The Global UD Customer Magazine #03 2012

READY TO ROLL UD Trucks Enters Korea

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1-1, -shi, Saitama 362-8523, Japan udtrucks.com #03 | 2 012

04 Feature story Ready to roll UD Trucks recently entered the highly competitive Korean market, with the first customer already anxious to get on the country’s bustling highways. 08 News Listening to you What’s happening Around the world of UD Trucks. or those of us who live and breathe trucks, it’s always a pleasure to see the results of our work in History the pages of Roads—and to be able to share our 10 F The first link excitement with you. After 30 year of working with truck Japan’s first refrigerator truck was from a technologies, it’s still exciting for me to see what we have predecessor to UD Trucks—and now lovingly created, what’s possible for the future, and all the places rebuilt and on display in Fukuoka, Japan. around the world where UD trucks are hard at work. I began my career in this industry as a blue-collar At the wheel worker: I started out as a test-driver for Diesel in 14 the early 1980s. I’ve since changed my shirt for a white Garden Grove expands collar, and have worked through all different areas involved An Adelaide, Australia, landscape supply company has grown into one of the country’s in the technical side of projects and planning as a manager. biggest—and just added a UD truck. But I still have my heavy-duty truck and haulage licenses! Roads is published That first hands-on work with trucks, and also long-term Tradition three times per year by work on noise vibrations, has stayed with me. It helped me 16 UD Trucks Corporation to think like the driver, even as I was working in software Brave old world udtrucks.com Robots aren’t new in Japan—some go back to development, or in cooling system development, or truck Publisher drivability or even fuel consumption technologies. Maybe the 17th century. Per Sundström it’s about keeping myself grounded—continuing to think Per.Sundstrom@.com Tel: +81-48-726-7601 like the operator, and making sure that the technologies we Technology 18 Editorial Production develop actually help operators to do their jobs better. Escot-V: a smarter way to shift Next Inc. I think there are some similarities with the way we do All about the popular automated mechanical [email protected] www.nextinc.com transmission (ATM) found in UD trucks. business in Japan. We like to be bottom-up: good ideas Tel: +81-3-6436-4270 come from the real world, and work their way up through Editor-in-Chief the organization. That’s why it’s very important for us as Kjell Fornander technical people to be able to listen to our customers. By Executive Editor being on the spot near you, we can hear what you need, William Ross what we could do better—and, of course, what you Art Director Koichi Asano like—and then move this information quickly through Production Manager the organization and realize it in new products. Kazumi Umezawa One of my main projects in recent years has been the Printed in Japan new Condor. I’m very proud of this new version of our medium-duty truck. I can tell you that it has a powerful new engine, boasts excellent fuel economy—and the styling is great. It’s a truck that any driver would be proud to drive, and I hope to share more about it with you in upcoming issues of Roads. Contributors this issue: So please enjoy this issue of the magazine, and Mark Walker William Ross Jim Hand-Cukierman I hope that we do have the opportunity to hear Based in Melbourne, Long-time Japan resident Canadian Jim Hand-Cukierman more from you about your UD truck! Australia, Mark Walker is a William Ross is a writer and is a -based photojournalist who has spent editor who has been produc- photographer and writer Kazuhito Hosono the past 14 years covering ing magazines and contribut- whose work appears in maga- various automotive subjects for ing to publications around zines around the world. Product Development Project Manager a range of magazines and books. the world for some 30 years. Volvo Group Trucks Technology

Cover photograph Kyung Jun Ha Ready to roll UD Trucks enter the Korean market It’s a crowded market, with four import truck brands and two domestic already fighting for market share. But autumn 2012 saw the launch of the Quon into Korea—and, with its first owner now ready to get on the road, optimism is high for the brand.

