Fuel-efficient Quester is UD's new trailer truck for Asean market

"The new model is expected to compete in the regional market opened up by the Asean Economic Community in 2015," Ekanat Suwingtawong, vice president of commercial vehicles and marketing, said last week.

The launch of Quester in Thailand on August 26 would complement UD Trucks’ expansion to 17 showrooms next year to accommodate the AEC the following year, and the build-up of a supply of auto parts in Singapore, Ekanat said during a recent media trip to Tokyo-based UD Trucks’ head office.

Quester is equipped with a new engine, at a reasonable price, with advanced Uni-flow Scavenging technology that features a sophisticated drive control indicating petrol consumption rates.

"The petrol consumption rate is a key to saving petrol and operating costs, as a study shows that drivers with differences in petrol austerity can yield a 30-per-cent reduction in petrol consumption," said Kennetth Hagas, vice president of brand strategy and marketing.

Quester was a brand made for growth and the future.

It was designed to run on streets of all conditions in all 10 Asean countries.

UD Trucks has maintained its expertise in manufacturing heavy-

duty trucks, as well as standard or custom-made trailers. UD Trucks has responded well to the demand for trucks with low maintenance tasks and costs, good service, durability and endurance.

The expansion of production would be a key factor for UD Trucks to enjoy a higher market share, which peaked in 2008 at 10.6 per cent, along with the help of other projects, including advanced skill training for drivers, and various car models.

"The advanced Volvo-Japanese technology will yield heavy-duty trucks that fit demand in the Asian market," he said.

Of the Bt5-billion expansion, Bt3 billion would be spent on building the first 15 distribution outlets this year and Bt2 billion on expanding local assembly plants owned by Thai Swedish Assembly Co to 4,500 Volvo trucks and 20,000 UD trucks each year.

The market share of UD Trucks in Japan was 17 per cent last year and is targeted at 20 per cent this year. Of all UD Trucks in use globally, 43 per cent – or some 250,000-300,000 units – are in Japan. UD Trucks expects that Quester would boost market share and sales volume globally, especially in Japan, Indonesia, South Africa, Malaysia and Australia, where UD Trucks achieved the highest market shares among all 60 countries.

UD Trucks has also provided a series of special services at trailer truck parks at several locations, like free bottled water and massages, to give truck drivers a good rest before continuing with long-haul drives.

The aim is to minimise road accidents stemming from the lack of sleep or rest.

Formerly known as Nissan Diesel, UD Trucks has been 100 per cent owned by Volvo Group since 2007.

The name was changed to UD Trucks on February 1, 2010. Volvo Group (Thailand) took over the sales and distribution of UD Trucks last year.