthly, except January, by Allied Publications Ltd PO Box 112 062, Penrose, Auckland Contributions: Editorial contributions are welcomed for consideration, but no responsibility is accepted for lost or damaged materials (photographs, graphics, printed material etc). To mail, ensure return (if required), material must be accompanied by a stamped, addressed envelope. It’s suggested that the editor is contacted by fax or email before submitting material. Copyright: Articles in New Zealand Truck & Driver are copyright and may not be reproduced in any form – in whole or part – without permission of the publisher. Opinions expressed in the magazine are not necessarily the opinions of, or endorsed by, the publisher.
www.facebook.com/nztruckanddriver
www.nztruckanddriver.co.nz Truck & Driver | 1
NEWS The new Mercedes-Benz eEconic is a rear loader being used for inorganic collections.
New Zealand’s first eEconic goes to work THE GROWING ELECTRIC TRUCK FLEET OPER ATED by WM New Zealand is the home for the first Mercedes-Benz eEconic in the country. The battery electric low entry model is operating as a rear loader refuse collection truck, marking another step forward in safer operations and lower carbon emissions. WM New Zealand has one of NZ’s largest electric truck fleets and the purchase of the truck is supported by a $150,000 grant from the Energy Efficiency and Conservation Authority (EECA). The eEconic will be used initially for inorganic collections, with potential to support tyre collections in the future. It has been designed specifically for urban, stop-start operations and brings clear safety and wellbeing benefits for frontline teams. Its low-floor cab makes it easier and safer for drivers and runners to get in and out of the vehicle throughout the day. Unlike many collection trucks, it also includes seating for up to three crew members plus the driver, supporting team-based operations. WM New Zealand Managing Director Evan Maehl says the investment reflects the company’s long-term commitment to practical,
scalable decarbonisation. “Fleet is one of our biggest opportunities to cut emissions and improve the experience for our people and the communities we serve. Every electric truck we put into service helps reduce noise, improve air quality, and move us closer to a low-carbon future,” Maehl says. Head of Fleet Jitesh Singh says the eEconic also supports WM’s focus on safety and operational performance. “This truck has been designed around the realities of collection work. The low-floor design reduces strain on drivers and runners who are in and out of the cab all day, and the extra seating supports how our crews actually operate. We already operate diesel Econic side loaders in municipal collections, and we are keen to see the development of electric eEconic side loaders in the future.” The eEconic joins one of the most established electric heavy vehicle fleets in the country. WM began its EV programme in 2016 and has continued to build capability through a mix of original equipment vehicles and in-house conversions carried out by its own engineering teams. Today, WM operates 60 electric vehicles across the business, including 50 built through internal conversions. The fleet spans a wide WM New Zealand and Keith Andrews Trucks staff celebrate the launch of the eEconic. range of applications with 13 side loaders, nine rear loaders: 20 food LEVs, four glass LEVs, seven box trucks, 5 skips, a prime mover, and a split body. Earlier this year, WM’s electric heavy fleet passed a significant milestone – more than three million kilometres driven. The pace of progress has accelerated over time. It took six years to reach the first million kilometres, two more years to reach two million, and just over a year to pass three million. This work has already avoided close to 5,600 tonnes of CO₂e emissions compared with diesel equivalents. The addition of the Mercedes-Benz eEconic builds on WM New Zealand’s long-term sustainability programme and reinforces the company’s focus on practical action, innovation, and care for people and place. 2 | Truck & Driver
NEWS Systems testing has started at the new Bombay Commercial Vehicle Safety Centre.
