UD Trucks offers peace of mind

February 14, 2024

The response “Same old, same old” to the question “How are things going?” can take on different meanings depending on vocal inflection. For UD Trucks in 2024, it is delivered with a resoundingly positive ring to it. That’s according to COLIN WINDELL, who recently attended UD Trucks Southern Africa’s annual press conference.

According to Rory Schulz, sales director for UD Trucks Southern Africa (UDTSA), owners can expect maintenance peace of mind with UD Trust Service Agreements, which include a maintenance plan based on vehicle usage and covering optimal preventive maintenance and reliable inspections.

Quon trucks are also supported with UD Extra Mile Support solutions that tap into the full UD network to access vehicle support that benefits owners throughout their vehicle application and lifespan. This spans vehicle handover training programmes, manufacturer’s warranties, and UD Road Support, on top of reliable servicing by qualified technicians using genuine parts and UD Connected Services.

“The upgraded Quon contributes to heightened sustainability and mobility, thereby reducing the overall carbon footprint in alignment with UD Trucks’ aim of creating a better life for people and the planet. Already launched in international markets (specifically Australia and New Zealand) since May 2023, these safety enhancements are anticipated to be introduced in South Africa during the third quarter of the year,” said Schulz.

Filip Van den Heede, UDTSA managing director, revealed that as the company advances towards an exciting future, the vision remains steadfast: to offer the trucks and services the world needs today. “Ongoing customer trials are being conducted for automation and electromobility technologies, and the company will persist in concentrating on solutions to swiftly deliver the benefits of these advancements to customers,” he elaborated.

“It has been a transformational year for us as a company and, looking ahead in the next few months, I’m holding thumbs with optimism and resilience for a brighter outlook on the horizon,” Van den Heede said. “2024 will not be different for us: we will continue to put our valued customers at the core of everything we do and remain their partner of choice.”

He added that while 2023 was certainly not a walk in the park, the company had focused on delivering transport and service solutions, enhanced its aftersales offerings to reduce total cost of ownership, and improved parts availability at dealers leading to even better uptime and resale value for its customers.

During 2023, UD Trucks re-entered the local commuter bus market with the all-new Croner Bus, which comes in two variants: a commuter bus (PKE 280) and rural bus (LKE 210). This has ongoing significance for the company from a wider African perspective, in response to the growing demand for sustainable and safe travel options.

A specially armoured UD Kuzer RKE 150 truck is now available following a venture between UD Trucks and SVI Engineering, a leading specialist manufacturer of armoured products in South Africa. The SVI-converted UD Kuzer truck offers its driver and front passengers comprehensive B6 protection, without compromising either comfort or performance.

Furthermore, the conversion is fully approved by UDTSA, and the new armouring solution can be ordered through any UD dealer in the local network, with the standard manufacturer warranty remaining in place.

“With the recent additions, UDTSA remains committed to utilising a comprehensive approach in addressing today’s challenges,” stated Sanjay Naipal, the company’s aftermarket director. “In this regard, the focus on reducing the total cost of ownership for our customers is crucial, ensuring maximum uptime, peace of mind, and, ultimately, a high resale value for their vehicles.”

In the tech space, UD Connected Services is now a standard inclusion on specific UD models for a period of five years. UD Connected Services offers extensive fleet management, enhanced logistical efficiency, and vehicle connectivity.