BMW Group Logistik, in collaboration with Trailer Dynamics, has successfully tested an electrically powered semi-trailer in real-world logistics operations. This innovative e-trailer concept achieved remarkable fuel savings when paired with a diesel truck. The testing occurred over various distances and routes, and the results were promising.
Short and Medium Distances: The e-trailer, when combined with a diesel truck, achieved average fuel savings of over 46% for short and medium distances.
Long Distances: For long-distance routes, the fuel savings exceeded 48% compared to conventional trailers.
The e-trailer is unique in that it features its own battery and electric drive axle, which assists the semi-truck’s engine. Integrated sensors optimize the load ratio, further improving fuel economy. The e-trailer’s powered axle not only reduces the tractor’s energy consumption but also provides additional power during acceleration and on inclines.
The tests were conducted over both medium and long distances, with up to 250km per day on motorways and main roads. The e-trailer data was collected automatically during these journeys. Over long distances, energy modules for BMW electric cars were transported over 450km, resulting in significant diesel savings. The e-tailer’s battery was charged with 100% green energy, further contributing to its environmental benefits.
A remarkable achievement was demonstrated on the final day of testing, where an electric Volvo tractor was used in combination with an e-trailer. This combination achieved a driving distance of more than 600km without recharging and, therefore, a 100% CO2 reduction when using an e-truck and e-trailer together.
While e-trailers come with a higher initial weight that affects payload capacity, the increased total weight for trailers allowed in the EU helps offset this concern. The higher acquisition costs are balanced by lower operating costs, especially over long distances.
The BMW Group is committed to reducing its environmental footprint and supports the development of innovative technologies in transport logistics to achieve these goals. These e-trailer pilot projects are a significant step in realising their “Green Transport Logistics” strategy.
The vehicle fleets of logistics companies travel non-stop delivering goods and as most are powered by internal combustion engines (ICE), they obviously generate a lot of CO2 (carbon dioxide) which has been identified as the gas causing global warming and climate change. While the leading commercial vehicle manufacturers have done a lot to make engines run cleaner, it’s clear that there needs to be a shift to zero emissions electric powertrains soon.
Understanding that its vehicles contribute large amounts of CO2 around the world. DHL, the logistics company, has set a goal that by 2030, 60% of its vehicles involved in ‘last-mile’ deliveries (from depot to customer’s location) will be electrified. This is part of its commitment to have sustainable business practices with the ultimate goal of zero emissions logistics by 2050.
Commercial vehicles from China have been around for some time although their presence has not been so noticeable as they have sold in small volumes and in areas outside the usual business centres. Now it seems that is changing, perhaps inspired by Geely being a dominant player through Proton.
Angka-Tan Motor Sdn Bhd (ATM), a subsidiary of Warisan TC Holdings and member of Tan Chong Group, is one of the companies that is now focusing on products from China and among the brands it represents is Foton. Headquartered in Beijing, the Foton Motor Group was established in1996 and produces light and heavy commercial vehicles as well as construction machinery. Its cumulative production and sales volume since 1996 is more than 10,000,000 vehicles.
As sole distributor of Foton Light Commercial Vehicles (LCV) and Foton Auman in Malaysia, ATM aims to make deeper inroads into the commercial vehicle segment. It is now introducing the Aumark S City Flyer 4-Wheeler BJ1065 light-duty truck which can cater to the logistics industry in the country. This new model joins the Aumark S Super Truck 6-wheeler which was launched in Malaysia in December 2020.
The Aumark S City Flyer is said to offer fleet owners high productivity and efficiency in their business operations. The model is available in two versions – the VDJD4 and VDJD6 – with wheelbases of 2800mm and 3360mm, respectively.
Power comes from a 2.8-litre Euro-3 turbodiesel engine. The engine is one of the latest generation powertrains from Cummins and produces 129 bhp/310 Nm for speed and agility. Matched to the engine is a 5-speed manual transmission by ZF. With its aluminium alloy casing and optimized gear ratios, it has high transmission efficiency and low fuel consumption, The optimized turbinate gear design also effectively reduces noise, which will have a positive effect on the driver.
The City Flyer has a light and flexible bodywork with a gross vehicle weight (GVW) of 5.6 tonnes. This is a top feature in the 4-wheeler category and is ideal for inner-city and intra-city trips, allowing operators to carry more payload per trip.
The cabin has been designed to give the driver and co-driver more comfort and reduce fatigue during long driving journeys, improving safety. The seats are enhanced with an extended foaming life and wear-resistant fabric. There’s also a platform water cupholder and overhead file cabinet.
