Showing posts with label truckinglife. Show all posts
Showing posts with label truckinglife. Show all posts

Friday, 13 September 2024

Volvo FH 750hp Truck Delivered to Wardens Cartage in South Africa | Colin on Cars

Volvo FH 750hp Truck Delivered to Wardens Cartage in South Africa | Colin on Cars

Volvo Trucks has marked a significant milestone recently with the delivery of South Africa’s very first Volvo FH 750hp Version 6 XXL cab to its long-standing customer, Wardens Cartage. The handover of the truck, a Euro 5 6X4 tractor unit, was held at a special VIP ceremony at the renowned World of Volvo in Gothenburg, Sweden.


Wardens Cartage, a Volvo Trucks customer for 20 years, received the vehicle, which comes equipped with full air suspension and Volvo's latest-generation Globetrotter XXL cab. The truck’s 16-litre engine delivers 551 kW, designed to handle heavy-duty loads across challenging terrains, ensuring both productivity and safety on the road.



Anders Friberg, Director of New Truck Sales at Volvo Trucks South Africa, highlighted the importance of the model: “The Volvo FH16 is our most powerful truck, built to tackle the toughest jobs where extra horsepower and torque are essential. Its D16 engine and enhanced driver comfort features are perfectly aligned with the demands of our customers, ensuring high levels of productivity and safety.”


Wardens Cartage, a specialist in the transportation of petroleum and petrochemical products, has been providing vital logistics services for 47 years. The company’s transport network spans not only across South Africa but also into neighbouring countries including Botswana, Namibia, Zimbabwe, Zambia and even as far as the Democratic Republic of Congo. Their fleet carries a range of essential products such as aviation fuel, oils, lubricants and food-grade items.


Commenting on the handover, Per Erik Lindström, Senior Vice President of Volvo Trucks International, expressed pride in the partnership: “It is an honour to present this new-generation truck to Wardens Cartage. As one of our most loyal customers, this event signifies an important moment for both of us, as we bring this advanced model to South African shores. We believe that success starts with the driver, and we wish Wardens many safe and productive miles ahead.”



Pragasen Govender, General Manager at Wardens Cartage, shared his thoughts on the momentous occasion: “It’s a proud day for our company to take delivery of this remarkable vehicle in Gothenburg, the home of Volvo Trucks. We have consistently chosen Volvo for its reliability, exceptional service, and focus on driver and fleet safety. This latest addition will undoubtedly enhance our operations and enable us to continue growing our business.”


https://bit.ly/47srSnF

Monday, 17 October 2022

Colin-on-Cars - Diamond sparkle for Merc trucks

Colin-on-Cars - Diamond sparkle for Merc trucks

Diamonds may be a girl’s best friend but the sparkly gems also represent significant achievement and Daimler Truck Southern Africa (DTSA) is celebrating its Diamond Jubilee as a manufacturer in South Africa.

As part of the celebration it has unveiled 60 Fuso Canter FE7-136 special edition models for the local market.



Michael Dietz, President & CEO Daimler Truck Southern Africa says “I am proud to say this year has been nothing short of amazing for us as DTSA. We kick-started our diamond anniversary celebrations on a high note and, now what better way to culminate it than to introduce the Fuso Canter FE7-136 60th edition range, a product we proudly deem kingpin within our Fuso brand.

“The future of our plant lies in our continuous endeavour to produce ground-breaking trucks and buses, our highly skilled people and motivated by one single vision – to fulfil the evolving business needs of our customers”.

Michael Dietz

The Fuso Canter FE7-136 is one of the most popular and top performers in the Fuso stable, and it is for this reason it is the first-line flagship model to celebrate the milestone.

On the exterior, the new trucks feature red stripes that represent the Fuso brand’s colours, while the interior sees seatbelt pads branded with a red Fuso logo. In addition to this, the open plan floor for easy cabin movement has also been enhanced with floor-branded mats on both ends.

The 3 908 cc engine remains unchanged, offering 100 kW and 370 Nm and is both economical and dependable. Engine access for service requirements is quick and easy with a forward-tilting cab on all models.

Interior enhancements include a fully adjustable driver’s seat and a front passenger bench seat with integral headrests and easy-clean dashboard. In addition, there is a fully rake and reach adjustable steering column.

Safety is at the forefront of the cab design, featuring the Fuso Canter RISE (Realized Impact Safety Evolution) impact system, where all crash protection aspects have been addressed. The cab floor has been strengthened, the steering column is collapsible and the doors feature a cross-doorframe protection bar.

