Hino Motors Sales (Malaysia) Sdn Bhd (HMSM) reckons that the success of a logistics business depends on a constant, consistent, and reliable fleet management solution.

With this in mind, HMSM proudly introduces the new smart telematics device called ‘Hino Connect’ to support operations and fleet managers to take care of their trucks. Featuring a 7-inch touch screen monitor, Hino Connect is designed to support transport companies in improving operational efficiency in terms of increase of profit and revenue.

It offers improved safety and security via a 24-hour call centre assist. The system also encourages good driving behaviour, reduces unplanned downtime and can be used to monitor truck maintenance schedules by understanding the key elements and characteristics of the asset (vehicle). Besides featuring basic functions such as radio, bluetooth, and USB port, the main element in Hino Connect is the SOS button. The driver can use this in case of an emergency when it is not possible to make a call out.

Working towards being technologically savvy, HMSM has also developed its proprietary mobile application called “myHINO”. Hino Connect, the telematics device, is linked to myHINO, where users can access their truck’s information at any time through a smart phone. myHINO application offers customers with benefits, rewards, and assistance at a touch of a button.

Thammasat School of Engineering (TSE), located in the Khlong Luang District in Thailand, has introduced its new AUTO-TU courses to better equip the engineering students with skills that will prove beneficial to their career paths in the commercial vehicle industry.



AUTO-TU courses, offered under the school’s TEP-TEPE program, are aimed to teach students to base their mechanical engineering knowledge as a foundation for their desired career paths. The four-year TEP-TEPE program is carried out at the Rangsit campus in the first two years, while the remaining two years of the program are carried out at the Pattaya campus. The courses offered in the program have piqued the interest of many students and are conducted in student-centered classrooms. To name a few, the courses include Thermodynamics, Mechanical Vibration, Fluid Dynamics, Design of Commercial Vehicles, and Management of Automotive Manufacturing Process, the last two of which are taught in the English language. These courses have been designed to give birth to successful graduates that can contribute to Thailand’s S-Curve policy–the mission to develop the nation as a hub for producing electric vehicles. Additionally, TSE also offers a course on V-TECH that equips students with knowledge on automotive technology, conducted in the national language.

The AUTO-TU program also gives the opportunity for students to join an internship program at TSE’s alliance and domestic and international world-class industries and companies for between two and three months. Students will also have the option to secure employment at TSE’s partnership company, Siam Motors Group, for three years after completion of the program is successful.

Back in February 2020, Mr. Thilo Halter, Head of Area, MAN Asia Pacific told Asian Trucker that “We need to be close to our customers and a workshop here in Port Klang, where there are a lot of our customers, is crucial.” In summary, Halter promised that this event marks the beginning of a new era for MAN in Malaysia. MAN Truck and Bus (M) Sdn Bhd (MAN) then appointed Andrew O’Brooks as its new managing director, who will lead the execution of several strategic initiatives for Malaysia including opening up its retail outlet here in Port Klang.

Despite the pandemic Covid-19, O’Brooks and his team remained committed to customers in Port Klang and its vicinity by opening the MAN Port Klang doors on 6th of July 2020. MAN Port Klang has the capacity to take in 6 Prime Movers at any one time, ample of parking space for trailers, comfortable customer lounge. MAN Port Klang is powered with MAN Diagnostic tools and host of tools, equipment meeting MAN standards. Open 6 days a week from 8.30am till 6.00pm.

Stefan Pertz makes the case that the costs to improve the health and safety for truck drivers would mean a positive return for fleet owners. We spend a lot of time at work and therefore the space where we perform our duties has to be safe.

While that is mandated by law, the question is how far can or should transport companies and truckers go with that on their own?

It says in the official website of “The main strategy of the OSH-MP 2020 (note: Occupational Safety & Health Masterplan 2020) is the inculcation of a Preventive Culture at the workplace.” There is no doubt that our truck drivers are exposed to a lot of risks. Take for instance the current pandemic. In this case, transport companies have been quick to react to the threat to the health of not just drivers but also other personnel. Masks, hand sanitizer and electronic, contactless thermometers were swiftly acquired and deployed.

While this may be a current and a very tangible threat at the moment, what about other issues that truckers are faced with on a daily basis? Sunshine for example. It is well recorded that many Australian truckers have suffered from skin cancer on their arms as they are exposed to extended exposure to the harsh sunlight. Have we confidently addressed all possible hazards for our truckers? Surely, shorts are more comfortable, but long pants might prevent scratches or bruises when loading or unloading. Gloves are a must: wooden splinters may not be a huge issue, but irritating, nonetheless. Safety boots are another item that should be found on every trucker.