Even truck drivers deserve good protection when they operate their vehicle and the Aumark S City Flyer is engineered to meet European safety standards, particularly the stringent ECE R29 regulations. Tests have been conducted and it fully complies with the safety requirements.
For stable braking, there ABS to prevent the wheels from locking up during heavy braking. Electronic Brakeforce Distribution (EBD) and Brake Assist help to enhance braking performance, especially in emergencies.
A Foton truck undergoing endurance tests in high temperatures.
“Safety and reliability are paramount; all Foton trucks are manufactured according to the most stringent of standards and are also in line with Foton’s ‘SUPER’ promise. Ensuring this, the Aumark S City Flyer development work has gone through a 1.6 million kilometre extreme environmental durability testing to guarantee exceptional ability in weathering the harshest of environments,” said Danny Ng, Senior General Manager of ATM.
At this time, there are no airbags fitted although Foton does provide them in some markets. For now, the view is that cost considerations are of a high priority to customers and therefore, the added cost of airbags may not be agreeable. Nevertheless, ATM will keep the safety feature in mind and consider its inclusion in future.
“As inflationary factors creep in, eg fuel price increases, we are seeing increasing demand from business owners looking out for vehicles that are able to deliver efficiency, productivity and uptime. The all-new Foton Aumark S City Flyer 4-Wheeler BJ1065 series meet these criteria and is able to help them swiftly achieve their business objectives,” said Tan Keng Meng, CEO of Warisan TC Holdings Bhd.
All Foton commercial vehicles in Malaysia come with Foton Total Care. Fleet owners will be supported by the Tan Chong Group’s service centre network which has been extensive established nationwide since the late 1950s. ATM will ensure that Foton genuine parts are stocked to ensure that fleet owners can keep their vehicles running optimally and productively.
Additionally, customers can opt for the TC Trust. This is a service agreement that is designed to optimize Foton trucks’ total cost of ownership and provide a hassle-free fleet maintenance management.
The Foton range of commercial vehicles available in Malaysia.
In addition, there is also driver training and development to enhance the drivers’ skills and become more fuel-efficient in the way they drive, translating to higher uptime and lower operational costs. In case of emergency, there are also the 24-hour Res-Q service and the One-Stop Repair and Insurance Service available.
The Aumark S City Flyer 4-Wheeler BJ1065VDJD4 (2800 mm) is priced at a recommended retail price from RM93,900 and the BJ1065VDJD6 (3360mm) is priced from RM95,900 for Peninsular Malaysia. For East Malaysia, the prices are RM100,900 and RM102,900, respectively. A 5-year/200,000 km (whichever comes first) warranty is provided with each new unit.
Transporting new vehicles around the country has evolved greatly since the early days when they were driven by ferry-drivers to their destinations. This method had drawbacks in that the vehicle might be driven for some distance before the customer received it, so it wasn’t ‘brand new’, and there was a risk of damage along the way. In some cases, ferry drivers were known to speed too, potentially causing damage to the engine.
By the 1990s, the volume of new vehicles had grown significantly and the use of ferry-drivers was stopped except for special cases. Instead, specially built car-carriers appeared and each could carry a number of cars on it. The cars were secured properly and apart from rain and dust (and perhaps flying stones), were relatively safe from damage as they were sent from port to stockyard, or assembly plant to showrooms.
European-designed car carriers
With more than 30 years of experience in the Malaysian automotive logistics industry, Datuk Kumar Prabakaran obviously knows this history well and has seen how the needs of customer have changed over the years. He now offers a brand-new state-of-the-art vehicle carrier service, Starrtrek Carriers Sdn Bhd, using the best-in-class European-designed car carriers.
The car-carriers are the Confidential Auriga Deluxe 122 and Blizzard semi-trailers which are expected to be game-changers for Malaysia’s automotive logistics market. Thanks to the combination of high-quality craftsmanship and build quality, the Auriga Deluxe will move vehicles without being subjected to the harsh Malaysian weather, road gravel and stone chips along the way. This is because the trailer is enclosed by panels on all side
The Blizzard does not have the enclosure but is still built of high quality and can load more units per trip than the norm in Malaysia. GPS trackers and surveillance cameras are installed for safety and compliance.
Scania prime movers
Both the car-carriers, which use Scania prime movers, are equipped with advanced hydraulic systems for safe and easy vehicle loading and unloading with minimal handling. The use of lightweight high-yield steel combined with new technology and innovation enables multiple high loading capacities.