Text: William Ross Photos: Kyung Jun Ha 01

04 #03 | 2012 Feature story

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01. Multi-lane highways wind into Korea’s capital, Seoul.

raveling south from the capital city of Seoul, one quickly realizes that this is a country on the move. The highways 02 are broad, four and five lanes in both directions, hosting a constant stream of passenger cars and trucks. Along the way are towering clusters of apartment buildings, Tthe satellite towns being established to reduce the pressure of population in the center of Seoul itself. Korea is not a big country, but it is a big economic and, increasingly, cultural power. Its economy is in the top 15 in the world; it is the seventh largest exporter. That means that it needs a lot of trucks to move things around, and that is why we are at the spacious, new facilities of Sunjin Corporation, about 80 kilometers south of the capital. Here we meet Yongju Kim, a happy, but also clearly impatient man. He’s happy because his new truck is here, ready for Sunjin, one of the country’s best body builders, to put a wing body on his truck, which is now just the cab and bare chassis. The wing body splits open like the wings of a bird, allowing fast access to the cargo inside. He’s impatient because the body isn’t yet completed, and he 02. Yongju Kim, the first UD Trucks customer in the country, in the cab of his Quon.

#03 | 2012 05 01

01. At the unveiling ceremony in downtown Seoul.

wants the work finished so he can get his truck out on the road and other trucks with another Quon.” working. Japanese trucks have been imported into Korea in the past, says It’s not just any truck, either: Mr. Kim has, in fact, bought the Youngjae Kim, president of UD Trucks Corporation, Region Korea. very first UD truck ever sold in Korea. The official product launch “We may not have a lot of experience yet with UD Trucks, but we only happened a short time earlier, on September 19, 2012, at do with ,” Mr. Kim explains. “Volvo Trucks established a gala event in Seoul; we meet him just about a month later. It’s its own marketing company in Korea in 1996, with sales beginning a bold move, entering a market where there are two domestic in 1997.” It rapidly grew in the market to take the number-one companies that dominate some 75 percent of the market, and five position in the import truck segment, which also includes Iveco, other international brands, including family company Volvo Trucks, MAN, Mercedes-Benz and Scania. The domestic producers fight for the rest. But Mr. Kim has some good reasons for making include Hyundai, the market leader, and Tata Daewoo, a locally- his purchase. manufactured subsidiary of Tata Motors. “I’ve been driving for 15 years, and I’ve tried them all,” he says. Mr. Kim adds that Nissan Diesel (the predecessor of UD Trucks) “I’m tired of struggling with the problems with local brands, so I’m was imported into Korea in the 1990s by a local partner. “These really looking forward to driving the Quon.” helped build a positive image of engine quality and reliability, and Like 85 percent of his counterparts in Korea, Mr. Kim owns and many are still on the road more than 20 years later!” operates his own truck; he’s slightly unusual in that he has three “We are communicating that UD Trucks are made in Japan as a trucks, so he could almost be seen as a fleet operator by Korean proud member of the Volvo Group,” says Chang-ha Lee, Director standards. Most are one-man, one-truck, family-operated businesses, of Vehicle Sales & Marketing. “People do appreciate Japanese with the wife often the president on paper and the person who technology, and the high level of craftsmanship. They know that handles business inquiries while the husband is on the road. UD Trucks also utilizes technology from the Volvo Group, one of And, on those big highways, they’ll be on the road a lot. the world’s largest makers of truck diesel engines, renowned for “Most operators drive about 400 to 500 kilometers a day, their fuel efficiency. We will focus on the durability, reliability and but I usually go about 800,” Mr. Kim says. He picks up eggs or economy of the brand.” other agricultural products in Gwangju, in the southeast, delivers Now, with their message in hand, it’s time for Mr. Kim’s staff to them to a bakery plant in central Korea, travels to the agricultural start selling those trucks. While they have set some fleet targets, markets of Seoul, then heads back home. “Uptime is critical for such as a foreign-based company that owns one of the largest me,” he says. “I had heard that these are reliable, durable trucks, chains of discount stores in the country, a lot of the sales work will so I decided to buy one. If it works well, I’ll replace one of my be with the one-man operators. And that implies creating a very

06 #03 | 2012 Feature story

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02. President Youngjae Kim, with one of the launch/showcase Quons.