CVSC network set to expand TWO NEW NORTH ISLAND COMMERCIAL VEHICLE Safety Centres are expected to be operational in coming weeks. The new CVSC at Bombay is now physically complete with systems testing now underway. Likewise the new Taupo CVSC has completed its testing phase and is awaiting some final building fit out before it opens in either late-March or early-April. Construction at the Bombay site began in November 2024 and the current test phase makes sure the technology – the connected in-road scales (weigh-in-motion), automatic number plate recognition camera, and digital signage to ensure the compliance assessments – is working accurately. Neither site had a confirmed opening date as NZ Truck & Driver went to press in Mid-March. NZTA says some heavy vehicles will be called into the Bombay CVSC before the centre is fully operational. The expanded network of Commercial Vehicle Safety Centre (CVSC) locations is part of the Commercial Vehicle Safety Programme (CVSP), which will monitor heavy vehicles across the country 24/7 and provide NZTA data on operator and truck behaviour such as heavy vehicle weight, load status, and driver fatigue. These centres are connected to weigh-in-motion scales, number plate recognition cameras, and variable message signage. These screen passing heavy vehicles for non-compliance and safety concerns. Potentially unsafe vehicles will be directed into the centres to be inspected by NZ Police. While on site, NZ Police will carry out vehicle
inspections and checks for vehicle weight, Road user charge compliance, certificate of fitness, logbook accuracy, and driver impairment. When Police aren’t onsite, NZTA still collects data on passing vehicles 24/7. This gives an insight into the behaviour of heavy vehicles on the network. Using this data, NZTA can target education and compliance work to where safety issues are in the industry. This ensures everyone is paying their fair share for use of the road, keeps compliant operators moving through more smoothly, and reduces the damage caused to the road by overloading, ultimately boosting safety and efficiency for all road users. At Bombay the weigh-in-motion scales, NPR cameras and sign boards are located either side of the Bombay interchange on State Highway 1 to signal both northbound and southbound traffic into the CVSC. At the Taupo CVSC the technology is installed on five of the roads heading towards the safety centre - SH1 north of the SH1/5 roundabout, SH1 south of the roundabout, SH5 east of the roundabout, Napier Road west of the roundabout, and on nearby Crown Road. The Taupo site also includes a stock effluent tank disposal facility help stock carriers minimise spills on the highway. The Bombay and Taupo locations are two of four new CVSC construction projects sites currently taking place in the North Island. New Napier and MacKays Crossing (Kapiti Coast) locations are also under construction and plans are in place for new Tauranga, North Shore, and Marsden (Northland) locations.
The new Taupo CVSC is also expected to be operational in the coming weeks. Truck & Driver | 3
NEWS
Multi-stage
Waikato Expressway work begins MAJOR SEALING WORK ON STATE HIGHWAY 1 JUST south of Hamilton (Waikato Expressway) has just started and will continue in stages until later this year. Drivers are being advised to plan ahead for delays during these significant asphalt works. Roger Brady, NZ Transport Agency Waka Kotahi (NZTA) Regional Manager Maintenance and Operations in Waikato and Bay of Plenty, says the 16km section of State Highway 1 (SH1) between Cambridge and Tamahere will be reconstructed with new asphalt, equating to 62 lane kilometres of work. The work is being completed in 5km stages and is expected to finish in late2026. The rebuilding of the structural layers topped with open grade porous asphalt (OGPA) is designed to keep the expressway safe, resilient and ready for future growth. “While this section has received maintenance in recent years, we are completing this work now to ensure the expressway is providing the level of service people have come to expect,” Mr Brady says. “We understand how important this route is for the region, and this work is designed to deliver a durable, high quality pavement.” Mr Brady says the pavement has experienced challenges due to increasing volumes of vehicles and loads. “We know people have seen repairs along this stretch, and unfortunately the pavement, particularly in the slow lanes, has deteriorated faster than expected. Completing this comprehensive upgrade now will reduce the need for repeated maintenance and provide a smoother and safer journey for everyone.” The main construction programme began on Sunday March 1. The first 5km section to be repaired starts at the southern interchange (near Tīrau
Road) in the two southbound lanes. During this time all southbound traffic will be shifted onto one northbound lane, allowing for one lane in each direction. The contractor will use this same method as they move through six stages of work. Staged closures of the on and off ramps at the Victoria Road Interchange (Hautapu) and Northern Interchange (near Cambridge Road) will be required for stages 3,4,5 and 6 (currently planned for between June and October). More information around exact timing and alternative routes will be communicated ahead of time. NZTA says work will be carried out day and night, six days a week, weather permitting. Lane closures will be in place 24/7, and motorists should expect significant delays during peak travel times. Other planned maintenance across the Waikato network may add to journey times. Mr Brady says NZTA is working closely with contractor Fulton Hogan to minimise impacts. “We’ve worked with our contractors to ensure the approach is as safe and efficient as possible - minimising the amount of merging manoeuvres required which typically add to delays - while producing a high-quality outcome,” Mr Brady says. “Drivers can help keep traffic flowing steadily by merging considerately and early and travelling at the 70km/h speed limit through the site. When everyone shows courtesy, delays can be reduced for road users,” he says. Meanwhile, planning is underway for resurfacing works at the southbound passing lane on SH1, just before Kentucky Road in Karāpiro. These works are expected to begin in early from mid-March and will likely involve a period of night works with stop/go traffic management.
