UD Trucks has been active in Latin America for approximately 50 years. Built to endure a harsh environment of high altitude and many unsurfaced roads, UD Trucks have earned a high customer regard for their reliability. The company’s heavy-duty models are widely deployed in road construction, infrastructure and other public projects, and occupy a large share of the market for mixers and tippers used in transporting natural resources. Quester adopts a new rivetless frame and high-durability hub reduction, meeting the needs of local customers who demand high operational and economic performance.
Another addition to UD Trucks’ line-up is the GKE Tractor, which meets the needs of medium, long haul and inter-city transport of natural resources and oil, major industries in Bolivia, Ecuador, and Trinidad and Tobago. Quester’s robustness and its spacious cabin built to European specifications are designed for tough conditions, such as transporting natural resources or oil on unsurfaced roads from the extraction site to the port.
The construction industry is the main source of demand for medium- and heavy-duty trucks alike. The range of Gross Vehicle Weight options, previously 11 tons and 17 tons, has been expanded with the new Croner adding 13-ton LKE and 15-ton PKE versions. It also offers a wider choice of engine sizes and other options. As a result, UD Trucks expects to reach beyond the construction industry and sell to the urban delivery market, where it has not previously participated.
UD Trucks subjected Quester and Croner to rigorous high-altitude performance testing before introducing them to the market, including road testing for endurance at an altitude of 5,000 meters in Peru. UD Trucks is committed to developing the appropriate truck for its’ customers’ operating conditions. Accordingly, all models are available in both right and left-hand drive.
“Our company has a long history in central and south America. We support the partners and customers we have worked with for many years. With the simultaneous launch of Quester and the new Croner, we can offer them a model line-up that is unparalleled. From the feedback we have received from the high-altitude endurance tests and from our customers’ actual test drives, we have shown clearly how they will perform in the field.” commented Toshihiko Odawara, UD Trucks Vice President in charge of product strategy in growth markets.
Launch events were held in each of the four markets, with a total of approximately 700 guests from the trade and from the media in attendance, as well as Japan’s ambassador.
In Bolivia the launch announcement was held simultaneously with the inauguration ceremony of a training center at the Santa Cruz-based company NIBOL Ltda. The facility is the first authorized training center of UD Trucks to be established inside an overseas distributor. It will start training drivers from 2018, and will also serve as a training hub for the neighboring markets.
Odawara added: “Our company is not just about products. We also are a strong support network for our customers and partners. Although our partners already have abundant experience, we are building a framework to provide them with constant support and knowledge about the new vehicles; and we work continuously to keep the trust with our customers. We want to continue to be at the customer’s side”.
Quester and Croner sales and services will be handled by the local importer in each market: In Ecuador, Automekano Cia Ltda; in Bolivia NIBOL Ltda; in Nicaragua, Maquipos S.A; and in Trinidad and Tobago Massy Motors Ltd.
In 2015, UD Trucks’ sales in Latin America were 260 units. Sales increased sharply to 386 vehicles in 2016. The current launch in the four territories is planned to be the start of a successive roll-out to other markets in Latin America.
At Truck center of NIBOL Ltda, in Santa Cruz city, Bolivia
At Guayaquil Branch of Automekano Cia Ltda, in Guayaquil city, Ecuador
At Maquipos S.A in Managua city, Nicaragua
