BACK TRACKS

Could anyone have imagined the twists and turns that this year of 2020 could have thrown at us?

I some how doubt anyone could have seriously imagined the breadth and depth of the challenges we would face. From January and the worst and most widespread bushfires we have ever encountered in Australia to just a few weeks later floods that proved not just a saviour but also a damaging interloper in equal proportions.

Before we even had a chance to reconcile the damaging summer the Covid pandemic raced into our lives in Autumn, changing almost everything and turning life upside down with forced lockdowns, border closures and bans on overseas travel.

Those early days of the lockdown in April and May saw industry all but shut and commercial activity fall in a massive hole. The Government’s stimulus packages like Job Keeper and Job Seeker and aid to business through tax rebates started the economy tentatively moving again.

Truck sales fell in a hole in those months but then as the reality of having to get on with things dawned, sales picked up again, sure not at record levels but certainly at a reasonable clip, particularly for an economy that wasn’t running at full speed.

The impact of the pandemic overseas had significant effect on both the three local truck makers and also most of the importers with supply chain issues either holding up components or fully built trucks in the case of the later. Hino even had issues supplying light duty trucks to key client Woolworths, which was trying to meet the exploding demand for home delivery from its supermarkets. This was not because they didn’t have the 300 series trucks Woolies wanted, but because the imported CKD insulated body kits from Italy were held up because of Covid issues.

There are myriad stories like that around the Covid situation. It shows the random affects of a very random pandemic. For all the businesses badly affected there appeared to be many winners as well.

Long time rivals in the Heavy Duty sector of the truck market, Kenworth and Volvo were engaged in a tense struggle for sales through the worst of the first half of the year, with Volvo getting an edge on perennial market leader Kenworth and leading by more than 100 trucks at the end of July. It looked likely that the persistent Swede might build an unassailable lead and take the class for the first time.

Covid’s hand would be felt here as well, for while Volvo had some factory stoppages early on, due to critical supply chain interruptions, the factory was able to start up again. Kenworth had a factory shutdown as well in April, but it was also able to restart and continue on under strict Covid protocols, even in the tough second phase lockdowns in Victoria.

Many in the industry were predicting a Kenworth defeat but it seems Volvo has been short of stock in the last couple of months with further supply holdups, while Kenworth sales numbers have raced past and turned a 100 odd deficit into a lead of more than 100 trucks with two months to run. All of that unpredictable scenario directly as a result of the nasty pandemic.

Then Volvo quietly slipped out of the Brisbane Truck Show, a story we broke on our website, confirming that the uncertainty ahead as result of the Covid crisis made it difficult to commit to the Truck Show. The decision drew rancour from various quarters, mainly disgruntled members of the truck media, but we doubt it will prove a handicap for Volvo long term and may trigger a wider debate that we have been questioning for some time regarding the real value of large scale truck shows.

On that same subject, it seems Covid has also claimed the proposed TIC aligned Melbourne Truck Show and given the lunacy of that concept, that can’t be a bad thing as far as we are concerned.

So as we roll onto the end of a very intriguing and frustrating year what will 2021 hold for the truck industry in Australia? Well no one has a crystal ball so we can’t precisely say what lays ahead. However, given that it seems that the New Year may hold a useful vaccine for the virus, the levels of local transmission are down to almost insignificant levels, and Federal and state governments will, it seems, be pumping funds into major infrastructure projects at pretty high levels then there is a belief that 2021 could be better than 2020.

Given that many more people will continue to work from home, then there will be, we are told, a massive and continued demand for home delivery services, whether for internet shopping, grocery supplies, furniture or whatever. That demand will need to be met by, you guessed it, trucks.

So look, we don’t know if 21 will be better, it would be difficult to be worse, but lets stay optimistic, perhaps plan for the worse but hope for the best.

Elsewhere in this issue we have a couple of massive road tests with significant new trucks both it turns out from the Daimler stable with drive in Mercedes’ updated new Actros with MirrorCam and its very important new Freightliner the Cascadia.

We also have a great chat with former Daimler executive and now MD of Iveco Australia, Michael May, focussing on his move to the Italian truck maker and what the future holds for what is our third local truck maker.

There is a road test of one of Hino’s new 300 series models and we look at UD’s new Croner models as well as a whole lot more in this issue of Transport & Trucking. So stay positive, enjoy the read and bring on 2021.

