The need to address climate change and its impact on the environment has never been as evident as in recent months, and it reverberated in the halls at the JIMS Truck & Bus Show component, where several European, American and Japanese vehicle manufacturers exhibited even more environmentally friendly products than during the 2009 show.

They again made it clear that the technology is here to reduce the impact that the road transportation industry has on the environment; and again lamented the fact that South Africa is dragging its heels as far as fuel quality is concerned – that it is still tanking up with what is arguably the dirtiest (sulphuric) fuel in the world. In fact, South Africa is still hanging on to Euro II and III emission standards while the First World is already moving on to Euro VI or the American and Japanese equivalents thereof, which require diesel with no more than 10 parts per million of sulphur.

It is a costly exercise to upgrade our refineries but, just as irritating, if not more, is to see the oil companies reporting massive profits to their international head offices without cleaning up their local act.

Perhaps the most frustrated about the absence of cleaner diesel was Kobus van Zyl, vice president of Mercedes-Benz Commercial Vehicles, or the local Daimler Trucks division, who introduced the press to a range of vehicles that can run on Euro 5 diesel fuel, natural gas, electricity and hybrids that could carry South Africa forward on a road map to “sustainable mobility”. These vehicles included the Euro 5 Actros BlueTEC trucks which, he said, were currently operating on long-distance distribution in South Africa with “much success”.

“In order for us to introduce Euro 5 trucks with BlueTEC technology as a standard offering as available in our green Actros 2660, we require diesel containing a maximum sulphur content of 50ppm. However, this quality of fuel is not readily available throughout southern Africa; and for us and the transport industry at large, this is a major concern,” Van Zyl said.

He added that the recent introduction of the new long-distance Actros would see operators saving between 6% and 9% in fuel consumption, in addition to significant reductions in CO2 emissions.

“We look forward to introducing these technologies in South Africa once cleaner fuel is readily available,” Van Zyl said.

He further noted that there was “considerable interest” from local operators for hybrid technology such as that found in the Atego Hybrid, which was awarded the “Truck of the Year 2011” in Europe.

Currently, more than 400 000 commercial vehicles with Daimler Trucks’ “CleanDrive technology” are being operated worldwide, making Daimler Trucks the number-one manufacturer of alternative drive technology. That is besides being the leader in innovative truck technology.

Among the commercial vehicles shown by Daimler Trucks was the Mercedes-Benz Econic NGT eco-friendly natural-gas drive truck – a low-entry vehicle ideally suited for city transportation and ancillary services; and the electric, silent and emission-free Vito E-CELL, with which it will run a number of practical demonstrations.

Also displayed by Daimler Trucks was the Mitsubishi Fuso Canter Hybrid, one of the world’s cleanest light-duty trucks with a diesel-electric system that has been in series production since 2006, with more than 1 100 units distributed in Japan, Australia and Great Britain.

The good news, according to Van Zyl, is that recent engagements between vehicle manufacturers and the Department of Trade and Industry on the Automotive Production and Development Plan (APDP) have indicated that the government has shown a new willingness to deal with the issue as part of the APDP’s objectives to support automotive growth and contribute to job creation.

In the interim, MAN Truck & Bus has addressed the issue with its Concept S – a key exhibit on its (always popular) stand – which is a truck design study that proves how optimised aerodynamics can reduce fuel consumption by as much as 25% while dramatically lowering CO2 emissions.

It also featured the MAN TGS 26.480 6x4 BLS, with a D26 Euro 5 engine; and MAN AdBlue, which is said to be less sensitive to fuel quality than its European sibling and can work with South Africa’s 500ppm diesel without negatively impacting performance.

MAN Truck & Bus hit the spotlight with a 27-metre long bi-articulated Lion Explorer bus-train, comprising a 4x2 prime mover with two one-axled ‘trailers’ – dwarfing Buscor’s well-known articulated (one-trailer) kiddies bus.

