On our recent road test across the Nullarbor in the Scania R 660 V8, we got a rare chance to chat with Scania Australia managing director Manfred Streit.
Manfred accompanied us on the drive and at one stage I swapped seats with him and gave him a drive of the big rig as I sat in the passenger seat to get an insight of what was going on with Scania and how Manfred was enjoying his time out here.
Big Rigs: Firstly, Manfred, let’s talk about sales for this year. It looks like you’re heading for a record year.
Manfred Streit: Yes, we are heading for a record year. After we broke the record last year, we’re heading for another record which is definitely good, but we’re also increasing our market share compared to last year.
BR: OK, let’s talk about market share.
MS: Yeah we can. We are aiming for a 10 per cent market share for next year. That’s our goal, and we have the product, the staff and the service network to achieve that.
And that’s what we’re working on for next year, and then more in the years after that.
BR: And if you get 10 per cent next year how many trucks will that be per year?
MS: Of course, that depends on the market estimating a little bit of a decrease in the market as such, but it would be around the 1500 mark next year.
BR: And what about the dealer network? Are you looking at increasing the dealer network going forward?
MS: Yes, we strongly believe in owning a big part of our network that’s where we are increasing our network capacity by one in WA. This dealership will go online around the first half of next year and then we are also investigating other areas where we can invest and grow.
BR: You’ve got a big focus on customer care can you explain a bit about that for us.
MS: Our business is about satisfying the needs of our customers. It is important to satisfy their needs with our products, with our service capabilities and with our support from a business sense. So we are aiming to try to always try to achieve the best we can for our customers as they run their transport operations. Our main goal is to make their business successful. Customer care is not just delivering a vehicle or a part. It’s more than that.
BR: There’s been a lot of talk about battery electric vehicles lately. Where’s Scania Australia on that?
MS: Yes, Scania Australia is offering battery electric vehicles and we have some on the road right now. They are reliable from what we have seen so far and there is a future for battery electric in this country but not in every application. In the coming years it will be in the urban environment where electric vehicles will have their place. In the longer distance and line-haul applications we’ll still be seeing internal combustion engine vehicles for the years to come.
BR: Manfred, we’re driving a 660 V8. Scania has the last of the V8 trucks in Australia; do you see a future for V8 trucks?
MS: Of course, I see a future for V8 trucks especially here in Australia with the heavy loads and the long distances. And that’s why we have invested so much and are always improving V8 technology, because it’s so important for these applications like here in the truck we’re sitting in now. The more weight you have, the more power you need, but you also need the size of the engine, the reliability, uptime and fuel consumption and with our V8s you get all of that.
I have had experience with customers who are saying that with the V8, they are gaining time, and time is money so the V8 is actually making them money.
BR: How many V8 vehicles are you offering at the moment?
MS: In the latest Euro 6 technology we are offering a 530, 590, 660 and a 770 in V8 form. These four are our V8s for the time being and they have been updated to the highest standards and we’re covering almost every transport need with it.
BR: So they’re still doing R and D and improving the V8s back in Sweden at head office?
MS: Yes, the V8 is constantly being improved and the latest update has recently been launched. We believe there is a need for this product and that’s why we are looking at further improving the V8s all the time. You haven’t seen the last of the V8s from Scania.
BR: So how are you enjoying your time out here on the trip?
MS: I’m enjoying every bit of it. In fact, I think I’ll come back here with my son. Maybe if we need some trucks moved around the country, I might put my hand up for the job!
BR: Thanks for the chat, Manfred, it’s been great sharing the cab with you.