A safety vest is hopefully never needed, but it should be found in any cabin. What I want to know is this: how many truckers are actually asking for these items in order to ensure that their health is well protected? So far, the official statements I read only seem to hold companies accountable for the provision of a safe workplace. However, wouldn’t it also be the responsibility of staff to look out for hazards and to counter them? And how much resistance is there from management to fix things, even if it is as easy as providing earmuffs for noisy job sites. My workplace is fairly safe I would say. Unless I pierce myself with a pencil, there is very little in the way of hazards. Except for stress perhaps. Should that not also be included in the hazards that truckers should be protected from?

When I hear that some jobs require truckers to move goods in the middle of the night, on weekends or during festive seasons, that could add stress. Working under tight deadlines is not something most of us enjoy and if there is too much of it, the effect could be carelessness in other areas. Being responsible for the delivery of food and other essential items during the pandemic must be extremely stressful! With no choice but to move around, the risk of an infection increases and the added expectation to keep the economy going is another stressor. In the defence of transport companies, I would argue that much of the stress is derived from outside factors. T

he biggest contributor to a safe workplace might be the latest model truck. This has been recognised by makers of vehicles as they shift more and more tasks away from the driver so that s/he can concentrate on driving, rather than manipulating the controls. The automated gearbox is cited as one of the things that has helped tremendously with the improvement of safety on the road. Modern trucks now have collision warning systems, lane departure warning and other nifty tools that make it safer to move 50 tonnes. Isn’t that in line with the idea to have a preventive culture when it comes to safety?

Many say we should move to higher engine specs in order to protect the environment. To me, that is a good way to also replace unsafe trucks and put those on the road that not only have the latest engine technology, but safety features too. Perhaps, if we all took a moment and just looked around to identify possible hazards, we could make the trucking industry much safer. I am sure that in many cases any measures would not be a cost, but investments with solid returns as healthier, safer employees would likely be more productive too.

In an exclusive interview with Asian Trucker, Michael Hutt, Group Marketing Manager Kit Loong Commercial Tyre Group tells us more about the ins and outs of the recently held Gyration 2.0: Kinetic Ignition event.

In terms of timing, some might have raised an eyebrow as it was held right around Chinese New Year. However, according to Hutt, there was a good reason to start the year with a bang. “We have spent last year to re-align our business, the brand and our product and service offerings. And this is how we are planning to communicate this,” explained Hutt. There are to be now three distinct segments of the business and each one will have its own event series.

According to him, one segment is related to Giti products. It is probably the biggest growing tranche for Kit Loong Commercial Tyre Group and this is the reason why the Gyration event series was the first to be initiated with the first instalment taking place last year. In that connection, Kit Loong Commercial Tyre Group is aiming to shift their focus from being purely a tyre-seller towards their service-based business that offers support beyond just product.

Although most people are very aware of how to look after tyres, Kit Loong Commercial Tyre Group realises that certain things will have to be brought back to peoples mind. For instance, heat build-up is highly destructive for tyres and can have a highly negative impact on the re-treadability of the tyre. As an exclusive event for existing customers, the Gyration 2.0: Kinetic Ignition event was to educate users about both heat and the 3R concept of Reduce, Reuse and Recycle. “It is important to note that Giti has already made public statements that they want to sell fewer tyres as they want users to be able to run tyres for longer.” In Hutt’s words, this is where Kit Loong Commercial Tyre Group is breaking new ground as they are actively helping to achieve this goal.

A paradigm shift is happening within Kit Loong Commercial Tyre Group as they see tyres as an investment that needs to have planned maintenance in place to ensure that the return on the investment is as high as possible. To demonstrate what is possible, Kit Loong Commercial Tyre Group is giving away their newly developed software for free for the first year. Not stopping there, they are also including a retread voucher for each new tyre sold. The discount on the retread is based on the grading of the tyre when it comes back for retreading. “Essentially, it pays to look after your tyres as you will save on the retreading. And if you don’t look after your tyre, no matter what brand, it will not perform as well as it could, as many are now designed for two or three retreads.”