JON THOMSON

VOLVO HAS REVEALED its new 2021 truck line-up for Australia, unveiling the option of locally manufactured Euro 6 compliant trucks alongside traditional Euro 5 models. Volvo is claiming that the launch is the biggest ever for Volvo trucks, with new Volvo FM, Volvo FMX, Volvo FH and Volvo FH16 models going on sale from the 30th November. The company says the new trucks have been designed with the driver in mind and offer “unparalleled levels of comfort, driveability and safety”. The entire range of new Volvo models will be built at the Volvo Group Wacol production facility in Brisbane. It’s a significant step up for the Swedish maker, which has delayed introducing locally manufactured Euro 6 models, largely it seems, due to the need for extensive investment to facilitate it at the factory in Wacol. That investment is currently flowing through the factory and has enabled the Euro 6 local assembly T&TA understands. According to vice president of sales for Volvo Trucks Australia, Tony O’Connell, Australia is a big country and long haul drivers don’t just drive the trucks, they often live in them. “However even in an urban distribution environment driver’s also need a safe comfortable workplace, and for some it is the modern office with every convenience at hand, for others it is also a home,” he added. “This new generation of Volvo Trucks has been designed from the inside out with the driver in mind,” Tony O’Connell said. “We all know how hard it can be to attract drivers in this country, these trucks raise the bar in terms of comfort, performance and efficiency,” he continued. “Any driver would be proud to find themselves behind the wheel of any truck in our new range,” he said. Volvo says its new FH models will have the option of Euro 5 and Euro 6 emissions levels across the range in both 13 litre and 16 litre capacities as well as a complementary range of horsepower options. It says the FM features an all new cab as well as Euro 5 and 6 options in 11 and 13 litre engine capacities. While Volvo has offered Euro 6, in what it terms ‘Classic’ FM11 and FM13 models, it says the entire range of models now come with options for Euro 6. The FM Euro 6 will include 380, 430 and 460 horsepower ratings with the 11 litre, or 460 and 500hp options with the 13-litre engine. The previous range of Euro 5 engines with options from 330hp to 500hp will still be offered, while the FMX will also retain the option of a 540hp Euro 5 power plant. The FH will be available with 13-litre Euro 6 variants, including a 500hp D13 TurboCompound power plant, as well as a 540hp rated 13-litre. The flagship FH16 will also be available with the existing Euro 5 range, with horsepower ratings from 600 to 700hp, and will be complemented by Euro 6 550hp and 650hp variants. Volvo has also said that the addition of the Australian I-Save package to the new Volvo FH will, it believes, ‘create new levels of fuel efficiency and CO2 savings’. The company says its 500hp/2800Nm Euro 6 turbo compound engine, is included in the Australian I-Save package and Volvo says it will deliver significant fuel and CO2 savings. The new Volvo FH with Australian I- Save combines the new Euro 6 D13TC engine into a package that also includes I-See, which accesses centrally stored topographic data to optimise transmission performance and engine efficiency for long-haul operations. Volvo says that other components included in the package are I-Shift with dash mounted gear selector and economy transmission software, I-Cruise with I-Roll, optimised 2.83 rear axle ratio with fuel efficient

