Selama beberapa dekad, Hino Motors telah melakukan yang terbaik untuk membentangkan kepada pelanggan korporat tentang trak bertaraf dunia yang mempunyai rangkaian yang berbeza-beza, serta menawarkan penggunaan yang boleh dipercayai, kemudahan beroperasi dan ketahanan trak dimana ia adalah elemen penting untuk pemilik trak.

Selepas bertahun-tahun memberikan komitmen yang berterusan dan berdedikasi demi kerjayaan dalam bidang teknologi dan pembangunan yang stabil, keluaran terbaru trak Hino 300 Hibrid

kini merupakan pilihan sedia ada yang dapat memberikan kesedaran kepada pelanggan korporat tentang alam sekitar. Keluaran terbaru itu mencerminkan satu komitmen yang kuat untuk pertumbuhan yang stabil dalam pasaran Hong Kong dan mempamerkan visi Hino Motors dalam menetapkan satu tarat baru untuk pemanduan yang cekap dan keselesaan didalam semua kemunculan terbaru Hino 300 Hibrid.

Satu majlis pelancaran besar- besaran untuk keluaran terbaru Hino 300 Hibrid telah diadakan pada 15 Januari 2014 dibilik pameran Hino di Lai Chi Kok (Hong Kong SAR), dengan kehadiran Encik Yoshio Shimo, Pegawai Pengurus Jualan Luar Negara & Pemasaran, Hino Motors Ltd dan Encik Masahiro Kumasaka, Ketua Jurutera Hino 300 daripada Hino Motors Ltd, mereka diterbangkan dari Jepun untuk menghadiri majlis ini.

Majlis tersebut dimulakan dengan kata-kata aluan daripada Encik Yoshio Shimo manakala Encik Masahiro Kumasaka membuat perbentangan produk. Susulan itu, Encik Patrick S Lee, Ketua Pegawai Eksekutif Inchape Utara Asia dan China, bersama-sama dengan Encik Ernest Wong, Pengurus Besar Bahagian Kenderaan Awam Hino &, Crown Motors Ltd merasmikan kejayaan keluaran terbaru Hino 300 Hibrid.

Kempen permakaian tali pinggang dan pemakaian topi keledar dengan betul dan kemas diadakan di Sekolah Kebangsaan (SK) Sri Putra, Bangi, Selangor.

Kempen tersebut dijalankan dengan kerjasama antara Jabatan Keselamatan Jalan Raya (JKJR) dan SK Sri Putra yang telah dipengerusikan oleh Yang Berusaha Encik Mohd. Rusdi bin Mohd Darus, Pengarah Bahagian Perlaksanaan Program dan Projek Jabatan Keselamatan Keselamatan Jalan Raya.

Menurut sumber Cawangan Penerangan Trafik, Polis Di Raja Malaysia (PDRM) Bukit Aman, Sebanyak 178 Kemalangan Jalan Raya yang membabitkan pelajar sekolah ketika di dalam perjalanan ke sekolah dan juga pulang dari sekolah. Manakala sebanyak 288 kes melibatkan para pelajar sekolah ketika di luar waktu sekolah.

Menuju ke arah itu, pihak JKJR telah memilih SK Sri Putra, Bangi sebagai salah satu sekolah untuk menjayakan kempen ceramah tersebut dan telah mendapat sokongan dari organisasi yang lain seperti Jabatan Pengangkutan Jalan (JPJ), PDRM, Institus Penyelidikan Keselamatan Jalan Raya Malaysia (MIROS), Agensi Anti Dadah Kebangsaan (ADDK) dan Jabatan Bomba dan Penyelamat. Kempen yang berlangsung ini mensasarkan para pelajar sekolah untuk memupuk kepekaan terhadap keselamatan jalan raya dari usia yang muda untuk dijadikan sebahagian dari gaya hidup.

