Six New Investments in the Truck and Trucking Industry Come On-stream

There are new trucks on the way, new truck dealerships, new EWDs, new partnerships, new rules and new investment in braking, as six new investments in the truck and trucking industry come on-stream.

S-Way pre-launch testing

The first Iveco S-Way vehicles in Australia are undergoing a comprehensive local testing and validation program, ahead of the model’s launch here in the fourth quarter.

As a part of the local validation program, the trucks have been running in single and B-double trailer combinations, as well as in rigid setup, and have covering several hundred thousand kilometres fully loaded and in real-world operating conditions, including during summer temperatures.

Iveco is also evaluating collective load measurement and undertaking a full cooling system evaluation and localisation program, to ensure the models are ready to perform in Australian conditions. The focus is on driveline performance, plus a series of suspension and braking tests and evaluation the model’s GPS predictive drive capabilities.

Industry Feedback Needed

The NHVR has released a Livestock Mass, Dimension and Loading Arrangements discussion paper which provides the first stage of its review of state-based heavy vehicle livestock loading arrangements.

The livestock industry is subject to a variety of national, state and territory transport and non-transport laws, including laws around fatigue, vehicle standards, vehicle speed limits and licensing, in addition to animal welfare.

The discussion paper provides an opportunity for industry, government and other interested stakeholders to provide their feedback on current livestock arrangements and what options are available for reforming livestock transport access.

New Queensland Daimler Dealership

Daimler Truck Australia Pacific and Velocity Vehicle Group have officially opened its new Daimler Trucks Brisbane dealership. It was constructed at a cost of more than $35 million and will sell and support Mercedes-Benz Trucks, Freightliner and Fuso brands.

Velocity Vehicle Group’s new dealership is a 9500 square metre facility located on a parcel of land on the Ipswich Motor Way, Darra, with a 36 bay workshop, two 29 metre B-Double pits, a shaker and roller tester, three wash bays, three Express Assessment bays and an external hardstand for 126 trucks.

It is the first all-new dealership constructed by Velocity Vehicle Group, which joined the Daimler Truck network in 2021.

“The new facility has already provided greater opportunities to service our customers with more bays and expanded parts storage and we feel fortunate with the timing as our old location was under underwater earlier in the year,” said Richard Higgins, Velocity Vehicle Group Australia Executive Vice President.

Extension of EWD Availability

Electronic Work Diaries (EWDs) are now available on more devices with the National Heavy Vehicle Regulator approving the first ‘device agnostic’ EWD from Hubfleet EWD, and approving Smart eDriver by Step Global for use on specific Apple devices.

“We have approved the Hubfleet EWD software for use on any mobile electronic device, so long as that device meets a range of minimum specifications and outputs. Smart eDriver 2.0 by Step Global can also be used on the Apple iPhone 8 and the 6th Generation Apple iPad,” said Andreas Blahous, NHVR’s Fatigue Specialist. “In the past 18 months seven EWD providers have had EWDs approved by the NHVR, ready to be sold commercially and utilised legally by heavy vehicle drivers in place of Written Work Diaries.”

NTI Assist SEA Electric

The strategic partnership between Australia’s leading specialist insurer NTI and Australian EV truck manufacturer SEA Electric has strengthened, with NTI’s Truck Assist Roadside assistance service complemented by the company managing a 24/7 call centre for the OEM, while also offering insurance options for operators in the EV space.

“By manufacturing the world’s first true range of electric trucks in Melbourne, and supporting them via an extensive nationwide sales and service network, SEA Electric has normalised the process for companies to convert to all-electric fleets,” said Bill Gillespie, SEA Electric President, Asia Pacific Region.

SAF-Holland To Buy Brake Specialist

SAF-Holland has announced a public cash offer to Haldex’s shareholders, which values the company at Haldex at approximately $453 million. SAF-HOLLAND has stated that the Offer Price is the best and final, and it will not be increased.

The offer represents a premium of 46.5 per cent on the current share price. SAF-Holland has already acquired 14.1 per cent of the outstanding shares in Haldex of which 9.2 per cent of the outstanding shares have been acquired from Knorr-Bremse.