EVENT XTREM DAYS INNOVATION 3D PRINTING RENAULT TRUCKS K: FAILSAFE RELIABILITY ISSUE 46 RENAULT-TRUCKS.COM
EVENT
XTREM DAYS
INNOVATION
3D PRINTING
RENAULT TRUCKS K:
FAILSAFERELIABILITY
ISSUE 46
RENAULT-TRUCKS.COM
2OPTIMUMMAGAZINE – The Renault Trucks magazine
Optimum Magazine has been reaching out to transport
professionals all over the world for the past 20 years.
Once again, this issue gives you an opportunity to travel
the world with us. This time, we go to Italy, near Parma,
to meet a client who specialises in transporting vehicles
across the peninsula. We will also visit Lithuania where
a Renault Trucks K is used in all weathers to maintain roads
in the Vilnius region. We will also be stopping at Marrakesh
in Morocco, where the XTREM Days were organised,
an event during which clients from 40 countries were able
to test drive vehicles from the construction and heavy
construction ranges. Read their testimonials for yourself!
Renault Trucks has been innovating for 20 years, offering
vehicles that are constantly improving to make our clients
even more cost efficient. Optimum Magazine has also been
your constant companion for the past two decades,
helping you and keeping you updated.
Happy birthday, and enjoy this issue!”
Bruno Blin
Chairman of Renault Trucks
EVENT
XTREM Days
p P. 8
INNOVATION
3D printing for lighter,
more reliable engines
p P. 11
TESTIMONIAL
Renault Trucks K: failsafe reliability
p P. 18
REPORT
The Renault Trucks D
on Italian roads
p P. 12
SERVICING
RTFS: tailored solutions
p P. 22
REPORT
T range: 0% breakdowns,
100% reliability
p P. 16
DIGITAL
Latest additions
to the Renault Trucks
digital world
p P. 23
Editorial
Contents
is published by Renault Trucks in more than 100 countries and 23 languages — Publication Director: Valérie Chabanne — valerie.chabanne@renault–trucks.com — Editor-in-chief: Stéphanie Cascino, — Renault Trucks SAS with a capital of €50,000,000 — 954 506 077 RCS Lyon. ISSN 2262-8754 — Design and production: — Production follow-up: Yvan Cabut — Print process supervision: Valérie Baugey — Photos:
Abderrahmane Mokhtari, Renault Trucks — Printing: Faurite — Legal deposit: last quarter of 2017 — Circulation: 145,000 copies. The texts and documents published in this issue may not be reproduced without the editor’s consent. Printed in France.
YEARS OF DEPENDABILITYp P. 4
3 OPTIMUMMAGAZINE – The Renault Trucks magazine
WORLD FOOD PROGRAMME
THREE NEW MISSIONS
IN ETHIOPIA AND UGANDASince 2012, Renault Trucks has contributed to the United
Nations’ WFP (dedicated to combating hunger in the world)
by providing technical assistance and transferring the skills
local agents need to maintain the organisation’s vehicles.
The Renault Trucks staff members who volunteered
to take part in this partnership have provided three 5 day
training programmes in Ethiopia and Uganda using a 6x6
Renault Kerax fitted out as a workshop.
SILVER RATING
A GUARANTEE OF QUALITYThe corporate social responsibility (CSR) policy implemented
by Renault Trucks has been certified by the independent body EcoVadis.
The assessment covers 21 international standard criteria covering
four areas: the environment, social issues, ethical practices
and responsible purchasing. Renault Trucks was awarded a “Silver”
rating, placing it among the top 30% of companies.
IN BRIEF
ALL LED
NEW TAIL LIGHTS
PIGEON GROUP
800,000th VEHICLE DELIVEREDThe Renault Trucks plant
in Bourg-en-Bresse,
operating since 1964, has
assembled its 800,000th
vehicle. The keys of this
Renault Trucks C, equipped
with a cement mixer, were
presented to Thierry Pigeon,
Chairman of the Pigeon
Group and grandson of the
founder. The vehicle will be
joining the company’s fleet
of 500 heavy-duty vehicles.
SOLIDARITY
VEHICLES FOR
RESTAURANTSThree trucks with a one-year maintenance
contract will soon be delivered to the
“Restos du Cœur” (providing food packages
and hot meals to the needy). At the same time,
a food collection initiative was launched
in October at all Renault Trucks sites in France.
