Truck & Fleet ME October 2016

FAST MOVERS SELL YOUR ENTIRE FLEET IN 30 MINUTES

033 OCTOBER 2016

COMING IN 2017 RENAULT’S NEW ALASKAN

MIDDLE EAST

TAKE IT EASY DRIVER COMFORT EVOLVES

BRUTE FORCE THE MOST POWERFUL PICK-UPS AND UTES IN THE REGION REVIEWED

Original Equipment commercial vehicle components from LuK, INA and FAG.

∙ Wheel Bearings ∙ Differential Bearings

Chassis

∙ Belt Drive Compomonents ∙ Transmission Bearings

Engine

∙ Clutches ∙ Power Steering Pumps

Drivetrain

It’s what’s inside that counts.

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many CV applications.

Don’t forget that INA OE belt drive components and transmission bearings are also available for

ingenious FAG Repair Insert Unit (RIU) repair solution that can save on downtime and labour costs.

FAG manufactures OE quality tapered roller bearings, insert units and hub units – not forgetting the

steering pumps are a genuine OE alternative to the main dealer part.

LuK brings you one of the most comprehensive ranges of CV clutches available, whilst our power

YOUNG AT HEART has only just begun. In partnership with our customers, we will continue our successful journey on which innovative solutions meet the future.

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04 CONTENTS

A supplement of Cmme

20

PUBLISHING DIRecToR RAZ ISLAM raz.islam@cpimediagroup.com +971 4 375 5483 eDIToRIAL DIRecToR VIJAYA CHERIAN vijaya.cherian@cpimediagroup.com +971 4 375 5472 EDITORIAL

36

nothIng better thAn the reAl thIng, Is there?

We’re approaching the end of the year and that means we start to turn our attention to the many emails asking us to register for events.

Given all the other things you need to be getting on with on your to do list you may be

coNSULTANT eDIToR GAVIN DAVIDS gavin.davids@cpimediagroup.com +971 4 375 5480 eDIToR STEpHEN wHITE stephen.white@cpimediagroup.com +44 7541 244 377 SUB eDIToR AELRED DOYLE ADVERTISING coMMeRcIAL DIRecToR MICHAEL STANSFIELD michael.stansfield@cpimediagroup.com +971 4 375 5497 AccoUNT MANAGeR BIpIN SONEJI bipin.soneji@cpidubai.com +971 4 433 2856

NETWORK

wondering whether they are worth your time.

04 / lAndmArk for merCedes

And I don’t blame you, frankly. Especially

DESIGN

Daimler reveals it has sold 100,000 of its clearly popular Actros truck.

those fleet managers among you who rarely get

ART DIRecToR SIMON COBON

any time to do the day job without someone

JUNIoR GRAPHIc DeSIGNeR pERCIVAL MANALAYSAY

calling you. Although techincally that really

COVER STORY

08 / 2016 pICk-up reVIew Isn’t it time you picked up a new support and crew-moving vehicle?

MARKETING

is your day job but I hope you see my point.

MARKeTING MANAGeR LISA JUSTICE lisa.justice@cpimediagroup.com +971 4 375 5498

If you’re one of those people that tends to go only to the big shows in the hope you might get to use your time wisely by cramming everything into a few days, my advice is, don’t

DESIGN

You would be much better wading through the

14 / the drIVer In mInd

information on your screen and cherry picking the

How cab and drivelines are evolving the driver experience in heavy trucks.

many seminars and workshops that go alongside them. I promise you it will save you time in the long run. Also look for what is being presented

paRTS

18 / pArts of the future Schaeffler Automotive Aftermarket on the important role of auto-parts in the sector.

at the show in terms of vehicles and technology and go for what you don’t know rather that what you do know. Events are huge opportunities to

20 / he’ll sell your fleet Saygin Yalchin, the man behind sellanycar.com, challenges the fleet industry in the region.

24 / the Internet of thIngs Radical changes to your vehicles are coming, says the industry.

DIGITAL WeB DeveLoPeR MOHAMMAD AwAIS WeB DeveLoPeR SADIQ SIDDIQUI WeB DeveLoPeR SHAHAN NASEEM

PUbLISHED by

the planning for the next 12 months is finished.

While you can trawl through all the websites you are told to visit and brochures really make a difference to your planning for the year ahead. Besides there really isn’t anything better than the real thing is there?

Registered at IMpZ pO Box 13700 Dubai, UAE Tel: +971 4 440 9100 Fax: +971 4 447 2409 www.cpimediagroup.com FOUNDER DOMINIC DE SOUSA (1959-2015) PRINTED by pRINTwELL pRINTING pRESS LLC

EVENTS

© Copyright 2016 CpI. All rights reserved

28 / show round-up The best Automechanika and show news from around the region.

PRoDUcTIoN MANAGeR VIpIN V. VIJAY vipin.vijay@cpimediagroup.com +971 4 375 5713

before. And now is the best time to do it before

you are sent, spending time at events can

TEChNOLOGY

DISTRIBUTIoN MANAGeR SUNIL KUMAR sunil.kumar@cpimediagroup.com +971 4 375 5476

get some valuable information on new tech and ways to do things we may not have considered

INTERVIEW

CIRCULATION & PRODUCTION

STEPHEN WHITE edItor

while the publishers have made every effort to ensure the accuracy of all information in this magazine, they will not be held responsible for any errors therein.

OCTOBER 2016 TRUCK&FLEET ME 1

ONLINE

MOST POPULAR

fEATURED

READERS’ COMMENTS

CONSTRUCTION

LONg ROAD AhEAD fOR

Dubai Ruler launches Jumeirah Central

AUTONOMOUS MAChINES

Building driverless vehicles is extremely difficult both technically and, of course, in terms of winning public support. I think it will be similar when it comes to

PROPERTY

construction machinery.

‘Unique trends’ seen in UAE property markets

Volvo is testing this kit,

While it’s great that convincing the industry it is absolutely safe will be In pictures: Sheikh Mohammed launches Jumeirah Central project in Dubai

a big part of the process.

Name withheld, online comment

CONSTRUCTION

India’s Shapoorji Pallonji in Dubai property debut

LI-fI YET TO LIghT UP

Of course Li-Fi [the technology that uses visible light to enable CONSTRUCTION

high-speed wireless data

Dubai’s Nakheel unveils Nad Al Sheba mall plan

of radio frequency] is too

communication instead nascent to be effective.

The technology comes with its pros and cons: You can’t pass data through walls, it needs compatible LEDs, and other lights could interfere with the

CONSULTANT

Dubai: UK firm to work on Emaar’s The Tower 2 TRUCK&FLEET ME OCTOBER 2016

Video: 100+ excavators dismantle Chinese overpass in one night

internet signal.

Vipin Singh, via website

THE ALL-NEW NISSAN NAVARA PICKUP PICKUP FOR ALL.

• One-ton payload • 168 HP & 403 NM torque • Diesel & gasoline engines • 7AT/6MT transmission • Leaf suspension and fully boxed frame facebook.com/NissanME

/NissanME

/NissanMiddleEast

@nissanmiddleeast

nissan-me.com

• Saudi Arabia: Alissa Auto, Tel: 92002 7744, Petromin, Tel: 92002 3345 • Dubai & Northern Emirates: Arabian Automobiles, Tel: +971 4 2952222 • Abu Dhabi & Al Ain: Al Masaood Automobiles, Tel: +971 2 6811118 • Kuwait: Abdulmohsen Abdulaziz Al Babtain Co., Tel: +965 1804888 • Oman: Suhail Bahwan Automobiles, Tel: +968 24560111 • Qatar: Saleh Al Hamad Al Mana Co., Tel: +974 4 4283333 • Bahrain: Y.K. Almoayyed & Sons BSC(C), Tel: +973 1 7732732 • Lebanon: Rasamny – Younis Motor Co. S.A.L. – RYMCO, Beirut, Tel:+9611 273333 • Jordan: Bustami & Saheb Trading Co.L.T.D., Amman, Tel: +962 6 5532456

NETWORK

NETWORK 10 16

YOUR MONTHLY GUIDE TO THE MIDDLE EAST’S TRucK And FlEET opERAToR nETwoRK Daimler says that Saudi Arabia leads its Actros sales in the region with 44,000 units sold.

DAIMLER pAssEs 100,000 AcTRos sALEs In REgIon Daimler says its Mercedes Benz-badged Actros truck has reached a major milestone in the region with the delivery of the 100,000th truck in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) last month.

The milestone vehicle was ceremonially handed over by the global automobile major to the customer, transport and distribution company Messrs. Al Khaldi from Dammam, Saudi Arabia, at the regional centre of Daimler Commercial Vehicles MENA in Jebel Ali, Dubai, said a statement by the German giant.

Present at the event was Wolfgang Bernhard, member of the board of management of Daimler AG and head of Daimler Trucks and Buses.

“Our Actros is the most successful heavyduty truck in the world. About every 10th truck has been delivered to the Middle East and North Africa. This underlines the importance of this

region for Mercedes-Benz Trucks,” said Dr Bernhard. “With our regional centre established a year ago, we’re even closer to our customers and can react faster to their demands. This will further improve our market share in this region.”

Joining Bernhard was Sheikh Khaled Juffali representing EA Juffali Brothers Saudi Arabia and Roland Schneider, CEO of the Daimler Commercial Vehicles Regional Centre in Dubai.

The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia is the core market in the MENA region for MercedesBenz Trucks, revealed the German manufacturer, with nearly 44,000 Actros Trucks having been delivered since 1997.

The famous German manufacturer’s statement attributed this to a successful and long-lasting business relationship between Daimler and its general distributor in KSA, Juffali Industrial Products Company (JIPCO).

Roland Schneider, president & CEO of the Daimler Commercial Vehicles Regional Centre in Dubai, said: “Together with our strong and trusted partner in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, EA Juffali & Brothers, we are always striving to exceed our customers’ expectations towards our premium products and services. The 100,000th Actros sold in the MENA region represents the symbol of our mutual success and the trust of our customers in the Actros.

“This milestone makes us proud and truly encourages us to continue delivering high-quality products and customer services across the region.”

