Four brand new Scania trucks, a proud 2 256 kilometre trip, one enthusiastic Scania team and true rural hospitality were the ingredients of a success recipe for the New Generation Scania road show presented by their Bloemfontein regional office.

“We know the farmers are in their busiest season getting the harvest in and they are far from Scania’s head office, preventing them from attending the big launch of the new Scania range in Johannesburg; so we decided to take the trucks to them,” says Morné Botha, General Manager of Scania in Central Gauteng Region.

The route took them through the potato world of Christiana, then the cattle country of Upington, and from there all the way to Port Elizabeth and the sea.

“We also saw it as a manner in which we could put something back into the communities that support us by holding our functions at local golf clubs and lodges. It was wonderful to visit with our friends in a convivial atmosphere where they are at ease and relaxed,” says Morné. “Almost like a rural chuch bazaar!”

 The four New Generation long distance trucks, which were the stars of the Road Show, were the R460, R560, G460 and G460XT. The XT denotes “eXtra Tough” and the farmers praised the safety measures of a higher ground clearance and steel bumper. Driving from the farm to the nearest national road is not always a smooth ride, and Scania showed with this model that they really earned the award as International Truck of the Year – not only on the highways and toll roads of Europe, but also in the rough of Africa.

Morné says the streamlined appearance of the new cabins elicited positive comments from clients. “Scania already had a well-known profile, but now it is even more recogniseable.”

 “The various models offer a range of cabins depending on the need of the owner. If you want to drive between the farm and the silo, you do not need a cabin with sleeping accommodation. But if you want to go from the silo to Durban harbour, the new wider sleeping bench will make a vast difference.”

He says fleet owners and transport companies understand the value of a comfortable cabin for their drivers. A driver who has a good night’s rest, sits on a comfortable seat when he drives, has enough room for storing his personal belongings, and has user-friendly controls and instrumentation at his disposal, is also a happy driver. Satisfied drivers lower the total risk of a truck on the road.

The New Generation Scania’s has all of it and even more!

The other positive aspect that elicited many questions during the road show functions, was fuel saving.

Morné says people were amazed that Scania could put even more fuel-saving measures in their trucks. “Scania was already known as the most economical truck for long haul, and now operators can cut their fuel expenditure even further.”

 He says fuel consumption depends largely on the road conditions and the driver. “However, Scania can assist with the training of drivers to perform as economically as possible,” he says.

Another advantage greeted with positive comments, is the connectivity system. The information of each truck is transmitted to a central database where information is stored, such as the lifespan of components and the general well-being of the  truck.

 “For example, we can phone a client to tell him that his truck wil soon require a new diesel filter and that a new filter is available at his next Scania service station, where he simply has to pull in and will be on his way again within twenty minutes,” says Morné.

 He says in spite of economic pressure in the agricultural sector, and problems such as criminals who lie in wait to damage trucks and obstruct roads, there seems to be a spirit of entrepreneurship – the new truck series has been welcomed with open arms.

 “Our order book looks healthy – even since before the official launch and thereafter.”

Scania can, as always, assist buyers with plans to upgrade their fleets through Scania Finance, Scania’s in-house financing option, and can even offer worthwhile trade-in prices for second-hand trucks of other manufacturers.

Repair and maintenance packages are put together according to the needs and means of the client, and especially in the agricultural sector the seasonal pressure is taken into consideration.

“Scania’s technology and service support is simply light years ahead,” says Morné.

For more information about the Scania range of transport solutions, contact your nearest Scania dealer or the Scania head office on 011-661-9600, or Christopher Magson at 072-122-5705 or visit their website www.scania.co.za .