strong personal bond with them. worried-looking driver/operators peer over the shoulders of service “It’s definitely very much about building staff. “We would prefer if they stayed in the customer part of warmth, trust and respect,” says Hyunchul the building (which is equipped with everything from coffee and Lee, Manager of UD Trucks’ Marketing canteen meal service to a sleep area and lounge with cameras Communications Team. “We always talk displaying everything going on in the service bay), but we know to the people respectfully, and we never how concerned they are. The trucks really are their life. When call them ‘driver’! We always call them they’re down, they’re not making money.” ‘operator’ or ‘president’ (Mr. Lee is referring The Incheon workshop is already flying UD Trucks flags, and has to Korean usage, in which it’s common the UD logo fixed to the side of the building. “I expect that the to append the job title to the person’s brand will do well, because customer expectation is growing,” Hongkun Kwak, name, such as ‘Lee-Manager’). You have Mr. Kwak says. “People ask, ‘What is UD?’ when they see the logo, dealership director. to remember, a truck can be an investment but there also is understanding spreading in the market that this is a that’s worth more than an apartment!” sturdy, reliable truck. So we’re really excited to get going with UD.” And, he says, he and other sales people even have truck driver They will be ready as more UD trucks enter service in Korea: licenses. “I’m working on my trailer certificate right now,” he says. eight workshops have completed training programs and added UD “That way we can talk to them on the same level; they know that parts, a number that will rise to 15 by the end of the year and 25, we can drive, too, so they respect us for that.” including three own workshops, in 2013. “We’re also looking at this in the long run: it’s a marathon, not If the new buyers are anything like Yongju Kim, it should be a 100-yard dash,” Youngjae Kim says. “The UD approach is going a very pleasant process. Mr. Kim personally drove to the pre- to be different, and we’ll talk a lot with people about the total delivery inspection (PDI) station in southeast Korea to pick up the profitability over the truck’s lifetime—that the initial cost, which will truck himself, before driving north to Sunjin. “It was a very good be higher, is offset over the long run.” experience,” he says. “The truck was very simple to operate and The relationship between driver and truck is even clearer at easy to drive—a good, solid feeling.” He’s curious about future the dual-branded Volvo/UD workshop in busy Incheon. Near technology as well, already asking about the possibility of an the port, the airport and industrial areas, it’s a prime location automatic transmission (see the story on page 18 for more on for taking care of trucks. As Hongkun Kwak, Director of what is this). “So now I’m just pushing, pushing these guys to get my body known as the “own dealer network”—dealership directly owned done,” he says, then smiles. “I just want to get it out on the road— by the Volvo Group, walks through the spotless new service area, and I’m the only one who gets to drive the Quon!”

#03 | 2012 07 UD TRUCKS NEWS

Thailand

New dealership system means top service in Thailand

hese are exciting times in Thailand decentralized system, one that could serve and the surrounding region. UD the special needs of the many kinds of T Trucks is expanding its presence in customers in Thailand, from individual the country, as well as in other countries owner/drivers to large fleet operators. The in the immediate area (see the story on company decided to dramatically increase Myanmar which follows). Thanks to a new, the number of dealerships in Thailand, from more responsive dealership system, new 10 to 17, “so that we can provide more and existing UD Trucks customers now look professional support for our customers than forward to enhanced service throughout our competitors,” Mr. Muyard says. The the life of their vehicle. dealerships will also be multi-brand, serving “Thailand is not a small nation,” says UD Trucks, as well as Volvo Trucks. Valery Muyard, Vice President, Aftermarket A very clear symbol of these new Commercial & Retail Operations, Volvo developments came with the grand Group, Region Thailand. “It’s about the size opening of the new multi-brand dealership At the opening of the new Khon Kaen dealership and population of France. As the UD Trucks in Khon Kaen, an important regional city (top); on the road to the facillity (center); the exterior presence continues to grow in the country in Northeastern Thailand, at the end of (above). along with the Volvo Group, we needed to October 2012. The sparkling new center will rethink how best to serve many different handle UD Trucks sales and service, as well kinds of customers.” as for Volvo Trucks. The first step was to create a more

08 #03 | 2012 News

Myanmar

UD to begin assembly in Myanmar market

D Trucks will be more directly entering the country of Myanmar, U through an agreement for production within the country. The positive economic developments now taking place in Myanmar have made a much better environment for investment, says Jacques Michel, President of Volvo Group, Region Thailand. “This calls for assembly of semi-knock down kits (SKD) or complete knock-down Jacques Michel (left) with HE Klas Molin, Ambassador of Sweden to Thailand and Myanmar and Kiwi Aliwarga kits (CKD) in Myanmar,” Mr. Michel says. of partner company UMG Myanmar, at the agreement ceremony for production in Myanmar. “We are aiming at the start of production in mid-2014.” The production will include production, customers in Myanmar will now huge opportunity for the future,” Mr. Michel both UD Trucks and Volvo Trucks models. be able to purchase new vehicles as well— says. “With the outlook for growth in the UD Trucks, in fact, is already the most another step in the growth of the country’s future, it is very important to invest at a very popular truck brand in Myanmar, due to economy. early stage to be able to participate and the huge import of used vehicles—some Myanmar is a nation of more than 48 support the development of the country.” 600 units annually. With the start of million people, “and one that represents a