The Confidential Auriga Deluxe can accommodate a maximum of 6 passenger vehicles or up to 4 SUVs per trip, while the Blizzard can transport a maximum of 10 units of cars (depending on the dimension and kerb weight).
“With this state-of-the-art car carrier, we are setting another benchmark for higher quality and no compromise vehicle logistics service. We are proud to be a pioneer in this field and to be able to offer our customers even higher quality door-to-door services,” said Datuk Kumar Prabakaran, who is Managing Director of Starrtrek Carriers.
MAN Truck & Bus (M) Sdn Bhd (MAN Malaysia) has launched its flagship model of the New MAN Truck Generation line-up – the MAN TGX. The company expects that the truck, designed for long-haul and cross-border trips that typically last a few days, will find significant demand from fleet operators in the country.
More space, larger cab
The MAN TGX is offered alongside its more familiar stablemate, the flexible and versatile MAN TGS that is typically the model of choice in this market. However, the TGX offers more spaciousness with the largest cab among all the New MAN Truck Generation models, especially with its high roof.
The spacious cabin offers more than 520 litres of combined storage space while the standing height of 2,100 mm allows easy movement for the driver and co-driver. The exterior dimensions of the cab are a width of 2,440 mm, length of 2,280 mm and height of 2,150 mm.
Euro-5 compliant engine
The MAN TGX is powered by the proven MAN D2676 LF08 which has maximum power output of 540 bhp/2,500 Nm and is coupled to a 12-speed MAN TipMatic gearbox. It generates lower carbon emissions to comply with stricter Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) standards that are the norm in today’s business environment. As with all the other models MAN Malaysia has been offering since November 2021, the diesel D266 LF 08 engine is Euro 5-compliant.
The engines of all MAN trucks sold in Malaysia are Euro-5 compliant.
MAN Malaysia Managing Director Andrew O’Brooks said that the move demonstrated the company’s desire to stand-up and be counted in Malaysia’s journey towards carbon-neutral status by 2050. “We are effectively challenging the Malaysian transporters to join the journey and take the lead in reducing carbon emissions. In Europe, long-distance transport vehicles produce as much as 27% of CO2 gases. Malaysia must look and act now to reduce its carbon footprint; and the commercial vehicle industry as well as public service vehicles can do their part in this environmental challenge,” he said.
‘Industry needs to reinvest’
As a manufacturer, MAN is doing its part to offer the right solution. “The industry certainly needs to reinvest in new, future-proof trucks that meet these criteria especially in the current business environment that demands strict environmental, social and governance (ESG) compliance,” Mr. O’Brooks added.
Before the passenger car segment started to mushroom from the mid-1980s as China liberalised economically, its auto industry was largely focussed on commercial vehicles. As such vehicles are used for business purposes, appearances have not been particularly important to customers while ruggedness has been. So China’s trucks have generally remained in the background but not necessarily stagnant with regards to evolution and development.
And just as with their passenger cars, the domestic manufacturers have also been looking ahead to a new generation of commercial vehicles. Recently, Geely Holding Group’s commercial vehicle brand, Farizon Auto, unveiled its next-generation smart new energy semi-truck with production and first deliveries planned for early 2024.
Known as the Homtruck, the exterior appearance will be futuristic – certainly nothing like what is seen on the roads today – and it will be one of the most advanced and cleanest commercial vehicles on the road. The focus of the vehicle’s development has been on efficiency, driver and pedestrian safety, with major breakthroughs in sustainable powertrains promised.
The Homtruck’s architecture can accommodate different powertrain options including a range-extender, methanol hybrid and pure electric with battery-swapping option based on government standards recently released by China’s Ministry of Industry and Technology. This will allow the Homtruck to be charged at service stations alongside highways in minutes rather than a substantial amount of time.
The name of the vehicle is taken from ‘home’ and it reflects the development team’s aim of providing operators of the semi-truck a feeling of home. This is important as semi-truck drivers – not only in China but around the world – spend large amounts of time in their vehicles going from place to place. In fact, many may spend more time in their vehicle than at their own home.
This has led to the creation of a mobile space within the Homtruck which integrates ‘work, life, and entertainment’, all to help the driver carry out his role efficiently and comfortably. To do this, Farizon Auto’s engineers closely studied the needs of independent commercial vehicle drivers and fleet operators.