“Program yang diadakan ini diharapkan dapat menarik perhatian semua terutama kepada anak-anak kita yang masih kecil. Kempen permakaian tali pinggang dan pemakaian topi keledar dengan betul dan kemas ini dapat memberi pengetahuan dan maklumat lengkap terhadap mereka yang masih kecil ini,” kata Yang Berusaha Encik Mohd. Rusdi bin Mohd Darus,
“Kami sebagai pihak sekolah akan menerapkan semangat kempen ini kepada murid-murid setiap hari melalui pembelajaran harian, semasa perhimpunan, dan kokurikulum. Selain itu, para guru juga perlu memainkan peranan masing-masing dalam menunjukan contoh yang baik seperti pemakaian tali pinggang dan pemakaian topi keledar dengan betul,” kata Pengetua SK Sri Putra.

JKJR telah mengaturkan beberapa program dalam usaha meningkatkan keselamatan jalan raya dimasa akan datang

Fajar bertemu dengan Nurfaezah bt Abdul Rahim, seorang ibu tunggal yang memandu sebuah trak tunda dan mempunyai bengkelnya sendiri. Asian Trucker menemui beliau untuk meninjau perjalanan kerjaya beliau di Ipoh.

Kisah kerjaya beliau menjadi lebih menarik apabila mengetahui status beliau adalah seorang ibu tunggal. Begitu teruja untuk mengetahui kerjaya wanita ini, kami bertemu di Ipoh. Tidak dinafikan begitu banyak halangan yang perlu diharungi sebelum beliau mampu berdiri teguh pada hari ini.

Permulaan beliau sebagai pemandu trak tunda, beliau menghadapi tentangan daripada pemandu trak tunda lelaki. Suatu mesyuarat diadakan dikalangan persatuan pemandu trak tunda yang keseluruhannya adalah lelaki. Mereka telah bersependapat bahawa wanita tidak boleh memandu trak tunda, ini adalah kerjaya lelaki sahaja. Kecewa dengan tentangan terhadap dirinya, beliau membuat keputusan untuk berhenti dari menjadi pemandu trak tunda, beliau nekad untuk membuat kemunculan semula. Hari ini, beliau telah berjaya mengusahakan bengkel sendiri selama sembilan tahun. Asian Trucker juga bertemu dengan kenalan Nurfaezah yang telah menjadi tulang belakang kejayaan beliau, memberikan sokongan dan bantuan untuk bekerja dan menerusakan minatnya.

Selain jadual kerja yang sibuk, wanita ini masih tahu bagaimana untuk menghabiskan masa yang berkualiti dengan keluarga dan anak perempuannya. Cerita eksklusif penuh akan diterbitkan dalam isu akan datang kami majalah Asian Trucker.

“Price is what you pay. Value is what you get.” - Warren Buffett

Building a succesful business is not easy, especially in the ultra-competative world of trucking. We are taking a look at reasons why a trucking company may fail so that you can avoid these pitfalls.

Lack of Planning
You have planned your business, you have your objective, vision, and mission but in the end, it is still not working out. You definitely have forgotten the word "research". Your research may not be sufficient to blend with your planning. Or your proposal is too thin. Another issue is that our references can be counted with fingers. Lack of planning will only save you money in the short term.

Poor Management
Miserable employees, a big ego, low productivity, resistance to change, and a one-way communication style are often signs of bad management skills. A strong team is what makes the business grow. In the trucking business, you need to have a smooth and firm management because this is one rough industry.

Low Cash-Flow
It is a combination of several factors such as not having enough customers or business, low-paying freight, high costs of operations, too many unpaid invoices and over-investment in capacity. Or allowing customers too much credit, overtrading and many more. Predictable changes in seasonal demand create cash flow problems too, but because they are expected, a business should be able to handle them.

No Collection Strategy
In the trucking business, you need to have a continuous strategy to remain profitable in the long term. Do not just settle down with an old or the same strategy all the time. Always inject some new and fresh ideas into the business. Mark down every update in the market to matche the needs well.

Low paying freights
This happens when you have no knowledge of market rates. Always check your profit/loss statements, cash-flow or income/expense statements to review whether your business is profitable. Make sure all of your investments are in balance and you are satisfied with the numbers that you get.

