ITTES marks first public outing for several new products from truck and trailer manufacturers, here are some of the highlights.
The 2014 International Truck Trailer and Equipment Show (ITTES) formally opened in Melbourne today.
On display was a variety of new products from among 15 truck manufacturer exhibitors and more than 40 trailer builders.
When equipment suppliers are included, the value of showcased product is said to be $500 million.
Kenworth
| Video: Kenworth at the Melbourne Truck Show | |
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We speak to Paccar General Manager Mike Dozier about what they have on display. |
Among the new developments in trucks was a cut-away version of the new ergonomically-designed cab interior for bonneted Kenworths. The new cab also features in all six conventional Kenworths on display.
As ATN revealed recently, these cabs have numerous new features including a smart wheel with fingertip controls, privacy curtain and full-length grab-rails.
Also on display at the Paccar stand were the two models of Kenworth which will be available from July 1 with the Paccar MX-13 engine used only in DAFs until now.
They are the T409 and T409SAR, with a 12.9 litre power choice of 460hp (338kW) or 510hp (375kW).
See a video of the Kenworth stand here.
Hino
| Video: Hino at the Melbourne Truck Show | |
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Matt Wood talks to Hino CEO Steve Lotter about Hino’s eight new light-duty trucks.
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Speaking of power, Hino launched the eight models of its new high horsepower light duty 300 series trucks, the 920 and 921.
The 921 crew fully automatic now boasts the same 205hp (151kW) five litre J05E engine with 600Nm of torque that propels the medium duty 500 series FC.
Hino says the 921 is now “easily” the most powerful truck in its class.
Fuso
| Video: Daimler at the Melbourne Truck Show | |
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Daimler’s Daniel Whitehead talks us through the Freightliner, Fuso and Mercedes-Benz displays.
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Meanwhile the light duty Fuso model, the Canter, is now offering a factory-built tradies’ body on its wide-cab variant.
Called the Loadmaster and boasting aluminium sides and stainless steel racks, the uniform body tray will be built in Melbourne before going to dealers.
Fuso is also offering a bonus to Canter buyers this month of extended warranty to five years/200,000km, bumper to bumper.
Isuzu
| Video: Isuzu at the Melbourne Truck Show | |
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Isuzu’s Romesh Rodrigo talks to Matt Wood about some of the 15 Isuzu trucks on display at the Melbourne Truck Show. |
Completing the Japanese trifecta, Isuzu launched its new “groundbreaking” telematics system, designed in Australia, which the company says is a “revolutionary management tool”.
The higher-level Isuzu Connect Plus offers in-depth engine data monitoring including fuel use, over-revving and vehicle diagnostics. It can be installed in older Isuzus and other brands.
Foton
| Video: Foton at the Melbourne Truck Show | |
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Foton shows off its Tunland utes, which are now being imported by Ateco Automotive |
Adding competition in the light duty truck sector is Cummins-powered Chinese brand Foton, which says it is the biggest manufacturer of commercial vehicles in the world. Ateco Automotive distributes Foton’s vehicles in Australia.
Foton recently snared the services of former Hino stalwart Alex Stewart, and at the show flagged introducing heavier duty trucks to Australia eventually and a small tipper soon. A new range of utes was on display.light duty truck sector is Cummins-powered Chinese brand Foton, which says it is the biggest manufacturer of commercial vehicles in the world. Ateco Automotive distributes Foton’s vehicles in Australia.
Renault
| Video: Renault at the Melbourne Truck Show | |
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Renault brings its Master van range along for its Melbourne Truck Show debut. |
Also at the light end of the spectrum were Renault vans, the first time the European leader has displayed in Melbourne.
This will involve a separate area to cars with a full range of light commercial vehicles on display, extended service hours and faster repairs turnaround.The French company says this year it will roll out a program it describes as dealer “centres of excellence”.
Dennis Eagle
| Video: Dennis Eagle at the Melbourne Truck Show | |
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Dennis Eagle General Manager Mark Gobessi tells us about the manufacturer’s new CNG truck. |
In the vocational segment of the market, Penske Commercial Vehicles brand Dennis Eagle showed off its new compressed natural gas garbage truck, which it says has as much power and torque as a standard diesel, with close to the range.
The 6×4 dual control Elite 2 uses a Cummins Westport engine rated at 300hp (220kW) with an impressive 1,166Nm of torque. Dennis Eagle says the payload penalty is “quite modest”.
Mercedes-Benz |
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| On the subject of garbage trucks, Mercedes-Benz showed off its Econic dual control version with Euro 6 engine, which is in Australia for testing. |
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Volvo |
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| Meanwhile Volvo displayed pre-production versions of its new FM, FMX and FE models, which when delivered will complete an 18-month “renewal” of the Volvo line-up that began with the top-of-the-range FH last year. |
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UD |
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| Stablemate UD unveiled a finance deal across the Quon and Condor range lasting only until the end of the financial year, with interest rates as low as 1.95 per cent. |
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For a list of all upcoming truck shows, click here.
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See which Melbourne Truck Show exhibitors won the best of show awards. |
Photography: Michael Cahill