The supplies and vehicles will be delivered
to the organisation in November. A splendid
way to support these “Restaurants of Love”
before the start of the winter campaign.
The T, K and C ranges can now be fitted
with All LED rear lights. These All LEDs have
a longer lifetime, require no maintenance and are
connected to a surge-free electronic circuit.
4OPTIMUMMAGAZINE – The Renault Trucks magazine
20 years of Optimum Magazine means two decades of stories
and testimonials, two decades of reports reflecting the
durability of our relationships. Here are a few examples
of this long-term loyalty.
OPTIMUM MAGAZINE AT THE AGE OF 20
THE STORY…
Founded in 1930, Transport Withofs has always focused on bulk goods
transport. Over the last 30 years, almost all replacement vehicles have
been Renault Trucks models. The company was the first in Belgium
to acquire 4 Renault Trucks T 430 models. Today, it owns 19.
1947
YEARS OF LOYALTY
TRANSPORT WITHOFS, BELGIUM
FOUNDED:1930.
LENGTH OF THE RELATIONSHIP WITH RENAULT TRUCKS:first Berliet purchased in 1947.
FLEET MAKEUP:60 vehicles, including 52 Renault Trucks, of which19 are Renaul Trucks T 410 4x2 models.
SECTOR OF ACTIVITY:bulk transport (solids and liquids).
LAST VEHICLE(S) PURCHASED: 2 Renault Trucks T 430 4x2 models in 2017.
5 OPTIMUMMAGAZINE – The Renault Trucks magazine
THE STORY…
Since it was set up,
the Zizi Group has
diversified its services
enabling it to operate
in various sectors
of activity. With its fleet
of 65 vehicles, among
other activities, it is
engaged in the import
and export of animal
feed products.
THE STORY…
In 1942, Nicolas Martinez Valero, the grandfather,
set up “Transportes Martinez Colau”. In the 1950s,
taking advantage of the growing toy market, his
sons launched “Transportes Colau”, a national
and international haulage company. In 1982,
Antonio Martinez took over the business with
his children to continue the company’s history.
1996
1942
ZIZI GROUP, ALGERIA
FOUNDED:1980.
LENGTH OF THE RELATIONSHIP WITH RENAULT TRUCKS:21 years.
FLEET MAKEUP:665 vehicles, including 40 Renault Trucks:10 6X4 tractors,25 4X2 tractors,4 Renault 4X2 Midlums,1 Renault 4X2 Maxity
INDUSTRY:Import / Export: animal feed.
LAST VEHICLE(S) PURCHASED:20 tractors in 2017.
TRANSCOLAU,SPAIN
FOUNDED:1942.
LENGTH OF THE RELATIONSHIP WITH RENAULT TRUCKS:always.
FLEET MAKEUP:10 vehicles, all of them Renault Trucks, including 3 Renault Trucks T 460 models.
SECTORS OF ACTIVITY:haulage, hazardous materials, storage and industrial gas distribution.
LAST VEHICLE(S) PURCHASED:1 Renault Trucks T 460 model in 2017.
6OPTIMUMMAGAZINE – The Renault Trucks magazine
THE STORY…
Sió-Trans KFT. began operating in 1991 with a 7.5 ton Midliner and several
Renault Magnums. Its business went from strength to strength and now boasts
a considerable fleet of recent and well-maintained vehicles. Sió-Trans KFT.
has now reached an ideal size, enjoying its status as the benchmark haulage
company for the region.
SIÓ-TRANS KFT.,HUNGARY
FOUNDED: 1991.
LENGTH OF THE RELATIONSHIP WITH RENAULT TRUCKS:22 years.
FLEET MAKEUP: 48 vehicles, 85% of which are Renault Trucks.
SECTOR OF ACTIVITY:national and international transport.
LAST VEHICLE(S) PURCHASED: a Renault Trucks T 520 in September 2017.
1996
YEARS OF LOYALTY
THE STORY…
A family company founded in 1977, the Group is now managed
by Julian and Virginie Prévost. With a policy originally focused
on proximity and client service quality, the company was originally
devoted to the traditional activity of transporting bulk consumer goods.
