Logistics specialist Unitrans is acquiring 40 new MAN TGS trucks in a deal valued at around R40-million.

MAN Truck & Bus South Africa deputy CEO Bruce Dickson says the TGS units will replace MAN TGA units, and will be used specifically in long-haul applications.

Unitrans will acquire 27 new trucks for its fuel and chemicals division, and 13 units for its freight and logistics division.

Dickson tells Engineering News Online that the new TGS unit delivers a 3 l/100 km diesel saving compared with the TGA units.

“This is a big saving, and an immediate saving, when taking into consideration that fuel makes up 45% of an operator’s costs.

“Equally important is the reduction achieved in the carbon footprint.”

Dickson says there is too much emphasis being placed on events in 2017, when new, cleaner fuel is set to be introduced in South Africa.

“We have the technology ready for when that happens, but we need to make a difference now, especially when considering that one litre of diesel pushes 2.63 kg of carbon dioxide into the air. It’s a no-brainer.”

Dickson adds that bringing down cost of ownership is a big drive for the local arm of the German truck manufacturer.

“We are moving to being a more relationship-oriented company. We need to add value to customers’ operations and not just sell them trucks.”

The MAN TGS trucks are provided with an extended five-year/800 000 km factory warranty.

Financing is supplied through MAN, with the vehicles supplied on a full maintenance lease deal.

The deal also includes driver training and a preferential buy-back agreement.

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