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. (more…)

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. (more…)

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. (more…)

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 (more…)

UD Trucks launch new models of Condor and Quon in Australia

UD Trucks Corporation has recently launched their fresh series at the Brisbane Truck Show in Australia. The company known for its continual service of producing reliable and rugged trucks constantly upgrades itself to suit the changing need of their customers.  They have now done a complete facelift for their heavy duty range models Quon along with the all new range of Condor medium duty models for the Australian market.  With the amount of renovations done to accord with the regulations of Euro 5 emissions, the Australian heavy duty truck seems to have got even better.  By fulfilling the JPLT 05 stringent emissions standard, the Quon maintains its position as the greenest and cleanest heavy duty truck in Australia.

For co-relating the global models names with the new Australian range, the company has assembled the PK and MK medium duty trucks under the banner name of Condor, while GW, CW, and GK heavy duty trucks offered by UD Trucks will be under the banner of Quon.

John Busshel, President of the UD Truck Region Oceania delivers that with a constantly upgraded performance, their company has carved a niche for themselves. UD’s new range is a big endeavour which not only pays attention to the performance of the trucks but also to the driver’s safety and exhaust emission. The adoption of the technology of ECO Fleet emission technology has helped UD Trucks to emerge as leaders in their place as a segment of the Volvo Group. The World Wide Fund for Nature’s Climate Savers Program first joined by the Volvo Group assures to give us a reduction in emissions of carbon nearly by 2014.

From the safety point of view the inclusion of SRS drivers’ safety side airbags and FUPS are customary in all the trucks. There are many other added features as well like the navigation system and integrated audio for entertainment. The fitting of three external cameras can also further improve safety giving the driver a complete 360 degree round view. The interior of the trucks have also been given a thorough transformation from the new CVG driver’s seat, providing ample support for head, more leg room, adjustable seat, lumbar control, seat cushions and mechanical height.

UD Trucks Japan, the pioneer innovators of SCR technology has added another important feature namely the new seven litres, six cylinders, ECO Fleet intercooled and turbocharged diesel engine.

With the strategy integrating provision for Euro 6 power plants, the series of the new Condor framework is expected to serve at least until 2020. For an additional peace of mind, Electronic Brake System (EBS), Anti Slip Regulation (ASR) and Anti-Lock Brakes (ABS) have also been added.

Post-quake Effects on UD Trucks Manufacturing Operations in Japan

On March 11, 2011, a powerful earthquake of 8.9 magnitude had struck Japan, followed by a devastating tsunami and continuous aftershocks.  The earthquake and the tsunami led to thousands of people being dead or missing, disrupted transportation and communication networks, and triggered power outages across north-east Japan.  Major auto manufacturers in the country, including UD Trucks, which is owned by Volvo, the Swedish truck manufacturer, were also drastically affected.

Truck Tossed by Earthquake at Sendai Port, Japan

For the last few days, there have been increasing concerns about the badly affected nuclear reactors in northeastern Japan.  As a result, the Japanese truck manufacturer – UD Trucks have decided to stop production at all of its facilities and offices till Monday, March 21.

UD Trucks’ main Ageo facility located in the Saitama prefecture, just 200 kms from the affected Fukushima nuclear plant, has been damaged by the recent calamities.  The R&D building has been shut down and will remain closed throughout the week.  So far, the Japanese authorities have not asked for the evacuation of the Ageo area.  But Volvo is carefully monitoring the situation.

UD Trucks has set up a special risk management team in Ageo for assessing the nuclear power plant damage.  The team will collect and then analyze information to enable the UD Trucks management to take necessary safety measures as quickly as possible.

Volvo also announced that UD Trucks will be donating around 100 million yen (about $1.27 million), including goods like trucks, to help support relief and recovery efforts for the people and areas affected by the recent disaster.  Japan represents around 7%-8% of the turnover of the Volvo Group, the world’s second largest truck manufacturer.

At present, Volvo has suspended production and advised all its 9,500 or so employees to stay at home until any further notice.  Though severe damage has been caused to four workshops and dealers in the badly affected Sendai region, all Volvo employees have been accounted for and those at UD Trucks dealers appear to be unharmed.  Staff at the sales office, and those involved with back office operations and parts supply returned to work on Thursday, March 17, with some employees starting recovery activities.  No production work however will resume this week.