It has since diversified into secure vehicle transport and, in June 2017,
acquired the Papalino haulage company (refrigerated transport).
TRANSPORTS PRÉVOST,FRANCE
FOUNDED:1977.
LENGTH OF THE RELATIONSHIP WITH RENAULT TRUCKS: 40 years.
FLEET MAKEUP: 300 vehicle registration cards, including including 85 for Renault Trucks vehicles. 270 tractors and 60 refrigerated rigids.
SECTOR OF ACTIVITY:Secure Vehicle Transport, Refrigerated Transport and Secure High-Quality Product Transport.
LAST VEHICLE(S) PURCHASED:September 2017 (51 tractors).
1977
7 OPTIMUMMAGAZINE – The Renault Trucks magazine
THE STORY…
Max Damour is the co-founder and co-manager (with his brother)
of ST2D, the family haulage company which was set up in 1998.
Since then, he has been involved in the transport and delivery of all
types of building materials (construction panels, casing and formwork
units, etc.) to construction sites. Loyal to Renault Trucks from
the start, Max has been working with a K 520 since 2014 that people
on the island call the “Transformer”, with reference to the movie
in which cars turn into robots.
THE STORY…
Founded in 1993, the
Speed Han a.s haulage
company serves many
customers in the Czech
Republic and beyond its
borders. Certified ISO 9001
in 2002, the company
has also diversified into
passenger transport
as well as vehicle repairs
and cleaning. With a fleet
of over 40 trucks, it has
been loyal to Renault Trucks
for nearly 30 years.
SPEED HAN A.S.,CZECH REPUBLIC
FOUNDED:1993.
LENGTH OF THE RELATIONSHIP WITH RENAULT TRUCKS:24 years, its first vehicle was a Magnum AE.
NUMBER OF VEHICLES IN THE FLEET:42, including 33 Renault Trucks.
SECTOR OF ACTIVITY:national and international transport.
LAST VEHICLE(S) PURCHASED:the company replaces vehicles every year, the most recent purchase was a Renault Trucks T 520 in 2016.
ST2D,REUNION ISLAND
FOUNDED: 1998.
LENGTH OF THE RELATIONSHIP WITH RENAULT TRUCKS:almost 20 years!
NUMBER OF VEHICLESIN THE FLEET:3 worksite trucks.
SECTOR OF ACTIVITY: transport and delivery of building materials.
LAST VEHICLE(S) PURCHASED: a Renault Trucks K 520 acquired in 2014 to replace the Renault Kerax used for a decade.
TY:very ls.
520 replace
used
1993
1998
8OPTIMUMMAGAZINE – The Renault Trucks magazine
The “Construction Days”, the annual Renault Trucks event devoted to construction vehicles,
took place in Marrakech, Morocco this year, from 9 to 15 April. An operation renamed
“XTREM Days” which marked the launch of the K XTREM in Sub-Saharan Africa, the Middle East,
Algeria, Morocco and Turkey.
XTREM DAYS
450 customers, dealers, network staff members
and journalists from 40 countries all came
together in Marrakech for the XTREM Days.
These events are designed to demonstrate the
manoeuvrability of 10 vehicles from the C and K
ranges, including the Renault Trucks K XTREM,
under actual operating conditions in a working
quarry. Participants are also given opportunities
to test drive the vehicles themselves. Those
on display are designed for construction,
earthmoving and mining where conditions
are often challenging. The Optidriver gearbox,
featured on 7 of the 10 vehicles on show,
was highly praised by those taking part.
EVENT
9 OPTIMUMMAGAZINE – The Renault Trucks magazine
ALGERIA
We started our business in 2002
with vehicles of different brands.
In 2008 we took a strategic decision
by choosing Renault Trucks as our sole
supplier, for two reasons: the robustness
of the products and the performance
of the after-sales service. We are now sure
we made the right choice and our drivers
appreciate the Optidriver gearbox installed
on all our vehicles.”
KAMEL DJEBARA, Managing Director,
Bejaia Logistics
TURKEY
Renault Trucks is very well represented in Turkey.
I am mostly interested in the construction range. I tested
the Renault Trucks C and the Renault Trucks K. I already
had a very good impression of Renault Trucks, and now
it’s even better!”