energy tyres, engine idle shutdown, and variable displacement power steering pump. “I’m very excited to see the new Volvo Truck range come to life here on Australia soil,” said Tony O’Connell. “Our biggest launch ever with our safest, most productive and most efficient range of transport solutions has been eagerly anticipated by customers,” he added. “This has been a massive project and we have invested heavily in our manufacturing capability to ensure that these trucks will be built at our Wacol production facility,” he said. “As always, will continue to be serviced by the largest dealer network in Australia and New Zealand.” “The new Volvo FM and Volvo FMX are intelligent and versatile and continue to support our customers by building on the already formidable reputation carved out by the classic models in the urban streets, the quarries and the regional back blocks of Australia.” He continues. “The FH and FH16 will continue to power Australian long-haul and heavy haulage businesses with new levels of driver comfort and appointments.” “These new power plants, coupled with our unique range of features from dual-clutch transmissions to Volvo Dynamic Steering will allow us to provide our customers with the best transport solution possible, while driver’s will appreciate all the new touches that will make their life on the road easier.” “And best of all, we are building this entire range right here in Australia,” O’Connell emphasised. Volvo says that the new cabs, across the range, meet the world’s most stringent crash test rating, the Swedish BOF10 cab strength test, while visibility has been improved by more than 10 per cent on the Volvo FM and the Volvo FMX, which now features similar lines to the Volvo FH cab with a larger windscreen, slimmer A-pillars, slim line mirrors, and a lower door line. Volvo says it has fitted Adaptive High Beam function on the FH and FH16 models which partially dips the high beam LED headlights when the headlights or taillights of another vehicle are detected ahead of the truck. The system also detects the lights of smaller vehicles such as motorcycles and cyclists. Other active safety features Volvo has included are Adaptive Cruise Control (ACC) for speeds down to zero km/h and Hill Descent Control that automatically activates the wheel brakes when extra brake force is needed to maintain constant downhill speed. Electronically-controlled Brake System (EBS), a prerequisite for safety features such as Collision Warning with Emergency Brake and Electronic Stability Control, comes as standard on the new truck as does Volvo Dynamic Steering, while Lane Keeping Assist and Stability Assist, is also available as an option. Volvo says there is a new ergonomically design I-Shift transmission selector and simplified switch gear across the dashboard adds to the ease of use and comfort from the drivers’ seat, while Volvo says the FM and FMX interior cab space has increased by up to one cubic metre, and day cab models benefit from a 40 per cent increase in storage space. There is also a new 12-inch instrument panel, which Volvo says minimises driver distraction with digital instrumentation while a new, larger touch screen display with a simplified menu is now also featured. Like its rivals from Daimler, the various functions can now be controlled via buttons on the steering wheel, by voice control, or via the touchscreen and display control panel. As we say the new Volvo’s will be on sale from 30th November and we look froward to presenting a full road test as soon as we can.

VOLVO UNVEILS 2021 RANGE/TENSE HEAVY DUTY SALES BATTLE/ELECTRONIC DIARIES APPROVED/PACCAR EXPANDS AUSSIE FACTORY

IT’S BEEN A FASCINATING time for the Australian commercial vehicle market with interesting numbers across all sectors of the market in October. Isuzu was the overall market leader yet again, moving 726 trucks for the month capturing just under a quarter of the entire market with 24.1 per cent share, while Japanese rival Hino slotted into a strong second with 402 sales and 13.4. per cent and Fuso was third with 309 trucks and 10.1 per cent share in October. The battle for the coveted Heavy Duty sector has continued its swing back in favour of Kenworth after Volvo relinquished a strong lead at the end of July. Volvo was on track to capture the Heavy sector for 2020 up until the middle of the year but Kenworth’s strong bounce back in August, September and now October has put it 84 trucks ahead of Volvo year to date. Kenworth punched out 230 trucks for the month and took 22.7 per cent share of the sector, while Volvo sold 143 trucks for a 14.1 per cent market share. It is believed that Volvo was severely constrained by supply hold ups that limited the number of trucks it could produce and deliver to customers in October. The big performer in Heavy Duty for the month was Mercedes Benz which finished close behind Volvo with 127 heavy duty sales to be third in the heavy sector ahead of Isuzu with 113 heavy sales. In Medium duty Isuzu put in a stunner, taking almost half the market with 253 units sold and 47.2 per cent market share in the sector, while Hino captured 29.7 per cent share with 159 medium duty sales in October and Fuso moved 84 units for 15.7 per cent market share. Between them the three Japanese brands captured 92.6 per cent of the total 536 medium duty sales in the month. Light duty saw a similar Japanese brand dominance with Isuzu securing 360 sales to take 38.5 per cent of the market ahead of Hino with 201 trucks and 21.5 per cent market share and a strongly performing Fuso which garnered 183 sales and 19.6 per cent market share. In vans Volkswagen usurped usual market leader Mercedes Benz to lead the sector with 150 vans in October ahead of Benz with 138 and Renault with 103 units. Despite Covid and the ongoing difficulties the overall truck market has remained reasonably buoyant with total sales across all segments of 3011 units giving the market a year to date tally of 27882 units and a likely projected end of year total somewhere around 35000 units, a result that many people believed was not possible back in April at the start of the pandemic.