In addition, the dashboard features an impact-absorbing frame and is manufactured from shatter-resistant materials.


https://bit.ly/3yIGWxC

Friday, 26 August 2022

Colin-on-Cars: Silver status for FAW Trucks

Colin-on-Cars: Silver status for FAW Trucks

The Silver status awarded to FAW Trucks following the recent announcement of the results of the National Automobile Dealers Association (NADA) Dealer Satisfaction Index (DSI) shows clearly growing confidence by the dealer body in the products and service emanating from the company.

“This is a milestone achievement for our company and we are extremely proud of the results and of our entire dealer network,” says Yongjun Li, CEO of FAW Trucks South Africa. “From being given a Bronze award last year to Silver this year also means we are hearing what our dealers are saying about the working relationship we have – and we are taking steps to resolve any issues.”

L-R - Allan Wang – Director of Sales and Marketing FAW Trucks SA, Pieter Janse Van Rensburg – General Manager - Dealer Network FAW Trucks SA, Mr Li Yongjun – CEO of FAW Trucks SA

The Commercial Vehicle survey was first added to the NADA DSI in 2008. Since then, the highest overall average score of 78% was recorded in 2018. Due to the Covid-19 pandemic, the 2020 survey was suspended and resumed in 2021. The 2022 overall Commercial score has improved from 75,4 in 2021 to 77,2 in 2022, the second highest score achieved since the inception of this study.

Monitor

“The NADA DSI survey, now in its 26th year, is carried out annually to monitor the health of the relationship between dealers and their respective manufacturers. It provides the dealer body with a platform to provide manufacturers and importers with robust feedback.

“Over the years, the outcomes of the survey have been used by dealer councils and manufacturers as an effective management tool to address areas of concern and improve service delivery throughout the entire value chain to the ultimate benefit of consumers,” says Mark Dommisse, Chairperson of NADA.

Cater

“The reason for our continued growth and success in South Africa is that we cater for virtually every need,” explains Li. “With a host of different engine capacities, payload allowances and body options on offer, businesses big and small can rely on our products to get the job done.”

All FAW Trucks products are covered by a comprehensive warranty at industry standards, ensuring customers have complete peace of mind in their purchases. The FAW warranty provides customers with the assurance that FAW Vehicle Manufacturers South Africa stands behind its claim of quality manufacturing.

Service

FAW Trucks has a large parts warehouse at its premises in Spartan, from where it supplies the three  main regions in Gauteng, Durban and Cape Town. In addition, service dealers are fully equipped, with highly trained technicians on hand for complete servicing and repairs required for all models from the renowned Chinese manufacturer.

“FAW is a major player in the trucking business. Since the 1990s, we have partnered with other major manufacturers, ensuring we put our customers first. Our production and logistics networks aim for sustainable growth,” says Pieter Janse Van Rensburg – General Manager: Dealer Network FAW Trucks SA. “Thus, our trucks are not isolated in design and manufacturing expertise and, neither is our service network.”

Range

FAW Trucks recently further expanded its comprehensive range with the introduction of the new JH6 33.420FT 6x4 truck tractor, further widening the scope of choices for customers. This going hand-in-hand with the launch of an online booking system for services.

“Since first entering the South African market 28 years ago, we have gone from strength to strength, providing local buyers with products of high quality that are not only well suited to local conditions, but also boast high levels of safety, convenience and comfort. We have managed to combine this with competitive pricing, low running costs and continuously improving aftersales service – this all made easier by the fact we are a South African manufacturer,” says Li.

“I wish to extend my thanks to our dealers and assure them we both value their feedback and are determined to keep doing better.”


https://bit.ly/3pM9DVp

Thursday, 11 August 2022

Colin-on-Cars - Paying attention

Colin-on-Cars - Paying attention

FAW Trucks prides itself on paying attention to what its customers require.

“FAW SA is committed to offering vehicles engineered, developed and rigorously tested to meet the harsh operating conditions in Africa,” says Yongjun Li, CEO of FAW Trucks SA.

To make this a reality the company has embarked on a structured launch programme in recent months with the most recent being the introduction of the JH6 33.420FT, the younger brother of the JH6 28.500FT.



JH6 33.420FT

The newly designed and engineered JH6 33.420FT has a high-roof forward tilt cab with seating for the driver and a passenger. It includes a double sleeper cab with air-conditioning, a radio with USB and an air suspension seat for the driver with multi-dimensional adjustment ability. This completely new cab design has a wind resistance factor of 0,54.

The new and improved look of the interior layout includes a multi-function steering wheel and enhanced dashboard features for better driver control along with central locking and power windows.

Water-cooled

The 11 040 cc Euro 2 specification six-cylinder inline engine is water-cooled, turbo-charged and has an intercooler, producing 312 kW at 1 900 r/min and 1 900 Nm of torque from 1 200 r/min.