BEKIR CAVCAV, Owner, Timaş İnşaat A.Ş.
SUB-SAHARAN AFRICA
We have just beefed up our
logistics department by acquiring around
40 Renault Trucks K vehicles. These
new trucks will allow us to optimise our
logistics. Tests have shown us what a
robust product it is. We – and our drivers
– are very satisfied.“
MOHAMED IBNI OUMAR MAHAMAT SALEH,
Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, Coton Tchad
10OPTIMUMMAGAZINE – The Renault Trucks magazine
EVENT
MOROCCO
Today’s tests have confirmed
our opinion of Renault Trucks vehicles:
they’re reliable, rugged, manoeuvrable
and with excellent driving comfort.
After-sales service is an unbeatable asset
that enables us to get spare parts easily
when we need them. They also provide
very good follow-up throughout the
vehicles’ operational lives via preventive
maintenance, consumption monitoring,
driver training, etc.”
HAFID ISSER, Equipment manager, SOTRAVO
MIDDLE EAST
We have 24 vehicles: Renault Trucks K and Renault Kerax fitted
with the Optidriver gearbox. We started buying Renault Trucks in 2007.
The Renault Trucks K is very powerful and has a long life cycle.
After-sales service is excellent. We have signed a service agreement
with Renault Trucks and I find their services to be of the highest order.“
DANI HOUSEISS, General Manager, Al Daicel Excavation CO
11 OPTIMUMMAGAZINE – The Renault Trucks magazine
INNOVATION
1 A NEW OUTLOOK
FOR PARTS DESIGN
Since 3D printing eliminates the
constraints of traditional manufacturing
processes – moulding, sintering
and forging – new possibilities for
designing an engine’s various
components are now opening up.
The procedure results in reducing
each part’s mass and/or weight,
while at the same time maintaining
its quality and lifetime. According to
the latest studies, this process should
enable the weight of a four-cylinder
engine to be reduced by 25% (120 kg).
2FEWER NUMBERS
OF ENGINE COMPONENTS
3D printing allows several
different parts to be combined as one.
This brings twin advantages: weight
savings by removing the need for
assembly zones and eliminating risks
of faulty assembly due to vibration,
friction, loosening or leakage.
Furthermore, the lower mass allows
clients to increase vehicle payload
and cut back on fuel consumption.
Maintenance operations are also
easier to carry out, thereby reducing
vehicle downtime.
3QUALITY OF MATERIALS
3D metal printing is a process
initially developed for the
aeronautical industry using high
quality materials such as steel and
aluminium – materials that make very
solid, reliable and durable parts.
Additive manufacturing is now growing
exponentially, which will soon make it
possible to rapidly produce larger and
larger quantities of higher quality parts.
4 PRODUCTION ON DEMAND
Conventional manufacturing
processes call for major
investments in producing machines
and tools which limit the number of
engine versions on offer to customers.
Ultimately, 3D printing will enable a
wide variety of versions to be made
available so that the offering can be
matched to the specific requirements
of each market or even each customer.
It remains to be determined what kind
of production model will be able to get
the most out of this new technology,
enabling production to take place
closer to clients so that logistics and
vehicle maintenance downtime can
both be reduced as much as possible.
3D PRINTINGFOR MORE RELIABLE AND LIGHTER ENGINESSupposing engines could be... printed? At Renault Trucks, a team
of engineers and designers is already working on an additive
manufacturing process (by adding material): 3D metal printing.
A technology of the future that has delivered its first results:
complex parts successfully tested on a Euro 6 engine, reducing
its weight and making it more efficient.
12OPTIMUMMAGAZINE – The Renault Trucks magazine
REPORT
THE RENAULT TRUCKS D
ON ITALIAN
ROADS
13 OPTIMUMMAGAZINE – The Renault Trucks magazine
The Fratelli Iapichino company uses a Renault Trucks D car carrier
to transport new and used cars to all parts of Italy. A choice that
is highly regarded by managers and drivers alike for the vehicle’s low
fuel consumption, robustness and comfort.
14OPTIMUMMAGAZINE – The Renault Trucks magazine
REPORT
servicings, no repairs and a few litres
of oil every 100,000 km... In other words,
our Renault Premium costs us nothing
in maintenance!
