Regional Drive

New truck offerings in the Middle East feature advanced engines and innovative technologies, in a bid to improve overall fleet efficiency.

The GCC and wider Middle East are viewed as critical markets by most trucking brands, with expected long-term opportunities due to population and economic growth – even if in the short term the outlook is anything but certain. It’s also a notable flash-point for competition between established brands and newer manufacturers, though the established brands can count on long-standing relationships with important local distributors as well as recognition from large governmental buyers.

With the introduction of low-sulphur diesel fuel via ADNOC firmly bedded into the UAE market, some brands have been able to introduce trucks with newer engines, including Euro 5, something that may soon be a more common feature in the Gulf.

IVECO introduced its Euro 5 range in the UAE more than a year ago, with the expectation that in a “few years” it will be the rule across the entire GCC. “Our Euro 5 range has enlarged the product portfolio,” explains Marco Torta, IVECO Area Manager for Gulf Area, Iraq & Pakistan. “We can offer many engine power options and we can supply three types of gearboxes – fully manual, automated and fully automatic – to satisfy the need of any customer.”

With a Euro 5 engine, inappropriately stored low-quality diesel or diesel can cause damage, but to date there have been no technical problems, says Torta. “We are stressing to our customers the fact that if the diesel is rich in sulphur, the vehicles have a security system that automatically reduces the power of the engine by 90%. Our customers are fully aware about the consequences and they are storing [and using] good-quality diesel.”

Truck markets in the Middle East are fiercely competitive.

When Mercedes-Benz Trucks introduced its new Actros and Arocs ranges, improving overall fuel efficiency was a key focus. The fuel consumption of the new Actros is significantly lower than its predecessor, says Marc Legeay, GM – Mercedes-Benz Trucks for Daimler Commercial Vehicles MENA. The Actros and Arocs come with a choice of four six-cylinder in-line engines: Euro III trucks are equipped with the 12.8-litre OM 460, with a pumpline-nozzle injector system; alternatively a 15.6-litre engine, the OM473 with common-rail technology, is also available.

“When it comes to Euro IV/V engines, customers can choose from three different variants – OM 470, OM 471 and OM473 – with outputs of up to 625hp for special applications. All Euro IV/V engines are equipped with the unique common-rail X-Pulse injection system, providing outstanding fuel efficiency. The Euro IV/V engines also feature Exhaust Gas Recirculation (EGR) and SCR-Technology (AdBlue) to meet highest emission standards,” he explains. 

The new-generation Actros and Arocs models are equipped with the fully automated Mercedes PowerShift 3 transmission as standard, which is also available in a 16-speed variant, unique in the market, says Legeay. “With its intelligent shifting strategy, Mercedes PowerShift 3 ensures fast and precise gear changes, increasing the safety and comfort level and allowing the trucks to be operated more efficiently.”

Outside of the core systems in its trucks, new technologies were also introduced in a bid to reduce operating costs. MirrorCam is an optional feature for the new Actros, with wide-angle mirrors replaced by cameras to improve vehicle aerodynamics and thus reduce fuel costs. The system also improves all-round visibility, with two cameras mounted on the outside of the vehicle and two 15-inch displays on the A-pillars inside the driver’s cab.

Other high-tech features on the Mercedes-Benz trucks include Active Brake Assist and Active Drive Assist, which can brake, accelerate and steer independently. “Unlike systems that only work at certain speeds, Active Drive Assist offers the driver partially automated driving in all speed ranges for the first time in a series-produced truck,” he says.

IVECO introduced vehicles with Euro 5 engines in the UAE more than a year ago.

For IVECO, whose full range encompasses light commercial, medium-duty and heavy-duty vehicles, the top-seller in the heavy-duty range is the Performer, a 4x2 prime mover with mechanical suspension, a sleeper cab and high engine power (440hp) that is “very appreciated in Saudi Arabia”, says Torta. The Italian truck maker also has good sales of its Trakker, for heavy-duty applications such as tippers or tanks, both with chassis cab and prime movers. Its Cursor 13 engine (six cylinders, 13 litres) is offered with different engine powers: 380hp, 420hp and 440hp on Euro 3, and 410hp and 450hp on Euro 5.

