THE NEWS SOURCE FOR TRANSPORT, LOGISTICS & HEAVY EQUIPMENT MARCH 2020 CablePrice signs deal with Daimler Trucks and Fuso NZ DAF Euro 6 arrives ablePrice has signed two major brands from its six locations throughout p4 sales and service agreements with the South Island. CDaimler Trucks and Fuso New CablePrice will operate with an Zealand for South Island operations. established dealer network with sites It will now be authorised to sell and running out of Christchurch, Invercargill Coronavirus has service the full range of Mercedes- and Greymouth. Benz, Freightliner and Fuso trucks, with CablePrice chairman David Harvey says industry on alert both deals effective from April 1. the company “is delighted” with the deal p10 This is on top of its role as an authorised and everyone is “excited with the potential service dealer in New Zealand for Scania of this new partnership”. Trucks and Buses. As a result of the new appointments, EV van delivers The agreement means Prestige CablePrice will now be actively Commercial Vehicles (PCV) will end recruiting more technicians for its its long-standing representation of the South Island operations. catch of the day Mercedes-Benz, Freightliner and Fuso Continued on page 2 p14 Maximise fleet productivity, reduce costs and grow your business. www.eroad.co.nz • 0800 437 623 NEWSTALK Continued from page 1 not been meeting the expectations of “The strength of CablePrice comes from Fuso customers. delivering the highest level of after-sales “We have explored a number of service and assistance to our customers avenues to improve this and have now who buy and use the world’s leading made the tough decision to refresh our brands and products,” Harvey says. South Island representation. Daimler Truck and Bus president and “PCV has been the Fuso representative chief executive Daniel Whitehead says in the South Island since 2009. Over the CablePrice ticks all the boxes and the past few years, Fuso’s market share in deal comes at a great time with new this region has seen a significant decline. product launches on the way. “The Fuso New Zealand board feels that “We are excited to have such a well- a fresh approach is required to reverse established and reputable network this trend and that CablePrice has the Daniel Whitehead partner represent our Mercedes-Benz structure, network and ability to deliver and Freightliner brands in the South on that expectation. Island. “This is not a decision that has been “This is a massive win for our customers, taken lightly and I would like to thank who can expect the best sales, service the PCV team for the effort put in to and support from an operation that representing Fuso for the past 11 years,” has more than 65 years of experience Andrews says. servicing the heavy transport industry in CablePrice is a subsidiary of Hitachi the South Island. Construction Machinery with a “The Mercedes-Benz Actros will soon be nationwide sales, parts and service even further improved, continuing its cab- network spanning New Zealand. over leadership, while the Freightliner The company is the only authorised Cascadia is set to become the clear class dealer for Hitachi Construction Machinery, leader when it arrives in the next few John Deere construction and forestry months. equipment, Bell Equipment, McCloskey “It is wonderful to be able to support International, HSC Cranes, Montabert and these ground-breaking products with MB Crushers in the country. such a high-quality dealership network,” Additionally, CablePrice Wellington Whitehead says. branch is the region’s authorised master Kurtis Andrews Fuso New Zealand chief executive truck dealer (MTD) for Isuzu trucks. Kurtis Andrews says the appointment CablePrice was also appointed by of CablePrice followed a wide-ranging Isuzu Australia as the official authorised board review of the performance of the distributor for Isuzu Industrial and Marine Fuso network nationwide. Engines. “For some time, we have been concerned that the composition of our network has Continued on page 3 2 | TRANSPORTTALK MARCH 2020 | www.transporttalk.co.nz NEWSTALK Continued from page 2 “Modifications required by adapting the Cascadia arrival vehicle to right-hand drive, include the optimisation of the drive system for the The new Freightliner Cascadia was transport tasks in Australia which typically unveiled for the Australia and New exceed 100 tonnes permissible GVW, Zealand markets in Sydney last special bumpers with underride guard, November. as well as a cab developed specially for The event included a visit from Daimler Australia.” Trucks and Buses chief executive Martin The Cascadia, which features partially Daum and Daimler Truck AG board automated driving functions, launched member Roger Nielsen. in North America in 2019. The Cascadia is a market leader in the Around 20,000 trucks of the Freightliner US, making up 38% of the long-distance brand are in operation in Australia