More key reason for business failures in our upcoming issue of Asian Trucker Magazine.

References

Eddie Gichuhi (TSC-Editor)

Jeremy C Bradley (Demand Media)

Jim Riley (tutor2u)

Since 2012, Kögel has been working alongside the Castrol Team Hahn Racing in the FIA European Truck Racing Championship – the highest European class in truck racing. This successful partnership has now been extended ahead of schedule by another season until the end of 2015. The European Championship team from Altensteig continues to put its faith in a turntable trailer as well as two swap bodies completely customised by the trailer manufacturer from Burtenbach to meet the needs of the team. Concluding the contract also signals continuity and reliability for both parties on the unsettled truck racing circuit.

The swap bodies and turntable trailers will help the team to deal with the logistics and representation tasks of the next two racing seasons in an optimum manner. One of the swap bodies is provided for the service team to use as a store for spare parts and it also houses a separate office and rest-room area for the European Champion Jochen Hahn. The second swap body serves as a transport and stores solution for the catering sector.

"Kögel is not only a strong partner for us as a racing team, but also for our fans," comments Jochen Hahn, reigning European Champion and driver of the Castrol Team Hahn Racing. "As a private team, we are particularly reliant on the commitment of companies like Kögel in the coming seasons, because only with support like this can the success of truck racing continue. Of course, we really don't want to have to be without all the amenities Kögel trailers provide us with."

"As far as we were concerned, it was not a question of whether we extend the contract with the Castrol Team Hahn Racing, but when", says Eva-Maria Pohl, Head of Marketing at Kögel. "We were pleased to extend the contract prematurely as requested by the team, as we value the relaxed and friendly, yet extremely professional cooperation in this partnership. In addition to that, the partnership offers perfect conditions for presenting our trailers to truck fans all across Europe in a suitable environment."

Another facility enhancement by Scania Malaysia to ensure that drivers get adequate rest while they send their vehicles in for maintenance was launched today.

Human assets are the most important asset in an organization. In the transportation industry, drivers are a key player in any company. This is the reason for Scania to launch a lounge for drivers today at Bukit Jelutong, Shah Alam.

The lounge is equipped with a television, comfortable chairs, tables, toilet and even a separate sleeping area complete with beds and soft lighting, and of course the air-conditioned lounge. It will be a temporary home away from home while the drivers wait for their vehicles to be ready when they bring them in for service. There is also an adjacent surau for Muslim drivers to perform their daily prayers.

“The Scania Driver Lounge provides them with a free, comfortable place to sleep, rest or just relax which is also very convenient for the owners who sending their vehicles to us,” said James Armstrong the Managing Director of Scania Southeast Asia and Scania Malaysia Sdn Bhd. He added that this is in line with Scania's approach of "Respect for the individual, which goes beyond caring for own employees, but extends to suppliers and customers as well as the actual users of the Scania trucks.

The Scania Driver Lounge was graced by the Guest of Hounour, Director-General of Jabatan Keselamatan Jalanraya (JKJR), Dato’ Dr Tam Weng Wah, together with His Excellency, the Ambassador of Sweden to Malaysia, Mr Bengt G Carlsson.
“This is a good example of leadership when we are talking about road safety. The enforcement can only be increased by the organization itself. The management needs to start its own initiative to implement the safety among the drivers. As we can see the effort made by Scania is for the drivers to be in a good condition and be able to perform well which such a brilliant step. A good driver not only is a good investment to a company but is also doing a lot for their company's image,” said Dato’ Dr Tam Weng Wah.

“Giving publicity for this kind of occasion is actually a must. With this kind of exposure, the public will know about the initiatives that have been carried out in order to improve safety on the roads. Somehow we need to clear the bad image or the bad perception towards all commercial vehicle drivers. MIROS has highlighted 80% of the drivers are tired due to long journeys, most probably after six hours of driving. By providing a comfortable bed and a place to have a shower, they will be less fatigued,” he added.

A refreshed driver, paired with a professionally maintained vehicles can also save up to 10per cent in fuel economy and be environmental-friendly. All these traits will only lead to better performance for both man and machine.

