54 / 64
52
CONSTRUCTION WORLD
JULY
2015
EQUIPMENT
Yusheng Zhang, CEO of FAW Vehicle
Manufacturers SA, explains the
rationale behind the introduction
of a new, precision-designed,
medium-sized truck range.
“Our decision to introduce a medium
weight truck range was based on customer
demand and market opportunity. Our market
analysis confirmed the need for a vehicle as
durable and rugged as our heavy and extra-
heavy trucks, but with smaller dimensions to
handle a different working environment.
“We’ve had a presence in South Africa
since 1994 – so this year marks our ‘rite of
passage’. Throughout this period, we have
demonstrated our commitment to this
country and our loyal customers.
“This latest investment we have made
in acquiring special tooling for this new medi-
um-sized truck range and the specialised
training, which is still ongoing, combined
with that of the last four years totals in excess
of ZAR800-million to date. This includes our
truck body-building facility which opened
in January this year and our manufacturing
plant commissioned in July last year – both
based at Coega, just outside Port Elizabeth.”
A new player in the medium-
weight market
FAW Vehicle Manufacturers SA took a stra-
tegic decision to redesign and re-engineer
the China-version of the truck to be perfectly
suited to local medium truck demands. The
FAW team paid special attention to cost
efficiency combined with the best possible
payload and the best turnaround time,
without forgetting FAW’s quality build stand-
ards for durability and reliability.
“The new FAW 8.140 FL carries all the
hallmarks that FAW trucks are renowned for,
namely strength, reliability, easy operation,
and most importantly, delivering on the
promise of a ‘truck built for Africa, in Africa’.”
Strength from top to bottom
Imported from parent plants as SKD kits, the
cab, chassis, axles and other sub-assembly
components, together with the imported
Cummins ISF engine and the ZF transmission,
are all neatly assembled in the brand new
Coega-based plant.
Since its opening, this plant has
employed over 100 new employees, all
of whom have been freshly trained and
up-skilled for the new medium truck produc-
tion. The total capacity of the plant is 5 000
units per annum.
As demand for the new range and the
existing heavy and extra-heavy FAW
trucks increases, new job opportunities
will be created.
The FAW 8.140 FL will be available from
FAW dealers in a number of body derivatives
– a drop-side, a taut-liner option, a van body,
>
MEDIUM TRUCK
range
FAW Vehicle Manufacturers
SA has launched a new FAW
medium-weight truck range
specifically engineered for the
local market and built on South
African soil for the Southern
and Central African markets.