Linglong announced plans to invest USD 700 million in the new plant which would be able to produce 12 million passenger car tyres, two million truck and bus radial tyres as well as 200 000 truck and bus retreads at full capacity. The plant will cover an area of 6.5 million square feet and is expected to break ground this year and opened in phases up till 2025.

The company is currently the 17th largest tyre manufacturer in the world, based on revenue of USD 2.32 billion in 2018.According to its 2020-30 strategicplans, it expects sales to grow to 160 million units, or USD 11.5 billion, thus propelling it to join the ranks of the top five tyre manufacturers in the world. By 2025, the company expects its sales to be split 50/50 between domestic and overseas markets.

The company has revised its original growth strategy of “5 domestic plants + 3 overseas plants” to “6+6″—six plants in China and six internationally by 2030. The Changchun Automobile Economic & Technological Development Zone in which Linglong’s new plant will be located is home to several leading automakers such as FAW-Volkswagen and FAW Jiefang.

The plant is scheduled to open in phases:
Phase One: 1.2 million truck and bus tyres
Phase Two: 400,000 truck and bus tyres and 6 million passenger car tyres
Phase Three: 400,000 truck and bus tyres, 6 million passenger car tyres and 200,000 retread truck and bus tyres

Baru-baru ini, Isuzu Malaysia Sdn Bhd telah menganjurkan sebuah majlis penyerahan sempena dengan pemerolehan trak-trak Isuzu ELF Tugas Ringan oleh Rompin Enterprise Transport Sdn Bhd. Trak-trak tersebut telah diperoleh melalui Ultra Gallant Sdn Bhd, sebuah syarikat pengedar sah Isuzu Malaysia yang berpusat di Seremban, Negeri Sembilan.

Rompin Enterprise Transport Sdn Bhd merupakan pengedar sah Silinder Gas Petroleum Cecair (LPG) Petronas. Syarikat ini telah ditubuhkan pada tahun 2001 di Bahau oleh Pengarah Urusannya iaitu Dato’ Chew Kam Tu, dan kini telah berkembang dengan pesat melalui pelbagai usaha niaga di lokasi-lokasi baharu sekitar Seremban dan Nilai.

Majlis penyerahan ini, yang dianjurkan sempena sambutan Hari Kebangsaan, telah diadakan di ibu pejabat Rompin Enterprise Transport Sdn Bhd yang terletak di Seremban.

Sewaktu majlis dijalankan, Isuzu Malaysia telah menyerahkan tiga unit trak Isuzu ELF Tugas Ringan kepada Rompin Enterprise Transport Sdn Bhd. Unit-unit baharu ini merupakan penambahan terkini kepada flit kenderaan komersial yang sedia ada, dan penggunaannya dikhaskan untuk kerja-kerja pengedaran dan penghantaran silinder LPG Petronas di sekitar Negeri Sembilan.

Majlis penyerahan ini telah dihadiri Atsunori Murata, selaku Ketua Pegawai Operasi, Isuzu Malaysia Sdn Bhd. Murata telah berkesempatan untuk menyampaikan penghargaannya kepada Rompin Enterprise Transport Sdn Bhd dan juga LPG Petronas Dagangan Berhad, di atas kepercayaan yang telah ditunjukkan, selain menjadikan trak-trak Isuzu sebagai pilihan utama dalam usaha mereka untuk mengukuhkan lagi keperluan operasi dan pengedaran. Murata percaya bahawa pemerolehan ini dapat memastikan pengurusan lojistik syarikat tersebut bertambah teguh, seiring dengan keadaan ekonomi tempatan yang kian pulih.

Seterusnya, sebagai tanda memperingati majlis yang istimewa ini, Murata telah menghadiahkan replika kunci dan sebuah Trak Miniatur Isuzu kepada Dato’ Chew Kam Tu, Pengarah Urusan, Rompin Enterprise Transport Sdn Bhd. Majlis tersebut turut dihadiri Pramela A/P Vallinayagan, Pengurus Besar, LPG Petronas Dagangan Berhad.