VOLVO UNVEILS 2021 RANGE/TENSE HEAVY DUTY SALES BATTLE/ELECTRONIC DIARIES APPROVED/PACCAR EXPANDS AUSSIE FACTORY

AUSTRALIAN heavy vehicle industry is finally being dragged kicking and screaming into the 21st century with the announcement in mid November that the National Heavy Vehicle Regulator has finally approved the first electronic work diaries for heavy vehicle drivers. Drivers and fleets will now have a choice in how they record their work and rest hours, with EWD, which are electronic recording systems to record work and rest times, as a voluntary alternative to the written work diary. Deputy PM and Minister for Infrastructure, Transport and Regional Development Michael McCormack made the announcement in early November and said the rollout of EWDs from 1st December would mean drivers can now “put down the pen, paper and ruler when recording work and rest hours”. “Congratulations to local Australian companies Step Global and Teletrac Navman which have met the strict requirements to provide an alternative to a written work diary,” Mr McCormack said. “The work diary has been a requirement for fatigue-related heavy vehicles* for more than half a century, and today more than 200,000 written work diaries are used by heavy vehicle drivers each year. “This announcement will cut this red tape enabling drivers to record their work and rest hours by simply pressing a button, rather than spending time ruling lines and counting multiple time periods on multiple pieces of paper.” The EWD Policy Framework and Standards were developed in association with technology providers, transport operators, police and transport authorities in 2018 and were subject to comprehensive review and consultation. As far as T&TA can tell after speaking with representatives of both Teletrac Navman and Step Global, the two approved systems are quite different in terms of hardware and sectors of the market they may appeal to. The Teletrac Navman system is tied into that company’s telematics system and the EWD component has to be used with its own tablets and fleet based telematics offering. Step Global’s system is a tablet or smart phone based app system that appears to have a lot of appeal for owner drivers, contract drivers or small fleets as well as for larger fleets. Currently it is only available for Android based devices, however it is expected to be available as an Apple iOS app for iPhones and iPads in the next few months. Step Global, told T&B News that the Step Global Smart eDriver system is actually the only system fully tested and certified for the full NHVR EWD standards and will go live on the 1st December. The company disputes the ability for the Teletrac Navman to be fully compliant by the introduction date and says the company is discussing this with the NHVR. “We can tell you our platform is fully compliant with all NHVR standard and Basic Fatigue Management rules right now and has the ability to integrate Advanced Fatigue Management solutions on request,” Step Global told us. Step Global says Smart eDriver users can download the mobile application onto any compliant Android device from the Google Play store, sign up with one of Step Global’s distributors and get started. Integrated training is available on the app and the company says that driver can be ready to start using the electronic work diary in less than 30 minutes. For the operator, there is free access to the Smart eDriver portal and reports. Drivers will be able to download the app after the 23rd November and complete training ready for the 1st December launch. Teletrac Navman told T&TA that it pioneered EWDs and fatigue management solutions in Australia as far back 12 years ago, with its Sentinel system coming to market in 2008. The company says its customers have adopted Sentinel to check the accuracy of their written work diaries and gain a greater level of back office visibility into driver hours. It says it has developed a deep understanding of fatigue risks and challenges, and continually updated the solution based on customer feedback. It added that it has given created a comprehensive EWD solution that

meets real day-to-day needs of transport operators, administrators and drivers. Teletrac Navman says its Sentinel is already being used by more than 40,000 drivers across Australia, and these customers will be able to move to the new NHVR-approved solution at no additional cost from 1st December 2020. The new solution is also available now for all new clients of Teletrac Navman’s telemetry systems from this date. A group of early adopters will be the first to install the technology in December, including prominent organisations such as Lindsay Australia and Aldi. Teletrac Navman’s chief product officer, Andrew Rossington says that its EWDs will streamline and simplify the whole process of logging driver hours, both from a safety and operational standpoint. “EWDs empower drivers to manage their own compliance, give managers peace of mind that their drivers are safe, and make it easy for everyone to stay compliant and keep records of driver work and rest times,” Rossington said. “Digitising processes will also help the industry tackle growing demand and a shrinking pool of drivers. This kind of technology is set to assist a new generation of drivers, ones who will be more familiar with a device than they are with pen and paper,” he added. Assistant Minister for Road Safety and Freight Transport Scott Buchholz said both companies are technology partners with a number of heavy vehicle operators, which should see a broad rollout across industry. “This approval gives the providers the green light to work with their partners to use their products as an approved fatigue management system,” Mr Buchholz said. “We know both technology companies have a number of transport and logistics operators ready and eager to adopt the technology and we should see a good uptake across the industry. NHVR Chair Duncan Gay said a company’s investment in EWDs is an investment in industry safety and productivity. “Right now, industry is managing 60 million pages of work diary paper per year – this equates to 14 B-Double loads of red tape,” Mr Gay said. “Today’s announcement will enable companies and drivers to more effectively focus on managing their fatigue, rather than managing the book – which is an important step forward in delivering improved fatigue safety outcomes. “As well as reducing time checking written work records on the side of the road, it also delivers huge cost and time savings for heavy vehicle businesses with many operators spending multiple days every week reconciling the written work book with internal systems. “I look forward to welcoming other technology providers also submitting systems for approval.” Drivers and operators interested in the benefits of using an EWD should contact an approved provider to arrange their access. There is currently no application fee to apply for approval of an EWD and all approved EWDs will be listed on the NHVR website at www.nhvr.gov.au/ewd Authorised officers and police will still be able to check an EWD, including recent records, at the roadside to ensure drivers aren’t exceeding their legal driving limits. Approval for these companies to provide an EWD was based on comprehensive technical assessments and expert advice and while many operators and the NHVR were keen to see the first EWDs rolled out, it is also important to ensure that approved systems are fit for purpose for Australian laws.