What are the constraints related
to your activity?
E. I. — We serve all parts of Italy.
Our vehicles therefore run on motorways
and country roads, narrow and winding
mountain roads – there are plenty of these
in Italy – as well as in large towns and
villages. Our vehicles must therefore be
able to drive everywhere, be manoeuvrable
and reliable. After our first positive
experience with the Renault Premium,
this year we decided to acquire a new
Renault Trucks D. Like other hauliers,
our biggest item of expenditure is fuel.
My brother and I therefore check each
truck’s consumption per kilometre. And
we have found that the Renault Trucks D
has an excellent average performance.
What is your opinion of the Renault Trucks D
after operating it for several months?
E. I. — These first months confirm what
we think of Renault Trucks vehicles
in general and their customer service.
The Renault Trucks D is really reliable.
Gear shifting is very quiet and very pleasant
when you’re driving. The drivers even tell
me: “Enzo, it’s like we have a bus in our
hands!” Its robustness and manoeuvrability
make it ideal for medium and long distances
and also make it suitable for narrower
and winding roads. Loading and unloading
manoeuvres are straightforward, it
adapts to all the situations we are likely to
encounter during our missions. Apart from
my own opinion, it’s our drivers who give
us the most telling feedback on the qualities
of the Renault Trucks D. We maintain
a relationship of trust with our drivers.
And we want them to be happy with their
vehicles because they are the ones who
use them. They feel really at ease in the cab
and the berth is very comfortable. The
driving position is perfectly adapted to the
job in hand. The Renault Trucks D behaves
like a car. It is very stable on turns and
never tends to lean to one side or the other.
How would you define your relationship
with the Renault Trucks dealer?
E. I. — I am very satisfied with the
relationship we have established over the
past few months: the Renault Trucks
What is your company’s business?
Enzo Iapichino — Fratelli Iapichino SRL
is a family company, handed down from
father to son. We transport cars almost
exclusively and work with all brands.
The financial crisis saw a certain increase
in used car volumes, while new cars were
somewhat neglected. But over the past
two or three years, new car sales have
been on the rise, as have registrations,
and our business is growing again. In 2012,
we began to expand our fleet with the
acquisition of our first Renault Trucks
vehicle, a Renault Premium 460. Since then,
it has travelled 500,000 km, with 5 regular
FRATELLI IAPICHINO SRL2008: company founded.
HEADQUARTERS: Colorno, Parma.
ACTIVITY: goods forwarding and distribution.
COUNTRIES SERVED: all parts of Italy.
14: staff complement, including 10 drivers.
NUMBER OF KILOMETRES TRAVELLED: 120 to 130,000 km per year per vehicle.
15 OPTIMUMMAGAZINE – The Renault Trucks magazine
VIEWPOINT
Santo Zambaldo, a Renault Trucks D driver.
“I usually start between 6 am and 7 am in the morning, depending on my deliveries,
unloading and destination. I go to the dealers, I deliver the cars, and then I come back
here for a new load. We can see that the Renault Trucks D belongs to a new generation.
I have everything to hand and no longer need to let go of the steering wheel to reach
the controls. The cab is roomy, with a comfortable berth. It’s easy to move around inside
the vehicle, visibility and the steering position are excellent. As for security, the camera
is a real plus, warning of any dangers on the road. It’s perfect for the job I do! “
representatives have always come to me,
they are always pleasant, friendly and
available. This is a dealer who provides
his customers with a real follow-up. For
example, he got in touch with us as soon
as we received the vehicles to explain
their characteristics, the new features
and help us operate them under optimal
conditions. Finally, the performance
of the Renault Trucks range is mainly
due to its reliability and low maintenance
costs: there has been no need to carry
out any repairs on them in recent years.
And we are always amazed at the number
of extra kilometres we can cover with a
Renault Trucks D!
16OPTIMUMMAGAZINE – The Renault Trucks magazine
REPORT
Could you tell us about Chalavan
et Duc and its business?
Christian Duc — The company was
founded in 1955 by Raymond Chalavan
who bought, what was at the time,
his first Renault vehicle. A few years later,
our father, Aymé Duc, joined him and
they then set up Chalavan et Duc
together. Today, Mr Duc’s sons run
the company, which has a workforce
of 1,100 and is based in Montélimar.