Sempena sambutan Hari Kebangsaan, selain daripada majlis penyerahan Isuzu, Rompin Enterprise Transport Sdn Bhd telah berpeluang merasmikan laman sesawang rasmi syarikatnya, laman Facebook dan 

After five years of intense development, a total of 12 million hours of passionate work by the 2100 people directly involved in the project, the pride of more than 36000 MAN employees worldwide, MAN Truck & Bus presented to the world its new truck generation in the Spanish port city of Bilbao. The new truck comes almost 20 years after the presentation of the MAN TGA.

Dr Frederik Zohm, Chief Research and Development Officer at MAN Truck & Bus SE shared at the launch how MAN substantially and sustainably incorporated feedback from transport companies and drivers into the new series during the development process. He also shared impressive details such as the engineers programming 2.8 million lines of software code for the new central computer and the fact that to date the trucks have endured over four million test kilometres on the road.

The creation of a new truck has a long way to go before it is ready for production. Test drivers at MAN play a key role in the development process. These drivers test the functionality of each and every component and subject the vehicle to extreme conditions. Over 100 test drivers and test engineers have covered nearly five million kilometres with 60 test vehicles to ensure the new truck meets all customer requirements. An example of the tests includes the emergency break assist to bring the 40 ton beast to a standstill in the event of an emergency.

The team conducts tests on each individual feature during a trial, in different test scenarios. While the test site in Munich offers the opportunity to test the vehicle in the early prototype stage, tests on public roads help to simulate the customers’ working conditions. The test drivers demand the most from the new TGX during summer and winter tests.

The team were also involved in the development of turn assist, which finally closes a central truck safety gap; the blind spot. The system should only warn the driver if a pedestrian or cyclist is within the blind spot, but not if it involves static objects, such as an advertising column. Correct calibration of the radar sensors was the decisive factor. When the system was operational, it was then tested in real world situations to ensure zero margin for error.

Mansang Logistics Sdn Bhd telah memecahkan rekod dengan menjadi syarikat pertama dalam beberapa kategori setelah menerima Scania ‘New Truck Generation’ P250B4X2NZ XT jenis ‘rigid' bersama kontena penyejuk di cawangan baharu Jualan dan Servis Scania Malaysia, Kuching. Trak ini merupakan Scania ‘New Truck Generation’ yang pertama, XT yang pertama dan jenis ‘rigid’ yang pertama, di Sarawak.

Penyerahan kunci telah dilaksanakan oleh wakil Scania Asia Tenggara, Phang Yee Fong, ‘Regional Manager for East Coast & East Malaysia’, kepada Henry Tiong, Pengarah Mansang Logistics.

"Model trak ini sesuai untuk operasi dalam dan luar bandar serta telah terbukti untuk
penggunaan dalam pembinaan dan bermacam jenis keadaan," terang Yee Fong. "Trak
ini direka untuk perniagaan yang penting, iaitu pelanggan kami. Trak ini memiliki
tempat duduk pemandu yang ergonomik, kabin premium yang mudah diakses dan
enjin yang jimat minyak serta berkuasa tinggi.” 

Scania ‘New Truck Generation’ XT dibina khas untuk ketahanan terhadap persekitaran yang mencabar, menjamin ‘uptime’ dan meningkatkan produktiviti, dengan bahagian dalaman serta luaran yang lebih kukuh dan teguh. Trak ini juga dilengkapi dengan bampar keluli, perisai pelindungan dan peranti penarik untuk mengatasi semua rintangan dengan ‘uptime’ yang maksimum.

Semua Scania ‘New Truck Generation’ direkabentuk dengan kepakaran dan kejuruteraan terbaik untuk memberikan pemilik trak kecekapan bahan api dan pengurangan pelepasan karbon dioksida kerana ianya dilengkapi dengan 'powertrain’ yang maju serta aerodinamik untuk memberikan ekonomi bahan bakar sebanyak 3%.