Indonesia

UD Trucks showcases strength at Indonesia International Motor Show

D Trucks made a major highlight, of course, with statement at the 2012 the PK215R, CWM330HM, U Indonesia International CWA260M and CWA260HT Motor Show (IIMS), held from all on display. The display area September 20 to 31, 2012 was more than just about at the Jakarta International the products, however, as Expo. This is the largest annual the company made a strong automotive event in Indonesia, appeal for its service network and UD Trucks was there with across Indonesia, and of the a booth located right along the importance of using Genuine route taken by show visitors— UD parts to realize the lowest all 350,000 of them. cost and longest uptime over The trucks were the visual the life of a truck. UD Trucks stands in a strong position in the Indonesian market, and is one of the leading makers in the country, UD Trucks’ bold exhibit at the particularly in the very Indonesia International Motor Show. important mining industry.

#03 | 2012 09 apan is at the cutting edge of It all started in Fukuoka with an the war years. It was during that time that cold-chain technology—the skills enterprising woman and a truck made Kotaro Tominaga succumbed to illness. needed for supply chains that keep by UD Trucks’ predecessor, Minsei Diesel “Shizu was left with the amimoto products within a certain, usually Industries. business,” says Taisuke Tominaga, her cold, temperature range. The nation’s Shizu Torisu was born in Nagasaki grandson. “And she had to continue it. Jgovernment has long worked with Unicef Prefecture in 1909. At 24, she married But fishing is unstable: it depends on the to improve cold-chain infrastructure in the Kotaro Tominaga, whose family business was weather, or even luck in a given year. So developing world, something essential for amimoto—a fishing enterprise. The couple you look for ways to expand, and it just effective immunization programs. But what moved to Fukuoka in hopes of tapping a happens that our family decided to go into is the root of Japanese expertise in keeping larger consumer market. But hopes soon transport.” things cool? took a backseat to the harsh realities of In 1956, Mrs. Tominaga founded 01

10 #03 | 2012 History

A Fukuoka family business took a Minsei Diesel (predecessor to UD Trucks) truck, added a refrigeration unit, and opened up a whole new era for transport and cool storage in Japan

Text & photos: Jim Hand-Cukierman

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01. The first truck, back on the road: the Fukuokaunyu Co., Ltd. (combining the room at one of the company’s offices, beautifully reconstructed T80 and FB-7 refrigerated compartment. city/prefecture name with unyu, meaning the late afternoon sun peeking through “transport”). Little did she know that, in the blinds. “The Occupation was over, 02. Shizu Tominaga, who made the move into the transport business. partnership with Minsei Diesel and another but the US bases remained. The military Fukuoka firm called Yano Special Purpose was delivering fresh food between bases Vehicle Co., Ltd., she was about to embark on its own. But that year they decided to on a journey that would dramatically outsource the task to a local company.” change Japan. There was just one problem: Refrigerated “It was 1957,” says Mr. Tominaga, who transport didn’t exist in Japan. became Fukuokaunyu’s president and CEO “The military had connections with earlier this year. He’s speaking in a meeting Japanese delivery companies, which it