The Homtruck is capable of connecting to the logistics network’s big data platforms to help drivers obtain the most optimal orders in real-time, analyse and track deliveries, and calculate operating costs along the routes. An on-board ‘brain’ can utilize vehicle sensors to analyse traffic data in real-time and receive route recommendations. In addition, the energy management system can also manage the power or fuel supply to achieve the most optimal economic performance, with recommendations for optimal refuelling or recharging routes.
Driver comfort is vital to driver safety; well-rested drivers are more attentive and more focused. Based on analysis of the working conditions of drivers, Farizon Auto has designed a cockpit that applies the concept of home and optimizes space to create a driving and a living area. The design includes a bathroom complete with a shower and toilet, single bed, refrigerator, tea-maker, kitchen, and even a small washing machine. No more sleeping in the cold under the truck!
The ergonomic seat design and high-definition camera help ensure drivers are well-rested and well-focused, while an intelligent AI assistant coupled with full 360-degree cameras help to keep the driver aware of any issues around the vehicle whilst in motion or stationary. As a further association with home, the Homtruck’s cabin has soft-touch fabrics, sustainable plastics, and bamboo grain materials to create a healthy eco-friendly environment inspired by the peaceful bamboo forests of China.
Within a growing number of selected routes, the Homtruck will be able to utilize Level 4 hands-off autonomous operation and will also introduce convoying features for longer journeys. This can allow trucks to communicate with each other to maintain safe speed and distance that will lower operator stress levels. Hardware sensors such as lidar, millimetre-wave radar and ultrasonic radar will be standard equipment along with 5G and V2X communication. The Homtruck will also be fully capable of being upgraded overtime using Over-the-Air (OTA) software upgrades.
Farizon Auto was announced in October 2016 with its first products being a pure electric light commercial vehicle and a city bus. Farizon Auto was established as a commercial vehicle brand within the Zhejiang Geely Holding Group to strategically enter the commercial vehicle segment with New Energy vehicles. Its core drivetrain technologies are internally developed with a focus on pure electric solutions and range extension for zero emissions.
Mercedes-Benz has finalized the planning for a regional After-Sales Logistics Centre in Malaysia which will start operations from 2024.The German carmaker has signed a long-term lease agreement for the location and will partner with Tiong Nam Logistics Solutions Sdn Bhd to establish the new facility in Senai Airport City outside Johor Bahru.
The warehouse size of the planned location will be approximately 1,000,000 square feet. The building management system of the new warehouse will be equipped with the latest storage and material-handling systems. Operation of the facility will be by Mercedes Benz Parts Logistics Asia Pacific (Malaysia) Sdn. Bhd, a 100% subsidiary of Mercedes-Benz AG.
Part of global supply chain network
The new distribution centre will be a part of the global Daimler AG After-Sales Supply Chain Network and will serve as a distribution site for spare parts in the Asia-Pacific region and other countries. It will take care of the importation, the storage as well as the regional management of spare parts and accessories distribution.
“With our planned After-Sales Logistics Centre, Mercedes-Benz is committed and will invest to strengthen our foothold in Malaysia. We have found excellent conditions and great support in cooperation with MIDA and the related ministries. Located strategically in Johor Bahru, this new After-Sales Logistics Center will enable us to reaffirm our position as a global and regional distribution hub whilst creating new jobs for the region. Both our customers and our dealer networks will enjoy a good service and high-quality standards through this new infrastructure,” said Thomas Schulz, Vice President Global Service & Parts Operations.
Historically strategic location
Historically, Singapore’s location at the southern tip of the Malayan peninsular has made it a strategic point for trade. It served as an ideal transit point between East Asia and Europe, and even Australia, hence its development as a bustling trading port. Over the years, while Singapore has been an obvious choice for regional storage by various companies, nearby Johor has also become attractive for logistics activities.
Parts from the regional facility are sent to dealers for use at authorised service centres or for retail sale.
In 2003, the BMW Group moved its regional parts storage facility from Singapore to the Port of Tanjung Pelepas (PTP) in Johor and then in 2017, it again relocated the facility to an industrial zone adjacent to Senai Airport. The facility is a logistics warehouse and parts distribution centre serving over 20 countries.
The Volkswagen Group likewise moved its regional parts facility from Singapore to PTP in 2016. It stores tens of thousands of parts for the Volkswagen, Audi, Skoda and Volkswagen commercial vehicle brands of the German group for distribution to over 20 markets.