Kabinnya juga sangat istimewa. Mempunyai kerusi boleh laras rapat dengan pintu, papan pemuka ergonomik dan cermin depan diperluaskan untuk memudahkan
pemandu beroperasi dalam persekitaran yang selesa dan selamat. 

Scania ‘New Truck Generation’ XT adalah lebih besar dan lebih andal. Ini akan dapat mengukuhkan kedudukan Mansang Logistics sebagai operator trak luar bandar yang
utama untuk menghantar barangan dan bekalan ke sekitar 140 lokasi yang sukar dijangkau termasuk Kapit, Belaga, Marudi dan Long Lama di Sarawak setiap hari.

"Ciri-ciri Scania ‘New Truck Generation’ XT telah banyak dipertingkatkan daripada generasi yang lama membuatkan trak ini lebih mesra pengguna, lebih selesa dan yang
paling penting memberikan penglihatan yang lebih jelas dari semua segi," komen Alex. 

Mansang Logistics juga telah menandatangani kontrak ‘Inclusive Repair dan Maintenance’ (R&M) untuk memudahkan operasi mereka. Mansang Logistics juga mendapat faedah dengan kos yang diramal atas keseluruhan kitaran hidup Scania XT daripada penyelesaian pembiayaan fleksibel yang disediakan melalui Scania Credit Malaysia.

Mansang Logistics telah menjadi operator trak yang pertama di Sarawak untuk menandatangani perjanjian Scania Ecolution. Majlis yang dimeterai diantara Scania Malaysia yang diwakili oleh Pengurus Kawasan Pantai Timur dan Malaysia Timur, Scania Asia Tenggara, Phang Yee Fong, dan Mansang Logistics Sdn Bhd yang diwakili oleh Lim Kee San, Ketua Pengurusan Pelanggan. Ini merupakan satu langkah yang semula jadi kerana pengurangan jejak karbon serta penjagaan alam sekitar adalah sebahagian dari teras utama bagi Mansang Logistics.

Pengarah Urusan Mansang Logistics, Alex Lai Sian Ann memahami impak dan tanggungjawab syarikat beliau ke atas alam sekitar terutama sekali apabila teras perniagaan mereka bertumpu pada pengangkutan jarak jauh. Memandangkan
kebanyakan pengangkutan yang digunakan syarikat beliau akan bergerak beribu-ribu kilometer ke kawasan luar bandar setiap hari, maka tidak menghairankan apabila mereka ingin menandatangani perjanjian Scania Ecolution sebagai langkah
mengurangkan penggunaan bahan api dan secara langsung dapat mengurangkan jejak karbon mereka juga. Scania Ecolution adalah perjanjian tentang cara kerja yang dihasilkan khas di antara Scania dan para pelanggan. Fokus utama cara kerja ini adalah untuk mengurangkan penggunaan bahan api yang mana dapat mengurangkan pelepasan karbon dioksida ke udara selain dapat mengurangkan kos operasi dan secara langsung meningkatkan keuntungan serta memenuhi permintaan inisiatif mesra alam yang semakin meningkat.

"Kami amat berbangga menjadi rakan kongsi Scania Ecolution yang pertama di Sarawak di mana negeri ini mempunyai salah satu hutan hujan yang terbesar dan tertua di dunia. Kehidupan yang lestari adalah cara hidup semula jadi bagi rakyat Sarawak dan Mansang Logistics berniat untuk meneruskan cara hidup ini. Dengan kekayaan biodiversiti yang terdapat di Sarawak, ianya menjadi tugas kita untuk memastikan generasi masa hadapan dapat menikmati keajaiban alam sekitar dan Scania Ecolution adalah langkah pertama untuk memelihara alam sekitar kita," kata Alex. 