The milestone truck, a 4×2 tractorhead Actros 2041S, is part of a larger 200-unit order by Messrs. Al-Khaldi, who is a long-lasting customer of MercedesBenz and JIPCO, the statement added.

The truck handed over was assembled at National Automobile Industry Company Ltd. (NAI) in Jeddah and is equipped with the Mercedes Powershift automated gearshift and Fleetboard telematics system enhancing fuel efficiency, as well as MercedesBenz accessories as design elements.

Sheikh Khaled Juffali, vice chairman of EA Juffali & Brothers: “We are delighted to deliver this special truck to our esteemed customer Messrs. Al-Khaldi and we thank Al-Khaldi for placing their trust into our premium products and customer services.”

Sheikh Hamoud Al-Khaldi, chairman of Al-Khaldi, said: “We decided to extend and modernise our fleet by another 200 MercedesBenz Actros trucks, which will enlarge our Fleet to 505 Mercedes-Benz trucks. Low fuel consumption, reliability and a good support were key for our latest buying decision.”

THE RTA sAys THAT public busEs cARRiEd wiTH 66,703,583 RidERs duRing THE sAmE 4 TRUCK&FLEET ME OCTOBER 2016

NETWORK

FoRd REAssEss iTs EmERging mARKET sTRATEgy Ford has told investors that it is taking a new look at how to lead in select emerging markets.

The company sees Russia and South America positioned for recovery, ASEAN remaining profitable and a path to profitable growth in the MENA region. As it pushes for a path to profitability in all emerging markets, it is also re-evaluating its strategy for India.

Nissan describes ethanol as practical for fleet operators.

TATA MOTORS TO FOCUS ON MENA TO DOUBLE SALES

nissAn: solid-oxidE FuEl cEll vEHiclE sHould ExciTE FlEETs

Ravindra Pisharody, executive director of commercial vehicles has told e-paper Mint than Tata Motors will focus on the Middle East, Africa and Latin America to reach its goal of doubling its exports in the next two years.

The auto maker exported 50,000 units in the year leading up to March 2016.

Pisharody told Mint that exports are the most important focus for the company, besides the defence market, as it looks to reduce its reliance on the domestic Indian market.

“We are looking to do 65,000 units this year and 100,000 in the next two years,” said Pisharody. “Our target market is everywhere.”

the world’s first vehicle powered by

Nissan has revealed a prototype of a solid oxide fuel-cell (SOFC), which runs on bio-ethanol electricity and offers a cruising range of 600km.

“The e-Bio Fuel-Cell offers eco-friendly transportation and creates opportunities for regional energy production… all the while supporting the existing infrastructure. In the future, the e-Bio Fuel-Cell will become even more userfriendly,” Nissan president and CEO Carlos Ghosn said in statement by the company.

“Ethanol-blended water is easier and safer to handle than most other fuels. Without the need to create

NEw RENAULT TRUCKS pRESIDENT fOR MIDDLE EAST

Grégoire Blaise has been appointed Renault Trucks president for the Greater Middle East including markets in the North and South He takes over from Lars-Erik Forsbergh, who will head Volvo truck operations in southeast Asia.

Blaise was previously general manager and V-P of

China for Sunwin Bus, a Volvo Group and SAIC joint venture, and has been working at Renault Trucks since 1999. Blaise is responsible for all Renault Trucks operations for both north and south markets in the greater Middle East region.

“The Greater Middle East region is very important for us and this has been demonstrated by the significant investments we’ve made in recent years,” said Blaise. “We’re thoroughly committed to serving our loyal customers in the Middle East and my primary objective is ensure that we continue to meet their needs and exceed their expectations.”

Now based in the UAE, the new regional president manages a total of 21 markets.

new infrastructure, it has great potential to drive market growth.”

The e-Bio Fuel-Cell vehicle uses ethanol to charge a 24kWh battery, which enables a cruising range of more than 600km, Nissan said. The powertrain is clean, highly-efficient, easy to supply, and runs on 100% ethanol or ethanol-blended water. Its carbon-neutral emissions are as clean as the atmosphere, which will be part of the natural carbon cycle.

Also, the e-Bio Fuel-Cell offers brisk acceleration and silent driving along with low-running costs, while boasting the driving range of a gasoline-engine vehicle, the Japanese auto giant added.

Bio-ethanol fuels are mainly sourced from sugarcane and corn. Nissan says the easy availability of ethanol and the low combustibility of ethanol-blended

70,732,502 RidERs, compAREd pERiod in 2015; up by 4.6%

water will make the new vehicle economical and practical to run for the commercial segment and fleet operators who want to run a green fleet.

OCTOBER 2016 TRUCK&FLEET ME 5

NETWORK

MNSS URgES FLEETS TO FighT COUNTERFEiT pARTS Mohamed Naser Al Sayer (MNSS) Toyota Genuine Spare Parts Division, one of the Al-Sayer Group Holding Companies held an educational seminar on Intellectual Property Rights in collaboration with the General Administration of Customs last month in Kuwait. Attended by customers from the dealer and fleet segment the seminar aimed to foster partnership among the official authorities directly concerned with matters corresponding to intellectual property rights such as private sector companies represented by MNNS, professional experts and government agencies.

“Our gathering is a continuation of our hard work to activate community partnership

The seminar explored the dangers of counterfeit parts.

with concerned government authorities, private sector institutions and experts to clarify and activate the importance of providing adequate protection for companies, with accredited trademarks, producing goods and services for the health and safety of humans and environment against damages

accompanying the handling of counterfeited products and sensual damages that can be caused by it,” Mubarak Naser Al-Sayer CEO Al-Sayer Group Holding “We are pleased to work hand in hand serving consumers and our beloved countries interest.”

“Let us work hand in hand to stand against this problem by setting action programs and plans and execution mechanism to increase cooperation between both sectors and to open communication channels and exchange advice in related fields between the private and public sector” said Abdullah Alshuwaie, senior manager customer relations, encouraging stronger anti-counterfeit efforts.

fUEL pRICES fALL IN THE UAE IN SEpTEMBER The price of diesel – which is used heavily in construction and industry – was lower in the UAE from September 1, although motorists will pay more for petrol, the Ministry of Energy.

Diesel now costs Dh1.72 a litre, down from Dh1.76 in August, the ministry said on its website. All grades of petrol will however be 2 fils more expensive, with Super 98 priced at Dh1.75 a litre, Special 95 at Dh1.64, and E Plus 91 at Dh1.57.

The government cut its costly subsidies on fuel last year, with officials setting prices monthly, tracking the open market more closely than when the subsidies were in place.

gOODyEAR OpENS FiRST TRUCKFORCE CENTRE iN KSA Goodyear Middle East and Africa (MEA) and Rashed Abdul Rahman AlRashed & Sons Group have announced the opening of the first ever Goodyear TruckForce Service Centre in Saudi Arabia.

According to the announcement, the service centre is located on the highway connecting Riyadh and Dammam, and offers a range of services and solutions for both trucks and passenger cars in a state-of-the-art space that can serve up to four trucks and five cars simultaneously. Among the services the centre will provide are truck tyre services, including tyre change, repair, balancing, truck tyre tuber repair,

6 TRUCK&FLEET ME OCTOBER 2016

alignment, oil and battery change and recharge.

The TruckForce Service Centre will also have a dedicated mobile service van to provide breakdown support and tyre supply on the highway between Riyadh and Dammam, the announcement added.

“It is our mission to provide the best possible services and solutions to transportation fleet operations in order to maximise the mobility of their truck fleets,” said Stefano Sanchini, sales director, Goodyear Middle East and Africa. “The new centre will provide drivers in need of assistance with instant service to get back on the road as quickly as possible.”

Representative Office of JSC "MAZ" in the UAE

PICK-UPs PREVIEW PICK-UPS

2016 CrEw movers review PickuPs dominate the suPPort crew truck market in the middle east

G

etting from A to Z and a half is only the tip of the iceberg when it comes to the difference pick-ups can make to support operations.

Today’s utes are excellent at combining the demands of the modern jobsite with highway navigation at speed.

They are also not the stripped down bare essentials vehicles of yesteryear. Most of the vehicles listed in our annual round-up of

pick-ups would make excellent weekend vehicles too. There are a range of capabilities and payload loading options available in the market to suit any fleet’s budget.

They are excellent off-roaders too making the perfect complement to those working in remote locations.

While they don’t offer the same capacity as vans, for instance, they can still offer decent fuel economy.

As ever choosing according to your fleet’s requirements is absolutely essential. If in doubt, ignore the number of cup holders and contact your local dealer.

Driveability NissaN Navara Our reviewer was impressed (see review T&FME July 2016) with the driveability of Nissan’s latest version of its workhorse Navara pick-up truck with which it aims to increase its market share in the Middle East’s commercial and fleet segment. Whether it has the necessary wow factor to

woo the home market remains to be seen but there are several SUV-like luxury appointments to appeal to a more dual-use market or to a customer who would like to use the Navara for both commercial and leisure applications. Offered in narrowand wide-body versions, both with dual cabs, the vehicle has

8 TRUCK&FLEET ME OCTOBER 2016

a choice of 2.4l petrol or diesel engines and is available with either two or four wheel drive.

Nissan claims power figures of 168HP and 244NM of torque for the petrol engine and 161HP and 405NM of torque for the diesel version. Transmission choices are between a six-speed manual and a seven-speed automatic.

Navara sPECs: Engine: 2.5l Power: 168hp Torque: 403Nm Transmission: 6-speed Manual/7-Speed Auto Standard features: LED headlamps, electric folding side mirrors, roof rails, side steps, 16inch alloy wheels & chrome exterior

PICK-UPs PREVIEW

longer DeSign Super marvel

Ford suPEr duty Verge magazine reckons the quad-barrelled cupholder on the latest Ford Super Duty pickup truck is an engineering marvel.

There’s an awful lot of truck to be had beyond the beverage bay, though, so we won’t dwell on it.