and heavy haulage truck segment. It is hoped New Zealand. the truck will deliver the same results Daimler Trucks North America exports its when it hits the market Down Under. heavy-duty long-distance trucks to more Daimler Trucks North America than 30 countries worldwide. In 2018, the says it made “significant financial company contributed almost 40% of the investments” for trials and adaptation total sales figure of the Daimler Trucks of the new truck “in the demanding and Buses business operation, having markets of Australia and New Zealand”. sold around 190,000 units. The company has a “long-standing commitment to these markets”, it says. MERCEDES-BENZ TRUCKS APPOINTS AUSTRALIA AND NZ DIRECTOR aimler has appointed Andrew “He has a close relationship with our Assimo as the new director of Mercedes-Benz customers, having helped DMercedes-Benz Trucks Australia them improve their businesses during the Pacific. last few years, and we know they will be He joined Daimler Truck and Bus in pleased with this appointment.” 2007 as a Mercedes-Benz heavy vehicle Whitehead says Assimo takes over the product engineer and was promoted director role at an exciting time for the to senior manager in 2015, overseeing brand. sales, production, operations and “Mercedes-Benz has the best cab-over marketing. truck in the market and is about to move Daimler Truck and Bus president and further ahead with an even smarter chief executive Daniel Whitehead says Actros featuring MirrorCam and a host of Assimo was the best person for the role other upgrades that its rivals simply can’t which covers the Australian and New match,” Whitehead says. Zealand markets. Assimo replaces former Mercedes-Benz “Andrew has played a key role in Australia Pacific Truck and Bus director establishing Mercedes-Benz as the Michael May who is now appointed premier heavy duty cab-over brand for new managing director for Iveco Trucks smart business operators in Australia, and Australia. we are confident he can guide the brand to even greater success,” Whitehead says. Andrew Assimo TRANSPORTTALK MARCH 2020 www.transporttalk.co.nz | 3 NEWSTALK DAF EURO 6 RANGE HITS THE ROAD outhpac Trucks is showcasing its south to show our existing customers, new DAF Euro 6 XF and CF models and hopefully a few new ones, what the Sto customers with the first major range is like. shipment only weeks away. “Our New Zealand stock starts arriving in The company, which is the New the next few weeks, so we’ll be able to Zealand distributor for Kenworth and fulfil those orders,” Smart says. DAF, has just finished a country-wide Three trial units have already been “We recently sent roadshow displaying the new range. running in the South Island since The first event took place in Auckland on February last year. two of our specialist February 17 and finished in Invercargill on Southpac has also teamed up with TR driver trainers February 26. MasterDrive which will have a team of 18 Southpac general sales manager Richard driver trainers ready to take operators to Holland to be Smart says up to 40 pre-orders have through their paces when the trucks land. upskilled by DAF already been made and some customers The XF and CF feature the MX-13 have been waiting a few years for the engine which delivers around 10% factory trainers" new models. in fuel saving with the highest range “This is the first time we’ve really shown delivering up to 390kW (530hp) and the product to customers,” he says. 2600Nm of torque. “So, we’re going all the way north to Continued on page 6 4 | TRANSPORTTALK MARCH 2020 | www.transporttalk.co.nz transportTalk acknowledges the support of our foundation sponsors: FOUNDATION SPONSORS BY BECOMING A FOUNDATION SPONSOR recongnised by transportTalk: INDUSTRY SUPPORTERS MULTISPARES TRUCK PARTS Talk to Chris Kensley about the benefits of becoming a sponsor. Phone: 027 530 5194 | Email: [email protected] BY BECOMING A INDUSTRY SPONSOR TRANSPORTTALK MARCH 2020 www.transporttalk.co.nz | 5 VOLUME 8 | ISSUE 8 Transporttalk Magazine and transporttalk.co.nz are published by Auto Media Group 8/152 Quay Street, Limited. P.O. Box 10 50 10, Auckland City, 1030. Ph. 09 309 2444 TRANSPORTTALK EDITOR Nigel Moffiet 022 018 0998 [email protected] BUSINESS MANAGER Chris Kentsley 027 530 5194 [email protected] ASSISTANT BUSINESS MANAGER Sophie Song [email protected] RECRUITMENT SPECIALIST / PRODUCTION Continued from page 4 Fran Da Silva 021 933 279 The driveline offers a range of power ratings specialists at 12 locations,” Smart says. [email protected] and the trucks can now cruise with low TR MasterDrive strategic development engine revs at 900rpm for highest efficiency. general manager Neil Bretherton says the GROUP GENERAL MANAGER The models are TraXon 12 or 16-speed team was “delighted to come on board”. Deborah Baxter automated transmission with EcoRoll “TR Master Drive is really excited 027 530 5016 contributing to fuel saving.