When your fleet delivers the news to 10 million people each day, reliability cannot be compromised. Readers – and the vendors who support them – depend on consistent, on-time distribution. And while maintenance matters, the fuel running your vehicles is just as important to overall performance. This is why Thairath Group, Thailand’s leading newspaper, shifted to advanced diesel fuels to keep papers moving nationwide. They’re part of a broader trend across Asia, where businesses are choosing more efficient diesel options to improve fleet performance.
An Effective Diesel Fuel for Commercial Trucks in Asia
Today, diesel continues to power eight out of every ten vehicles heavy-duty fleets operate around the world. It's still the primary fuel that keeps goods moving and businesses running. So, as costs rise, how can operators meet growing demand while maintaining fleet performance and profitability?
For Thairath Group, advanced diesel fuel is a smart solution – Shell FuelSave Diesel gives its fleet maintenance team confidence that their vehicles will perform reliably, day after day. “The heart of our business is punctuality, so we must be confident that our vehicles won’t break down out on the road,” says Pongpeerapat Chayanuwat, Deputy Director Maintenance & Vehicle Department, Thairath Group.
Compatible with modern diesel engines and after-treatment systems, advanced diesel fuels help operators improve vehicle uptime while reducing fuel and maintenance costs – contributing to greater operational efficiency and lower total cost of ownership (TCO).1
What Makes Advanced Diesel Fuels Different?
Advanced diesel fuels like Shell FuelSave Diesel works by improving engine performance with active ingredients that keep fuel systems clean, drive injector performance and enhance combustion efficiency.
Key additives include:
- Deposit control additives
Helping to clean the injector nozzle and internal diesel injector deposits (IDIDs), which maintains combustion efficiency, improves fuel economy, and delivers a reduction in black smoke and CO2.
- Combustion improver
Keeping the exhaust gas recirculation (EGR) system clean, supporting its proper function and reducing maintenance needs. A well-maintained EGR system contributes to reliably low NOx emissions.2
- Anti-foaming agent
Improving operational efficiency by reducing refuelling time and the risk of spillage by suppressing foaming.
- Dehazer
Enhancing water separation to protect against filter plugging and microbial growth – helping to improve the performance and reliability of a fuel system.
- Corrosion inhibitor
Protects key fuel system components from corrosion, helping to reduce maintenance needs and the risk of breakdown and therefore helps to protect your equipment investment.3
Working together to keep the engine running smoothly, these additives help fleets improve their fuel economy, lower their maintenance costs and achieve a more consistent mileage (especially in fleets where vehicle utilisation is naturally high).
Commercial Diesel with Engine Protection for Lower Maintenance Costs
Consistent performance during high utilisation is a critical factor for Thairath Group, with the additives in advanced diesel fuels having a significant positive impact on its fleet operations.
“We regularly check engine parts, and (since using Shell FuelSave Diesel), we’ve noticed there are fewer problems with the engines,” Chayanuwat says. “Injector nozzles, which are usually covered or clogged with deposits, are much cleaner. Now, I’m confident that my fleet can operate effectively.”
Thairath Group is not the only commercial fleet in the region using advanced diesel fuels to improve vehicle reliability and reduce maintenance costs. Perceptive Logistics, a 250-strong Malaysian fleet specialising in container haulage, faced similar challenges before making the switch to advanced diesel fuels – which now help to maintain efficiency through high vehicle uptime.
“Using Shell FuelSave Diesel, we see fewer engine issues and less truck downtime,” says Annie Goh, General Manager, Perceptive Logistics. “This led to a 3% drop in our maintenance costs.”
A Fuel-saving Diesel for On-road Heavy-duty Transport Businesses in Asia3
Fuel economy is another reason fleets are turning to advanced diesel fuels to power operational efficiency. For TB Transport 1976, a heavy-duty delivery fleet in Thailand, fuel innovation offers an opportunity to address rising operating costs.
“Our vehicle efficiency using Shell FuelSave Diesel has decreased our fuel consumption from 35 litres/100km to 32.7 litres/100km,” says Pariwat Thongnok, Owner, TB Transport 1976. “It also helps us to avoid costly repairs and extends the replacement cycle of our injectors.”
Thongnok’s drivers have also noticed the difference in their vehicles, which helps them to increase their own incomes.
“After switching to Shell FuelSave Diesel, I can feel the vehicle operating better,” says Nattaporn Sriravi, Driver, TB Transport 1976. “I’m now more confident that we’ll be able to deliver products on time – keeping customers happy.”
Improving Operational Efficiency and Lowering TCO for Commercial Fleets
By increasing their fuel economy with advanced diesel fuels, commercial fleets can improve their operational efficiency – helping to address rising costs by reducing their fuel consumption.
This is the case for AMRMR Forwarders in the Philippines, a third-generation business that has been working with Shell for more than 60 years.
Like other fleets, the team at AMRMR Forwarders has seen lower maintenance costs and extended vehicle lifespan from their use of advanced diesel fuels. They’ve also achieved significant improvements out on the road – in the litres of fuel they use, and the mileage drivers can travel.
“One of our routes that used to consume 200 litres, is now down to 190 litres,” says Rodolfo Joaquin (Rocky) P. Nisce, Chief Operating Officer, AMRMR Freight Forwarders Inc. “Multiply that by the number of trips and number of days we use that route – it means big savings.”
This has led to a direct impact on the fleet’s TCO. “Shell FuelSave Diesel has led to greater earnings in our trucking business,” Nisce explains. “Fuel is one of the bigger expenses, and the transition has helped us make significant cost savings in this area.”.”
Advanced fuels: A Pragmatic Solution for Commercial Fleets
As seen by the businesses above, advanced diesel fuels offer a practical way to improve fleet performance without having to replace vehicles or their powertrains. A simple switch in fuel can deliver enhanced returns for customers, the drivers behind the wheel and the fleet managers working tirelessly to keep everything moving as it should.
Advanced diesel fuels can also help fleets to address the challenge of rising costs. By improving fuel economy and vehicle reliability while reducing maintenance needs, moving to these fuels can contribute to greater operational efficiency and lower TCO for fleets.
With the right fuel, fleets can take confident steps towards more resilient, future-ready operations. That's why Shell FuelSave Diesel is more than your average fuel. It's a practical way for fleet operators to help their business navigate uncertain times – improving performance and lowering costs all at once.
Sources/Disclaimers
[1] Shell FuelSave Diesel is compliant with EN590 (which is commonly used across Asia), as well as JIS K 2204 in Japan, GB 19147 in China and BS VI in India.
[2] Helps to clean and protect key fuel system components such as fuel injectors from the build-up of performance robbing deposits and hidden internal injector deposits. Compared to regular diesel without performance additives and with the same level of biocomponent. Black smoke benefits in heavy duty engines up to and including Euro III. Actual effects and benefits may vary according to vehicle, driving conditions and driving style.
[3] This additive formulation includes a corrosion inhibitor, consistent with the version only available in Asia, and continues to deliver effective dehazing performance
