UD Trucks has launched the ‘New Quester’ heavy-duty trucks in the Middle East, East and North Africa (MEENA), with features such as Easy Safe Controlled Transmission (ESCOT) automated manual transmission, engines with higher horsepower and telematics to deliver greater fuel efficiency, productivity, driver efficiency, safety and uptime.
The New Quester aims to boost productivity and profitability for business owners and logistics companies, for whom a rise in fuel costs consequently increases operating costs. According to UD Trucks, the New Quester delivers enhanced fuel efficiency of up to 10% over the current Quester. This is aided by the ESCOT automated manual transmission, lighter tare weight and optimized driveline, and is also affected by the operating conditions, driving behavior and vehicle maintenance.
ESCOT includes software which optimizes gear shifting according to the engine revs, vehicle speed, loading weight and even road gradient. The smart system also includes a sensor that will select the optimum gear automatically instead of assuming a first gear selection. ESCOT automatically selects the optimal gear at the right time based on the operating condition. This takes away the need for manual gear shifting which, depending on the transportation operations, happens 1,000 to 1,500 times a day. ESCOT’s automated gear selection also enables drivers to easily adapt to operating New Quester and better focus on driving with ease.
The New Quester increases overall drivability and safety for drivers with features that focus on increasing drivers’ comfort levels and reducing driver fatigue. The new range has an air suspended cab and ride comfort package which reduces cab vibrations by up to 18%. Driver comfort is also enhanced by the ergonomic seats and lumbar support for long-distance assignments.
The New Quester trucks are equipped with UD Telematics, which make it possible to connect directly to UD Trucks workshops to monitor and detect each vehicle’s condition and service needs before a potential emergency occurs. Preventive maintenance analysis guides customers via monthly driving behavior and fuel consumption reports, ensuring higher uptime and optimized fuel economy over time.
Mourad Hedna, President of UD Trucks MEENA, said: “The truck industry in the region is changing rapidly and customers are increasingly conscious of the total cost of ownership. With the New Quester we have the ideal product to address these needs. Moreover, the New Quester combines the best of three worlds: UD Trucks’ strong Japanese heritage and craftsmanship; Volvo Group’s innovative technology; and our strong local support for our valued customers, which we call our Gemba spirit.”