Africa’s longest bus will not turn on the proverbial tickey, but it will certainly beat the full-size Buscor articulated versions going around it, so it is claimed. Not one but two ‘concertina’ interconnections keep it together.

Seating 137 passengers, it is aimed at the high-density, peak period commuter transport market. Special exemption to operate the product was obtained from the Mpumalanga Provincial Department of Transport, through the National Department of Transport – permitting Buscor to operate one unit to test stability and safety.

If passed, this bus-train concept – already proven in Latin America – will move more people efficiently, safely, affordably and comfortably”, according to deputy chief executive officer Ray Karshagen, generally regarded as the doyen of South Africa’s bus manufacturing industry.

Back to trucks: there were a few head-turners or show-stoppers, with Scania’s display of blue Special Edition truck-tractors surrounding a red customised truck-tractor that resembled a giant beach buggy (1 000 horse power engine!) being the main outdoor attraction – another creative feat for marketing guru, Gideon de Swardt.

Scania is big into helping fleet operators optimise fuel consumption and reduce emissions with its “ecolution” concept that takes care of our bad fuel for the time being.

“There is much we can do here and now! In close co-operation with our customers, we can help optimise their operations – reducing both fuel costs and CO2 emissions, while boosting lifetime profitability,” said executive vice president, Martin Lundstedt.

Indoors, Daimler Trucks had a Special Edition Actros as well, decked out with so many standard features to make any transport operator’s dream come true, including an aerodynamics kit for improved fuel consumption, and the second-generation Active Brake Assist as standard.

But it was the new-generation Freightliner Argosy for long-distance trucking that elicited the most oohs and aahs when it was revealed after the clouds of cold smoke had settled. It offers new features to reduce dependence on driver skill to achieve good fuel consumption and reduce emissions. The aerodynamics has contributed to fuel efficiency, while extensive use of aluminium in the cab and wheels made the truck both light and energy-efficient.

It remains to be seen whether the aerodynamics is as good as that of the old (boring?) façade of the flat-nosed Navistar International 9800 – claimed to be the best in its class; but the good news is that the new 6x4 Navistar/Caterpillar baby from NO2 that will replace it, will have a face-lift to rocket it from the performance stakes into the beauty stakes as well.

More new trucks are coming our way early next year – mostly from the East.

Tata, which occupied an entire hall with its passenger, bakkies and trucks, as well as buses outside, unveiled its Prima range of heavy-duty trucks with much fanfare.

FAW South Africa, which is investing $100 million in a new truck and passenger car plant in the Eastern Cape, showcased its new Chinese J6 6x4 truck-tractor. It is expected to be launched into the South African market early next year.

Turning to the medium range trucks: the big event was the unveiling of the Hino 300 Series, which was better known under the Toyota Dyna range (manufactured by Hino anyway). It is the first medium truck on the local market to have standard air bags with seat belt pre-tensioners for the driver and passenger.

Next year, the company will appoint a number of so-called 2S dealers, who will offer parts and service facilities without a sales operation.

Isuzu Trucks South Africa used the show to announce plans to build a new truck factory in Port Elizabeth by 2014, with construction to start late next year, according to CEO Craig Uren. The factory is expected to be about 50 000m2 in size and would be designed by Isuzu Trucks Japan.

The company intends to expand its footprint in the sub-Saharan African market with the new F-Series it launched last year, which replaced the previous F-Series – of which 17 000 units were sold during the past 25 years. The model range has been extended from nine to 15 models.

Johan Richards, CEO of UD Trucks Southern Africa, said his company would be launching a number of new products over the medium- to long term, providing customers with trucks developed according to global quality standards and featuring leading innovations, but which remain applicable and relevant to the local market.

In the meantime, UD Trucks Southern Africa’s dealer network has started phasing in the use of UD Trucks Oils and Lubricants in its workshops, and will expand its offering as more products are introduced in the future.

While this sounds a good move for UD operators, South Africa needs more than an oil change – we need a fuel change!

“Road Ahead” will focus on the medium truck range in the next issue, so watch this space!

Udo Rypstra