UD Trucks: influx of new models looming

UD Trucks is poised to bolster its Australian range with a string of new models, as the major investment made by UD's Volvo Group parent in recent years continues to bear fruit.

Mark Strambi, Vice President Sales, UD Trucks Australia (above), told Trucksales.com.au the brand – which historically has been the smaller player in comparison to its Japanese rivals – is gearing up for a major assault on the Australian market and indeed markets around the globe.

"To put it in the words of our recent sales conference, the future is bright," he said, when speaking with Trucksales during a recent visit to UD Trucks headquarters in Ageo, Japan, where the company demonstrated its 'Fujin' autonomous Quon.

"We have over the next 18 months a number of things that we will roll out, but we'll talk about it when we're ready," he continued.

When asked if the newcomers would include new engines like UD's eight-litre, in-line six-cylinder GH8 turbo-diesel, Strambi remained tight-lipped.

"There's a few, a nice assortment of bits and pieces – I guess it's a case of watch this space in January and February, when we'll make our first announcement," he said.

UD Trucks Japan has previously spoken openly of the ultra-clean, ultra-efficient GH8 being earmarked for Australia, so there's a good chance it will play a significant role in the next wave of new models coming our way – and would potentially grab plenty of attention if showcased at the 2019 Brisbane Truck Show (May 16-19).

"We will roll out product over the next 18 months, and the first of that product will be rolled out early next year," said Strambi.

"During next year I think we will probably have at least three more models that we will announce, and then going into the next year there will be more."

Without divulging any specifics, Mr Strambi did say the company would be targeting markets and applications in which UD Trucks was not currently playing.

"That's why I say it's an exciting time – one that targets very specific markets; markets where there is significant growth."

UD Trucks will be hoping the newcomers to its range will continue to build the healthy momentum it is currently experiencing with its new Quon, which launched in Australia in 2017.

The model has met with significant success here, with sales snowballing from around 200 units in 2017 to around 300 in 2018.

According to Truck Industry Council T-Mark data, UD sold 393 heavy-duty models in 2017 (the figure including Condor PD and PW), while that figure had climbed to 498 by the end of November 2018.

Total year-to-date figures put the brand at 930 units to the end of November, with Strambi confident the year-end tally will break 1000 units for Australia, and nearly 1400 units for Australia and New Zealand combined.

Originally launched by UD in 2004, the covers were lifted from the new Quon in April 2017, the next-gen vehicle boasting a wide array of cutting-edge Volvo Group technology, including a new 11-litre GH11 engine and the ESCOT-VI 12-speed automated transmission, the latter essentially an adaptation of Volvo's own I-Shift AMT.

The new Quon is currently available in Australia as a prime mover in 4x2 and 6x4 formats and as a rigid truck in 6x4 or 6x2, with GVMs from 17 to 26 tonnes.

The new GH11 engine is available in three ratings – 287kW/1750Nm, 309kW/1900Nm or 338kW/2200Nm – and uses SCR, EGR and a DPF to meet Japan's strict pPNLT emissions standards – roughly the equivalent of Euro 6 (and higher, in some respects).

It's that ability to 'cherry pick' aspects from other parts of the wider Volvo Group that gives the Quon a significant edge, said Strambi.

"It's what we said when we launched the product: it's actually the best of three worlds," he said.

"It's really good European technology that comes from our parent company. It allows our engineers here in Japan to pick [components or technologies] – we use what we call the CAST system, or Common Architecture Shared Technology. So we have the ability to go to Sweden and say, for example, we need stability control, and that technology can then be adapted and put into our trucks.

"I think the Quon has been well received because it offers a much higher level of specification from a Japanese manufacturer. Quite frankly, the Japanese manufacturers were lagging compared to where the Europeans were, and they needed to catch up – and UD has certainly done that."