The three-axle tractor market is an industry barometer: It’s the fleet that keeps the UK moving. Seven players compete in the sector and Ian Norwell reports on a recent renewal – Renault’s Range T460 6x2
The total replacement of their entire truck range in one swoop may have looked like a dramatic way of upgrading their product line in 2013, but with Euro VI compliance required all round, and a disparate range of trucks, Renault decided it was time to be bold.
“We needed a new identity,” says vice president of Renault Trucks, Thierry Hours. “It was necessary to clean up the picture.” When he attended the Volvo group meeting that was deciding how to take on such a big job, there must have been interesting talks surrounding the level of component sharing between Volvo’s FH trucks, and the new T series. Hours obviously fought his corner well, coming away with €2bn is his attaché case.
A complete overhaul
The renewal project saw Renault’s Magnum, Premium, Lander, Kerax, and Midlum ranges all swept away, and replaced by the ‘T’ long haul, ‘K’ heavy construction, ‘C’ lighter construction, and finally their ‘D’ light distribution range. With this five-brand group structure, it raised an obvious question at the time, “Did you utilise the basic shell of Volvo’s FH cab?”
With new cabs among the big-ticket items on designers wish-lists – Scania’s new R and S series opted for new designs – some were surprised that the Range T was given a bespoke cab, with no FH parts at all. Hours says, “It was essential that the signature of the truck was as distinctive as possible. We needed to look carefully at what should be shared, and what should not. If you share it all, and just change a few panels and the badge, you no longer effectively have a separate brand.” With smaller cabs he feels that sharing, as they do with Volvo and DAF, is fine, but for a long haul product, it’s a “non”.
Shared elements
Denne historien er fra February 2017-utgaven av Roadway Magazine.
Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9000+ magasiner og aviser.
Allerede abonnent ? Logg på
Denne historien er fra February 2017-utgaven av Roadway Magazine.
Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9000+ magasiner og aviser.
Allerede abonnent? Logg på
Driven To Distraction
Louise Cole looks at the growing and potentially fatal problem of driver distraction and how fleets can use video analytics to stop risky behaviours which can lead to cataclysmic collisions.
More support for tired drivers
The OSA Partnership Group explains that sleep apnoea needs faster treatment
The importance of health and safety
Steve Rawlings of Rawlings Safety and Training Consultancy Services Ltd, providers of RHA Health and Safety Services, highlights the need for greater awareness
DAF Cements Place As Market Leader
In the months since the global launch of DAF Trucks’ CF and XF models at the CV Show in April the company has confirmed its place as UK market leaders with orders for the new CF and XF topping 1,450 units.
Trade Against The Tide
Ferry companies are investing heavily in the UK’s burgeoning trade routes. But will Brexit and security threats upset their plans for growth?
Public Interest: Whistleblowing Test
How far does the whistleblower’s public interest defence extend? Laura Smith, a Solicitor at Backhouse Jones Solicitors details a recent Court of Appeal ruling that brings deliberate wrongdoing into play.
Trailer Talk
An increasing number of companies are ordering custom spec trailers, with many manufacturers embracing the practice as competition and customer expectations grow.
Cartwright Marks 65th Anniversary Year With Launch Of Total Service Offer For Customers
The game-changing one stop shop solution is now available for the total life cycle of Cartwright trailers and commercial vehicle products, demonstrating its commitment to high-quality customer service.
Handling The Pressure
A number of innovations are sweeping the materials handling industry, with electric forklifts bringing promises of zero emissions, while new technologies could increase safety and productivity.
Scania Launches New Construction Range
Aimed specifically at the construction market, Scania's new P-series and G-series ranges have been designed to be as robust and versatile as possible, with many construction applications catered for.