Waikato Expressway
Stage 1 - Southbound March-April Single lane in each direction (Northbound side) - 70km/hr
Cambridge section asphalt work
Stage 2 - Northbound April-May Single lane in each direction (Southbound side) - 70km/hr
N
Tamahere
Tamahere on/off ramps remain open throughout the works
1B
Stage 3 - Southbound June-July Single lane in each direction (Northbound side) - 70km/hr
1
Stage 4 - Northbound
21
August Single lane in each direction (Southbound side) - 70km/hr
Stage 5 - Southbound
Stage 5
Cambridge Northern Interchange Southbound off ramp closed
Mystery Creek
Stage 6
Cambridge Northern Interchange Northbound on ramp closed
September Single lane in each direction (Northbound side) - 70km/hr
Stage 3
Hautapu Southbound on/off ramps closed
Stage 6 - Northbound
Stage 4
Stage 1
Hautapu Northbound on/off ramps closed
No ramp closures
Cambridge Kaipaki
October Single lane in each direction (Southbound side) - 70km/hr
This map is indicative only and not to scale.
Stage 2
No ramp closures
Dates and programmes are subject to change. For more information, visit: nzta.govt.nz/waikato-works Planned road maintenance, additional to these expressway works, is being carried out by multiple Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetuer adipiscing elit, sed contractors in some areas. diam nonummy nibh euismod tincidunt ut laoreet dolore Please check NZTA’serat Journey Planner before magna aliquam volutpat. Ut wisi enim ad minim youveniam, travel to help you plan ahead. quis nostrud exerci tation ullamcorper suscipit lobortis nisl ut aliquip ex ea commodo consequat. Duis autem vel eum iriure dolor in hendrerit in vulputate velit esse molestie consequat, vel illum dolore eu feugiat nulla facilisis at vero eros et accumsan et iusto odio dignissim qui blandit praesent luptatum zzril delenit augue duis
4 | Truck & Driver
Leamington
1
Karapiro
THE ULTIMATE LINE-UP. Class-leading in every way.
Forged over decades on Kiwi roads, the all-new FUSO Shogun range delivers class-leading power, payload and safety with proven durability – engineered to go the distance and available in 4x2, 6x2, 6x4 and 8x4 configurations. •
Efficient Euro 6 engine options from 360hp to 530hp.
•
Advanced safety technology across the range.
•
Engineered for tough Kiwi conditions.
•
Superior European-style cab comfort.
•
Light kerb weights.
•
Durable, versatile and ready for almost any application.
fuso.co.nz/new-shogun MITSUBISHI FUSO Authorised Distributor Fuso New Zealand www.fuso.co.nz
SCAN TO DISCOVER MORE
NEWS
Production streamlined for Isuzu and UD PRODUCTION OF ISUZU HEAV Y-DUTY TRUCK MODELS is on the move as closer cooperation between Isuzu and UD Trucks begins to take shape in Japan. Isuzu plans to transfer its heavy-duty truck production from the Fujisawa Plant in Kanagawa Prefecture to the Ageo Plant of UD Trucks in Ageo City, Saitama Prefecture. This transfer is part of a reorganisation of Isuzu’s domestic vehicle production in preparation for the planned market launch in 2028 of a common medium heavy-duty truck platform jointly developed by Isuzu and UD Trucks. Isuzu plans to invest approximately 40 billion Japanese Yen in total, with operations scheduled to start in 2028. Through this reorganisation, the Isuzu Group will clearly redefine the roles of its two domestic production sites. The Ageo Plant will become the flagship production site for heavy-duty trucks, and the Fujisawa Plant as the flagship production site for medium- and light-duty trucks. By maximising the strengths of each site, Isuzu aims to simultaneously enhance production efficiency and increase production capacity. Under its mid-term business plan, ISUZU Transformation – Growth to
2030 (IX), the Isuzu Group aims to further strengthen its business foundation and achieve sales of more than 850,000 new vehicles and revenues exceeding 5 trillion Japanese yen from existing businesses by fiscal 2030, as well as establish a supply chain capable of supporting one million units. To achieve these goals, in addition to enhancing product competitiveness, optimising the domestic vehicle production structure from both productivity and production capacity perspectives has become a key strategic priority. In alignment with this product and technology strategy, Isuzu has determined that consolidating heavy-duty truck production at the Ageo Plant—where there is demonstrated capabilities in the development and production of heavy-duty trucks—is the optimal choice from the perspectives of quality, cost efficiency, and supply stability. As part of the transition the Ageo plant will change from single-shift to two-shift operations and a new paint shop will be built as part of plant modernisation. In parallel, the Isuzu Group is advancing the joint development of a common medium heavy-duty truck platform for Japan and across Asian markets by leveraging technologies from the Volvo Group.
The Isuzu Fujisawa plant (pictured) will focus on light and medium-duty truck production with heavy truck manufacturing moving to the UD Ageo plant.