Semenjak beberapa tahun yang lepas, Scania telah berjaya mengurangkan pembebasan karbon dioksida ke udara bagi semua operasi mereka termasuk pengangkutan dan logistik. Scania juga telah berkerja keras untuk mengurangkan pembebasan bahan kimia bahaya daripada produk mereka melalui langkah-langkah kecekapan bahan api. Semenjak lebih dari 25 tahun, Scania telah menawarkan pilihan produk bahan api alternatif terbesar dalam industri. Pada September 2019, Scania telah mengumumkan penetapan Sasaran Berasaskan Sains atau 'Science Based Targets' (SBTi). Kelulusan sasaran ini merupakan satu lagi kejayaan Scania ke arah matlamat menyediakan pengangkutan yang menggunakan bahan api bebas-fosil.

"Di Scania, kami percaya kemampanan dan keuntungan boleh diselarikan. Kami gembira Mansang akan bersama kami dalam perjalanan menuju ke arah sistem pengangkutan mampan," kata Phang Yee Fong. 

Ditubuhkan pada tahun 2010, Alex Lai yang dibantu oleh Henry Tiong telah mengasaskan perniagaan perkhidmatan 'milk run' di bawah syarikat P.M.S. Enterprise. Perniagaan utama adalah penghantaran barangan setiap hari dari bandar-bandar utama ke kawasan pedalaman seperti Belaga, Bakun dan Sungai Asap dengan menggunakan pelbagai jenis pengangkutan seperti trak pacuan empat roda dan bot. Pada tahun 2015, Alex Lai yang mempunyai pengalaman lebih sedekad dalam sektor penyelenggaraan dan fabrikasi memutuskan untuk mengembangkan dan telah menubuhkan Mansang Logistics Sdn Bhd dan tugas pertama beliau adalah untuk memastikan syarikat baharu ini dapat menyelaras penghantaran ke tujuh daerah di Sarawak yang terletak dari utara hingga ke selatan. Sewaktu di awal operasinya Alex menggunakan trak pacuan empat roda untuk penghantaran. Alex yang memimpin sebagai Pengarah Urusan Mansang Logistics memberi fokus utama beliau pada sudut operasi manakala isteri beliau, Lim Kee San pula memberi fokus kepada pengurusan pelanggan. Dengan sokongan jitu daripada ahli keluarga dan rakan-rakan, mereka berjaya melaksanakan penghantaran harian melalui kawasan pendalaman Sarawak. 

MANSANG LOGISTISS 成为砂拉越首家卡车业者签订 Scania Ecolution 协议。这项签署协议是由 Scania 东南亚区的马来西亚东海岸和东马区域经 理彭意芬与 Mansang Logistics 私人有限公司客户管理主管林姬汕在今天完成的。
Mansang Logistics 一直以来都致力减少其碳足迹和保护环境，签订此协议是理所当 然之举。

 Mansang Logistics 董事经理 Alex 黎祥安深刻了解其公司对环境的影响和责任，尤 其是其核心业务涉及长途运输。由于他的车辆每天必需行驶千里进入乡区，因此成为 Scania Ecolution 伙伴是公司为节省燃油以减少碳足迹的必然措施。Scania Ecolution 是 Scania 与客户之间量身定制的合作关系，强调节省燃油以减少二氧化碳排放。此合
作关系也注重削减营运成本以提升盈利，同时迎合日趋重要的环保措施需求。

Mansang Logistics 董事经理 Alex 黎祥安深刻了解其公司对环境的影响和责任，尤 其是其核心业务涉及长途运输。由于他的车辆每天必需行驶千里进入乡区，因此成为 Scania Ecolution 伙伴是公司为节省燃油以减少碳足迹的必然措施。Scania Ecolution 是 Scania 与客户之间量身定制的合作关系，强调节省燃油以减少二氧化碳排放。此合 作关系也注重削减营运成本以提升盈利，同时迎合日趋重要的环保措施需求。

Alex 表示：“我们很荣幸能够成为砂拉越首个 Scania Ecolution 伙伴，因为世界其 中最大最古老的雨林就在此地。永续发展的生活形态对砂拉越人民是最自然不过的事， 而 Mansang Logistics 将会执意继续朝此方向走。砂拉越拥有丰富的生物多样性，因 此我们有责任确保未来世世代代都能够体验到大自然的奇妙，而 Scania Ecolution 便 是保护我们的环境的第一步。”   