The Bosch brand manual injection pump is specifically made for African applications, while the gear shifting booster makes driving feel like a car, removing much of the stress, especially on long-haul journeys – as does the  Superior Engine brake of 190 kW.

American brand Con-Met wheel hubs are fitted, allowing 500 000 km of maintenance-free driving.

The 12-speed manual synchromesh gearbox is matched to a set of ratios specifically designed to provide optimum performance and fuel efficiency, irrespective of whether it is operating in rural areas or on the open road.

Leaf Springs

It features a forged steel I-Section beam front axle coupled to a full floating single reduction rear axle with inter-axle, inter-wheel and differential locks. Semi-elliptical leaf springs with double-acting shock absorbers comprise the front suspension, while the rear has semi-elliptical leaf springs with auxiliary springs.

Stopping power comes from the dual circuit, full air brakes with ABS.

“All the products we introduce locally are carefully considered with Africa roads and driving in mind,” explains Li.

“This goes hand-in-hand with ensuring those products will provide the best possible total cost of ownership experience for the operator through the entire life cycle of the truck. Couple that with the outstanding commitment to service from all of our dealers and the value package we are offering is unbeatable.”

JH6 28.500FT

The JH6 28.500FT is the largest of the truck tractors from FAW Trucks South Africa and has consistently proven that, when it comes to long-hauling, it is virtually unbeatable.

Functional

“In our experience, customers in this segment of the market seek truck tractors that are functional and reliable, but also affordable to run and maintain. In addition, they need to offer comfortable and well-equipped cabins, must be easy to operate, provide adequate performance to get the job done and be fuel efficient,” says Li. “The JH6 28.500FT ticks all these boxes and more and this translates into increased profits for their owners.”

It is fitted with the manufacturer’s renowned 6DM3 13-litre six-cylinder common-rail turbo-charged and intercooled diesel powerplant. This engine develops 370 kW of power at 1 800 r/min and 2 300 Nm of peak torque at 1 400 r/min. It has two fuel tanks of 450  litres each.

Mated to the never-say-die engine of the JH6 28.500FT is a ZF 12-speed TraXon AMT transmission, with parabolic spring suspension front and rear to address vehicle weight requirements.

A full air dual circuit WABCO braking system with ABS enhances the JH6 28.500FT safety features.

Cabin

Befitting its long-hauler status, much focus was placed on ensuring that the cabin of the JH6 28.500FT is as comfortable as possible for the driver and passenger. To this end, it features a full floating extended-roof sleeper cab with an innovative flat floor, which optimises interior space. Standard features such as air-conditioning, a radio with a USB port and suspension seating eliminate unnecessary driver fatigue.

“The versatility and practicality of the JH6 28.500FT are two of its main selling points and as a result, some of our clients utilise it for very interesting purposes,” explains Li.

FAW Trucks recognises that in a challenging economic environment where transport and logistics operators seek to expand the scope of their fleets in order to capitalise on all available opportunities, overall lifetime costs of vehicles are crucial. Thanks to the relatively low initial capital outlay, together with the build quality and the extensively proven reduction in downtime, FAW Trucks provides owners of JH6 28.500FT units with unparalleled value.

Its efficiency on the road was put to the test – and proven – in a recent local multi-truck test where it returned one of the best fuel consumption results of all competing brands.



JK6 15.220FL

This 8-ton 4x2 Freight Carrier has a 6 060 cm3 water-cooled six-cylinder engine that is both turbo-charged and intercooled, providing 165 kW at 2 500 r/min and 770 Nm of torque at 1 500 r/min with a Euro III emissions rating.

It drives through an 8-speed manual synchromesh gearbox.

Comfort

The forward tilt cab has seating for the driver plus two passengers and is a semi-sleeper with comfort features including air-conditioning, driver’s suspension seat and power windows.

The chassis is a riveted Straight Ladder type with parabolic leaf springs with double-acting shock absorbers with stabiliser bar up front and parabolic leaf springs at the rear. The front axle comprises a forged steel I-section beam, while the full floating single reduction gearing on the rear axle has a ratio of 4.875:1.

It has a single 200-litre fuel tank.

“All models in the current range of FAW Trucks sold in South Africa represent the strength, reliability, affordability and ease of operation that the brand and its products are renowned for,” says Li.

8.140FL-AT

Responding to strong demand for a value-for-money automatic offering in the medium-weight segment of the commercial vehicle market FAW Trucks has introduced the 8.140FL-AT.

The 8.140FL-AT has a body and payload allowance of six tonnes, making it the ideal partner for businesses and fleet owners who require a vehicle of smaller dimensions, but with the same durability and ruggedness of its larger brethren. It provides seating for a driver and two passengers and features a spacious and ergonomically designed cab, while air-conditioning and a radio with MP3 and USB functionality are standard.