Strategic move for Scania NZ
Victor Carvalho (left), Managing Director, Scania New Zealand and Ross Williamson from SPDS. 6 | Truck & Driver
SCANIA NEW ZEALAND HAS merged the operations of South Pacific Diesel Systems into its business, a move which strengthens Scania’s presence and customer support capability across the New Zealand market. Founded in 1984 by diesel engineers Ross Williamson and Hugh Mackenzie, South Pacific Diesel Systems has been the New Zealand and South Pacific distributor for Scania Industrial and Marine diesel engines for more than 40 years. It had become one of the longest-standing independent distributors and Scania Power Solutions globally. “South Pacific Diesel has played an important role in Scania’s success in New Zealand over many years in providing Power Solutions to the New Zealand market,” says Victor Carvalho, Managing Director, Scania New Zealand. “This transition allows us to strengthen customer relationships, invest further in our people and infrastructure, and continue raising the bar in service quality and operational excellence. This means that Scania New Zealand can consolidate the sales and
service offerings of marine and industrial engines, alongside our current product suite.” Scania New Zealand says it intends to build on the technical expertise, customer focus, and knowledge of the local market built by South Pacific Diesel Systems, ensuring continuity and stability for both customers and employees throughout the transition. Ross Williamson, Managing Director of South Pacific Diesel Systems, says customers would see clear, practical benefits from the transition. “For customers, the transition will deliver tangible, day-to-day benefits, including continued comprehensive parts availability and closer coordination between service, technical support, and supply chain teams. Customers will also gain direct access to Scania’s national parts distribution network.” Scania NZ says customers can expect business to continue as usual throughout the transition period, with no disruption to service, parts supply, or support.
PREMIUM ENGINEERING BUILT WITH INTEGRITY
� Solutions for dangerous goods transportation � 55 years of delivering the finest quality tankers means we’ve built a carefully crafted reputation
� Lowes brings the same quality & integrity to
SOLUTIONS TO MEET YOUR REQUIREMENTS Authorised regional service centre for Palfinger, Hiab & partners. Providing the heavy goods road transport industry with the very best in equipment and services.
Ph: 03 982 2547 12A Chapmans Road, Hillsborough, 8022 Christchurch
Lowes.nz
TD35288
every build
NEWS
The new eArocs 400 being tested in -20degC winter conditions.
Winter testing for eArocs 400 THE NEW BATTERY ELECTRIC MERCEDES-BENZ eArocs 400 urban construction truck has been tested in Finland’s extreme winter conditions ahead of going on sale in Europe from April. The tests, at temperatures reaching –20degC on snow and ice near the Arctic Circle, focused on traction and driving stability on snow and ice covered roads, cold start performance, battery and charging behaviour, as well as the efficiency of the electric powertrain and recuperation performance during extreme winter operation. Testing under extreme winter conditions provided Mercedes-Benz Trucks engineers with valuable insights for further refining the eArocs 400 ahead of its series production launch. It also underscores the company’s ambition to offer electric commercial vehicles capable of meeting demanding year round operational requirements. The eArocs 400 will go on sale at the beginning of April this year. The base vehicle will be produced at the Mercedes-Benz plant in Wörth am Rhein starting in the third quarter of 2026. Final integration of the electric powertrain will then be carried out by the Paul Group based in Vilshofen an der Donau (Germany). The vehicle will initially be available as a 37-ton and 44-ton variant in the 8x4/4 axle configuration and in four different wheelbases. It can be built as a concrete mixer or construction tipper, thus covers essential applications for street-oriented construction transport. Thanks to its local CO₂e neutrality during driving, the eArocs 400 can enter low- and zero-emission zones in inner-city areas and is also suitable for noise-sensitive environments such as residential areas, the environment of hospitals, schools and kindergartens as well as for nighttime construction sites due to its low noise emissions. For the new eArocs 400, Mercedes-Benz Trucks is adopting essential components from the eActros portfolio. In addition to the front box and the power take-off (PTO), this also includes batteries based on lithium iron phosphate cell technology (LFP).
It has an on-board electrical system voltage of 800 volts and two battery packs with an total installed battery capacity of 414kWh located in the battery tower directly behind the driver’s cab. The range as a concrete mixer is up to 200km and with the construction tipper variant, the range increases to up to 240km. This allows many use cases to cover a full working day without the need for intermediate charging. The eArocs 400 can be charged with up to 400kW via the standard CCS2 charging socket mounted on both sides of the vehicle. The two battery packs need approximately 46 minutes to charge from 10 to 80%. The eArocs 400 is fitted with a central drivetrain with an integrated 3-speed transmission and a continuous power of 380kW and a peak performance of 450kW. In combination with this technical powertrain solution, the tried-and-tested hypoid and planetary axles of the Arocs can be used to still offer the ground clearance and off-road capability required for construction site deployment. Battery performance and charging behaviour was verified in the freezing conditions of Finland.
Truck & Driver | 9