Pada awal tahun ini, sempena pemerolehan terkini trak-trak kontena Isuzu GIGA GXR360 oleh syarikat Nippon Express (Malaysia) Sdn Bhd, Isuzu Malaysia Sdn Bhd telah menganjurkan sebuah majlis penyerahan yang telah diadakan di cawangan Nippon Express di Johor.

Trak-trak GIGA Prime Mover tersebut telah diperoleh melalui Key Power Motor Sdn Bhd, pengedar sah Isuzu Malaysia yang berpusat di Skudai, Johor.

Nippon Express (Malaysia) Sdn Bhd menyediakan pelbagai solusi perkhidmatan lojistik dan servis berkualiti tinggi yang disesuaikan mengikut keperluan perniagaan. Antara perkhidmatan yang ditawarkan termasuk pengangkutan barangan dan servis, pengangkutan yang disesuaikan mengikut keperluan, pengurusan rantaian bekalan, serta kemudahan gudang & pengagihan.

Pemerolehan ini melibatkan dua unit trak Isuzu GIGA GXR360, yang dilengkapkan dengan badan trak jenis beralun (‘corrugated’), dan merupakan penambahan baharu kepada flit pengangkutan sedia ada Nippon Express Malaysia. Kedua-dua unit ini akan ditempatkan di cawangan Nippon Express di Johor Bahru. Namun, penggunaannya dijangkakan akan merangkumi operasi lojistik di seluruh Semenanjung Malaysia.

Sewaktu majlis penyerahan, Atsunori Murata, selaku Ketua Pegawai Operasi Isuzu Malaysia, telah menyampaikan penghargaannya kepada Nippon Express Malaysia, di atas sokongan dan kepercayaan mereka terhadap trak komersial Isuzu. Murata percaya bahawa pemerolehan trak Isuzu GIGA ini mampu memperkasakan Nippon Express Malaysia dengan memastikan perkhidmatan yang ditawarkan sentiasa pantas, cekap dan menjimatkan kos, serta dapat dioptimumkan mengikut pelbagai keperluan perniagaan.

Sebagai tanda penghargaan, Murata telah berkesempatan untuk menghadiahkan sebuah Trak Miniatur Isuzu dan Kunci Replika kepada wakil-wakil daripada Nippon Express Malaysia, iaitu Richard Gui, Pengurus Besar, dan Hiromasa Moriya, Pengurus Akaun Korporat.

Majlis turut dihadiri Mohd Khairuddin B. Ramli, Penolong Pengurus di Jabatan Pengangkutan, Nippon Express Malaysia; dan Phang Jiu Leon, Pengurus Jualan, Key Power Motor Sdn Bhd.

Pada awal Februari tahun ini, Isuzu Malaysia telah menganjurkan majlis penyerahan yang menyaksikan penyerahan beberapa unit trak penyendat (‘compactor truck’) Isuzu FORWARD FVR kepada syarikat Environment Idaman Sdn Bhd, dan subkontraktornya, Warisan Integriti Sdn Bhd. Trak-trak tersebut telah diperoleh melalui pengedar sah Isuzu Malaysia, syarikat Indah Utara Auto Sdn Bhd.

Environment Idaman Sdn Bhd, yang beroperasi di bahagian Utara Semenanjung Malaysia, merupakan syarikat konsesi yang menawarkan pelbagai solusi pengurusan sisa dan perkhidmatan pembersihan yang lestari dan inovatif.


Unit-unit yang baru diperoleh ini dijangka akan menggantikan trak-trak lama dalam flit pengangkutan sedia ada Environment Idaman. Manakala untuk Warisan Integriti, pemerolehan ini merupakan sebahagian daripada usaha pengembangan flit pengangkutan mereka. Trak penyendat FORWARD FVR ini bakal digunakan untuk pengurusan, pengumpulan dan pembuangan sisa pepejal untuk majlis perbandaran tempatan di sekitar Perlis dan Kedah.

Sebanyak 6 unit trak Isuzu FORWARD (FVR 240MT) diperoleh oleh Environment Idaman Sdn Bhd untuk tahun ini. Warisan Integriti pula memperoleh sebanyak 4 unit trak Isuzu FORWARD (FVR 240AT).

Sewaktu majlis penyerahan, Atsunori Murata, selaku Ketua Pegawai Operasi Isuzu Malaysia, berkesempatan menyampaikan penghargaan kepada wakil-wakil daripada Environment Idaman Sdn Bhd dan Warisan Integriti Sdn Bhd kerana menjadikan trak penyendat Isuzu FORWARD FVR sebagai pilihan utama mereka. Murata yakin bahawa ketahanan dan kebolehpercayaan trak Isuzu mampu meningkatkan kecekapan operasi harian kedua-dua syarikat tersebut.