VOLKSWAGEN’S Traton commercial vehicle subsidiary appears to have put the truck in gear and is starting to roll the massive and growing behemoth with both its play for Navistar in the USA and its MOU with Hino being set in motion. Traton and Hino recently signed a joint venture agreement for e-mobility in order to plan and provide e-mobility products that will be based on the two companies’ strategic partnership established almost two years ago. The two companies will combine their strengths to develop electric vehicles including battery electric vehicles (BEV), fuel cell vehicles (FCV), and relevant components as well as creating common EV platforms including software and interfaces. They will form a team of advanced specialists from both companies and launch activities in Södertälje in Sweden and in a second step in Tokyo. The two will team up to shorten lead times for future e-mobility products with battery and fuel cell technology with each convinced that both technologies will be needed in the future. The 2018 agreement they signed had the aim of forming a mutually beneficial strategic long-term partnership they say. They went on to establish a procurement joint venture in 2019, and have now solidified the collaboration with e-mobility. Both companies have agreed to explore each other’s capabilities and investigate further possibilities to collaborate in other future fields of technology. “Traton’s mission is to carefully balance the interests of people, planet and performance and this new joint venture with our partner Hino is the next important step in electrification, pushing our mission further ahead,” said Matthias Gründler, CEO of Traton. Gründler reiterated that Traton has a goal of investing around one billion euros in electrification before 2025. Hino boss Yoshio Shimo said he is delighted that the companies can follow the procurement joint venture and further embodying our synergy with Traton in e-mobility, to help reduce global CO2 emissions and fighting global warming.” “We will combine our strengths as leading commercial vehicle manufacturers to offer EVs with the highest value for customers, through joint planning of commercial EVs,” said Shimo san, who is president and CEO of Hino.

VOLVO UNVEILS 2021 RANGE/TENSE HEAVY DUTY SALES BATTLE/ELECTRONIC DIARIES APPROVED/PACCAR EXPANDS AUSSIE FACTORY

THE VOLVO GROUP and Isuzu have announced that the two companies have moved their alliance along to the next phase, signing binding agreements to form a strategic alliance within the commercial vehicle realms, they say are in order to capture the opportunities in the ongoing industry transformation. The agreements, signed in early November, follow Isuzu’s acquisition of UD Trucks from the Volvo Group late last year for an enterprise value of about $US2.3 billion, the two companies said. Creating the best long-term conditions for a stronger heavy-duty truck business for UD Trucks and Isuzu Motors in Japan and across international markets is one of the goals of the alliance. The two companies will establish a Joint Alliance Office, with facilities both in Japan and Sweden, which will be overseen by a board comprising the Isuzu Motors president, the Volvo Group CEO and other key executives from the two groups. “I have high expectations on this strategic alliance, which will make Volvo and Isuzu Motors even more competitive within their respective markets and segments,” said Martin Lundstedt, president and CEO of the Volvo Group. “I am confident that UD Trucks will become a bridge between the Volvo Group and Isuzu Motors and that the strategic alliance will create the conditions to continue to develop UD Trucks to a new level within Isuzu Motors.” Masanori Katayama, president and representative director of Isuzu Motors, said the Covid-19 situation had made the alliance even more valuable, and had built a solid, trustful relationship between Isuzu and the Volvo Group. “This long-term partnership will span across products, technologies and regions, and actively contribute to service improvements and strengthened customer satisfaction as well as supporting the logistics industry.” Isuzu Australia has also welcomed the formalisation of the binding agreements for the strategic alliance, which it says is set to build a longterm and industrious relationship. Isuzu Australia says that the agreement will meld the strengths of both global commercial vehicle companies and is designed to respond to industry changes and capitalise on the abundant opportunity available to the broader global road transport sector. “The formalisation of the alliance, marks a significant day for the global Isuzu family and firmly underpins the current and future strength of the organisation,” said IAL director and COO, Andrew Harbison. “The transfer of ownership of UD Truck from Volvo to Isuzu is an important aspect of this announcement and has been described as building a bridge in the business between Isuzu and Volvo – another substantial transformation within the broader transport industry warmly welcome here in Australia,” Harbison said. “The focus on complementary capabilities and the leveraging of volume opportunities here will be a real win for road transport equipment operators around the world. “Further enhancing this is the intended cooperation between Isuzu and Volvo regarding the development of new technologies such as autonomous driving, connectivity and medium – and heavy-duty electric vehicles. “Whilst the news doesn’t impact the domestic Australian market immediately, we’re excited to see where this strategic partnership will lead for our customers, with both global groups clear leaders in their fields of expertise. “In the meantime, our local operators can look forward to continued and uninterrupted service, advice and support from IAL and our dealer network,” Mr Harbison concluded.