The Super Duty is the mightiest member of Ford’s best-selling F-Series range and the company is preparing to release its most rugged yet. For the first time the Super Duty will feature a high-strength, military grade aluminium body ( just like its baby brother) to benefit from reduced

weight. The 2017 Super Duty will be available with 3 engines, a 6.2l V8, a 6.8l V10 and a 6.7l V8 diesel. Unique Turbocharging is available on-demand for better performance and with best in class towing capacity of 14,710kg will give a superior edge over its competitors. The new Ford Super Duty is set to launch later this year. suPEr duty sPECs: V8 Engine: 6.2L (P) / 6.8L (P) / 6.7L (D) Torque: 1,488kg/m Max Towing Capacity: 14,710kg Max Payload: 3,460kg

toyota Hilux PiCkuP The Toyota Hilux has been one of the most popular pickups in the Middle East for many years. That popularity has verged on notoriety through many, frankly, ridiculous articles written over the past few years questioning how they seem to be popular with terrorist groups.

In short the Hilux has replaced the camel as the ship of the desert and continues to win praise in the region – it recently won the mid-sized truck at the 2016 Middle East Car of the Year (MECOTY) Awards. The Hilux is now onto its eighth generation and boasts a tougher looking body

and a sleeker interior. Performance has been enhanced too, with Toyota claiming the overhaul transmission improves fuel efficiency by as much as 15%. The Hilux is now longer and wider and the loading deck has also been re-jigged. Under the hood, buyers have a choice of 2l or 2.8l petrol engines or a 2.4l diesel.

Hilux sPECs: Engine: 2L Or 2.8L Petrol/2.4L Diesel Length: 1.86m Width: 1.855m Torque (d): 400Nm @ 1,6002,000rpm

Wall to Wall value

GrEat wall wiNGlE 5 For over a decade Great Wall Motor pickups have been recognised in China as the leaders in the light commercial vehicles market, ranking first in national sales for 12 consecutive years. Its range of pickups is popularly known as the

Wingle. Great Wall Motors exports its Wingle pick-ups to more than 120 countries. The Chinese company says that: “The Wingle pickup is a tough, reliable vehicle that your business can depend upon.” The Wingle pickups are available in different versions with a single cabin,

double cabin and double cabin extralong models, also with petrol or diesel engines. In addition there are 4 x 2 and 4 x 4 versions. “The company is developing an innovative new version of the Wingle 6, which we expect to launch to the UAE market soon,” says Great Wall.

wiNGlE 5 sPECs: Length: 5.09m Cargo weight: 480Kg Torque: 220Nm @ 1600rpm2600rpm Displacement: 2771cc Ground Clearance: 194mm

OCTOBER 2016 TRUCK&FLEET ME 9

PICK-UPs PREVIEW

coming in 2017

rENault alaskaN Having already entered the halftonne segment with the Duster Oroch in 2015, Renault is preparing to go for the 1t midsize pickup segment with the Alaskan. Trucks bound for the Middle East will roll out of the Renault’s Barcelona plant in 2017. The rugged, beefy looks of

the Alaskan are a real departure for Renault, suggesting somebody on the French manufacturer’s design team has been on a protein diet. While it looks like it’s built for weekend off-roaders, the truck could form the sort of dual role a Ford Ranger, say, does so ably. Its fully boxed frame has been designed

proven purchaSe

10 TRUCK&FLEET ME OCTOBER 2016

by the Renault-Nissan Alliance to suit workhorse applications. It is also capable of a 3.5t towing load and the 2.3l diesel version is powered by a derivative of the twin injection Master transit engine. The interior spec looks good, including touch screens which allow access to four visibility cameras. Fingers crossed

for the Middle East receiving the full fat version.

isuzu d-Max

and you get a dependable addition to your fleet with plenty of support in the Middle East. T&FME also feels you get a good selection of variants in the range including 2WD and 4WD crew cabins that can seat up to six people. GVW for all variants is 2.75t and the most powerful engine tops out at 3l.

Isuzu is persevering with the D-Max despite General Motors pulling of its development arrangement with the Japanese company. That is unsurprising news given the boost the pickup gave to the company upon its release a few years ago with buyers seeing it as a viable commercial vehicle rival to other trucks in its price band. A GT version was released last year to muted applause as it was deemed underspecced for the leisure market. Stick with the pure original

alaskaN sPECs: Drive Models: 2Wd /4H /4Lo Towing Capacity: 3.5T Ground Clearance: 230Mm Transmission: 6- Or 7-Speed 2.3L Dci Power: 160hp-190hp

d-Max sPECs: Transmission: 4- or 5-speed Engine: 4JJ1-TC, 4-cyl common rail diesel Max output: 100kW @ 3400rpm Kerb weight: 1.625t-1.89t

PICK-UPs PREVIEW

tata xENoN The Xenon was Tata’s first entry into the pickup segment and was first launched in the Middle East two years ago. Pitched at similar budgets to the Chinese trucks that occupy the cost-effective end of the spectrum, you get what you pay for with this Indian-made load-bearer. Performance in the wet is a little disappointing but probably not the main concern for a Middle East buyer. Its 2.2l engine is surprising able in sandy conditions and it’s a light pickup for supporting operations that are off the beaten track. It’s economical too making it a viable

X-cellent Support

urban operator. It comes in single and double cabin configurations with 4x2 and 4x4 drive options.

Quiet but crude in the interior, the Xenon is a great work pal for the price, but you’re probably not going to want to take it home to meet the parents. tata xENoN sPECs: Power: 110kW/320Nm Engine: 2.2 litre turbo diesel inline four Transmission: Five-speed manual, rear-wheel drive Suspension: Independent front, leaf-sprung live axle rear Braked towing capacity: 2500kg

upgraDe your ute

GMC siErra 2500Hd The 2016 GMC Sierra HD was launched this year in the Middle East, boasting new features, including Active Steering Assist.

Active Steering Assist power steering is available on some double cab and crew cab models.

It makes hauling and trailing easier by enhancing traction and stability while offering greater

responsiveness and improved steering feel. Other technology includes IntelliLink which features either a 7-inch or 8-inch screen display. A wireless phone charging station is an available option, as well as a remote locking tailgate.

Another new addition for the 2016 year is a Gooseneck/5th Wheel Trailering Prep Package enables the Sierra HD to drive off the lot ready

12 TRUCK&FLEET ME OCTOBER 2016

to tow large trailers. It features a frame-mounted hitch platform and tray that incorporates a gooseneck ball hitch, and includes a cargo bed-mounted trailer harness. A Gooseneck Completion Kit will also be available from GMC dealerships, and it features a 2-5/16-inch ball hitch and two chain tie downs.

QEven though the premium pickup has stellar looks – especially the

Denali package – and is loaded with the latest tech, it still means business,” says General Motors. siErra 2500Hd sPECs: Towing capacity: 6.5t-10t Engine: Duramax Diesel 6.6L V8 TURBO Power: 397hp Torque: 765lb-ft Length: 6m

Everything under one roof.

The driver cabins of MAN trucks demonstrate a new dimension of functionality and effectiveness. Their elegant exterior contouring is particularly aerodynamic, the intelligent interior layout and selected materials engender a unique premium feeling with sophisticated electronic systems ensuring safety and comfort. The trucks are designed with ideal dimensions and generous stowage compartments including folding bunk beds with storage space. www.man-middleeast.com

DRIVER COMFORT

The driver’s the thing T&FME examines how changing cab and driveline designs are transforming driver comfort and efficiency

14 TRUCK&FLEET ME OCTOBER 2016

DRIVER COMFORT

T

hundering across the bumps and cliffs of Renault Trucks’ test course close to the Swiss border and heading towards a near-vertical mud track rising ahead, it would be reasonable to expect that a conversation about where the diff lock should be shouldn’t be on the table – or dashboard as it were. At least that’s the impression the driver gives as he gruffly ignores the question and expertly adjusts a setting on the switch while pushing us up and over onto a flatten pitch.

Then he speaks. “Two days,” he tells T&FME. “It should take most drivers two days to be able to drive this truck [the Renault K] and know where everything is. Even your drivers in the Middle East.”

Modern cabs are not put together haphazardly and for good reason. The adjustable diff lock switch sits at elbow height on the dashboard of the K-series and C-Series trucks; it is the same position that if you were in a passenger car or even a van you might expect your stereo to be in. Obviously when you are driving a truck - whether you are cruising on a highway or, say, bashing through a quarry - it’s more important that the control is to hand than being able to turn down Mylie Cyrus.

The overall design of trucks is the balance of the driver experience (such as access to controls, space in the cab, ride comfort, etc) and the need to create safer and more efficient tractor heads.

According to Patrice Roeser, construction range product manager, at Renault Trucks, when it comes design you are always making choices between comfort, safety and performance.

“You could have something that is very comfortable but very poor in terms of robustness,” he says.

The C-range is a useful example of how designers have to consider the role the truck is

Automation and driver assist systems as seen on the new Stralis improve driver comfort.

required for as well as the driver themselves.

For instance, the durable materials used in the dashboard have been designed with the construction site in mind but an ergonomic and three-dimension adjustable steering wheel allows a driver to choose their preferred position. Typical of models in its class a large colour main display provides intuitive information regarding vehicle status – we are long way from when all driver had to rely was his hearing and a ‘feel’ of the truck.

Roeser and his team have worked hard on gaining valuable space for the driver in the cab.

The cab has been widened and lengthened (2.5m x 2.3m) with the engine tunnel lowered. Extra storage compartments have been added too.

“I had three main requirements for the cab,” he continues. “First I wanted it a little bit larger. Previously the cab was 1.6m in length now it is 1.8m. I also wanted it wider to improve manoeuvrability. Secondly I wanted something that was clean and very easy to use on a daily basis – something very robust. The third one was the most complicated – I wanted the driver interface to be as simple as possible.”

“We worked for a very long time to get something easy to use. We introduced buttons to be close to the hand and made them big – they had to be easy to find. Also in terms of the cluster, there is a big picture to show the driver information each time he pushes a button and show him what he has to do.”

One alternative in terms of feedback would be to use sound, Roeser says that unfortunately development in this area has been hampered by the demands of the customer.

