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heavy trucks with outstanding success. Isuzu AMT transmissions were
launched the medium range N-Series during 2008 and in the heavy
F-Series in 2011. This has resulted in Isuzu AMT equipped models now
attaining 51,7% of Isuzu Truck South Africa total volume sales in 2014.
Full control of KANU & ACT
In an integrated move to improve the logistical for complete trucks
with cargo bodies, Isuzu Truck SA has taken the lead in becoming the
first major brand-leading truck manufacturer in South Africa to offer a
complete solution. Says Uren, “We have now invested in a totally owned
truck body builder subsidiary – KANU Commercial Body Construction to
focus on rear truck bodies.”
Uren goes on to add: “In addition we have acquired 100% of Auto-
motive Chassis Technologies (ACT) that conducts off-line customising
and chassis modifications as an extension to the Isuzu truck produc-
tion line. Both KANU and ACT are Port Elizabeth-based. This provides
centralized control over design, quality and warranty plus the ability
to schedule the supply chain into our dealers without distressing over-
stocking in limited dealer facilities. It requires an ‘Enterprise’ approach.”
Unique body-builder quality project
With the exception of vans over 3 500 kg gross vehicle mass – vans are
sold as a complete finished product - all new trucks enter the SA road
transport industry as an unfinished product. This means they have
to be completed with cargo-body and equipment by local suppliers.
This applies in addition to many truck tractors that require mobile
cranes, power-take-offs, hydraulic fittings, fifth wheels appropriate to
the task and other equipment. A truck chassis cab is useless without the
cargo-body or productive equipment to complete the vehicle for
a specific application.
Isuzu Truck SA has launched a unique, unilateral program to
improve the engineering quality, durability and on-road safety of cargo
bodies and all equipment that is chassis-mounted or fitted to Isuzu
trucks in Africa.
Genuine original parts
Trucks will use parts – they are working machines with work outputs
measured in ton/kilometres. It’s all part of the total cost of ownership
(TCO) and Isuzu Trucks have recognised this as an important factor
in sustaining market leadership. In line with this Isuzu Trucks have
launched an aggressive parts marketing campaign to align prices that
reflect real value coupled to quality standards ensuring replacement
parts deliver full service life for lowest TCO.
“It’s not just about price,” says Wayne Morgan, Isuzu Truck national
TRUCKING
In addition Isuzu is South Africa’s top-selling, chassis-cab,
forward-control configuration truck – excluding panel vans
and heavy buses – selling over 4 000 units per annum for both
2013 and 2014 with a sustained and steady growth over eight
years. Isuzu truck South Africa is utilising its South Africa success to
drive opportunities on the African continent.
And establishing market leadership in Africa is far more than
playing the role of a traditional truck OEM to send large volumes of
semi-finished truck product outside a factory gate. Isuzu Truck SA
chief operations officer, Craig Uren states, “As an enterprise, we are
now involved in the delivery of complete truck product solution to that
ensures product quality/design is suitable for African market conditions
where we serve nine countries.”
AMT entrenches Isuzu product leadership
AMTs (Automated Manual Transmission) a hard-working, proven and
reliable technology and has been a standard feature in long-distance,
line-haul, extra-heavy rigs since the nineties on South African roads.
Now AMT is rapidly becoming both an entrenched and preferred truck
drive-line technology that fleet owners specify across all segments for
medium, heavy and extra-heavy trucks.
Isuzu was the first truck manufacturer to introduce in medium and
>
2016 DIRECTION
In a revolutionary change of strategy,
Isuzu Truck South Africa has moved
away from the traditional role of
dedicated truck OEM (Original Equipment
Manufacturer) to that of an ‘Enterprise’
with an African geographic footprint.
Operating out of Johannesburg, a new
venture has been established, Isuzu
Motors sub-Saharan Africa (IMSSA), in
support of Isuzu’s objective of being the
No 1 brand in Africa. During 2013 and
2014 Isuzu Motors of Japan supplied over
25 000 Isuzu trucks into Africa.
Isuzu Truck SA chief operations officer, Craig Uren.
Sipho Sandla, general manager of the KANU/ACT operation in Port Elizabeth.
36
CONSTR
UCTION WORLD
JANUARY
2016