UD Trucks Corp. (Ageo, Saitama; President, Yoshihiro Murakami) unveiled its new concept “Going the Extra Mile for Smart Logistics” for the 44th Tokyo Motor Show 2015 (October 29 (Thursday) – November 8 (Sunday)). It is also our new vision for the future. For our customers, smart logistics means providing sustainable, safe and profitable transport. At UD Trucks, our role is to support our customers in their efforts to deliver smart logistics. To do this, we have identified the 3 essential areas in all of our customers’ businesses: (1) further improvement in fuel efficiency and minimum environmental impact, (2) outstanding drivability and safety, and (3) high uptime and productivity. We are keeping up with changing times, and support the success of our customers’ business.
In 1935 our founder, Kenzo Adachi, had a vision “to make the trucks the world needs today”. Since this moment, we have pursued this vision by going the extra mile to listen to our customers and to respond to developing societies.
In the late 1950s and 1960s, we created the UD engines and 6TW, Japan’s first 10 ton truck, which helped to build the infrastructure you see today. In the 1990s, we reacted to growing environmental and safety concerns, with innovations such as the ESCOT-AT, Traffic Eye and GE13 engine. In 2004, we introduced the Quon, which took the lead with the world’s first SCR system, delivering first class fuel efficiency and having minimum environmental impact.
For 80 years, UD Trucks has taken the lead with developments that our customers and their businesses needed most to support them to go “extra mile”. Today, the world needs more than just a truck. Today, the world needs a fuel-efficient truck that delivers sustainable and profitable transport. Today, the world needs an ultimately safe truck that is easy and comfortable to drive. Today, the world needs a truck that is highly reliable and productive, and comes with smart and modern aftermarket and uptime support.
We summarize what the world needs today as “smart logistics”. Our vision is to connect the latest technologies to support our customers so that they deliver safe, productive and efficient logistics every single day. At the Tokyo Motor Show, along with our latest technologies, you can witness our efforts to create a new future through the realization of the smart logistics.
Further improvement in fuel efficiency and minimum environmental impact: “Smart Fuel Efficiency”
Improvements in fuel efficiency have a big impact on our customers’ business, and at the same time help to minimize the impact that transportation has on the environment. UD Trucks supports fuel-efficient operations in several ways. Our GH11 engine (11 liter) is highly efficient, our ESCOT-V transmission features the widest range of gear ratios in its class, and our UD Information Service helps drivers be more aware of fuel efficiency. By improving fuel efficiency, we support our customers’ business, and we support sustainability in logistics operations.
Outstanding drivability and safety: “Smart Drivability & Safety “
Providing an optimal working environment for truck drivers can help to solve several problems facing the transportation industry today: shortage of drivers, rising average age, persistent fatigue. UD Trucks’ ESCOT-V fits into this picture with its sophisticate automatic transmission that changes gears with optimal timing, freeing drivers from the tiring task of complex gear shifting. Now, anyone can drive like an experienced pro. Our safety systems such as AEBS (advanced emergency brake system) and LDWS (lane departure warning system) help ensure safety on the road.
High uptime and productivity: “Smart Uptime & Productivity”
UD trucks contributes to the success of our customers’ business by helping to prevent vehicles troubles and to enable its maximum uptime. The UD Information Service (UDIS) assembles various information about our customers’ vehicles while making it available on a timely basis. This pertinent information about vehicle maintenance and conditions helps our customers boost productivity by reducing the amount of time vehicles must be off the road for service.
Connectivity
“Connectivity” is a key concept which enables us to support smart logistics. Smart Fuel efficiency, Smart Drivability and Safety, and Smart Uptime and Productivity are tightly “connected” both conceptually and technologically. The UD Information Services (UDIS) provides integrated benefits for the entire truck operation. The intra-connectivity between the engine, the ESCOT-V AMT and all vehicle systems are enhanced by the connectivity between the truck and the call center, the dealerships, and the customers. There is a technical connection utilizing wireless, GPS, satellite and advanced telematics, as well as the human connection between fleet managers, drivers, and UD experts and mechanics. And UD Trucks and the Volvo Group are at the forefront of “connectivity”.
Going the Extra Mile for Smart Logistics
At UD Trucks, we take the present seriously, so that we can go the extra mile in the future. As a part of the Volvo Group, we have access to the world’s leading technological innovations. Adding to this our rich heritage of UD Trucks craftsmanship, our engineering skills and gemba spirit that means we always go the extra mile, in everything we do. At the Tokyo Motor Show, along with our latest technologies, you can witness our efforts to create a new future through the realization of the smart logistics.