“We have had a lot of discussions on that, but many customers won’t have it.” he pauses to wave his hands around his ears and shakes his head. “We do have some safety functionality where it is used, in lane keeping, for instance, but for normal functionality, no. Some customers ask to have a sound if the driver keeps the diff lock up to 50 km/hr – as an adaptation we can do it as the customer asked for it. We have a big customer in Africa who asked for that.”

With the base chassis expected to last for a decade or more, he tells T&FME that customers often help in iterative changes to the base design – Renault’s gearboxes, for instance, have long been honed to reduce a bumpy ride right back to its work with a Cameroonian customer in the late 1980s – and contribute to a reservoir of knowledge also fed by its own research and development.

OCTOBER 2016 TRUCK&FLEET ME 15

DRIVER COMFORT

development,” says Heyn. In the commercial vehicle sector, Bosch is currently focusing on automated driving on freeways. “We are looking at real-world use cases where automated driving offers the greatest benefits.”

SuSpended animation

Wabco’s optiride reduces wear and tear as well improve’s the driver experience.

“Design is a mix of lots of things. For sure we know the situation regarding robustness, breakdowns, etc. Our guys will go out to see customers to talk about their needs and that become knowledge we keep.”

According to Bosch, the industry’s efforts to improve conditions for drivers start in the cab.

“Right now, a truck driver’s workplace is just a jungle of switches and levers,” says Dr Markus Heyn in charge of the commercial vehicle business at Robert Bosch in charge of the commercial vehicle business. “It does not lend itself to intuitive operation at all.”

Heyn argues that clutter on the dashboard increases the risk of mistakes in the driver’s cab, especially for long-haul movers. He believes that the ‘cockpit environment’ will undergo radical changes: “We want to create an interface that is as easy to use as a modern smartphone.”

One way to improve working conditions is to introduce clear, hierarchal control structures for rarely used functions together with displays adapted to each specific situation, such as convoying, he argues. This approach involves an electronic resource manager, which works in the background to keep the information and indications displayed to drivers at a sensible minimum, allowing them to focus their attention on the road. The cab of the future will be enhanced with a system of displays and cameras that monitor the traffic behind the vehicle, effectively replacing rear-view mirrors. Besides providing a better view when changing lanes, this system will also overcome the problem of blind spots. What’s more, the addition of a night mode will improve the driver’s vision in the dark.

“Automated trucks are the future, and we will be playing a major part in their

The evolution of truck design is now a global endeavour. Belgium’s Wabco remains the first and only supplier of ECAS (electronically controlled air suspension) systems for truck and bus manufacturers in China. Its awardwinning OptiRide technology improves fuel economy up to 3% while providing optimal ride performance.

Featuring intelligent lift-axle control and load monitoring, the OptiRide technology detects axle overload and provides automatic load transfer to improve the vehicle’s traction performance, which also helps reduce vehicle wear-and-tear and other operational costs.

Unlike steel-spring suspension, OptiRide also enables the vehicle’s lifting and lowering, resulting in more efficient cargo handling and time-saving operation. In addition, the optimal ride quality it delivers better load protection and more stable truck operation.

“Leading Chinese truck makers are increasingly upgrading their vehicle platforms and axle configurations to be more competitive for long-haul transport and logistics operations,” said Sujie Yu, Wabco vice president, Asia Pacific.

“OptiRide further differentiates by improving vehicle efficiency and safety and by enhancing driver comfort.”

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16 TRUCK&FLEET ME OCTOBER 2016

inTERviEW IntervIew

Optimised opERATion

Jamil antary of Schaeffler automotive aftermarket ShareS hiS viewS on the challengeS facing the market What is the function of the Automotive Aftermarket business division within the Schaeffler Group?

The Automotive Aftermarket business division is responsible for the global automotive spare parts business of Schaeffler. Core competency is the sales and marketing of products of the LuK, INA, FAG and Ruville brands. Furthermore, the business division offers appropriate solutions and services allowing successful repair work at garage level.

What does your market strategy model look like?

Demand is growing all the time amongst our customers for comprehensive solutions, and this flows into our value proposition. This ‘more’ comprises seven elements: Product – We deliver guaranteed Schaeffler quality; Program and systems – our product range and our solutions are leading in the market; Knowhow and Tools – We offer first-class

18 TRUCK&FLEET ME OCTOBER 2016

additional services; Pricing – We aim to offer our products globally at prices in line with the market and competition; Availability – We are a reliable partner and supplier; Customer Relationship Management (CRM) – We set the standard in the sector for the best customer relationships; Customer Service – we offer the best customer support.

Who are your main competitors?

This depends on which market region we’re talking about. But basically our biggest competitors on the independent Aftermarket in the Middle East are Gates, SKF, Dayco (Belt drive components); NTN-SNR, SFK (wheel bearings) and ZF and Valeo (clutches). in your opinion, what are the greatest challenges facing your industry?

There are several factors we can name. One is an increase in technological complexity and its

effect on the service and spare-parts business and on vehicle diagnosis. Another is an increase in logistical challenges, changing market structures, the internet as an additional sales channel and different legal requirements that we come across in the markets where we do business around the world.

Added to this are counterfeit spare parts of inferior quality that do major harm to the automotive industry and the economy as a whole each year.

We depend on prevention when it comes to product and brand protection and place particular emphasis on the highest levels of security.

Among the key factors for ensuring a successful market position in the future will be the ability to react quickly to changing distribution landscapes, an attractive international price management, and wise use of development potential. We are well equipped in all these areas for the future.

IntervIew

Jamil Antary, director of sales and marketing (AAM) at Schaeffler Middle East, sees plenty of potential in sub-Saharan Africa.

What is your recipe for keeping control of the sheer number and variety of parts?

In view of growing global interdependence and dynamic markets, a basic prerequisite for the professional handling of parts variety is optimised purchasing, manufacturing and distribution processes. With a global network of around 11,500 distribution partners and more than 30 sales and representative offices, our company is known for its close proximity to customers and for delivering superior service.

We offer our partners, distributors and garages the right solution to every kind of repair in original-equipment quality. Schaeffler demands the highest data quality from itself.

This is because only a clear referencing of a Schaeffler article to a specific vehicle can guarantee trouble-free supply and obtainment of a replacement part.

We also support them with installation and mounting tips, for instance, catalogues and technical brochures, with a global training program, special tools made for specific products, with an online garage portal REPXPERT, and our Repair Hotline.

In short, we offer products and services that make garages, despite the growing number of

parts and increasing technological complexity, fit for the future.

regardless whether the repairer is an OEM or an independent garage.

How is the Middle East and Africa region developing for you?

The effects of the Arab Spring have dampened also our growth in the Middle East and Northern Africa. The unstable situation in the Middle East, combined with severe embargo regulations for Iran, can be added to this. We see potential south of the Sahara that we want to capitalise on during the next few years. In South Africa, for instance, we have achieved the highest market share and market saturation levels with our LuK brand, which is something we want to achieve with our INA and FAG brands as well.Products

But isn't it possible to get a more definitive price-difference between Schaeffler and oEM products?

Schaeffler is prohibited from conducting ‘vertical pricing’. At the same time, customers are not obligated to sell the products they purchase at a set price either. Selling prices are not affected. So any statement that could be made here regarding pricing would, at best, be of an indicative nature. And when comparing prices, you also need to take the distribution levels into consideration. Which prices are being compared to each other – wholesale to retail prices, retail to garage or garage to end-consumer? The gross list-price is a pricing instrument at Schaeffler – and here the independent market conforms closely to the manufacturer's service network.

Besides the absolute price of the product, there are other decisive factors influencing how much it costs – like guarantee/warranty, disposal certification or whether it requires a special tool, for example. Of what use is a low-priced spare part purchased on the internet, when accessory parts or the special tool needed for its professional removal and installation are missing?

Schaeffler in the Automotive Aftermarket has the answer to this – complete repair solutions. Added to these are support services for distributors and garages, from which car owners profit as well. All of this creates added value. Demands for new technologies and increasing comfort require an approach focused more and more on complete vehicle systems.

Evaluation criteria like "low-cost" or "expensive" prove limited when comparing the components of a complex and varied vehicle system, like the dual-mass flywheel, which is a basic component of the clutch/clutch-actuation system.

Demands for new technologies and increasing comfort require an approach focused more and more on complete vehicle systems.

Evaluation criteria like "low-cost" or "expensive" prove limited when comparing components.

This is especially the case with components of complex and varied vehicle systems – like the dual-mass flywheel as an elementary component of the clutch/clutch-actuation system. And one last thing here – we’re taking notice of differences in sales prices now and then, but we are not able to evaluate how much of a difference is among these offerings.

What makes up the product portfolio of Schaeffler in the Automotive Aftermarket?

How many articles does it have?

For the spare-parts market, Schaeffler offers components from the engine over the auxiliary drive and the transmission to the chassis – in original-equipment quality for all vehicle segments. Schaeffler in the Automotive Aftermarket markets over 40,000 saleable articles from its brands LuK, INA, FAG and Ruville. We enhance these products with a wide range of services, and we offer repair solutions for garages that are successful around the globe.

Why is it that spare parts, like clutches, can be purchased from Schaeffler sales, or online at a 30-40% lower price than oEMs? In general, products sold by Schaeffler in the Automotive Aftermarket – regardless whether via internet or parts distributor – are not 30-40% lower priced than the OEMs. If you look at spare parts from the internet, you'll see that "low-priced" products are often the result of purchases that went awry. We know, for instance, of cases in which vehicle owners "stockpiled" parts but never used them, because they sold or had to scrap their cars. Low-priced products like these are not something a serious garage can build a business model on. This is because a repair garage needs the parts it ordered delivered in a few hours – and this on a consistent basis.

