UD Trucks target Heavy Truck Market in Thailand

UD Trucks, the Japanese truck manufacturer is aiming for a market share of minimum 15% within the heavy-duty truck sector in Thailand. This was the position of UD Trucks three years back also when UD Trucks had nearly vanished from the market. The Volvo Group in Thailand has allotted 4 billion Thai Bath with a purpose to build up the UD Trucks brand in the domestic markets.

The heavy duty truck market in Thailand has a great potential for growth. UD Trucks has seen a 28% increase in sales in its first quarter of 2012 in the heavy truck segment in Thailand market. The final quarter of year 2011 has recorded sales of 12,000 which is a remarkable 7% increase compared to the year 2010. The Volvo Trucks had shared nearly 5% of the market. UD Trucks hopes that there will be a demand for at least 12,000 heavy duty truck sales looking at the projected economic growth in 2012.

The UD Trucks will be rejuvenating the UD Trucks Brand by strengthening its distribution channels in the local markets. UD Trucks also plans to increase its number of dealerships nationwide from 5 to 17. It will mainly concentrate on after-sales services of its Volvo brand.

Nissan Diesel Trucks established its presence in Thailand in 1987. Nissan Diesel Thailand had completely stopped building and distributing the UD Trucks in the Thai market following the legal actions against AB Volvo, Sweden from Hong Kong listed Tan Chong group.

UD Trucks supports V8 Supercar Series team

UD Trucks has a strong history of supporting Australian motorsport dating back to the early 1990’s.  In those days, the company supplied the prime movers for the Gibson Motorsport squad and their awesome Nissan GT-Rs.  This year, UD Trucks have strengthened the company’s ties with the V8 Supercar paddock, throwing their support behind an expanded four car line up in Australian motorsport’s top two tiers.

The UD Trucks have emblazoned their logo on the rear quarter panels of the four sports cars.   will certainly give the brand an inconceivable amount of exposure to a huge audience, both locally and globally.

UD Trucks offered the greenest and cleanest heavy duty truck in Australia to Bundaberg Racing Team and Toll Holden Racing Team in 2011. UD Trucks has also enjoyed its previous motorsport involvement with TeamVodafone in V8 Supercars, the Sandown 500 and the Clipsal 500. It also enjoyed its involvement with Possum Bourne Motorsport in the Australian Rally Championship. UD Trucks is also a proud sponsor of the St Kilda Football Club in the AFL. The St Kilda Football Club was a part of the famed Grand Final tie and subsequent rematch.

Tags: v8 supercar australian motorsport

UD Trucks launches new Quon in South Africa

UD Trucks Southern Africa (UDTSA) recently launched a new Quon range of trucks in the South African market. UD Trucks hopes that the new launch will increase the company’s share of the extra-heavy commercial vehicle (EHCV) market to more than 12% in the short term. The company expects to expand the market share to 15 to 16% in the long term. UDTSA’s market share in the EHCV market was 9.4% in 2011, down from 13.1% in 2008. UDTSA is responsible for UD Trucks’ exports into 12 countries in sub-Saharan Africa, in both right- and left-hand drive variants.

As per an analysis by UD Trucks, UDTSA has seen its share of the fast-growing EHCV market shrink over the last few years as the previous Quon range proved not “quite right” for the local market. One of the product weaknesses was that the Japanese brand could not offer the increasingly popular automated manual transmission as an option to customers.

The South African EHCV market has grown from 6,432 units, in 2009, to more than 11,500 units, in 2011. UDTSA anticipates this section of the truck market to reach 12,932 units in 2012 – a forecasted growth of 10.96%.

The new Quon will be UDTSA’s premium product, and will be available in 14 variants in Southern Africa Customs Union markets, and in 61 variants in other African markets. The range will also now top out at 490 hp, and no longer 460 hp. The market is trending to the heavy-duty category of trucks, and UD Trucks sees a big demand in that segment. From 2009 to 2011, 12,775 trucks were sold in South Africa in the heavy duty category of 420 hp and upwards.

Tags: ud trucks south africa

How Truck Suspensions Work?

