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

Shortage of auto parts after the earthquake and tsunami

The devastating earthquake and the ferocious tsunami have really hit Japan hard.  The Japanese industry in general incurred huge losses. The Japanese automobile industry has been hit like never before with many of the car factories damaged severely.  The backlog of orders grew manifold because all the major car and truck makers had to cut their production by half.  With the peak selling season going on, the major Japanese automobile brands are still facing shortage of car and truck parts and accessories.

The new Honda Civic, Toyota Prius hybrid, and 4Runner SUV which were supposed to dominate the peak selling season are nowhere to be found.  Recently, Toyota and Honda informed their dealers that full production at all their manufacturing plants would start in September.  This is a good two months ahead of the original schedule.  This news has been welcomed by all the dealers.  Industry sources estimate that large car makers like Infiniti, Nissan, Honda, Lexus and Toyota have lost a whopping 200,000 car sales in the United States, since the earthquake struck in March.  The financial loss is estimated at $6 billion.

Japanese car manufacturers have devised an aggressive sales strategy in order to cover the huge losses incurred.  Attractive incentives are also being offered to boost the sales campaign.  Japanese automakers fear that they may not be able to reclaim the lost share.  This is mainly because the consumers have a wide range of options available while buying a car.  The once famous brand loyalty by the consumers has greatly reduced and the consumer tastes also varies from time to time.

For the next two months, the prices of Japanese branded cars are expected to be high and the supplies are likely to be very tight.  The prices of used cars are also at an all time high making it very difficult for the consumer to choose.  With very few new branded cars hitting the market, the demand for used cars is going to increase and the prices of used cars are definitely going to stay high.  Even the availability of used cars and trucks is at an all time low.

Many dealers feel that the situation could get worse, if the new cars become fewer.  This would prompt the Japanese car brand dealers to sell only expensive used cars and service work to compensate for their losses due to a dip in new car sales.

The dealers may not receive their optimum allocation of cars until November, even if the production begins in September.  The dealers are optimistic that Toyota and Honda would aggressively launch their sales campaign to make up for lost sales by offering plenty of incentives and deals.  The sales in the fourth quarter are expected to be much stronger along with the incentives offered.  The high price of used cars is also expected to drive the consumers to buy new cars.

Toyota is a little more optimistic and upbeat about its recovery than Nissan or Honda.  By next month, Toyota expects its North American Production to reach eighty percent of its original capacity.  The month of August is expected to be tough. But, both the car makers and dealers are optimistic that sales would definitely start improving from the fourth quarter.

Tags: japanese auto parts

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.

Tags: ud trucks australia

Japanese Automakers Start Checking Radiation Levels on Vehicles

If the natural calamities were not enough to cause disturbance and havoc in the lives of the people of Japan, the Japanese industry has also been badly hit. The Japanese car manufacturing industry is one of the leading sectors in Japan which also greatly contributes to the economy. But, the Japanese car industry has also been hit with severe problems and never before has the booming car industry of Japan faced so many problems.

The Japanese car industry has been facing a severe shortage of auto parts due to problems in supply chain management. The furious tsunami has caused great damage to the nuclear plants along the coastal areas of Japan resulting in radiation leaks which have also crossed the danger limit in many areas. As you already know, the Japanese car giants export their cars to plenty of countries around the world. Owing to this, plenty of international car buyers who buy Japanese brand of cars have expressed great fear and concern about the Japanese cars containing harmful radioactive substances.

To remove all these fears expressed by the international customers, the Japanese car industry on its part has been carrying out strict checks on its cars to detect any kind of radioactive substances. Not only are the tires of the cars being checked, but even the interiors of the cars are being thoroughly checked. And the good news is not even a single car with radioactive trace has been found. Most of the top car manufacturing giants in Japan are carrying out strict tests.

It has been unanimously agreed by the entire car manufacturing companies of Japan that these tests to check the radiation levels must continue till the problem of nuclear reactors is fully solved. You would be happy to note that in spite of all the radiation fears the sales of Japanese cars in the foreign countries have not dropped. Leading car manufacturing giant Nissan has decided to thoroughly check and screen all the auto parts before shipping their cars to Taiwan.

In order to ascertain that the cars are radiation free and have been properly screened, all the checked cars will sport stickers on the lower side of the right corner. These stickers can be posted only on those cars which have cleared the radiation test. Apart from Nissan, even the other car manufacturing companies are carrying out similar radiation checks on their cars. For every five thousand cars manufactured, ten cars are thoroughly checked for radiation. These checks have become necessary so that Japan can export its cars to all other countries which will definitely help its car industry. At the same time, even the consumers in the importing countries will be happy and relieved to buy Japanese cars.

Tags: japanese trucks radiation

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

Tags: ud trucks earthquake japan