CUSTOMISATION
from MAN |
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| MAN Truck &
Bus (SA) is aiming to capture 25% of the medium truck market
and will use the recently introduced L&M Evolution range
to get there. |
MAN Truck & Bus SA is determined to capture a larger slice of the medium range truck market and has come up with an interesting concept to do just this.
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Adolf Moosbauer
MAN Truck & Bus executive board member for sales and
marketing, believes the company's new medium truck range will
knock spots off the opposition. |
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Secret weapon.
The tubular cross members inherent in the lightweight, highly
stable ladder frame in MAN's new medium truck range provide a
host of benefits including high strength and improved ride
stability. Chassis design also aims to benchmark
'body-friendliness'. |
Taking a few pointers from their American trucking colleagues across the Atlantic, the Germans are now offering a range of trucks 'custom-built' to suit specific customer requirements. As in the US, this customisation comes in the form of different cab types, loading heights, chassis, engines, air conditioning, air suspension and much more, making the vehicles ideal in terms of suiting a customer's specific application.
Speaking at the launch of the MAN L & M2000 Evolution range, the latest medium truck offerings from MAN, executive board member for sales and marketing, Adolf Moosbauer, says the company is aiming these vehicles at industries that use delivery vehicles capable of between a six and 18 ton load.
"I believe that with this range, we will be able to make huge inroads in the very competitive medium-range market. At present, we have a 10% market share in this category but with the right sales and marketing approach, I am convinced we can grow this to 25%," says Moosbauer.
Some of the features MAN say makes their medium trucks a viable proposition include:
- Compact cab, ideal for the city.
- Medium-length cab with luxury bunk or plenty storage space.
- Short-haul cab (L/M2000).
- Medium-length cab with single bunk (1 930 x 600 mm) (M2000).
- Ergonomic seats with three-point safety belts and headrests.
- Wide range of compartments, shelves and storage spaces.
- Greater light and visibility with twin headlights in freeform reflector technology and long-life H7 bulbs.
- Hydraulic tilt mechanism .
- Adjustable steering wheel .
- All-wheel drive for off-road conditions.
- Optional air-conditioning and heating system with pollen filters .
In addition to the above, the cabs feature low entrance and free cross-cab access from one door to the other as well as low-reaching side windows at the front, allowing optimum visibility to side of the road or pavement.
Horse power
The new truck range comes fitted with the four and six cylinder MAN turbo Intercooled Euro 2 level engines and six or nine-gear ZF/Eaton Synchromesh transmissions.
Selected engines are fitted with the MAN exhaust valve brake - EVB for short. This engine brake gives high brake performance, takes the pressure off the service brakes, reduces wear and provides additional safety.
The vehicles are factory fitted with an MAN transfer case together with pneumatic differential locks front and rear while the chassis features wide track, multi-leaf springs with heavy-duty stabilisers and shock absorbers.
Chassis
MAN has laid a firm foundation in the area of chassis and running gear design. The new range features a lightweight, highly stable ladder frame with tubular cross members. A wide range of chassis lengths - 3 200 mm to 6 300 mm (depending on model) is also available.
Soft ride
Most models are issued with parabolic springs but ride comfort is greatly enhanced by air suspension - an optional extra on certain models. The air suspension, which operates completely maintenance free, makes for fast level control. Loading heights and ramp angle can be programmed with the aid of a memory function and the system is operated by remote control.
At the end of the day, to coin a phrase, perhaps one of the significant benefits for customers is the fact that MAN SA has appointed a sales force that specialises in medium-range vehicles to ensure customers receive appropriate service.
There is simply nothing more infuriating than trying to buy equipment from someone who knows even less than you do. Well done to the person inside MAN who came up with this idea.
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