Capital Equipment News March 2018

BAUMA CONEXPO AFRICA REVIEW – HEAVY COMMERCIAL VEHICLES

compartments for cards and a hanging rail,” says Mutseura. The new Eurocargo is pre-configured for integration with most smartphones, tablets and GPS navigation systems as well as an optional Iveco UTP telematics box, which allows remote data collection and fleet management services. Systems can be structured to allow communication flow between driver and the back office and can include tools to improve fuel efficiency, such as the ‘driver coach’, which supports drivers in improving their performance in real time. Mutseura reiterates the significance of driver comfort in commercial vehicles, saying it contributes significantly to the health and wellness of drivers. He is of the view that in Africa, generally the truck buyer and the driver are two different people and in many instances little attention is paid to the need for driver comfort when buying decisions are made. “As a result of the long days on the road, exposed to many sources of vibration, truck drivers’ most complaints are typically a mixture of muscle and/or lower back pains. So, from the point of view of the driver, a further improvement of cabin comfort is clearly required. This is exactly what we have done with this range,” explains Mutseura. “The impact of driver discomfort in commercial vehicles is huge. It reduces performance levels, which impacts fuel consumption and consequently the total cost of running the vehicle.” better year economically in South Africa, with business confidence much higher than it has ever been for the past five years, Mutseura is cautiously optimistic about the growth of the truck market this year. He notes that the current year has started much slower than anticipated, and projections are that the market will only see some slight growth. “It has been a slow start to the year. Although the business confidence is seemingly much higher, the positive sentiment hasn’t translated into truck sales yet. However, we are optimistic that we will start to see real growth in the commercial vehicle market going into 2019,” concludes Mutseura. b Cautiously optimistic While key indicators point towards a

The Eurocargo won the International Truck of the Year award in 2016.

IVECO has significantly increased the payloads of the range by optimising the wheelbases.

The range made its first public appearance in the local market at the recently- ended bauma CONEXPO AFRICA.

CAPITAL EQUIPMENT NEWS MARCH 2018 14