#03 | 2012 11 used for normal parcels,” Mr. Tominaga refrigerated truck, but they had not yet continues. “Yet when it approached these ironed out all the compressor issues. companies about chilled transport, they “Finally, they found a solution,” Mr. declined the opportunity.” Tominaga says. “They managed to acquire Mrs. Tominaga accepted. And this is old US military compressors.” where Yano and Minsei Diesel entered the They had been uncertain about what they picture. should do, but then received a helping hand Fukuokaunyu needed a refrigerated from the US military. The US forces had a box and a truck capable of carrying it. Mr. number of old refrigeration units destined Tominaga suggests that, as fellow Fukuoka for scrap, but kindly gave Fukuokaunyu one business owners, his grandmother and Yano compressor that was still useable. 02 founder Koichi Yano made natural allies. The compressor was not the only They agreed to tackle the project together, roadblock. Another was the Transport changed the food business and the with Mr. Yano’s firm taking charge of the Bureau’s reluctance to register the Minsei- Japanese diet.” Call it a kitchen revolution. refrigeration system. Yano refrigerated trucks, which were Fast-forward to the present day, and Minsei Diesel, meanwhile, was able to anything but standard. Yet Mrs. Tominaga Fukuokaunyu not only offers refrigerated provide 7.5- to 8-ton trucks, which Mr. managed to persuade the bureau, and service, it specializes in it. Using a Tominaga notes were large for the time. Fukuokaunyu Reefer Service—a name proprietary computer system at bases The stakes were high for everyone suggested by a US commander—was born. dotted around the country, the firm can involved. “If they failed in building Soon, the Japanese government would deliver everything from food to medical the truck,” Mr. Tominaga stresses, embrace chilled transport wholeheartedly. supplies, maintained at precise temperature “Fukuokaunyu could have gone out of In 1965, the Science and Technology zones. business. Someone at Minsei Diesel said Agency announced its intention to promote “It’s not all about the technology,” Mr. to our company, ‘This could be suicide for the cold chain. By 1967, the Reefer Service Tominaga stresses. “It’s how you use it. Say both of us.’” had a fleet of 120 trucks. you’re delivering a box. It’s no good if the That concern was not enough to stop the “This technology drastically changed box is damaged, even if what’s inside is fine. trio from pressing ahead with a process that the economy,” Mr. Tominaga says. “The That has nothing to do with temperature, resembled assembling a puzzle—without combination of cold transport and the but I think this illustrates the Japanese being quite sure what it was supposed spread of home refrigerators definitely approach to transport.” to look like. The refrigeration compressor proved the most vexing. “You would think,” Mr. Tominaga says, “that if the US had compressors, it would have simply been a “I believe Shizu’s gut instinct told her matter of importing them. Things were not this would benefit Japanese society“ so straightforward back then.” Taisuke Tominaga By late 1958, they had created a

Fukuokaunyu is now in the process of 01 building up its collection of UD trucks, with 28 currently on the road. Just as the companies are bound together by history, they’re heading into the future together. The transporter and the truck maker further cemented their bond in the run-up to Fukuokaunyu’s 50th anniversary in 2006, when UD Trucks was still Nissan Diesel. “To celebrate the big milestone, we asked Nissan Diesel to rebuild one of the original refrigerated trucks,” Mr. Tominaga says. The first step was to find a Minsei T80 chassis. “Even if Nissan Diesel found one, there was no guarantee the owner would sell it,” he recalls. “The first one they found, the owner refused to part with it, since it’s a collector’s item. The second one would have been too hard to restore.” Nissan Diesel searched for about a year before hitting the jackpot in Hiroshima.

12 #03 | 2012 History

01. The original truck, and the Fukuokaunyu team, in the early 1960s. 02. Taisuke Tominaga, third- generation leader of Fukuokaunyu. 03. The sparkling front end of the reconstructed truck. 04. The original Minsei Diesel badge. 05. The UD mark is there as well, on the truck’s steering wheel. 06. The stylized snowflake mark that is still part of the company logo.