Seterusnya, sebagai tanda penghargaan, Murata telah menghadiahkan sebuah Trak Miniatur Isuzu dan saguhati penghargaan kepada Munir Amani bin Dasheer, Ketua Bahagian Operasi bagi syarikat Environment Idaman; dan juga kepada Pengarah Warisan Integriti, Dato’ Haji Md Rosli bin Haji Abd Wahab.

Majlis ini juga telah dihadiri wakil-wakil daripada Jabatan Kejuruteraan & Pengurusan Flit, Environment Idaman Sdn Bhd, iaitu Azman bin Shamsuddin, selaku Pengurus, dan Termizi bin Hat, Eksekutif Teknikal; selain Zakaria bin Hamid, Pengurus Operasi daripada Warisan Integriti Sdn Bhd. Majlis penyerahan ini turut dihadiri Poh Seng Hooi, Pengarah Urusan, dan Rodney Lee, Pengurus Besar, bagi Indah Utara Auto Sdn Bhd.

Selain itu, Isuzu Malaysia juga akan menyediakan sesi latihan untuk para pemandu kedua-dua syarikat tersebut untuk mengenali serta memahami cara terbaik pengendalian trak FORWARD FVR.

Volvo Trucks has launched its all new Volvo FMX with an entirely new cab, increased payloads and innovative safety features. With increased front axle loads of up to 20 tonnes and a 38 tonne bogie, the new Volvo FMX is built for the toughest conditions and most demanding assignments.

“Our construction industry customers are facing ever increasing demands to improve in areas such as sustainability, cost efficiency, safety and productivity,” says Roger Alm, President of Volvo Trucks. “With the launch of the new Volvo FMX, we are proving our commitment to supporting these customers by creating robust trucks and innovative services to assist in making their operations easier, safer and more profitable.”

Background
• The FMX was officially introduced in Malaysia in 2014. It is the second best-selling model after Volvo FM
• FMX has been the key product offer for industry segments such as logging, mining, construction and agriculture (CPO)
• Within the line-up, the FMX 6x4 are the key variants used by transporters in these industry segment
• The product is designed to handle tough operating conditions and demanding transport assignments

The New FMX
• Comes with a new cab, and a roof hatch in steel , to help reducing heat radiation
• Improved visibility with the new cab, with the design of a lowered door line and new rear view mirrors. An optional passenger side camera can be added to provide a complementary view of the side of the truck and further improve visibility provides a complementary view of the side of the truck.
• Additional storage space for driver up to 800 Liters
• New anti-slipped footstep to ease driver enter or exit
• New dashboard and instrument cluster. 12-inch high-resolution instrument display with a user-friendly interface allowing the driver to see relevant information and select between four different screen views, depending on the driving situation. There is an option to add on a 9-inch side display that provides infotainment, navigation support, transport information and camera monitoring.
• Enhanced safety features: Downhill cruise control feature sets a maximum speed to help prevent unwanted acceleration when travelling downhill. Adaptive Cruise Control (ACC) that now works at all speeds down to zero km/h EBS a standard feature, and pre-requisite for Collision Warning with Emergency Brake and Electronic Stability Control (ESC) feature. Volvo Dynamic Steering, with the safety systems Lane Keeping Assist and Stability Assist, is also available as an option.
• Increased payload: Features the heaviest addition to Volvo’s chassis range – a 38-ton bogie that allows for GCW of up to 150 ton. In addition, the front air suspension has been updated. Front axle load up to 10 Ton; 20T for double front axles. This has allowed the Volvo FMX to be used as the base to carry the other 3 Volvo trucks in the launch teaser video.
• Gear changing system: I-Shift and I-Shift with crawler gears, with software packages for different areas of application
• A new steering wheel with a neck tilt option for a more ergonomic driving position. For trucks with a steered tag or pusher axle, the steering angles have been increased, resulting in better maneuverability and reduced tire wear.
• New traction control panel - The driver can gain more traction by engaging the differential locks in an easy way, by turning a knob, viewing the traction status on the instrument display at the same time.
• Traffic sign recognition - by displaying traffic signs such as speed limits, overtaking restrictions and road type in the instrument display
• New V-shape LED headlamp