With a rich heritage dating back over a century, MAN Truck & Bus has become an industry leader renowned for its unwavering commitment to quality and innovation. Drawing on Germany’s famed engineering prowess, the company has established itself as a trusted partner in the Middle East region’s thriving industries. From demanding urban environments to unpredictable weather conditions, MAN’s vehicles stand as a testament to their meticulous engineering, delivering unrivalled performance and reliability. Whether it’s transporting heavy cargo, facilitating public transportation, or supporting vital logistics operations, MAN continues to set the benchmark for excellence in the transportation industry.
Joerg Mommertz, with over 30 years of global experience, serves as the Senior Vice President, Head of Centre Middle East, Africa, Latin America & CIS at MAN Truck & Bus SE, as well as the Managing Director at MAN Truck & Bus Middle East.
Throughout his career, Mommertz has significantly contributed to the company’s expansion, leaving his mark on countries such as Belgium, Scandinavia, Central Eastern Europe, and India, among other regions. His journey with MAN Truck & Bus has evolved from humble beginnings as a truck mechanic to assuming a prominent role in international business operations. Reflecting on his tenure, Mommertz states: “Since 1996, I have been closely involved in the company’s international ventures, shaping its global presence.”
In his current role, Mommertz takes charge of MAN Truck & Bus operations in the Middle East, Africa, Latin America, and CIS countries, regions known for their abundant growth opportunities. Among these, the Middle East stands out as a market with immense potential, characterised by a resilient economy that rebounded swiftly from the challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic.
Reflecting on the company’s performance, Mommertz highlights: “We have experienced a substantial upsurge in business activity throughout 2022 and 2023 year to date. Moreover, we have at times encountered challenges in meeting the high demand.”
Among the countries poised for growth, Saudi Arabia, UAE, Oman, and Jordan, despite its smaller size, hold promise, says Mommertz. The emergence of the CIS countries as potent markets is another recent trend he says he has noticed.
In the highly competitive industry, MAN Truck & Bus distinguishes itself through its unwavering focus on the customer. Mommertz emphasises that its reliability as an organisation and the dedicated staff readily available to assist customers sets them apart from the competition. MAN’s philosophy of “simplifying business” underscores its commitment to ensuring a smooth and uncomplicated customer experience, which he believes is a crucial factor that sets them apart from others in the industry.
He adds: “Our success in the Middle East is not just due to our efforts, but also the exceptional collaboration we have with our private capital importers and dealers. We have cultivated excellent relationships in the Middle East markets, characterised by long-standing loyalty and trust. In fact, our partnerships with regions such as Oman and Saudi Arabia have endured for over 30 years, which speaks volumes about the strength and mutual commitment of our alliances. These partnerships are built on trust and involve investments from both sides, creating a foundation for fruitful collaboration.”
Although the Middle East and European markets share certain characteristics, Mommertz acknowledges some marked differences, which range from climatic conditions, which significantly impact the durability and reliability of a truck, to driver safety. Nevertheless, he points out that in recent years, there has been a clear trend towards a greater focus on driver comfort and road safety in the Middle East, which mirrors European practices. He also reveals that certain customers in the region have invested in state-of-the-art vehicles similar to the ones in Europe, with all driver and safety-related features in the truck.
While reflecting on their research and development practices, Mommertz underscores the company’s commitment to always stay ahead of the market and place the customer at the centre of their efforts. “We even integrate customers into our development and R&D process. The recently launched New Truck Generation series saw the input of hundreds of customers,” he states, illustrating MAN’s commitment to customer-centric innovation.
The future of trucking: MAN Truck & Bus
In an era where sustainability and digitalisation are at the forefront of innovation, Mommertz shares a unique perspective on the intertwined future of these two pillars. While acknowledging the future of e-mobility and, in some niche applications, hydrogen-powered vehicles, Mommertz firmly believes that the transport of goods will still happen on wheels for the next 50 years, further underscoring the vital role of fuel efficiency in traditional diesel engines within the next years.
He explains: “Environmental and economic factors are increasingly taking centre stage, particularly in terms of fuel efficiency. While we firmly believe that battery-driven vehicles are the future, there is no denying that in our current markets, including the Middle East, the primary power pack for trucks will continue to be the diesel engine for the years to come. This is why we have been tirelessly working on optimising efficiency and reducing emissions of our diesel engines through incremental advancements year after year.
“Take, for instance, our new TGX Lion model. It offers customers an impressive fuel economy, with potential savings of up to 8%. This represents a significant leap forward in transporting goods from point A to B. To put it into perspective, when driving at an average speed of 80 to 85 kilometres per hour on a German highway, our trucks consume less than 25 litres of fuel. Comparatively, this showcases our superior efficiency compared to passenger cars.”
He says this also points towards MAN Truck & Bus’ approach to progress, focused on smaller, incremental improvements, embodying a pragmatic view of an industry in flux. “It’s also a testament to the relentless pursuit of perfection at MAN, where innovation is driven by the ambition to add value for our customers,” notes Mommertz.
MAN Truck & Bus Middle East
“In the trucking industry, sustainability and digitalisation are linked. Without digitalisation, achieving the necessary sustainability goals would be unfeasible.”
Mommertz also reminisces about the early days of his career, when truck mechanics was predominantly analogue. In contrast, today’s trucks utilise digitalisation tools, enabling them to incorporate features such as predictive cruise control systems, for instance, for fuel efficiency. Such digital enhancements are bringing a wave of eco-friendly changes to the industry.