The UD Trucks management is concerned that organized power cuts within the Tokyo area might also affect production activities.  Deliveries from UD Trucks’ suppliers being uncertain for the near future, teams from the company will work together with its suppliers to determine their status.  As per the latest press release from UD Trucks,  production at UD Trucks’ facilities in the Tokyo area are likely to resume on a limited scale from March 28, 2011.

Technorati Tags: Japan, UD Trucks, Japanese truck

UD Trucks targeting South African Markets

UD Trucks Southern Africa is gearing up for significant growth in the truck market in Africa in the following three years.  UD Trucks, under its former name Nissan Diesel, has enjoyed substantial success in South Africa since it was established there in 1962, rising to the position of the brand’s principal market outside Japan.  The company has in the last few decades built for itself an excellent reputation as a dependable truck supplier, offering unmatched flexibility and the full support of the UD Trucks Corporation in Japan.  The truck manufacturer is now mainly focusing on selling more trucks in the African markets of Nigeria and Angola.

After getting a hold on the sub-Saharan market last year, UD Trucks decided to cover the major transport routes across the African continent, initially concentrating on two countries, namely, Nigeria and Angola, that together represented a new truck market of around 15,300 units per year.

According to a company spokesperson, achieving a sound position in the Angolan and Nigerian markets would mean “significant numbers” with respect to new unit sales for UD Trucks.

Newly appointed distributors are engaged in opening service dealerships in different parts of Nigeria and Angola, focusing on sales mainly in the cities.  Also, as part of its strategy to capture the market share of existing players, UD Truck’s now plans to launch and support seven models in Nigeria, and twelve models in Angola. UD Trucks Southern Africa currently offers vehicles that are engineered, manufactured and subjected to rigorous testing for withstanding the harsh African operating conditions; that is another reason why UD trucks are so popular in South Africa.

To put an end to the way African truck operators would often have to wait for up to three months for truck parts, a new parts warehouse in Dubai and South Africa will be used to meet the needs in Africa and thus improve support service.

At present, UD Trucks already has dealers in Angola, Lesotho, Botswana, Malawi, Madagascar, Mauritius, Mozambique, Nigeria, Namibia, Swaziland,  Seychelles, Zambia and Zimbabwe, and is checking out other opportunities for expansion in the region.

UD Trucks is of the opinion that the truck market in Southern African could grow by around 14.38% this year, reaching around 28,187 units.  The year 2010 had seen a 16.3% increase in sales figures over those for 2009.  The good performance of the South African truck market last year, despite most of the global truck markets continuing to experience severe strain, indicates that the local economy of South African countries was once again surging ahead after a damaging recession.

In 2011, UD Trucks now expects that the medium commercial vehicle market will grow by around 6% to 7%, the heavy truck market by 15% to 17%, and the market for extra-heavy commercial vehicles by 22%.

UD Trucks Gets a Logo Makeover

In February 2010, the name Nissan Diesel Trucks Co. was officially changed to UD Trucks Corporation.  And now, to signify the complete integration of the company into the multinational AB Volvo group, and re-establish the brand in its new avatar, a brand new global logo was launched early this year.  The earlier familiar ‘UD Trucks’ logo in red and white has now been replaced with a gleaming red and chrome one.   The newly launched logo will be utilized for branding at all levels and will be used for trucks and dealerships as well as for all types of marketing materials and activities.

AB Volvo had gained majority ownership of one of Japan’s top selling brands, UD Trucks Corporation Japan, back in March 2007.  The change in logo in 2011 marks the completion of the re-branding program initiated last year.

2011 will be an exciting period for UD Trucks.  The Japanese truck maker is all set to add a clutch of new models to its range, some of them with vital new products incorporated.  The company claims it is also going to introduce some of the most eco-friendly trucks in the international market.

The new logo presents a striking visual change to customers of UD Trucks, but the company is sure that its brand will continue to stay true to its age old promise of offering ultimate dependability.