In France, our biggest client is La Poste,
which exclusively rents vehicles with
drivers, an activity which accounts for
70% of our business. Other customers
work in the fields of industrial freight,
logistics, services and training. We cover
all parts of the country and also provide
regional and urban delivery services.
How is your fleet made up?
C. D. — We have a very diversified fleet
to meet all of our customers’ specific
and increasingly demanding needs.
From the minivan to the light-bodied
vehicle and rigids from 12T to 26T. We have
tractor / semi-trailer, semi-double-deck,
crane, and special vehicle combinations:
refrigerated vehicles with dual wall fridges.
We have been operating Renault Trucks
vehicles for twenty years and they now
account for 35% of our fleet, which will
continue to grow. We renew the T-series
road tractor vehicles every 5 years. In our
company, vehicles have 2 lives: during the
first 2 years, they travel about 25,000 to
30,000 km per month, a mileage that falls
THE T RANGE
0% FAILURES, 100% RELIABILITY
The Chalavan et Duc Group have been constantly renewing and expanding their fleet of
Renault Trucks vehicles for almost 20 years. While paying attention to client needs and customer
service have always been decisive factors in their choice, the most recent Renault Trucks T
acquired by the Group has improved its performance and its customers’ satisfaction.
CHALAVAN ET DUCACTIVITY: forwarding and distribution of goods in France.
1955: founded.
7 agencies in France.
1,100 staff members, including 1,000 drivers.
1,200 vehicle registration cards, including 700 motor vehicles.
35% Renault Trucks vehicles.
250,000 TO 300,000 KM covered per year and per vehicle.
17 OPTIMUMMAGAZINE – The Renault Trucks magazine
delays due to the driver or the vehicle. It is
therefore thanks to the Renault Trucks T
that we achieved this performance, since
we had a 0% breakdown rate during the
period concerned.
How good is your relationship with your
Renault Trucks dealer?
C. D. — We use the highly responsive 24/7
service and the Clovis rental service, which
offers a diverse range of vehicles that meet
to 5,000 or 6,000 km in the second part of
the vehicle’s life. When the time comes to
replace them, they have between 850,000
and 1 million km on the clock.
What do you consider to be the
Renault Trucks T’s most important
features?
C. D. — Unquestionably its reliability,
low fuel consumption, comfort and safety!
Reliability because it’s currently the
vehicle with the lowest failure rate,
particularly as far as the driveline and
electronic equipment are concerned.
Fuel consumption because it’s lower than
those of other equivalent vehicles thanks
to its robotised gearbox. As for comfort
and safety, these are two aspects I have
learnt about from our drivers and company
instructors, because I’m not a driver
myself. All these characteristics work
together, allowing us to accomplish
our missions on time. We must mention
that La Presse, a subsidiary of La Poste,
imposes strict time constraints on us.
For example, on a run scheduled to take
about 12 hours, we are only allowed a
margin of 5 minutes. Furthermore, this
customer’s satisfaction rate must never be
less than 98%. At the last meeting, it stood
at 99.8%. A rate that takes into account
VIEWPOINT
Mr. Guinebert,
driver of a Renault Trucks T.
“I’ve been at Chalavan for 2 years
now and I work at night. I drive the
Renault Trucks T on the Carosses /
Toulon route, which has many difficult
climbs. Whatever the load, it handles
these gradients without incident
at 80-85 km/h. I never have to change
down, unlike on other vehicles that
seem unable to make any progress.
All controls are within easy reach
inside the cab, the seat is comfortable
and easy to adjust. This lets me
concentrate on the road in perfect
safety. I particularly appreciate the line
crossing warning system, which
triggers an audible signal if I deviate
from my trajectory. The Renault Trucks T
is also very manoeuvrable, docking is
always faultless and we are able to work
without any fatigue, thanks also to
the very flexible power steering. In fact,
I drive it just like I drive my car!”
our needs. We also use their trainers to
take care of new vehicle handovers. Repairs
are carried out either at our in-house
workshops or at Renault Trucks after-sales
service centers all over France. The fast
delivery of spare parts they offer allows us
to considerably reduce vehicle downtime.