The fact is clutch replacement is not something a car owner plans for. But if a clutch does need fixing, then the vehicle should be professionally repaired and ready to be picked up the same evening. These market-driven mechanisms apply in 90% of all cases of repair,

OCTOBER 2016 TRUCK&FLEET ME 19

InTERvIEw

No oNe is buyiNg more cars than us

Saygin yalchin tells T&FME that he wants to challenge fleet owners to use his online vehicle buying service 20 TRUCK&FLEET ME OCTOBER 2016

IntervIew InTERvIEw

D

o you know how much the vehicles in your fleet are worth? How quickly can you turn rotting truck iron into much-needed capital? Can you trust your dealer to get the right price for you? Having successfully prised open the used car market in the UAE, Saygin Yalchin, believes that his sellanycar. com and the sellanyvan.com service will answer those questions and put funds in your trading account sooner than Man’oushe can deliver.

Sitting down with T&FME, he gives a whistle-stop tour of his career to date, the concept behind sellanycar.com before challenging fleet owners and putting down the used vehicles dealer set-up in the UAE. Three years into the venture, the entrepreneur, web guru and sometime university lecturer presents the most salient factoid that speaks volumes about how far his company has gone in a short amount of time: “20% of every car in the country has already come to us. No one is buying more cars than us.”

Yalchin is barely into his 30s but has already racked up a series of serious career achievements that would make an Ivy leaguer blush. He quickly rattles through his progress to date. “So, I was born and raised in Germany of Turkish descent. I studied there, in the US and Mexico before I started my first company in Germany.”

Later selling the fashion brand to the largest online fashion retailer in Russia he moved to Dubai and began raising funds to start the GCC’s first dedicated fashion and lifestyle e-commerce store – suker.com. “I arrived with just a backpack,” he tells T&FME. Within two years, suker.com had risen to the exalted position of the second largest online store in the Middle East before joining with the number one e-commerce powerhouse, souq.com. “We created a much bigger force and by far the largest e-commerce company in the region. It has now grown to 3,000 employees. I became vice president of both companies at the souq.com group.”

Rather than stopping there, Yalchin had spotted a gap in the used vehicle market: a seller’s minefield traditionally dominated by franchise dealerships and, latterly, the haphazard self-selling bazaar that is the Dubizzle website.

“With sellanycar we wanted to solve this broken experience of selling used cars,” he says.

“We always come up with something that is the

One of the main attractions of the site is being able to sell a vehicle within 30 minutes.

“20% of every car in the country has already come to us. no one is buying more cars than us.” best solution to the problem that needs solving sellanycar.com went live in 2013 and is now the largest used car retailer in the country.”

The concept is deliberately simple from a seller’s (and buyers) point of view. Sign up, book an appointment to get your vehicle inspected and leave with the money to buy another in your digital pocket. In contrast the process behind the scenes is markedly more intricate. “You go to the website; you get an instant valuation for your car. We then book an appointment for a full car inspection in one of the nationwide branches.”

Following a 200-point inspection that is

completed within 18 minutes; the vehicle will join an online auction with bids coming from an international band of dealers signed up to a special website (buyers are sent an email to flag up the vehicles availability and its details).

Whereas the initial online valuation seller receives is based on data received from over 100,000 inspections (“we need to have seen most of the cars in the country to be able to look back in history and see what it should cost”), the final amount will be determined by the bidders. In fact, says Yalchin, the amount you receive could often be higher than the original estimate once it is passed through the online auction process.

You effectively receive a price defined by the global market place.

“We’ve built a platform that is able to purchase any car within 30 minutes. Any given car. Be it van, be it passenger cars, we buy any car in 30 minutes. How that works is by being close to the customers. We have several locations across the country but we have also built an instant real time stock exchange for cars. On other hand, dealers are bidding on those cars.

The precise and swift nature of the sale may surprise those that have been confused and delayed by previous experiences of selling vehicles: “The customer’s inspection will take approximately 18 minutes. The last 12 minutes are a live auction. The highest price wins and we give it to the consumer.”

While possession is transferred to sellanycar, Yalchin is keen to the point of repetition to stress that it does not act as a broker farming out the vehicles and potentially entering into negotiations that may not be to the benefit of the

OCTOBER 2016 TRUCK&FLEET ME 21

IntervIew

seller.

“We and people globally are bidding on those cars via an app. We do not broker deals. We just use the auction method to generate the true market value. The higher the price, the better for wesellanycar.com. We are always bidding ourselves and we are always transferring the car to our name, so we are always the buyer of that car.

“For example, you can have a bidder – a dealer – in Denver, Colorado and a consumer from Sharjah who has just driven to one of our locations. And if the car is worth 50 dollars more in Denver, after all costs, then we will basically find that out – and you will get that price. We do not limit our price generating mechanism locally, or geographically even, we are finding the true market value. Wherever the car is worth more; that is what you will get.”

Historically, the used vehicle market in the UAE has been determined by dealers often affiliated to a franchise or brands with cars often passing through the same dealer’s hands numerous times during their lifespan. Yalchin suggests that sellanycar is free from the binds of brand, make, model or condition that may be detrimental to the consumer.

“We are not bound to any opinion to what we may have. That’s what makes us different to a dealer. A dealer always has his own opinion on the market value due to his own inventory situation.

His own brand. His own status affects the price you will get. So the likelihood of the dealer in the next block or the next three dealers being the ones paying the highest price is relatively negligible.”

The inspection locations apart, sellanycar’s real estate is all reached virtually. Without the vehicle database or the e-commerce and auction sites there wouldn’t be instant price evaluation and purchase and sales.

“Everything about sellanycar is technologybased. The only difference and the only time you have to physically have to show up is obviously when we physically have to receive the car.

But even then you continue to communicate

sellanycar.com says that it is has already seen a vast number of used cars in the UaE.

with a smart device. With an iPad or anything where you can complete and follow the entire process. The same goes for the inspector. He is following a standard process dictated by and based on technology. So from online valuation, appointment booking, inspection, and even closing the legal contract happens on a smart device. You sign off digitally on a smart device.”

The company has grown exponentially, Yalchin tells T&FME. He adds that in the last seven months alone, sellanycar has grown 600%

partly because of economic uncertainty in the market. Being able to turn a car into cash is easing the financial burden for some, including the dealers themselves.

“Many dealers are suffering, because they are giving too deep a discount in their new car operations. It is making a two-year-old used car similar in price to a new car. And then of course they get stuck with their used car inventories.”

Bolstered by a successful first three years, the upwardly mobile Yalchin is refusing to allow

“fleet managers are used to certain processes and ignoring progress. like coco chanel said, if you’re complaining about the times you live in, your times are over” 22 TRUCK&FLEET ME OCTOBER 2016

IntervIew

how it works sellanycar.com says it offers one of the quickest, easiest ways to sell a vehicle at a fair price. “Do not waste your worthy time with advertising your vehicle and save yourself plenty of trouble by avoiding haggling and other hassles,” its says. all you have to do is to enter basic information about your car into its online form to get a free and instant online valuation. “Our outstanding market knowledge allows us to give you a realistic market value of your car,” says the company.

The next step is to book an appointment for a free car inspection at one of the many branches in the UaE. at the appointment one of its skilled car experts will perform a completely free and no-obligation inspection of your car.

“Our evaluation expert will have a closer look at your car and examine all important factors, such as overall condition or special equipment, which could even increase the value of your car.

“We guarantee to buy any car we inspect. if you like our offer you can directly sell your vehicle and we will transfer the money immediately to your bank account. The whole process will not take more than 30 minutes.

Selling a car has never been that easy!”

sellanycar to standstill and major changes are being introduced to the platform. The recentlylaunched ‘white label solution’ links dealers to the sellanycar.com network to facilitate rapid trade-in, part exchange and purchase decisions.

The initiative allows traders to join the carbuying network for instant updates on any vehicle it receives for sale (including images, data and the results of sellanycar’s standardised vehicle inspection). It could help solve the issue of rising of used car inventories.

“We’re saying, hey, you can buy any car you want. I’m saying any car that comes to your car as trade-in, I can give you a binding agreement within 12 minutes and you can focus on selling cars. We’re giving dealers access to our system and platform.

There is no downside, if they are the highest bidders then let them buy it, but if they’re not they are still getting a profit share. It sounds like common-sense but in real life the highest bidder does not win all the time; because the guy deciding these purchases has alternative motives. If you can

make it transparent then no-one can come and buy it cheaper (by giving kick-backs) – it avoids fraud.”

The company is also continuing to build its data on light commercial vehicles as it develops the sellanyvan.com side of the site. Putting it in context, he tells T&FME that the total number of commercial vehicles the company has seen is the equivalent of 2-3% of the 100,000 cars it has inspected. “sellanycar already includes sellanyvan and we have been purchasing vans and trucks.

Obviously it’s a niche.”

“I could go to any fleet and buy every car in 30 minutes. Obviously for fleet managers that is a tricky situation: they are used to certain processes and they are ignoring progress. If sellanycar went to the CEO of the company or the owner and said, ‘in 30 minutes I can buy all your cars at a better price or the same price’, then the fleet sales manager will lose his job.

“What do you think he is going to do? He is going to act like there is no other solution than his 50 year old way of doing things. So, yes, there is

always going to be resistance at the beginning by those people that know that their times are over.

Like CoCo Chanel said, ‘if you’re complaining about the times you live in, your times are over’.

Technology is changing the used car market and we will see a lot of new winners in the market. And those ones that do not add value anymore, need to get a new job or go into a different industry.”

As our conversation draws to a close he starts looking ahead to the future of his business.

Geographical expansion in the Middle East lies ahead as does the dream of replicating the Carfax service to provide consumers across the region with complete vehicle histories: “We can be a great service for car buyers and car sellers.

I will do it for free for the consumer and it will be a beautiful service. The more people are using us, the more the consumer will benefit. People need to ask themselves how can a company can be the number one in the industry when there was a 15 year old company with an 80 year old brand is not a 100 times bigger than us.”

OCTOBER 2016 TRUCK&FLEET ME 23

TEChnoLogy FEaTURE

C

urrent fleet management solutions aim to improve the efficiency and safety of fleet operations. But even as fleet owners manage the daily challenges of optimising fleet operations, from fuel consumption to driver performance, they must meet new requirements.

Growing emphasis on energy savings and vehicle safety means fleet operators need more help to meet new government regulations while achieving their own business goals for reducing total cost of ownership (TCO).