Scania 多年来已大量减少公司本身业务以及运输和物流方面的二氧化碳排放，同时也 致力改善燃油效率以减少其产品的排放率。此公司提供运用替代化石燃料的产品已有 超过二十五年历史，产品种类也是业内最广泛的。2019 年 9 月，Scania 宣布它将设 定“Scania’s Science Based Targets”。这些目标在获准后奠下了 Scania 迈向无 化石燃料运输路程上的一个重大里程碑。

彭意芬说：“Scania 认为永续发展和盈利是可以协同并进的。我们很高兴 Mansang 愿意与我们携手迈向永续运输发展系统。”

Mansang Logistics 创办人 Alex 黎在 Henry Tiong 的协助下于 2010 年创建 P.M.S.Enterprise 经营循环取货业务，主要是采用从四轮货卡至船只等各种不同交通
工具，每天从各大城市运送货物至乡镇如布拉甲、巴贡和双溪阿沙。2015 年，在维修 和制造领域拥有十年经验的 Alex 决定扩充业务和创建 Mansang Logistics 私人有限 公司。其首宗任务便是确保新公司能够协调砂拉越从北到南七县的运输。在营运初期，Alex 继续采用四轮货卡运货。担任 Mansang Logistics 董事经理的 Alex 与负责客户 管理的太太林姬汕合作专注业务营运，并在亲友支持下成功每天在砂拉越内陆地区送 货。

Mitsubishi Fuso Truck and Bus Corporation (MFTBC; headquarters: Kawasaki City, Kanagawa Prefecture; President and CEO Hartmut Schick) announces the launch of the new Canter for the United Arab Emirates. The upgraded vehicle, which is the first in the market to achieve Euro V emissions standards, was presented to customers at a launch event on December 15th . The newly introduced Canter is offered in multiple variants, with two different cab widths, and two different axle configurations including a 4x4, with GVWs ranging from 5.7 to 8.55 tons.

The commonrail 4P10 engine, featured for the first time in the UAE-bound Canter, achieves improved fuel-efficiency and eco-friendliness.* The engine over-fulfills local regulatory norms currently at Euro IV standards and achieves Euro V-level reductions in NOx and particulate emissions, helping mitigate the environmental footprint of daily operations. The new FUSO Canter for the UAE also offers a number of new standard safety features, which include ABS (Anti-lock Braking System), EBD (Electronic Brake Force Distribution), BOS (Brake Override System), as well as driver and co-driver airbags. The standard braking system is equipped with disc brakes on both axles, which guarantees superior braking performance and heat dissipation under continuous heavy braking.

These Canter trucks, which are exported as BU vehicles from MFTBC’s Kawasaki Plant, have been locally distributed in the UAE market since 1983. Currently, FUSO products are exclusively distributed by Al Habtoor Motors, part of the business conglomerate Al Habtoor Group. Customers of FUSO vehicles in the UAE are supported by Al Habtoor Motor’s sales network of 8 showrooms, 11 parts outlets, and 7 service centers. The collaborative partnership between the general distributor and MFTBC has sustained the market leadership of the FUSO brand for the past decades, with Canter trucks maintaining top market share in the light-duty segment since their introduction.

While medium-duty and heavy-duty FUSO vehicles produced in Chennai, India are also available locally, the Canter has been the highest-volume FUSO product in the market for the past decade. Demand for the reliable Canter truck remains strong within the UAE and greater MENA region, due to continued growth in the construction sector. Despite COVID-related challenges, government investment in infrastructure is expected to drive stable growth in the mid- to long-term. By strengthening its product lineup with this updated Canter truck, MFTBC aims to provide further value to customers in the focus market.