According to him, however, the focus isn’t just on human interaction with technology but on an all-encompassing network that interlinks product, driver, and operator. As the advent of electric and autonomous vehicles unfolds, he asserts that the pace of adoption will largely depend on a whole network of elements.
Nonetheless, Mommertz is cautiously optimistic about the shift to greener fuel sources, such as electricity and hydrogen. “Electric mobility will gradually become a reality; there’s no doubt about that. We are going to start the serial production of our new all-electric trucks in Munich next year. However, the implementation of e-mobility will vary in speed and progress depending on the existing infrastructure in different regions. Dreaming about battery-driven trucks in Sudan, for example, is currently unrealistic. It depends on the infrastructure. It also depends on the political environment,” he notes.
In discussing e-mobility, Mommertz highlights the varying speed of adoption across different business segments. In his perspective, local distribution, particularly within cities where emissions have a more direct impact, will see the earliest conversion. The trucking industry, he insists, will follow the path forged by public transport, where the predictability of routes allows for more effective implementation of electric vehicles.
However, the journey to wider adoption of electric trucks has its challenges. Mommertz explains the importance of a dense charging network and legal framework, offering an interesting perspective on how existing rules could influence the shift. “In Europe, a driver has to make every four hours a minimum half an hour break. This is mandatory. If you have the right set-up and battery efficiency, this break time could be used for recharging, making the electric vehicle viable for the next driving cycle.”
He elaborates: “Planning for an extensive e-mobility-only network is a complex and comprehensive process involving lengthy discussions and consultations. Various factors, such as determining the required charging infrastructure, analysing daily operational patterns, and finding the optimal battery size play an integral role here. Moreover, batteries, being heavy and costly, necessitate careful consideration. Businesses also need to explore possibilities like reducing the number of battery packages and allowing for additional passenger capacity.
“Additionally, we address the second lifecycle and recycling of batteries, as well as sourcing green energy. Planning ahead becomes crucial for operators seeking electric vehicles, as the lead time can take up to two years to set up charging stations. Starting operations within a two-year timeframe requires early action. Therefore, we have an in-house consulting department dedicated to assisting customers in optimising their business operations, providing a new range of business opportunities.
On hydrogen as a fuel source, Mommertz envisions it making sense for specific applications, dependent on the availability of green hydrogen and the corresponding infrastructure.
Compared to the European market, Mommertz acknowledges the strong ambitions of Middle Eastern countries such as the UAE and Saudi Arabia to transition towards cleaner fuel. He credits this ambition to the resources and political will in the region, predicting a rapid pace of development.
While there are still several challenges to be overcome, Mommertz is optimistic about the role of digitalisation in driving sustainability. The integration of digital technology, the shifting landscape of the automotive industry, and the steadfast resolve of governments worldwide all contribute to a future where cleaner, smarter, and more efficient transport solutions are more than a possibility. They are, in fact, a certainty.
A two-way cooperation
Mommertz says MAN is also championing autonomous vehicles and industry-academia cooperation. He spoke candidly about the firm’s initiatives, offering an intriguing insight into what the future might hold for MAN and the wider industry.
According to Mommertz, cooperation and partnership are critical in shaping the transport industry’s future. He also emphasises on MAN’s strong ties with various sectors, including the government, OEMs, and universities. “We are cooperating in some special R&D projects,” Mommertz explains. “These work in two directions as partnering with universities has proven highly beneficial for us in nurturing young talents, who play a crucial role in our company’s growth and future. We actively engage with students by offering them interesting projects, which contribute to their learning and development and make MAN an appealing prospect for potential future employees.”
Taking a deep dive into the realm of autonomous driving, Mommertz highlights how MAN Truck & Bus is leading the pack. They already have permission to do autonomous driving on level four on German highways. Additionally, a real-world test of this technology is being implemented at the Hamburg Port, the second-largest container port in Europe. The test involves fully automated trucks transporting containers from point A to B in a highly predictable operational area. Mommertz shares that the project has been working smoothly and very well since its inception in 2018.
He also reveals plans to begin autonomous vehicle testing in the Middle East region. While Mommertz did not disclose details, he mentions that MAN Truck & bus is in contact with regional testing facilities.
One of the key takeaways from the interview was MAN Truck & Bus’ commitment to sustainability and environmental responsibility. Mommertz acknowledges the changes in public perception of the truck industry and reiterates the company’s dedication to producing emission-free products and operating environment-friendly production facilities. “It’s not only the carbon dioxide emission, but also the noise emission, the road safety, and the entire ecosystem of transport and logistics that has to get converted into a sustainable, eco-friendly transport system,” he asserts.
He also highlights the changing nature of transport, not just of goods but also people: “We view it as an integrated and interconnected complex business environment. For instance, the goal of public transport is to transition towards an emission-free or low-emission transportation system. Public transportation plays a crucial role in reducing individual traffic, making urban areas more conducive to human beings. Whether the car next to me is battery-driven or not is irrelevant. The focus should be on minimising congestion and long queues, which are detrimental to the environment. Therefore, it is essential to promote alternatives that discourage excessive individual transportation.”
Mommertz’s vision for the next decade is clear: “We strive to be recognised as a strong partner, actively contributing to the development of cutting-edge, sustainable business and transportation solutions for both our customers and society as a whole. Our goal is to create a future that embraces state-of-the-art practices, ensuring a harmonious balance between our customers’ needs and the well-being of the environment.”