A recent survey (Fleet Management 2015 Fleet Policy Survey Results) of more than 130

24 TRUCK&FLEET ME OCTOBER 2016

fleet owners reported that Risk & Safety is the top priority, followed by Improving Data Management – a significant change since 2013 when this was ranked 6th overall. Reducing overall fleet budgets including maintenance costs and fuel spend are always priorities, while interest in telematics is increasing.

The Internet of Things (IoT) is widely regarded as a disruption in fleet management.

The vehicle-to-cloud vision relies on wireless connectivity to enable a wide range of features that deliver benefits over the life cycle of a fleet, from vehicle acquisition to final depreciation.

When vehicles are part of the IoT, realtime data can be collected to subsequently

analyse from the cloud to gain insights for both drivers and fleet operators that make operations safer, and more cost-effective.

IoT In FLEET ManagEMEnT In bringing vehicles into the IoT, however, solution providers and fleet owners must consider a more complex scenario than a simple connected black box. They must address issues such as reliable connectivity across carrier coverage areas, compatibility with evolving networks, the ongoing cost of adding new functionality, and upgrading units in the field. As IoT-centric services mature, solutions should offer fleet operators the flexibility to select from bundled

Technology FeaTure TEChnoLogy FEaTURE

Lowering your TCO

A new white pAper by SierrA wireleSS lookS At how technology cAn help improve your fleet’S totAl coSt of ownerShip

connectivity services that are suitable for both There are more than 330 million commercial vehicles on the road today. While these represent less than one-third of the 1.2 billion vehicles in use around the world, the average commercial vehicle travels greater distances than private cars and are responsible for a proportionately higher percentage of carbon emissions.

Governments are implementing stricter regulations aimed at reducing the environmental impact of commercial vehicles - a goal which is in alignment with fleet operators’ own goals of reducing fuel consumption and improving driver safety. If fleet operators are to meet timelines for more rigorous enforcement of emissions and

safety standards, they must turn to the latest advances in fleet management solutions (FMS).

Connectivity to cellular networks brings new capabilities to FMS by making it possible to collect vehicle data reliably and consistently.

Applications can leverage historical and real-time data for powerful insights that can drive significant improvement in fleet management. From vehicle acquisitions and operations to final depreciation, every aspect of fleet operations stands to benefit.

Only by bringing vehicles into the IoT can fleets comply with environmental regulations and drive more cost-effective operations.

The market for connected FMS is at a critical inflection point. Currently, just 14% of

commercial vehicles use connected FMS, but Berg Insights forecasts substantially higher penetration rates by 2018 as follows: North America: 26%; Europe: 23%; China: 20% While a smaller proportion of personal vehicles are connected, as more and more consumers lease vehicles, leasing companies will be connecting their vehicles to monitor location, vehicle health and driving behaviour. With FMS collecting data, leasing companies can depreciate vehicles based on actual usage, and more accurately reflect vehicle valuation in their balance sheet, optimise preventive maintenance, and ultimately, alert leasing companies to reflect such improvements in leasing contracts.

OCTOBER 2016 TRUCK&FLEET ME 25

Technology FeaTure

To manage TCO and comply with stricter carbon emissions regulations, new commercial vehicles will come factory-equipped with connected FMS. There are also strong incentives to upgrade commercial fleets with aftermarket solutions since the freight transportation and over half of those emissions are attributed to trucking (in some markets).

All of this highlights the huge potential for FMS vendors, from telematics service providers (TSPs) to Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEMs).

For fleet owners, there are four main benefits that result from using “Connected FMS” to manage vehicle operations.

InCREaSED DRIVER SaFETy Connected services can detect speeding, rapid acceleration and braking and other aggressive driving behaviours. When vehicles are equipped with telematics, drivers know there is data which can improve their driving efficiency and holds them accountable for driving.

In a recent study, 67% of connected fleets noted improved driver safety behaviour, 37% saw improved fuel efficiency, and 33% noticed improved driver efficiency and productivity.

LoWER FUEL CoSTS Fuel usage affects both operating costs and carbon emissions. FMS functionality can help reduce fuel usage through: Route optimisation: Real-world data used to plan vehicle routes minimises overall mileage and left turns, both of which affect idle times and fuel consumption; Anti-idling policies and technology: According to the

U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), a typical commercial truck can waste 0.5 gallons of diesel fuel per hour while idling. With the right policies and technology in place to support those policies, fleets can achieve significant fuel savings with minimal impacts on operations.

Driver behaviour: Aggressive driving lowers fuel economy by 33% on highways and 5% on urban streets. By monitoring driver behaviour ensuring drivers stay within speed limits, and avoid

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overall carbon footprint.

26 TRUCK&FLEET ME OCTOBER 2016

rapid acceleration and sudden braking, and other forms of poor driving – fleet owners can save fuel.

Tyre pressure monitoring: Gas mileage can be improved by up to 3.3% by keeping tyres inflated to the proper pressure. Connected FMS systems can monitor tyre pressure and alert both drivers and fleet managers.

PREVEnTaTIVE MaInTEnanCE With the latest engine oils and technologies, many fleets are able to extend their oil change cycles from the once-standard 3,000 miles to up to 10,000 miles or more.

Solutions that constantly monitor vehicle health help fleet operators schedule oil changes and other preventative maintenance tasks as needed, rather than relying on mileage alone.

Lengthening the interval between preventative maintenance contributes to: Lower tyre replacement costs; Lower oil change costs; Increased ability for technicians to work on more urgent repairs; Reduced vehicle downtime; Increased productivity of maintenance staff; Avoidance of costly unplanned repairs by ensuring maintenance actually gets done when needed.

MInIMISIng ToTaL CoST oF oWnERShIP (TCo) A vehicle’s TCO encompasses the acquisition cost, operational costs and depreciation. Fleet

Technology FeaTure

leveraging TeChnOlOgy & suPPOrTing PrOgrammes CONSIDERING TELEMATICS Educating drivers on the driving behaviours that contribute to increased gas consumption and introducing ways to improve current driving behaviours is essential to enhancing fuel efficiency. The most common driver behaviours that contribute to enhancing fuel efficiency are speeding and idling. Using technologies such as telematics/GPS, fleet managers now have the ability to address driver behaviours that pose safety concerns and directly impact the bottom line. An additional use of telematics to drive cost reduction is targeted routing; a more direct route can reduce overall fuel consumption.

UTILISING A MAINTENANCE PROGRAM Standard preventative vehicle maintenance can significantly improve fuel economy and lower overall operating costs. Studies have shown that proper vehicle maintenance

operators can’t manage all the complexities of calculating TCO. A connected FMS allows fleet owners to understand the TCO of each type of vehicle and makes it easier to decide on the best long-term strategy for the overall fleet.

The latest generation of fleet management solutions have migrated to the IoT. FMS collects performance metrics, analyses current and historical trends for both fleets and individual vehicles, and provides data that optimises logistics and ensures compliance with environmental and safety regulations.

Whether it’s OEMs, TSPs, or IT departments of large fleet operators providing the FMS, all need reliable monitoring and data collection in order to deliver a 360⁰ view of fleet performance to help operators manage today’s issues and create long-term strategies for their business. This underscores how dependent fleet management solutions are on resilient mobile communications.

Commercial fleets, especially those whose routes are cross-country or international, face challenges when it comes to reliable mobile communications.

Over the course of a few hours, drivers could pass through areas where coverage changes by carrier, network type, or both. For driver safety, convenience, and lower deployment costs, the OBU’s SIM should not need to be swapped out in the field. A SIM should switch

seamlessly between accessible networks, always selecting the best available network.

It is not enough to deploy SIMs that only work with networks currently active along vehicle routes. Once installed, a FMS should support 3 – 7 years of constant use in commercial vehicles. During this time, coverage areas can change. 2G and/or 3G are being phased out in many regions, as carriers begin 4G reframing.

As networks migrate, the best way for fleet operators to achieve long-term ROI is to use solutions based on SIMs designed to scale from 2G/3G to 4G/LTE which can be upgraded overthe-air to handle new network configurations.

Future-proofing does not end with network compatibility. Over the lifetime of an FMS, there will be customer demand for additional functionality. These can be new features developed by the FMS providers or functionality enabled by integration with third-party solutions.

A solution that begins as a vehicle-centric application can evolve to interoperate with a cargo tracking solution, or incorporate monitoring for driver behaviour. Enabling such additional functionality requires: Integration of additional accessories such as cameras or portable navigation devices; an efficient way to download new applications to vehicles in the field; Consolidation and/ or integration of data from diverse sources.

can improve fuel economy up to 40%. An effective maintenance management program can assist with ensuring that vehicles receive consistent preventative service.

IMPLEMENTING ON-BOARD SAFETY CAMERAS Industry research shows that companies with the lowest number of crash incidents take a comprehensive approach and monitor drivers all year long as opposed to the traditional method of pulling one Motor Vehicle Record (MVR) per year. One method to further entice acceptable driver behaviour is the on-board safety cameras. An integrated approach to monitoring driver safety gives managers a complete picture of driver risk.

Source: Fortress Mobile

FMS providers must take a long-term view and build solutions based on open application frameworks. This simplifies development, data collection, integration and data consolidation.

Last, but not least, as connected services become a significant factor for business success, fleet operators will want solutions that support their revenue streams through flexible connectivity services that favour either OPEX or CAPEX models.

OCTOBER 2016 TRUCK&FLEET ME 27

Show Round-up

A record 4,820 exhibitors from 76 countries took part at this year’s Automechanika held in September

The central theme at the world’s largest showcase for the independent aftermarket in 2016 was ‘Tomorrow’s Service & Mobility’.

It’s show time!

T&FME rounds up the big show news from AutomechAnikA And me trAnsport And Logistics And Looks AheAd to nAtrAns

I

t’s that time of year when the big shows start rolling out. T&FME was at IAA at the end of the month and will cover that extensively in the next issue but Automechanika landed in Germany in mid-September after another year of exciting developments in the market.