The Renault Trucks T is the Group’s most reliable, cost effective
and efficient vehicle. Not to mention its safety! This means our drivers
can fully concentrate on their mission and the road ahead. All of which
results in keeping our customers satisfied!”
Christian Duc, Technical and purchasing manager for Chalavan et Duc
18OPTIMUMMAGAZINE – The Renault Trucks magazine
RENAULT TRUCKS K: FAILSAFE
RELIABILITY
The public road maintenance company in the Vilnius region takes care of snow
clearance and salting of local roads to make sure they are safe for vehicles
to use them. Saulius Batvinksas, head of the company’s mechanical department,
lists the advantages offered by Renault Trucks Ks fitted with snow ploughs.
19 OPTIMUMMAGAZINE – The Renault Trucks magazine
5%The fuel savings delivered by the
Renault Trucks K in comparison
with the other vehicles in the fleet.
Why did you choose the Renault Trucks K?
Saulius Batvinskas — We listed our
requirements and the tender showed that
the Renault Trucks K met our expectations.
It is perfectly adapted to our constraints
and this is what we are looking for: reasonable
fuel consumption of course, but also great
robustness to withstand temperature
differences and corrosion problems.
What are its main assets?
S. B. — The power of its engine and its high
performance braking system. The vehicle
has fully protected drum brakes. They are
very useful and extremely effective when
we work during the summer in quarries or
in winter on the roads. It also has a reduced
speed function. This is a real asset in winter
when we’re salting, an operation that doesn’t
involve driving at high speed.
Is the vehicle’s fuel consumption
an advantage?
S. B. — Our vehicles generally consume
a lot because of the high loads we carry.
The Renault Trucks K consumes 5% less
than our other vehicles. Its tank contains
about 350 litres, which allows us to cover
between 500 and 600 kilometres.
What conditions do your vehicles
work under?
S. B. — This was specified in our technical
requirements: vehicles must be able
to operate at temperatures ranging from
–40°C to + 40° C. This winter, despite
negative temperatures as low as – 30 °,
our Renault Trucks vehicles had no trouble
starting. Other advantages offered by the
Renault Trucks K include its steel bumper and
the fact that all the vital units are well protected.
What kind of equipment helps drivers
in their work?
S. B. — The shape of the rear-view mirrors
provides a very broad view and the side
mirrors are well protected from snow and
splashes. The wheels, recessed under the
vehicle, do not send out splashes on the sides.
As for in-cab comfort, Renault Trucks has
thought of everything. The height and back
of the heated seats are both adjustable. Our
drivers also particularly appreciate the cab’s
ample dimensions. This is very convenient,
especially if they’re carrying a box of tools for
their work.
VILNIAUS REGIONOKELIAI1990: year established.
300: number of staff.
32: number of trucks with skips, including 1 Renault Trucks K, and 8 Renault Kerax.
2,000 KM: total length of paved roads to be maintained.
TESTIMONIAL
20OPTIMUMMAGAZINE – The Renault Trucks magazine
TESTIMONIAL
VIEWPOINT
Ricardas Kasperavicius,
driver of the Renault Trucks K.
The kind of work 36 year old
Ricardas Kasperavicius does
largely depends on the weather.
Snow clearing or salting, working
at night or in the rush hour,
he operates on one of the main
roads leading from Trakai, a small
historical village, to Vilnius,
30 kilometres away. He joined
the company 15 years ago, and
declares: “It’s a real pleasure
to drive the Renault Trucks K,
everything is so quiet and there
are no vibrations. This winter
in Lithuania, temperatures dropped
sharply, with heavy snowfalls”.
As far as Ricardas is concerned,
the Renault Trucks K is perfectly
suited to the stretch of road he
looks after. “You can load up to
about 11 tons of salt or sand, more
than in other trucks,” he explains.
Lower fuel consumption is another
of the Renault Trucks K’s key
advantages. Without knowing the
exact figure, Ricardas often sees
the vehicle return from a mission
with its tank more than half full.
Particularly suitable for work
in an urban environment, it can
also be fitted with two snowplough
blades. “They allow us to do more
and do it faster. The work I can
now do alone would have taken
two vehicles to do before,” stresses
Ricardas. But speed must be
accompanied by safety, especially
in adverse weather conditions.