VOLVO TRUCKS in the USA has announced it will start taking orders for its VNR Electric truck for customers commercially in the North America market starting on the 3rd December. The VNR Electric truck will enter production in early 2021 at Volvo’s US manufacturing plant in Virginia. “Volvo Trucks is committed to lead the commercial transport industry towards more sustainable solutions by advancing electromobility. We PACCAR AUSTRALIA has announced it is again increasing truck production over the coming months, despite what has universally been acknowledged as a very unusual year, marred by significant negative health and economic impact. The company says it will expand its workforce, with recruitment currently underway for the factory and related departments at the Melbourne-based head office, to support the increase and as a further boost to the local community. “This is great news for local will continue to invest in and drive the development of this technology, both globally and right here in North America,” said Peter Voorhoeve, president of Volvo Trucks North America. “We are excited to bring the Volvo VNR Electric to the market in just a few weeks.” Volvo announced ambitious plans for electric vehicles at its Capital Markets Day, also announcing a full range of electric heavy-duty trucks for the European market in 2021. It manufacturing and follows the recent employment of more than 120 people for the Kenworth DAF Bayswater Plant, and many more in Paccar’s supply chains, following the increase in production earlier this year,” said Andrew Hadjikakou, managing director, Paccar Australia. “Being a proud Australian manufacturer with a predominantly Australian supplier base means we are not suffering some of the constraints of overseas component supply. Australians are patriotic and are showing that supporting said it will begin selling trucks with hydrogen fuel cells in the second half of this decade, and plans to have a fossil-free product range by 2040. “By rapidly increasing the number of heavy-duty electric trucks, we want to help our customers and transport buyers to achieve their ambitious sustainability goals. We’re determined to continue driving our industry toward a sustainable future,” said Roger Alm, president of Volvo Trucks Corporation. Volvo Trucks North America credited its LIGHTS project, started in 2019 in Southern California, with validating the viability and reliability of the VNR Electric in real-world operations. “We are fully confident in bringing this new technology to the commercial market,” Voorhoeve said. Globally, Volvo plans at least 35 per cent of its vehicle sales will be Australian manufacturing is important to them. “The increase in production reflects the work carried out across the business in managing the restrictions and challenges we have faced this year, particularly in Victoria. “I am proud of the dedication and enthusiasm displayed by all Paccar Australia employees, our dealers and suppliers in ensuring we keep delivering world class Kenworth and DAF trucks while adhering to Government guidelines on social distancing and maintaining health electric, and at least 50per cent of group revenues will come from services. Volvo said electrified vehicles provide potential to increase the total vehicle and service revenues by more than 50 per cent over the lifecycle. “Medium-duty electric trucks for refuse and city distribution are already in serial production and we are pushing ahead with high speed in the commercialisation of heavyduty trucks for regional transport and construction applications. With a complete line-up we can offer our solutions to a broad range of customer segments when market conditions and the total cost of ownership move in favour of electrified solutions. We are doing this to create value for our customers, for society and for our owners,” said Volvo Group president

and CEO Martin Lundstedt. and safety standards. “As we go into our 50th year of manufacturing Australian-made Kenworth trucks, we also celebrate the assembling of DAF trucks in Australia, having more than doubled the number of DAFs being produced in the plant since 2018. The increase in production provides a positive outlook for the future growth of both brands in Australia,” said Andrew. “In preparation for this growth, the $40 million Bayswater site expansion is well underway and is on schedule for completion in 2021,” he said.