A number of companies demonstrated technical solutions that they have been developing for the mobility requirements of tomorrow, with the help of their own project and trial vehicles. Some of these technical developments are important prerequisites for the driverless car. Like the AUV (Advanced Urban Vehicle) from ZF. Its experimental vehicle, which is based on the standard measurements of a small car, is packed full of technologies and safety equipment, which are essential features of what will be needed for successful operation of partially autonomous and completely driverless vehicles. The electrically driven AUV impresses with its extreme manoeuvrability and a 5.5m turning

28 TRUCK&FLEET ME OCTOBER 2016

circle. Sensors and drive-train technology ensure that the car can find parking spaces completely on its own and can park in them unaided.

Moreover, thanks to the use of data on traffic, roads and travel from the Cloud via the driver assistance system, PreVision Cloud Assist, the AUV can anticipate things a long way ahead and thus drive in a way that both saves energy and is safe. On the basis of stored data and the variables of its current surroundings, the system can, for instance, calculate the optimum vehicle speed and so cut the throttle before bends, so that they can be taken at the ideal speed and without the need to activate the brakes.

The vehicles exhibited by Orten from Bernkastel-Kues on the Moselle are well beyond the experimental stage. Orten specialise in bodies for commercial vehicles. To produce its Orten E75 project vehicle, they have now joined forces with EFA-S ElektroFahrzeuge-Stuttgart, who specialise in converting vehicles to electric drive systems.

This is an entirely electrically powered freight vehicle with a permitted gross vehicle weight of 7.5 tonnes. Compared to a conventional diesel lorry, the Orten E75, with its lightweight body and tail-lift, can carry a 30 percent greater load. The vehicle, which is equipped with a lithium iron phosphate battery, has a range that is claimed to be up to a 100 kilometres. The manufacturer is confident that its vehicle will significantly reduce noxious emissions and noise pollution in inner cities.

How digitalisation, big data and e-mobility are likely to change procedures and processes in the workshop was the major issue for exhibitors in the ‘Future Workshops’ section. Central amongst their concerns, alongside researching, processing and passing on directly to the mechanic information relevant to the repair in hand, are also questions about the quickest and most efficient way of ordering and providing spare parts, together with opportunities for repair management, coupled with preventive

Show Round-up

Bosch focused on the connected workshop at Automechanika this year.

Autmechanika is the biggest exhibition of its kind in the world.

More than 70 exhibitors from 15 different countries , showcase d their transport and logis tics solut ions and services at METRAN SLOG 2016 .

prognostic servicing. A basic requirement here is the repair shop’s access to data from the vehicle. Several firms used their appearance in the Festhalle to present their ideas on telematic services as they relate to the motor vehicle.

In order for vehicle-specific data to be available at all, they have to be collected, processed, catalogued and appropriately stored. Digitalisation also opens new technical possibilities for data specialists such as DAT. So that, for example, it may well be possible, in future, to analyse exactly the distortion in a vehicle’s outer skin caused by a hailstorm, and to conduct a comprehensive calculation of the damage at the touch of a button, based on previously stored data and nothing more than a digital photo of the car.

The Middle East Transport and Logistics Expo and Conference, or METRANSLOG 2016, Oman’s only and Most Comprehensive Exhibition on Transport & Logistics was held last month.

METRANSLOG showcased the entire spectrum of transport and logistics products and services.

More than 70 exhibitors from 15 different countries, showcased their transport and logistics solutions and services. With a dedicated area for commercial vehicles, trucks like MAN, Ford, IVECO and Hyundai showcased their vehicles to the road transport visitors. With companies from Ports, maritime, airports, aviation, road safety, parking and traffic management, supply chain and logistics, ME TransLog expo was a platform for all the companies from the above sectors to utilise the opportunities from Oman’s market.

METRANSLOG showcased the entire spectrum of transport and logistics products and services including: Airport and Aviation, Rail and Metro, Ports and Maritime, Ship Building and Repair, Road Infrastructure, Tunneling and Underground Infrastructure, Smart City, Urban and Public Transport, Parking, ITS and Traffic Management, Transport Solutions and Management, Commercial Vehicles-Heavy and Light, Logistics, Cargo and Supply Chain,

Storage, Warehousing and Materials Handling, Special Economic and Free Trade Zones, Oil and Gas Transportation, Storage and Handling, ICT Solutions, Safety and Security.

Driverless commercial/passenger vehicles, autonomous cars, hybrid & electric cars, immersive experiences such as hyperloop transportation, plus the latest in smart tap & pay bicycles will all be showcased at NATRANS Expo. The event will be held from 25 to 26 October 2016, in Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Centre (ADNEC).

The NATRANS Expo is developed in partnership with the UAE Federal Transport Authority and aims to be the GCC’s leading future transport technology and ITS trade show.

The event will showcase the most advanced technologies across a wide range of applications in today’s smart cities. It will also showcase the global trends that are shaping the future investment in modern transport systems.

In line with its mission to regulate, plan

OCTOBER 2016 TRUCK&FLEET ME 29

Show Round-up

Abdullah Salem Alkathiri of the Federal Transport Authority Land & Maritimes says that transportation tech will bolster the UAE’s development.

NATRANS exhibition director Alex Heuff is looking forward to the School Bus Safety Masterclass Workshop.

and develop an efficient and well-integrated transport system that serves the public interest by enhancing mobility and delivering safe, secure and environmentally responsible aviation, maritime, public transport and highway sectors, the department of transport and municipal affairs in Abu Dhabi has compiled a number of Surface Transport Master Plans (STMPs) that cover various modes of transport in different areas within the Emirate.

According to demographic forecasts, the world population will reach 9 billion by the year 2050 with 70% living in urban areas, according to a United Nations survey. A strong emphasis on solving problems faced by people living in the world’s cities is therefore needed. Some of the main challenges lie in addressing unmet and growing needs for sustainable mobility, while at the same time greatly reducing our reliance on fossil fuels and other non-renewable resources.

Stephen Goldie, city planning advisor, at Al Ain Municipality will explain the theory behind his walkability concept.

This brings about the question of whether or not we’ll be running out of oil within the next fifty to a hundred years. However, while there are conflicting opinions on this matter, countries worldwide are working towards alternative smart solutions. This was clearly evident when last December almost 200 countries from every corner of the world signed the Paris Agreement, committing to decrease greenhouse gas emissions. Thus, forging ahead towards a lowcarbon future.

A study in 2013 indicated that approximately 43 percent of oil was consumed in the road transportation sector. Thus, this is the sector with the largest amount of consumed oil.

Furthermore, Oil demand in the transport sector experienced annual average growth of 33.4 million tons between 1973 and 2012. Naturally, this is related to the increased use of transport vehicles such as passenger cars and airplanes.

Government representatives, private companies, industry experts and academic researchers will be gathering at the event to discuss the future of transportation in tomorrow’s smart cities.

Two technical conferences will be running parallel to the event; one will discuss sustainable transportation and one will be dedicated to IoT in transportation. Both will discuss the very latest in the future of transportation systems nad key topics such as: Smart Infrastructure, Future of Parking, Hyperloop, walkability, IoT implementation and the 2030 Vision.

As part of the UAE ‘School Bus Safety Week’ in October, it will also host the School Bus Safety Masterclass Workshop on the first day of the event. The Bus Safety workshop welcomes 10senior speakers from Transport Research (TRL), Department of Transport, Road Safety UAE, Abu Dhabi Police and School Transport Services LLC Dubai.

Ford will be at big-5 The Big-5 event scored a

Our plan is to extend our

variants including tractors,

“Medium to long-term

the economical downsizing

major coup by getting Ford

facilities to Kuwait and

road trucks and construction

infrastructure projects

and as a result HCV market is

to participate at the PMV

Yemen. With regard to Ford

series with tipper and mixer

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superstructures, customised

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planning to empower our

with transmissions and cabin

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East countries manager

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types for on- and off-road

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started by Q4 2016.

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and experienced sales, after

conditions are offered to

provide plenty of future

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sales and marketing team

customers in the market.

potential and make the

their fleet renewal decisions

this year.

members very soon.

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region a very attractive target

and continue using their

“We know that a well-

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vehicles are also offered

for us. We anticipate that

existing trucks however we

developed sales and service

range of 2017 model year

with 10mm, 500Mpa chassis

the heavy trucks (16+ tons)

have successfully delivered

network is key to success in

heavy commercial vehicles

frames that further improve

market will approximately

our trucks to many mid-to

our business. We currently

including a 1843T tractor, a

the durability of the vehicle.

grow 7% annually and reach

large-sized logistics and

have a widespread dealer

3543M 6x4 chassis mixer

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22,000 vehicles by 2020.

construction companies in

network in the Middle East

as well as a 4143M 8x4

offered in 6x4 and 8x4 with

Construction is the most

our newly entered markets

with powerful partners.

chassis mixer. All our product

the 12.7l Ecotorq engine.

deeply affected segment by

in 2016.”

30 TRUCK&FLEET ME OCTOBER 2016

Maintenance, tyres and Parts

mAInTenAnce, TYRes & PARTs

SPONSORED BY

www.csn-me.com

BFGOOdrich’s First ever trUcK tYre ranGe rOlls OUt in Mena 14 new tyre sizes will be available across two product lines, says BFGoodrich.

BFGoodrich Tires started selling its first ever tyre product line for trucks and buses for the Middle East and Africa region in September.

The Michelin-owned company claims the launch of its product line of 14 new tyre sizes for trucks offers Middle East and Africa-based customers “international quality” shoes for their vehicles.

16

At least 16 people were killed and 85 injured last month when a brake failure caused a truck to crash into a bus in central Tunisia.

32 TRUCK&FLEET ME OCTOBER 2016 32 TRUCK&FLEET ME OCTOBER 2016

The product lines include two main ranges that fulfill a variety of applications typical of the region.

On offer for road haulers is the regional and highway Route Control range which features even tread wear as it: “fights irregular wear by optimising the contact patch and pressure distribution; minimises

sidewall damage and abrasion, especially on dual fitment; and protects from road hazard damage with a reinforced crown.”

Heavy duty and construction operators have the option of the more durable and cutresistant Cross Control range which, says BFGoodrich: “Ensures high grip from new to worn-out stage with an aggressive block tread pattern; maximizes the casing life with the help of an additional protective crown ply; and reduces the risk of damage and downtime with a special anti-cut and chip tread.”