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Even then, Mr. Tominaga says, “The coincidence: Nissan Diesel and Yano Special Mr. Tominaga takes a moment to Hiroshima company only agreed to sell us Vehicle finished the replica that June, one contemplate the question. “It’s difficult to the T80 because it had two!” day before Fukuokaunyu was to hold a say exactly why she did it. At the time she Mr. Tominaga is full of praise for Nissan memorial ceremony for the founder. “We had a child, my father, who was in school in Diesel’s restoration effort. “It was like a had the truck there for the ceremony,” he Tokyo. She was the president, but she was skill Olympics for the workers,” he says. says. “A lot of people from the old days also a mother. And as a mom, she thought “There were holes in the cabin. It was in came, so we wanted them to see it.” about delivering fresh food to her son. I pretty poor condition. “ But the team at the More recently, Fukuokaunyu, Minsei think that was one reason.” company did a Herculean effort, he says, Diesel and Yano Special Purpose Vehicle Another factor seems to have been to return the battered truck to a like-new officially entered the annals of Japanese her visit to a US base, where she saw a condition. innovation together. On Sept. 11, 2012, the refrigerator for the first time. “I believe Using blueprints, Yano Special Purpose National Museum of Nature and Science her gut instinct told her this would benefit Vehicle pitched in and rebuilt its FB-7 registered the first refrigerated truck as Japanese society.” refrigerated compartment. The result was a an Essential Historical Material for Science Thus, Mrs. Tominaga’s vision, Minsei’s pristine, drivable replica truck now housed and Technology, alongside world-changing chassis and Yano’s refrigerated box in a massive glass display case outside inventions like the Sony Walkman. The combined to create the first link in Japan’s Fukuokaunyu’s office. museum’s pamphlet dates the chassis to cold chain. And now those links are Although 2006 was a festive year for 1961 and the FB-7 to 1960. stretching abroad and benefiting global Fukuokaunyu, it was also a sad one. That The question remains: What made Mrs. society as well. May, Shizu Tominaga passed away at Tominaga take up a challenge others saw as 97. Mr. Tominaga tells of a rather fitting too daunting?

#03 | 2012 13 Garden Grove Expands with UD Trucks

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It’s hard to drive around the streets of Adelaide, the capital of South Australia, and not see a Garden Grove truck passing by. Situated on the city’s northern outskirts, Garden Grove has grown from almost accidental origins to become one of the country’s leading landscape supply companies. As it has diversified its business, the company has seen incredible growth in its transport division, which now has a fleet of some 100 trucks—including its first UD truck. Text & Photos: Mark Walker

rad Carraill, Garden Grove’s Garden Grove was out in the middle of being built, our retail and landscaping Managing Director and son nowhere in the early 1980s,” Brad Carraill opportunities grew.” of company founder Jim says. “Dad was carting garden supplies out Today, the business uses every available Carraill, oversees the continual to other landscape depots, and occasionally piece of land on the 10-acre property development of the business— bringing a load back to base as well. surrounding the family house where Brad Bincluding the recent addition of a UD Trucks Sometimes he would only have a half load on Carraill grew up. Complete with a retail GW470 to the fleet. From road trains all the board, so instead of taking it back, he would nursery and garden store, the facility also way down to small tippers, the company just dump the supplies in our front yard. stocks all manner of sand, soil, mulch, has the flexibility to meet any need. People would see the products lying around, metal, lawn, pavers and building supplies, Originally a farmer, Jim Carraill also drove and make enquiries about buying them.” catering for small domestic projects right up a tipper carrying deliveries from quarries Later on, Mr. Carraill says, major housing to massive commercial contracts. in the Garden Grove suburb of Adelaide, developments began springing up in the The largest of these contracts can see the roots of the company name. “Basically, Garden Grove area. “With a lot of houses the long-haul fleet travel to every mainland

14 #03 | 2012 At the wheel

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01. The company that began with one tipper; Garden Grove’s brightly colored trucks are a familiar sight in Adelaide. 02. Garden Grove’s first UD truck takes off for another landscaping run.

state, with the journeys taking in distant days however, while mated to a four axle With such a large and active fleet on the destinations such as Darwin in the Northern dump trailer, the outfit is utilized on stop- roads, servicing is of utmost importance for Territory, a 6,000-kilometer round trip. start city roads. the company. On site is a fully functioning Garden Grove’s UD truck, however has One area which sets the Garden Grove workshop, which is complemented by fuel been set to work on more local routes, fleet apart is the presentation of the bowsers and Ad Blue storage tanks. with its current daily run an across-town vehicles and trailers, with stand-out vinyl “We have our own workshop here; it shuffle from a quarry in Garden Grove to wraps and decals which were used before doesn’t quite run 24 hours a day, but it runs the Bolivar Sewerage treatment works. The the practice became the norm. With the two shifts, as a lot of the major servicing is 40-kilometer return drive takes in several trucks finished with polished aluminum and done in the evenings and the weekends,” major hills, with often loose dirt roads at additional running lights, drivers typically Mr. Carraill says. “We try not to take too either end. The fully laden truck takes in all find their vehicles equipped with GPS many trucks off the road during the week.” of these obstacles with ease. tracking and navigation, reversing cameras, So how has the UD Trucks trial gone for In the first 12 months of operation the two-way radios and mobile phones. The Garden Grove? UD has racked up a trouble free 150,000 company has a general preference for “It’s gone quite well!” he says. “We were kilometers of service. At the start of its manual transmissions, but Mr. Carraill only just talking to the dealer the other tenure at Garden Grove, the GW ran admitted that, “The next time we look at a day about getting a quote on another one. overnight trips to Ceduna, some 770 UD Truck, we would definitely consider the We’re definitely considering getting more in kilometers to the east of Adelaide. These automatic option.” the future.”

