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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.