When you think of performance of a truck, you usually just think of torque, horsepower and speedy acceleration. You forget that all power generated by your piston engine is pointless if you cannot control your truck. Truck suspension is actually something that most people have heard of but know very little about. Here you can learn the basics of Truck Suspension.

Functions of Truck Suspensions

The function of your truck’s suspension is to increase the friction between the tires and road surface, to offer steering stability and fine handling so as to guarantee that the travelers are comfortable. Suspensions come with two key functions: first, to support the truck’s weight, and second, to soak up the inconsistencies of the roads as well as terrain changes.

If the road was completely flat, without any irregularities, suspensions would not be essential. But the roads aren’t flat and even newly created highways possess slight imperfections which may interfere with the wheels of your truck. It is these imperfections which exert forces on the wheels. To protect your vehicle from damage that may be caused due to these forces, suspension is a prerequisite in any truck.

Truck Suspension System, the Basics

The truck’s suspension system usually comprises of sway bars, springs and dampers. The suspension springs support the truck’s weight on the four-corners. The main strength of a truck’s suspension is from the springs used. Springs even help suspend the vehicle frame in a number of driving conditions, like braking, acceleration, cornering, abrupt terrain changes or changes in payload capacity.

Tags: truck suspensions

How safe are Truck Batteries?

Have you ever given a thought on which is the safest way to dispose your truck battery once it gets old? Many truck owners rarely think about the battery till it stops to start up the engine. You need to be careful while handling the truck battery for disposal. When you are dealing with the truck batteries, there are several safety measures you need to know. Failing to adhere to such safe practices may lead to severe injury or even death.

Recycling may be the best method to dispose the truck batteries because there are several components in the truck battery which may be recycled. There are many advantages of the proper disposal of truck batteries in the process of recycling. There are lots of metals that make truck batteries which may be reused. These metals may be used to produce additional batteries. The same is the case for the plastics which are retrieved from remade batteries as they can be employed yet again to create other products.

Auto and Truck Battery Safety

There are some basic auto and truck battery safety measures which will help you to be safe while transporting batteries for recycling or employing it for Jump Starting. Basically, the truck batteries contain sulfuric acid and lead plates. There are many hazards which can be caused if you do not handle the truck battery properly.

Tags: truck battery safety

Truck Market Outlook in South Africa – 2011 and 2012

South Africa is one of the countries where Japanese trucks are very popular and in high demand.  About 25,700 trucks are expected to sell in the South African truck market by the end of the  year 2011, compared to 22,021 units sold last year.  The sales could have been far better; however some Japanese car part manufacturing companies were greatly affected by the earthquake and tsunami causing supply disruptions which greatly affected the truck manufacturing business.  UD Trucks also skipped a few days of production due to supply shortages, however, they soon resumed the production and are back in the market.

UD Trucks in South African Truck Market

In the 2012, UD Trucks is predicting sales close to 29,000 units in South African market, if the debt issue in the US does not become a major problem and if the negative impacts from the European financial debt crisis stay minimal.  Another possible hindrance is the exchange rate.  It is more so because the strengthening the yen and weakening the rand might raise truck prices even more in the coming year.

UD Trucks in South Africa expects to finish the year 2011 at 3,600 units, upward from 3,200 units in the year 2010 – thus capturing a market share of about 12.5%. The coming year will also witness UDTSA launch many new vehicles.  UD Trucks hopes to achieve sales of 4 200 units in South Africa in 2012.

UD Trucks in South Africa is also planning to launch a replacement for extra-heavy Quon range vehicles. This Quon range of vehicles was launched in the year 2008. UD Trucks is also planning to introduce UD brand oil that is targeted particularly at the motor vehicles within the manufacturer’s stable in the South African market.  This is evident as they have already unveiled the product launches they have been planning for the coming year.  Their product launches also include launch of a new value truck range, specifically meant for the African market.  These will position in between the low cost range of vehicles and premium segment vehicles. The size of the combined African markets which UDTSA are aiming at is roughly 31,000 units in a single year.

Tags: south african truck market

UD Trucks’ Exhibits at the 42nd Tokyo Motor Show 2011

UD Trucks Corporation which was formerly known by the name Nissan Diesel Motor Co., Ltd will display 3 vehicles (2 heavy duty trucks & a medium-duty truck) in the 2011, 42nd Tokyo Motor Show which is scheduled to take place at Tokyo International Exhibition Center in the beginning of December.