“BFGoodrich is delighted to bring its truck and bus tyre offer to the Middle East and Africa markets, which play an important part in our global growth story,” said Shantanu Deshpande, Marketing Director Truck & Bus Tires for Michelin Africa, India & the Middle East (AIM).

He added: “By introducing the BFGoodrich Truck & Bus tire line in the region, we are confident to meet the growing needs of local truck and bus customers who demand international quality, reliable and robust tires at an affordable price.”

ApoLLo is now A gLobAL pLAyER FoR MAn UTd Apollo Tyres and Manchester Utd have announced a global sponsorship agreement for the next three years. Apollo Tyres will now be the official ‘Global Tyre Partner’ for the world’s leading football club. Apollo has served as

a regional partner for the three previous years and the company says that the association has been effective in raising the awareness of the Apollo brand across key markets including India, Middle East, South East Asia and Africa.

Maintenance, tyres And and pARTs Parts MAinTEnAnCE, TyREs

mAgnA TYRes seTs uP In mIddle eAsT wITh IndusTRY heAvYweIghT As heAd of oPeRATIons

Magna tyres recently opened its new Middle East operation and offices.

Magna Tyres Group has appointed Vijay Nambiar as its general manager at its new Middle East & Africa office. Nambiar has worked for a number of tyre companies, including both Michelin and Bridgestone.

As head of operations for the heavy duty applications supplier he sets his goal to further enhance the customer relationships and satisfaction within this high potential region.

“I am very excited to start this new Magna Tyres office which will provide great benefits to all customers in the region with complete local support in building Magna Tyres brand image at par with any other known premium brands,” he said.

QuIck TIPs Fleetmatics’ Stacey Papp shares her tips for effective maintenance planning...

1. Develop a comprehensive maintenance checklist for your vehicles. Many checklists include these items, but you’ll want to edit yours based on your fleet’s needs.

2. Your drivers are the first line of defense against unexpected breakdowns and repairs. It’s critical that they immediately report any vehicle problems to help keep your vehicles on the road.

3. Examine both your routine and unscheduled maintenance data to

REgion boosT To booMing Usb CAR ChARgER MARKET

develop a maintenance schedule that works for your fleet.

4. Take advantage of technology. If

The global USB car charger market is expected to grow at a CAGR of approximately 4% during the period 2016-2020, according to Technavio’s latest report. The contribution from the Middle East and Africa will increase during the forecast period as most of the nations from these regions are late adopters of new technologies, says the research group.

you’re still entering and tracking data manually, seriously consider upgrading to a digital system. Manual systems can be tedious and timeconsuming, no matter the fleet size.

5. Go online for additional details about fleet maintenance schedules.

TREllEBORg will uSE uK ACquiSiTiON TO ExPAND iTS MiDDlE EAST PRESENCE Swedish off-road tyre manufacturer Trelleborg Wheel Systems says it has agreed to acquire a UK specialist in off-the-road (OTR) waste, recycling and demolition tyres.

The purchase of the Greater Manchesterbased International Tyre and Wheel Solutions Ltd (ITWS) company will improve its position in a number of markets including the MENA region, says Trelleborg Wheel Systems. The acquisition of ITWS follows Trelleborg’s takeover of Czech agricultural and industrial player CGS Holding.

The Swedish manufacturer added that ITWS will complement the Mitas

Trelleborg is looking to accelerate its OTR presence in the region.

operation and give the firm access to both the pneumatic and solid tyre markets across Europe, the Middle East and Africa.

ITWS is headquartered in Lowton, a village close to Manchester, and its revenues in 2015 were a touch under $5 million.

“In the acquisition of ITWS we have acquired the leading distributor in Europe of large solid tyres, with an attractive distribution network and customer base. The acquisition gives us the opportunity to expand our offering of construction tyres in Europe but will also enable us to accelerate and strengthen us as a supplier of solid OTR tyres in the Middle East and Africa,” said Maurizio Vischi, president of the Trelleborg Wheel Systems business area.

“The AcQuIsITIon wIll enAble us To AcceleRATe And sTRengThen us As A suPPlIeR of solId oTR TYRes In The mIddle eAsT And AfRIcA.” OCTOBER 2016 TRUCK&FLEET ME 33

Maintenance, tyres and Parts

cOntinental cOnFident OF sUccess in eGYptian MarKet

Continental is encouraged by its progress in the Middle East region.

Big five tyre manufacturer Continental’s middle east managing director has told an Egyptian newspaper that Egypt has maintained its position as one of its leading markets in the Middle East.

José Luis de La Fuente told the Daily News Egypt that the German company’s recently inaugurated regional offices in the UAE will help it put the “foot to the pedal” in the region: “The Middle East offers significantly

promising development opportunities for Continental,” de La Fuente told the independent newspaper. “The region has witnessed solid growth over the past few years and this is testament to our loyal customer base and dynamic product offering.

“With regards to the Egyptian market, we see major potential for growth as our brand has a discerning customer base.”

According to de La Fuente, Saudi Arabia and the UAE are the other major destinations for its products. Describing the opportunities for expansion in the region as “truly significant” he added that he felt the tyre company is in a better position than in previous years following the opening of its new regional headquarters.

“The prospective opportunities for us to expand our business in the Middle East are truly significant. This is why we moved our regional headquarters from Hanover to Dubai. The UAE provides us with a central hub to work from in this area of the world. By placing global heads locally, we are now in a stronger position to better understand local requirements, to the benefit of the region’s customers. In addition, we are now able to put our foot on the gas pedal (so to speak) in the commercial vehicle and truck tyres (CVT) and passenger and light truck tyres (PLT) segments, which are our key focus due to the expanding market for commercial and light vehicle-related products in the region.”

ChiNESE PARTNERShiP PRiMES ugANDA TO BECOME MAjOR SPARE AuTO PARTS SuPPliER Chinese Sinotruk International says that its recent partnership with Ugandan company, Paroma Enterprises will create 1000 jobs in the country and position it as major auto parts manufacturer in Africa.

Sinotruk is largest truck manufacturer in China by revenue and has a strong export presence in Eastern Europe and the Middle East. Sinotruk is investing heavily in the African market and recently revealed that it expects to build five spare parts warehouses and service centers in South Africa, the Democratic Republic of Congo and Nigeria in 2016. According to Francis Bukenya, ceo

The new factory will create 1,000 jobs in Uganda.

of Paroma Enterprises, the partnership between the two companies will soon begin the construction of plant that will manufacture spare parts for heavy duty trucks in Africa.

“When the factory starts to run, and these spare parts start being produced and distributed all over Africa as projected, jobs will be created for the Ugandans. But more importantly the fact that we will be manufacturing the spare parts and assembling them will serve to imply that we will actually be manufacturing cars in Uganda,” said Bukenya.

“This is a great opportunity for Ugandans.”

Lily Lee, general manager at Sinotruk added that: “We are aiming at helping Uganda get access to products that they don’t produce, like the heavy duty trucks and motor spare parts, as a way of widening our market base.”

“we ARe AImIng AT helPIng ugAndA geT Access To PRoducTs ThAT TheY don’T PRoduce.”

34 TRUCK&FLEET ME OCTOBER 2016

C

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It is a lot more than just a tyre!

It’s a DoubleCoin; more miles per tyre! Go on…and on…..

With a very , it sets your profits soaring!

PARTING SHOT

Working on the car Wash An event in november promises to mAke our vehicles go All squidgy on the outside

T

he Middle East remains one of the fastest growing services market for automobiles with 60% more cars expected to be in the region by 2020, according to a recent study by Frost and Sullivan. This, coupled with the fact that the region experiences harsh climate conditions, and is seeing an increased demand for convenience, has resulted in car wash companies anticipating steady growth in the run up to 2020. The car wash industry in the region is also moving towards newer more efficient cleaning systems such as jet wash and waterless car wash solutions, and one stop shop solution models.

“The Middle East is now one of the world’s most significant markets for automotive services, as the region will see annual light vehicle sales reach over 4 million by 2020,” said Mohammed Al Samhour, director – business development and operations, of the Auto Millennium Group, a leading car care solution provider in the UAE. “With extremely hot and dry weather here, specialised services like Llumar quality window tinting that can prevent interiors from

36 TRUCK&FLEET ME OCTOBER 2016

heat (with a heat rejection by up to 95%) are highly in demand. Llumar Window tinting is very important as it not only protects your car’s interior from the destructive ultraviolet rays that can cause fading and deterioration, but also helps to protect you and your beloved ones as it reduces the risk of skin cancer.”

According to the team at Innovative Nanotechnology, which provides a range of Nano technology based products for coating and protecting all types of materials,” Demand for convenient solutions that help companies/ individuals save on costs and offer a long term protection against the problems they are facing are becoming highly sort after.

The public are getting more aware of new technologies that can offer new solutions at very competitive prices. We provide Aviation Grade Windscreen coating that has been tested and approved by different Gov. sectors in Germany, as well as other car cleaning and protection products in the UAE market.”

The Gulf Car Wash – Car Care Conference, taking place in Dubai as a part of Middle East Cleaning Technology Week (MECTW), is

expected to delve into opportunities in the rapidly developing car wash and car care market in the region as well as feature the latest cuttingedge technologies and sustainable solutions available in the international car care market.

“The region is a promising market for the world’s leading car wash suppliers, which is evident from the increased interest MECTW receives from the international machine suppliers, service providers, and car wash companies. The Gulf Car Care Expo organised under MECTW is the best platform for service stations, car wash operators, technology providers and dealerships to view latest the technologies and explore opportunities,” said Jayaraman Nair, chairman, VIS Exhibitions & Conferences, which is the organiser of MECTW. MECTW is the region’s largest event that brings together cleaning service providers, equipment, and chemicals suppliers to discuss trends and showcase green cleaning products and innovations. The event will feature new pavilions dedicated to waste management, sewerage, and sanitation, and specialised cleaning for the year 2016.

Apollo Tyres Middle East FZE T : + 971 488 41603 www.apollotyres.com

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