Automatic

It is fitted with a Euro 3 Cummins ISF 3,8-litre engine, an Allison 1000 six-speed automatic transmission and a full air dual circuit WABCO braking system with ABS.

Key features of the engine include exceptional performance, low operating costs, low weight, low noise and low emissions capabilities. Advanced thermal engineering has made it capable of running at higher operating temperatures, while at the same time reducing the size and cost of the vehicle’s cooling package.

The modular architecture of the engine allows for easy access and single-side servicing, reducing operating costs. A waste-gated turbocharger provides excellent performance across the whole r/min range, as well as good response through higher low-end torque.

Torque is a healthy 450 Nm between 1 200 r/min and 2 200 r/min, while a solid output of 105 kW is on tap at 2 600 r/min.

The 8.140FL-AT features a six-speed fully automatic Allison 1000 transmission with a hydraulic torque converter. It also has dual overdrives, with the second overdrive ratio being rather high. This allows for low engine speeds at cruising revs and, ultimately, enables significantly reduced fuel consumption.

Endurance

The locally built chassis passes through a special paint station to enhance its dust and dirt endurance and longevity – a unique South African addition.

The suspension is of the straight ladder-type with semi-elliptical leaf springs, together with front double acting shock absorbers and rear auxiliary springs.

The axles, graded for a permissible three tonnes in front and six tonnes at the back, provide ample carrying capacity.

The 8.140FL-AT is available from FAW Trucks dealers in a number of body derivatives including a drop-side, a taut-liner option, a van body, a tipper, a roll-back and a dry-freight insulated body. Customers can also choose to purchase the chassis cab and fit their own truck bodies to suit their specific needs.

New 6.130FL-MT 

This 3,5-ton 4x2 Freight Carrier is the smallest commercial vehicle on offer from FAW Trucks and has a body and payload allowance of 4.7 tonnes.

It has the distinction of having the lowest cost-per-tonne running costs on the local market and boasts a Cummins ISF 2,8-litre common-rail diesel engine, a fully synchromeshed WLY six-speed manual transmission and parabolic spring suspension for enhanced stability and comfort. Additional standard features include air-conditioning and a radio with MP3 and USB functionality.

“The reason for our continued growth and success in South Africa is that we cater for virtually every need,” explains Li. “With a host of different engine capacities, payload allowances and body options on offer, businesses big and small can rely on our products to get the job done.”

Warranty and customer service

“At FAW Trucks customer service is, and always will be key. We go the extra mile to look after our customers and to make sure that we offer them the best deals possible,” explains Paul Lastrucci, National Aftersales Manager “When our trucks leave the showroom floor after a sale, clients can expect long-term, dedicated services and 24/7 support, ensuring their investment gives them the returns expected of modern trucks.”

https://bit.ly/3Ae3asf

Friday, 20 May 2022

Colin-on-Cars - New I-Link auto shifter for Volvo Trucks

Colin-on-Cars - New I-Link auto shifter for Volvo Trucks

Quicker response with shift speed increased by up to 30% is the basis of the faster I-Shift gearbox Volvo Trucks South Africa will be introducing locally next year.

The significant drivability improvement, which has been added to drivelines at all emission levels, is achieved by the new way in which the I-Shift gearbox interacts with the engine.

The update includes faster clutch activation that results in a shorter torque interruption. It also makes the gear shifting smoother, for a more harmonious driving experience.



Faster gear shifting makes it possible to optimise the gear selection more efficiently.

Improvements

"And the more shifting events that the road and terrain require, the more the improvements will be experienced by the driver. With up to 30% faster gear changing now possible using I-Shift, drivers will certainly experience a very positive difference,” says Eric Parry, senior manager of sustainability at Volvo Trucks South Africa.

The high-speed shifting is achieved based on several key improvements.

Sensors

First, updated sensors now provide data with higher accuracy to the control unit, which features new software and a faster microprocessor, for much quicker calculation times. Second, an added disc in the gearbox brake makes it react faster before a gear shift, so it can be done earlier.

Volvo I-Shift gearbox

Finally, the air volume has also been reduced in different actuation systems, for example, the shift forks, the clutch, and the gearbox brake, to further enable a faster gear shift.

Evidence

These latest advances to gain 30% faster gear changes are further evidence of Volvo Trucks’ continuous improvement actions to provide better all-around driveability.

“With all the improvements and new variants over the years, I-Shift has had an outstanding ability to solve more and more advanced tasks in efficient ways. This means not only delivering high performance and fuel efficiency but also outstanding driveability and comfort for the drivers,” added Parry.

Today, all extra heavy Volvo trucks are built with I-Shift as standard. Since its introduction, more than 1-million trucks have been sold globally with I-Shift technology.


https://bit.ly/3MwF6Ve