Capital Equipment News June 2021

a fleet, has the potential to remove significant expenditure from operators’ total running costs, boosting profitability and significantly improving their ability to compete in a highly competitive market. “Across industries, we know that maintenance costs absorb much-needed revenue and profit. The NTG has the potential to pay for its own maintenance,” says Erasmus. It’s total cost of ownership has been redefined, and Scania South Africa sees it as a game-changer that will help customers such as LTD Transport find a sustainable revenue increase while their competitors continue to struggle with high operating costs. “As challenging economic realities bite, Scania’s sustainable cost efficiencies are driving our customers’ business ambitions and delivering increased profitability, so helping them achieve otherwise elusive business growth,” adds Erasmus. Support matters A good product is one thing, but being able to offer unparalleled aftersales support to keep the wheels turning is quite another. Another key factor in LTD Transport’s decision to opt for Scania is the whole service experience, all the way from sales and financing, through to insurance and aftersales. For all these services, there is a single point of contact at Scania Southern Africa. Scania Fleet Management Services have also proven worthwhile for LTD Transport. The technology allows the company to make decisions based on facts. The key to operational efficiency lies in the ability to transform real-time operational and logistical data into valuable, actionable information which impacts the entire business. With Scania’s fleet management portal, fleet owners are able to monitor vehicle performance, fuel consumption, loading and unloading, driver behaviour, safety follow-ups and route planning – helping them improve efficiency and reducing overall maintenance costs. From an aftersales support perspective, Scania’s wide branch network is key to keeping truckers on the road. The quick response times in case of breakdowns help reduce truck downtime. To keep its customers’ productivity high and their fuel expenditure low, Scania constantly strives to improve its trucks and services. By constantly refining the three cornerstones of fuel economy – vehicle, driver and services – the OEM is able to help transport operators such as LTD Transport thrive in the face of difficult operating conditions. b

new NTG R560. From a driver perspective, the new R560 offers greater driver comfort, which is another key feature at the centre of increased productivity. Based on Scania’s understanding that a comfortable driver is a productive one, the R560 comes with a spacious cab. Customers can opt for either a double bunker or a single sleeper, offering class-leading comfort, visibility and control. Great savings At a time when the trucking industry is facing increasing demands for sustainable and cost-effective operation, Scania’s NTG is setting new benchmarks in total cost of ownership, providing customers with sustainable cost-efficiencies, and securing a competitive advantage in their industries. Technological developments are behind Scania’s latest sustainable operating breakthrough. Vehicle data recorded from multiple Scania trucks, in daily operation, using multiple drivers, have yielded an average 10% fuel saving across the NTG range.

Central to the range’s unparalleled fuel efficiency are improved powertrains and better aerodynamics. Every Scania is equipped with smart technology, advanced sensors and wireless connectivity. Scania Southern Africa has thousands of constantly connected vehicles providing the data needed to make informed cost saving decisions. The proven 10% fuel saving compared to the Scania PGR range, is said to make the Scania NTG the most fuel-efficient truck in South Africa. “Fuel costs can equate to over a third of operators’ total operating costs,” says Mark Erasmus, GM Sales, Scania Southern Africa. “Any improvement in fuel efficiency can provide drastic savings.” However, he says, Scania isn’t resting on its laurels. “The highest recorded fuel savings in the market provide our customers with the cost savings needed to offset maintenance costs. By using the fuel savings, our customers can pay zero maintenance costs,” explains Erasmus.

Maintaining a truck at zero cost, especially when calculated across

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CAPITAL EQUIPMENT NEWS JUNE 2021