After the huge success of the first instalment, exhibitors and delegates can look forward to an even more exciting and bigger exhibition in 2015.

Encouraged by the overwhelming response to the exhibition in 2013, Asian Trucker has decided to host the next MIBTC in 2015. The event will take place in MIECC, The Mines, the same location as last year's exhibition. It will be a three day event from 14 - 16 May 2015.

Exhibitors and delegates can expect this event to be bigger and even more exciting. The Asian Trucker networking night will be back and currently the team is working on creative ideas to make the event more happening. Some 40 % more space will be offered and a new pricing structure will allow exhibitors will find a space that suits their needs and budget.

Some of the many positive comments received for MIBTC 2013 included these statements from industry leaders

“The inaugural MIBTC 2013 presented a good opportunity for fellow industry colleagues to come together under one roof and jointly elevate the status of the commercial vehicle industry. I am glad that our current customers, potential customers and other visitors had the chance to see what we all had to offer, especially from the European brands in the industry. For Scania, it was a great opportunity to showcase our continuous improvements in our products and service offerings. Thank you, Asian Trucker, for the job well done.” James Armstrong, Managing Director of Scania Southeast Asia and Scania Malaysia.

Contact: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. for more information or to book your exhibition space.

We get a whole new perception about marrying a trucker after meeting with this couple.

There is nothing to be worried about if you are marrying a trucker, given you and your partner both know how to play your own role. Salmah bt Johari 39, has been married to Jamil B Shahudin 47, for almost 19 years and they have three sons. They have some more good news as she is confirmed to be pregnant with their fourth child. But how does this relationship work when one partner is always on the road?

During their courting, Mrs Salmah told us that she was already aware of Mr Jamil’s job and the implications. “He worked as a driver since he was still a bachelor. We rarely met, only using the technology available back then to communicate, but I was comfortable with that,” said Mrs Salmah. She even added that she is not a very outgoing person and the same goes for Mr Jamil.

Mrs Salmah is not only taking care of the household, she also has her own job, working as operations manager in a logistic company. As both are working partners we must be wondering how they manage to find time to be spent together.

“Basically, from my point of view, being a wife, a mother and a working person, I can’t deny that I need to sacrifice more in a marriage. I have to handle the whole internal matter in the house which is my children and my mother (Mrs Salmah’s mother is living with her). But what makes things easier is when my husband knows what are his responsibilities and with his help, I don’t feel any burden,” said Mrs Salmah.

She will make sure that every Sunday is the family day as usually her husband is off duty on Sundays. On that day, all her siblings will gather at her house. Mr Jamil prefers to come home directly every time he finishes his work early as he does not like to hang around with his friends.

“Every marriage will have its ups and downs. The hardest time we have been through was when Jamil’s truck has to be in the workshop for a total of three months. Therefore, he had no salary for three months. That is the time when only my salary was available to cover everything. However, we managed to get through it,” she recalls the hard time.

She and her children have followed Jamil on one of his trip to Penang simply to show her children about their father’s work. One thing that they still practice after 19 years of marriage is communication. “Communication is always the crucial part in every relationship. My husband will call me every two hours even just to ask if I have taken my breakfast and we will spend a few minutes talking about anything before we go to sleep,” said Mrs Salmah.

At the end of our interview, she points out that it is nothing to do with who you choose to be your spouse as long as you try to understand each other, always compromise, respect and trust your partner.

Memperolehi manfaat serta menyumbang melalui penggunaan pengangkutan awam.

Idea penulisanartikelini terbentukselepas menghadiri SimposiumPengangkutan DaratAwamolehSPAD (Suruhjaya PengangkutanAwamDarat). Selain daripadafaedah yang diperolehioleh masyarakat,kita perlumelihatmanfaat yang dapat disumbangkan kepada industripengangkutan trak.

Jalan raya yang tidak sesak memberikan lebih banyak ruang. Justeru itu, jika setiap orang menggunakan pengangkutan awam, pemandu-pemandu trak akan lebih mudah untuk bergerak, mempunyai lebih ruang untuk menghentikan trak dan pemanduan akan lebih selamat dijalan raya.