Having a storage facility in Johor (or Singapore) is useful for the carmakers as it can speed up deliveries to customers on this side of the world. Customers will benefit as delivery times can be shortened compared to having them come all the way from Europe. The proximity to the airport as well as the port also mean that logistics can be more efficiently managed.
Vaccination does not make you immune to COVID-19 infection. You can still get infected and although you may not show symptoms, you could spread the coronavirus to others. Do not stop taking protective measures such as wearing a facemask, washing hands frequently and social distancing.
Malaysian retail giant MR D.I.Y. Group (M) Berhad has 700 stores across the country and logistics to support the stores requires reliable transport which is also fuel efficient. Having already used a number of Isuzu vehicles since 2017 and found them to meet the demands of the business, the company has steadily increased its fleet size with vehicles from the same brand which was the No. 1 truck brand in Malaysia in 2020 and earlier years.
Recently, MR D.I.Y. tool delivery of another batch of 8 Isuzu medium-duty trucks to add to its fleet. The trucks are from the F-Series (Forward Series) range, comprising 6 units of the FSR90 model and 2 units of the FVR300 model.
A handover ceremony with a mock key presentation marked the official delivery of the new Isuzu trucks was held recently at MR D.I.Y.’s headquarters in Seri Kembangan, Selangor. Making the delivery personally were the senior management teams of Isuzu, MR D.I.Y. and Ultra Gallant, the authorised Isuzu dealer serving MR D.I.Y.
“We are very pleased to have completed the delivery of 8 units of Isuzu medium-duty FSR90 and FVR300 trucks to our esteemed customer, MR D.I.Y., and to be able to continuously provide the support they require to operate their flourishing logistical assignments. We would like to thank MR D.I.Y. for the support and trust given to the Isuzu brand,” said Koji Nakamura, CEO of Isuzu Malaysia.
Providing maximum efficiency and productivity
“As one of the largest Japanese truck manufacturers globally, it is our obligation to provide our customers with commercial vehicles that can lead the way forward for their business to achieve maximum efficiency and productivity,” he added.
Mr. Nakamura said that both of the models are part of Isuzu’s F-Series medium-duty commercial vehicles that the company has been producing for decades with continuous development of new trucking innovations, and where its customers around the world embrace and count on for the advance features, innovative design, and dependable performance.
“The Isuzu FSR90 and FVR300 medium-duty trucks are the ideal, adaptable, and value-added choice for meeting the requirements of any transport assignment. With the gross vehicle weight of 11,900 kgs for FSR90 and 19,000 kgs for FVR300, we are confident the trucks will be able to provide high utilization with absolute productivity, reliability, and safety for the sustainability of MR D.I.Y.’s soaring business,” said Mr. Nakamura.
Isuzu engines can run efficiently on Malaysian biodiesel.
5 powertrain choices
“Isuzu’s F-Series range of commercial vehicles feature a choice of 5 powertrains for a range of performance and torque, optimized wheelbases for greater load capacity and body-mounting capability, offering the versatility today’s businesses need to be successful,” he added.
MR D.I.Y. purchased its first Isuzu truck in 2017 and has been steadily adding more units to its fleet over the last 4 years. With this latest addition, the company now has a total of 100 units of Isuzu trucks in its fleet.
Commenting on the handover of the vehicles, a MR D.I.Y. spokesperson said: “We are on a strong growth trajectory, with 700 stores now, and have plans to open 175 new stores across our 3 brands in 2021. The backbone of our growth is the efficient distribution of goods via our centrally-managed distribution system. Isuzu has been a valued long-standing partner who well understands our needs, and has been supportive in meeting them.”
To know more about the commercial vehicles available from Isuzu Malaysia or to locate an authorised dealership in Malaysia, visit www.isuzu.net.my.
While most Malaysians are staying at home during this period of the Movement Control Order (MCO), there are also many who are in essential services who are working daily. Apart from the brave and dedicated frontliners in the healthcare services, there are also those who ensure that supplies of food, equipment, materials and other essential items are not disrupted.
These are the truck drivers who have to collect the goods from the port or warehouses and then drive long distances across the country. No doubt their journeys are different now with less traffic on the roads but the driving is still the same, perhaps with completion in a shorter time.
Recently, as part of the Shell Rimula #HeroKami campaign, Shell Malaysia has been distributing face masks to the truck drivers to provide them with protection against the possibility of getting infected by the virus.
The distribution has been done in the Port Klang, Selangor area and so far, some 20,000 face masks have been given out. The masks were handed over at selected participating truck service centres and the Northport.
