UD: new models, birthday savings

As the brand celebrates its 80th anniversary, UD Trucks has unveiled two new models and a tempting celebratory package of upgrades for new trucks purchased from June 1, 2015.

UD Trucks chose the Brisbane Truck Show to showcase its new Condor PD 24 280 RAA, a new iteration of what was UD's highest-selling medium-duty model last year.

Previously retrofitted with a lazy axle here in Australia, the new Condor now comes as a complete package direct from Japan, saving costs and speeding up delivery time. The model was a major contributing factor in pushing UD's market share to 8.7 per cent in the Australian medium-duty market last year, and UD has high hopes for the new Condor for 2015.

Boasting a GVM of 23,500kg and an optional GCM of 32,000kg on application, the model has a claimed output of 206kW at 2500rpm and 883Nm at 1400rpm. The power is fed to the ground via either an Allison six-speed automatic transmission or an Eaton nine-speed manual, while the truck rolls on Hendrickson airbag suspension.

"It's still the same PK that we've been selling for a couple of years now, but whereas before we would have fitted the lazy axle here in Australia it now come fitted straight from Japan," says UD Trucks Vice President – Sales, Jon McLean (pictured).

"It's proven itself as a tare weight champion in this segment, giving the customers a 300kg weight saving, which is great for their payload."

Also on show in Brisbane is UD's new MK Tipper, a model that according to UD represents a first for our country.

"The MK Tipper is the start of a body platform range for us out of Japan, where in partnership with ShinMaywa we're launching what is basically the first Allison auto tipper out of Japan for Australia, fully built," says McLean.

"The payload is impressive – it's 5.5 tonnes, while the tare weight is 5.0 tonnes – so it's got a higher payload than the truck actually weighs."

UD Trucks also rolled out celebratory package of birthday bonuses, applicable to all UD Trucks models ordered from June 1, 2015.

The package provides 12 months of complimentary full comprehensive insurance, premium Fleet Max Plus telematics with 12 months of data downloads, a reversing camera and harness, and premium sound, with the standard stereo speakers making way for a Sony three-way 150-watt system.

UD Trucks says the package represents around $12,000 in savings, and is available across both its Condor and Quon ranges.