UD Trucks will exhibit 3 trucks and 4 engines by the theme “This is UD Trucks” in this Show.  This will display UD Truck’s continuous efforts to strengthen relationships and improvise technologies and also their “Ultimate Dependability” which happens to be the company’s motto.  It will also depict their devotion to providing trusted services and products from the customers’ viewpoint based on a complete understanding and knowledge of customers’ needs and operations.

The following vehicles from UD Trucks will be exhibited at the 42nd Tokyo Motor Show 2011.

1. Medium-duty truck: Condor MK (Wing) Condor

Condor MK (Wing) is the latest truck for the Japan market in the medium duty category from UD Trucks.  It underwent a complete model transformation 4 months ago and even adopted a brand new design for the cab that has a feel similar to heavy-duty Quon truck. Significant attributes of this vehicle are

• It is powered by a GH5 Engine (215 hp, 5 litres in total emission).It also has the urea SCR System “FLENDS” in order to minimize PM and NOx
• It has a notably improved cabin space to ensure a broad direct field of view and to improve comfort.
• It is armed with a multifunctional display which automatically transmits data regarding vehicle status, fuel efficient driving and travel conditions.
• It also has the Idling Stop System (ISS) to further help fuel saving driving.
• It has also adopted the Easy Hill Start (EHS) to simplify driving on hills.

2. Heavy-duty truck for domestic market: Quon (Wing)

This Quon series of trucks is the latest for the Japanese market in the heavy-duty category from UD Trucks.  Quon (Wing) is identifiable with low emissions

Tags: ud trucks tokyo motor show

Winter Driving Tips for Truck Drivers

The chilling weather and dropping temperatures is announcing the arrival of winter. Truck driving can be dangerous in winter season, even for the experienced truck drivers. Also, your tough rigid truck may not be able to withstand the freeze.  There are some preventive measures you can take to protect your vehicle from the frost.  These few tips will help your vehicle work efficiently and fruitfully even in bad weather condition.  It is always a good habit to stay prepared and these tips are sure to help you.

Precautions for Truck Battery

Your pickup truck battery’s lead plates should always be covered by water. The levels should never go below desired levels. If it goes, add distilled water. Water addition leads to dilution of electrolyte solution. Hence, make sure to recharge your battery later. Always ensure that battery terminals and cables are tight and clean. Yet be cautious because battery failure is not a predictable phenomenon.

Safety Measures for Truck Tires

You need to ensure your tire’s intactness and certain measures will help you take proper care of the tires. Inspect the tires for wear.  They should always have good tread. Tires have a prescribed pressure which needs to be maintained.  Check the tire pressure and maintain it as suggested by the manufacturer.  If you are going to drive through snow regularly, switch to snow tires. Also, you should always keep the condition of roads in mind.  If the roads are bad then you may have to switch over to either studded snow tires or maybe snow chains. However, make sure you don’t use these on dry roads as these can damage dry roads.

Change Engine Oil

Oil changes are essential for your vehicle.  Refer the owner’s manual to know the desired viscosity of engine oils during winter and maintain it as asked.

Measures related to Anti-freeze

Anti-freeze is an important protection measure for lower temperatures. Generally water and antifreeze are mixed in a 50-50 proportion and this helps to keep your vehicle safe upto minus 20 degrees.  If your surrounding temperature goes below zero, remove a small amount of the mix from the radiator and in place of it add straight antifreeze.  Do occasionally check protection level and redo these corrective measures.  In hot weather, excess of antifreeze can cause cooling problems.  Hence, it is essential to monitor the antifreeze levels in different weather conditions.

Tags: winter driving tips

Vladivostok becoming a manufacturing base for Japanese autos

The Russian government has started encouraging foreign car manufacturers to form alliances with local auto companies in order to boost the development of its own manufacturing industry, and at the same time reduce the country’s dependence on natural resources.  This strategy is expected to also lead to the development of Russia’s Siberian and Far Eastern regions.