Origin of the name UD Trucks

Interestingly, most people believe the name ‘UD’ which has been used as a company trade mark since long, stands for ‘Ultimate Dependability’.  Well, contrary to popular belief, UD was actually an acronym for ‘Uniflow-Scavenging Diesel Engine’, a revolutionary supercharged unit that was introduced in 1955 and has provided UD Trucks with their driving force for decades.  As time passed, instead of using the acronym UD to refer to the engine, people began to use it as the name of the company itself!

Currently, UD Trucks are all assembled and manufactured in Japan and then exported to countries in Asia, Africa, the Middle East, Australia, North America, and also South and  Central America.  The present UD Trucks model line-up comprises a range of heavy and medium duty products.  Of these, the flagship GW model is the top selling Japanese prime mover since the last five years.

We also export used and new UD trucks made in Japan to countries in Asia, Africa, South America, Australia and the Middle East.  If you are looking for new or used UD trucks, please feel free to get in touch with your requirements.

Technorati Tags: UD Trucks, Japanese truck, Japan

Volvo, the truck company, who has top brands such UD Trucks, Renault Trucks, Volvo Trucks, and Mack Trucks – has become the first auto maker in the world to join the WWF (World Wide Fund for Nature) Climate Savers program.  Through this partnership with WWF, the Volvo Group of truck companies will undertake significant reduction in carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions from their trucks manufactured through 2014.

This agreement between WWF and Volvo Group will be applicable for the Volvo Group’s truck companies UD Trucks, Renault Trucks, Volvo Trucks, and Mack Trucks.  The undertaking states that:

• > Volvo will cut down the amount of lifetime CO2 emissions by trucks marketed and manufactured from 2009 to 2014 by 13,000,000 tons, when compared to models manufactured in 2008. Volvo will achieve this goal by introducing cutting-edge technologies for improving fuel efficiency.  The amount of CO2 emissions to be reduced is almost the same as the total amount of CO2 emissions in Sweden in a period of three months.
• > The Volvo Group will also undertake reduction of CO2 emissions from its manufacturing plants by 12% (0.5 million tons) before 2014, when compared with 2008.
• > Volvo will introduce trucks in the commercial truck market that will be powered by renewable fuel/gas before 2014.
• > Volvo will develop a prototype truck which would have 20% lower fuel consumption compared to equivalent 2008 model.

Autonomous technical experts appointed by WWF will oversee and monitor the progress of the Volvo Group to ensure that it adheres to the agreement. (more…)

Nissan UD Trucks Corporation (previously known as Nissan Diesel Motor Co. Ltd.) has introduced a new model of heavy duty truck to its Condor series trucks – the 8 ton Condor PK.  The new Condor truck  model has an 8-ton load capacity and is JP09 compliant.  JP09 is currently the world’s stringent emission standard introduced in 2009 by Japan’s New Long Term Emission Regulation.  The JP09 stresses on reduction of nitrogen oxide and particulate matter of 65 percent and 64 percent respectively in comparison with the former regulation – JP05.

New Nissan UD Condor PK Truck

The Nissan Condor PK has undergone a complete model change.  The cab design is new and has shades of the Quon heavy-duty truck from the same family in both looks and features of an 8-ton vehicle.  This truck is powered by the new GH7 engine that has been specially developed to provide the best in environmental performance and in fuel economy.  This latest Condor from UD Trucks is leading the world in its unique system of Urea Selective Catalytic Reduction (SCR) – a new edition of low-pollution device.

Both the Volvo Group and UD Trucks have striven to harness their collective synergy into the manufacturing of a medium-duty truck.  On the basis of Volvo Group’s technology called CAST (Common Architecture Shared Technology), the entire process of development is to harmonize with the other companies of the Volvo Group.  Hailed as the “global truck”, it is expected to be on display in the showrooms in Japan by mid-2010 and in the US at the year-end 2010.  The Ageo Plant of UD Trucks will produce both – the domestic and the export models.

In a line of commercial vehicles of medium duty, the new 7 Ton and 9 Ton Class trucks from the Condor PK series are the obvious choices of Japanese truck customers, mainly because these trucks are ranked high in terms of comfort, reliability and economy and have a very low fuel consumption.

Technorati Tags: Nissan UD Trucks, Nissan Diesel, Condor truck, JP09, Nissan Condor PK