#03 | 2012 15 Brave Old World 01

Japan’s love of mechanical men goes back master craftsman Hosokawa Hanzo Yorinao more than 200 years and published in 1796. The three-volume compendium contains designs for numerous Text & photos: Jim Hand-Cukierman clocks and mechanical dolls. How to cut the wooden parts, how to fashion a spring mechanism using whale baleen, essays on the magine: A robot brings you a cup of tea. and zashiki (tatami room) karakuri, designed for spirit of the art—it’s all there for anyone with You take it, drink the tea, and return the home entertainment. a knack for complex systems, steady hands and cup to its saucer. The robot turns around Today, at 70, Mr. Hannya is one of only a few plenty of patience. and takes the cup away. craftsmen keeping the tradition alive. “I’ve been doing this for 37 years,” Mr. Now imagine you are living not in the While such skills are often passed from Hannya says, “and I still learn new things from I21st century but the 17th. parents to children or mentors to apprentices, this book.” Japan’s passion for robotics is no secret. Mr. Hannya is a self-made artisan. In 1962, Mr. Hannya reckons he has made some 800 Besides cutting-edge manufacturing systems, he joined what was then the Ministry of dolls. When he’s not in his workshop he’s out the country’s researchers are continually International Trade and Industry. A decade later, giving lectures about karakuri. And of course he creating humanoids that seem ever more, well, he decided his destiny lay elsewhere. sells his creations: A TV station bought two to human. But even as science fiction becomes “I was amazed that something like this cha- present as gifts to Steven Spielberg. reality, Harumitsu Hannya believes it’s still hakobi (tea-serving) doll existed in the Edo era,” Mr. Hannya says he does worry about passing worth pondering Japanese androids’ ancestors: he recalls while removing one of his figures on karakuri ningyo to the next generation, karakuri ningyo, or mechanical dolls. from a case. “To be precise, there’s a record of noting, “It would be a shame if it ends here.” “Young people tell me this is old this technology being presented to the emperor Most of all, however, he wants people to draw technology,” Mr. Hannya says at his workshop in 1658. I wanted to know all about it.” inspiration from Edo-era technical wizardry— in Kawaguchi, Saitama Prefecture. “But I ask, Back then, karakuri ningyo engendered and recognize how the dolls paved the way what can we learn from it?” such awe that makers enjoyed the support of for the Japanese service robots of today and Adapting clockwork and other mechanisms patrons. But that support dried up during the tomorrow. from China and the West, Japanese craftsmen Meiji era (1868-1912), and by the Showa period “Compared with Western automata, karakuri put their own spin on automata during the Edo (1926-1989) the craft was practically a memory. ningyo tended to be more about interacting period (1603-1868). They created three types of “There was no one who could teach me, so I with people, such as by serving tea,” he mechanical dolls: dashi (festival float) karakuri, started from scratch,” Mr. Hannya says. explains. “That was very Japanese. I believe used for religious rituals; butai (stage) karakuri, He did, however, have a guide: Karakuri-Zui that’s the origin of the robots you see in Japan which influenced Kabuki and Bunraku theater; (Illustrated Mechanisms), a book compiled by now.” Mr. Hannya sets one of the dolls and lets it scoot across the table. “In the future,” he 01. Karakuri-Zui, a book published in the continues, “we’ll face new hurdles. Today’s Edo era, is a how-to on young people are going to have to clear mechanical dolls. them. And I think it can help to look at how 02. A small tea-serving yesterday’s masters overcame obstacles.” doll. Yet he says there’s also a cautionary lesson 03. Mr. Hannya, in his workshop. to be gleaned from karakuri ningyo. “This 04. Mr. Hannya’s contraption here, it brings joy. But the key is Karakuri ningyo. you can control it. We shouldn’t cross the line where robots become unstoppable.” Mr. Hannya touches the doll’s white forehead. “That’s what I’ve learned from the 02 03 technology of the 17th century.”