Masa sentiasa mencemburui kita, dan masa amatlah penting bagi pemandu trak untuk mengejar jadual mereka yang padat dan tidak menentu. Dengan penggunaan pengakutan awam, anda bukan sahaja dapat menjimatkan masa anda, malah anda mampu membantu pemandu- pemandu trak ini untuk menjimatkan masa mereka bagi menghantar keperluan kita pada waktu yang telah dijanjikan.

Penggunaan pengangkutan awam juga merupakan salah satu cara untuk mengurangkan kemalangan jalan raya. Jika kemalangan jalan raya berkurangan, pemandu trak akan mempunyai perjalanan yang lebih lancar. Dari aspek insuran premium, bilangan kemalangan yang melibatkan trak juga boleh dikurangkan.

Selain itu, kesesakan lalu lintas boleh membawa kepada tekanan lalu membuatkan pemanduan menjadi kurang selesa. Ini adalah sesuatu yang tidak sihat kepada pemandu-pemandu trak yang perlu memandu sepanjang hari atau lebih. Tekanan boleh menjadi gangguan kepada pemanduan dan mampu menyebabkan kemalangan jalan raya.

Pencemaran udara dapat dikurangkan dan tidak mustahil untuk kita menghirup udara yang lebih segar . "70% daripada pencemaran udara di bandar-bandar Malaysia adalah disebabkan oleh asap-asap kenderaan yang boleh menjejaskan kesihatan penduduk bandar. Walau bagaimanapun pandangan anda, bergantung kepada kenderaan persendirian tetap akan menyebabkan pembaziran masa, kualiti udara dan menjejaskan kesihatan," kata YBhg Tan Sri Dato 'Seri Syed Hamid Albar, Pengerusi SPAD.

Mercedes-Benz Malaysia marked a significant milestone in its history, celebrating 30 years of talent development at its Apprentice Training Centre (ATC) located in Glenmarie, Shah Alam.

Using the ATC as a facility to develop its talent pool, Mercedes-Benz Malaysia has invested close to RM30 million in the centre over the last 10 years, since the establishment of the company in 2003. Annually, the ATC has set aside RM3 million for apprentice training. Graduates of the ATC become qualified technicians with an international level of expertise and eventually join the highly skilled workforce within Mercedes-Benz Malaysia’s nationwide dealer network.

Minister of Youth and Sports, YB Encik Khairy Jamaluddin, was the guest of honour at the 30th anniversary celebrations of Mercedes-Benz Malaysia’s Apprentice Training Centre.

“The ATC is an integral part of Mercedes-Benz Malaysia’s strategy to deliver the best possible service to our valued customers. The significant investment we have made over the last 30 years in developing our apprentices and workforce is a clear example of how seriously we take customer service,” said Mercedes-Benz Malaysia President and CEO, Roland Folger, who was on-site to mark the special occasion.

Directly responsible for the ATC, Mercedes-Benz Malaysia Sdn Bhd, Vice President, After Sales, Michael Moh, explained, “The ATC has grown tremendously since its establishment 30 years ago. Today, the training offered at the centre benefits not just the trainees, but also meets the needs of our business partners. Since 1984, we have trained more than 700 apprentices, many of whom are now serving our customers in dealerships across the country. In fact, we look forward to seeing our next batch of trainees graduate later this month.”

Offering core programmes in automotive mechatronics, the ATC’s curriculum comprises of 70 per cent practical and 30 per cent theory work, with an on-the-job training component. Every year the ATC handpicks 28 trainees from a nationwide pool following a Pre-Enrolment Assessment (PEA). Studying 48 subjects over a three year period, trainees are taught basic and advance automotive skills, followed by a specialisation in passenger or commercial vehicles in their final year.

The 55,000 sq ft facility is staffed by 15 dedicated trainers (seven of whom are fully in charge of apprentice training) and houses state-of-the-art training equipment, purpose-built classrooms and workshops that emulate real-life after-sales centres. In recognising the needs of its dealer network and automotive industry at large, ATC trainees also gain transferable soft skills in presentation, analysis, decision-making, systemic thinking, mentoring, self-discipline and teamwork.