The driver must take great care
n using both the front and lateral
blades. Several things have to be
done almost simultaneously;
monitoring the road, checking
that the snow is being cleared
efficiently and controlling the
salting. This calls for a great deal
of concentration. “You must be
very careful; everything is done
with the rear-view mirrors,” the
driver explains. As Trakai is in
an agricultural and forested area,
Ricardas sometimes travels over
more rugged terrain where he
could get bogged down. Locking
the differential is very useful.
“When we have to drive in fields,
the rear wheels start skidding.
But the lock makes the task easier.
Using this system helps the other
drive axle get a grip so that the
vehicle can move forwards much
more easily,” explains the driver.
21 OPTIMUMMAGAZINE – The Renault Trucks magazine
We’ve had no problems
with the Renault Trucks K.”
Saulius Batvinskas
22OPTIMUMMAGAZINE – The Renault Trucks magazine
SERVICE
By being familiar with its customers’
business and market, Renault Trucks
Financial Services provides solutions
to meet every need, in France and abroad.
Whether it is a single vehicle or a complete
fleet, new or used, financing and insurance
can be grouped together in a single
formula: “Renault Trucks is with us every
step of the way,” explains Jan Dijkstra,
head of Dutch hauliers Niek Dijkstra
Transport BV. “We have financing and
insurance services for about 30 vehicles
of all sizes. Our contact at Renault Trucks
is a real partner for us, keeping step with
the growth of our business. He is there when
everything is going well, but especially
when we need support and assistance.”
ENSURE THE SUSTAINABILITY
OF YOUR BUSINESS
Renault Trucks Financial Services
insurance offers cover for all risks related
to the vehicle and its user / owner, as well
as financial risks. Roberta Valbonesi
is an Insurance Manager at TIE, an Italian
haulage company based in Reggio Emilia.
“We specialize in intermodal container
transport and work mainly with shipping
companies. With a fleet of almost
200 vehicles, we opted for leasing with
RTFS and since 2003 we have been
insuring all our vehicles for every kind
of risk: accidents, vandalism, glass
breakage, climatic events, theft and fire.
Relationships with our RTFS contact are
excellent, and have continued to improve
over time. In the event of an incident,
the procedure is always very fast: from
the declaration to taking charge of
the vehicle and its repair, everything
is managed by the same person.“
These words perfectly illustrate the
Renault Trucks Financial Services’ motto:
”Solid peace of mind“... whatever happens!
RTFS
TAILORED SOLUTIONS
With its customised financing and insurance services, Renault Trucks Financial
Services (RTFS) enables customers to concentrate on their business and handle
any difficulties with perfect peace of mind.
Our contact is a real day-to-day partner who keeps
pace with the growth of our business.”
Jan Dijkstra, head of Niek Dijkstra Transport BV
To watch the video
23 OPTIMUMMAGAZINE – The Renault Trucks magazine
DIGITAL
SOCIAL NETWORKS
YOUTUBE
Renault Trucks offers its customers vehicles to make them more profitable.This film highlights the advantages offered by the D (distribution) range, demonstrating how Renault Trucks are centres of profit.
TRUCKERS GALLERY
POSTED ON TRUCKERSGALLERY.RENAULT-TRUCKS.COM
T480 4X2 SZM, RENAULT TRUCKS T, 2017
ORIGINALLY POSTED BY THOMANN NUTZFAHRZEUGE AG
20/06/2017
truckersgallery.renault-trucks.com
Long distance, heavy construction, construction and
distribution; this application makes it possible to discover
the whole Euro 6 Renault Trucks range. Thanks to the
configurator, it also offers the possibility of personalising
the vehicles by choosing
both colours and markings.
APPLI
THE RANGE BY RENAULT TRUCKS
TWEETED THIS QUARTER
@RenaultTrucksCo
07/05/2017
@pdjwhite
Designed to tackle toughest terrain
@RenaultTrucks1 Range K made light
work of the off road test section
@fleettransport @RenaultTrucksUK
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STRONG ON
BUSINESSDXI 11 & DXI 13 ENGINES FROM 330 HP TO 500 HP
Renault Trucks SAS with a capital of € 50,000,000 - 954 506 077 RCS Lyon. Photo credits: © Renault Trucks, 12/2015
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RANGE K