16 #03 | 2012 Tradition

04

#03 | 2012 17 Escot-V A smarter way to shift A world-leading transmission system, made possible by Volvo Group technology. Originally developed by the Volvo Group and launched in 2001, this automated mechanical transmission (AMT) has been developed over the years. Today this epoch-making AMT, in variants adapted for each brand, is serving on trucks and buses around the world, increasing driver efficiency and reducing fuel consumption and wear. Text: William Ross Photos: Yoshito Shiba

he image of a heavy-duty truck Anders Larsson, Vice President of Powertrain being driven—at least in the popular Engineering. And, he explains, removing that Hollywood view—is of a big, burly third pedal really was one of the big challenges. guy sweating and shifting through ”Selecting the gears is not a difficult challenge, the many gear changes needed to get but removing the clutch pedal, and the control Tthe big vehicle moving. It’s a great image for the it gives, and still be able to operate the truck in movies, but hardly the way anyone would want to all conditions, including mud and snow, is the work (even big, burly guys). tough part.” Since 2010, the majority of Quon trucks sold The first such transmission appeared in the have the answer to a smarter, smoother shift: 1980s, Mr. the Escot‑V automated mechanical transmission Larsson says. (AMT). This remarkable Volvo Group technology “There have “With 100 driver s, there’s always does a lot of things for both the driver and the been a lot of the number-one driver—but operator—starting, perhaps most visibly, by developments removing the clutch pedal. and a lot of what about the other 99?” Anders Larsson “Up until recently, there have been many improvements Anders Larsson Vice President, attempts at AMTs, but usually with the third over the years. Powertrain Engineering (clutch) pedal,” says Takemi Murata, Manager, Today though, we’re at the point where the Subsystem Drivelines & Hybrids, Powertrain system is very popular in Japan, with between Engineering. “With the Escot-V, we have only 70 to 80 percent of all our trucks now purchased two pedals, like a car. This makes it much easier with the Escot-V.” to drive.” In fact, Mr. Murata says, a recent survey in “The system gives the good sides of both Japan showed that the Escot-V is the most a traditional automatic transmission that popular AMT in the country. “The Japanese everyone is familiar with, and the advantages market has its own unique challenges, in narrow of the manual transmission as well,” says roads and congested terminals, where drivers

18 #03 | 2012 Technology

have to back the truck up very carefully to the that the smooth, smart shifting of the Escot-V also gate. Truck drivers were used to using the clutch provides increased fuel economy, reduces stress pedal to gently ease back the trucks to a very on driveline and tires, reduces maintenance—and gentle stop right at the gate, but earlier AMTs just makes driving a whole lot more pleasant and weren’t sensitive down to millimeters. But, with less stressful for the person working in the cabin, the creep mode of the Escot-V, the accelerator increasing safety. acts more like the clutch pedal. So we were able Those patterns are determined in no small to answer the needs of the Japanese market.” degree by the software involved, because of all It’s not only the drivers who have come to the control that software has over the operation embrace this of the engine, the transmission, and many other 12-speed areas of truck operation. A big advantage for “With 100 driver s, there’s always AMT, though; the Volvo Group is that the development of both the number-one driver—but Mr. Larsson engines and transmissions is done in-house. explains that “Some of our competitors source many of their what about the other 99?” fleet operators components, such as the electronic controls, from Anders Larsson also have good suppliers” Mr. Larsson says. “That always means Takemi Murata reason to compromises later. It’s much better if you have Manager, Subsystem Driveline & Hybrids, appreciate this automatic truck transmission. “A the system and software engineers yourself, as Powertrain Engineering big advantage is that it makes all drivers better. we do in the Volvo Group. They can be coding in With 100 drivers, there’s always the number- the morning, and test driving can happen in the one driver who may be extremely efficient with afternoon.” a manual transmission—but what about the Which means that they can even further other 99? The Escot-V makes the average driver improve and serve this and other markets with much better. We also provide full control over the what has already become the leading AMT in clutch, its wear and maintenance, because the use Japan. patterns are predetermined.” It has been shown

#03 | 2012 19 Not just another oil

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