IVECO’s medium-duty range is mainly focused on municipal vehicles, notes Torta. “Thanks to the versatility of the Eurocargo range, we can offer a wide range of products for all missions required in this segment,” including garbage collector and road sweeper applications.

Municipal buyers

UD Trucks has also found success among municipal buyers and for municipal services. Its overall vehicle range addresses almost every market sector that uses medium- and heavy-duty trucks in the Middle East, from chassis trucks for cement mixers to vehicles for the waste management industry, and covers all aspects of the logistics and distribution sector, notes Mourad Hedna, UD Trucks Middle East President.

Last year the firm penned a deal with a UAE waste management company for 118 Questers and Croners, while Kuwait Municipality ordered 106, says Hedna. “When it comes to waste management, trucks need to deal with the heavy work, constantly moving, loading and unloading.”

The Croner line-up has 5L and 8L versions of Volvo Group’s “modern medium-duty engines, featuring advanced common-rail injection systems that deliver fantastic torque and power for better drivability, and which meet Euro 3 and Euro 4 standards thanks to [Selective Catalytic Reduction] technology. It comes with either manual or fully automated transmission.” Hedna further explains that the larger Quester truck has an 11L engine, and its ESCOT transmission system cuts out the need for manual gear changing so that the driver can keep his attention on the road. The auxiliary braking system ensures safe braking without fading.

IVECO enjoys good sales of its heavy-duty Trakker.

Built for the conditions

The tough environmental conditions in the Middle East, coupled with a tendency for trucks to be driven for long hours, mean quality, robustness and efficient service and spare parts availability are demanded by fleet managers.

IVECO’s trucks are very easy to maintain, with simplified electronics to help mechanics quickly repair vehicles and minimise downtime, says Torta. High-tech solutions are also improving outcomes: using a telematics solution, IVECO can assist workshops and technicians by remotely monitoring vehicle repair.

For UD Trucks, “The most important thing for our customers is uptime, simple as that,” says Hedna. “We cater to that need by having a detailed logistics operation where parts are available in the shortest period of time possible, and larger parts are available on an as-needed basis to reduce occupation of space.”

Hedna points out that easy-to-perform daily pre-journey inspections and maintenance are another feature, thanks to the tilt opening of the electric cab, which allows quick, easy and safe access to the engine. The trucks also have long service intervals, keeping them in action for as long as possible. “For example, the ESCOT gearbox is designed to extend clutch life, while a transmission retarder ensures less wear of the service brake liners, ensuring they remain in good condition for longer,” he says.

Ensuring that trucks are fully adapted to local conditions can give manufacturers a competitive edge. In 2017, Mercedes-Benz Trucks and Emirates Motor Company opened a testing facility in Abu Dhabi, where trucks can be tested with heavier loads and hotter ambient temperature and humidity conditions than in any other Daimler facility in the world, reaching temperature highs of 45 degrees Celsius and up to 100% humidity. Since its opening, Mercedes-Benz trucks have already clocked more than 7m km of driving, including in challenging off-road and desert conditions, says Legeay.

The brand already has a long history of endurance, with numerous Actros trucks clocked in as having driven more than a million kilometres and several units managing more than 2m km without an engine overhaul; the record is 2.3m km on a vehicle from Saudi Arabia, he says.

New Mercedes-Benz trucks must meet high expectations from users in the Middle East due to the brand’s long history here.

Focus on market share in 2020

With an uncertain short-term economic outlook in the Middle East due to the impact of the novel coronavirus and low oil prices, the focus for many manufacturers will be to build market share even if total market numbers decline. Torta shares that IVECO has ambitious targets in 2020. “Our target is to double our market share compared to 2019.” 

Hedna says UD Trucks had a positive year in 2019, with double-digit sales growth in many markets despite the challenging conditions.

“Our new collaboration with Zahid Tractor in Saudi Arabia was a key moment for us, and is a partnership that will see UD Trucks cement and build upon its position in the Kingdom,” says Hedna. “Naturally, given the sudden changes to the global and regional economies due to the COVID-19 pandemic, we need to be observant and adjust our position as required, virtually on a daily basis. However, we are committed to being a key player in the region and we will continue to reinforce this position, building on our strong product line-up, our exceptional regional network with the very best local partners, and the trust that our customers have in us.”