“The automotive industry is very dynamic, and the ATC ensures Mercedes-Benz Malaysia keeps abreast with all the latest changes and developments in automotive technology. Modules are constantly evaluated and our trainers remain in-tuned with these advances. To maintain the quality of training, the ATC has a trainer-trainee ratio of one to 14. Developing a trainee’s skill and character are two important components of the ATC’s curriculum. Ultimately, each trainee not just becomes familiar with the vehicles, but also embodies the Mercedes-Benz principle of providing the highest level of service to our customers,” explained Moh.

In the pursuit of maintaining excellence in standards, ATC trainers are also regularly evaluated and participate in training programmes in Germany. Undergoing various stages of assessments, trainers are equipped with the latest training and skills to ensure effective transfer of knowledge that remains in line with Daimler’s goals and standards.

MIBTC 2015, the definitive exhibition for the commercial vehicle industry is back! Some 40 % bigger, more fringe events and integration of events for the Asian Trucker Drivers Club are just a few of the highlights we have in store for you. Many top tier manufacturerss have already booked their booth space.

The current early bird discount is valid until end of this month (31 May 2014). In order to make use of this discount, please contact This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. for your booking form.

The MITSUBISHI FUSO Snap & Win contest was held in 2013 to celebrate FUSO’s Canter’s 50th anniversary. Customers received the initiative well and the contest gathered a positive response with 128 entries. For the snap & win category, only 12 entries were selected for final selection and only 8 are selected as winners.

In addition, participants could enter a slogan. Here five entries were selected and only one was selected as the winner. The final winners are selected by a panel of judges which are based upon these criteria:

Snap & Win Photo
1. Creativity
2. Artistic Composition
3. Originality

Best slogan
1. Concept / Message
2. Sentence Structure
3. Originality

And the winners are:

The new invention to generate safety and comfort for passengers, reduced downtime and cost for operators has been launched in Malaysia.

Once again, Michelin stands as one of the market leaders by introducing the latest innovation to the Asian market. The Michelin X COACH ENERGY Z is specially designed for coach applications. It features Michelin's technology that improves safety, comfort and resistance to road hazard-damage and from damage due to the thermal effects of long-haul operations generated when continuously driving for extended periods.

The tyre is also designed to help coach operators lower operating cost through better fuel efficiency, thanks to its innovative energy saving casing design, without compromising tyre life and durability.

“Michelin X COACH ENERGY Z is able to achive all of this with fuel savings, reduced downtime and high tyre mileage. This combined performance from Michelin X COACH ENERGY Z is evidence of the Michelin Total Performance and this ensures that our customers, and their passengers are very satisfied when using and riding on Michelin tyres,” said Beltran Yturriaga, Managing Director of Michelin Malaysia Sdn Bhd.

Michelin X COACH ENERGY Z performs with three key features that are safety, long lasting usage and fuel efficiency.

Safety
20% improvement in resistance to crown impact compared to the previous model. This translates into 20 per cent less tyre failure and related down time or even at the extreme accidents due to mishaps from crown area impact and failure.

Long Lasting Usage
20% increase in casing durability due to reinforcement in bead and crown areas resulting to higher ratio of retreadability of Michelin X COACH ENERGY Z casing and better casing value for operators. This is helping them to reduce costs and have a more environmentally friendly business operation.

Fuel Efficiency
New casing and tread design which lowers rolling resistance to improve fuel efficiency by up to 10% compared to a standard radial tyre. Reducing rolling resistance is another key performance characteristic of Michelin tyres which allows users to save fuel and reduce the environment impact of their vehicles and operations.
According to Yturriaga, coach tyres currently represents nine per cent of total tyres in the Radial Truck and Bus tyre segment in Malaysia and Michelin was looking to grow its equity significantly in the coach segment especially with the safety and durability of the Michelin X COACH ENERGY Z tyres.