Japanese Used Cars at Vladivostok Port

As a result, Vladivostok, which has long been a thriving market for used Japanese vehicles, is now about to get transformed into a manufacturing center for new Japanese cars and trucks.  Recently, Nikkei, Japanese business daily reported that Toyota will soon become the first Japanese auto-maker to assemble automobiles in Russia’s Far Eastern regions. Toyota, Mitsui & Co – the Japanese trading house, and Russian car manufacturer Sollers are going to launch joint automobile production in 2012 in the far eastern city of Vladivostok.

Toyota will be providing auto-parts and production technology for this joint venture expected to build around 30,000 Toyota-brand vehicles, mainly saloons and off-road vehicles including the Land Cruiser Prado, each year. To begin with, the companies will be operating the production facilities of Sollers.

Another Japanese car-maker, Mazda Motor Corp., is also planning to commence vehicle production in Russia’s Far East. Isuzu Motors Ltd., that already has a joint venture factory with the Russian company Sollers in western Russia that manufactures small trucks, will be relocating the facility to Vladivostok. This factory will manufacture 5,000 units each year from 2012.

The Russian government will be reducing tariffs and the fares on the Trans-Siberian Railway once Japanese companies begin transporting vehicles to Moscow and different cities in the western regions of Russia.

In order to avail of such preferential treatment, however, besides automobile assembly, local factories will also have to introduce detailed processes in their manufacturing activities, such as welding and painting, within around 18 to 30 months after commencing operations. In addition, the factories will have to use more locally manufactured parts. A major problem will be finding local suppliers of high quality products.

According to Sergey Udalov, executive director of the Russian auto market research agency – Autostat, foreign vehicles are built using advanced technologies, and therefore, the government should provide additional help to domestic manufacturers.

Currently, most of the vehicles on the roads are used, right-hand drive, Japanese vehicles.

Tags: japanese autos russia

UD Trucks Japan to supply engines for Volvo Trucks

Volvo has had a successful run as a manufacturer of heavy trucks.  But globally, it has never managed to reach the position of its chief commercial vehicle industry rival, Daimler, in the medium duty truck segment, that is, the 6 to 26 tons category.  Even after the Renault range came under Volvo’s control in 2001, the group’s FL, FE, and Midlum chassis are not selling as much as Mercedes-Benz’s Atego, or Iveco’s Stralis and EuroCargo models.

Engines built at UD Trucks, Japan plants

So now, Volvo Trucks’ management has a new strategy for boosting the sales of the FL and FE chassis that are built at the group’s Belgium plant.  Currently, the six-cylinder 7.2-liter diesel engine that powers all the FL/FE chassis and the heavier Midlum models, as well as its four-cylinder 4.8-liter stablemate that powers the lightest Midlums, are both outsourced from Deutz, the German engine manufacturer.  But now these medium duty truck engines will be manufactured at UD Trucks’ Ageo engine plant in Japan.  UD, formerly known as Nissan Diesel, is fully owned by Volvo since 2007.

Production of the new four- and six-cylinder mid-range diesels, having a capacity of 1.17 liters / cylinder and named GH5 and GH7, began in July.  The engines are said to have a “newly-developed common-rail fuel system”.  Volvo has not yet revealed too many technical details, but it is believed that a high specific output, or “power density”, can be expected, as the GH5 will be developing around 212hp.

Both engines will first be used in Japanese-built UD truck as well as bus models, and are expected to be introduced in the European market some months later.  Besides powering 6 to 26 ton Renault and Volvo truck chassis, the new power units will also be used for lighter-duty buses and coaches.  The smaller GH5 engine will replace the present four-cylinder Deutz-built diesel engine in Volvo’s B5L parallel hybrid double-deck bus model.

Considered from a marketing point of view, Volvo’s strategy will prove beneficial for the company.  Even though the change from outsourced to in-house engines for middleweight Renault and Volvo trucks will initially incur considerable R&D cost, it will eventually help the group to compete better on price.  But besides the cost advantage that will result from the switch, there will be one more monetary benefit.  The profit from the sales of middleweight Renaults and Volvos which are currently shared effectively with Deutz will go entirely to the Volvo group in the future.

Tags: UD Trucks Engines