Mitsubishi Fuso Truck and Bus Corporation (MFTBC; headquarters: Kawasaki City, Kanagawa Prefecture; President and CEO Hartmut Schick) announces the launch of the new Canter for the United Arab Emirates. The upgraded vehicle, which is the first in the market to achieve Euro V emissions standards, was presented to customers at a launch event on December 15th . The newly introduced Canter is offered in multiple variants, with two different cab widths, and two different axle configurations including a 4x4, with GVWs ranging from 5.7 to 8.55 tons.

The commonrail 4P10 engine, featured for the first time in the UAE-bound Canter, achieves improved fuel-efficiency and eco-friendliness.* The engine over-fulfills local regulatory norms currently at Euro IV standards and achieves Euro V-level reductions in NOx and particulate emissions, helping mitigate the environmental footprint of daily operations. The new FUSO Canter for the UAE also offers a number of new standard safety features, which include ABS (Anti-lock Braking System), EBD (Electronic Brake Force Distribution), BOS (Brake Override System), as well as driver and co-driver airbags. The standard braking system is equipped with disc brakes on both axles, which guarantees superior braking performance and heat dissipation under continuous heavy braking.

These Canter trucks, which are exported as BU vehicles from MFTBC’s Kawasaki Plant, have been locally distributed in the UAE market since 1983. Currently, FUSO products are exclusively distributed by Al Habtoor Motors, part of the business conglomerate Al Habtoor Group. Customers of FUSO vehicles in the UAE are supported by Al Habtoor Motor’s sales network of 8 showrooms, 11 parts outlets, and 7 service centers. The collaborative partnership between the general distributor and MFTBC has sustained the market leadership of the FUSO brand for the past decades, with Canter trucks maintaining top market share in the light-duty segment since their introduction.

While medium-duty and heavy-duty FUSO vehicles produced in Chennai, India are also available locally, the Canter has been the highest-volume FUSO product in the market for the past decade. Demand for the reliable Canter truck remains strong within the UAE and greater MENA region, due to continued growth in the construction sector. Despite COVID-related challenges, government investment in infrastructure is expected to drive stable growth in the mid- to long-term. By strengthening its product lineup with this updated Canter truck, MFTBC aims to provide further value to customers in the focus market.

What started in the early 70s as a customs clearance agent has since grown into a business that offers a comprehensive service. Coming to their aid are two new MAN TGS that Andy How Managing Director of Nakhoda Transport Sdn Bhd, along with his Director Vanessa Lim, Head of Transport Hansen Teh & Snr. Manager Chin Song An picked up from the Port Klang workshop of the German brand on December 2nd.

In 2012, How added own trucks to their business. “In the beginning, we contracted the service of other transporters. However, we felt that we were not getting the best service from companies that grew rapidly. Our business may not have been big enough for them.” While the permits were in place earlier, it was only in that year that Nakhoda purchased their first trucks. Since then, the fleet has grown to 19, including the newly acquired MANs.

Currently also deploying other European brands, How said that he likes to experiment. “Our experience with European trucks is very good and we are giving MAN a try to better evaluate them. Pricing played a role, but what convinced us were the numbers of MAN trucks on the road.” Convinced that other players would only trust good brands, he looked at his peers and the MAN trucks plying the roads in Port Klang were the best testimonial to their strength.

Reliability is a key issue for Nakhoda. One of the issues that How mentioned is the difficulty in finding staff that is dependable and takes responsibility. “We do not want to grow the business by way of adding volume. The risk is that we do not give good service to our clients and we rather have fewer clients but serve them really well.” Being a new customer, this was his first time to be in touch with the staff at the Port Klang workshop. He praised the professionalism, saying that the hand-over was already something special that he would remember for a long time.  

Hap Seng Trucks Distribution Sdn. Bhd. (HSTD), the general distributor of Daimler Trucks in Malaysia, officially launched the multi-award-winning truck: the new Actros. In an online presentation on Facebook the truck was presented to the public for the first time on 29th July, while representatives of the media and customers were able to see the vehicles in the metal during the week of August 3rd.

The new Actros is a compelling proposition in the daily operation of transport companies. It has won numerous awards worldwide including the widely respected and distinguished “International Truck of the Year 2020”. Voted by a strong jury of international commercial vehicles journalists from 24 countries, this is the fifth year that an Actros has been awarded the prestigious award which underline the fact that the flagship of Mercedes-Benz Trucks continues to set standards for reliability, efficiency and comfort.

According to Roland Schneider, Chief Executive of Hap Seng Trucks Distribution, the line-up of models available in Malaysia is tailored to the needs and demands of the market. Initially slated to be launched earlier this year, the introduction was delayed following the lockdown. "Overall, it will be a very tough year for the industry, not just us. However, I believe that the new Actros is an amazing step forward and that we will be able to sell a good number of this model in 2020," he said during the media walk-around.

Noting that the revolutionary mirror-cam, which was first introduced at the IAA in 2016, was not used for the new Actros, Schneider stated that the decision was to introduce it at a later point in time, as this requires homologation and approvals from the relevant authorities.

Full report in the July / August 2020 issue of Asian Trucker Malaysia. arch (MIROS). The views expressed in this article are those of the author and do not reflect the official policy or position of Asian Trucker Media Sdn Bhd.business.

Sagito Motor (M) Sdn Bhd (hereinafter referred to as Sagito Motor) opened the doors to its new FUSO 3S Centre in a grand opening ceremony on 26th February 2020. The state-of-the-art facility sits along Jalan Kempas Lama, Johor Bahru and will be dedicated to the sales, services, and spare parts divisions for FUSO commercial vehicles.

Officiating the event was Mr R Kumaran, Director of Sagito Motor, who, in his speech, stated that the upgrade of the dealer’s previous 1S centre in Tampoi to a 3S brand-dedicated facility had been “a real learning experience.” Construction of the 3S centre was kicked off in January 2019 with a ground-breaking ceremony. While Kumaran had been considering the business prospect since 2015, it was not until during a trip to a Fuso 3S Centre in Kochi, India in 2017, along with the encouragement and reassurance from the Daimler team, that helped spark a vision in Kumaran to come to the decision to expand.

The decision to open the 3S centre along Jalan Kempas Lama was an easy one. Unlike the city centre, where everything is in close proximity to each other, Jalan Kempas Lama is spacious with open roads, ideal for commercial vehicles to come in and out of. Moreover, the nearest major highway, travelled by trucks of all shapes and sizes, is only 2 kilometres away. “This place is an upcoming place, especially in three to four years,” Kumaran told Asian Trucker, “so what we are focused on is the customers who are on the road for the long haul. Perhaps they can drop by here, get some rest while we service their vehicles, and continue on with their journey.” With a railway track also currently under construction, Jalan Kempas Lama has much potential to be a hub. “This place is the future.”

Sagito Motor’s new 3S facility was designed based on the recommended international standards set by Mitsubishi FUSO Truck and Bus Corporation. As one enters the showroom, one can instantly see how well lit and spacious the showroom is. The showroom itself can display up to four units of trucks, while the workshop in the back has four work lanes which are capable of servicing up to eight trucks, from light- to heavy-duty. The rear side of the centre is also equipped with a spare parts counter, a compressor and battery storage room, a warranty room, a lubricant store, a unit repair store, and a room for air-conditioning repair and storage for wheels and tyres. Within the building is a comfortable environment for customers of both sales and aftersales services, and the provided amenities include a driver rest area, a customer lounge, a pantry supplied with light snacks, and not forgetting a prayer room.

Sagito Motor has been an established FUSO trucks dealer for more than 18 years in the commercial vehicle industry. As someone who has been in sales since 1990, Kumaran noted to Asian Trucker about how he has learned to fully understand customers’ needs: “After all these years, it was clear to me that customers want a one-stop center. So that is why we came to this decision to put everything under one roof.” Kumaran also stressed on how this is just the beginning of the learning stage and how there is still to be a long journey ahead. “Once we have gone stage by stage, we will have gone further because the potential is there. We trust FUSO.”